I need some help troubleshooting a puzzling problem. This morning, i noticed that my phone had a edge connection in my house, which was strange to me, because i always have a solid 3g connection on my vibrant. I then realized my signal would completely vanish when my phone was in hand. The phone would literally say that i did not have service, but once i place the phone down, it would regain some sort of signal, but the signal would still be rather weak. Im not able to call or text with phone in hand, but i can (barely) when i place the phone down. My signal strength now never gets out of the -100 dBm range, which i know isnt good.
So, I began to try changing modems. i was originally on a 2.2 froyo based rom on KB5, i tried installing the following modems KA6,J16,JFD and KA7, but the problem persisted with all of the modems. As a last resort, i odin'd back to stock froyo 2.2 and im still having terrible reception, is there anything else i can try, or is it time to get another phone???
Did you pay your bill?
Lol yes, its funny that you say that tho, because my bill was due today and i paid it today, but i did not get the usual "thanks being with tmobile" text that usually comes with after a payment.
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Ugh!! I'm about to throw this Vibrant against the wall!
First off, I love this phone! The display is brilliant and battery is one of the best i've had on a smart phone. But I've had one issue that is driving me crazy. Lemme give you the timeline.
1) I bought this phone on the first day of release in June. Loved it! Didn't have any issues.
2) Soon after the 14 days were up, I started having data issues. At first, every so often, whenever I would listen to Pandora or Slacker, after awhile the data connection would "freeze up" and I couldn't connect to the data network. I could occasionally resolve this by rebooting the phone.
3) After awhile, i noticed that the problem got worse. Any data-intensive app or website would cause the data to "freeze". It would be random. Sometimes, I could listen to Pandora or Slacker for hours or sometimes after 5 minutes it would lock up. Rebooting would sometimes work, but usually not. It would just resolve itself, but usually after 30 minutes or more.
4) Now, its basically happening all the time. Even trying to browse to google.com causes data to "freeze". Downloading anything is next to impossible.
I put "freeze" in quotes because i'm not exactly sure what is going on. The notification bar shows 3G with full bars. Knowing that is not always a good indicator, I downloaded mobile signal widget. During these periods of "frozen" data, it would still show 3G or "H" with signal anywhere from -63dBm to over -100dBm. Yet, no matter what, I still cannot connect to anything over the data network.
I've factory reset, reflashed stock, upgraded to JI6 (and JI2 prior), flashed Frankin-Twiz, flashed Bionix, flashed different kernals, no dice. I contacted T-Mobile and they sent a replacement phone. Same issue. I contacted Samsung and they had no idea what it could be.
Please. Can any one of you geniuses help me out? I'm considering going back to my trusty G1 (which does not have the issue), but I'd rather not.
i had similar problem on mine, before the JI6 update. I spent many hours on the phone with Tmo and no success. I had found that rebooting the phone seemed to restore my true data access, but you shouldn't have to do that 5-10 times a day. Eventually they turned on the "Android Web" at a cost of $10 extra a month and then it was less spotty. I don't know what eventually fixed it but it now works so much better. Then JI6 helped out a bunch too. I think somehow rooting it helped, but I don't see how. It doesn't make sense. My best guess is that Tmo signals suck or go down frequently and a bad factory modem points that out more clearly?
Well, I've always had Android Web (at least for the last 2 years), JI6 seemed to make it worse, I've been rooted from almost day 1, and all indicators show that the signal is good.
If I were to have to reboot everytime, it'd be much more than 5-10 times a day.
I would think at -63 dBm you'd have terrific data speeds. Best I've ever seen on my Vibrant here in Dallas is -81 dBm. Even though the notification icon said "3G", in the about section it showed HSDPA. I then ran a speedtest and was averaging 5 mbps download which is fantastic compared to what I get at home. I'm lucky if I get 1 mbps at the house and that's if it doesn't stall out requiring me to force it to 2G. I normally average between -81 dBm to -97 dBm, sometimes over -100.
But my phone has never frozen or anything like that. There have been occasions where the green up arrow will stay solid and I won't be able to use the data. But I think that is due to 3G being kind of ****ty near my house. I never have that problem if I force EDGE.
I am still using the JFD firmware though. I have yet to receive an OTA update and nor do I care. I also don't really care to flash it with ODIN either at this point. I'd rather wait until 2.2 is released....not holding my breath for Samsung/Tmobile though. I think TMO's 3G just sucks in a lot of areas. I have a Blackberry 9700 which gets similar crappy 3G performance. Case in point, I was at a wedding last weekend 10 minutes from my home and coverage was awesome. I never knew what decent HSPA was until then with this phone.
