Don't know if this will do it for everyone since I'm not sure if there are several issues, however...
When I bought my Wizard I had superb reception for months but over time it became really lousy. So bad I was about to buy a new phone. However I popped the lid where the antenna is you to take a look at it and when I put it back the reception was excellent again. Didn't give it much thought, I was just glad my problem was solved.
Recently however I have had sporadic problems with my reception and I noticed that I sometimes lost reception (PhoneAlarm tells me if I'm not holding it) and I often had just one or two bars. I noticed that if I squeezed my phone (in anger) I immediately got better reception. For me the problem was the two springy things connecting to the antenna, they didn't always touch. I popped the lid and loosened the antenna foil with a knife, then i slid a piece of paper under it and then pressed the foil back in place. I have had full reception ever since.
I hope this info helps someone.
Related
I wonder if you good people could help.
My XDA2 is running WM2003SE (The great "XdA2JoJo.v3.2zS." Thanks, pare! ) and Radio 1.18. It's been OK for the last 7 or 8 months. I usually carry it in its original leather case in my pants pocket (front left hand side).
Then suddenly cellular signal gets very weak in places where it used to be strong. Sometimes I can make a call only after resetting the phone. But many times this doesn't work. Anyway after going outdoors, signal comes back.
After this I put it in my pants pocket. When I pulled it out, the phone was dead. Only a hard reset would turn it back on again.
This is repeatable. If I put my phone in my pants pocket, after moving around and sitting down and standing up, the phone will need a hard reset to get going again.
I'm almost certain something is loose inside, which could be causing low signal reception and the need for hard resets.
What could be loose?
I'm handy with a screwdriver and have taken apart other phones before. Could I tighten it or fix it myself?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Hi,
I recently had a Magician shipped which seemed fine the first day of use, but at the end of the day, the gsm radio icon showed me a no reception, or 'service unavailable' message...
Now, after upgrading the Rom's (several used) and Radio update to the latest one (1.13 as far as I can see), I don't have any reception or 'service' at all...
The gsm radio always shows the '!' marker...
Anyone any idea where to look?
Loose cable, loose or bad antenna, software/rom issue?
Any ideas are welcome!
This device will be my test-unit for xanadux, but I want to make sure it's functional before testing stuff and debugging things that will never work because of a hardware or firmware issue...
Thanks guys!
Great work, super forum!
this is clearly a hardare malfunction. your device may not be identifying the sim card.
thanks for the quick response, but I don't think it's the SIM-slot that is causing me troubles... The SIM card can be read without any problem, and the pin code is asked and aknowledged by the phone. Once in a while I get coverage, but it always looks like 1 bar maximum, while my Trinity is lying next to it, same operator, and all 5bars of coverage notification are there, so it's not that I'm in a dead zone or black spot where there's no cell coverage at all.
I checked the upper back part (after removing the plastic casing top) and checked where the antenna is connected. Once, while holding and pushing onto the metal part that looks like the antenna extension, I got (just for 5 seconds that is) a connection, and signal level of 1-2 bars, but that dropped and stopped after a few seconds already...
I think it's a connection issue of some kind, internal antenna or the connection to it, but I'm not that keen on taking the unit apart to find out it's not that easy to sort the issue out...
Any help, info, ... can help...
Thanks!
the metal plate just below the top-backside plastic panel acts like the antenna.On top side of it there are two legs which connect to the mainboard.try cleaning the two spots on mainboard and the contacts of antenna.
well, i can say this because i solved this problem once this way.
good luck.
Well, I tried what you mentioned: scratched and cleaned the squares on the pcb, straightened the connecting metal parts from the back plate, cleaned all contacts: no solution...
Any other ideas?
Possibly a sort of switch which makes the device choose between internal or external antenna? What external antenna might fit?
Thanks guys!
