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How to disconnect the "Always On' GPRS in WM2003

Some questions about the "ALWAYS ON" GPRS connection in WM2003 (device = imate aka XDA II)
1. Does it consume extra battery life if the GPRS is alawys on?
2. When I'm connected but not actively doing anything (upload/download), does the device keep communicating with the service provider? i.e. sending control information back and forth even when i am actively not using it?
3. If the GPRS connection is active, are there any chances my phone reception or the phone's ability to get a phone call/SMS/MMS is adversely affected? I dont want people not to be able to contact me or send sms/mms because my phone is always connected on GPRS.
4. Once the GPRS connection is made, and i'm done doing my "thing", how do I disconnect? Cause currently I have no way of disconnecting.

1 yes like your phone use more power when you speak in your phone it use lot more power then not using it
2 a bit not too much
3 it should not
4 www.GB-SOFT.cz/xdaII should add some features

humayunl said:
Some questions about the "ALWAYS ON" GPRS connection in WM2003 (device = imate aka XDA II)
4. Once the GPRS connection is made, and i'm done doing my "thing", how do I disconnect? Cause currently I have no way of disconnecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press and hold the Red Disconnect button for several seconds (Approx. 3 Sec) and it will disconnect.
Dustoff

humayunl said:
Some questions about the "ALWAYS ON" GPRS connection in WM2003 (device = imate aka XDA II)
4. Once the GPRS connection is made, and i'm done doing my "thing", how do I disconnect? Cause currently I have no way of disconnecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press and hold the Red Disconnect button for several seconds (Approx. 3 Sec) and it will disconnect.
Dustoff

Mind you, I use an MDA I.
as far as I know, the only way to get off and stay off GPRS is to go to settings->system->memmory->running programs and close anything that might use it (mailbox, IE, etc...)
If the signal indicator says it's connected to GPRS, then yes, you are actively connected to the tower/cell network. Sending info constantly, I don't know?????
GPRS effecting other network connectiveity???? I've heard yay and nay and have no professional opinion. Personally, I have no problems recieving a call, sms, etc... while connected to GPRS.
As far as power consumption, I would assume yes, it sucks up power. I have noticed about a 15% increase in power consumption using the web for an hour or so per day as well as automaticly checking email once every 45 minutes.
I also recently discovered a beautiful little prog that I cooked into my MDA I OS. PocketNav. It allows you to switch programs, close certain ones with only two "clicks", or all the progs at once, etc.... Check it out!!! It will be worth your time (I don't know where to get it other than stephan's kitchen).
Good luck!

gsm and sms should disable grps while it's using the band
but not cause problems
there is also the program PHM task manager
which is pretty much a copy of the task manager in windows 2k and xp so if people know and like that then it's a good program

Dustoff said:
humayunl said:
Some questions about the "ALWAYS ON" GPRS connection in WM2003 (device = imate aka XDA II)
4. Once the GPRS connection is made, and i'm done doing my "thing", how do I disconnect? Cause currently I have no way of disconnecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press and hold the Red Disconnect button for several seconds (Approx. 3 Sec) and it will disconnect.
Dustoff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He Dustoff,
Great stuff! Worked fine for me. Thanks.
Ronald

Dustoff,
Where is the Red dsiconnect button I am supposed to press and hold?
I am using WM2003 and after Iam connected, i havent been able to find any place where there is any disconnect option. in the connection bubble all i can see is that i am "connected" but there is nowhere for me to disconnect.
Can you please let me know where you find this disconnect option.
thanks

Red disconnect button
It is simply the red button of the telephone.
On another hand, if someone calls you exactly in the same moment when yours GPRS is fully active downloading something (a big picture, a long message, ...), you may appear as "unavailable"

Rudegar said:
4 www.GB-SOFT.cz/xdaII should add some features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
I have not tried the above software yet, but here is the problem I have...
I use Wi-Fi a lot at home and quite often keep the Wi-Fi on and use WiFiFoFum away from home. I have managed to set up my pay as you go GPRS connection. But whenever I'm away from a Wi-Fi network the GPRS connects and my applications then access the internet.
There needs to be an option of "not connecting gprs automatically when there is no Wi-Fi connection."
What I have had to do is change one of the setting for the gprs so it cant connect, and I have to change it back when I need it.
Switching from Wi-Fi to gprs can cost a lot if things connect without me knowing. It costs £3 for a months use of 1Mb.
Regards,
Ian Watson

creating a phantom connection, and "picking" it as default may be slightly quicker than changing the settings of you primary connection.

