Thanks again vi_.

With regards to checking the ribbon cable myself - what's the degree of difficulty? Is it a four-screw job or a 300-screw job?

Taking it back to the shop is more of a hassle than you would think. It involves first telephoning a special department from my phone provider, getting various authorisation codes, then dropping it into a storefront that is just a mailbox for the repair, then getting a phone call from the repairer and okaying any repairs, then getting it back... somehow seemingly designed to make it as tedious as possible.

So if it is not a really hard job I'll just try researing the ribbon cable myself, otherwise I will have to go through the whole rigmarole.

Well that really depends on you. Do you have experience with disassembling electronics? Do you have that delicate touch required for dealing with small parts? I have been 'fixing' things for years so it was no biggie for me.

There is a video or two on youtube about N900 disassembly, look them up. You need to:

1. Undo 4 screws to detach the screen, both visible behind the battery cover.

2. You then need to detach the screen ribbon.

3. You then 'unhook' the screen from the keyboard (this is the 3rd most fiddly bit).

4. At this point the screen is now separated from the N900.

5. At this point I would re-attach the ribbon (the second most fiddly part of the job) and extremely very carefully power the N900 up (be careful, the screen will be flopping around). Test to see if the problem is resolved. If not, power down and detach the ribbon again.

6. You then remove the 6 screws holding the slider to the screen.
The screen can now come apart, the final connection is in the middle. De-attach this ribbon then re-attach it (the absolutely most fiddly part of the job).

7. Re-assemble and cross you fingers.

All the connectors just 'pop' together with a subtle muffled click, don't force them, when they are lined up they go together with little force.

Obviously make sure you are doing this at a good/table bench, you have a decent set of jewelers screwdrivers, a nice bright lamp and are very patient.

I can disassemble and re-assemble my screen in about 15 minutes, a first timer id say easy 30-40 minutes.

Just keep in mind, that opening it Yourself *and* leaving some traces about it may void Your guaranty on last repair done via insurance. You know, they may say that it's Your fault, cause You tried to modify something after.

Normally, I also like to do things like that myself, but if Your phone was repaired via semi-guaranty repair (insurance), I would go through complicated process of kicking their a.s.s to fix it properly.

Estel, I think I agree... vi_ said "fiddly" too many times in that description of the job

At least I will have my trusty old N80 to use while it gets sorted.

@ anthropoidape, try this it worked 4 me. props to cpritchford.

Open an X terminal and run this command

sudo gainroot

tail -f /proc/kmsg

CLOSE THE KEYBOARD..


Now, make a phone call on your phone (maybe to the answer phone service) or call your phone from another phone. Make sure the phone call is answered, not left ringing..


Now cover the left hand end of your phone with your hand (to cover the light sensor) or try putting against your head.. then pull it away/uncover.. repeat a few times.. then hang up the call


Now go back to the X Term..you should see lines like:


<6>[104495.511047] proximity (GPIO 89) is now closed
<6>[104668.252685] proximity (GPIO 89) is now open
<6>[104671.198028] proximity (GPIO 89) is now closed
<6>[104687.963623] proximity (GPIO 89) is now open


If you don't see that, the sensor is either inactive OR covered (screen protector) OR damaged..

Thanks Junieboi, unfortunately it seems to produce the same result as vi_'s test, that is... nothing/no change in the proximity sensor state.

So I guess that is just another way of showing that it really is a proximity sensor issue.

Just got off the phone; in fairness to Optus it was actually more straightforward than I thought it was going to be; there is simply a 3-month warranty on the repair work and it is still well within that.

I will let you know how it pans out!

Thanks again for the guidance.

Jason

Weeeell... got it back today and it is EXACTLY THE FRICKING SAME.

I gave a detailed enough note as to the problem, but the repair sheet only says, "replaced slide module. unit fully testet and passed live on air test (mic, earpiece speaker, vibrotor and ringing tone all tested ok), unit charging through USB port okay handset meets all manufacturer specifications.

So, it goes back tomorrow again. *sigh*

Well... just got a message that they've simply sent a brand new N900 back to the store instead of fixing mine.

Anyone want a brand new N900 before I open the box?

Hey, it turns out that they're better than nokia "oxym.oron" care - the latter give sucking N8 instead of fixing/replacing N900, for a loong time. where did they find brand new N900? 0_o