iBar,
First, thanks for your answer earlier. This is an update.
I bricked my phone. The touchscreen did not work. The DISPLAY worked beautifully, but then touch did not, nor could I get the phone to start in recovery mode.
This job was necessary. I had to do it. I'm a firefighter as well as a Buildings Manager, and I can't live without a reliable camera on my phone.
I had EVERY single tool I needed - and then some. I even made my own iOpener (sock with rice, and all tied up - use water in the microwave in a cup, but then place plastic over the device while warming so as not to pump moisture into it.) For whatever reason, it just didn't work out.
Realizing I was in a tough spot, and that it would likely not be resolved by a tech (and after many attempts at fixing it myself through various means, found on YouTube,) I decided to pull the screen off again - and not lightly - I basically manhandled it off, because I just HAD to know whether or not the connector to the screen was properly seated. It was. So, whatever happened, probably happened when I was handling the board, or prying out the midframe.
I was going to go to Verizon to pick up something cheap, but then decided to switch to T-Mobile since they bought out the contract - I may be moving to a remote area, and T-Mobile is known to be excellent in the area I might go to, if I do. Looks promising, actually. Job change.
So, this was somewhat lemons into lemonade. Yeah, I'm on the hook for the 1/4 of the phone I bricked, but that's probably only about $125. I would've spent almost that on a replacement phone anyway for a crappy one to get me through the next 6 months, and if I do move, with crappy cell service. So I picked up an S7 at TM. It cost me $7.00 out the door.
All in all, I am very glad I did the repair; somewhat sad everything didn't work - proud of the fact it at least started back up, received messages and operated like it should - it's just that touch screen...
I did lift up a little of the foil on the back of the display the first time around, but it seems to me it was already pre-cut. I will say this, though, I had magnification and lighting (head unit) and went VERY slowly on cutting the old adhesive. I do believe I got the screen off properly, and through the other parts otherwise.
What went wrong with the touch screen?
Many, many thanks, iBar. You have no idea how much I appreciate all of what you did for me.
Regards,
Maitai