I think holding down the HANGUP/STOP button for 2-3 seconds is the fastest and easiest way.

interestingfellow said:
creating a phantom connection, and "picking" it as default may be slightly quicker than changing the settings of you primary connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found where I can stop it from connecting the GPRS if it cant get a wi-fi conncetion. Connections icon on the connections tab, then the advanced tab, then the select networks button - "programs that automaticall connect to the internet..........". I have changed this from gprs to my isp.
Ian

GPRS wont disconnect after MMS

This is becoming a problem and im dreading my phone bill when it comes through. If someone sends me an MMS the phone auto connects to GPRS and downloads the image. Not a problem there, the problem is that after downloading the image the connection doesnt disconnect. Now unless i remember to disconnect it, it stays connected running up my bill. The same goes for when i send an image it connects but wont disconnect after it sents. I would have thought this would have been a standard option as it is with normal phones. I cant always remember to manually disconnect the GPRS everytime. Anyone got any info on this please?

Either hold down the "End call" button for a few seconds to disconnect or tap the icon and choose disconnect. Shouldn't worry though as the beauty of GPRS is you only pay for data transfer, not to be connected.
You can leave it connected 24x7 with no charge, you only pay when you transfer data. I used to be abit unsure about this when I got my first GPRS phone about 5 years ago - rang O2 and they confirmed it.

You can leave it connected 24x7 with no charge, you only pay when you transfer data. I used to be abit unsure about this when I got my first GPRS phone about 5 years ago - rang O2 and they confirmed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know - thanks for the info :wink:

hey, thanks for that info, i managed to talk to O2 and they confirmed that you dont get charged for having GPRS on unless you use it. Thanks again.

You can also try this great freeware utility that lets you set automatic disconnect timeouts for GPRS:
GB-SOFT GPRS & Audio Tweak
http://www.gb-soft.cz/XDAII/product_gprs_tweak_wm5pe_en.htm

How can i turn GPRS off?

My vario randomly connects to GPRS without asking me, i suspect this will be costing me on my bill, so I'd like to turn it off. How do i do that?

my XDA mini s does the same. But it is a WM problem. Let me describe my common situation.
Connected to Wifi, running MSN Messenger. Left device for a while and it went sleeping. It also turns off Wifi! But then when MSN needs to connect in the background, it goes to GPRS!! When I wake up my device, it has already used GPRS for MSN and when it wakes, it tries to connect back to my Wifi!!!!
I'm on roaming so the GPRS is dear-er.
Best way, is to create a null modem, or invalid connection. Set your device to connect to that null connection automatically when requesting for internet access. Not the best, but at least it won't cost you or me.

The thing is it does it when I'm not even doing anything, it just pops that gprs icon up and does its own thing.
OK I didnt quite follow what you said there, so imagine I'm an idiot who dosent understand what a null connection is, then explain it to me again....

Long press hang-down key.... (2-3 sec)

so imagine I'm an idiot who dosent understand what a null connection is, then explain it to me again....[/quote]
lol like your response,
I do agree with Humps, dont know of a way to turn of the gprs but his way does ensure it wont connect on its own.
when you goto settings/connections/connections (this is wm2003 that i refer to) you will see your t-mobile settings.
and the options to manage existing connections. go into here and create a new connection give it anyname you want (you want it not to work) give it any settings it will accept that are wrong,
then from the connections page at the bottom you have tasks and advanced.
when you want GPRS active goto advanced and select t-mobile
when you dont want it to be able to connect go back to the advanced screen and select the dodgy one you just created.
then if it tries to connect the settings will all be wrong and it will fail.
good plan.

