working S8 without service bars!? - Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers

Hello,
I have been looking for a used S8 to buy, and I found one online that has a slight crack on the top right of the screen right next to the front camera, it is unlocked (originally worked on an American network) but now is unlocked and GSM free (I live in Germany). The real issue (which gets me worried) is that it doesn't show service bars although it works perfectly (calls and text messages and internet) according to the buyer who says that this problem can be solved with a new firmware but I ask myself why wouldn't he flash a new firmware then?
What do you think, should I go for it, it is almost 300$ !
thanks in advance

Related

Problem connecting to Vodafone on SPV M3100

Firstly, hello everyone.
I recently bought the Orange SPV M3100 on eBay, and can not for the life of me get it to connect to Vodafone with my contract SIM.
So far I have:
-Sim unlocked and superCID'd the phone.
-Installed WM6 (via CUSTEL).
-Tried 3 different Radio versions.
-Attempted to install Vodafones official update (which failed for reasons unknown).
-Played around with just about all network settings.
Basically, the device acts as if it's trying to connect to the network, but doesn't (PC speakers pick up inteference etc).
With automatic network selection it just doesn't do anything.
With manual network selection it gives all four big UK providers (allowing for signal - I live in the North York Moors) including Vodafone, but won't connect to any of them.
If I click 'set networks' I get a HUGE list of providers. Vodafone UK (if it appears at all, for some reason O2 and TMobile seem to appear on the list more often) is nearly always unchecked at the bottom. Checking it doesn't fix the problem. When I go back there later it has sometimes lost that setting and Vodafone is unchecked at the bottom again.
I should probably mention that any setting I change here results in a 2 minute "Sending new settings to the network", and on a couple of occasions has caused it to crash.
If I go onto band settings, originally they were both set to auto. Infact, I've just gone onto it as I type, and they have gone back to auto. Before it had got stuck on GSM/UMTS band type 'GSM(900+1800)+UMTS(2100)' (gave an error message unable to change band etc if I tried to change it to anything else). I cannot change the network type or GSM band otherwise without the same error message appearing.
So anyway, as you can see I've gone through a lot and read a lot unlike your typical n00b, and my prospects with this new phone are bleak.
Can anyone help me or suggest anything else that could get this phone onto Vodafone?
I have a worrying thought that this phone could have originally been half-inched (the eBay seller seemed a tad on the dodgy side), been reported, and is now serial-blocked from UK networks, if that's possible?
[edit] I don't know if they are or can be serial blocked, but in which case, assuming you trust and sympathise with my story, is it possible to hack & change the serial number?
Sounds possible that its been blocked. Yes there is a way but you probably won't find any help on this site to do it as it is illegal. Thats not to say you can't search the site, you may find something that may help... Search is your friend...
Cheers...
Yeah reading into the problem reveals a possible 'IMEI' block.
Time to contact the ebay seller I think.
Have spotted an obvious hole in my theory:
The thing came in it's original box (s/n sticker confirmed) with all manuals and accessories.
So back to original problems; is there anything else I have missed?
[edit]
Phone is unblocked according to http://www.amta.org.au/default.asp?Page=405.
So unless they're wrong, why can't I connect to Vodafone and what else can I try?
did you try *#06# on the phone to be sure the S/N on the stickers and phone is the same as the actual phone S/N?
Yes, they are.
Would Vodafone be of any help on this issue?
Depends if they supply that model of phone.
Do you have a network configurator app cooked into the rom you are using or are you using a stock rom?
Might be an idea to look for a network configurator cab if you're using the stock rom and see if that helps. Also if you are using a stock rom, and its not setup for vodaphone, it MAY (don't quote me on this) be affecting the network settings and making it incompatable with the carrier you want.
Just a thought...
I'd also try to run the sim unlock app again, just remember it has to be the SPL that was supplied with the sim/cid unlock tool. Make sure you install Hard SPL V7 back after checking this...
vodaphone will help you if you ring them up using a the sim card in a working phone and ask them to check if its imei is blocked, they do it totaly free of charge.. had to do this with a viewty i bought from a work buddy shorty before he forgot to tell me he did not pay the contract bill and t-mobile blocked it. well annoyed, but they told me it was reported Lost or stolen.
found a few places on the net that offer a check for £10 sod em lol
luckly got me cash back selling it for parts hehe
What a bloody carry on!
Vodafone told me it was blacklisted; reported stolen.
The eBay member is highly upset at being called a theif and very convincingly tells me otherwise (I'm 90% sure I can believe his story, and feel bad for my accusation).
Orange (of whom I'm not even a customer) then tell me "I'm sorry it's blacklisted for an unknown reason ... <click-click> ... there you go sir I've removed it from the blacklist!"
Well, if it starts working again in the next 48 hours I couldn't give a monkeys what's gone on. I just want the bugger to work!
the only reason that a phone would be blocked is if it was reported.......have you tried another sim from o2 or orange etc.
the question has been asked before about imei changing and as you know its illegal,but can be done so if all else fails search elsewhere,not here, i would suggest that unblocking a phone is never likely to be an achievable goal.the networks are not known for their magninimity

