Related
I bought this Gtablet when my wife and I were out doing last minute Christmas shopping on Friday afternoon. No actual live unit on display or available at Sears so bought one based on hope. My first impressions were very mixed. It was painfully slow when I first booted it up while waiting for my wife who had gone into another store and I waited for her in the car (plugged in using inverter we carry with us). Later when we got home it downloaded the update and that helped the speed issue (but still sluggish) but I've run into all kinds of issues that have me ready to return this thing.
First thing I noticed is the number of times that apps force close on the GT including the browser built into the unit. That is about to drive me nuts but I discovered another even more major issue - for me. I planned to use this device to log into our webmail server when I'm travelling in order to get my mail. I can log into the webmail and I can bring up the mail but when I open a piece of email I cannot scroll the screen to read the entire email. I also have a Moto DX and I can read my email via web just fine on that (don't like it because of the small screen and keyboard). So, why does my DX work fine with our webmail client and the GT not work? I am clueless and ticked off.
I was going to return it today but my wife wants me to hold off and call Viewsonic support but I have my doubts that they will be of much help. So, I'm wondering if putting up a custom ROM might help because of using a different kernel?
I have a couple of weeks to return this but I want it either working or gone so I have a proposal. I'm new to Android and don't want to take the chance of bricking this and losing my money and I need this done quickly in order to make a decision. I"m willing to pay a modest fee for someone "KNOWLEDGEABLE" to possiby teamviewer into one of my machines to to root/rom this unit. There would absolutely have to be a return to stock method in case the new rom doesn't work either.
I have a Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit machine, Win 7 Prof. 64 bit and a Win XP 32 bit machine available to use. In reading through a number of threads here it seems that various iterations of Windows have issues with the drivers for this. You can PM me here.
R
Unless you mess around with the bootloader, you cant really brick it. Nobody has yet, and I doubt you would be the first.
Also I reccomend this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=885940
It is like A lite eversoin of TNT lite. It speeds it upi while keeping it stockish.
Many of us understand your experience. Most of us acknowledge that the first software was not what it should have been.
I have a modded machine which is super. I have an OTA 3389 tablet which is more than acceptable.
From your comments, it sounds to me like your plan to return is the best course of action.
The G-Tablet can be a super machine, but not without some interest in working with and improving it on your part.
Sorry this is not better news. Maybe someone else will respond with a different idea.
Rev
bijan588 said:
Unless you mess around with the bootloader, you cant really brick it. Nobody has yet, and I doubt you would be the first.
Also I reccomend this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=885940
It is like A lite eversoin of TNT lite. It speeds it upi while keeping it stockish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just check the dev forum for instructions on installing new custom firmware. I'd also recommend making sure that you install clockwork mod 0.8 to ease backup/restores.
...OTOH from what I've heard is that the new stock fw 3389 is quite a bit better than what it ships with. And from there you can add a few minor updates, rooting, maybe the performance pack, sideload some apps and possibly the market "fix" which might be good enough for you, but even then I'd really have to recommend installing clockwork mod simply for the ease of making an image of a nicely working modified system and then being able to restore that if something messes it up...
Tablet is really nice, stable, and fast once properly setup and it's not really too hard to do any of the above IF you FOLLOW the instructions and READ them ENTIRELY and the caveats BEFOREHAND.
Really it's almost plug and play...
racedog said:
I planned to use this device to log into our webmail server when I'm travelling in order to get my mail. I can log into the webmail and I can bring up the mail but when I open a piece of email I cannot scroll the screen to read the entire email. I also have a Moto DX and I can read my email via web just fine on that (don't like it because of the small screen and keyboard). So, why does my DX work fine with our webmail client and the GT not work? I am clueless and ticked off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a trick that works for me: if I zoom in a little on the webmail page that I cannot scroll, after the zooming in I am able to scroll to view the entire email.
I guess that soon you'll find the lack of Copy/Paste. Apple was run out of town for this and Windows Phone 7 too. At least with the G Tablet the lack of Copy/Paste seems to be limited to the stock apps.
Fuzzy John said:
Here's a trick that works for me: if I zoom in a little on the webmail page that I cannot scroll, after the zooming in I am able to scroll to view the entire email.
QUOTE]
Thanks John for that suggestion!! It worked and I can read my email from the G. That makes me happy.
Now for a new issue, I formatted a 16gig SD (FAT32) and put that in, the unit says that it knows that it is there but when I connect the unit using the USB cable to my Win 7 (64) machine its finds the machine, I tell it to activate USB transfer mode but I don't see SD2 in there. I wanted to transfer a pile of music onto it but can't do that since I can't see it. I tried transferring the music directly to the sd and then putting it into the G but when I do that it doesn't find anything.
I didn't really find anything on point in searching so if I'm missing that please point me to the thread.
I think I will go ahead and work with this. I've used and moded Win Mobile phones for the last ten years but am new to Android.
