It's taken 4 Streaks before I got a working one

[Guest SevenToTheSky]

I don't know if I've been unlucky, but I got my fourth Streak yesterday, and it is - so far - the first one that doesn't seem to have any problems.

I won't bore everyone with all the problems, but they've ranged from being unable to connect to a mobile signal (I tried three different companies' SIMs), to not being able to charge, to the factory reset not resetting anything, and so on. I'm not very happy with the back cover: getting it on properly is very hard work.

I'm not widly impressed with Dell support either; there seems to be a fair bit of script reading going on. For example, all the Streaks have been unlocked and SIM free, so I wasn't very impressed when they tried to get me to upgrade to 2.2 using an o2 link.

It's a shame, and the reason I've persevered, is because I think the Streak is a thing of black minimalistic beauty, and for me, 5" is the perfect size: small enough to be truly portable, but big enough for satisfactory viewing. When it works, it's great.

[Guest rebski]

Glad you persevered. My brother has an unlocked Streak and has no problems with different mobile network signals. So it may be you just had a bit too much bad luck.

As for the battery cover, in my experience, this is a matter of technique. I place the device face down on a flat surface with a cloth under the screen so as to protect it from scratching by grit. Yes I know, they say GorillaGlass is indestructible.

To replace the cover, carefully line it up so that it is perfectly flat on the end next to the speakers, apply a firm all encompassing downward pressure on the cover and then slide the it into place all the while maintaining the pressure.

Trying to do this just by holding it in my hand is too tricky and I am afraid of damaging the retaining hooks.

To remove the cover I reverse the process.

[Guest fards]

the cover also gets a lot easier to remove and replace after some time.

when I first had mine I thought there was something wrong with it..

but I agree, its one of the best designs around overall

[Guest Truenash]

I hold my Stream between my two hands and push the cover up with two thumbs in the middle. If you have nails it's also quite easy to push it up by putting them under the bottom edge

[Guest rebski]

I hold my Stream between my two hands and push the cover up with two thumbs in the middle. If you have nails it's also quite easy to push it up by putting them under the bottom edge

That is a good tip for when I don't have access to a flat surface, while on the bus or something.

My fear is that, while the Gorilla Glass is flexible the LCD screen is not. This is the root cause of many LCD screens cracking while the Glass remains intact.

So, for me, to be holding it in my hands and exerting pressure is asking for flexing consequences.

[Guest superutp]

That is a good tip for when I don't have access to a flat surface, while on the bus or something.

My fear is that, while the Gorilla Glass is flexible the LCD screen is not. This is the root cause of many LCD screens cracking while the Glass remains intact.

So, for me, to be holding it in my hands and exerting pressure is asking for flexing consequences.

yup every time I put the back cover, I fear for my LCd's life.....flexes quite a lot...

they should have made it a bit easier, considering its so thin for being so big...

[Guest rebski]

I hold my Stream between my two hands and push the cover up with two thumbs in the middle. If you have nails it's also quite easy to push it up by putting them under the bottom edge

Well that seems to be the way the experts do it. Check the first and second photos in Step 2

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Dell-Streak-Teardown/3512/1

yup every time I put the back cover, I fear for my LCd's life.....flexes quite a lot...

they should have made it a bit easier, considering its so thin for being so big...

See the comment on Step 15 "The rear panel feels cheap and deforms easily for a $600 device."

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Dell-Streak-Teardown/3512/2

I guess this might be the real cause of the flex?