Database Users

Re-Assigning Power Button

Hey guys, I just got my 8525 a week ago, I'm still trying to get used to it. Overall i think i like it more then my TREO650 but i have one problem, i cant stand the small power button on the side. Most of the time i push it i push the slide keyboard out too, its so small i can never find it.
My old Treo650 had the power button and locking keys on the END button, when i push END it would lock and turn off the screen, to Unlock i would push END again and then the Center button. Is there any way to re-assign the Power button on the 8525 to be like my old Treo650?

Any suggestions guys. I am having the same problem with small power button

DAFTEK said:
its so small i can never find it.
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Click to collapse
sounds like a personal problem, maybe see a doctor?
On a serious note.. i dont think it can be reprogrammed via the software, i believe the power button is actually mapped via hardware since it is used for functions like putting the phone into bootloader mode, etc.. i could be wrong though.

Hey thanks for the reply although its my phone with the small problem I have tried two programs on the forum here called Devicelock.cab but that only locks the device but you still have to push power to power the phone back up.

I believe the power key can be reprogrammed in one or two highly invasive ways.
However, it doesn't sound like you want to re-assign the power key, but to assign the power off function to another key. Is that correct? That's easy/
If you want to assign the power on function, that is more complicated, but there are work arounds.
V

I agree with the original poster. The small power on/off button is poor design. When I want to place a call, I first need to turn the device on by hitting that very small button. Then I need to activate the phone app or invoke MS voice command. It's just plain poor design. I love my 8525, but it could be so much better if the product designers at HTC actually thought about the ergonomics of the tasks users do the most.
One more gripe. The phone app is atrocious. Getting to the recent dialed list or to toggle the speakerphone usually requires bringing up a menu. This is annoying for a phone and a better design could mitigate the poor usability. I/m not an iPhone fanboy but take a look at the thought Apple put in there *first* phone and it is quite illuminating on the state of PPC phones.

r111 said:
[...]Getting to the recent dialed list or to toggle the speakerphone usually requires bringing up a menu[...]
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Click to collapse
You could try scrollwheel up or D-pad up for recent call list .
(also down for speed-dials).
Maybe you could map a button for speakerphone, not sure though.

ovidiugm said:
Maybe you could map a button for speakerphone, not sure though.
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Click to collapse
The original poster could - while in a call - try pressing the green button for two or three seconds.
I think it's even mentioned in the manual...
Cheers
Daniel

Hello.
I agree with the previous posters. The badly placed powerOn button is "bad design". If anyone finds the sollution (to PowerON the device using another key) please share it!
Otherwise, this is a great device. A true pocket computer
Best regards, jZ

+1 for the poor design.
I always hit the power button as I am pulling it out of the case when a call comes in, that turns off the screen, then I have to hit it again to see who is calling, and with all that going on as well as the ringer, the phone has a minor anurism and delays in answering.....

So to summarise the poor design aspect of this thread:
1. The power button is too small/difficult to find and press.
2. The power button is too easy to press/find even by accident.
Conclusion, it's just about right then!!
You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Mike

1. The power button is too small/difficult to find and press.
2. The power button is too easy to press/find even by accident.
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Click to collapse
Sounds like the classic male/female dichotomy. I never can operate my wife's buttons, however obvious the functionality might seem....
V

vijay555 said:
Sounds like the classic male/female dichotomy. I never can operate my wife's buttons, however obvious the functionality might seem....
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately i can operate my wife's buttons even when i dont want to.. talk about poor design )

Lol, Shogun, remind us again how many kids you have?
Ok, some Opus Dei style self flagellation for the errant moderators going off topic.
Is this issue now resolved?
V

I can also operate my wifes buttons just fine as well but all i want is to find out if i can move the power button to maybe the PPT button or END when holding it.

Daftek, again, do you want to emulate the power key functionality, (ie on/off) on another key, and/or entirely disable the original power key?
V

Thats what I would like to do......

Hello.
I think we'd all like to assign a DIFFERENT KEY to POWER ON function. POWER OFF is no problem, because a button for this can be assigned through "Buttons". When the phone is in "sleep mode", only the POWER button can wake it.
Any solutions?
Regards, jZ

IMHO, it's possible but not easily.
Easiest work around is to disable button locking, so that pressing any button can wake the device, and then use a software lock to timeout/power off if you happen to poke a hardware button while it's in your pocket.
Alternatively you could rewrite the button driver, but it's possible (although I've not looked into it definitively) that the hardware power button is a hardware interrupt to the CPU. In which case a software based solution will not override a hardware based connection.
V

This is what I did...
I totally agree the power button is a pain, the size, placement...
I know this sounds a bit weird but I took a small piece of plastic (actually from a toothpick) and crazy glued it on the button. It works great! I never miss the button anymore! See picture...

