Lock/Unlcok button not working

When you say you can't lock/unlock the phone with the side button, do you mean the button doesn't react at all when you push it whether the phone is in standby or on a homepage?  Or are you trying to unlock the phone by holding down the hard button?

I take it you've already taken the battery out to turn off the phone and then started it all back up and it was still no good?   When was the last time the phone was power cycled?

Well that blows but at least it sounds like it was a pretty quick fix -- hope they transferred your files over for you and all that good jazz too.

Mk

my buttons were sticking to on my Samsung Captivate , it got to the point where the power button was no longer working and my cappy was out of warranty. I just decided to take my captivate apart and disassemble it (i used this video

Samsung Captivate i897 Screen Replacement (Part 1)

) and then i located the power button and used some " CRC QD Electronic Cleaner "  and just sprayed it directly into the power button (when i say "spray" i mean i pushed the spray button for about 1 second). After spraying it i pressed the button like 20 times, then i sprayed some more and while spraying (spray for 1 second) i was pushing the button about another 20-30 times. I repeated the spray and push cycle about 10 times (which means i probably pressed the power button over 300 times ),  I waited about 5 mins to make sure it was "dry" and then i put the battery back in and test it and It seemed to have cleaned it out and now my power button worked. Then i put everything back together.

Note: I tried to spray and press it with the cappy with the enclosure/case/body on but the button cover blocks the actual button and i was forced to actually disassemble the case, its not to hard just looks intimidating. whole process took me about 45 mins first time.

Note 2: CRC QD Electronic Cleaner can also be found at most local auto parts stores BE SURE TO GET THAT BRAND as it is non-conductive, i repeat GET THAT EXACT BRAND/MODEL Cleaner, cheaper brands might be conductive despite it saying it is safe or does not dry as fast and who knows what might happen, CRC is a known well brand and has a good rep)