Functionality without SIM card - Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I picked up a used G900V to test my area for signals and reception strength, without buying a SIM card (and contract). This approach has worked for several other phones, but with this one, not only are all the nice service menus gone (comparing to the G900A), but I can't even tell if the radio firmware is working.
I favor programs like NetworkCellInfo and LTE Discovery to evaluate an area, but with this phone I get nothing.
Is this normal? Will removing your SIM cause the radio to go silent?
Will getting root help a "no signal" condition?
I have read the threads about re-enabling the service menus with root, but don't want to risk "breaking it" without knowing the hardware is good first.
Baseband: G900VVRU2BOK3
eMMC starts with 11
IMEI.info says it is clean, but identifies it as a G900P, which it isn't.

Related

Unlocking (X1A)

I realize that I'm likely to get instantly bashed for asking about this, but please let me preface my post with saying that I have done about 6 hours of research, here and elsewhere, but have not found a definitive answer to my question(s).
I recently purchased an xperia x1a. To my vast disappointment, the speeds i'm getting online are incredibly low (~200k). I know it has nothing to do with my service because if I pop my SIM into another phone, i get ~1000k generally.
My phone came "unlocked" and unbranded. I am in the US on ATT, and I can connect to HSPDA without a problem (isp.cingular as my AP).
I would like to try installing another radio on my phone to see if it might resolve my problems, but from all of my research, it sounds as though doing this requires security unlocking (CID) the phone.
First off, is there any chance my phone, brand new, came "security unlocked"? If so, is there any way to tell?
If I must security unlock my phone, it sounds like the code to do so is floating around, but since it's for sale places, no one is willing to give it away for free (or is it somehow linked to your IMEI?). I'm not altogether unwilling to pay to unlock my phone, although if there is any other route for upgrading to a better radio without having to pay, obviously that would be ideal.
I've got the radio I want, I've hex edited it so that it should work on my phone, but I'm very leery about bricking it by installing a radio that won't work. As I said, I have done a HUGE amount of research on this topic (flashing a new radio) and haven't found much that's definitive. On my last phone, a Diamond, I had no such issues (I purchased it retail, also unlocked and unbranded).
If anyone can shed some light on some of these questions, I would really appreciate it. I've been over to htccode and it sounds like they have a solution (at least for the X1, not sure about the X1A), but I would really like to understand this entire issue better.
Also, my current radio is 1.06.25.29. Can I simply cleanly upgrade to one of the newer radios found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=477801 without having to worry about unlocking? are the radios for the X1 and X1A the same?
I promise, I've searched.
YUP 200 Kb only ???
My provider is TIGO and, same as you I assume, I use a "security locked" X1a under the HSDPA 850MHz band
If you are not getting better speeds with your current radio, I guess a Radio upgrade wouldn't help because I've been gettin' up to 3,500 Kbps downloads without any worries or special tweaks, and yes I started with Radio 1.06.xx.xx
Some possibilities:
1- Try checking your advanced network config (under start->settings->connections) to check if HSDPA is enabled
2- It could be an operator-config dependant issue; check your parameters in your otehr phone against the parameters auto-configured in the XPERIA
3- Check if your phone is REALLY X1a: remove the battery and the white label must say "X1a", not just "X1"
Finally, ALL RADIOS and EVERYTHING posted here @ xda-devs work for ALL X1, it doesn't matter if it is X1a or X1i
PS: The "security unlock" is ONLY required to flash Radios from OTHER HTC devices (but we have already managed to make them compatible by hex-editiing them )
hope this helps
I've tried everything i can think of and I'm banging my head against the wall. The phone's next. Actually, I think that I'm going to go ahead and get a new SIM from AT&T and see if that helps any, since I'm now having some issues with my blackjack all of a sudden....