The offer for help still stands if anyone wants to take advantage and I would like to use it as a learning experience as I get into Android.
Oh yeah, thanks to all for the super fast responses. That is really appreciated. Even though it only shows that I have 5 or six posts here that isn't quite accurate. Many years ago when this site first opened I found it because I was using XDA phones but those were all WinMO at the time. I drifted away for a long time and when I came back now I am a new member again here. No longer a WinMo user and I really don't like Windows Phone 7 so I bought a Moto DX and love the phone, got my wife an HTC Incredible (she gave up her iPhone for that and that took a LOT of convincing on my part) but I am pretty much really happy with the Android OS and where it seesm to be going.
What I do love about the G is the size, the Galaxy Tab is just too small and the 800 horizontal resolution is too small so when I found a 10" tablet with 1024 and only $379.95 it sounded like a great deal. The screen angle is a ***** but I can live with that but I am sorely missing the Market (GMarket is sad). Looking forward to getting this machine rooted and rom'ed and up and running like it should be.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
racedog said:
Fuzzy John said:
Here's a trick that works for me: if I zoom in a little on the webmail page that I cannot scroll, after the zooming in I am able to scroll to view the entire email.
QUOTE]
Thanks John for that suggestion!! It worked and I can read my email from the G. That makes me happy.
Now for a new issue, I formatted a 16gig SD (FAT32) and put that in, the unit says that it knows that it is there but when I connect the unit using the USB cable to my Win 7 (64) machine its finds the machine, I tell it to activate USB transfer mode but I don't see SD2 in there. I wanted to transfer a pile of music onto it but can't do that since I can't see it. I tried transferring the music directly to the sd and then putting it into the G but when I do that it doesn't find anything.
I didn't really find anything on point in searching so if I'm missing that please point me to the thread.
I think I will go ahead and work with this. I've used and moded Win Mobile phones for the last ten years but am new to Android.
The offer for help still stands if anyone wants to take advantage and I would like to use it as a learning experience as I get into Android.
Oh yeah, thanks to all for the super fast responses. That is really appreciated. Even though it only shows that I have 5 or six posts here that isn't quite accurate. Many years ago when this site first opened I found it because I was using XDA phones but those were all WinMO at the time. I drifted away for a long time and when I came back now I am a new member again here. No longer a WinMo user and I really don't like Windows Phone 7 so I bought a Moto DX and love the phone, got my wife an HTC Incredible (she gave up her iPhone for that and that took a LOT of convincing on my part) but I am pretty much really happy with the Android OS and where it seesm to be going.
What I do love about the G is the size, the Galaxy Tab is just too small and the 800 horizontal resolution is too small so when I found a 10" tablet with 1024 and only $379.95 it sounded like a great deal. The screen angle is a ***** but I can live with that but I am sorely missing the Market (GMarket is sad). Looking forward to getting this machine rooted and rom'ed and up and running like it should be.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the latest update and do a factory restore inside the security section of settings.
Then if you want install the tnt enhancement pack from the device section. Don't worry about returning to stock because they don't even open the box when you return or exchange. If they did, they would have no idea what they would be looking at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
racedog said:
Fuzzy John said:
Here's a trick that works for me: if I zoom in a little on the webmail page that I cannot scroll, after the zooming in I am able to scroll to view the entire email.
QUOTE]
Thanks John for that suggestion!! It worked and I can read my email from the G. That makes me happy.
Now for a new issue, I formatted a 16gig SD (FAT32) and put that in, the unit says that it knows that it is there but when I connect the unit using the USB cable to my Win 7 (64) machine its finds the machine, I tell it to activate USB transfer mode but I don't see SD2 in there. I wanted to transfer a pile of music onto it but can't do that since I can't see it. I tried transferring the music directly to the sd and then putting it into the G but when I do that it doesn't find anything.
I didn't really find anything on point in searching so if I'm missing that please point me to the thread.
I think I will go ahead and work with this. I've used and moded Win Mobile phones for the last ten years but am new to Android.
The offer for help still stands if anyone wants to take advantage and I would like to use it as a learning experience as I get into Android.
Oh yeah, thanks to all for the super fast responses. That is really appreciated. Even though it only shows that I have 5 or six posts here that isn't quite accurate. Many years ago when this site first opened I found it because I was using XDA phones but those were all WinMO at the time. I drifted away for a long time and when I came back now I am a new member again here. No longer a WinMo user and I really don't like Windows Phone 7 so I bought a Moto DX and love the phone, got my wife an HTC Incredible (she gave up her iPhone for that and that took a LOT of convincing on my part) but I am pretty much really happy with the Android OS and where it seesm to be going.
What I do love about the G is the size, the Galaxy Tab is just too small and the 800 horizontal resolution is too small so when I found a 10" tablet with 1024 and only $379.95 it sounded like a great deal. The screen angle is a ***** but I can live with that but I am sorely missing the Market (GMarket is sad). Looking forward to getting this machine rooted and rom'ed and up and running like it should be.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to see the microsd on the Gtab using, for example, ES File explorer. It'll be at /sdcard2.
