Dell Axim X51v Issue

[GeorgeB]

I use a Dell Axim X51v for surveying and after the most recent trip I've come to retrieve my data but the touchscreen is unresponsive. The data is saved to the device so I'd need to transfer it to the card but can't seem to find a way of doing it without the touchscreen, everything else works as normal. Anyone else had this issue and/or got any advice? I've already tried turning it off and and on again of course, soft resetting, swapping batteries about but no luck.

[Cookie]

The unhelpful advice first: The golden rule is to always work with the files directly on the SD Card and click the save button regularly. Main memory is unsafe for so many reasons. 

Possibly helpful advice: Can you connect to it from your PC using ActiveSync? That should allow you to browse the files in memory.

[2xw]

If the screen is broke is there perhaps potential to use the VGA out cable function to another touchscreen or would this not work?

Really consider getting an android. The Dell axioms are now a minimum of over a decade old.

[Topimo]

I find ink, quill, and vellum to be most appropriate for use during candlelight cave surveying. 

[Roger W]

And if you drop your ink bottle it might enable you to find out where the stream in the cave resurges...?

[GeorgeB]

Pulled the data from the PDA with windows mobile device centre but touchscreen is still knackered. I'll take it apart at some point and break it properly. Will, you'll be glad to know I've already replaced it with a slightly older model Axim that cost me 99p. You can keep your Android, see you in Spain xoxox

[Swallowneck]

Any luck yet George?

Active sync or if using Win 10, Win Mobile Device centre has to be worth ago if it boots okay and its just the screen not working. Unfortunately WMDC does not like Win 10 straight out of the box, so if you don't know how to make it work watch this.



Soft reset has always worked for me and I only remember having to hard reset on one occasion but I had the data on the SD card so it did not matter that I did a factory reset.

You could also disconnect and reconnect the ribbon cables from the screen to the main board, maybe a bad connection. Youtube again is your friend on how to do this.

If it really is the screen that's bust you could swap it with another one from spare pda.

As Cookie said earlier save to SD everytime to save all this hassle.

I hope it's not more Hammer Pot data thats stuck on the pda, it would be a bit of a bugger if you have to go back and do it again.

ps
it looks like you  just sorted it. I have posted my reply anyway as it may help others in the future.

[GeorgeB]

I hope it's not more Hammer Pot data thats stuck on the pda, it would be a bit of a bugger if you have to go back and do it again.

It is Hammer data, and plenty of it! Hence the desperate attempts to salvage relic technology, hard reset has got no closer to solving the problem. The data is all safe now so disaster averted. 

[2xw]

Haha, I hope the rest of your kit isn't of a similar vintage!