Could the UK Touch HD people on the O2 network please read this and test something?

I'm starting to lose the will to live at the moment as i've got a bit of an issue with using my phone on the o2 network at the moment.
I'd be really grateful, therefore, if the folks with a Touch HD on O2 could do a quick test for me to see if it is just a handset problem or an O2 issue. The full story is outlined below, but you don't have to read it and can skip straight to the test at the end if you want!
My phone worked fine for 2 weeks and hasn't worked since there was a local network outage on o2 on Thursday of last week. After this, the phone will only work when i'm in a 3G enabled area and won't work when i'm in a 2G area (a bit of a pain as i live in a 2G area).
I've been trying to track this issue down.
Here are the tests that i've done so far
An old but still active o2 account works fine in k750 (2g only phone) at home location
Sim card from old O2 account doesn't work in touch HD at home location
New sim card hasn't worked in home location (2G area) since last Thursday
New sim card seems to work elsewhere in 3G locations (although some dropped calls)
If you put phone in GSM only mode when you are in a 3G area you get a signal but can't make or receive any calls
new sim card works in k750 (2G only phone) at home location
Sim card from wife's orange phone works fine at home location (although it is an orange 3g area).
Conclusions
1) Phone is broken
2) O2 local transmitter is broken or no longer will 'speak' to the touch HD since the network outage on Thursday
However, i've come across other people on the O2 network with the same phone (see http://forum.o2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=15778&start=30) in another part of the country and they are having the same issue, so this has got me thinking of 1 final test before I return my phone.
*************
The test bit starts here
*************
If you are in a 3G area can you switch your phone band to GSM only. After doing so can you still make and receive calls/texts?
If you are in a 2G area can you make and receive calls/texts?
Really appreciate any help you can offer here guys, as this is taking over my life at the moment.
Spud
I've got an Orange Touch HD, unlocked by "Unlock Now", and being used with a 3G o2 contract sim.
Switching to GSM leaves the phone entirely operational, and is generally advised anyway to save battery from band switching in marginal signal areas.
I can't test the 2g only problem as I am swamped by 3g where I live.
I very much expect that the phone WILL work in a 2g area as it has to have the 2g fallback if 3g fails.
V
I live in a 3G area and work in a 2G area and my phone works just fine in both, albeit the slow downloads you would expect in 2G. I'm on O2 with an HD that I bought independently of the contract.
Mine works just fine in non 3G areas on O2 with a recent O2 SIM, can even go from 3G to 2G and back again mid call without any problems. Haven't tried switching 3G off (bit late to be calling anyone tonight) but don't see any reason for it to fail. Have you tried a hard reset?
Thanks guys, really appreciate your input.
I've done all the hard resets and everything and the situation remains the same, the phone will work in 3G areas but not 2G ones, so it will be returned and hopefully the replacement phone will be okay
I live in an area where i'm just on the edge of 3g reception and for the last couple of weeks or so I have been getting calls dropped whenever my phone switches from 3G. I can sometimes get a few seconds of talk time before it drops but if I switch to GSM instead of auto I can't connect at all.
I've had this HD on O2 since December, from mobiles.co.uk, and have only recently started experiencing this problem.
My replacement phone has arrived and now works as it should.
Murph1 - seems like your phone has developed the same fault as mine, so it will need to go back to HTC or get it fixed via CPW
HD TOUCH very dissapointing....any results after repair anyone?
i can tell you that i have purchased a hd touch (around a month ago) and to be honest im not impressed at all….no matter where i am i do not get full signal, i was told that this may be the lack of 3g in my area, so i took it to carphone warehouse, they changed a setting…..and i still have no signal……….i have around 20 photos and 10 songs on the memory card, and already the phone is “lagging” and glitching……….the battery life is pants, it has to be charged every night……also when starting the phone its takes at least 3-4 mins until i can touch a key and the hd touch will recognise it! really is rubbish, so much that ive returned it today for repair, hopefully it will be sorted, but i cant see how they can make the battery life longer, the software faster and the signal better???? my advice is get an iphone (the exact comment i got off of a carphone warehouse employee when i took it in for repair today) but ofcourse apparntly i cant do that as im outside of my 28 day return period….hope this helps,
