[Q] Using the Photon Q as a Media Player Only - Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE

Hey everyone, new to the Photon Q part of the forums. I got this phone for free, and don't have Sprint in my area. So I would like to use it as a media player (mostly music, maybe a few games, videos, and books).
My question is this: Is there a ROM that can disable the cellular radio only, and leaves the bluetooth and wifi alone? I don't need a fancy, skinned, flashy ROM, just a basic Cyanogen or AOSP ROM that is as stock android as I can get.
Basically I want to turn this phone into a tablet without using "airplane mode."
Is this possible?
Thanks much for any info!

Why don't you just flash CM, enable Airplane Mode, then flip on wifi and BT with quick tiles?
Not sure what else you really would prefer... There's not going to be a ROM out there that specifically disables the cell radio. Does having it on bother you?

arrrghhh said:
Why don't you just flash CM, enable Airplane Mode, then flip on wifi and BT with quick tiles?
Not sure what else you really would prefer... There's not going to be a ROM out there that specifically disables the cell radio. Does having it on bother you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted to get as much battery life out of it as possible, I guess. If I enable airplane mode, then turn on the wifi, will it come out of airplane mode and turn on the cellular too?
Actually, I think what you propose isn't that bad really. I can leave it in airplane mode most of the time, then when I want wifi I can just turn it on and do what I need to do, and when I'm done just put it back into airplane mode again. If the cell radio is on at the same time I suppose it won't be that bad.

nookle said:
I wanted to get as much battery life out of it as possible, I guess. If I enable airplane mode, then turn on the wifi, will it come out of airplane mode and turn on the cellular too?
Actually, I think what you propose isn't that bad really. I can leave it in airplane mode most of the time, then when I want wifi I can just turn it on and do what I need to do, and when I'm done just put it back into airplane mode again. If the cell radio is on at the same time I suppose it won't be that bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cell radio will stay off... try it! I get a wifi icon with the little airplane over where the signal bars for cell radio should be.

arrrghhh said:
Cell radio will stay off... try it! I get a wifi icon with the little airplane over where the signal bars for cell radio should be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is very interesting. I still have to fix the phone, that's why I got it for free. But as soon as it's up and running again I will certainly give that a try.
If I could ask another quick question, I was wondering about the micro SD card 32gb limit. Is it really limited? I wanted to put a 64gb card in it for music. Is it hardware limited, or was it a limit in the stock ROM?

nookle said:
Well that is very interesting. I still have to fix the phone, that's why I got it for free. But as soon as it's up and running again I will certainly give that a try.
If I could ask another quick question, I was wondering about the micro SD card 32gb limit. Is it really limited? I wanted to put a 64gb card in it for music. Is it hardware limited, or was it a limit in the stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can put a 64gb card in, I think it just has to be formatted FAT32.

arrrghhh said:
You can put a 64gb card in, I think it just has to be formatted FAT32.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks for the info.

Sorry for taking this thread off topic, but I have a couple more questions and I didn't want to make a whole new thread for them.
I finally got the phone fixed and am getting ready to install clockworkmod and a probably CM 10.1.
First thing is I cannot figure out whether this phone is GSM or CDMA. It's Sprint, and from what I understand Sprint is CDMA, but both on the back and in "about phone" it says it's an xt897, not xt897c. A regular xt897 is GSM, and an xt897c would be CDMA, right? In the network settings I have the option to use CDMA and GSM networks.
Which version of android should I install?
Second, would I get an unlocked bootloader by installing clockworkmod recovery?
Thanks

The Phone is dual standard, is both CDMA and GSM capable (although the stock phone lacks a proper sim slot).
And the stock ROM is able to manage either kind of networks.
BTW (usually) the phone is used only in one of them.
Americans will use CDMA and rest of the world users (most of it anyway) will use the GSM capabilities.
Only the US citizen who travel in Europe or other GSM lands can take advantage of a dual standard phone.
So, some of the aftermarket roms are built in single standard configuration, and are aimed to the different usage scenarios.
Obviously, for an usage like the one are you asking for, you couldn't care less about the radio standard, just use the rom you like, and (if you want), use tasker alone or tasker+secure settings plugin to turn off automagically the cellular radio, when the smartphone is booted.
Second, would I get an unlocked bootloader by installing clockworkmod recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The opposite way.
You have to unlock the phone to flash a proper recovery

OK, thanks for the info.
I unlocked the phone, which was quite time consuming but I figured it out.
Then I installed clockworkmod, which went perfect.
Then I installed Skrilax_CZ's version of CM 10.1, and it works perfectly.
Thanks for all the help, guys. Much appreciated.

