Hi,
I've been having a somewhat mysterious problem with the wireless internet (Wi-Fi) signal on my SCH-1545, hopefully someone here can help me find a solution.
Details:
At rest, my wi-fi signal is weak, regardless of which network or router is producing the signal.
I use an oversized Anker 7800mAh battery, which adds a considerable amount of weight and bulk to my GS4.
I am currently running a recent snapshot release of Cyanogenmod (11-20140804-SNAPSHOT-M9-jflte). The last time I updated was few weeks ago, but my wifi issue began sometime early this week. Thus, it seems unlikely that the ROM is to blame. For what it's worth, my baseband version is 1545VRUAMDK.
Oddly, after some poking around, I've discovered that applying pressure to the back of the phone near the lock button seems to increase the quality of my wifi connection. For example, at rest right now my phone shows a 30% signal; when squeezed in the aforementioned manner, the signal jump s immediately to 55-60%.
I suspect that there may be some fault with the wifi antenna connector, or with the antenna itself.
My best theory right now is that a mishap or fall with this bulky battery installed may have delivered a shock to the phone's hardware beyond what it is designed to withstand. Consequently, it seems that the wifi system was somehow compromised. I've tried cleaning the wifi contacts as suggested here[1] .
Has anyone had this problem? Can anyone offer a solution?
I can't go on using my phone like this, and to get a replacement will be quite costly. However, if I do end up getting a replacement, I have my eyes on a LG G3
Thanks for your help!
aberen03 said:
Hi,
I've been having a somewhat mysterious problem with the wireless internet (Wi-Fi) signal on my SCH-1545, hopefully someone here can help me find a solution.
Details:
At rest, my wi-fi signal is weak, regardless of which network or router is producing the signal.
I use an oversized Anker 7800mAh battery, which adds a considerable amount of weight and bulk to my GS4.
I am currently running a recent snapshot release of Cyanogenmod (11-20140804-SNAPSHOT-M9-jflte). The last time I updated was few weeks ago, but my wifi issue began sometime early this week. Thus, it seems unlikely that the ROM is to blame. For what it's worth, my baseband version is 1545VRUAMDK.
Oddly, after some poking around, I've discovered that applying pressure to the back of the phone near the lock button seems to increase the quality of my wifi connection. For example, at rest right now my phone shows a 30% signal; when squeezed in the aforementioned manner, the signal jump s immediately to 55-60%.
I suspect that there may be some fault with the wifi antenna connector, or with the antenna itself.
My best theory right now is that a mishap or fall with this bulky battery installed may have delivered a shock to the phone's hardware beyond what it is designed to withstand. Consequently, it seems that the wifi system was somehow compromised. I've tried cleaning the wifi contacts as suggested here[1] .
Has anyone had this problem? Can anyone offer a solution?
I can't go on using my phone like this, and to get a replacement will be quite costly. However, if I do end up getting a replacement, I have my eyes on a LG G3
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have your tried doing a factory reset? I know this is a pain in the butt but maybe it will put your mind at ease. Have you dropped the phone or anything that would cause the antenna to suddenly become loose? Is your connection bouncing up and down or is it consistenly just staying low? Also before a factory reset try getting Wifi Analyzer from the app store and check to see whats going on. Just sounds rather buggy that it suddenly started happening.
Same thing been happening to mine just recently. Seems like when I squeeze the battery cover the wifi signal is stronger for a limited amount of time.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If you squeeze your phone and it affects signals take off battery cover and try tightning all the little screws around the phone with the battery out.. might help just saying
Thanks for your suggestions folks, but I still seem to be in a pickle.
SUPERSPORT25 said:
Have your tried doing a factory reset? I know this is a pain in the butt but maybe it will put your mind at ease. Have you dropped the phone or anything that would cause the antenna to suddenly become loose? Is your connection bouncing up and down or is it consistenly just staying low? Also before a factory reset try getting Wifi Analyzer from the app store and check to see whats going on. Just sounds rather buggy that it suddenly started happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried a factory reset, didn't seem to help according to Wifi Analyzer (thanks for the app suggestion). As I said in my original post, I fear that drop may have caused this problem: since I use a heavy extended battery, I expect the damage caused by any fall would be magnified.