joe.....oh im on o2 aswell : ( my postcode is s81 (worksop, notts area)
Same problem - PLEASE HELP!?
I have a Touch HD on O2 - through Mobiles.co.uk.
It was working fine originally for 2 weeks - then suddenly I have very low "H" reception in my house (my old phone shows loads of reception with same sim card). If it switches to E or G receptions - even if I have loads of reception, I can't sent a text or call, or receive calls. I've even sat there at work, with 4 or 5 bands on E, and then tried to call myself from my work phone - it goes straight to voicemail.
So it seems that my phone will only work on "H" band/reception. Is this the same problem? I have tried contacting HTC support and hard resets..
Please can someone help?!
Thanks!!!
Does anyone have any idea? Please!! It's doing my head in!
When I first received the phone I found it to be laggy and not very responsive.
I am currently using Dutty's Extreme 2.6 ROM and Radio 1.13.25.24 and the phone runs like a dream.
The device is very fast and responsive. The reception is very good and the GPS fixes in about 10-15 secs. The best thing is that I used the phone for 5 days without charging and it still had 20% charge left at the end (i did not use TomTom in this period).
I am in the UK and I am on the O2 network.
Hope this helps.
The 5 days test came from Dutty's Extreme 2.5 ROM not 2.6.
So how does a radio really work? I think mine is actually faulty though, as it won't connect via E or G bands. Did you have this problem before you upgraded the radio and rom?
nhudgell, your error seems the same as mine. I would be able to make/receive calls in a 3G/H area, but it would go straight to voicemail in a E/G area.
If you are within 28 days of your purchase, return it for a replacement, if not, you'll have to go to a carphonewarehouse to send it off for repair.
P.S. i updated my radio on the phone that had the error and it made no difference at all, so i assume that it was a faulty GSM module in the phone
Sounds like I need to return it then (I'm over 28 days) - so I need to go to Carphone Warehouse? Can I not go straight to HTC and use their warranty?
Another one to get unlucky
Hi all
I have a touch HD which I bought off ebay(oh dear I hear you cry !). I love the phone, but like you had the 2g 3g prob. On 2g I can make calls (if I try and try again and am patient with the long connect time )but cannot receive calls they go straight to answerphone.
I found that with a virgin sim(I had an old one that still works) the prob vanishes and phone works fine in 2g or 3g.
But with any O2 card: mine or a new sim I got(to try and fix this) and my wifes I get the same prob.
Did your phone replacement solve the prob.
I spoke to O2 and they think its a software vs phone software issue, and said that they dont sell/support that handset and I checked its not on their website.
Did the replacement phones solve the issue is all now OK??
Any feed back gratefully received !
Simon
The Story continues....
OK here is the latest.
I spoke to Spud_work & Nhudgell who had this prob and they both confirmed that
A) They had replaced the handset
B) Problem had gone and so far had not come back.
(thanks very much for the prompt response and help guys)
So I called HTC and told them this - I found someone that was interested.
He said that he will look into what the repair people say and then I can update on here.
Just keeping fingers crossed that they CAN fox this as they did for others !
Final Update
Spoke to HTC and they agreed to fix. This required me explaining about the postings on here and what other people had done. I sent the phone back and it was back with me within one week the prob was fixed. I believe that they changed the main-board. They said that they had never heard of this prob, but I pointed them here !
Anyway if anyone else gets this same prob - send the phone back ! That worked for me !
Having said all that I now have a new and even more unusual prob - with the back light - looks like the phone might be going "home" again !

NOOB - T-Mobile UK HD2 unlocked - no O2 connection..

