# PSA: Test your DevTerm screen before mounting **URL:** \ **Category:** DevTerm\ **Tags:** hardware, screen\ **Created:** [December 11, 2021, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622 "2021-12-11T10:26:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Godzil](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/godzil/32/60_2.png) [@Godzil](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Godzil)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/1 "2021-12-11T10:26:05Z")
Ok, so. I see multiple people who have issue with the screen after mounting their DevTerm. Considering how you have to mount the screen you can break it while mounting, but there is also a chance your screen is dead on arrival (low chance but that happen) So for everyone who is waiting for their DevTerm, or haven’t assembled it yet, do these steps first: - Insert the SoM (the CM3, A06, A04) module in the mainboard - Insert the SD card in the corresponding slot - then connect the screen (check the flex orientation) - and the battery compartment Once all is done, power up the device and check that the screen is working. Once you’ve done that you can start to build your DevTerm. Now why doing that first? Simple. If the screen work before mounting, you broke it during the mounting process, and CPi need to be aware of that, it mean mounting the screen is too difficult as this should not happen If the screen didn’t worked before mounting, it mean it was dead on arrival and CPi need to check with their supplier because this is not normal considering the number of report of dead screen. So please try to do this test before mounting your DevTerm, it will help everyone to get a better device, in all way. And if your screen is broken before or after mounting, contact CPi by email and tell them what you’ve done, they should replace the part and be thankful for your help. ---
**Author:** ![Godzil](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/godzil/32/60_2.png) [@Godzil](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Godzil)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/2 "2021-12-11T10:26:28Z")
Pinned on December 11, 2021, 10:26am UTC ---
**Author:** ![TauPan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/taupan/32/4988_2.png) [@TauPan](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/TauPan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/3 "2022-01-07T07:14:54Z")
Thanks for this! I finally received my DevTerm yesterday and I have to say this was the most difficult and thrilling part of the assembly (and mounting the screen of course). Afterwards it was a piece of cake! 😄 I don’t usually enjoy building my own hardware but building the DevTerm is fun. ---
**Author:** ![andarugo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/andarugo/32/6017_2.png) [@andarugo](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/andarugo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/4 "2022-01-27T23:58:13Z")
I was reading through the this post and I definitely think I have a DOA screen. The backlight is out, but if you shine a light on it you can see startup text. I tried to contact the clockwork folks but I don’t think I had the right address - any suggestions ?? I’m so close to using my devterm I can sense it !! ---
**Author:** ![Petrakis](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/petrakis/32/256_2.png) [@Petrakis](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Petrakis)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/5 "2022-01-28T11:07:07Z")
You can contact [help@clockworkpi.com](mailto:help@clockworkpi.com) Meanwhile as you have the backlight problem, while you wait and if you have the tools you can try to fix it > [@How to fix Devterm A0604 screen not turning on](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/how-to-fix-devterm-a0604-screen-not-turning-on/7476/4): > > After initially setting up my devterm I reflashed just in case and used a tool called etcher to do it. That worked pretty well.[Etcher](https://www.balena.io/etcher/) I also had a problem with my screen not turning on initially but after having a closer look I realized that the backlight was not working. Luckily my little brother was able to help me further diagnose it and fix it by soldering new wire onto the backlight LEDs. The flat cabel that linked the backlight LEDs to the display connector was broken on one of the bends. … ---
**Author:** ![Godzil](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/godzil/32/60_2.png) [@Godzil](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Godzil)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/6 "2024-02-04T20:42:17Z")
Pinned on February 4, 2024, 8:42pm UTC ---
**Author:** ![stibbons](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/stibbons/32/9539_2.png) [@stibbons](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/stibbons)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/psa-test-your-devterm-screen-before-mounting/7622/8 "2024-05-22T23:45:42Z")
I wanted to limit flexing the screen ribbon cable too much, so did this by partially assembling the main chassis: - Follow steps A, B, C, D in the manual, to get the screen and main board mounted and connected together. - Jump to step J to attach the battery board. - Insert batteries and SD card. - Plug in, and let it sit for five minutes before attempting to power on. The battery board is going to have to come off again to attach the external antenna, but that’s also pretty straightforward.