Related

Developing CDMA Preferred Network permanent fix

I would like to open discussion on developing a permanent fix for the horrible bug with Android 2.1 CDMA devices defaulting to a Preferred Network of GSM. My goal will be to develop a script or app that will either run at boot, via a cronjob, or as an icon/widget on the homescreen that will set the Preferred Network to CDMA.
The "Testing" app (*#*#4636#*#*) looks to be /system/bin/iqd. I have used strace to capture what the process is doing when the Preferred Network is properly set to CDMA, but I could not decipher it (didn't see any I/O on any files, only RAM). I've attached my log in case someone else can make sense of it.
This is the #1 issue on my Evo, and the only thing I have done to notice any change in battery life, and the difference is absolutely huge. Without applying this fix after EVERY reboot, I only get 4 hours max out of my phone. After applying the fix, I get 8-12 hours, which is actually reasonable. This desperately needs a permanent fix, and I can't imagine I am alone here.
Cheers!
This seems like a great idea.
I just checked my phone, it's set to CDMA auto. I am running fully stock, but rooted and unlocked.
Rayden1000
I just checked as well and this does not seem to be an issue with me. Mine is already set to CDMA(Auto). I have fresh installed and I also checked on my brothers stock Evo.
Actually I think everyone is affected by this problem.
Go to *#*#4636#*#* , phone info, and you will see that it says CDMA.
So far so good. Now, hit menu and then choose select radio band. and you will see a force close,don't panic now you will be back at the menu, hit phone information again and you will see that now it says GSM! choose cdma and hit back, done.
Now, I'm not sure if that actually does anything for battery life, as the phone doesn't even have a GSM radio. I think its just a pointless HTC bug from the hero days since android did not have native cdma, so HTC had to hack it in.
The purpose of this thread is not to determine whether or not you are affected by the bug. There are tons of other threads discussing that. If your "Time without Signal" value is excessively high (usually around 50%), you are affected, and are only getting about half of the potential battery life from your device (for Evos, it makes the device nearly non-functional because it won't last through a day. A friend also confirmed this on his Incredible, and now gets 2 days out of his battery instead of 1).
Let's limit this thread to only those who are affected by the issue and those looking for a solution. Thanks!
Now, has anyone taken a look at my strace log? Or does anyone have any idea where/how the phone's radio values are set? I noticed some references to "ciq-backend," perhaps this is a deamon, service, or command that we could tap into. Any ideas?
zeuzinn said:
Now, I'm not sure if that actually does anything for battery life, as the phone doesn't even have a GSM radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It absolutely has a huge affect on my battery as well as two of my friends' Evos (two are 0002, one is 0003), although I can't speak for all Evo owners. We all experience the same 4-5 hours battery life without the fix, and 8-12 hours with the fix applied. It's just such a pain in the butt to do it EVERY time the phone reboots.
well, its not the fix you are looking for, BUT, i have found that it makes changing this after a reboot MUCH easier.
Download an app called simply "network" from the market.
It gets you right into the test menu, and then you can hit select radio band and complete the process from there.
I think this should be something that could be built into roms but not sure... Also.. i am still not sure that by do doing hte select radio and getting the FC, that THIS isnt what is causing use to see it come up as GSM. No proof of that other than just the thought, but it could be like a default that after the FC causes to revert to (but i did notice better batter life after it than before and its something i have dont on every rom every time i reboot since it was discoverd.
Hope the network app helps a little until there is a permanent solution!
Thanks for noticing this.
I am having the same issue and i have HORRIBLE battery life. Im getting close to my 30 days and might want to switch this evo in for a newer one, but I dont want to lose root.
