My husband finally let me root and rom his S3 (I have a Gnex). Unlocking the bootloader and rooting (using Odin) went well. When I installed SlimBean+GApps, however, we started having an issue. He kept losing 3 & 4G signal. We didn't know about the roaming issue, so I had not backed up the IMEI. I flashed Clean Rom, and the issue is partially fixed.
The phone's signal is fine now, 3-4 bars 4G most of the time. The trouble is, we can't dial out to any numbers, and any calls to the phone go straight to voicemail. We've pulled the sim card and let it sit for a bit, but that didn't help. Dialing *228 (as Verizon tech support had him do about 4,583 times) just brings up a message about the phone being activated by the sim card, and roaming capabilities being updated. All tech support had to say was that Google Voice was probably the problem, even though we've both had it for ages with zero issues. :/
Any ideas? I don't really want to unroot and take it in to the Verizon store, but I will if there is no alternative.
EDIT: Just discovered that 4G is only working when "Preferred network mode" is set to Global, rather than LTE/CDMA.
*228 is for 3g phones only, it does absolutely nothing for LTE sim phones. Here's your solution btw.
I knew it! I kept telling them I didn't think that was supposed to do anything when I have a sim card. Crazy first string tech support. They also didn't know my battery was removable.
Will try the things listed in that link, thanks.
Falconfree said:
I knew it! I kept telling them I didn't think that was supposed to do anything when I have a sim card. Crazy first string tech support. They also didn't know my battery was removable.
Will try the things listed in that link, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha Verizon lost credibility with me when I rented their global phone for travel last summer and when I got back to the US the instructions to get my GSIII working began with dialing *228. There wasn't even a warning about it being unnecessary for LTE sim phones.
Good luck and let me know how that goes.
Related
Alright not too long ago, I called verizon to notify them about my travels to Japan, 2 weeks prior my trip (i got back less than 24 hours ago). They did some over the phone stuff, added that 100mb plan. And told me to dial *228, I've been warned about dialing *228 on 4G phones before... But this is a Verizon REP telling me this. So i did it, and i was supposed to dial it again when i reached Japan, to update my roaming with their cell towers.
I did so as well... thought little did i know the message i got when i was in japan said my phone did not work over there (didn't know it at the time had my friend translate the message for me days after i already dialed)
Long story short, I've noticed after my initial dial of *228, I somewhat noticed my phone never connected to 4G again. It bugged me, but i was still able to FORCE LTE Only in Phone Info. But when i had that setting in, i couldnt recieve or send calls, or texts... just blazing fast internet.
In my area since I live relatively close to Los Angeles 4G is pretty much everywhere here. What i dont understand why my phone hasn't connected to 4G ever since i called.
USMC-Delta said:
Alright not too long ago, I called verizon to notify them about my travels to Japan, 2 weeks prior my trip (i got back less than 24 hours ago). They did some over the phone stuff, added that 100mb plan. And told me to dial *228, I've been warned about dialing *228 on 4G phones before... But this is a Verizon REP telling me this. So i did it, and i was supposed to dial it again when i reached Japan, to update my roaming with their cell towers.
I did so as well... thought little did i know the message i got when i was in japan said my phone did not work over there (didn't know it at the time had my friend translate the message for me days after i already dialed)
Long story short, I've noticed after my initial dial of *228, I somewhat noticed my phone never connected to 4G again. It bugged me, but i was still able to FORCE LTE Only in Phone Info. But when i had that setting in, i couldnt recieve or send calls, or texts... just blazing fast internet.
In my area since I live relatively close to Los Angeles 4G is pretty much everywhere here. What i dont understand why my phone hasn't connected to 4G ever since i called.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd pull the sim, reinsert and reboot. You may need to reactivate. Sounds like the rep you talked to was a complete waste of space.
preusstang said:
I'd pull the sim, reinsert and reboot. You may need to reactivate. Sounds like the rep you talked to was a complete waste of space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried a SIM pull, no luck. I read somewhere dialing *228 could fry to SIM card? Maybe thats what happened, and i'd need to get a replacement...
What do you mean by re-activate?
I've done factory resets quite a few times already today, as well as the IMEI push/fix just in case... still to no luck
USMC-Delta said:
I've tried a SIM pull, no luck. I read somewhere dialing *228 could fry to SIM card? Maybe thats what happened, and i'd need to get a replacement...
What do you mean by re-activate?
