Database Info

Lost reception doesn't come back without restart

I've been having a problem lately with my Captivate. At my work there's a complete dead zone where I lose reception completely (the 4 bars are replaced by a circle with a cross through it). However, when I leave work and go back home the reception never comes back - I've waited and waited and waited, but it still stays Xed out.
The phone requires a restart, and after that it picks up reception normally.
has anyone experienced this?

Did you try enabling flight mode, then turning it back off? Same effect as restarting the phone for your signal problem.
But in answer to your question, I've never had that problem. I have had a problem getting my signal back, but I just hold the phone in the open for a bit, and then stick it in my pocket again once I obtain service.

miztaken1312 said:
Did you try enabling flight mode, then turning it back off? Same effect as restarting the phone for your signal problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have, and it doesn't work. I have to turn the phone off and back on again.

I have the exact same issue.

I was having the same problem. They changed out the SIM card and have not had the problem sense. If your SIM has been through a few phones my not hurt to get a new one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

thedoodle said:
I was having the same problem. They changed out the SIM card and have not had the problem sense. If your SIM has been through a few phones my not hurt to get a new one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I just ordered a new SIM card online. My existing one is 4 years old and scratched up like crazy, that may be it.
On a different note, once I receive my new SIM card does anyone know how to associate it with my plan? The ebay listing for the SIM card said to do it through the following website but I'm not sure which option is correct ("upgrade phone" perhaps?)
https://www.wireless.att.com/activations/

Paladuck said:
Thanks, I just ordered a new SIM card online. My existing one is 4 years old and scratched up like crazy, that may be it.
On a different note, once I receive my new SIM card does anyone know how to associate it with my plan? The ebay listing for the SIM card said to do it through the following website but I'm not sure which option is correct ("upgrade phone" perhaps?)
https://www.wireless.att.com/activations/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For simplicities sake and for your own safety, take it into at&t and have them do it. At least you know it will be done correctly.
Sent from my Captivate

att gives u free sim card if goto their main stores

If you get a new sim just call at&t and tell them you need to change the sim number.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

ViniD said:
att gives u free sim card if goto their main stores
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been through many AT&T stores and they always charge me $25 for a new SIM. How'd you get free ones?

miztaken1312 said:
I've been through many AT&T stores and they always charge me $25 for a new SIM. How'd you get free ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must be going to private franchises because AT&T charges them for SIMs. If you call 611, they would make a notation to your account that you get a free one and the franchise would get reimbursed by AT&T.
I had to get a new SIM with my phone and it experiences this same issue. Has anybody had any luck with getting rid of the problem?

dennistaylor said:
You must be going to private franchises because AT&T charges them for SIMs. If you call 611, they would make a notation to your account that you get a free one and the franchise would get reimbursed by AT&T.
I had to get a new SIM with my phone and it experiences this same issue. Has anybody had any luck with getting rid of the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe they were private. They are regular at&t stores. But next time I'm definitely calling 611 for my similar problems
Sent from my Captivate

i have the same issue. i got a new sim when i got the phone and i rarely touch the sim. I bought the phone on launch day and have only just started seeing the issue. it seems to me that it started after the OTA patch but it is still happening after i flashed Cognition v2.1.7

Any new info on switching back and forth between LTE phones and Standard 3G phones?

Given the TBolt has the sim card, it seems it would be a little crazy to switch back and forth (if not impossible). This issue was touched a while ago, but is there an easier way yet? I guess anytime you wanted to switch back to the tBolt you needed to get a new SIM card. Is this still the case? Or can you use the website to switch back and forth between phones.
Reason I am asking is that I would like to use the iPhone during my work day since all of our machines are Apple based... and tBolt any other time. It just doesn't seem possible unless something changed?

I was also wondering how this would work. I have several phones and, until recently when I got my Tbolt, would switch between them quite often. Now with my first 4G phone, I wasn't sure that would work. From your post, it sounds like I could go online and switch from my Bolt to one of my 3g devices as I always have, but going back to the 4g Bolt might be a problem? I don't have 4g in my area, but I really am liking my bolt and don't feel the itch to switch devices yet, but I would like to be able to have the option.