Well,
I got my hands on a 'broken' I-mate Jam (got stuck between the car door, screen is totally broken, pcb is fine) and replaced the antenna block: FULL RECEPTION...
at least, for half an hour.. after that: reception dropped, and again left me with the "!" mentioning "no service"
I tried switching the pcb's but for some odd reason, the screen didn't come up good... The backlight didn't turn on and the screen was all striped and smeared...
Is there a difference in pcb versions, connectors, screens?
I thought Magcian = Magician, but now I'm thinking there are different models around there...
Bon... so I'm looking for a pcb of a Qtek S100 now... to switch that one with mine, and see if that helps...
really strange the reception was 'perfect' for about an hour, I even succeeded in making calls with it! No jitter, no drops, perfect reception, and then: BONK, over with it... nothing left...
Any ideas on this one, or any ideas on how to get the I-mate's pcb working in my Qtek?
Thanks guys for the info and help!
Looking at the results of the xda-developers pool I decided to get an XPeria as it clearly out shined all other phones. I got X1i this Saturday and was shocked about the poor signal strength. I was so looking forward to using this phone and keeping it but was more inclined in sending it back. Now after a couple of days just browsing the developers site which I am used to as I had an artemis before this. I see this was not the last of the problems. There have been mentions of overheating and GPS lag as well as the WIFI being rubbish. I have found the following problems
1. Signals fluctuating and mostly no service when in hand even in some good reception areas. Normally on H when in the carry case but switches to G as soon as held in hand.
2. GPS is frustrating. My artemis used to lock within seconds while having an upto date ephermis file. But even with AGPS and recently downloaded ephermis file, I had to wait over a minute to move off. It locked and then it lost and then it locked again(This was when it was in my hand). Once locked it was stable. It was on Google maps by the way.
Right for these, I have found a temporary solution and we have to work on it to make it a standard solution for all X1. Apparently the signals definitely fluctuate when you touch the lower metallic part on the back which has SE logo on it . The opinion on the forums here is that it may block the signal. I think otherwise as I have covered that area without touching the panel with my hand and there has been no signal drop but as soon as you have the slightest bit of flesh on that area the signal drops at least two bars. This led me to believe that there is an electric conduction or possibly u earth the antennas as they seem to be touching that panel from inside as it has been pointed out before.
So simple test was to put a cling film on that part and then test so I did and walah!! There was no signal drop and it worked flawlessly. I think it’s the same problem with GPS as well.
Now I couldn’t carry on using my phone half mummified. I had to take the cling film off. This is possibly the solution to everyone’s problem but I need someone to suggest either a plastic cover for that area or some sort of coating which does not conduct electricity. I think that will definitely sort the problem.
I think you've got a faulty X1 there mate..
Can you take it back to a store and compare it against another one?
The signal is weak on this compared to some other devices, (it's not as bad as the vario though), however I've never noticed a drop in signal by holding it, so I suspect somethings awry with the one you've got..
GPS signal is very very good with the later radios, what version have you got?
I get a lock within 2 seconds (8 seconds from hard reset or flashed a new rom), and it's very very accurate when it does lock.
My GPS works very well (better than htc cruise) also with previous radio.
So I think you have a fault X1, like say by fards.
I'm with Fards on this, I don't get issues when holding the phone and GPS is snappy.
crabby
Thanks guys. I know it has been discussed a million times before but I have compared the phone with other XPerias and it is the same. There are atleast 4 threads pointing out the same. My X1 would have better signals than my artemis as long as i dont touch the back base. Have you all got silver X1is? If so then can you check if you touch the back panel which i mentioned, if there is any fluctuation in the signals(its not instant it takes about 10 seconds for the phone to show the loss of signals).
I have updated radio to 55 and tried the two new stock roms which are R2A for O2 and 010 generic. The phone still looses signals but not completely when i touch the back panel.
About GPS, it does get a lock very quickly but looses it for a short while when i touch the back.
Anyway if someone else comes accross the same problem then please write here as I am sure there is a solution to be found. I was looking at the following
Clear coating
Antistatic spray coating
I must have missed those threads then.
