The Blackberry tour has a problem with the trackball; the sensitivity is terrible and sometimes no matter what direction you push it in the phone will just do whatever it wants to do. This can lead to a lot of frustration and difficulty moving horizontally (left and right). Nothing seems to fix this problem. So after reading many forums, I figured out that there is a solution to the problems with the trackball on the Blackberry Tour 9630.
I went to Verizon after hearing from forums that there is a new phone coming out. I was out of my 30 day warranty but it apparently was not a problem. The tech support rep told me yes, there is a new phone out with a new firmware (which should fix the problem). 30 minutes later, I had myself a new phone and the trackball worked! I was in shock and so happy about it at the same time. Finally, a usable phone.It looks exactly the same. However, the trackball feels immensely different. For one, the trackball is definitely bigger. It feels like it fits the socket now more tightly and isn’t moving around in the hole. On my old one, the ball felt like it was flying around and was tiny and too small for the hole. This ball fits a lot more tightly and the whole trackball apparatus feels more secure. I think this is a major plus. I have not had any problems with the trackball since. The button also feels more secure and it doesn’t feel like I was going to break it or push it in a direction when I pushed it down. It makes a nice clicking noise when it’s operated.
In terms of newer firmware, I have no idea. My phone says its v 4.7.1.40 (platform 4.1.0.40). Branding version 1.0.1.05.34. Anyone have any idea what this means?
If you have any experience with Verizon or one of the other carriers with this problem, feel free to comment!
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Very cool!
I am a Sprint Tour user myself, and had my BlackBerry replaced under the 30-day new phone policy. Oddly, I actually didn't need to, since I could just up the sensitivity and it was fixed. My replacement Sprint Tour's trackball doesn't feel any different, and I was told that only the firmware and/or OS was different in this revision.
I smell a conspiracy…
No wait, just old fruit.
Im assuming it was just a bad batch of BBs sent out. There is probably a list of serial numbers being recalled. Which means they need to be replaced. Upping the sensativity works for a short period of time, then it starts to deplete as well.
It worked for me. I agree, I smell something fishy going on. At least they fixed it!
Jay – I heard a lot of the same thing from Verizon but in the end, just advise early adopters to get a replacement unit with a green sticker on the box. (Or look for green sticker on new box too). The OS appears to be exactly the same, even installing the new v5.0.0 OS does not appear to address the issue.
Also, there is a real good long thread with much info related to this at:
supportforums.blacokberry.com
http://supportforums.blackberry.com/rim/board/message?board.id=9630&thread.id=371
Best of luck,
Maurice
I just spoke with Tech Support at VW and have my 3rd BB Tour on it's way. He also let me know that there are no more boxes with green dots on them. He says they have cycled out the bad BB's so there is no more need for the green dots.
This is all great news for verizon users! Thanks for your posts!
Moving on to Tour number 3 on Tuesday (I wish they were open for just a little bit on Labor Day). First Tour had this trackball issue, with the horizontal movement, now this one feels like there is grime between the ball and movement, but only when scrolling down? It's a slightly different problem, but I really don't want to wait and have to pay after the 30 days. Hopefully I'll get a good-working one this time around!
I am on Tour # 5 now. It nuked itself last week and they had to ship me one. Good luck with yours too!
I’m on my third Tour with Verizon. The trackball keeps on breaking! Its like it wears out and starts getting stuck. I really wish I could switch to a new phone. Any suggestions on a verizon smart phone when it comes time to upgrade? I will definitely NOT be getting another blackberry.
The Droid is nice but the right smartphone always depends on what you need it for. I need it for email and the Blackberry suits me. If you are looking for web browsing and gaming and lots of apps, the Iphone or the Droid might be good. The new Palm phones are also looking really nice. What are you thinking of?
Good point, I am really more interested in the web browsing than anything else. Second would have to be apps. Not so much with email however. Being a fan of Apple, I would love an iPhone, but where I live AT&T has very spotty coverage (go figure). Thanks again for the advice!
no problem, feel free to come back any time!
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