Why not just call VZW and ask ?
That would be the easy way to answer your question.
Sent by my HTC Incredible

jbh00jh said:
Why not just call VZW and ask ?
That would be the easy way to answer your question.
Sent by my HTC Incredible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They give different answers each time you call! Depends who you talk to.

if it helps, sim cards are sim cards and the one in the tb (though it works in a slightly different way than what would be normal for a sim) is the same as any other sim card. However, if you switch to activating a 3g phone without a sim card, they will deactivate your tb sim card for sure. They may even if you don't, just because they're verizon and are slightly clueless on how sim cards work still.

psufan5 said:
Given the TBolt has the sim card, it seems it would be a little crazy to switch back and forth (if not impossible). This issue was touched a while ago, but is there an easier way yet? I guess anytime you wanted to switch back to the tBolt you needed to get a new SIM card. Is this still the case? Or can you use the website to switch back and forth between phones.
Reason I am asking is that I would like to use the iPhone during my work day since all of our machines are Apple based... and tBolt any other time. It just doesn't seem possible unless something changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you ever switch phones online without calling Verizon. I have never been able to do it other than when setting up maybe a new phone but never switching back to an old one. Good luck though it would be nice to be able to freely switch. I have a DInc and OG Droid just sitting here
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Switching from 4g to 3g phones you have to call in each time
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

I have tried switching from 3g phone to 4g phone and it is a pain. You need to call or go into the store and get a new sim card each time. The minute you place a 3g device on your 4g account the sim card is deactivated.
I switch back and forth now because i talked the store manager into giving me a few sim cards. You can also call every other day and have the customer service send you a new one. They are free but some stores will try to charge you.
Once you have the sim card all you need to do is turn off the 3g phone, place the new sim card in and it should activate itself.

Wow thats pretty sad that its this difficult.

I had tried this once and it brought up a question that I did not have the guts to answer myself. If you went back to 3g for a short while then afterwards reactivated on 4g would you loose the grandfathered unlimited data?
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App

theryanguy said:
I had tried this once and it brought up a question that I did not have the guts to answer myself. If you went back to 3g for a short while then afterwards reactivated on 4g would you loose the grandfathered unlimited data?
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No since you aren't changing your plan
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

Just talked to a VZW rep on the phone, who I'm assuming went to talk to a supervisor or a tech, and she said as long as I keep the sim card in a place where the gold contacts don't get harmed (like in the phone), then I can keep the same sim card between activations, I just have to either call in to switch back to the TB or activate it online.. She talked to someone about this after I asked if I could have a few sent to me, so I'm assuming whomever told her this at least had some knowledge on the situation, but I guess we'll find out when it's time to switch back

joshnichols189 said:
No since you aren't changing your plan
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks.
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App

the verizon rep that told you you can keep the sim card between activations is wrong. The sim card for verizon doesnt store any data its just basically a key to there 4g service. They can only be used for one activation and once they are deactivated they are dead. The only way to switch back and forth would be to have a surplus of sim cards. You would still have to call in and have them activate the new sim card before using it.
Ii have done this a few times on my thunderbolt so I know from experience.

Not sure on that having multiple SIM cards is right. I have switched between my DX and Tbolt numerous times and never gotten a new sim card. I do have to call every time when reactivating the bolt though.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

I can't see how this would work since LTE and gsm cards aren't compatible. If you could do that, you could drop it in most of the decent BlackBerrys and run... But ya can't. Anyone telling you that you can isn't at all familiar with the specs.

What a pain in the butt.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

just my experience...
Using the My Account web site, I can...
Change between multiple 3G phones, no problems.
Change from 4G/LTE phone to 3G phone, no problems other than... the Web site warns the LTE SIM will be disabled after 90 days of non-use, implying that you could re-use it for up to 90 days, BUT the SIM gets deactivated immediately.
If I try to change from 3G phone to 4G/LTE phone, no problems IF I have a NEW SIM card. If I try to re-use my SIM it fails and I need to call in. When I call in, its hit or miss if they can enter that same SIM back into the System (customer service can't, but tech support has done it) or make me get a new SIM.
I haven't tried switching in about 3 weeks. So I don't know if anything has changed since.
Also, I find it best to complete the equipment change before 11pm eastern, otherwise the device change could get hung up in VZW's switch/system and not complete/clear until the morning.

