2 pin RGB LCD shield not working

[nchild11]

I just received my 2-pins-used negative RGB LCD shield in the mail, and upon assembling it and attaching it to my Ruggeduino found that the LCD glows a blueish green color, but doesn't do anything else. I loaded the Adafruit "Hello World" example and it just seems to stall out pretty early in the program. None of the buttons change the backlight color, and the contrast adjuster didn't change anything. I went back and touched up some of the sketchier looking soldering joints after these pictures were taken and tried again, but had the same results. I didn't solder the stacking headers on since I plan on using it detached. The scratch in the LCD screen was there when I opened it, but I don't know if that is somehow related to the problem or not.

Thanks in advance for the help

[adafruit]

make sure you have the i2c pins correct, and try it with a genuine arduino - there could be differences that make the 'ruggeduino' not work
if you can't even get the backlight to change, something is wrong with the i2c connection

[nchild11]

Ahhh I think it might be the Ruggeduino... I tried bypassing the extra circuitry they put in and it at least changed the color of the backlight, but still didn't allow the buttons to work. I have a new Arduino on the way so hopefully that'll solve the problem. Is there anything that can be done about the scratch in the screen?

[adafruit_support_rick]

Probably nothing, but it's hard to see from the picture…
On your second picture, the backside of the shield, the solder on the IC pin two to the left of the black wire - could there be a solder bridge from the pin down to the next trace?

[nchild11]

I just checked that pin and it wasn't a solder bridge. Just whatever that clear residue from the solder is. Thanks though

[adafruit]

Ahhh I think it might be the Ruggeduino... I tried bypassing the extra circuitry they put in and it at least changed the color of the backlight, but still didn't allow the buttons to work. I have a new Arduino on the way so hopefully that'll solve the problem. Is there anything that can be done about the scratch in the screen?

see how it looks once its working, if the scratch is still a problem we can replace the shield and LCD

[nchild11]

Ok so I just got a brand new Arduino UNO in the mail and hooked it up to the LCD shield and the shield will turn on for a fraction of a second then turn off again. The program actually runs and shows the "Took __ ms" in the serial monitor, but not even the backlight stays on on the shield. Thoughts?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Sounds like a short of some kind.
Is the Arduino regulator unusually warm after this happens?

[nchild11]

No it doesn't seem to be hot at all

[adafruit_support_bill]

Not sure what the problem is there. But contact support@adafruit.com with a link to this thread & we will get you a replacement shield & display.