As for seeing /sdcard2 from your pc, I thought I saw a post saying that if you have winamp installed on the gtab, it has an option for mounting sdcard2, and when that's enabled you can see /sdcard2. Haven't tried that myself.
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
racedog said:
Fuzzy John said:
Here's a trick that works for me: if I zoom in a little on the webmail page that I cannot scroll, after the zooming in I am able to scroll to view the entire email.
QUOTE]
Thanks John for that suggestion!! It worked and I can read my email from the G. That makes me happy.
Now for a new issue, I formatted a 16gig SD (FAT32) and put that in, the unit says that it knows that it is there but when I connect the unit using the USB cable to my Win 7 (64) machine its finds the machine, I tell it to activate USB transfer mode but I don't see SD2 in there. I wanted to transfer a pile of music onto it but can't do that since I can't see it. I tried transferring the music directly to the sd and then putting it into the G but when I do that it doesn't find anything.
I didn't really find anything on point in searching so if I'm missing that please point me to the thread.
I think I will go ahead and work with this. I've used and moded Win Mobile phones for the last ten years but am new to Android.
The offer for help still stands if anyone wants to take advantage and I would like to use it as a learning experience as I get into Android.
Oh yeah, thanks to all for the super fast responses. That is really appreciated. Even though it only shows that I have 5 or six posts here that isn't quite accurate. Many years ago when this site first opened I found it because I was using XDA phones but those were all WinMO at the time. I drifted away for a long time and when I came back now I am a new member again here. No longer a WinMo user and I really don't like Windows Phone 7 so I bought a Moto DX and love the phone, got my wife an HTC Incredible (she gave up her iPhone for that and that took a LOT of convincing on my part) but I am pretty much really happy with the Android OS and where it seesm to be going.
What I do love about the G is the size, the Galaxy Tab is just too small and the 800 horizontal resolution is too small so when I found a 10" tablet with 1024 and only $379.95 it sounded like a great deal. The screen angle is a ***** but I can live with that but I am sorely missing the Market (GMarket is sad). Looking forward to getting this machine rooted and rom'ed and up and running like it should be.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you join #tegratab on freenode, I or someone else would help you. Here is a web client: http://webchat.freenode.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P.S. Here's the thread about winamp and sdcard2:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=880237&highlight=winamp
Ahead of the game.
Hi racedog, actually I think you are ahead of the game. You seem to have made a lot of progress if you bought this Christmas eve.
How did you get it to run in the parking lot of the mall on Christmas eve? Even with a power inverter for power, hoe did you get a WiFi connection?
So far my G Tablet is stock and I am over-all happy with it. However, after Viewsonics post that they won't be providing any support for swapping the LCD screen, I feel they are missing the point. Their post said they would be anouncing some new products soon (my guess is at CES right after the first of the year).
I might end up taking my G Tablet back to Sears and waiting for the newer, more powerful and maybe more promising second generation tablets I am sure are to come at CES.
This tablet has been fun and I may keep it, but, I would really like to know the price points on the new models at CES.
Sucks out of the box.
Erase it and start over.
Load Clockwork Recovery Mod first! Put the update.zip on the sdcard, don't worry about the external SD method.
Once you have that boot mod, it's next to impossible to screw it up.
Flash that then get TNT lite 3.1.0 plus the supplement
Make sure you format the SDCARD using the advanced menu 2048 and 0 swap r it will crash on ya.
Do the full market fix. Download Dolphin HD and you will have a very usable tablet.
racedog said:
I bought this Gtablet when my wife and I were out doing last minute Christmas shopping on Friday afternoon. No actual live unit on display or available at Sears so bought one based on hope. My first impressions were very mixed. It was painfully slow when I first booted it up while waiting for my wife who had gone into another store and I waited for her in the car (plugged in using inverter we carry with us). Later when we got home it downloaded the update and that helped the speed issue (but still sluggish) but I've run into all kinds of issues that have me ready to return this thing.
First thing I noticed is the number of times that apps force close on the GT including the browser built into the unit. That is about to drive me nuts but I discovered another even more major issue - for me. I planned to use this device to log into our webmail server when I'm travelling in order to get my mail. I can log into the webmail and I can bring up the mail but when I open a piece of email I cannot scroll the screen to read the entire email. I also have a Moto DX and I can read my email via web just fine on that (don't like it because of the small screen and keyboard). So, why does my DX work fine with our webmail client and the GT not work? I am clueless and ticked off.
I was going to return it today but my wife wants me to hold off and call Viewsonic support but I have my doubts that they will be of much help. So, I'm wondering if putting up a custom ROM might help because of using a different kernel?
