How to Clean the Scroll Wheel on a Blackberry Pearl
One of the biggest drawbacks of the BlackBerry pearl's trackball is that when it gets dirty, it can start malfunctioning. If you notice your trackball refusing to move one way or becoming resistant to certain types of movement, it may be time to clean it. You will have to take apart certain components of your BlackBerry in order to fully clean the trackball, so proceed with caution.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the plastic ring around the trackball. Do this by using a very small screwdriver (like those used for eyeglass repair) to get under the ring's surface, and then gently lift it out.
-
2
Remove the inner ring. You will find a smaller ring under the large plastic one, which is holding the larger one. Gently lift this out. If the trackball is very dirty, this component may stick, but it is important to gently work with it and not force it out to prevent damage to your phone.
-
-
3
Remove the trackball. You will see white guide pins on either side of the trackball. Make a notation of where these pins are, as they are what keep the trackball in place within the design of the phone.
-
4
Disassemble the trackball. Remove the guide pins very carefully with a pair of tweezers, and be very careful not to bend or contort these at all, as they are quite easy to break and not easily replaced.
-
5
Take out the scrolling wheels that were sitting under the trackball, and scrape off the dust with your fingertips. It is very important not to use any tools for this, as the gear shape is highly susceptible to damage from hard objects. Clean the trackball itself with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
-
6
Reassemble your trackball, with all the pins in place, and then set it back into your phone gently. Fit the two circular rings back into place to finish.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you do not feel comfortable taking apart your BlackBerry yourself to clean your trackball, you can always take it to your carrier's service center to get it professionally cleaned. However, most service centers charge for this, so make sure you are aware of the costs before proceeding.
Taking apart your BlackBerry automatically voids your product warranty, so attempt this at your own risk.
Resources
- Photo Credit TechShout
