Palm Pilot starting to act up.

Did I wear out the graffiti area?

[Hawkgirl]

I've had my latest palm-style PDA for about 18 months now. It's a Kyocera Palm-phone combo for use with the SprintPCS network.

My graffiti writing has always been really clean - I usually only pick up one or two incorrect letters when I write a full sentence.

Lately I'm finding that I have to write and rewrite and rewrite a single letter in order for the device to recognize anything. For example, I'll write an "E" and nothing shows up, so I rewrite it (nothing) and rewrite it (nothing) and rewrite it and get either an "E" or a "C."

I do NOT consider myself a heavy user ... I don't write much at all, and I've taken really good care of this device. Plus when I'm not using it, the screen is covered with hard plastic which protects it from accidental damage.

Given that, could there be something else wrong, or is the graffiti area simply getting worn out and coming to the end of its useful life span?

[4eyes]

I had the same problem with a palm m125 - virtually unused, but out of warranty.

Definitely a tech fault IMO - get it fixed or replaced otherwise it will drive you insane.

I bought an add on keyboard, which was fine up to a point, but I ended up getting a new palm anyway.

[rogerd]

HG, there's no way that 18 months of light use has worn out your Graffiti area. I agree with 4eyes, it's probably hardware failure of some kind. Check your warranty, although you've probably owned it long enough to be past the coverage date. If you got it through a cell service provider, see if they have any kind of blanket warranty coverage or other offer that would soften the blow of full-cost replacement.

[Brett_Tabke]

Mine always did that too Hawkgirl - then I cleaned the screen. I'm serious. Even minor bits of "Screen slime" does it on my palm.

I got a bunch of those fellows screen protectors and it works pretty good.

I wonder sometimes if heat or cold can effect the screen. They are sooo touchy.

[Hawkgirl]

Hmmm. Warranty is definitely out.

Checking into carrier coverage but I'm doubtful. I never have the luck of blanket coverage. :)

Screen is clean - please! That's the first thing I did. I'm feeling insulted! ;)

OK. So I need to limp along with this thing for a month or two until I switch cellphone providers - then I'm going to have to get a new PDA.

Any suggestions for a new one? I've had 2 Palms. Is it still the best?

[Brett_Tabke]

Any scratches on the screen?

[Hawkgirl]

Hmmm. A couple of scratches. (I let a really nice kid on a plane play around with it a while ago ... he was reallllly polite.)

But you know what - the scratches were there for 6 months before the graffiti area started to fail.

So I'm guessing they're not the main culprit.