I have a couple of weeks to return this but I want it either working or gone so I have a proposal. I'm new to Android and don't want to take the chance of bricking this and losing my money and I need this done quickly in order to make a decision. I"m willing to pay a modest fee for someone "KNOWLEDGEABLE" to possiby teamviewer into one of my machines to to root/rom this unit. There would absolutely have to be a return to stock method in case the new rom doesn't work either.
I have a Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit machine, Win 7 Prof. 64 bit and a Win XP 32 bit machine available to use. In reading through a number of threads here it seems that various iterations of Windows have issues with the drivers for this. You can PM me here.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be doing the clockwork mod and putting on a new rom. The question is about formatting the card. You mention above used "advanced menu 2048", I don't know where I would find that on android on the G, or are you referring to something else?
I didn't get it connected while in the car, I just had it plugged in so that I could take a look at it and start putting a charge on it. I didn't connect until I got home. However, I DID try connecting it in the car using my Moto DX with wireless tether. The dx showed that it was running but the G never found the signal from the phone. It did see a few other secured wifi connections but it didn't see the phone. I have no idea whether this was because I don't have wifi tethering setup correctly on the DX or what the deal is but I figured I would work with that later.
I don't really care if I have to tether via usb with the phone but wifi is a lot cleaner and easier if possible. I know that easy tether and pdanet are out there but I haven't checked to see if they have an android client yet, I've only used them on my Win 7 netbook.
R
racedog said:
I will be doing the clockwork mod and putting on a new rom. The question is about formatting the card. You mention above used "advanced menu 2048", I don't know where I would find that on android on the G, or are you referring to something else?
I didn't get it connected while in the car, I just had it plugged in so that I could take a look at it and start putting a charge on it. I didn't connect until I got home. However, I DID try connecting it in the car using my Moto DX with wireless tether. The dx showed that it was running but the G never found the signal from the phone. It did see a few other secured wifi connections but it didn't see the phone. I have no idea whether this was because I don't have wifi tethering setup correctly on the DX or what the deal is but I figured I would work with that later.
I don't really care if I have to tether via usb with the phone but wifi is a lot cleaner and easier if possible. I know that easy tether and pdanet are out there but I haven't checked to see if they have an android client yet, I've only used them on my Win 7 netbook.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Offer is still open on IRC
racedog said:
I will be doing the clockwork mod and putting on a new rom. The question is about formatting the card. You mention above used "advanced menu 2048", I don't know where I would find that on android on the G, or are you referring to something else?
I didn't get it connected while in the car, I just had it plugged in so that I could take a look at it and start putting a charge on it. I didn't connect until I got home. However, I DID try connecting it in the car using my Moto DX with wireless tether. The dx showed that it was running but the G never found the signal from the phone. It did see a few other secured wifi connections but it didn't see the phone. I have no idea whether this was because I don't have wifi tethering setup correctly on the DX or what the deal is but I figured I would work with that later.
I don't really care if I have to tether via usb with the phone but wifi is a lot cleaner and easier if possible. I know that easy tether and pdanet are out there but I haven't checked to see if they have an android client yet, I've only used them on my Win 7 netbook.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found that the stock rom cannot use ad-hoc networks. I had to use the hack for the 3G Hotspot app on the DX to get it working on the Gtab. Once I upgraded to TnT lite than I was able to use Wireless Tether and stopped getting all the drops and reconnects too.
I really think that you will be happy with this as soon as you mod it with what's here in this community. I have only been here for less than a week and have found answers to all my questions. Good luck.
rothnic said:
Offer is still open on IRC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the offer but because of the holidays I won't be able to take you up on it until probably Tuesday, maybe tomorrow Monday if I get REALLY lucky. I going to be trying to do as much as I can myself until them.
I wondered if the problem might be that the stock rom did not recognize ad hoc networks because I looked for the option to select it and it was not there. Thanks for that info.
R
Forgot, the winamp solution didn't work. I selected the mount option in winamp but it did nothing. I will get back to this issue once I get the greater issue of the rom and wifi connect to my phone fixed. Those are the real biggies that need fixing first.
R
Thanks to rothnic this new G has CWM installed and tnt like running on it along with Market and other apps that I've downloaded from it. What a huge difference this makes, my constant FC's seem to have stopped happening and I am now very happy with this unit. What a world of difference.
The screen is still a major issue but I can live with it (for now, will keep watching the screen swapping thread) but the device is fast, functional and completely usable whereas 24 hours ago I was set to return it to Sears but my wife talked me out of that and to try fixing it.
Again, special thanks to rothnic for all the "above and beyond" help and patience and also to all of the Gtab community here for the help and suggestions.
R
With the upcoming Froyo update coming in the future sometime I have never been able to connect with Kies. It is always stuck on connecting device have tried it on two computers with the same result. What other tips can anyone give to correct this (have already searched the forums and read numerous threads) or will they actually release a Kies for the Captivate. Would like to have the ability to move data back and forth from the mobile device without jumping through hoops.