If i can get some more battery life out of this... I might just be a little happier.
I get like 12-15 without the fix and moderate usage and wifi/GPS on all the time (no 4g tho), but I tried changing it and we'll find out if it's any better.
4-5 hours has to be an exaggeration unless it's something to do with 4g :\
Its a big bug on htc phones and it will say cdma but its really on gsm.. some roms will get a "time without signal" which does drain a ton off battery cuz the phone is looking for a gsm network constantly and in a sense is roaming on cdma. We just dont see anything to do with roaming cuz its suppose to be our defaulted network.
Also we dont have a full gsm radio but we can connect to gsm networks.
Sent from my Hero CDMA using XDA App
Jus10o said:
Its a big bug on htc phones and it will say cdma but its really on gsm.. some roms will get a "time without signal" which does drain a ton off battery cuz the phone is looking for a gsm network constantly and in a sense is roaming on cdma. We just dont see anything to do with roaming cuz its suppose to be our defaulted network.
Also we dont have a full gsm radio but we can connect to gsm networks.
Sent from my Hero CDMA using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We can connect to GSM networks on this phone? I am confused, where have I been lol?
No these phones cannot be used on gsm.
Yes I do see that now after I hit the menu and selected the band and it does seem to be an issue. My time without signal is around 45% which is insane considering I've had full bars all day. If we can figure some way to auto set this it would be great.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
frettfreak said:
well, its not the fix you are looking for, BUT, i have found that it makes changing this after a reboot MUCH easier.
Download an app called simply "network" from the market.
It gets you right into the test menu, and then you can hit select radio band and complete the process from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What option should we use when setting this app? Ive tried to use wcdma only but then I HAVE problems making regular phone calls.
zeuzinn said:
Actually I think everyone is affected by this problem.
Go to *#*#4636#*#* , phone info, and you will see that it says CDMA.
So far so good. Now, hit menu and then choose select radio band. and you will see a force close,don't panic now you will be back at the menu, hit phone information again and you will see that now it says GSM! choose cdma and hit back, done.
Now, I'm not sure if that actually does anything for battery life, as the phone doesn't even have a GSM radio. I think its just a pointless HTC bug from the hero days since android did not have native cdma, so HTC had to hack it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, Im new to this issue. I just read the entire thread but when i hit menu and FC then hit phone information again it still says cdma auto. Is it because im using the froyo rom?
getting this problem, will be following this thread and will help if needed...
liquidhaste said:
Ok, Im new to this issue. I just read the entire thread but when i hit menu and FC then hit phone information again it still says cdma auto. Is it because im using the froyo rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is fixed with froyo, then its time to make the switch to a rom from fresh for me.
Sent from my Evo.
Wcdma is a gsm network setting. You want to use cdma only or cdma (prl).
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I am using EvolutionX, I went through the force close and went in again, it says CDMA still. No mention of GSM
zeuzinn said:
Actually I think everyone is affected by this problem.
Go to *#*#4636#*#* , phone info, and you will see that it says CDMA.
So far so good. Now, hit menu and then choose select radio band. and you will see a force close,don't panic now you will be back at the menu, hit phone information again and you will see that now it says GSM! choose cdma and hit back, done.
Now, I'm not sure if that actually does anything for battery life, as the phone doesn't even have a GSM radio. I think its just a pointless HTC bug from the hero days since android did not have native cdma, so HTC had to hack it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine has never been GSM. It has always veeb cdma auto

