Chosen Solution
Replaced LCD and Digitizer assembly and there is no touch. tried soft reset. tried cleaning and reconnecting. There also appears to already be static tape covering the copper areas of the new digitizer so i dont think that touching the frame is the issue. Help?
90% chance its a bad digi. Can you try the original, or a known working digi and see if that works? If not, order up a new one from a reputable (NOT EBAY OR AMAZON) supplier. Of course make sure to get one with the IC already installed. Please report back if this doesn’t help. Good luck