I have a black x1, and definitely don't get any of those issues.
gps is steady and strong.. monitoring it now... as I type. 6 birds locked standing next to window in house hdop 0.6m which I think is very very good
gsm signal on 2 bars and steady
I had the same issue just once. And even when X1 was in the Brodit car holder.
In my case the soft reset was sufficient to solve the problem. But I guess that you already did that.
fards and pelriog? did you experience any fluctuation when touching the panel?
These are the links to threads
Thread1
Thread2
Thread3
Thread4
Same here, touch back panel, hold for 10 secs and signal drops 1 bar. Currently on 3G network, going from 2 bars to 1.
(And yes, my W810i gets a way better signal in low coverage areas. However, usually not a problem, since I hardly encounter Vodafone low coverage areas in The Netherlands).
Tested 5 times. Dutch Vodafone X1i, R2 stock ROM & stock radio.
Ok I did the touch the panel thing and my bars increased by one... hmmm perhaps there is another faulty batch out there as I get great signal (touch wood) and my gps is very responsive and accurate...
Silver X1 here.. Been touching it up for about 15 mins now
It does seem to drop by 1 bar when touched, but also drops if i just put my hand really close to the back without actually touching. hmm..
what concerns me more is how it just drops the whole line randomly and gives an x then has to search again. Lost a good few calls from that..
well here ive got no problem at all with signal.
But GPS does suck even though most people everywhere say X1 GPS is awesome.maybe it is just my zone/country.. could that be possible?
uhm.. of course not, their satellytes afetr all.
I have disassembled my X1 myself and found that under lower part of backside (piece that have SE logo) is an antenna of some kind.
The antenna is a thick circuit that ran on top of another piece of plastic that cover the loud speaker.
The circuit only have 2 contacts to the main PCB.
My guess is that the reception site of either GSM or GPS is on that part.(may be bluetooth or WiFi too, but I think that's not it)
I wonder what SE/HTC engineer is thinking, putting antenna on this part of the phone! (covered with my hand everytime I use it!)
The solution is "use bluetooth headset" and "hold your phone upside down" and you will be fine.
Yeah, mine loses a bar when touching the metal case at the back, I've not lost any calls (that I know of) because of this though.
I had a look under the speaker section myself last week, and can confirm the antenna circuit over the speaker section. Underneath there's also what looks like a tiny external antenna socket... we could mod our experias to have a rubber duck aerial? Who's up for walkie talkie lookalike xperia?
lol @ walkie talki and upside down. I think the designers have done a very poor job as far as the antenna location is concerned.
Tumpin does your phone loose all signals when in your hand?
Taking this seriously as suggested in my first post has anyone tried putting a cling film on or to that matter anything to cover that area and holding the phone. I did it with the cling film and there was no drop in the signal. So i think it is just a matter of us using some kind of invisible coating or cover on that area so there is no static conductivity. Look at post #5
I would appreciate if everyone gives there suggestions as well how to deal with it. For the people who took the phone apart you could have put something on the inner side to block the static discharge.
I returned my xperia for the second time for signal problems. The problems started after it was repaired for the crack in my case. After that the signal was very poor. GPS was not working in 90%. I wait for 15 minutes for signal, but the only thing that happend was heating the battery. Also HSDPA have a weak signal. In most times I only can use GPRS. The first time I returned the phone for this problem nothing changed. And this time I had a new crack in my case, so I hope they send me a new one!
Im using a X1a and I find its GSM/3G reception is really poor, I already upgraded the radio to the latest but its still the same poor poor reception. Specially when Im using the metal case I frequently get drop calls on my device
kanthai said:
I have disassembled my X1 myself and found that under lower part of backside (piece that have SE logo) is an antenna of some kind.
The antenna is a thick circuit that ran on top of another piece of plastic that cover the loud speaker.
The circuit only have 2 contacts to the main PCB.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious! Any chance that you see what for are the two metal plates contacts from the metal cover of the phone? Those near the SE logo. These two and the other two towards the camera are there for... what? The metal cover is used for something as when you rig in the phone and all four contacts are "online" but what for? Thanks!