Thanks, Roger
Sounds familiar
charrog,
I've had my Captivate since August and I haven't found anything to get it to reliably connect to a computer. It seems that others on here have tricky connections at best. I've managed to connect but nothing reliably. I've had Kies, Kies mini and USB connections all work at times and not work at times. I've had 2 different Captivates and 5 different computers I've tried with. I've used Win XP, Vista and Win 7. They all acted similar so I do not think it is a Windows thing. You will find numerous "fixes" posted on here but if you do your homework you will find that none of them work for everyone and different "fixes" work for different people. If I had to guess I would say that it depends on what you have installed and configured on the phone and the computer before you know what "fix" might work for you, if any work. Either way, it's a crapshoot trying to get connectivity between the Captivate and a computer. Hope you have better luck than I have had.
I'm running Windows 7 Professional and a virgin, er ah, unrooted Captivate phone.
Device Manager reports Windows sees the phone as a portable device: SGH-I87. The two drives are accessible from C:\. The drivers are properly installed because under USB controllers I see SAMSUNG Android USB Composite Device. From Windows I can navigate both the SD card and the phone's built-in storage.
But I have never been able to connect to AT&T's server using Kies Mini. Well, never is not correct. I initially installed Kies Mini For Captivate 10082_8_1 and could connect and got a response my phone was up-to-date (or something similar). However, at one log in Kies automatically updated to v1.0.0.10104_1 and since that time no connection has been possible. Kies just sits there saying I should connect a phone which I do and nothing happens at all.
Other stuff: 1) I removed Kies Mini entirely and reinstalled the original version. No sooner I booted the old version up and it updated again. 2) The first version wanted to connect with USB debugging "on." The new version explicitly says to turn USB debugging "off." 3) It's curious the updated version of Kies Mini is not the one on Samsung's AT&T support site; the old one is the only version there.
It's my conclusion the phone is fine and the drivers are fine. Kies Mini is either incompatible with the phone or with Windows. Just how AT&T and Samsung intend to back out of this mess is hard to figure.
Just why neither AT&T nor Samsung choose to communicate on what's going on confirms what we all know. The technology is pretty good but the concern--or appreciation--either company expresses for its tech-savvy public is frustratingly, totally absent.
Samsung's way of dealing with the Kies not working issue for me was after a 1 1/2 hour phone call to tech support that got upgraded to a tier 2 tech the final result was "I'm sorry sir but Kies is not supported in the United States." They suggested looking in the market and PURCHASING software that would allow me to connect my phone and computer together. Needless to say, my next phone WILL NOT BE A SAMSUNG!
For me this works 100% of the time.
1. Make sure kies mini is closed
2. Connect phone using usb cable with main usb port- no extension cable and no front ports
3. Phone should be set to kies mode or ask
4. If asked select kies on phone but either way wait for phone to go past intializing and say connected
5. Open kies mini on pc
6. Kies should see your phone
7. If server unavailable close kies and reopen (sometimes 5 times)
8. If update found you may see another server unavailable message- try again
Sent from my MB520 using XDA App
That rep was mis-informed, Marty. Indeed, the recent, full versions of Kies specifically prevent support for any Samsung Android phone sold by AT&T. But, Kies Mini is solely to support (I'm laughing so hard here I can barely type) AT&T's Samsung Android phones. That bit of software is a very silly, one-horse show.
I have several Samsung products in my home. I think they make fine products and, in my experience, they are well supported (not excellently but rather adequately). I am almost certain the problems we are experiencing result entirely from AT&T's effort to extract maximum possible revenue from the phones they sell and, at the same time, to minimize their support costs to the lowest level possible.
One final point: Us "techie-types" represent a tiny fraction of their overall audience. If they lost all of us it would likely make a tiny, insignificant dip in their revenue stream. The shame of this is that if they made some accommodation to us they might significantly increase revenues. I can't tell you how many people ask me what phone to buy. For those who are stuck with AT&T I have to recommend an HTC phone over a Samsung phone and for those who can use another carrier I am forced to recommend they use that other carrier.
I really like the Captivate and Android but I am forced to stay with AT&T. Every day my resentment for my imprisonment advances by several points.
alphadog00 said:
For me this works 100% of the time.
....
6. Kies should see your phone
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, but it does not!
Just for the heck of it, I rebooted Windows and turned off the phone. Then I started Windows. I opened Device Manager so I could watch what Windows was up to as I followed your instructions.
I connected the USB cable to the phone and started the phone. When the phone was connected--but Kies still not started--I touched "Kies (Firmware update)" on the phone. In Device Manager I could see both the device (Portable Devices) and the drivers (USB controllers) had properly initialized. The phone's screen reported "Connected... Press the home key to quit Samsung Kies." (Note Samsung Kies had not been started which is, I think, some kind of a clue as to what's wrong). Then, I started Samsung Kies. Kies wanted me to connect a phone. Endlessly. Mindlessly.
