Camera Malfunction - Anyone seen this before????

[futureboy]

My camera suddenly stopped working...no water damage that I can remember, I didn't drop it, not quite sure what happened!  It worked fine when I bought the phone as a replacement for my old Droid X (which I accidentally left in my pocket and took swimming with me!).

I love the camera on the X, and I used to use it all the time, but just recently it's been acting really funky.  When I start up my camera app (I like to use Vignette), the camera will work, but has pink, black, yellow and green lines across the display, and then after a few seconds it freezes.

I managed to get a picture of what this looks like:

{word filter avoidance} up camera

Can anyone give me some advice?  Is the camera fixable?  Is it software?  Is it physical damage?  I've just installed an OTA update to version 4.5.602.en.US and it's still malfunctioning.

[Wildman]

Sounds and looks like a defective camera, call CS and see what they can do for you, if you have insurance they should replace wothout issues..

[futureboy]

I don't have insurance, and didn't buy this phone through Big Red.

[curtterp]

You can try a factory reset... that should resolve the problem if it is software.

If the factory reset doesn't work, then more than likely you are SOL.

But it sounds like software to me.

[Wildman]

Like curtterp reported sounds like your best troubleshooting method, try a hard reset and if it doesnt resolve your issue then you are out of luck because hardware issues will be the other solution.

[futureboy]

I'm willing to try a hard reset, but I don't really fancy losing all my contacts, apps and personal info/settings.  Is there a good backup that will save all this for me?

[Wildman]

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futureboy wrote:

I'm willing to try a hard reset, but I don't really fancy losing all my contacts, apps and personal info/settings.  Is there a good backup that will save all this for me?

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MyBackup is the best app but remember Google backup contacts and apps information....  There isnt any apps that stores personal settings but mms, sms and call logs can be backed up with MyBackup.

[B33]

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futureboy wrote:

I'm willing to try a hard reset, but I don't really fancy losing all my contacts, apps and personal info/settings.  Is there a good backup that will save all this for me?

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Will if helps to get thet camera functioning again that maybee your only choice an most of has had to do FR before once or twice but if the Fr does'nt fix the issue. Well as for the camera if its bought the Farm for good with no insurance that does'nt help either.

But if your into doing the Fr yourself there are post on here explaining the process just hit your search box an write in Fr for X. an if not Teck Services can issist you an tell you how to save your contacts an your apps. Good luck an i hope you get your camera going again. B33

[keiffers]

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futureboy wrote:

I don't have insurance, and didn't buy this phone through Big Red.

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you don't have to have insurance. I didn't buy my phone directly from VZW either (I bought it through an authorized reseller) and they still have replaced it once and I don't have any insurance (waste of money to me).

Before any reset, take look at what apps you installed recently. I installed an app to modify images and it took away all the FB images for my contacts, although they eventually came back.

Only consider a factory reset as a last case action.....it can fix some problems you have now but can create others afterwards. I know from experience

[draya06]

I haven't had this exact problem, but I did have an issue with the video camera acting weird on my x. I actually fixed it by dialing *228 and following the directions (press 1).  It may seem like a long shot, but if it works it's a lot easier than a factory reset.

[Wildman]

As long as they bought it from a store not from another person.  From post I am thinking they may have bought from a person and Verizon and HTC reports that they dont cover the device if they are not the original owner..  Hofully I misunderstood the post and they can get it replaced through factory warrenty.

[vanessas_vzw · Accepted solution]

Good morning and thank you to the community for all of your replies!

futureboy, I know the camera is a very important feature with your device, as it has completely replaced any digital cameras for me, and I also use it a lot!  By the issues you mentioned, it sounds as if the problem may be with the application, (Vignette), or your camera/ device may have physical damage, as it isn't a software issue.  How long have you had the phone?  When did it start malfunctioning?  Have you tried using the default camera on your phone instead of Vignette?  Is it the same issue?  If it isn't, you may benefit from removing the application, restarting your device, and possibly reinstalling it.  Below I have provided you with the steps to remove the application.

1. Open the app drawer and go into “Settings” then “Applications” then “Manage Applications”

2. Select the app you want to remove and hit uninstall

Or:

1. Go into the market

2. Hit the menu button

3. Choose downloads

4. Find your application and hit uninstall 

Please let us know if this works for you.

Thank you,

[vanessas_vzw · Accepted solution]

2. Select the app you want to remove and hit uninstall

Or:

1. Go into the market

2. Hit the menu button

3. Choose downloads

4. Find your application and hit uninstall 

Please let us know if this works for you.

Thank you,

[futureboy]

Thanks Vanessa, and everyone else for your help.

I did buy this phone through craigslist, but it was NIB, clean ESN when I bought it.  I had it verified and activated in a VZW store.  The camera worked for about a month and a half, and then suddenly began malfunctioning.

Honestly, I think it's probably a hardware issue.  I usually keep my phone in my back pocket, and it may have been affected buy sweat, or possibly rain, or even impact damage from sitting on it.

Recently, I'v been able to get a few pictures out of it, but the quality is diminished, and sometimes the lines appear and freeze the screen.  I tried using the default camera app, with the same results.  I've gotten this message a few times with the default app: "Camera hardware could not initialize, the driver may need to be reinstalled or the camera reset."

I guess I'll back everything up and try a FR, and report back on the results.

[Wildman]

Good Luck, hope she hasnt gave up on you...