Hi guys.
Really sorry about this but I am at the end of my tether with this!
I run my own IT support company and one of the things I do most is Blackberry and iPhone Exchange email syncing. While both of those work brilliantly, I have had users having loads of issues getting their Windows Mobile devices working easily. Luckliy only one or 2 have these devices but more are asking....
I resorted to retiring my Bold 9000 and got a brand new sealed HD2 on the UK T-Mobile network today. First thing I did was get a sim unlock code and that went through first time (using my working o2 SIM from my BB). However, I couldn't make calls so after I spoke to o2 I got in to the Phone, Network settings and with the Network selection on auto, the preferred networks list was blank. Clicking the preferred networks button brings up the list of preferred networks, ticked o2 - UK and ok'd it. Goes back to main network screen and still blank. Clicking Find Network then brings up cannot register on selected network.
Changing automatic network selection to manual, selecting )2 - UK and ok'ing that brings up the same 'cannot register on selected network error. So, after coming here, I stuck on the HSPL 1.42, then upgraded to RUU_Leo_HTC_WWE_1.48.405.2_Radio_Signed_15.28.50.07U_2.05.51.05_2_Ship
That went on fine and after wiping to factory to make sure I sent through the set up. Same errors and still can't make receive calls.
Stuck on the 2.08 hspl for the hell of it then upgraded to RUU_Leo_HTC_WWE_1.66.405.2_Radio_Signed_15.30.50.07U_2.06.51.07_Ship
Guess what? Exact same problems! I spoke to o2 support and they were pretty useless. Explained that it was sim unlocked and on a generic firmware. They said that T-Mobile do something weird with the HTC and I should try calling HTC tech support, who are now closed...... I am not sure HTC will be of any help anyway as I can't exactly go telling them I have stuck on the HSPL and a non-approved firmware for what was the originall carrier!
Help please anybody?? I have googled and googled but haven't found anyone with the same problem, I might be being blind. BTW, what I guess is the antenna icon has an exclamation next to it
Thanks,
Nick
Quick update. Housemate got back so I nicked the Vodafone UK sim from his iPhone and stuck that in the HD2. Same problem, won't register on Vodafone either. Anyone?
Got annoyed. changed the SPL back to the standard 1.42. Installed the latest T-Mobile official firmware. Same problems. Do I have the only HD2 ever to be doing this? . I don't have a T-Mobile sim to hand and the nearest store is miles away sadly.
Does your phone app not work at all ?
How do you know unlock code worked ? so far every sim you tried has failed.
Where did you get the unlocking code from ?
How did you use it ? meaning how did you input it ?
Verdict so far, if a t-mobile sim card works then unlock was a fail !
Ok referring to your network selection, for the UK, you should have it set to Automatic, it will then use the network associated with your sim.
referring to your call problem, does the phone still work with the original t-mobile sim?
if so it sounds like your unlock code didnt work.
if your phone no longer works with the original t-mobile, I should think something has gone wrong with the radio software you have installed on the phone. Try going back to the stock htc/radio rom. If that doesnt work then the phone probably needs to go back to t-mobile for repair, at this point you tell them "it just stopped working"
have you tried to run the connection setup wizard?
settings - menu - all settings - connections - connection setup
if there isn't one, connectionsetup is available as a cab.
Hi guys. It was a brand neww, sealed box HD2, but from T-Mobile. No SIM with it at all or I would have been trying that too of course .
Regarding how I unlocked it. I paid an ebay seller to give me an unlock code. When I fist put on 02 SIM in the phone it wafffled on about being network locked basically and had a field to enter the unlock code. Entered the code given to me via the Ebay unlocker and never got that message again on the screen. Is that wrong somehow?
Manual network, auto network, selecting carrier etc all of them make no difference. I am off out now but have found a local store with PAYG T-Mobile sims in stock so will grab 1 later today and see what happens then.
Will update/bore you all later!
Cheers,
Nick
Right, case closed. I got the T-Mobile sim and stuck it in. Showed up with T-Mobile on the scren and a good strength signal. Tried to make a call, dropped back to the home screen almost straight away. I had full data access though. Spoke to T-Mobile who informed me that my brand new, sealed box HD2 was blacklisted and I could do nothing with it!
Vodafone and O2 just flat out don't let you register the handset on their network if is it blacklisted it would seem.
Contacted the seller and he has arranged a refund, but the refund is showing as 'pending' so I am not going to return the phone until I see it physically in my account.
I have to be honest and say that this is actually a good thing as despite HTC doing all they can to make the Win 6.5 on there look less dog-like, the overall UI is still pretty awful. Now,this phone with Android 2.1 on it might be a dfferent matter! Back on my Bold 9000 for now......
Cheers,
Nick.
I am sorry to hear about that, looks like to you got hit by some sort of scam, probably resealed a second hand or refurbished unit into an original box and sold it as new.
regarding the UI of the htc devices, I am not really sure why you think this, htc hd2 uses htc sense which is the same ui as on the android htc phones. The only windows mobile thing you should really see is the start menu which has been praised as being a very good replacement for the old start menu. even all the settings windows are run through the htc sense ui so i am really not sure what you are complaining about :S
If you dislike the top bar/bottom soft buttons, there have been a lot of modifications to these in more recent hd2 roms, maybe you should to take a look at the roms section to see some pics.