FordNate said:
If you squeeze your phone and it affects signals take off battery cover and try tightning all the little screws around the phone with the battery out.. might help just saying
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I attempted this as well - I removed the back cover and ensured all the ribbon cables and antenna cables were making a firm connection, and then I tightened all the cover screws. Nothing seems to have helped. Concurrent with my previous statement, I fear one of the modules (specifically the wifi/bluetooth SIC) on the motherboard may have become slightly dislodged from a random fall.
Does anyone know of a way I can test this theory or get it fixed if such is the case?
aberen03 said:
Thanks for your suggestions folks, but I still seem to be in a pickle.
I tried a factory reset, didn't seem to help according to Wifi Analyzer (thanks for the app suggestion). As I said in my original post, I fear that drop may have caused this problem: since I use a heavy extended battery, I expect the damage caused by any fall would be magnified.
I attempted this as well - I removed the back cover and ensured all the ribbon cables and antenna cables were making a firm connection, and then I tightened all the cover screws. Nothing seems to have helped. Concurrent with my previous statement, I fear one of the modules (specifically the wifi/bluetooth SIC) on the motherboard may have become slightly dislodged from a random fall.
Does anyone know of a way I can test this theory or get it fixed if such is the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm in the same boat, my phone is exeriencing the exact same issue. I've got a new back plate on order, hopefully replacing that and the wifi/bluetooth antenna will resolve it.
have you had any success since this post?
Related
I have a HERM200 (TYTN HTC Branded). I definately have a hardware error that seems to be related to motherboard pressure. Totally took the phone apart - cleaned everything and reseated connections. I initially did have problems flashing a radio/OS Rom due to NO GSM errors - but I did get a complete working flash. For a week the phone has been sitting on my desk without a SIM card on standby. Power cycled it a few times and the radio will always come on. Can turn the radio on and off with flight mode. Always comes back. Turned on WIFI and Bluetooth no problems. Do have a Dpad problem where the direction button will stop working unless I move the scroll wheel. Other than that it doesn't freeze even under load and don't have white screens or no return from standby. So doesn't seem to be heat related - ie processor heat.
OK, put a sim card that works fine in a 2125 and I can make and receive calls. Did it for many calls last night - received and made the calls. Send text messages. Opened the slider several times. No problems. Battery was down so I charged it though a USB connection. Got the battery up to about 50% Still can make and receive calls doesn't seem to "hunt" for a signal which the phone would do if the radio was failing.
Removed the SIM card this morning and put the battery back in - received the first NO GSM after about a week. Removed the battery and touched the metal plate behind the battery and the GSM came back on bootup. The case screws are snug not super tight.
Is is possible that the motherboard is either faulty - removing the SIM caused it to flex or touching the battery back plate flexed or reconnected some chip.
IMHO the battery plate backer is WAY too close to the motherboard and is either putting undue pressure on the motherboard chips or when the battery is charging it somehow expands slightly causing pressure points. Seems like the battery backer plate is sitting directly on the chipsets.
Any thoughts - seems like there are way too many NO GSM errors for this phone.
same problem here probably
Same problem here... I've tried to flash the radio, but it stucks after a while..
Please help me, my Dopod 838 Pro has No GSM!
There is probably little you can do. Either the chip on the motherboard is fried or you did a bad flash. Explain the situation - did it just happen or did you flash something and it went bad. If it "just" went bad the radio is more than likely defective and no amount of software fixes will correct it. You will need another motherboard or a new phone. There are tons of articles about no GSM errors and sometimes it will come back but not for long. Known problem with this phone unfortunately.
