Database Users

Magician Radio issue

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!

[REF] GT-I9300 Service Manual

Here is the Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) Service Manual.
Please take a moment to read the notes and issues about this manual in this post.
For some reason Google didn't pick up that post, so I had to re-post here...
Now, if you are brave and happen to have a GT-I9300, you can still help us by posting some
internal pictures, to verify some issues in the manual. If they are good,
some of them will eventually become part of the SGS3 Hack-Pack.
Thanks and Enjoy!

I will be opening up the phone in the next few days due to me managing to damage the sim card holder section(not holding sim card) So at present i have got somthing putting pressure to keep sim card in place. I have a new sim card holder on order so when it arrives i will pull phone apart and take some pictures.
If you have any advice for me before attempting this please let me know via pm

Do you have any experience in this kind of electronics? I mean, are you planning to replace and solder the SIM card holder by yourself?
If you have not done this type of soldering before, I do not recommend it.
If you do decide to do it on your own, make sure:
You are working on a clean workspace
You are well grounded and not wearing wool clothes mixed with synthetic materials to avoid any ESD.
Have the right tools for the job.(Temp controlled SMD soldering iron + flux and acid-free lead-free SMD solder etc.)
A very steady hand with good eyes!
As for the pictures, keep the environment as bright as possible, preferably daylight. Try to keep your PCB on a bright or neutral background. (Bright cardboard is usually good.) Inspect your pictures and make sure you can read the text on the smallest chips. (The big ones we already know about, its the smaller ones that are difficult to navigate around.) Make sure the pictures are well focused.
Good Luck!

From looking at the pictures I was hoping I don't have to solder the sim card slot in. It looks easily replaceable as it looks like it's just a connector and not soldered

Replaced the sim holder. My camera wasn't good enough to get focus of the smaller chips however it is very very easy to take phone apart. And I guess Samsung are expecting issues with sim slot so they have fixed it using one screw and connected to board using a pull off connecter.
Just in case anyone else is interested the sim holder/sd holder cost me £20, delivered.

E:V:A said:
Here is the Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) Service Manual.
Please take a moment to read the notes and issues about this manual in this post.
For some reason Google didn't pick up that post, so I had to re-post here...
Now, if you are brave and happen to have a GT-I9300, you can still help us by posting some
internal pictures, to verify some issues in the manual. If they are good,
some of them will eventually become part of the SGS3 Hack-Pack.
Thanks and Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
amazing !!!

Hi guys,
Here is my contribution to da community, hope so it helps.
h t t p s : / / docs . google . com/open?id=0B9lrf7AWQW7ETjRZTkFXb1luN0E
On image 20120616_150200.jpg you can see the region jumpers. The images are of a live demo unit - everything works besides the GSM/3G data. Haven't tested to see if the NFC is working.
The real unit has some more antenna connector. The demo one does not have PBA /printed board antenna/ the ANT102 and ANT103 as well as the capacitors and the coils u may seen them market in red cycles (ANT102, ANT103, C102, C191, L103, L102) there is no room on the MOBO for C192 /or at least I can't find its place/.
Thanks.

^^ Here is the link for above! (Thanks!)

Hi again,
I can confirm that the NFC is working on the live demo unites. According to the original S3 user manual the NFC antennas are build into the battery back.
I still can't figure out what is the "W2" antenna connector for. The Live demo unit has no connector soldered to the motherboard and also lacks the small PCB antenna with the white coaxial cable. Some ppl claim that the W2 is for WiFi antenna, but it is not, because I got great WiFi connectivity tho the lack of such PCB antenna. I can only confirm the WiFi working fine, under "G" type of WiFi networks. The openWRT firmware of my current router has known bug and I can't bring up "N" standard in air, to check if the PCB antenna is for "N" type of WiFi networks.
I also did some testing to see if the PCB is for GLONASS or GPS, and it seams that this PCB antenna with the white coaxial cable is not for any of these services. That's why I think it might be for wifi "N" or 3G data/networks. Donno if the 802.11n requires a separate antenna.

^^ Please post a link to a specific image, that clearly show the connector(s) you're talking about.