[Q] HSUPA and Data on Captivate Help

I seem to be having an issue with my data and am trying to narrow down the reasons for my problem. The issue is I CANNOT use HSUPA (H) for data, I always get a connection timed out issue. I put the phone in 2G GSM mode only and have data working, but of course I was spoiled with better speed I can't stand it.
My question is if AT&T could be doing upgrades to the towers in my area, will that affect my speeds, or is something broken internally in my phone. When I select WCDMA mode, it takes FOREVER for it to connect and says searching for a long time but does connect or displays (H) with 3/4 bars of signal. My friend has an unrooted captivate on 3G and has no issue with data. Does anyone know the cause of this.
I have tried a few different modems (jl3, jk4, kp1....) all the same and have tried 2 different OS's with same data timed out issues while trying to use (H). I am currently in the process of flashing back to stock to see if that will resolve the issue. Thank you for your time guys.
Thanontos said:
I seem to be having an issue with my data and am trying to narrow down the reasons for my problem. The issue is I CANNOT use HSUPA (H) for data, I always get a connection timed out issue. I put the phone in 2G GSM mode only and have data working, but of course I was spoiled with better speed I can't stand it.
My question is if AT&T could be doing upgrades to the towers in my area, will that affect my speeds, or is something broken internally in my phone. When I select WCDMA mode, it takes FOREVER for it to connect and says searching for a long time but does connect or displays (H) with 3/4 bars of signal. My friend has an unrooted captivate on 3G and has no issue with data. Does anyone know the cause of this.
I have tried a few different modems (jl3, jk4, kp1....) all the same and have tried 2 different OS's with same data timed out issues while trying to use (H). I am currently in the process of flashing back to stock to see if that will resolve the issue. Thank you for your time guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
H doesn't necessary mean HSUPA. It simply means HSPA (HSDPA only or HSDPA and HSUPA). You didn't mention anything about your firmware but I guess you are experiment with non-Captivate firmware and modem combination trying to get HDUPA working. From what you described, it seems your current firmware and modem combinations lacks 850MHz support for 3G (most European firmwares lacks 850Mhz) and your local tower happens to use 850MHz, not 1900Mhz. Just a guess.
Make sure you have the modern set to proper frequency (WCDMA 850 or 1900) for your area. The modem thread can tell you all about how to do it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Sorry guys, I guess that was an important part I forgot. I was running Andromeda and thought the same so tried Cognition 4.1.1. Also after going to stock 2.1 I still have the data issue. I can connect to wifi just fine, but no using ATT data will work.
I called customer service and walked through the steps as usual and after some looking into my area, he said there were 3 towers reporting severely degraded. It just sucks seeing my friends phones working with no issues. He said that repairs are stated to be finished sometime in the next few days and to call back later in the week if the problem persists.
Looks like you tried both i897ROM and non-i897 ROM, so it's not firmware related.
Did you try to put someone else's SIM into ur captivate? How about some other devices in ur area?
amtrakcn said:
Looks like you tried both i897ROM and non-i897 ROM, so it's not firmware related.
Did you try to put someone else's SIM into ur captivate? How about some other devices in ur area?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't think about trying my friends sim card. I will test tomorrow morning. Ty for the idea to isolate the problem to my phone!
umm not really related to your phone. but im suggesting its the tower upgrades getting them ready for 4G that is causing your phone to act up. i have a HD2 and we have 3G down here. but since early march i get nothing but EDGE. what happens in the month march? AT&T will be launching 4G in selected markets. it was confirmed once i was talking to a AT&T tech. so im just waiting to see what happens in the end of this month.
NOTE: it could also be your sim card having problems. AT&T replaced mine thinking it was a problem with the sim card since i have a AT&T native W350 and i was getting the same problems. call them up again and ask to talk to a tech and tell them your having a problem with your sim card. they will set you up a appointment at a corporate store. free of charge.
I did not think that the Captivate's hardware was capable of HSUPA?
Is it?
bobapunk said:
I did not think that the Captivate's hardware was capable of HSUPA?
Is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a thread on how enabling HSUPA on the captivate. so if we can enable it im sure its capable.
heres the link if you want to read up on How to enable HSUPA on the Samsung Captivate
bobapunk said:
I did not think that the Captivate's hardware was capable of HSUPA?
Is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is capable but att blocks it to save bandwidth
hmm,
That thread has not been updated for a long time...
What would happen if I flashed that i9000 modem with a KB1 based Kernel?
sal2708 said:
there is a thread on how enabling HSUPA on the captivate. so if we can enable it im sure its capable.
heres the link if you want to read up on How to enable HSUPA on the Samsung Captivate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bobapunk said:
What would happen if I flashed that i9000 modem with a KB1 based Kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you would have data, but no voice
Sorry for nor replying sooner. My 3G data seems to be working again. My lack of in depth knowledge is why I put the hsupa above when my phone displayed H I didn't know what to call it.
It must have been tower upgrades. I didn't restart my phone and left it on the charger overnight and the next morning I had no issues. I did a reboot of the phone as a test and connected with data with no issue. Too bad as I was close to getting a replacement, though it would suck and be my luck to get one with other issues. Mine is a 1007 and works perfect (other than the obvious GPS.)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Pirateghost said:
you would have data, but no voice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I thought, thanks!

[Q] Signal not reconnecting

Hi all,
My brother has a HTC One S and has an issue with his signal not reconnecting.
When going to an area where there is no signal and then leaving that area the HOS doesn't reconnect. He has to restart his phone.
He had this issue on his first phone so got a replacement handset but the new phone has the same issue.
Anyone got any ideas on what the issue is here?
Thanks
HamsterHam
EDIT: Apologies, can this be moved to the Q&A section.
is he rooted to try different radios and roms
rather than reboot maybe just turn airplane mode on/off
maybe a new sim card
rugmankc said:
is he rooted to try different radios and roms
rather than reboot maybe just turn airplane mode on/off
maybe a new sim card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He isn't rooted and says it shouldn't be necessary - I have tried convincing him but I can see his point that it should work out of the box.
He has tried a new sim and airplane mode on/off.
Such a strange bug.
correct, it shouldn't be necessary. but, quicker than rebooting
i would get another phone
does your phone work ok in same area
and if you call provider in the good area while no connection they may be able to tell you if you should be connected--well I hope they can--if not ask for tech support
otherwise a third phone may be the next step
Seems like the route will be getting a new phone.
Mine connects straight away when coming out the tube station his doesn't until a restart.
Cheers for helping btw
Good Luck