I'm having this weird issue. When I am in my house and on the phone, people complain that I am "cutting in and out" and that there's weird reception noise. My calls also often get dropped or don't go through - while in my house. Outside my house, everything appears to be working fine (so far). And even in my house, there appear to be levels of issues. I was speaking to someone while I was upstairs and it was fine but once I went downstairs, he complained that he couldn't hear me and I was cutting in an out. I went back upstairs and it was mostly fine. We continued chatting while I moved around the house and he was able to consistently tell if I was upstairs or downstairs based on the call quality. This issue first appeared 4 days ago - never had this issue before in the past 7 months I've had my phone.
No one else in my house really seems to have the same issue - although one briefly complained about some minor issues for one day. Everyone else has blackberrys and has not seemed to have any problems.
I called the phone company (Wind) about this issue on Friday. Since I was worried about having issues during the call, I called them from my landline which is under Bell I believe. I spoke with someone for about 10 minutes and she then transferred me to a different line to someone who would be able to help me. I try speaking to him and he says "Sir, you're cutting in and out." and he keeps having trouble hearing me the entire time I'm speaking to him. Remember, this was on my landline. (Although I should mention, no one else has complained about issues speaking to me on my landline since, though the problem with my Amaze is still apparently present.)
So because of that and the fact that I don't seem to have issues outside, I don't believe that the problem lies with the Amaze or Wind - although I may be more affected by whatever the problem is because of one of the two. I'll probably go to a Wind store at some point and ask them as well (the guy on the phone was no help really) - but I don't know what they're going to say, considering my phone will probably work fine there.
Does anyone have any idea why I would only be having this issue in my house and what it might be? Maybe some neighbors put up something that would mess with my reception? - if so what might that be? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!
I get poor reception in my house and office as well... And I'm in a metropolitan area. I just wrote it off as a weak radio, because everyone else's phones work fine in same locations
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
Are you on ICS, or did you move to it once you started having the issue? I have fluctuating signals on the ICS radio.
If not, I would call the provider again. It's their problem to solve.
Yea, you have to explain what exactly you are running on your phone..
Rather than JUST look at it as reception issues, think about any new technology you may have bought around the same time you started having issues - new wireless router, new cordless phone, etc. There are many signals besides the frequency devices advertise(cordless phone could be 900-2400mhz, but cause issues on many other frequencies) that may effect your phone but NOT other people's.
If you did upgrade to ICS, and the issues started when you upgraded, it could be the new radio is an issue for you - if it is a deal breaker the best answer is to downgrade to gingerbread till the OFFICIAL ICS comes out, they may make some big changes between the leak and the final official update..
I don't have issues with my cell reception anywhere I go, but I have had calls dropped in a way I never have before - not often by far - but I'll get some weird noises and the call drops. I think it is my phone since it has happened with multiple people, but it doesn't happen often enough for me to REALLY care..
aiwapro said:
Are you on ICS, or did you move to it once you started having the issue? I have fluctuating signals on the ICS radio.
If not, I would call the provider again. It's their problem to solve.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not on ICS and yeah, that's true - I'm just not sure what they're going to do since I won't necessarily be able to show that I have a problem... But I'm still likely going to go to them tomorrow
Silentbtdeadly said:
Yea, you have to explain what exactly you are running on your phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, sorry. I'm actually on stock gingerbread - not rooted, not anything, just as it came on Wind Mobile.
Rather than JUST look at it as reception issues, think about any new technology you may have bought around the same time you started having issues - new wireless router, new cordless phone, etc. There are many signals besides the frequency devices advertise(cordless phone could be 900-2400mhz, but cause issues on many other frequencies) that may effect your phone but NOT other people's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this did first start on the day that I got new batteries (Anker) for my Amaze... though I'm not sure why that would make any difference. Also got a new sd card the day before that. But nothing new in my house that should interfere afaik. But I'm wondering if my neighbors got something...
On a side note, I was on the phone today away from my house and the person I was speaking to seemed to hear inteference/reception issues for a moment. But I'm not sure if he really did, considering I was in a noisy place but there is the possibility that this is in fact a phone issue rather than a location issue...
syrenz said:
Not on ICS and yeah, that's true - I'm just not sure what they're going to do since I won't necessarily be able to show that I have a problem... But I'm still likely going to go to them tomorrow
Yeah, sorry. I'm actually on stock gingerbread - not rooted, not anything, just as it came on Wind Mobile.