Network and GPS Functionality Vanished

Hi all,
I flashed my phone, and thought I’d go with Darky's Raw Steel Edition (4.1), which is awesome btw. I installed it correctly, installing I9000XWJM8 first (the MODEM and PDA, not CSC as none seemed to come in the package).
Everything was working smoothly until I realise 3G/Data Network is no longer working (it did previously). Not only that but it seems it won’t connect to my service provider (Three) at all (emergency calls only), and I’ve also now noticed GPS doesn’t seem to work at all, I can’t even get into GPS test mode. Wireless does however work though it being off, or on, has no impact.
I’ve tried:
Flashing different firmware - Stock JM8 and Doc Froyo’s latest JPO.
Hard Reset
Deleting and re-entering APN settings, though they were correct and already on the phone anyway.
Testing my SIM on another phone – signal is strong, inc. 3G on that.​
I’m really at a loss here. Any ideas anyone?
Thanks
UPDATE: So, I won't bump this myself, but incase anyone finds this thread in the future: the gprs, gps, 3g, etc all work - just not in my house, on the SGS, anymore. I have no idea why - my other phone, it's fine.. and it used to be fine with this phone too. I'll update again if I figure it out.
the other phone works fine with the same sim you are using in the SGS?
Yep, the same SIM works in my old Nokia 6600 fold, people in my house also with Three are getting solid reception right now. 4-5 bars with 3g established.
It worked beautifully all the way home from work on the bus, just not in/around my house.
It's as if the local cell towers near my house have blocked my SGS specifically (can't receive calls or texts either). I did turn the wireless on and off in short succession (which would cause the gprs/3g to try to re-establish each time).. maybe I flooded them and they blocked my IMEI? Or is that just a ridiculous idea?
The real odd thing is GPS not working either (again, just around my house/street); surely it doesn't need a cell site for that?
It does seem as if I can't download apps from The Market anymore either, and have tried various cache clearing solutions to fix it (problem occurred roughly when I noticed my reception was nill).
You might have a problem with the band selection thing of your phone.. have you tried downloading/speed test when you /do/ get a connection? If it seems capped at 40kbps, you might have the same problem I experienced before, of being stuck on 2g. (Despite settings saying otherwise).
I fixed it by doing the solution to having a missing 850 band, the thread of which is found somewhere in this forum.
Thanks. That sort of worked earlier.
It made a slow data connection, and some texts came through.
I then went out to a location a few miles away, had a look and it was still on a slow connection type for a few mins, then all of a sudden it went to HSPDA (with the occasional 3G flicker) and was blistering fast.
Now that I'm back home, I've lost all reception again and can't make/take calls
[EDIT] Clicking around my phone in the hopes of finding something: checked product code in my nv_data.bin file with SGS Toolbox, and it's showing I9000HKDKOR; whilst the backup is showing I9000HKDH3G - could I be on to something? I backed up my efs folder after rooting before doing anything else - so, going to try restoring that.
I have a hunch based on a 2 year old post (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=445913).
From what I understand, Three UK piggy back on Orange's network when Three's 3G cell towers are out of reach. Orange don't provide Three users with the full service though, just 2G and I'm guessing they prioritise Orange customer traffic.
I think when I flashed my phone, I removed code commanding the phone to prefer Three cell towers. Without that code, the phone simply goes to the strongest/first signal it detects. I'm guessing in the area near where I live, it's Orange (or maybe any old network which is why I'm often getting Emergency Calls only).
This is all guesswork. I'm hopeful, seeing as if I quickly switch the SIM to my two+ year old phone, then I quickly get 5 bars and 3G.. unless the SGS's signal issues really are *that* bad.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831022
Try see if you have the symptom of a missing band?
Hi Nwsk, I tried that before and assumed it didn't work, but actually the change isn't sticking. Which seems to be the case for a couple of others! Thanks for pointing me back to it!
[Edit]
Ohhhh dear. Now I have another theory (I really hope I'm wrong).
I've just read on a thread that some phones don't have the 850 Band, it's down to a lack of hardware support. I'd wager every Three UK branded phone sold will have the correct hardware as stock. I sent my phone back to Samsung for repair, they said they replaced the motherboard.. inference: they replaced it with one without the WCDMA 850 support.
Hmm, I'm definitely no authority on this, since I'm just guessing.. but I figure if that if was a true hardware defect, you wouldn't even be able to get it temporarily?
Are you using any 'battery-saving' type apps? Something might be messing up and keep reverting the settings. I had this occur to me a second time when I was trying out the superpower app here, I think it conflicted with another app I was using, and it borked out my network connectivity. Somehow fixed that after a few reboots, and lots of messing around in the phone debug menu with the 3g/2g thing, it suddenly worked again.
I've not seen it manage to get onto 850MHz WCDMA in my house for a while, not since the mobo got replaced (I should qualify that with a statement on my bad memory ). It will occasionally latch onto something if I walk around the house, giving me a slow data connection with the G symbol showing - it will drop pretty quickly.
Messing around while I write this, I've just realised if I set my phone to GSM(2G) with roaming [Three UK phones need this on so they can connect to Orange towers], then it does establish a data connection at 1800mhz. If I force WCDMA only, I get NOTHING. Setting both/auto leads to it being dodgy/instable, as I've discribed above.
My Nokia 6600 supports 850mhz UMTS, which would explain why it's working well inside my house.
I don't think it's an app. I've flashed a few different firmwares in an effort to get this fixed, it's currently on official Froyo JPO (not even rooted!) with Multi-CSC and a few completely harmless apps. I'd try the stock Three firmware if it was available somewhere.
I'm hoping it's software like you suggest! I will tinker away for now!
Thanks for all the help, at least now I'm fairly sure I'm on the right track!