Oh and regarding the battery....while the SGS's battery isn't terrible for a smartphone, it holds nothing...I repeat...nothing...to the Blackberry. Sorry, just had to.
What I am about to say is very unscientific and 100% placebo based. Here goes:
I have always had that same problem. When using the extended battery and backcover, however, it appears to be nonexistent. Using speedtest I am getting upwards of 5 mbps where I previously would only get under 2.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Chalup said:
What I am about to say is very unscientific and 100% placebo based. Here goes:
I have always had that same problem. When using the extended battery and backcover, however, it appears to be nonexistent. Using speedtest I am getting upwards of 5 mbps where I previously would only get under 2.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Isn't the antenna on the bottom of the phone? Hence the so called 3g death grip. You may be on to something I switched to a different case....the fake carbon fiber samsung with galaxy s on the back and it seems my reception isnt as bad as it was. I dont have to force 2g as much at home. Previous was the casemate tough case. Either that or I'm just holding the phone differently. Or its a placebo affect like you said.
Anyone else have any ideas? Does that logcat help at all? I get a feeling most of the people who know the intricacies of Android don't look at this forum.
I'm on Vodafone UK, at some point this afternoon lost my signal, just had the no signal icon when I checked my phone.
I didn't change any settings, it was working fine received a couple texts, went to reply later and had no signal.
1st I tried going to settings->wireless settings and switching phone off and back on, no joy.
2nd tried Switching phone off and on, no joy
3rd tried settings->menu->all setting->personal->phone->network change network selection to maual, then select vodafone UK from list, still no joy
4th put network selection back to automatic, no joy.
5th turned data connection off no joy
Put my sim in girlfriends unlocked Nokia worked fine and I could make a call.
Returned sim to my phone.
I have noticed it will stay on no signal for ages, then will be trying to find a signal, will appear to have found just a phone signal (full strength) but attempting to make a call will just sit on the dialling screen for ages but never connect and then gives up without an error message after about 40 seconds. My data connection is off when it finds a signal, if I switch it back on it seems to be trying to connect GPRS then after a while back to no signal. Leaving it alone when it appears to have found a signal it stays for anywhere between a few seconds and minutes before going back to no signal.
Sorry my post isn't easier to read, been up since 4am getting tired now, and my phone is doing my head in.
Just to stress again my phone went from working to not just sitting on the table no settings changed or anything. Please help
I had a similar problem to this after flashing a ROM. My signal will be ok for an hour or 2 then disappear, never to return. If I switch 3G off it seems to solve it for me.
Me too
Xenton, I'm on VF UK with 1.72 ROM, and also have random signal drop outs. It happens even when static in the rear part of my house where I can see for 30+ miles and must have line of sight to multiple masts. The coverage maps on VF's website say the phone should be getting good signal, but sometimes, as you say it drops out, to return soon, later, or (but only very occasionally) not at all. I hard reset my phone a short time ago, so I'm pretty sure it's down to the ROM/radio. I've the feeling it's something we just have to live with, unless we wait (forever?) for the VF UK 3.14 ROM or install the WWE version.
Yorkshire Yellow said:
Xenton, I'm on VF UK with 1.72 ROM, and also have random signal drop outs. It happens even when static in the rear part of my house where I can see for 30+ miles and must have line of sight to multiple masts. The coverage maps on VF's website say the phone should be getting good signal, but sometimes, as you say it drops out, to return soon, later, or (but only very occasionally) not at all. I hard reset my phone a short time ago, so I'm pretty sure it's down to the ROM/radio. I've the feeling it's something we just have to live with, unless we wait (forever?) for the VF UK 3.14 ROM or install the WWE version.
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Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. At work this morning my phone was working fine, then when I returned home same problems, no resets or changing to settings. All this makes me think it is a problem with VF, I have posted on the eforum but this is my second day without a reliable signal at home now after 2 years faultless coverage at home. If it keeps up, I may have to drive to a signal and call VF. Did you get your phone through VF, if so you should get onto them for a replacement or repair if it is your phone.
One other curious thing today at work I got some txts from VF which automatically change setting for mobile internet and picture messaging. They still worked fine at work, but I hadn't requested the settings be sent and the old ones worked fine, but then so do these new ones, just not at home, where I am mostly signal-less.
Xenton,
I used to be unable to send MMS's until I hard reset my phone. Oh, and despite requesting the MMS settings via the customer services and the VF web site, nothing ever arrived on any of the occasions it was supposed to.