I have a black X1i and noticed that reception increased when using it with the keyboard opened in horizontal position.
Same here, I tought it was because I open my metal case that is why reception goes up.
stevencyc said:
I have a black X1i and noticed that reception increased when using it with the keyboard opened in horizontal position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know the title said GPS, I'll get to it in a bit.
I got a Verizon S5 early on and I have a 64G card that I use for music storage. I Bluetooth a lot to my car in a my 1 hour commute. Almost since I got this thing, the music has skipped semi-randomly. Seems like it did it at a specific spot in the road, but most likely it was just random. Some days were way worse than others. Research indicated this was not an uncommon problem with android. Tried lots of things, but like prayer, who knows if it worked or not. some days maybe yes, some days maybe no. This same memory card worked flawlessly in my AT&T S3.
Then I noticed the GPS was wonky. I got a GPS test program and determined that only pulling the battery out would fix the weak reception, and then only temporarily. This went on for a week, so I called Verizon and a "tech" recommended I do the dreaded factory reset. Did it..nada, nil, zippo.
During the frequent removal of the battery to do a soft reset, I damaged my "KLIX Hard Case" by Empire, so i ordered another one. I used the phone with no case for about a week and had no GPS issues, but did still have BT music issues when played from the SD card.
I got the new case 3 days ago, snapped it on and the next day noticed GPS was out again. I kept removing the case, slowly snapping it down and confirmed GPS went away only when the case was all the way on. During this testing process, the power button finally quit working. A reboot via battery removal revealed it was hardware related (couldn't turn the $#@ phone on). I gave it a thought, and opened the back and pressed on the plastic near the power button and it started working. I then, after some experimentation and a few beers to get my fortitude up, placed the phone, screen down on a hard flat surface and began pressing down on the plastic near the power button with some force. I heard something snap into place.
No more issues so far, with BT music or GPS with or without the case installed. Pretty sure GPS is fixed, but need another week to verify BT music.
My best theory so far is that because the phones chassis is made of plastic, and the buttons and antenna are in that plastic chassis, and the main board sandwiches between the screen and the chassis, that the very rigid tight fitting phone case was slightly deforming the chassis, causing it to bow upward slightly, aggravating an already bad contact situation between the mainboard and the chassis. I other words, the phone case was squeezing them apart. There is a possibility, that I will not pursue, that the main board was not snapped down properly at the factory. Since there are many touch only connections (antenna, buttons, card slots) between the main board and the chassis, A poor snap fit would make this a possibility. You can see how the phone is assembled here in this tear down pic.
http://www.techinsights.com/uploadedImages/Public_Website/Content_-_Primary/Teardowncom/Media_Resources/Marketing/Samsung_Galaxy_S5/Si36811-teardown-8.jpg
Anyway, I thought I'd post this for folks trying to track down a similar problem. Hope this helps someone. Don't crack your screen on my account. :crying:
EDIT: Bluetooth music is dropping out again, both from the card and the internal storage on the phone. So bad this afternoon, I turned it off, It was fine this morning, so none of this fixes BT streaming. GPS still works though.
My GPS sucked no mattrr what. I made sure the pins do contact the back cover, nothing helped
I took the back cover off and connected a copper wire to the bottom gps pin. This made the find 18 satellites indoor, with excellent signal strength, so yes, the issue is the anenna. I bought a new case, nothing changed. So I decicded to mod it.
I made a thin strip of aluminum foil, connected it to the bottom contact and got excellent signal. Assembled the back cover and.... the signal went BAD again. What I discovered is that if you let the strip stick away from the phone the sigbal in excellent. AS SOON AS YOU LAY THE STRIP FLAT AGAINST THE PHONE THE SIGNAL GOES TO HELL.
There must be some kind of interference or I don't know what. It's crazy, once it sticks out just few cm away you're all good. Press it against the phone, it all goes dead. Any idea why and how to solve this problem?