Did it all again. Same result. To his/her credit, whatever some programmer did wrong fails consistently. (I am cursed by always seeing the bright side of every dark situation. )
We're all dealing with folk medicine and voodoo here. Each one of us has had something that works for him/her upon occasion and, in good faith, we each pass on our "good news" as if we had just found the Holy Grail.
Frustration is a word I use to indicate I'm confident my next attempt will meet with success. The word I use to describe something that will never work until something I have no way of knowing is changed by someone who does not care in the least about my frustration is disgust.
I'm quite much disgusted with AT&T as regards support for this phone. I actually don't think Samsung deserves my ire. I'm pretty sure--by holding a promise of selling thousands of Samsung phones over Samsung's head--AT&T by either its indifference or its incompetence or both has jeopardized Samsung's reputation and bastardized the Captivate--an otherwise excellent phone in most respects--at the same time.
Picsman said:
Ah, but it does not!
Just for the heck of it, I rebooted Windows and turned off the phone. Then I started Windows. I opened Device Manager so I could watch what Windows was up to as I followed your instructions.
I connected the USB cable to the phone and started the phone. When the phone was connected--but Kies still not started--I touched "Kies (Firmware update)" on the phone. In Device Manager I could see both the device (Portable Devices) and the drivers (USB controllers) had properly initialized. The phone's screen reported "Connected... Press the home key to quit Samsung Kies." (Note Samsung Kies had not been started which is, I think, some kind of a clue as to what's wrong). Then, I started Samsung Kies. Kies wanted me to connect a phone. Endlessly. Mindlessly.
Did it all again. Same result. To his/her credit, whatever some programmer did wrong fails consistently. (I am cursed by always seeing the bright side of every dark situation. )
We're all dealing with folk medicine and voodoo here. Each one of us has had something that works for him/her upon occasion and, in good faith, we each pass on our "good news" as if we had just found the Holy Grail.
Frustration is a word I use to indicate I'm confident my next attempt will meet with success. The word I use to describe something that will never work until something I have no way of knowing is changed by someone who does not care in the least about my frustration is disgust.
I'm quite much disgusted with AT&T as regards support for this phone. I actually don't think Samsung deserves my ire. I'm pretty sure--by holding a promise of selling thousands of Samsung phones over Samsung's head--AT&T by either its indifference or its incompetence or both has jeopardized Samsung's reputation and bastardized the Captivate--an otherwise excellent phone in most respects--at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using Kies or Kies mini?
My instructions are for Kies Mini. The full version of Kies will not connect to the captivate - older versions will though. But I will admit it is difficult. with a mix of drivers (captivate, and generic samsung) and 2 different versions of kies, the full version of Kies is very hit or miss when connecting. It also is finicky about USB ports and cables.
Everything I mention above relates to Kies Mini...
The last version of the full Kies which works with this phone is v1.5.3.10093_82. Because I have installed software which duplicates every feature I would use in the full version, I have never tried to install it.
Picsman said:
That rep was mis-informed, Marty. Indeed, the recent, full versions of Kies specifically prevent support for any Samsung Android phone sold by AT&T. But, Kies Mini is solely to support (I'm laughing so hard here I can barely type) AT&T's Samsung Android phones. That bit of software is a very silly, one-horse show.
I have several Samsung products in my home. I think they make fine products and, in my experience, they are well supported (not excellently but rather adequately). I am almost certain the problems we are experiencing result entirely from AT&T's effort to extract maximum possible revenue from the phones they sell and, at the same time, to minimize their support costs to the lowest level possible.
One final point: Us "techie-types" represent a tiny fraction of their overall audience. If they lost all of us it would likely make a tiny, insignificant dip in their revenue stream. The shame of this is that if they made some accommodation to us they might significantly increase revenues. I can't tell you how many people ask me what phone to buy. For those who are stuck with AT&T I have to recommend an HTC phone over a Samsung phone and for those who can use another carrier I am forced to recommend they use that other carrier.
I really like the Captivate and Android but I am forced to stay with AT&T. Every day my resentment for my imprisonment advances by several points.
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Click to collapse
Picsman,
I gave up on trying to get Samsung to help me by the time Kies mini came out. It's like gambling each time I connect the USB cable. Today it might connect, tomorrow or later today it might not. My issue is that Samsung and ATT advertised the phone as being able to sync with Outlook. While trying to get that to work the Samsung techs gave up on me and used the "Kies not supported" line to just end my tech phone call. I do the same as you now. When my friends see my new snazzy phone they all ask about it, I was even asked by a waiter at a restaraunt the other day. I tell them all the same thing. I love Android, ATT is so-so and stay away from Samsung phones. I've had lots of years of success with HTC phones so I recommend those. As far as carrier I just tell everyone to look for the best deal. The carriers have all gotten past the point where I care about loyalty. I've been with ATT since back when it was still Bellsouth or was it Cingular then Bellsouth, either way, over 12 years. Do they give me any special deal? nope. The good deals go to new customers. The best deal you can find is who I recommend anymore unless there is a reason for something different like no reception for so and so carrier in my area, etc. I don't recommend one way or the other the iPhone. I won't buy one because Steve Jobs thinks he is god and he gets to pick what I do with my phone and what apps I can load. I won't do business that way so the iPhone is not an option for me. The part I hate most is that I'm afraid to flash and try new ROMS since everything I see about fixing a bricked phone requires a USB connection and mine doesn't work more than it does work.
