oatikodi

Sadly, after nearly 4 months my HTC Desire has stopped working

The home key button no longer works (pressing it does nothing and the phone is not very usable without it. Anyone had a similar problem (or know if it is possible to reprogram the keys)?

Having got it sim free I can't get the phone company to replace it. I'll see how HTC handle warranty queries!

(And I have done a facory reset but that doesn't help)

gibbs1984

My menu key is playing up a bit, still works but takes a couple of goes to get it to work sometimes, I put it down to the crappy ROM that I'm running though...

lekky

HTC should cover it, raise a support request via their support section of their site.

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oatikodi

I tried calling HTC on the landline support number (twice) but gave up after 15mins in a queue. I then tried emailing saying what the problem was and that I had done a factory reset (twice) and still no improvement. And also that I couldn't get through on their warranty number. I had an email back suggesting I try a factory reset (not sure they even bothered to read my email) and also to try an 0845 number (which is chargeable on a mobile as it is not covered by the usual contract and also chargeable from landlines depending on your provider). So, I was not impressed. However, I tried the 0845 number and got through quickly. I was impressed when HTC then arranged for UPS to collect my phone the next day. However, it's been over a week now and not a single response from HTC and the web site where you are supposed to enter your ticket number and email address does nothing with the ticket number I was provided. I am seriously under impressed by HTC and will call then tomorrow.

In the meantime, I got hold of a galaxy portal (these are now running 2.1) and was seriously impressed. The battery life is better than the Desire; the screen is readable in daylight and the keys at the bottom of the screen make things like editing a lot easier than on the Desire. However, the camera is not as good and there doesn’t seem to be pinch and zoon (though I didn't miss that). The size and feel of the phone is very good and it's available on £12 or £15 a month contracts! Or payg it's nearly half the price of a Desire!! I also had a go at a Samsung Galaxy S (I wish Samsung didn't have so many Galaxies!). The screen size of the Galaxy S is great and there are small changes in the software that in many ways make it easier to use than the Desire (like the way I select multiple emails in Hotmail and delete them; the wifi on/off on the pull down at the top of the menu; the ability to change the sequence of home screens and navigate directly to any screen. The music player also seems better and the camera is pretty good (though no flash). Battery is also a lot better than the Desire. However, the case of the Galaxy S is very smooth and I nearly dropped it a couple of times (a case has made all the difference). Also, there aren't keys to navigate around text which makes editing harder than on the Desire or the Galaxy portal). The Galaxy S though is seriously light and thin so it fits very neatly into the pocket (and a phone this size is pretty good for ebook reading).

Anyway, hopefully I'll get my Desire back (repaired) from HTC! I miss the hardware buttons of the HTC Desire and it is easier to hold than the Galaxy S. However, I would very easily have been tempted by the Galaxy portal and there are some brilliant deals around at the moment.

oatikodi

Rang HTC and they weren't sure if my phone had been repaired yet (it's over a week now). They were going to ring back today but no reply yet!

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy is looking great for video play back- as well as for listening to music and looking at photos. However, it's not perfect. It seems to keep going sluggish every so often (certainly does not feel as nimble as the HTC Desire). And, the casing is very slippery and the keys too far recessed- making it easy for me to drop the phone and harder than it should be to easily turn on/off and change the volume. The HTC felt nicer to hold- and more robust. I'm hoping I can get the Desire back soon and use that instead of the Sammsung (and the PC sync doesn't work on my PC with windows 7).

oatikodi

I cannot believe how bad HTC's customer support is. They have had my phone for 2 weeks and at no stage have they contacted me about progress. I rang them last week and the person assured me she would ring me back with an update. But, 4 days later and still nothing. This has put me off HTC totally. A phone going wrong after 4 months is bad enough. But this level of customer support is totally unimpressive.

oatikodi

still haven't got my phone back from HTC. Getting close to 3 weeks.

I raised another query about my phone- and they said it is being tested and should be sent out soon.

oatikodi

eventually got my phone back from HTC- it came back after 3 weeks with the home key fixed. But the SD card slot wasn't working properly so sent the phone back and it worked ok when it came back the second time. I prefer the usability of the HTC Desire to the Samsung Galaxy S. It feels more refined. However, I will be sticking with the Galaxy S due to its much, much better battery life and the larger screen.

BorisPlankton

I have the same issue - just started. home button not working can only cycle to home screen through the return button now. I will now be testing HTC support if I cannot get Vodafone to sort,
On the 0845 number it is worth looking at 'SayNoto0870' website (SAYNOTO0870.COM - Non-Geographical Alternative Telephone Numbers) as this often gives alternative numbers and does have one for HTC Europe.

bigt

Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

I had this trouble and found an app called 'Button Savior' which displays an icon on the screen that when tapped displays a 'strip' of buttons onscreen (Home, Menu, Back etc)

It requires root for full functionality and as I am rooted I don't know what functionality it would have for un-rooted phones.

Last edited by bigt; January 13th, 2012 at 05:40 AM. Reason: Forgot the American spelling of Saviour

SUroot

Often Home button failure is caused by an application so its worth experimenting too.

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bigt

True SUroot