SIM card/switching from 4G to 3G
psufan5 said:
Given the TBolt has the sim card, it seems it would be a little crazy to switch back and forth (if not impossible). This issue was touched a while ago, but is there an easier way yet? I guess anytime you wanted to switch back to the tBolt you needed to get a new SIM card. Is this still the case? Or can you use the website to switch back and forth between phones.
Reason I am asking is that I would like to use the iPhone during my work day since all of our machines are Apple based... and tBolt any other time. It just doesn't seem possible unless something changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this time, it is still necessry to relace the SIM card if changing from a 4G device to a 3G device. So, if you were to change devices each day, you would need a new SIM card each time. Please check out our forums for updates at our website. Go to the website for Verizon Wireless, click Contact Us, then Customer Forums. You can also sign up for email updates from this site.
Thank you and have a good day!
Christina B
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

VZWSupport said:
At this time, it is still necessry to relace the SIM card if changing from a 4G device to a 3G device. So, if you were to change devices each day, you would need a new SIM card each time. Please check out our forums for updates at our website. Go to the website for Verizon Wireless, click Contact Us, then Customer Forums. You can also sign up for email updates from this site.
Thank you and have a good day!
Christina B
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon actually semi pays attention to xda

Hot sim card, and now no sim.

I have had my Infuse for about 2 weeks now. From the day I got it, I noticed it would completely lock up and start vibrating. Last week i noticed the sim card was getting hot. This morning I was using it with no problems. I set it on the table, and when I picked it up to use it, the phone was showing a "No Sim" message. I have removed the sim and rebooted several times, but it still says "No Sim." Is my phone pretty much shot?

ReganH22 said:
I have had my Infuse for about 2 weeks now. From the day I got it, I noticed it would completely lock up and start vibrating. Last week i noticed the sim card was getting hot. This morning I was using it with no problems. I set it on the table, and when I picked it up to use it, the phone was showing a "No Sim" message. I have removed the sim and rebooted several times, but it still says "No Sim." Is my phone pretty much shot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, never heard of that before. Even if there is a fix for your issues id bring it back, since its only 2 weeks old the store should exchange right in the store. If you wait past 30 days than you may have to send it out for warrenty replacement.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

Thanks Nash. The only problem is this phone was a replacement phone that my cousin got when he had problems with his first Infuse. They day this one arrived I traded my iPhone 4 for this Infuse. I'm not sure if AT&T will even do anything at this point. Looks like I might have to send it back to Samsung.

I forgot to mention that I am using the SIM card from my iPhone 4. It is smaller then the actual SIM card slot on the phone. I just took the card out and re-centered it, and now it works. I'm thinking I need to go in and upgrade my SIM card. I'll still take it in for the other problems, but for now at least I can make calls.

The first thing i would suggest would be the sim card. I have also had good luck with att's warranty center on the phone. I bought a samsung captivate from craigs list. The service rep said my account said I got the phone in like November (mind you I don't call att and change my imei unless with an upgrade). Told them I had the random shutdown problem and they replaced it no questions asked.

ReganH22 said:
I forgot to mention that I am using the SIM card from my iPhone 4. It is smaller then the actual SIM card slot on the phone. I just took the card out and re-centered it, and now it works. I'm thinking I need to go in and upgrade my SIM card. I'll still take it in for the other problems, but for now at least I can make calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem that sim. Needs replaced fast buddy take your phone there and get new one asap
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

Yes you should replace your ip4 sim for one that fits, only thing is- I'm sure att will change your number from iphone to Infuse, with that pending, I'm not sure if samsung will warrenty that phone since you weren't origianlly contracted to that phone, I could be wrong. I do know that att can downgrade your data package by switching phones. I bought my gf an inspire from craigslist, I was told that att was releaseing an update for inspires to have "unknown sourses" but you had to call and request it. I called and when they asked for my account info and phone number they noticed that phone number went to a samsung captivate. I said that phone broke so I picked up a replacement. They said they would have to change account from captivate to Inspire, I said go a head. Than they told me said I'm having work done to a non contracted phone, I will loose my unlimited data. I said touch my data and I'm gone to verizon...cancel my request. I later called back and explained, they left me alone and updated my phone. Kinda messed up what att can or try to do to your account.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

Thanks for the info guys. I just landed in San Diego and walked over to the At&t store near the hotel. They replaced the similar card with no questions asked for free. Nothing changed on my account. The sales Rep said his Infuse has the same freeze with the vibrating problem as well.

