HM 4.3 LCD Strange Characters

[C Voisin]

Hey everyone, I'm new around and I've got an HM 4.3 that I've built married up to a pi3 and I've got some odd issues that I wanted to see if I could get some advice on. The LCD is outputting strange characters when I power it up. Then after a bit it usually will give me the IP address, then remain stuck or go back to the strange characters. The fix seems to be re-programming the AT Mega with the .hex file which causes HM to reboot and the screen starts working fine. I did not have this issue initially. I ordered a case from the shop and it isn't fitting very well and putting some strain on the LCD to HM board mating so by default I thought this was the issue since I did have a loose header pin. Cranked up the iron and resoldered those and still having the same weird issues with the display. The sensors work fine and OpenWRT is running fine, just the LCD is having some issues. Any thoughts? I'm having a heck of a time getting it to fit in the case without putting something in tension. Video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcbOfqxYn_4

 

[Steve_M]

I'd start with going over your solder joints on the shift register chip and the LCD pins. Many of them look like they're lacking solder and aren't giving a solid connection.

 

[C Voisin]

I'd start with going over your solder joints on the shift register chip and the LCD pins. Many of them look like they're lacking solder and aren't giving a solid connection.

It is terrifying how well you know the product. Resoldered the shift register and off she goes. Took care of the rest of the solders on this side again as well after I tested the ic. Thank you very much.

 

[JKalchik]

I'd say gratifying, not terrifying.

At the moment, I'm perfectly happy with my 4.2.4 HM. I really can't justify a second one (although I'll probably repurpose the first into a house low temp alert when it's not on smoking duties.)