Well, this did first start on the day that I got new batteries (Anker) for my Amaze... though I'm not sure why that would make any difference. Also got a new sd card the day before that. But nothing new in my house that should interfere afaik. But I'm wondering if my neighbors got something...
On a side note, I was on the phone today away from my house and the person I was speaking to seemed to hear inteference/reception issues for a moment. But I'm not sure if he really did, considering I was in a noisy place but there is the possibility that this is in fact a phone issue rather than a location issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, if you are on stock, and having issues outside the house, check the battery door(the entire back cover) to make sure each contact on the cover is making GOOD contact - if any of the pins that stick off the phone are bent down too much, or if they are too dirty to get solid contact, that could explain your issue.
A weak signal because of the case would make a more dramatic effect when you go into a part of the house or neighborhood that gets less signal, but may otherwise be okay. If dirty clean it with a q-tip with rubbing alcohol(both the connecting pins AND the contacts on the inside of the case), if not try taking a tiny flathead(for glasses repair) or something similar size/shape and insert it underneath each of the 10 copper connectors and BARELY lift a hair, just enough that it will make a better connection.
I say this because if you messed with the battery right before this happened, maybe one of those connectors got altered/dirty when you put it back together.
That certainly might make sense. I rarely took off the battery cover before getting new batteries and sd card. I will try that, thanks!
syrenz said:
That certainly might make sense. I rarely took off the battery cover before getting new batteries and sd card. I will try that, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The metal tabs are REALLY sensitive, so do be careful, a tiny bit is all it takes.. and thinking about it, the edge of one of those cards for your keychain may be best.
If you look at the pic below you will see the wear marks from taking mine on and off(some were REALLY bad)- bending the tabs up a little bit made better contact and seems to make a big difference. I ordered a new one from HTC(you can replace each accessory for free, check the accessories area for the thread with details, if this helps maybe you should get a replacement?) - either way it can't hurt as long as you don't go too far with it..
I originally read this tip on the tmobile or htc forums(I can't remember), but it does make sense..
So I checked like you said. I sprayed air all over the case and then I noticed that there was a hair sitting right on top one of the bottom connectors... I removed it with tweezers, sprayed some more air and then waited to see the results. (This was two days ago). So far, all my calls seem to be working pretty much perfectly. One person thought that he heard a tiny bit of static at one point, but the majority of my phone calls have been without complaint. So it looks like that fixed it... Amazing what a little hair can do... Thanks!
syrenz said:
So I checked like you said. I sprayed air all over the case and then I noticed that there was a hair sitting right on top one of the bottom connectors... I removed it with tweezers, sprayed some more air and then waited to see the results. (This was two days ago). So far, all my calls seem to be working pretty much perfectly. One person thought that he heard a tiny bit of static at one point, but the majority of my phone calls have been without complaint. So it looks like that fixed it... Amazing what a little hair can do... Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good deal pretty crazy it was a hair, I would have thought something more substantial than that!
Hey all, I've had my Prime since Christmas, and I really haven't used it because of the WiFi issue. It was purchased from GameStop. The WiFi is horrible when I try to take it out and use it in locations that I have great WiFi signal with on my phone. The lack of GPS is also annoying, but those are really my only two plights with it at this moment.
So I guess my question is, what should I do? Is Asus doing anything lately to rectify the WiFi and GPS issues, or am I SOL? It's unfortunate, but in retrospect, I should have probably gotten an iPad.
Any help would be infinitely appreciated.
Smitherines said:
Hey all, I've had my Prime since Christmas, and I really haven't used it because of the WiFi issue. It was purchased from GameStop. The WiFi is horrible when I try to take it out and use it in locations that I have great WiFi signal with on my phone. The lack of GPS is also annoying, but those are really my only two plights with it at this moment.
So I guess my question is, what should I do? Is Asus doing anything lately to rectify the WiFi and GPS issues, or am I SOL? It's unfortunate, but in retrospect, I should have probably gotten an iPad.