You need to go make a full size similar card, or get one from at&t
sent from my big bad infuse 4g

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM!!!!!!! its around the sim card right hand side gets really hot too

Problems

So, I got a SGS2 Skyrocket a few days ago from a guy on craigslist for $400. Great deal, or so I thought. The phone worked well until today, I'm not receiving text messages or phone calls and I cannot send text messages. I first though, "great, I bought a stolen phone and and now it's been disabled." I googled it and it seems that I wouldn't be able to make calls if it had indeed been reported stolen. Any ideas? I restored the device and it didn't help. Thought it was interesting when I went to software update under settings it says "DM initialization is not ready. Check network or sim card." Could I just have a signal problem or something? I have full bars...

Did you get a new 4G LTE sim card for the phone?

No, I didn't. But it was sending texts just fine yesterday and now I'm trying to use the sim on my old phone and it wont send texts either.

Sounds like a sim issue. You might need to head to your ATT store and upgrade your sim card. This should solve your problems. Older sims won't work on the newer 4G phones. I had this issues with my 1st skyrocket and my old sim. It worked for a bit then stopped working, we replaced the old sim with a new one and all was good....

iLiberate said:
So, I got a SGS2 Skyrocket a few days ago from a guy on craigslist for $400. Great deal, or so I thought. The phone worked well until today, I'm not receiving text messages or phone calls and I cannot send text messages. I first though, "great, I bought a stolen phone and and now it's been disabled." I googled it and it seems that I wouldn't be able to make calls if it had indeed been reported stolen. Any ideas? I restored the device and it didn't help. Thought it was interesting when I went to software update under settings it says "DM initialization is not ready. Check network or sim card." Could I just have a signal problem or something? I have full bars...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Guy......Craigslist"..... = problem?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using xda premium

I bought mine off Craig's List and experienced the same thing. Your sim from your Captivate will only work briefly for phone/SMS, but not at all for data.
You MUST get a 4G LTE sim card for the Skyrocket and AT&T will change your data plan "type" (same data and price per month, but different line item on the billing).
5 minutes in AT&T and I was good to go.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

Grut said:
Sounds like a sim issue. You might need to head to your ATT store and upgrade your sim card. This should solve your problems. Older sims won't work on the newer 4G phones. I had this issues with my 1st skyrocket and my old sim. It worked for a bit then stopped working, we replaced the old sim with a new one and all was good....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont listen to people like this when they tell u older sims will work for a min then stop. Complete and utter bull****. Me and my friend have the skyrocket and he uses and older version sim and has no problems. The new sim only matters cuz it gives u the lte data plan. Its not gonna stop text from going thru. Such misinformation going on. This is y people are so screwed up
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Justinfedor said:
Dont listen to people like this when they tell u older sims will work for a min then stop. Complete and utter bull****. Me and my friend have the skyrocket and he uses and older version sim and has no problems. The new sim only matters cuz it gives u the lte data plan. Its not gonna stop text from going thru. Such misinformation going on. This is y people are so screwed up
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? So if your information is correct, and you are all knowing, then why not help him fix the problem.

First off sounds like a SIM issue. Sim is usually the problem when it comes to network connectivity issues. Did you check the litmus sticker for water exposure?
Call ATT and have them check the IMEI #. You should have done that before you bought the phone.
@Justinfedor: That kind of response is not needed. If you can't say what's on your mind kindly please go somewhere else.

When I got my Skyrocket (moving from Captivate) the sales person said directly I would get a new SIM because the 4G LTE needed a new (assumably different) one. I'm sure you just need to get a new SIM which ATT should do no problem.