I've done factory resets quite a few times already today, as well as the IMEI push/fix just in case... still to no luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's another command using the keypad you can use to factory reset your phone...i just can't remember it. Something like *#4342..etc. I remember seeing it posted on here somewhere but I would search for "factory reset" and see what you can come up with.
This is what people did when they flashed an AOSP rom and were unable to get 4G...it could likely work for you also. It's worth a shot!
Here is the thread and the command: Back up all your info because your phone will be wiped and make sure you are on a stock based TouchWiz rom...go into dialer and hit *2767*3855#. Allow it to reboot and hopefully you will have full use of your phone. If not, go and get yourself a new sim card at the local VZW.
Marcismo55 said:
There's another command using the keypad you can use to factory reset your phone...i just can't remember it. Something like *#4342..etc. I remember seeing it posted on here somewhere but I would search for "factory reset" and see what you can come up with.
This is what people did when they flashed an AOSP rom and were unable to get 4G...it could likely work for you also. It's worth a shot!
Here is the thread and the command: Back up all your info because your phone will be wiped and make sure you are on a stock based TouchWiz rom...go into dialer and hit *2767*3855#. Allow it to reboot and hopefully you will have full use of your phone. If not, go and get yourself a new sim card at the local VZW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that twice during the IMEI push. Still to no avail. I'm going to assume the SIM card got bugged during the *228 process... And would probably need a new simcard. My dad also has the S3, and his connects to 4g just fine in my area... THe things i go through with this phone man... I prefer my bionic if the galaxy's camera wasnt so good.
Sorry about the phone woes but once you're up and running again you will see how this device runs circles around your Bionic.
Getting a new SIM card is easy. Verizon gives them away for free and you can just walk in there. Hopefully you get this taken care of.
Marcismo55 said:
Sorry about the phone woes but once you're up and running again you will see how this device runs circles around your Bionic.
Getting a new SIM card is easy. Verizon gives them away for free and you can just walk in there. Hopefully you get this taken care of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got a new SIM card from the Vz store, fixed my problems, got 4G connectivity back...
Mods can close this.
Yeah just another update thread. Who here is still getting the no sim error after installing the update it is now worse for me! I am more of a reader and not a poster im just curious is there a work around for this like for example has anyone installed a rom and the problem went away?
LIttle Rant: I have had nothing but motorola smartphones Droid X, Droid Bionic, Razr Maxx so I got curious since the S3 is one of the top selling phones to check it out and let me tell you love the phone but getting that stupid error all the time is annoying I picked my s3 up thinking I could make a quick sell on my razr maxx but now im stuck switching back and forth between the S3 and the razr maxx Verizon even sent me a replacement did that help? nope now its been 3 days they have a ticket open so who knows any help would be apprectiated and lets hear your story!
I'm still getting it, even worse than before I installed the new modem (radio). It seems to be more prevalent in areas where it's switching from 4g to 3g and back. If I'm in an area that has a strong 3g or 4g signal, it never gives me that problem. Has to be a Verizon thing or something with the SG3 that can't handle the switching between the two modes, just not sure......
amaury48 said:
I'm still getting it, even worse than before I installed the new modem (radio). It seems to be more prevalent in areas where it's switching from 4g to 3g and back. If I'm in an area that has a strong 3g or 4g signal, it never gives me that problem. Has to be a Verizon thing or something with the SG3 that can't handle the switching between the two modes, just not sure......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE: I can confirm that if I place myself in a particular position in town where my phone will constantly switch between 3g and 4g and I attempt to send SMS messages my phone inevitably drops all data signal and gives me the no sim and no connectivity message.
I haven't been to were I used to get them bad....but I got one in an area yesterday where I generally get a strong 4G single that I had never had the no SIM issue before.
I was not happy.
galaxy. s3. synergy. yadda yadda.