Broken power switch - broken off mainboard

Hey all, I'm new to the forums but I can't wait to get my 8125 working. I bought a replacement screen on ebay and a broken 8125.. on receipt all I got was a white screen, then last night I replaced with the new screen and got the cingular logo and the windows mobile "touch anywhere to set up.." message.
Well, touching it did nothing, and the keyboard didn't work, so i opened it up again.
Somehow when I opened it up, the power switch button circuit thing detached from the mainboard (and it looks like the owner before me had actually crazy glued it on!!) .. and now the thing won't power up, won't show a charge light... nothing at all when plugged in or attached to my PC. So I hope that detached power button is the culprit. Upon further inspection I saw that yet another had detached but I can't seem to find where it landed... this one for the little button next to the slider, I don't really know what it does yet.. .
.. so I guess first step is to solder that power button back on and see what happens. Does it sound like a missing power button circuit thing would cause the unit to no longer power on at all (even when soft reset when connected to PC, which used to power it on?)
Pete

i did this. it is hell to solder on. I would say replace the phone

thacmonster said:
i did this. it is hell to solder on. I would say replace the phone
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Argh.. well, i'll give it a go with the power switch.... do you think it will affect the phone to be missing the comm manager switch off the mainboard too... or will the phone still function without this piece soldered on?

peteclark3 said:
Hey all, I'm new to the forums but I can't wait to get my 8125 working. I bought a replacement screen on ebay and a broken 8125.. on receipt all I got was a white screen, then last night I replaced with the new screen and got the cingular logo and the windows mobile "touch anywhere to set up.." message.
Well, touching it did nothing, and the keyboard didn't work, so i opened it up again.
Somehow when I opened it up, the power switch button circuit thing detached from the mainboard (and it looks like the owner before me had actually crazy glued it on!!) .. and now the thing won't power up, won't show a charge light... nothing at all when plugged in or attached to my PC. So I hope that detached power button is the culprit. Upon further inspection I saw that yet another had detached but I can't seem to find where it landed... this one for the little button next to the slider, I don't really know what it does yet.. .
.. so I guess first step is to solder that power button back on and see what happens. Does it sound like a missing power button circuit thing would cause the unit to no longer power on at all (even when soft reset when connected to PC, which used to power it on?)
Pete
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the power on/off button being broken is the reason why you had a white screen, and only getting the splash screen after replacing the touch screen. If you're a good assembly man, I'd suggest try to solder the button back ln place or replace the device. As for the button by the volume slider, that's the comm manager button. If you can ever get to the homescreen, the comm manager icon to activate the comm manager (bluetooth, WiFi, etc. is in the system tray at the bottom of the homescreen.
It sounds to me the new screen was replaced improperly, accounting for nothing happening when you tap it.Try re-installing the replacement screen.
8125
2.25.11.1

Need help: broken on button

So the power button on my phone is busted.
Long story short, someone dropped it and the button broke.
Anyways, i was using the camera button to turn before, but then now it dont work.
It still turns on when i get a call or have my headset plugged in to it.
Do any of you guys know how to change a button to become a power button. maybe make the camera become a power button.
Thanks for your help.

use "do not lock buttons" in Keylock menu and than install KeyLock app to manage autolocking after suspend (to prevent auto poweron) and set it to "lock after wake up").
You can also use Battery Status to do that

I have seen an issue where the power button was knocked out of place, to resolve this, I took the back off the unit and pushed the button back into place, this resolved the problem, it is also possible the solder points have been broken... really easy to solder back on.
cheers
Steve

same problem here
i dropped my TyTN to the floor and the on/off button works after tricking it, but it turns itself on and off at times. and the button wont pop back after pressing...
so i think ill try to solder it back on.
BUT- i need tools to do this. anyone know what tools besides a soldering iron? i really want to do this right, i have busted a few cellphone screws in my life
EDIT:
okay so i found out on the wiki about the tools and procedure... ill post an update on how its going once i get it done

se1988 said:
i dropped my TyTN to the floor and the on/off button works after tricking it, but it turns itself on and off at times. and the button wont pop back after pressing...
so i think ill try to solder it back on.
BUT- i need tools to do this. anyone know what tools besides a soldering iron? i really want to do this right, i have busted a few cellphone screws in my life
EDIT:
okay so i found out on the wiki about the tools and procedure... ill post an update on how its going once i get it done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WELL then, it was just the main motherboard that had displaced itself, making the ON-button misaligned with the button on the board... so, i pressed the motherboard in place, and voila! the phone is good as new
i almost died of nerves, but it turned out all right after all... *phew*

Tweak / mod the Power button

Hi!
Is it just me or is the power button real tough to press?
Has anyone thought of adding a small mod to raise this button to make it easier to press?
Any luck?
Thanks!

The left hand side of mine (as you look at the screen) is slightly raised.
Isn't yours ?

Yup, it's raised but just a little; i don't think I'm "fat thumbed" but it's really difficult to press while using just one hand.