As I was reading your lament it occurred to me everything you said is somehow applicable to almost everything bought and sold these days. There is no such thing as reward for being a long-term customer and there is no such thing as customer service. Like the old days of the snake oil salesman rumbling into town with his horse and wagon, the objective is to sell as many bottles of the magic potion he has and then get the heck out of Dodge before there's a critical mass of people yelling "liar, liar." It's all a sad commentary on how things are these days.
It's sad, but seems true in most cases anymore. The bigger the company the more it happens too it seems.
Ok I have done the impossible well at least it seemed that way I have been able to install the mtp drivers I downloaded the new Kies version for the Captivate listed here after connecting instead of stuck on connecting to PC it now says The device is not supported by Kies. I downloaded it from here http://www.samsung.com/ca/support/d...&prd_mdl_name=SGH-I896&prd_ia_sub_class_cd=P#
This makes no sense any ideas?
Oh this is what I did to fix the mtp driver issue...
This is not correct. I think your driver is outdated. Could you do what I said:
- uninstall the driver (click right mouse button on "Android MTP" and select "uninstall" in the menu)
- disconnect the device
- remove from windows folder/subfolders everything related: wpdmtp*.* (especially wpdmtp.inf and WPDMTPHW.INF in windows/inf folder)
- reinstall windows media player ver 11 or 12 (depends on windows version, ver11 for Windows XP)
- connect your device and install driver automatically
The device should be reported as I9000 or similar not "MTP device" and not "Android MTP"
charrog said:
Oh this is what I did to fix the mtp driver issue...
This is not correct. I think your driver is outdated. Could you do what I said:
...
The device should be reported as I9000 or similar not "MTP device" and not "Android MTP"
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Click to collapse
I'm confused! It's hard to figure out how your two messages are related to each other.
The site you show is in Canada and, while for a Captivate, it seems to be for a SGH-i896 as opposed to a SGH-i897 which is not Rogers but rather AT&T. And, what's this about an I9000?
To get help, you need to explain what device you have (Samsung model number), your carrier (Rogers or whom), and what you are trying to do.
If the Kies you downloaded says it does not support your phone, it may be because your phone is not an SGH-i896.
Need more info, please.
Yes you are correct mine is a ATT version no wonder oh well was excited for a moment thought it was released for all Captivates oh well at least I finally got the MTP issue resolved....the info to fix the MTP problem was from a this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8701204&postcount=76
I am looking for some help getting root access on the ZTE Valet from Straight Talk.
Android Version: 4.1.1
Kernel Version: 3.4.0-perf [email protected]
Please let me know if you need more info, or if there is a root method already confirmed working for this device.
Thanks!
I am still looking
I am still looking for a root solution for this phone. I have tried several solutions (made for other devices) that I found searching the forums and google, but nont have worked.
If anyone knows of one, please PM me.
I really don't think this phone can be rooted because of the "proprietary" nature of Tracfone's service. Although the phone is ZTE by manufacture and Tracfone is tied in with Straight Talk as well, the way Tracfone service is metered probably means if you rooted it it may not work through them anymore.. but that's just my supposition. Having said that.. I bought one today myself. Although I've rooted all the Android devices I have.. I don't intend to even try with this one.
I know it's a little late to be chiming in on this, but I thought you'd appreciate an answer.
The ZTE tracfone/straightalk devices cannot be rooted. period. The reason behind this is that the airtime tank info (minutes, service date, etc) is actually stored on the phone itself instead of the network. They had to develop an un-rootable phone so that people couldn't go in and edit their own airtime tanks. It's not an issue on normal tracfones, but android wasn't secure enough on it's own. Perma-locked bootloader, locked kernel.
The only way to root your device is to get a new device. It sucks, but it's the sacrifice of being on a prepaid plan with this company.
Source: My own Tracfone ZTE Valet and a boatload of research and experimentation.
Good luck.
iamthedonut said:
I know it's a little late to be chiming in on this, but I thought you'd appreciate an answer.
The ZTE tracfone/straightalk devices cannot be rooted. period. The reason behind this is that the airtime tank info (minutes, service date, etc) is actually stored on the phone itself instead of the network. They had to develop an un-rootable phone so that people couldn't go in and edit their own airtime tanks. It's not an issue on normal tracfones, but android wasn't secure enough on it's own. Perma-locked bootloader, locked kernel.