I am getting it all the time at my house sometimes to the point where the phone does not work at all but if I drive down the road phone works flawless no errors even at work no errors im starting to think it might not be the phone it could be there network but for the hell of it lastnight I switched back from my razr maxx at home and the phone worked fine and when I woke up phone was fine im wondering if this only happens when the network is more at peak operation im growing very frustrated with this phone might off it and just use the razr maxx or hope for another update.
jparasita said:
I am getting it all the time at my house sometimes to the point where the phone does not work at all but if I drive down the road phone works flawless no errors even at work no errors im starting to think it might not be the phone it could be there network but for the hell of it lastnight I switched back from my razr maxx at home and the phone worked fine and when I woke up phone was fine im wondering if this only happens when the network is more at peak operation im growing very frustrated with this phone might off it and just use the razr maxx or hope for another update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same situation just moving from one room to another in my house. Yesterday evening I received a text from my neighbor asking if I had noticed we were receiving a 4g signal in our area (we are in a rural area about 12 miles outside of Tallahassee, FL.). Since yesterday I have a solid 4g in my home area so the no sim problem has disappeared. But there are pockets of weak coverage areas on the way to work in town and at the Florida State University where I work and I continue to find small areas where the problem persists. It has to be the SG3's inability to handle the hand-offs between 3g/4g which produce the no sim problem. My Thunderbolt would handle the switching from 3g/4g much better and not produce the no sim error. I'm sure Samsung could remedy this with a software change (at least not display the no sim) when switching service.
I still have the error on 2 phones. Funny thing is it seems that now it is worse on my wifes phone where it was the other way prior to the update.
From reading this thread and similar threads/topics regarding the sim errors with the GS3, I figured I'd post this here. This is confirmed, my friend and I both have a GS3 bought on the same day at the same VZW store. She keeps getting a sim error while I have never gotten one regardless of coverage or 3G/4G switch frequency, I frequently switch from 4G to 3G when on the subway. She went into the store and requested a new sim card, wound up arguing with the rep, according to him there's no possible way the error could be related, she finally got a new card by calling reps at various levels. After doing a factory reset and reprovisioning the internal SD card with the new sim, she has not yet had a sim error with the newest OTA. So it seems many Verizon sim cards aren't necessarily defective, but are improperly configured with the VZW network. This is just an educated guess based off personal experience, hopefully this is helpful to those with frequent sim errors.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Shibby87 said:
From reading this thread and similar threads/topics regarding the sim errors with the GS3, I figured I'd post this here. This is confirmed, my friend and I both have a GS3 bought on the same day at the same VZW store. She keeps getting a sim error while I have never gotten one regardless of coverage or 3G/4G switch frequency, I frequently switch from 4G to 3G when on the subway. She went into the store and requested a new sim card, wound up arguing with the rep, according to him there's no possible way the error could be related, she finally got a new card by calling reps at various levels. After doing a factory reset and reprovisioning the internal SD card with the new sim, she has not yet had a sim error with the newest OTA. So it seems many Verizon sim cards aren't necessarily defective, but are improperly configured with the VZW network. This is just an educated guess based off personal experience, hopefully this is helpful to those with frequent sim errors.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you reprovision the internal SD card with the sim? If you are correct, some people may be able to fix the problem by doing so with their existing sim cards.
eagene said:
How do you reprovision the internal SD card with the sim? If you are correct, some people may be able to fix the problem by doing so with their existing sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also LOVE to know how to do this!!! Very frustrated with this!! Hopefully reprovisioning the sim finally works!!
After searching around, I found to reprovision, you need to go to stock and dial this in the dialar, *2767*3855#. My question is,
- Is it def not possible to do this from an AOSP rom?
- When they say "go to stock", can I just flash a TW based rom and do it?
reprovisioning does not work, don't waste your time
ripken204 said:
reprovisioning does not work, don't waste your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, I have reprovisioned before, to no avail. I thought it might be my SMS client, GO SMS, but I am getting the same NO SIM error with that client that I get with Handcent as well as the stock messaging client.
I called Verizon back today, to note my account that it's still happening, and spoke to them about a replacement phone. (I am already on my second S3 and second SIM) They offered me my choice of Android device, which currently is a bad deal. So I asked them if their deal would hold true once the Note 2 came out, and the nice lady at level 2 support said yes.
So unless this gets fixed prior to the Note 2... a switch is almost inevitable for me.
Dont waste your time doing the reprovision does not work I tried it earlier today.
mdt73 said:
Agreed, I have reprovisioned before, to no avail. I thought it might be my SMS client, GO SMS, but I am getting the same NO SIM error with that client that I get with Handcent as well as the stock messaging client.
I called Verizon back today, to note my account that it's still happening, and spoke to them about a replacement phone. (I am already on my second S3 and second SIM) They offered me my choice of Android device, which currently is a bad deal. So I asked them if their deal would hold true once the Note 2 came out, and the nice lady at level 2 support said yes.