I agree but it's not as bad as I found the Tytn II.
I've now got used to aiming at the left hand side of the HD button which is raised higher.
Of course, I often just use the stylus pull to switch on as well.
On the Tytn II I superglued a slice of cable insulation to the button. This worked fine. I used a small black cable and cut the insulation longways to the right size. It needed steady hands but was a good solution.

one good thing in other pda's is that in the settings menu was that keylock applet, in which you could have all the keys unlocked, so you can power on the device only by pressing the front keys, and not bother with the power button.
But i can not see this applet in the rom i have 1.14
Does anyone know how we can have this keylock applet again?

While it can sometimes be a bit of a pain to press I'm glad that it doesn't accidentally get pressed whilst in my pocket, I often don't bother locking it so I'd be pressing stuff all over the place.

Cheesy Dave said:
I agree but it's not as bad as I found the Tytn II.
I've now got used to aiming at the left hand side of the HD button which is raised higher.
Of course, I often just use the stylus pull to switch on as well.
On the Tytn II I superglued a slice of cable insulation to the button. This worked fine. I used a small black cable and cut the insulation longways to the right size. It needed steady hands but was a good solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i'm also seriously contemplating that solution
I'm just afraid that the button might get damaged because of the super glue... things might get messy

ubik said:
Yes, i'm also seriously contemplating that solution
I'm just afraid that the button might get damaged because of the super glue... things might get messy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it worked so well on the Tytn II that I never took it off so I can't judge !!

pntzamaras said:
one good thing in other pda's is that in the settings menu was that keylock applet, in which you could have all the keys unlocked, so you can power on the device only by pressing the front keys, and not bother with the power button.
But i can not see this applet in the rom i have 1.14
Does anyone know how we can have this keylock applet again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny, I'm trying to achieve the exact opposite
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=455215
I want my buttons to work only if power is pressed

sebbes said:
Funny, I'm trying to achieve the exact opposite
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=455215
I want my buttons to work only if power is pressed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3003051&postcount=2

[hack] broken power button "fix" - remap genius

UPDATE: This remapping allows the Genius button to "act" like the power on button while your phone is on. Having trouble getting it to actually turn the phone on. Any thoughts?
Dead or dying power button on you MT4G? Mine was dying suddenly and i didn't want the hassle and risk a warranty exchange and get a phone with a bad eMMC chip or screen. Also didn't want to pay $100 to get the power button replaced.
Using the guide found below, I just remapped my Genius/search button in hopes it will become a power button (UPDATE: as of right now, it can only act to shut off the screen and to power down the phone--powering on the phone via the remapped button doesn't work yet.)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=836702
The only difference: by key 183, replace FUNC_4 with POWER (all caps).

like when you press the genius button, it turns the actual phone on/off...or just the screen on/off? if it turns the phone itself on/off, thats pretty cool as my power button was getting a bit unresponsive also. you could also use the trackpad to wake up the device(not sure if all roms have this feature tho). but either way Ive never thought of this little mod, reps to you

I've tried remapping Genius and Camera (I know, potentially lose a factory reset option), NEITHER of these will act to power on the phone. They'll power it down and shut the screen off, but they won't wake up an off phone.
Could it be that the power button is the only button capable of turning the phone on (based on hardware wiring and $hit?).
I've tried swapping Genius and Home buttons...they work perfectly EXCEPT for as a way to power the phone on.
I've also read that you can power up the phone by plugging it in and holding down the home button. That doesn't seem to work for me.
There must be some other code that would make this work...

Thank you for this. With the TPU case holding the power button to power off the phone is a little strange. Cant tell if im pressing the button too hard or not. I do not want to press it harder than I need to cause I know how fragile they can be. Now I dont have to worry about it!

Getting a replacement
The remapping POWER is surely helpful to some...and prevents wear on the pitiful power button.
But with no clear, definitive way to turn my phone on, should the power button completely die (which seems like it will this weekend...it's worse each time), I'd be f*cked.
I did the web customer chat with T-Mobile to get a replacement. They offered me a Samsung Galaxy S. I declined that, saying I want a MT4G or better. They responded that the MT4G is out of stock and they don't know when, if ever, if will be available. This waste of time was about an hour.
So I CALLED customer service, explained the situation, the rep looked in their systems and talked with a manager and said they have *limited* stock of MT4G. My guess is that when something is *limited* they can't give it out as an exchange. Anyhow, this rep put in the order, making sure they had the MT4G in stock, and wondered why the web chat people said they were on back order. This CS experience took about 15 minutes.
Should have a replacement MT4G next week--hopefully good screen, good chip and good power button.
This is only my second exchange.

ANY changes to the power button behavior in the ROM are in effect only when the ROM is up and running.
You can't do ANYTHING to make the phone turn on using another button when it's off, without reworking the HW.