Any help would be infinitely appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no, and will be no fix for the wifi issue.
Smitherines said:
Hey all, I've had my Prime since Christmas, and I really haven't used it because of the WiFi issue. It was purchased from GameStop. The WiFi is horrible when I try to take it out and use it in locations that I have great WiFi signal with on my phone. The lack of GPS is also annoying, but those are really my only two plights with it at this moment.
So I guess my question is, what should I do? Is Asus doing anything lately to rectify the WiFi and GPS issues, or am I SOL? It's unfortunate, but in retrospect, I should have probably gotten an iPad.
Any help would be infinitely appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can mod your backplate. Other than that, you are SOL.
Smitherines said:
Hey all, I've had my Prime since Christmas, and I really haven't used it because of the WiFi issue. It was purchased from GameStop. The WiFi is horrible when I try to take it out and use it in locations that I have great WiFi signal with on my phone. The lack of GPS is also annoying, but those are really my only two plights with it at this moment.
So I guess my question is, what should I do? Is Asus doing anything lately to rectify the WiFi and GPS issues, or am I SOL? It's unfortunate, but in retrospect, I should have probably gotten an iPad.
Any help would be infinitely appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I opened my prime and improved my wifi drastically (and gps depending on rom since I am unlocked)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1474391&page=108
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1474391&page=109
In this picture the x is on my wifi router (wrt54g) and the circle is where I downloaded dropbox so I could show my neighbor pictures of my kid flying a kite. Before I modded my prime I could not get connected on my back patio.
Nothing to do other than accept the fact that you've been screwed by ****ty Asus, like the rest of us.
whycali said:
I opened my prime and improved my wifi drastically (and gps depending on rom since I am unlocked)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1474391&page=108
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1474391&page=109
In this picture the x is on my wifi router (wrt54g) and the circle is where I downloaded dropbox so I could show my neighbor pictures of my kid flying a kite. Before I modded my prime I could not get connected on my back patio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. whycali, would you mind indulging on the modification more? I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you did. Also, how hard was it to pull the back panel off? I'd imagine that there's no way to retain the warranty at that point as well, correct?
delete.
delete.
Smitherines said:
Interesting. whycali, would you mind indulging on the modification more? I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you did. Also, how hard was it to pull the back panel off? I'd imagine that there's no way to retain the warranty at that point as well, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course the warranty is voided but thats up to somebody else to prove it happened and reversing this process is actually easier than doing it because the only thing holding it in is pressure.
I used the video here to open my prime.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1479664
I turned off the main power switch (internal dip switch)
I disconnected the 3 ribbon cables holding the screen to the backplate so I would have room to work. (there are instructions on how to do this in the above post)
I removed the gap between the 3 backplate ground points and the shell beneath them (pushed down the spongy stuff)
I cut 3 small pieces of braided desoldering tape. I laid them on the top edge of the ground points (as shown in the pictures)
I reconnected the ribbon cables.
I turned on the main power switch.
I carefully (so I would not disturb the new unsecured ground points) put the face plate back on (top edge slides in first the rest of the clips snap back into place).
I am seeing random/frequent/constant loss of signal on my S2 even while sitting on my office desk for hours. Either I have to reboot or have to switch on and off the airplane mode to bring the signals back.
I dropped this phone in water on last friday and once it was dried up it was working totally fine. At that time I was using Chameleon ROM(4.1.2), Dori Kernel 8.43.v76 and MS4 radio. I flashed XXLS8 modem/radio as I had seen good results on this modem. On Monday I flashed Sentinel ROM v4.6 (4.2.2), stock kernel and I have started facing the signal drops. Blaming it to the modem, I flashed another one XXLS6 (about which I have read good reviews for my location) and I was still getting signla drops. I had been on Sentinel ROM couple of times and never faced such issue. Still, blaming it on ROM, I flashed AOSB Kitkat (another fav of mine) today and I am still getting the signal drops.
I am unable to pinpoint the source of this issue and cant keep on flashing modems when I actually know that XXLS8 and XXLS6 are really good ones for me.