Disable LTE on LTE Model

I only got the LTE model because I wanted the 32 GB storage. I don't actually use the mobile radio at all. However, I'm getting massive battery drain from cell standby (like 35%). I don't even have a SIM card inserted.
Is there a way to disable the LTE aspects of this tablet completely (build.prop mod maybe?)?
Airplane mode?
Toggling everything works after doing so.... At least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth do.
primetechv2 said:
Airplane mode?
Toggling everything works after doing so.... At least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surprisingly haven't tried that yet. I'll see if that gets rid of the cell standby battery drain.
You can also turn the radio off (without airplane mode) from RadioInfo (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mangelow.network&hl=en)
Same problem here, i Just installed the application radio info and turned off radio signal; lets see over time now.
I don't want to use the airplane mode, I need wifi all day long.
Thanks a lot for advices!
chw2006 said:
I only got the LTE model because I wanted the 32 GB storage. I don't actually use the mobile radio at all. However, I'm getting massive battery drain from cell standby (like 35%). I don't even have a SIM card inserted.
Is there a way to disable the LTE aspects of this tablet completely (build.prop mod maybe?)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just took out the sim card and mine stopped
SlimGary said:
Same problem here, i Just installed the application radio info and turned off radio signal; lets see over time now.
I don't want to use the airplane mode, I need wifi all day long.
Thanks a lot for advices!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After putting it in airplane mode, turn Wi-Fi on. The cell radio will be off but Wi-Fi will work normally.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
Bogdacutu said:
You can also turn the radio off (without airplane mode) from RadioInfo (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mangelow.network&hl=en)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that app on my Note 4 with no sim card and it says This app will not work on your device.

Network goes out randomly

Hey guys I was gifted a (used) M8. It came with the lastest official CM12.1, everything unlocked. I have found that network will stop working randomly and switching airplane mode on and off will do the trick. Thing is, I have missed important calls because of this. I've already researched the subject and no one seems to have a solution. This post is my last attempt at fixing this issue. Only details I can give you is I am using a Verizon phone on MetroPCS, and I suppose that has something to do with it. Also, is there any (preferably free) way to get my phone to automatically switch airplane mode on and off every 15 minutes or so when the screen is off?Thanks in advance!
mhrf.90 said:
Hey guys I was gifted a (used) M8. It came with the lastest official CM12.1, everything unlocked. I have found that network will stop working randomly and switching airplane mode on and off will do the trick. Thing is, I have missed important calls because of this. I've already researched the subject and no one seems to have a solution. This post is my last attempt at fixing this issue. Only details I can give you is I am using a Verizon phone on MetroPCS, and I suppose that has something to do with it. Also, is there any (preferably free) way to get my phone to automatically switch airplane mode on and off every 15 minutes or so when the screen is off?Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried using a stock ROM or changing radios? Is your firmware up to date?
Can't speak from experience from using a cm12 ROM, but generally stock usually works better with signal over AOSP, especially if you're in a poor signal area.
I used to have similar problems, turned out WCDMA and LTE bands that my carrier used were disabled.
For my case (T-Mobile), I simply activated WCDMA 2 & 4 and LTE 2 & 4 and now have signal almost 24/7.
You can do this with CDMA tool since your phone is Verizon branded.
As for automatically cycling Airplane Mode, I'd imagine Tasker can do that.
dbs25 said:
I used to have similar problems, turned out WCDMA and LTE bands that my carrier used were disabled.
For my case (T-Mobile), I simply activated WCDMA 2 & 4 and LTE 2 & 4 and now have signal almost 24/7.
You can do this with CDMA tool since your phone is Verizon branded.
As for automatically cycling Airplane Mode, I'd imagine Tasker can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about page plus which is verizon network. My text and calls work but no data and APN doesnt make a difference ROM wolla gpe 6.1 MM
Phillyfinest89 said:
How about page plus which is verizon network. My text and calls work but no data and APN doesnt make a difference ROM wolla gpe 6.1 MM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Three threads and you still ask here too? Please stick to one thread bud. As soon as I see three threads by the same user with the same issue I automatically skip them.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
Sorry

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