Fix My Sidekick
Repair Your Own Sidekick

How to Add Your Own Background Picture on the Sidekick LX

The easiest way to add your own background picture on the Sidekick LX is to make a custom theme and upload it to your phone. 

YOu can do it easily at the following link to SLKthemes.com: http://www.sklxthemes.com/createtheme/

Or if you want to do it the hard way, follow the steps below.  I would recommend downloading this theme pack to use as an Template.  http://www.sklxthemes.com/download.php?theme=8553

1. Plug your USB cable into your computer and Sidekick

2. On the computer browse to the Sidekick drive folders open “My Computer” then select the Sidekick’s drive

3. You will see two folders listed, make a new folder here, name it “themes” (without the quotes)

4. Open that “themes” folder

5. In that folder make another new folder with your new theme name.  This is the name you want to appear on the Sidekick backgrounds menu

6. Open Windows Notepad and paste the following text into it string Name(en_US) themename
bitmap ring-background ring-background.png bitmap ring-folder-background ring-folder-background.png

7. Save this .txt file to your newly named folder as “theme.txt”. There are more things that can be added and modified, but this will make it easy to add your picture.

8. Save the picture you want as the main background in this folder. (ring-background) Make sure the name of the file should match the Notepad text file string and should be in PNG or JPG format sizing for backgrounds is commonly listed as 400×208 pixels, otherwise the image may appear stretched

9. Add the second picture you want for the sub category background. (ring-folder-background) this is the same size as the main background file.

10. The picture file names must match the text file exactly, I sometimes save in jpg format but still leave the .png in the text line and the background will not load.

11. Close the files, unplug your USB cable from the device.

12. On your Sidekick select Menu/Settings/Backgrounds and your new theme name should be listed below the original four. This is the name you set as the folder and in the text file.

13. Select the new theme and it applies.

I hope that helps you all out!

Originally posted 2008-11-24 13:29:49.

How To Clean the Sidekick LX Trackball

3529000666 71596c285a t How To Clean the Sidekick LX TrackballIs the trackball on your Sidekick LX not working?  Are you having a hard time rolling the trackball down?  Does the trackball not roll left or right? Problems with the Sidekick Lx (2007) trackball moving up?
If you are having issues with your Sidekick scrolling then this cleaning guide is for you.

Issues with the trackball on the Sidekick LX usually stem from a build of dirt and grime in the rollers.  This causes the sensors to get blocked and the trackball seems to stop working properly.

Thankfully, the trackball on the LX is really easy to clean.  The following solution will fix about 75 percent of your trackball issues.  It may take repeated cleanings but it will usually do the trick.

The sidekick trackball cleaning process requires Qtips and some IPA alcohol.

1.Turn off your sidekick

2. Moisten the end of the q-tip, and gently clean the trackball while rotating.

3. Clean again with another alcohol dipped  swab.

4. Use the dry tip of the q-tip to dry off.

5. Let dry for a minute and try it out.  If this doesn’t work then try again.

Below is a video that shows the trackball cleaning process on a Sidekick LX.

Let us know how it worked out for you by leaving a comment below.

cc How To Clean the Sidekick LX Trackball photo credit: CharlieBoy808

Originally posted 2009-09-08 17:54:59.

How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009

SidekickLX2009 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009 Is the front screen on your sidekick 2009 cracked?  Did you drop your Sidekick 2009 and the glass in front of the LCD screen broke, shattered or cracked?  Is the Lens of your Sidekick LX 2009 really scratched?

Well, then this guide is for you.  Following the steps below, you will be able to replace the LCD lens by yourself for a grand total of about 15 dollars after parts and tools.  Find a new lens by clicking on the following link: Sidekick 2009  Replacement Lens

Sound good?  Then read the Sidekick 2009 LCD Lens Replacement guide below.

Tools Needed:  size 000 Philips screwdriver, T6 Torx Driver, and small plastic pry device.  I recommend a guitar pick but a credit card or something similar will also work.  If you need a Torx driver or the size 000 Philips, I suggest checking out your local hardware store.  I found mine at Home Depot.

  1. Power Down Sidekick 2009
  2. Remove Battery Cover and Battery batterybackantennacoverremovedsidekick2009 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  3. Remove small #000 Philips screw in battery compartment for LCD assembly removescrewinback thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  4. Flip Sidekick LX LCD screen to half position  remove2screwst6torx thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  5. Remove the 2 T6 Torx Screws holding the Flip assembly to phone base 2screwsfrontsidekick2009 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  6. Gently lift LCD assembly from base of the sidekick liftlcdassemblyoutsidekick2009 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  7. Set phone base to the side
  8. Place LCD assembly screen down on a soft surface to prevent scratching
  9. Remove 4 #000 size Philips screws from top of back cover remove4screwsacrosstop thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  10. Remove 4 #000 size Philips screws from bottom of back cover. You will need to move the flip assembly down to access 2 of the screws bottom4screwssidekick2009lcd thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  11. Use the guitar pick or pry tool to gently release the back cover. Start in the corner and work around the cover loosenbackcoversidekick2009lcd thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009 cornerloosenbackcover thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  12. Gently slide the back cover up and away from flip assembly to remove slidebackcoveroff thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  13. You will now see the backside of the LCD screen backsidesidekick2009lcd thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  14. Gently lift the end nearest the flip assembly up and pull LCD screen out. liftupandoutsidekick2009lcd thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  15. You will now have just the front lens and frame removedsidekick2009lcdfaceplate thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  16. Press down on the corner of the frame to separate the lens and the frame. It is held down by double sided tape. DSC05817 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  17. Work the pry tool around the edge to release the lens from the frame. DSC05818 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  18. Remove all remaining tape residue.
  19. Make sure new lens is lined up properly before installing. The small grey piece on the back should be cover by a tab on the frame. sidekick2009lcdfaceplate thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  20. Install double sided tape onto frame.
  21. Install lens into frame and press down all around the edges to seal the lens to the frame.
  22. Set the frame lens side down on a soft surface to avoid scratching
  23. Clean back side of lens
  24. Install LCD screen into frame liftupandoutsidekick2009lcd thumb1 How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  25. Make sure the 3 magnets are still in place before installing back LCD cover
  26. Install back cover slidebackcoveroff thumb1 How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  27. Press around the outside edges of covers to make sure they are snapped together
  28. Install 4 bottom cover screws
  29. Install 4 top cover screws
  30. Inspect the Copper contacts pictured below for proper seating and debris free DSC05861 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  31. Install LCD assembly back on the base of the Sidekick 2009
  32. Install two T6 Torx screws 2screwsfrontsidekick2009 thumb1 How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  33. Flip sidekick LX 2009 over and install small screw in battery compartment DSC05863 thumb How to Replace the LCD Lens on a Sidekick LX 2009
  34. Install battery
  35. Install battery cover
  36. Power on and make sure the LCD screen comes on.

Originally posted 2009-09-16 20:42:51.

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