A search on xda led me to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2739573 which suggests deleting CellBroadcastReceiver.apk from /system/app. Tried even that, but didnt work out.
I am ruling out the waterboarding as a cause because I saw it working perfectly for 2 days after it was dried up.
Any help/suggestion/information is appreciated.
EDIT: I thought it was solved as it didnt appear for few hours. But since last night its back and its kinda frequent. It displays blank triangle in this case. recently it has also started showing full signal (emergency calls only and without 2g/3g signals) and i am unable to receive or make calls.
:BUMP:
Now there are no signals at all. Am getting desperate. Flashed stock rom again to no avail. Tried Different kernels/roms but no success. Anything?
You sound like you have been very thorough in what you have tried....
The fact that you have flashed different ROMs/kernels/modems without any change kinda rules out a software issue. I'm afraid (from what I've read) you ARE facing a hardware issue. Water penetration will cause a whole collection of issues that may/may not appear immediately. It will cause corrosion......and corrosion is a gradual process......so a part of the phone that *may* have appeared unaffected, may well work for a time before it actually fails......
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
keithross39 said:
You sound like you have been very thorough in what you have tried....
The fact that you have flashed different ROMs/kernels/modems without any change kinda rules out a software issue. I'm afraid (from what I've read) you ARE facing a hardware issue. Water penetration will cause a whole collection of issues that may/may not appear immediately. It will cause corrosion......and corrosion is a gradual process......so a part of the phone that *may* have appeared unaffected, may well work for a time before it actually fails......
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying. Finally a senior member looked at this thread
I agree that corrosion, being gradual process, can screw up a lot of things but its kinda indigestible for me that in one week its condition will be deteriorated to this level. anyways, if i visit a service center, what parts I might get changed for this? I know you havent seen my phone from inside, and you cant say anything at a concrete level but just want to know that someone with this kinda problem is looking at what kinda parts to be changed and what kinda bill?
The components on these boards are in general, tiny.....and their connectors are even smaller.....so corrosion at this pace is entirely possible.
The symptoms tally with this too....increasing corrosion = worsening performance.
It's either going to be really good news......or it's going to be chuck the phone away and start again news.
There is a white connecting cable in the phone that carries the network signal from the antenna to the main board.....
The cost depends where the fault is......
If the fault is on the board housing the antenna, it's pocket change....
If it's the mainboard side.......
The good news is that both of these boards can be independently sourced and easily DIY replaced.
The problem with micro electronics is that it is virtually impossible to replace individual components on a given board....and any authorised repairer won't even consider it....they'll just replace the entire board.
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:46 PM ----------
Take a look at this thread.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2335961
there's a video linked in it which will give you an idea of what you're looking at if you decide to DIY it....
You will also find links to part suppliers.
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
keithross39 said:
The components on these boards are in general, tiny.....and their connectors are even smaller.....so corrosion at this pace is entirely possible.
The symptoms tally with this too....increasing corrosion = worsening performance.
It's either going to be really good news......or it's going to be chuck the phone away and start again news.
There is a white connecting cable in the phone that carries the network signal from the antenna to the main board.....
The cost depends where the fault is......
If the fault is on the board housing the antenna, it's pocket change....
If it's the mainboard side.......
The good news is that both of these boards can be independently sourced and easily DIY replaced.
The problem with micro electronics is that it is virtually impossible to replace individual components on a given board....and any authorised repairer won't even consider it....they'll just replace the entire board.
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:46 PM ----------
Take a look at this thread.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2335961
there's a video linked in it which will give you an idea of what you're looking at if you decide to DIY it....
You will also find links to part suppliers.
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many many thanks. DIY won't bug me, i have steady hands
But how would i know which components are faulty?
Ha....that's the million dollar question ain't it......
Having viewed that video I linked to, to refresh my memory, there are 3 modules that potentially could be giving you issues......
Antenna/speaker module
USB port module
Mainboard
It's going to be a case of replacing each one, one at a time, until the issue resolves itself. The first two are the cheaper side of things, and are where my gut instinct says the problem lies......
