PixelExerciser – a Pixel Workout MIDlet

2009-12-26

This is an extremely simple MIDlet to try to revive stuck pixels on mobile devices. The hypothesis is that stuck (as opposed to dead) pixels can sometimes be corrected by rapidly flashing different colours for some time, as described on WikiHow and implemented by tools such as JScreenFix. PixelExerciser’s main claim to fame is that it really works on the entire screen area of Nokia touchscreen mobiles, such as the 5800.

There is, of course, absolutely no guarantee that this will work for your device. And while it seems very unlikely that this could possibly damage your mobile, you use it at your own risk.

Usage

PixelExerciser requires a Java-capable, MIDP 2.0 compliant device. Most recent mobile phones fall into that category (with the notable exception of Apple’s iPhone, as of this writing).

Download the JAD, install, and start. Your screen should flicker wildly in a random succession of red, green, blue, black and white. It will do so until you press the “fire” button (usually the central one of the navigation keys), close the application, or wait until it hits a timeout (currently hard-coded to one hour). That’s it.

You may want to disable the key lock and screensaver of your mobile first and let PixelExerciser run for ten minutes or so. If that doesn’t help your defective pixel, it’s probably unlikely that running it any longer will.

Download

Get PixelExerciser.jad here. If you are not accessing this site with your mobile directly, you may also need to download PixelExerciser.jar and transfer both files to the device (e.g. via Bluetooth or USB).

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence by its author Klaus A. Brunner.