The only way to root your device is to get a new device. It sucks, but it's the sacrifice of being on a prepaid plan with this company.
Source: My own Tracfone ZTE Valet and a boatload of research and experimentation.
Good luck.
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Click to collapse
While I don't have the phone, my understanding is you can check the tracfone website for how many minutes/data you have left and not just the app on the phone. If true then the minute tank is not just on the phone but "in the cloud" which to be honest makes perfect sense. Andriod is hard to 100% lock down, sooner or later a hack will happen. It is just the nature of the OS. One reason it is open source, but then again iOS is not and people found ways to jail break/root that. So I am not going to say it is "impossible", and I really think the minutes/data information is stored on tracfone's servers not on the phone. It would cost them too much if they got hacked and were able to add minutes for free.
Now if I am wrong, ok but I doubt I am based on my experience with computers and I don't think Tracfone would take the risk. Also I have found instructions on rooting some Android tracfones by Samsung. So again I think it is possible, just no one has figured out how with this one (yet).
Update: I recently watched a review of this phone on youtube and the person was demonstrating how to see the minutes you have left and mentioned that often it is not instant when you add time/data. And even after using minutes you need to click the refesh to see the latest information regarding your minutes/data. If it was on the phone itself, no update would be needed. It would just be "there". So it is server based, not on the phone itself.
Here is my situation:
I have a friend with 2 Samsung phones. One is from T-Mobile(SGH-T989) and, the other is from AT&T(SGH-I777). The T-Mobile phone is the better phone (she likes the camera) but, she is tired of carrying both phones around. If I can unlock the carrier and put her AT&T service onto the T-Mobile phone....I get to keep the old AT&T phone as payment. It'd be like a xmas present to myself.... if I can pull it off.
I'm here today because, I've spent weeks trying and I'm getting the feeling I can't do this alone.
My biggest concerns....Is my quest/learning adventure legal? And, what exactly is it going to take to get the job done?
I use a linux pc (ubuntu 12.04). I have/use VirtualBox(4.1.12). I have/use the Eclipse build enviroment and Android SDK. The biggest problem I'm having is none of them recognize the phone as being plugged in. adb is working but, I get a blank line when I run 'abd devices'. I ran 'lsusb' and the phone isn't listed. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you
erdapa said:
Here is my situation:
I have a friend with 2 Samsung phones. One is from T-Mobile(SGH-T989) and, the other is from AT&T(SGH-I777). The T-Mobile phone is the better phone (she likes the camera) but, she is tired of carrying both phones around. If I can unlock the carrier and put her AT&T service onto the T-Mobile phone....I get to keep the old AT&T phone as payment. It'd be like a xmas present to myself.... if I can pull it off.
I'm here today because, I've spent weeks trying and I'm getting the feeling I can't do this alone.
My biggest concerns....Is my quest/learning adventure legal? And, what exactly is it going to take to get the job done?
I use a linux pc (ubuntu 12.04). I have/use VirtualBox(4.1.12). I have/use the Eclipse build enviroment and Android SDK. The biggest problem I'm having is none of them recognize the phone as being plugged in. adb is working but, I get a blank line when I run 'abd devices'. I ran 'lsusb' and the phone isn't listed. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P.S. My attempts to root the phone have failed I'm a slow learner )
Hi folks as the title states I updated from LG G5 and before I did I used LG Bridge to back up my data and long story short windows 10 recognizes my phone np, the G7 One but I can't get LG bridge to do so.
I had myself logged in to air drive and not and never used that anyways always used usb connection.
Changed to developer options and tried just about every option I know of in that section to get it noticed.
Tried usb 2 and 3 ports and of course I have the usb driver installed and also used the LG Mobile Support tool and it at first did not recognize my device but switching it to tethering made it show up and LG says all is good so that was not helpful either.
Is it something to do with it being a 'one' device as I have run out of ideas and google is not helping either.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Can speculate that the issue is - LG G7 One is running pure Android w/o any LG customizations, or custom apps, so LG Bridge won't work.
credibleone said:
Hi folks as the title states I updated from LG G5 and before I did I used LG Bridge to back up my data and long story short windows 10 recognizes my phone np, the G7 One but I can't get LG bridge to do so.
I had myself logged in to air drive and not and never used that anyways always used usb connection.
Changed to developer options and tried just about every option I know of in that section to get it noticed.
Tried usb 2 and 3 ports and of course I have the usb driver installed and also used the LG Mobile Support tool and it at first did not recognize my device but switching it to tethering made it show up and LG says all is good so that was not helpful either.
Is it something to do with it being a 'one' device as I have run out of ideas and google is not helping either.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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Click to collapse
I have a thread going in this forum here regarding the fact that LG has never released a USB driver for the One so there is no MTP mode therefor no Bridge, no Support Tools, No PC Suite. I have been after LG since November and nada. Tomorrow I am returning the phone to Fido and getting something else.