[Q] G1 working everywhere, but UK, WHY ? is this simlock?

Hey, im using cyanogen mod (info at the bottom)
I've been travelling lately, and used my G1 in spain, france, poland, germany, italy with no problems.
The moment i crossed la-manche channel everything went offline.
Sometimes i get registered on the network (via roaming) but im unable to place calls or send text messages.
I bought the phone on ebay back when i was in Poland. i think guy was selling it because it was locked in UK... it wasnt a problem untill now, how do i unlock it ?
And what kind of lock is this ? sim lock ? i tried local pre-paid, or subscription cards and they dont work aswell :<
the fact that it was orking with my polish sim card from play, orange and era (i used different providers over time) with no problems makes me all confused.
maybe its something else, like a radio problem ? i think i've uploaded the latest one...
Im not a holder of original owners information, i dont even have acontact with the guy so dont tell me to call t-mobile, cause that wont work propably.. and i cannot placea call anyways :[
Phone info:
T-Mobile G1_1.22.12.29
Kernel version:
2.6.29.6 - cyanogenmod shade toxygene
Mod version: CyanogenMod - 4.2.15.1
Build number : DRC83
Sounds like its been reported stolen. This phone will never work in the UK again.
go to www.checkmend.co.uk, register an account & run a check on your phone (will cost about £2) this will tell you if the phone has ever been reported Lost or Stolen & if it is currently blocked in the UK.
Or if you like you can drop me the IMEI number & i can check for you with the work account & let you know what it says

Is there a solution (other than 5-minute call) to region lock issue in Galaxy S7 Edge

So the matter goes like this -
I bought a GS 7 Edge (SM-G935F single SIM International unlocked variant) from Ebay India recently. Everything is OK with the phone except that it is unable to search and connect to any Indian mobile network. It shows "NO SERVICE" even when a SIM is inserted and do not search for networks anyhow. After some search I came to know that it is Middle East specific variant so no Indian SIM card is working in it. So I guess it is suffering from that infamous "Region Lock" issue. I know the "5-minute call in region/home network" solution but unfortunately it is impossible to me to go to middle east just for this.
Is there anyone out there who had/has this issue and got it solved anyhow (other than 5-minute call method).
Please anyone including our great forum modders and devs, I request you to help me out from this awkward situation.
I think you can just get a sim card (turkish for example) from ebay? that will cost you like 10$
Apologies if im wrong
When you insert an indian sim does it ask for a SIM unlock code?
If it doesnt then its not a region lock problem. Your phone has a defect and youshould either return it or get it checked at a service centre.
If it does, then just contact the samsung middle east through e-mail, they'll help you out with the PIN
No it does not ask for any code.
Some more questions, please can some one answer?
1. Can I flash the phone with an Asia Pacific (which is my region) stock ROM?
2. If the answer is yes and everything is successful then will it remove the region lock?
3. Does anyone know whether the region lock is a hardware or firmware based restriction?
Any help is highly appreciated.
Unfortunately nothing worked for me. I successfully flashed the phone with Indian Stock ROM but the problem persisted. As a last resort I rooted the phone and used the "Region Lock Away" app. But unfortunately it did not work either giving "Unexpected error occurred" message. Now I think I can't do anything about this other than shelling out money at a Samsung service center.
@samsung - I must say Samsung, you are not doing it right at all by region locking the devices. It is the most stupid and bad-for-business move from your part. I mean come on! A user buys your phone spending a lot then he/she must be free to use it anywhere and anyhow without any restrictions. Why on earth I spend more money buying a SIM card, you are selling phones or promoting regional network operators along with it. Disappointed as I am, I will no longer buy a Samsung phone in the future and will make sure no other in my family and circle buys one. Besides being a blogger and social media influencer I will do as much as I can to make people aware about this restrictive and monopolistic attitude of yours. You will have to pay for this.
I'm with u
i bought it from India, and back to Singapore...
cant use it alerady a week. and Singapore samsung saying they cant help. contact indian operator / samsung service centre.

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