So unless this gets fixed prior to the Note 2... a switch is almost inevitable for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting...I might be doing the same thing. This issue is beyond frustrating. However, I have not called Verizon about it yet. Mainly because there doesnt seem to be a fix. I dont want a refurb S3 and there currently isnt a valid replacement. Might try the Note 2 if its possible.
dmbfan13 said:
Interesting...I might be doing the same thing. This issue is beyond frustrating. However, I have not called Verizon about it yet. Mainly because there doesnt seem to be a fix. I dont want a refurb S3 and there currently isnt a valid replacement. Might try the Note 2 if its possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
call verizon just so that they can put a note in your account.
vzw put a note on my account and I should be able to just call up and replace my S3 with something new... just have to wait for something good to come out
ripken204 said:
call verizon just so that they can put a note in your account.
vzw put a note on my account and I should be able to just call up and replace my S3 with something new... just have to wait for something good to come out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% agree with Ripken... call them and have them note it in your account. Basically, I am documenting it once per day (it happens more, but calling more than once per day seems redundant) so they see it, but more importantly, I have some ammunition if I finally move to a new phone. Today's call to 2nd level tech support was a bit frustrating to me, as the nice lady said that, in fact, verizon did get a bad batch of SIM cards. When I pointed out that the bad batch must have been sent all over the country, because it's not a localized issue, and there was a software update addressing it... she didn't have a response. We went thru the same rigamarole with the phone... ie pull the battery, read the number on my SIM, read the numbers from my software build, etc. Again, she offered me any Android phone in exchange, which I turned down. But, at the end, she mentioned she was sending this issue up to a different tier of support that (her words) works with Samsung to fix these issues. I kindly asked her to have them address the headphone jack - bluetooth non-coexisistance, which she giggled at but assured me was working as intended.
So, back to waiting for a fix... or an inevitable new phone.
VRLHD Modem
Ok guys try this at your own risk! I might have found a fix looks like there is another modem floatng around called VRALHD I just flashed it in odin and guess what my phone seems to be working good here at home so try this at your own risk!
Download Link:
http://goo.im/devs/invisiblek/i535/modems
also if you google VRALHD modem galaxy s3 something will come up I cant confirm for sure this will help I will report back after some usage between now and tommorow.
Here it is on rootzwiki
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/34053-of...zon-sgs3-sch-i535-odin-or-recovery-flashable/
Guess I had high hopes for that modem does not fix the issues nevermind lol I am hoping when the jellybean update hits with a new modem this will fix the problem the waiting game begins.
Installed the HD modem last night. I have one area at work that I can test it. I'll report back later with my results.
Update: Flashed the HD radio last night (in CWM touch recovery), install went fine. Didn't have an opportunity to check it out till this afternoon when I put myself in a exact known location where I could reproduce the 3g/4g constant hand-off with the "no sim" notification. Sent out 6 text messages and a couple of phone calls with no problem. Either this new radio did the trick for me or it may be coincidental that Verizon has corrected this "dead" area that would produce this problem without fail everyday I was at work. Couldn't tell you for certain. All I know is that it's not happening anymore at this particular location. I used to have the "no sim" "out of area" notifications constantly at my home until just last week when Verizon finally covered this area with a strong 4g service. Only time will tell as I travel thru areas that have weak coverage. It's very obvious that this problem stems from weak coverage areas and the SG3's inability to handle the transfers effectively.
I picked up a mint verizon s3 local on a trade for some scrap phones I had. So here is my issue. I put in a sim(at&t) and got the switch to global notification but it never gets signal. Phone info shows -120dbm 99asu. Figured since it was free I would play with it and installed hyperdriver rls 16 still nothing. Took everything back to the first stock ics nothing. Currently have it on jb 4.1.1 nothing. I started to wonder if the radio was trashed so I dialed 911 with no sim in the phone and it popped up 3 bars and made the call.
Am I wrong in thinking this phone will work on US networks with a sim? Anyone ran into this problem possibly can maybe point me into a direction to get it working. The phone is clean and not blacklisted and it reads the different sims I have put in it I just can't get any signal to pull up other than an emergency call. I know there is signal my s4 is on the gsm network sitting right next to it.
Thanks in advance, I have been searching since yesterday for a solution.
****update.....Went ahead and took it to 4.1.2 stock and happened to find an old verizon sim. Phone picks up verizons network without issue. Still nothing when using the at&t sim.
