touchscreen unresponsive, calls are low - help!

[aznsalad]

Hi I am a new user. I signed up hoping to get some insight on how to fix my Motorola a1600. I have searched online without any success on what is wrong with my phone.

The symptoms:
1. Touch screen is unresponsive. Sometimes it looks like it is responding but it doesnt do anything at all.
2. Calls are extremely low. I am able to receive calls if I flip it open or I can make calls if i just use the green call button and dial the last received call. But once the call connects, I can hear the other person only faintly.

Anyone has faced this issue and hopefully found a solution?

I am thinking of replacing the digitalizer which I can order from ebay for around $20. If I go to a repair center it will probably cost $75 just for the touch screen repair. Then there is the issue with the call which is what gets me worried. It may not just be a problem with the touch screen. That will cost another $55 if I get it "professionally" fixed.

The thing that upsets me is that this phone broke because I mistakenly left it at a restaurant. I ran back to get it but by then one of the waiters was about to leave with it. I was able to check for my missed calls at that time. But the symptoms started showing the next day. I have no clue what they did to my phone in that 20 minutes!!

Also the phone is still under warranty (which ends in Dec 09) but Motorola won't accept it since it's a Hong Kong phone. They told me to get it fixed there but I live in NY, USA and won't be going to HK anytime soon.

Any suggestions, tips or ideas would be very appreciated!

By the way I have been a long time lurker at this site ever since I got my Ming. Last year I had the a1200 but that is another long story. I think I am having bad luck with these phones.

[aznsalad]

Actually I just realized that many of the a1200 discussion probably will work for me. Now I am thinking it's the digitalizer and the flex cable that is the problem...