Hi I have a live demo unit to, so I think I can help about this =).
I can't show you the mainboard back because I' m new user... xD
I don't really know what you mean with NFC (sorry, I'm not really good with english)
But
W1 is a GSM external antenna conection
W2 is a wifi external antenna conection
And the white wired antenna is for wifi to.
After thinking a lot, if you conect an antenna to the GSM antenna conection (external or the internal lacked in Demo unit) you probably can't use phone function.
That function probably was crippled by software or because demo units don´t have imei maybe o.o.
The only thing I need to try is to connect a microsim to the phone

No one has any insights ???

johnny21a said:
No one has any insights ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have sgs3, international version on my workbench right now.
Don´t have any clue what could I share, so - if there is anything specific -- let me know. I will do my best..
BR

Samsung galaxy S3 i747
i have a Galaxy S3 SGH-i747m that has been water damaged and given to me so i could try and fix it. I can take pretty much any pictures you want, have openned the phone a couple times now to try and clean it up.
My problem is that the works well, it starts up, unlock the screen, plays sound...but the screen is off. Now at first when i was "playing" with it the screen would flicker on and off to show me the battery charging logo when it was plugged in. I've cleaned the phone and all flex connectors with some products. the phone still turns on and works but my screen is off. It detects the touch since i can unlock the screen ( it plays the water sound when i slide my finger on the screen) and speaker works when i boot it up (little booting sounds).
I was thinking there might be a small fuse on board for the screen backlight and that could be blown. I was also thinking my battery might be damaged and is not giving the phone the right voltage to the right connectors or something so i have ordered a new battery on ebay (under 4$) and am waiting for it.
Anyone has an idea to some specific things i should be looking for ? only thing haven't disassemble is the digitizer from the framebecause doing so would surely break the glass. It bums me up a bit since there are some electronics behind the frame that could have been damaged by the water that i couldn't see.

Bigred065 said:
i have a Galaxy S3 SGH-i747m that has been water damaged and given to me so i could try and fix it. I can take pretty much any pictures you want, have openned the phone a couple times now to try and clean it up.
My problem is that the works well, it starts up, unlock the screen, plays sound...but the screen is off. Now at first when i was "playing" with it the screen would flicker on and off to show me the battery charging logo when it was plugged in. I've cleaned the phone and all flex connectors with some products. the phone still turns on and works but my screen is off. It detects the touch since i can unlock the screen ( it plays the water sound when i slide my finger on the screen) and speaker works when i boot it up (little booting sounds).
I was thinking there might be a small fuse on board for the screen backlight and that could be blown. I was also thinking my battery might be damaged and is not giving the phone the right voltage to the right connectors or something so i have ordered a new battery on ebay (under 4$) and am waiting for it.
Anyone has an idea to some specific things i should be looking for ? only thing haven't disassemble is the digitizer from the framebecause doing so would surely break the glass. It bums me up a bit since there are some electronics behind the frame that could have been damaged by the water that i couldn't see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check if you can see anything on the screen, use some extra light, torch for example.
if so - then its more likely that the LEDs in the display panel are damaged, since it flickered, as you said. also could be the driver circuit for backlight. Clean connectors for display panel, use magnifier, or better microscope to check for corrosion. use IPA to clean or scrape off the corrosion.
also - maybe this is not the right place to discuss this.
GL

Redrigon said:
Hi I have a live demo unit to, so I think I can help about this =).
I can't show you the mainboard back because I' m new user... xD
I don't really know what you mean with NFC (sorry, I'm not really good with english)
But
W1 is a GSM external antenna conection
W2 is a wifi external antenna conection
And the white wired antenna is for wifi to.
After thinking a lot, if you conect an antenna to the GSM antenna conection (external or the internal lacked in Demo unit) you probably can't use phone function.
That function probably was crippled by software or because demo units don´t have imei maybe o.o.
The only thing I need to try is to connect a microsim to the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have he white antenna coaxial cable neigh the PCB antenna board that this cable is connected to but I have WiFi.
Could it be for WiFi N(150Mbps)?