It isn't working for AT&T because you haven't set up the appropriate APNs for that network. Google AT&T APNs. Reboot after making the changes. CHECK FOR TYPOS!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Sandman-007 said:
It isn't working for AT&T because you haven't set up the appropriate APNs for that network. Google AT&T APNs. Reboot after making the changes. CHECK FOR TYPOS!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I would at minimum show signal even without adding the apn. From everything I have read its talk ready just inserting the sim. Will look at adding apn's this morning.
Final update. Still no joy on getting it to work and I listed it for sale.
There's a thread about getting vzw s3 to work on T-Mobile, I'd imagine you'd need to follow a similar process. And FYI, all phones will call 911, sim, no sim service, no service, they'll call 911. My niece was playing with one of my sisters old, no longer connected phones. All of the sudden police and ambulances showed up. She had dialed 911, they tried to return the call unsuccessfully so they used the phones GPS info and showed up at the house.
Eat Play Google
will be on phone with AT&T in the morning or via chat with them. I have no access to my mobile data. no explanation, just stopped working. went into my settings for both SIM cards as I have data on both actually, but SIM 1 is the primary one and designated one. Switching settings made no difference. Had it look for network automatically says it's joined already but it's not. no connection, no internet, no Google now, email, nothing. confirmed with AT&T that my data plan is not messed up and still on my account. Was driving and it was end of night so rebooted phone, did not resolve, going to call tomorrow. (As if I have the time but I missed messages I needed to deal with on my break that came in personal email that can't be accessed at work). any suggestions with APN settings I might be missing or something? This is random and weird. Unless somehow data has an outage but you'd think the rep would have told me that. But this needs to be resolved! Don't know if it's AT&T or a phone setting.Was working fine until this morning! Love the phone! anyone? BTW: I just logged on to my account and have an idea: My SIM 1 is from my Note 3 but my account is reflecting that my device is now showing as unknown, so I wonder if this is what is going on. hmm. I'm still getting phone and text messages though. I guess I'm just going to register my SIM 1 now over too as well. maybe that's the issue. my SIM 2 is fully registered to the Pure XL. I guess I'm going online chat tomorrow again. Also, 4G is not showing up now as an available option under network choice either. So I wonder then if it's an outage issue but it's almost midnight here. Will have to chat tomorrow at work somehow with tech support. It's not the issue though with the SIM card from the Note 3 being the cause because SIM 2 is registered under the Pure XL and has a separate data plan, and that one is not working either when I try to temporarily make SIM 2 the data SIM slot. So it must be an AT&T issue. Will have to wait until the morning.
Sent from my PURE XL using Tapatalk
Well, I have learned it is a twofold issue, but importantly, all CARRIER RELATED, not phone related thank goodness. Phone is perfect
1. AT&T did a roving sweep and discovered that my IMEI on SIM 1 was no longer matching, so it turns out that my using the Note 3 SIM was in fact, an issue. I have since had the SIM re-provisioned with the IMEI for SIM 1 now on the Pure XL.
2. However...it turns out that AT&T in my area is in fact having major data network outage problems and that explains why I was unable to log on yesterday even with my properly provisioned SIM 2. And the network is in fact, STILL OUT. So I am still unable to access mobile data and it has NOTHING to do with the phone. It's AT&T all the way. Right now-the network is down. Okay-fine-that happens-they'll fix it. If you call 611 there's an alert saying that. I know stuff happens. That explains why I was getting the weird readouts yesterday that were only showing 2G and 3G on the network. (and I still wasn't getting any connection to data anyway).
So that's what the issue is. The network has been down though more than a day which is ridiculous. They really need to fix that or pro-rate that on our bills then! I'm unable to access personal email from work and rely on my phone and this is a long stretch of time to be offline so they really need to get on the stick and fix this!
babsk said:
Well, I have learned it is a twofold issue, but importantly, all CARRIER RELATED, not phone related thank goodness. Phone is perfect
1. AT&T did a roving sweep and discovered that my IMEI on SIM 1 was no longer matching, so it turns out that my using the Note 3 SIM was in fact, an issue. I have since had the SIM re-provisioned with the IMEI for SIM 1 now on the Pure XL.