I really wish it would ask permission to go online with gprs...personally I changed the name of the access point in my o2 settings, so it can't connect until I change it back to the proper name.
John

Pixel69 said:
Long press hang-down key.... (2-3 sec)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even after a 30 second press, it still stays connected with the 'G' icon in the top of the screen.
I've tried setting up a new GPRS called dummy, so I'll se how it goes.

Is it the big [G] icon, or the small G with arrows around it?
Because the former just means that GPRS is available - only the latter means that you're connected to it.

you want to give SPB GPRS Monitor a try, even if only for the trial it will let you know if its using any while its idle,
good app would be well worth keeping in it.

GPRS / EDGE - always "connected"?

I am using GPRS/ EDGE. Sometimes when I have NOT used any Internet program, the G or E icon become a pure square G or E only without the 2 arrows. Does it mean it has DISCONNTED the GPRS/EDGE? Now if I launch IE and click a URL, the E/G icon will flashing with a moving 2 arrows and eventually after 1 or 2 seconds, become a "square E/G icon with fixed 2 arrows".
I am wondering, shouldn't the GPRS/EDGE be ALWAYS connected, such that the "G/E icon with fixed 2 arrows" should always appear? What setting I should change in order to make my Xda neo perform that way?

Hi isomania!
1) The icons are interpreted as follows:
Solid G/E - GRPS / EDGE network present, but not connected.
Small G/E with moving arrows - connecting to network.
Small G/E with solid arrows - connected.
2) There is no point to keep GPRS\EDGE connected when no programs are using it, since that would only shorten battery life. If I am not mistaken the timeout on the connection cannot be changed from the device side. I know push mail function sends some data (I think 400 bytes every 120 sec) to keep the connection alive, but it kills the battery and racks up the phone bill (unless you have unlimited data).

Thanks for your explanation. But for me, "connecting GPRS/EDGE" is STILL costing some time (may be 1 to 2 seconds). so i am wondering if I can keep GPRS/EDGE connected all the time I want, so that whenever I want to check POP3 email / go to any website, then I don't need to wait the 1 to 2 seconds connection time. Now THAT'S would be my definition of "always on"

One or two seconds to establish a connection? How will you ever manage having to wait that long? :roll:

isomaniac said:
Thanks for your explanation. But for me, "connecting GPRS/EDGE" is STILL costing some time (may be 1 to 2 seconds). so i am wondering if I can keep GPRS/EDGE connected all the time I want, so that whenever I want to check POP3 email / go to any website, then I don't need to wait the 1 to 2 seconds connection time. Now THAT'S would be my definition of "always on"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the various tweaks n tips floating about, there's always a couple that will force gprs to remain on at all times. The downside isn't battery life, it barely affects that or push mail wouldn't exist. It's that eventually you will lose the signal, the connection will die and you won't notice the difference until you try to use it. Then you have to either toggle flight mode or reset the phone...after you figure out what happened. If you're constantly having to connect to gprs, you may be better served by looking for a disconnect timeout. With that, it'll get the occasional chance to reset the connection, making sure it's active. I have no idea what they are offhand and don't use them but I've come across them in the past so try a search and check the wiki.

The downside isn't battery life, it barely affects that or push mail wouldn't exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but I have to disagree.
Maybe if you manage to somehow keep the connection without transmitting anything (not sure this is possible) the battery drain will be minimal.
I am using push mail on my Jamin for only 3 days and the difference in battery drain is very noticeable. In fact even with no mail (I don't sync the rest) to transfer the battery life is cut almost in half.
I read an article where the same is reported for the universal.

i have a question about this related topic, i'm a noob, just got my mda on wed and i called them and added the data plan to my existing line, the guy said it would take about 72 hours for the browser to be surfing the web normally, well today is sunday and i still can't surf, my G icon on top is with arrows moving, and it shows i'm connected to EDGE but my browser only says Locating and never loads anything, please help?

Hi werkmeister47!
Arrows moving means GPRS is trying to connect, but not actually connected.
There are two possibilities:
1) The provider hasn't connected you yet (72 hours??? When I bought a SIM from Orange I was surfing in 5 minutes)
2) Your connection settings are incorrect. You have to contact technical support for exact settings for your network.
Good luck.