[Q] i9505 stuck out of service

Hi,
I have a weird problem with my S4.
At work I have some areas with really bad coverage so sometimes the phone can stay for a few minutes (or even say 1h) out of service.
This is all normal. The coverage sucks, the building is weird, not problem here.
The problem is that when I go outside where the signal is normally full it does not register back to the network.
Even more it does not even go to "emergency only mode". On a few occasions I arrived back home (10Km + drive) until I realized people can't call me because the phone is out of service.
What is even weirder is the fact that on some occasions, even though the (no service) (/) sign is displayed mobile data works just fine.
My previous iPhone did something similar too - it took a while for it to recover signal after exiting the coverage black spots but never more than maximum 5 minutes.
To me it looks like a radio modem issue and maybe this is aggravated by the fact that my carrier uses the same 2100MHz frequency for both Data and Voice.
I would like to know if any of you have experience anything like this or if there is some app available that can monitor what's happening.
what network and firmware you on and wich s4 variant:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
I9505XXUBMEA I9505OXXBMF1
It's Europe standard i9505.
Network is Digi.Mobil Romania - but I doubt it's relevant since it can't get even emergency only (other networks).
so... any idea?
Android needs to work on it's notification. No Service and the reception bars only gauge voice coverage. You can test this out by using Service Mode to do a PS Only (data) attach instead of the standard PS + CS (voice) attach. It'll say no service, but data will be fine.
Emergency only, is when there is coverage from other operators but not yours. No service, means your way off the grid.
I've noticed the issue you describe and it's only on some firmwares. Try a newer one and see if you still have the same issue. But you might notice a drop in your battery life because your phone will be scanning all the time. If you're happy with no coverage at work, best to just turn it off and then turn it on when your outside.
Best option is to tell your operator about the lack of coverage. There's someone in charge of stats who get's beaten every time you drop a call. You'll get extra attention if you've got other businesses around you, so let them know that too.
Thanks for the reply.
I am already on the latest firmware and I noticed the same behavior on the firmware before this one.
Unfortunately I can't try out other modem versions (from other FW packages) as that would void my warranty.
avoid said:
Thanks for the reply.
I am already on the latest firmware and I noticed the same behavior on the firmware before this one.
Unfortunately I can't try out other modem versions (from other FW packages) as that would void my warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but...what about reboot phone? i know isnt funny but until u find a problem u can just reboot ur phone while u are going out from ur office...or just try to enable and disable airplane mode
Of course reboot works but I am looking for a solution, not a partial workaround.
The most annoying problem is that if I forget to reboot it when I leave work it will not recover network connectivity even if I am in areas with very good coverage, areas where you would expect your phone to work.
It looks like when it decides to give up it does not try again. It is very weird that it also drops the signal from other networks (the "emergency only") even if it's well in their coverage areas. I guess I will have to switch phones... Even if this issue was present for the iPhone too it never took more than a few minutes for it to recover on its own. And I'm not an apple fan
Just to do some brain ecercise...do u keep in power save when u are out of signal ? Its possible that disable check after few tries
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
It's not in power save. I only use that function in case of battery emergency.
Same problem here
Hello, I have the EXACT same problem here. I am in Argentina.
Now, I've been in the USA for a few weeks, visiting, and while my phone was roaming, I didn't have a single problem with my phone.
Since I came back, 3 days ago, I haven't had any problems in Argentina, either.
Is it possible that something got activated when the phone was registered to another company? (it was AT&T i believe)
If that's the case... maybe you can try putting a sim card of another company and see if you still have the problem?
Please let me know if you still have the same problem or if you got it solved. I would love to know something more scientific about all this.
I don't know if this is relevant, but my compass is off by about 30 degrees. Maybe my phone is defective?
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WITH THIS
---------------------
avoid said:
Hi,
I have a weird problem with my S4.
At work I have some areas with really bad coverage so sometimes the phone can stay for a few minutes (or even say 1h) out of service.
This is all normal. The coverage sucks, the building is weird, not problem here.
The problem is that when I go outside where the signal is normally full it does not register back to the network.
Even more it does not even go to "emergency only mode". On a few occasions I arrived back home (10Km + drive) until I realized people can't call me because the phone is out of service.
What is even weirder is the fact that on some occasions, even though the (no service) (/) sign is displayed mobile data works just fine.
My previous iPhone did something similar too - it took a while for it to recover signal after exiting the coverage black spots but never more than maximum 5 minutes.
To me it looks like a radio modem issue and maybe this is aggravated by the fact that my carrier uses the same 2100MHz frequency for both Data and Voice.
I would like to know if any of you have experience anything like this or if there is some app available that can monitor what's happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I have similar issue,
My phone says its out of service or no signal or no network also I checked my sim card in other phone in the same place and it is fine. The i9505 model in ireland meteor provider was running ok until deicided to give a try to another network operator, when I changed the sim card it didnt only catch up the signal from new network provider but also it refuses to catch the old network provider. Funny thing is that I am receiving 3G but no signal bars and no service sign is beeing displayed. I am running latest official BTU (UK) firmware, the phone was never rooted, altough I had to remove the simlock and instal unbranded firmware. The phone worked fine with the newest updates for a month and now I am facing this trouble.
No factory resets nor installing same radio (couple of times) have helped. Also I used odin to instal same firmware (as it has locked bootloader) so I cannot revert back to other stock firmwares, but still no joy.
hope that someone faced the same problems and describe how to solve this issue. thanks