2. However...it turns out that AT&T in my area is in fact having major data network outage problems and that explains why I was unable to log on yesterday even with my properly provisioned SIM 2. And the network is in fact, STILL OUT. So I am still unable to access mobile data and it has NOTHING to do with the phone. It's AT&T all the way. Right now-the network is down. Okay-fine-that happens-they'll fix it. If you call 611 there's an alert saying that. I know stuff happens. That explains why I was getting the weird readouts yesterday that were only showing 2G and 3G on the network. (and I still wasn't getting any connection to data anyway).
So that's what the issue is. The network has been down though more than a day which is ridiculous. They really need to fix that or pro-rate that on our bills then! I'm unable to access personal email from work and rely on my phone and this is a long stretch of time to be offline so they really need to get on the stick and fix this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fortunately the network is up again by 12 noon. Getting LTE just fine on newly re provisioned SIM 1 card.
Sent from my PURE XL using Tapatalk
So, I have an S10e (SM-G970U) that was bought from Verizon a while back. The phone was set up on a Verizon post-paid plan, but was later switched to prepaid. The phone worked fine for months, but about a week ago, the phone randomly stopped making and receiving calls, texts, and the ability to use mobile data. It was taken to Verizon, and they tried "all they could" in their words, which included a new SIM card, resetting network settings, and eventually a factory reset from settings. Nothing seemed to work, and they gave up, claiming it "seemed like a bad antenna." They did call their "tech support" who claimed the most recent Android 11 update supposedly caused an issue with mobile network connection with the Verizon S10e devices, which I haven't heard of, but didn't know. He claimed a reset would fix it.
Since none of that fixed it, it was taken to a shop to be inspected. They claim the phone has nothing wrong with it. So, that, in theory, rules hardware issues out. Their only claim was that when an AT&T SIM was inserted, it was able to connect to the network, but never tried to make any calls due to the SIM not being activated. I assume this is due to someone trying to "help" inserting an activated AT&T SIM into the slot when testing, which I assume ended up installing the carrier branded version of the firmware. They gave a couple possible reasons, but neither seemed to make sense.
Since it had the AT&T bloatware and was working with only AT&T SIMs, I decided to flash both the VZW G970U firmware (the earliest version I could to ensure the supposed "issue" from Verizon support wasn't a problem) and the G970U1 firmware. Both firmware flashes have seemed to have done nothing, as the phone is still having the issue. Most times, it will connect to the Verizon network, but the signal seems to rise and fall quickly (like the bars going from 5 to 1 to 3).. Still no calls, texts, or data, though. I have no idea what's going on, at this point, honestly. Any ideas?
Hardware problem
iBowToAndroid said:
Hardware problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LanGar21 said:
Since none of that fixed it, it was taken to a shop to be inspected. They claim the phone has nothing wrong with it. So, that, in theory, rules hardware issues out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the people it was taken to were competent and did their jobs correctly (one of the best around, according to reviews and carrier recommendation), their diagnostic results show no hardware damage to the phone. Then again, their explanation for the problem was that it had been locked to ATT network (a Verizon bought phone that never had any affiliation with another carrier, aside from Verizon and a month-long stint with Straight Talk). Some idiot she knows that used to work for a Verizon retailer popped his ATT SIM in there, and it flashed ATT firmware.. Their POSSIBLE solution was to try and have it network unlocked from ATT. As we know, though, the IMEI obviously did not change, and the process of confirming the identifier is done on the mobile network level. Therefore, flashing a different carrier's firmware won't do much (permanently), aside from changing the boot screen and bloatware apps. We even tried to explain to the guy that the ATT SIM had never been popped in until after the problem began, as there was no reason to beforehand. I also mentioned I had flashed firmware multiple times before I ever came to him, to no avail. I should've pushed harder, but I had been out all day, frustrated and ready to go home.
It's been over a month since that issue began, and I haven't thought much of it lately.. We've since found her a new phone (and stowed the other one in a drawer). Those guys did blurt some moronic statements.. In hindsight, I'm not too sure I should trust their judgement after hearing what I did. Maybe it was an antenna issue or otherwise hardware, but I sort of assumed if anyone can happen to keep a repair shop open, they'd at least be able to complete the simple tasks fairly easy. I don't know. I'm not paying another repair shop to find out, though.
I had a very similar problem where my phone would just randomly lose all connection for about a minute, then it would reconnect I would start doing whatever I was and it would do it again and this one on for months. I took it to AT&t and they told me to replace the SIM which I did and it didn't work. after a couple updates it fixed itself.