Network selection hierachy - Wifi vs GPRS (Kaiser)

When I'm in the house (and assuming I've got the wifi switched on on the Tytn 2), how do I get it to use the Wifi to access the Web as a first option?
Even when its connected to my wireless LAN (which it does with no problems at all - much better than my old Wizzard), if I launch Explorer it automatically makes a GPRS connection. The only way to force it to use the Wifi seems to be to turn the Phone off in the comm manager - which then means I can't receive any calls.
I can't find any setting that dicates the network hierachy i.e. that says if there is a Wireless LAN connection then don't bother with GPRS, or if there isn't, then use GPRS.
I seem to recall there was something similar on desktop Windoze where you could have it automatically use a dial up connection if there was no LAN available.
Can anyone help?

Iain.m said:
When I'm in the house (and assuming I've got the wifi switched on on the Tytn 2), how do I get it to use the Wifi to access the Web as a first option?
Even when its connected to my wireless LAN (which it does with no problems at all - much better than my old Wizzard), if I launch Explorer it automatically makes a GPRS connection. The only way to force it to use the Wifi seems to be to turn the Phone off in the comm manager - which then means I can't receive any calls.
I can't find any setting that dicates the network hierachy i.e. that says if there is a Wireless LAN connection then don't bother with GPRS, or if there isn't, then use GPRS.
I seem to recall there was something similar on desktop Windoze where you could have it automatically use a dial up connection if there was no LAN available.
Can anyone help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm now getting the same thing using Emoze - the thing is sitting here connected to the Wifi & will sync mail & contacts etc over the wifi quite happily - but as soon as I try & send mail from the handheld it starts up not one but two GPRS connections (!) Much the same as if I try & get a web page up - it automatically goes to GPRS as its default route to the internet despite that fact that its already connected via wifi & the only way to stop this behaviour seems to be to switch the phone off in Comm Manager.
Seems to be something inherrantly odd about the way the Tytn 2 is deciding what network connection is available & which it should use. It looks like it needs a little control application to sit between the IP stack & the hardware so that when a request comes it can be routed according to user preference - i.e. Use WIfi if available, Only use GPRS etc The Wifi doesn't seem to fire up a connection when it feels like it - only the GPRS. Do all the HTC devices with WIfi behave this way?
In the meantime, does anyone know of a simple way to turn off/disable GPRS without disabling the phone?
WHile I have plenty of GPRS data allowance in my package when I'm in the house at my desk (or anywhere else I can get a wifi connection) I'd rather it just used the Wifi to sync itself or if I decided call up a web page.
Besides, it interferes with the hi-fi speakers in my study with that annoying buzzing noise everytime the GPRS gets busy.
I.

Hi guys,
I use 3 different wifi networks during the course of a day, well 2 a day, 3 through out the week probably. Home/Work/Friends house
I have a very small data package (5mb) so i am very choosy about when I use my data connection!
Anyways, did some testing.
I already know that if I have no wifi, no data connection on, then I try and start outlook or Internet Explorer, then my data connection starts up (as it should)
now if i have my data connection on, then i turn on wifi on the phone, the wifi connection takes over and the data connection is not being used, even though it's on.
I also have no problems with when wifi is on and data is off, and if i goto outlook or IE, that gprs decides to go on. this does not happen tome (unless for some strange reason wifi cuts out, gprs tries to take over)
So i dont know if its something with your settings or not, maybe your phone goes to sleep and wifi turns off then gprs takes over, or i could be misunderstanding your question, because now that I think about it, perhaps you are asking something like..
- at home no wifi or data connection is active at that moment
- you navigate to a page in IE and instead of gprs turning on, wifi turns on/scans for lan and uses that
Yeah, that's probably waht you are asking.. haha yahoo for long winded useless post
If you figure it out, i want to know! lol