[Q] Magic Network patches! Save my phone?

I have an Oppo x909t and I have predominately relocated to America/ Japan. Much to my surprise my oppo does not work outside of the country at all. "no mobile network detected". I thought "ok fine phone busted or flash issue." But now I get these weird network patches of like 500 meters where the phone does work and the signal is really strong, but then is kinda disappears. I could really use some help from the XDA deities this time. My wife and i just had a baby i would love to not buy a new phone. Beer and reddit gold for anyone who solves the issue!
I travel with a old Samsung S gt-9000 (has a broken screen) and that baby freaking gets signal everywhere whats the deal?
Things I have tried:
1) Changing GSM Sim cards.
2) Verifying the Sim on another phone.
3) Reflashing to stock rom (I normally run CM 11)
Please help me out!!!

Problem with my nexus 6p

I think this problem surfaced ever since i downloaded the beta update for Android 7 on my Nexus 6P device. My signal coverage and internet speed ( LTE/4G/3G) started fluctuating on its own and now the condition is so bad that i haven't found any signal connectivity for the network that i use even though other users of the same network in my area are having connectivity. I tried to insert that sim on another device and it worked just fine. I have taken every measure possible, restarting, doing factory reset, downgrading to Android 6 etc etc, i just wanna confirm if there is something else i could do or giving it to the service centre is the only option left?
I cant even tell if the SIM card slot is broken because the notification bar does not show me the error that the SIM is missing or whatever, it is reading that there is a SIM card there, i'm just not getting the connectivity...
HELP ME! I LOVE MY PHONE WAAY TOO MUCH!! I DONT WANNA LOOSE IT FOR SUCH A LONG DURATION!

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