X10D3 said:
First off sounds like a SIM issue. Sim is usually the problem when it comes to network connectivity issues. Did you check the litmus sticker for water exposure?
Call ATT and have them check the IMEI #. You should have done that before you bought the phone.
@Justinfedor: That kind of response is not needed. If you can't say what's on your mind kindly please go somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4g lte sims are for data. Like i said my friend doesnt have one in his phone. We dont live in an lte area so hes not getting a new one. U all say people need a new sim for a 4g device. Thats a complete lie. Sims can cause the issue but its not always the answer. Oh and i will go somewhere else cuz you all obvisously think you know everything. No need to be in here with a bunch of low life.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Justinfedor said:
4g lte sims are for data. Like i said my friend doesnt have one in his phone. We dont live in an lte area so hes not getting a new one. U all say people need a new sim for a 4g device. Thats a complete lie. Sims can cause the issue but its not always the answer. Oh and i will go somewhere else cuz you all obvisously think you know everything. No need to be in here with a bunch of low life.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW! Holy childish over-reaction batman!

Can't you just get a new Sim? Worst case, is that your carrier might charge you something like $10.00......
Sent from my SGH-I727R using xda premium

If that's the way you're going to act, then please leave. I used to work for ATT a while back. What I don't think you get is... You're right and you're wrong. No you don't need a LTE sim. If the sim is bad it can cause connectivity issues, and weird stuff all together. That last statement is what you're completely ignoring.

Justin and X10D3 are correct. I used my sim from my Atrix in my phone since I got it. You'll need to be set up on the LTE plan through att. All that happened is their system doesn't have your account provisioned for LTE and it took a day or so for them to catch it. Login to your account and see if you're on an LTE plan. If not, then call them, but I know my sim is the same one from my Atrix and I've hit LTE areas the whole month in December with no issues. It shouldn't change your rate plan just need it provisioned for your account to register properly with their LTE network.

Phone lost signal, never returned

Not sure what happened, I all of a sudden lost the signal completely and it has not come back no matter what I do. I've reflashed, removed SIM, battery, reset default APN"s, all that good stuff.
Says that I have unidentified networks, no IP address recognized, basically acting as if I do not have a SIM, but I dont get the "no sim message".
When i took the SIM out, I noticed on the gold chip that there were 3 vertical lines running about 3/4 way across the chip, from top to bottom. It looks as if the contacts inside the slot for the SIM, made a groove into the SIM, not sure how.
Can someone verify that these lines are supposed to be on the SIM? They look too uniformed to be cause on accident.

stevew84 said:
Not sure what happened, I all of a sudden lost the signal completely and it has not come back no matter what I do. I've reflashed, removed SIM, battery, reset default APN"s, all that good stuff.
Says that I have unidentified networks, no IP address recognized, basically acting as if I do not have a SIM, but I dont get the "no sim message".
When i took the SIM out, I noticed on the gold chip that there were 3 vertical lines running about 3/4 way across the chip, from top to bottom. It looks as if the contacts inside the slot for the SIM, made a groove into the SIM, not sure how.
Can someone verify that these lines are supposed to be on the SIM? They look too uniformed to be cause on accident.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe if something effects those 3 lines it will mess up but I'm not sure but try cleaning it.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

jab74101 said:
I believe if something effects those 3 lines it will mess up but I'm not sure but try cleaning it.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heard that before too. Best bet is trying to get a free sim from your carrier. They usually run for 20 I belive
Sent from my LG-P999

When I went to the T-Mobile store, my sim card works in another phone...they seem to think that my IMEI was banned.
I guess T-Mobile does that to people who haven't paid their bill, they deactivate the phone. Right now I'm on wifi but I still can't use the phone, only email and internet, probably text too I haven't tried.
I guess T-Mobile will ban an IMEI
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA

Then you should probably pay your phone? :double faceplam:
Sent from my amazing LG G2x running Bionix Reloaded v1.4.1

or not buy the phone from a 3rd party without confirming with T-Mobile that it has been paid for in full, either way it sucks.

theking_13 said:
Then you should probably pay your phone? :double faceplam:
Sent from my amazing LG G2x running Bionix Reloaded v1.4.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my post a little more carefully...
mt3g said:
or not buy the phone from a 3rd party without confirming with T-Mobile that it has been paid for in full, either way it sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try and get out of it, i've been going back and forth with a couple of rep's over their online chat. Confirmed the IMEI is blocked and I have to get ahold of the previous owner. The only problem is that I don't know who that person is.