Iain.m said:
I'm now getting the same thing using Emoze - the thing is sitting here connected to the Wifi & will sync mail & contacts etc over the wifi quite happily - but as soon as I try & send mail from the handheld it starts up not one but two GPRS connections (!) Much the same as if I try & get a web page up - it automatically goes to GPRS as its default route to the internet despite that fact that its already connected via wifi & the only way to stop this behaviour seems to be to switch the phone off in Comm Manager.
Seems to be something inherrantly odd about the way the Tytn 2 is deciding what network connection is available & which it should use. It looks like it needs a little control application to sit between the IP stack & the hardware so that when a request comes it can be routed according to user preference - i.e. Use WIfi if available, Only use GPRS etc The Wifi doesn't seem to fire up a connection when it feels like it - only the GPRS. Do all the HTC devices with WIfi behave this way?
In the meantime, does anyone know of a simple way to turn off/disable GPRS without disabling the phone?
WHile I have plenty of GPRS data allowance in my package when I'm in the house at my desk (or anywhere else I can get a wifi connection) I'd rather it just used the Wifi to sync itself or if I decided call up a web page.
Besides, it interferes with the hi-fi speakers in my study with that annoying buzzing noise everytime the GPRS gets busy.
I.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to use the comm manager to turn off the data connection, but as for keeping it off permanently, until you decide you want it to be even allowed to be active again maybe you can try this, it should disable your connection until you see fit.
http://www.modaco.com/content/Pocket-PC-Software/246171/New-FREE-Utility/

briggs81 said:
You should be able to use the comm manager to turn off the data connection, but as for keeping it off permanently, until you decide you want it to be even allowed to be active again maybe you can try this, it should disable your connection until you see fit.
http://www.modaco.com/content/Pocket-PC-Software/246171/New-FREE-Utility/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great little utility , thanks very much for pointing that out - it at least allows me to do what I want manually - i.e. use my wifi without having to turn the phone off.
Although I know you can disconnect GPRS from the Comm manager, it also doesn't seem to have an idle time out so once an application (like Emoze) has started it up it keeps running in the background. Also, as soon as you turn it off, inevitably Emoze turns it straight back on! The NoData application gives much more control so thanks for that.
I do go abroad reasonably often so also happy to be able to use it for its primary purpose of disabling GPRS whilst roaming to avoid silly charges
It would be great if HTC could build a bit more intelligence and control into the network side of these things though.
I.

You may want to look into Schaps Advanced Config or KaiserTweak for wifi/gprs settings.
You can set timers and disconnects, etc, with those applications.

Iain.m said:
When I'm in the house (and assuming I've got the wifi switched on on the Tytn 2), how do I get it to use the Wifi to access the Web as a first option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Good News: I fixed this behavior on the phone w/o any 3rd-party utilities, etc.
The Bad News: I'm not 100% sure how. :-/ My apologies. Here is what I think did it:
Make sure your browser is closed and you have no open data connections.
1- Open the Wireless Manager and make sure "WLAN" is on and "Data Connection" is off.
2- Go to Start>Settings and choose the "Connections" tab along the bottom.
3- Open "Wireless LAN," choose your home wireless network, and make sure you're actively connected to it (should see a signal quality meter, device network settings, etc).
4- Close "Wireless LAN" and while "Settings" is still open and on the "Connections" tab, open "Wi-Fi." Your list of known Wi-Fi networks should be showing: make sure your home network says "connected."
5- Close everything back out to your "Today" screen.
When my Tilt is set this way -- and actively connected to my WLAN -- the Wireless Manager grays out "Data Connections" and doesn't even respond if I tap the icon. IE automatically uses my WLAN, although it won't connect to some of its pre-loaded favs b/c, I think, they're on WAP servers and the Wi-Fi/NAT router assigns/negotiates TCP/IP protocols for your phone.
I think now I accomplish all the above by simply opening the keyboard and pressing the FN/Wi-Fi key.
FYI -- In truth, I solved this problem by installing Opera Mobile and setting it as my default browser. Opera Mobile is a full browser, i.e. doesn't use WAP.
Hope this helps. If not, sorry for this 5 minutes of your life you'll never get back. :-/
gT