Watter damage, LCD working/not working?
Bigred065 said:
i have a Galaxy S3 SGH-i747m that has been water damaged and given to me so i could try and fix it. I can take pretty much any pictures you want, have openned the phone a couple times now to try and clean it up.
My problem is that the works well, it starts up, unlock the screen, plays sound...but the screen is off. Now at first when i was "playing" with it the screen would flicker on and off to show me the battery charging logo when it was plugged in. I've cleaned the phone and all flex connectors with some products. the phone still turns on and works but my screen is off. It detects the touch since i can unlock the screen ( it plays the water sound when i slide my finger on the screen) and speaker works when i boot it up (little booting sounds).
I was thinking there might be a small fuse on board for the screen backlight and that could be blown. I was also thinking my battery might be damaged and is not giving the phone the right voltage to the right connectors or something so i have ordered a new battery on ebay (under 4$) and am waiting for it.
Anyone has an idea to some specific things i should be looking for ? only thing haven't disassemble is the digitizer from the framebecause doing so would surely break the glass. It bums me up a bit since there are some electronics behind the frame that could have been damaged by the water that i couldn't see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have identical symptoms with my i9300.
1. Water damaged
2. Dried in a can of rice etc over several days
3. Cleaned under sim card, lots of debris there, looked scorched, I cleaned with alcohol and a brush in an ESD protected environment.
4. Re assembled, the display briefly flashed on, and showed the expected "Battery is low, an d No Sim Card" then powered off.
5. Now after charging the battery and emplacing my sim card, I hear the proper musical tones when the phone boots but the screen doesn't light.
Where you able to get the screen working?
I am going to try a more throughal cleaning and I will try viewing the LCD under a more power full light.
I too worry that just getting the LCD screen replaced might not work; the screen may be fine but the mother board LCD power supply might be at fault...
I will keep you posted and keep an eye on this forum to find out how to fix this.

This thread has served its main purpose.
OT discussions are prevalent.
Thread Closed!

sourcing nexus s replacement antenna

Hi,
My Nexus S got water damaged. I dried it out and the digitiser wasn't responding. So I replaced the screen and that's all working now. but...
The next problem is that I get no signal whatsoever, It does recognose the sim card but the signal triangle in the notification bar is always empty and it does not connect to the network. WIFI and BT are working fine.
I am going to try and replace the antenna but I can't source the spare part anywhere! I believe the part number to be GH42-02752A and it's called "INTENNA-GT_I9020 MAIN" It clips into the bottom of the rear inner frame and has two small contacts.
Does anyone where I can source this part? Or any way to test if this is in fact the fault?

re: nexus s
I have the same problem with my Nexus S signal. I'm not sure where you can track down a part. Its no longer in stores. Buying the part itself may be expensive. Let me know if you have any luck getting one and I'll let you know if I'm lucky as well
-----------------
littlesthobo said:
Hi,
My Nexus S got water damaged. I dried it out and the digitiser wasn't responding. So I replaced the screen and that's all working now. but...
The next problem is that I get no signal whatsoever, It does recognose the sim card but the signal triangle in the notification bar is always empty and it does not connect to the network. WIFI and BT are working fine.
I am going to try and replace the antenna but I can't source the spare part anywhere! I believe the part number to be GH42-02752A and it's called "INTENNA-GT_I9020 MAIN" It clips into the bottom of the rear inner frame and has two small contacts.
Does anyone where I can source this part? Or any way to test if this is in fact the fault?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

GT-I9505 Little to no wifi signal after camera replacement?

Like the title says I now have little to no wifi signal unless stood next to the router?
Can anyone help me out am getting really cheesed off with this.
thanks in advance

Checked for loose connectors? Does wifi improve if you remove the cameras?

Was perfectly fine, before I did the camera, checked the conector the little point bit snapped off but not the ful connector so I am still able to lift it up slightly?

Are you referring to the centre pin?

no the little connector on the oppisote side of the bored

located here in the green ring, the whole connector is still attached all tho a little bit on the top has came of no bigger than a half centimeter

Maybe the connector is not making proper contact with the back casing. Maybe add a bit of solder to the gold contact to raise it up a bit to it makes better contact?