I'm out of my initial contract after a year, so think I'll do well to get a new hand set. It's more of a relatively minor annoyance, as opposed to what seems like your more significant issue.
It only really happens a noticeable amount at home, so I’d put it down to something to do with the number of cells my phone could presumably see, and perhaps it getting ‘confused’ (?).
I’d be interested to hear what you find out on this, if you reach a resolution/find a solution.
YY
I was previously on CM7 Nightly Build 8 when out of no where I experienced a drop in service. Figuring it was just a bug with CM7, I used Odin to get back to stock and then proceeded to flash Bi-Winning. My IMEI and Baseband is still listed but my phone will always say "No Service." Does anyone know what could be wrong?
This happened to me and it was because I needed a replacement SIM card. The TMob rep said I had been using a 2G sim for the last year and that it needed the 3G version. As to why it worked for a year he said that it just does work for a limited time and that time had obviously run out.
Worth a shot ...
What area are you from? I'm just south of Chicago. The last 2 days I have had large chunks of time where data has been unavailable. This is at my house where I have consistent 3g. I think they are up to something....
Thanks for the responses guys, I guess maybe I'll have to go to the Tmobile store and I'm on Long Island.
I just actually Odin'ed back to stock and while my phone still does not pick up any service at my house (which it usually had good service here) I went out and my phone did get some service near the mall in my area. It was only 1 bar though and it only picked up the edge network where usually in that area it would be full strength 3G service. So its not completely broken just extremely weaker than usual. Any suggestions?
the 2g sim card problem happened to me too, so that could be the problem!
try the glitch kernel
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1041532
i thought this would be the best place for a problem i started having about2 weeks ago. i am on vodafone uk.
i used to get 3-4 of the 4 bars reception while sitting at home(as an example). suddenly i was getting 1-2 and sometimes none (all blank).
i thought i would try and eliminate things one by one so here is what i did...
checked with my sim in another phone and another sim in mine. from memory the other phone having my sim was slightly down but not much and my phone with the other sim didnt really change much.
i checked with vodafone by calling them, they said they couldnt see any problems on the network, birmingham uk, but would send a new sim, after getting the sim activated when it arrived, no better. their onling forum is still waiting for a response back from their technical whether there is any problems. i dont see how the phone department can instantly tell me when the technical need many days to find an answer.
i thought it could be the rom so i first updated lite'ning rom to resurrection remix and then to a later version of RR and no change. the newest version of RR has a different kernel, flux i think, than the siyah in the 2 previous roms but again that different kernel didnt improve it. lastly i even changed the modem/radio trying to different ones to the default, xxlpx and kh3 and again no difference.
the only thing that improves it is turning 2G on instead of 3G. the bars go back up to 3-4. even with 3G on previously as i never changed it before it was always fine.
i know this is a long post but i wanted to be thorough as i really appreciate any help as i am now lost as what could improve this.
Mispost
anyone?
I have been having a similar problem on Three for about five weeks now. Despite numerous reloads of Android and modems etc I was getting no results, 5mb dl speeds have dropped to around 150kb despite having a good signal.
After many many calls to so called customer service I have discovered that a new cell tower near to me has been activated as part of the network expansion program and because this cell is closer to me than the one I used to connect to I now get a stronger signal from this so my phone always chooses this. Problem is this cell has only got a 2mb feed INTO it, its a TMobile/Orange cell now being shared with Three....so I am basically fooked.
Check with Vodafone if they have done anything similar recently near you. Three are adamant there are no problems my end, technically they are correct I suppose, its all working, I just cant access the net without it timing out constantly now.
Atb
SST
I am having the same issue with my phone. I get only one bar (sometimes none!) whenever I'm home & I'm on WiFi; however, I get full signal strength when I'm out & on 3G.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
i thought it could be the cell tower thing as there is only 1 vodafone one in quite a large radious, about 2 miles, and many of all the other networks. i dont know why vodafone are happy to have 1 compared to at least 3-4 each for all other providers.
this morning i drove that 1 mile to the vodafone mast and ran fresh network and surely that would have connected to that as i was 5 meters from it. still no better. ??
Just try NELP3 modem once... I had done similar issue once.. Now my network is better..
is nelp3 okay for uk though?
Try flashing another Modem. Im from Germany but i had similar problems. A new Rom would do too i think
All
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Christiancs1969 said:
All
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not sure what you mean with 'all'
Number of options, tower may be having problems, maybe some form of interference, try a different modem, try different sum card if you have one spare?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
i do have the same problem as above, no signal in the building and 50% signal outside building. I swithch my SIM with fren's (he use another telco), and his SIM not work on my S2 and my SIM work on his phone (not SIM issues).