Sorry mate...it's the only way without taking it to a service centre.
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Your link talks about changing the usb port. There i read that it hosts aerial connector too. Is it the part responsible for receiving signals or is it antenna module?
Btw, awesome guide you got there.:good:
Meanwhile i flashed stock rom again and after ten minutes of booting it finally got signals. I dont know for how long its gonna stay but i m glad that it saw signals after 2 days of struggle.
The speaker module houses the actual antenna. It has a couple of sprung connectors which press on corresponding plates on the USB module. Some people have said that modifying the USB board has had an effect on the signal strength.
The speaker / antenna module is the cheapest part to replace....best to start there......
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.
This whole fiasco was a great learning for me. Lost imei and baseband on my way and recovered them too. And looks like it will end in me performing a DIY on my phone.
For now the signals are stable for more than 12 hours which is like the most I have seen since 3 days. I will see if I can utilize your guide this weekend.
Thanks again for your help and time.
Can loosing imei/baseband be the cause of loosing connectivity?
EDIT 1: And my troubles are far from over. It still needs to be switched to aeroplane mode and switch it off to get the connectivity back or a reboot is required. The worst problem is that now the signal shows full in the status bar but with "No connectivity" or "Emergency calls only" which is even worse to handle.
Looks like it can connect to the network provider normally but cant hold the connection for long and requires a reset. Will changing USB port help in this kind of case?
EDIT 2: After a whole day of being on stock and switching the phone into aeroplane mode again and again, I thought of giving custom roms another try. On a KK ROM and on another JB ROM (4.1.2) it was a total struggle to even connect to a network. Tried various modes - wcdma, gsm, auto but nothing worked. Tried different modems too but it just ended up in making the phone really hot. Experimented so much that even when the sim was in, i got the message - "insert sim card to access network". Back to stock rom now.
I don't know whether there is any circuitry inside the speaker / antenna module that will cause issues with signal.....the fact that some people say that modifying the USB board affects signal leads me to think that there probably isn't and that it's all housed on the USB board........
And I'd advise that you back up your IMEI and EFS folder while it is intact.....before you attempt to flash anything else.....
A good app for this is ktool on the play store.......
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.hellcat.droiddev.ktool
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Backed up everything a long time back itself when I saw myself become flash maniac. thanks for the advice though.
I checked up USB port on eBay and it is not available in my country. From US shipping and all makes it unaffordable . Will be visiting a service center today or tomorrow.
Eventually Waterboarding was the culprit. Got a call from service center today that they found waterlogging on mainboard. Getting it replaced now.
Heavy on pockets but still cheaper than an equally capable new phone.
Thanks keithross39 for all the help. Appreciate it.
No problem fella......just be prepared for other issues too (might never happen.....but......)
If the water damaged the main board, other boards might have been affected too......
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
I was starting to feel relieved after knowing mainboard issue, but here you are, scaring me more
Alright, I will keep an eye on the day to day activities of my phone for few days once its back. I just hope it comes out alive.
Lol...just mentioning the "worst case scenario*......but on the bright side, every other board in the phone costs pocket change.......
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Asked the service center guys and they say everything is fine with other components. Looks like they are not interested in my pocket change
One last question, does changing the mainboard changes your imei number?
An authorised service centre should be able to re write your IMEI....but under normal circumstances it will change.....
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
I picked up a nice one of these running stock JB and have been playing around with it a few days. Wifi sucks. I have spent about a day searching for fixes and mods and, found lots of complaints with it and the similar euro version.
I added a loop of copper wire under the removable cover, taping it such that it is sandwiched between the two motherboard terminals and the contacts on the cover. I have wifi analyzer app running and I can see strength running from zilch to as high as -30 db. This cycling happens while the phone is just sitting over a period of hours of staring at it. It is mostly at -90db or disconnected, but once in awhile it will spike to -30db and then die again
Nobody seems to be talking about this issue lately ( I realize this phone's prime time has come and gone). Are there any ROMs that completely fixed the issue? Does anyone really know if it it hardware or software related?