Would adding solder not damage it?

Check WiFi Antenna
PhaseCoder said:
Like the title says I now have little to no wifi signal unless stood next to the router?
Can anyone help me out am getting really cheesed off with this.
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds to me like the device was opened to replace the camera, and it could be something easy to fix. Fix step open the device, and check that suckers WiFi Antenna wire....looks the same as a Laptop WiFi Antenna Wire, except smaller and shorter, it may be disconnected from the logic board connector location, or the wire is broken or damaged.

Adding a but of solder may work as long as you use low-melt solder, a very fine tip iron, and you do not let the solder flow to other parts of the board.
I suppose the alternative would be taking it to a cell shop to see if they can fix it.

I have Samsung i9505l updated to lollipop via OTA after updating All the sensor stopped what does it mean is Samsung killing their devices via ota's i said to my friends that it's hardware (sensor Hub) problem! and he was saying no it's software problem after downgrading to Kit Kat... everything works fine I lost $30 bet on it.! poor Samsung ! so the main question is there anyway to upgrade to lollipop with working sensors?

http://samsung-updates.com/

GPS failed to lock, and what i did to fix it(kind of).

I bought a second handed H918 in Asia and later found out the GPS failed to lock at all. AGPS works, but it is far from accurate and useless for navigation services.
I google a lot of similar issues, some suggested it's a software fault, some have to return the phone to LG for replacement. Since mine does not have any warranty whatsoever, I can only try to fix it on my own.
After I remove the top plastic trim, there are six metal connectors from the motherboard, but only three of them are aligned with a metal content point on the trim, that means only the antenna in the right is in place. I happened to have a dead LG G4 around me, so I pull one of the antenna sticker from its plastic cover (marked P1C 0518 from the top left corner) and aligned it to the top left connector (it is very lucky that the connector in the G4 is nearly the same width, so it only takes a little mod to make it fit). After I cut away all the unnecessary part of the antenna sticker to make it fit inside the plastic trim, it will still block the ir blaster which I will never use, so it is okay for me.
And my GPS is back! signal is strong and very reliable.
But I still have one question unanswered, I have no idea what is the use of that middle antenna. Does anyone have an idea what it does? I can't find any problem not having it. WIFI, BT, LTE all working very nicely.

Type2501 said:
I bought a second handed H918 in Asia and later found out the GPS failed to lock at all. AGPS works, but it is far from accurate and useless for navigation services.
I google a lot of similar issues, some suggested it's a software fault, some have to return the phone to LG for replacement. Since mine does not have any warranty whatsoever, I can only try to fix it on my own.
After I remove the top plastic trim, there are six metal connectors from the motherboard, but only three of them are aligned with a metal content point on the trim, that means only the antenna in the right is in place. I happened to have a dead LG G4 around me, so I pull one of the antenna sticker from its plastic cover (marked P1C 0518 from the top left corner) and aligned it to the top left connector (it is very lucky that the connector in the G4 is nearly the same width, so it only takes a little mod to make it fit). After I cut away all the unnecessary part of the antenna sticker to make it fit inside the plastic trim, it will still block the ir blaster which I will never use, so it is okay for me.
And my GPS is back! signal is strong and very reliable.
But I still have one question unanswered, I have no idea what is the use of that middle antenna. Does anyone have an idea what it does? I can't find any problem not having it. WIFI, BT, LTE all working very nicely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well done! Is there any chance you took any photo's while you had it apart?

I wish I could see it as well. My gps unlocks all the time

If this will help, I upgraded my H918 to the the latest stock 10u firmware and am now running a stock ROM and my GPS gets a lock near instantaneously when on device only. Not sure why but my phone just did not seem to like custom ROMs such as WETA ROM nor the NATF MEGArom when it came to GPS. I'm on ARB1 now so I think my only options now are ALPHA ROM and SUPER ROM so Im a plan on trying those eventually and see if same thing happens.
No clue why this would be as many users for those ROMs running my model reported no issues but just throwing it out there for people having issues.