I tested many modem as recommented , LP2/LP3, LP9, LPX, KI3, KI4, KF2, no luck.
I flash different ROM, (some old version that work before), from CM9, AOKP, Sammy. no luck.
I restore old back up ROM. no luck
Fix permission, no luck.
any advice ?
OK next step is to flash a different modem
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
i've tried a few modems including the ones people believe better, all have this problem so far.
it may be the network mast in my case. i discussed with vodafone what 3G mast i was connected to and then which 3G mast is next closest. i then went right next to that other 3G mast and the signal was full bars, no fluctuation at all. this surely means it is either, 1-the network mast i keep locking to having problems or 2-all the modems i have used favouring battery over strength and not getting enough power to get a good signal.
is there a way of finding out which modems are better for battery and which are better for signal strength?
Umm not that I know of, best thing to do for that is either research the modems for better strength or battery etc, or just test some yourself, however that is time consuming,
Personally I think it is just the mast having problems, however I may be wrong
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i thought i would add a little research to this thread, not too much but just my experience with 3 specific modems.
the background is that recently i have started getting very poor network signal as i believe the closest 3g mast to me is having problems. if i turn to 2g its better as the phone then connects to the closest 2g tower which gives better network signal.
i know that a modem should be left for 2-3 days before judging but i thought that if a modem is currently better than another then that is only likely to stay the same with time as long as they were given the same short period of time.
i used the app network signal info and did 3 5 minute tests for each modem and then averaged the percentage of the signal and also averaged the -dbm also.
i first used the modem i currently had on there, BUKI1
- average percentage was 19%
- average -dbm was -103
both very poor scores
the signal was very jumpy up and down also
i then flashed the custom modem, i think by krs007, M250S
- average percentage was 44.6%
- average -dbm was -90.66
obviously a huge increase
the signal was very steady, hardly changing from that average
lastly i flashed NELP3
- average percentage was 30.66%
- average -dbm was -97.33
better than at first but not as good as M250S
i am now going to let M250S bed in for a few days while keeping my eye on here for how NELP4 performs but so far i have a huge increase in signal in a previously very poor area. as this is also due i believe to the tower having problems, hopefully it will only get better.
Try downloading OpenSignalMaps from Google Play Store. For starters, you can determine the approximate location of the offending cell tower (if the cell tower was indeed the culprit). Sometimes, i realise that the phone tends to stick to certain cell towers when others are in closer range and could purportedly provide a better radio link. For this, the app provides a refresh feature that allows you to manually trigger a cell tower refresh. I am aware that most apps requiring connectivity have this feature but i don't suppose you can call the refresh on trigger.
Hi Marc
Tracked down a copy of M250S(dont know if its the same as you have installed though), and very briefly, as in 30 secondsish, I had 4 bars and dl`s around 5mb again!.But midway through it dropped out and that seems to be the pattern. Seems to be having problems locking onto a cell, signal bars frequently grey out, maybe its a compatibility issue with CM9, I dont know.
Anyway, let us know how you get on,
Cheers
Chris
it probably is the same as i dont think any others have that name.
it probably just needs to bed in for a few days. i have noticed mine go between 3g and H quite regular but it always does that, i havent had any dropped calls or similar so far.
I've been having a lot of issues today with my signal strength dropping to where it's become unusable. I have an AT&T US Atrix 4G. The signal strength is normally very strong, and is now barely showing 1 bar in and out. I'm also have data issues where I can not connect to HSPA normally.
I did update to the leaked ICS last night, and have reflashed and wiped several times. Since then, I have went back to GB 4.5.91. I am still having the problem back on GB. I'm using radio 37P.
One thing that I originally did not think had any bearing on this issue was I did hurl the phone across the room this morning (landed on carpet) as my phone kept rebooting during calls on me. I opened up the phone to see if anything was noticeably disconnected and it looks like the cord is still okay.
Is there anything else besides the radio that could be causing me the grief? Anything that I can try besides erasing the radio and re-flashing? Anything with any settings? APN settings? I reset the APN settings to default and I see the 4 AT&T APNs load.
Thanks in advance.
Also wondering if there would be any use in me changing the kernel.
Any suggestions?
Not to pester anyone who may have advice, but just wondering if this Atrix (which is running well other then then having an incredibly weak signal for mobile networks) is ready for the trash.
Please do not bump your thread superfluously. Thanks!