Captivate not registering on network/holding signal

[Azure1203]

Well I'm pretty much out of options. It simply won't register on the MTS network not matter what I do.

I locked it back to Fido, using this method.

1. start the phone with non-accepted sim (MTS Simcard)

2. in the phone dialer i enter *7465625*638*#

3. You will see a pop up window and in it enter the MMC/MNC code for the provider you want to use phone. (eg. 310260 for T-mobile USA, 310410 or 310380 for ATT)
You can find the list of codes here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Network_Code

4. in CONTROL KEY field enter the NCK UNLOCK code. Press OK & Hold

5. Restart the phone.

and now it should unlock

And it finds Fido and registers, but loses signal exactly every 15 seconds. With Rogers I noticed it would lose signal exactly every 15 seconds as well and then get it back. The strength is there as well.

I can send messages, make calls, until it cuts out and loses signal....but it simply won't HOLD the signal. Just weird.

The frequency is correct as well. Set to GSM/WCDMA auto prl, and when I check the frequency, it says 850mhz band 5. So I don't think it has anything to do with that.

I'm going to try flashing a different modem to hopefully make it hold the Rogers signal so I can try to sell the phone again. Because this is a nightmare to deal with.

 

[codwif]

I was under the understanding that you couldn't relock a phone after you unlocked it. Strange.

And if you type in *#0011# it shows that you are on WCDMA 850 band 5 right?

You could try this menu to see if your phone is accepting 850.
1. From the phone Dial Pad, enter: *#2263#
2. From the "BAND SELECTION" menu select "[2] WCDMA BAND"
3. From the "WCDMA BAND" menu select "[5] WCDMA 850 (FDD V)"
4. Exit out of menu and check to make sure your band is now WCDMA 850 using *#0011#

There should be a star/asterisk beside WCDMA 850.

And where do you check the PRL? I'll check mine, also on MTS and see if it matches what you've got.

---------- Post added at 10:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

I wonder if this "modem dance" they speak of will help your cause?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1154160

This is a link explaining how to do it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12156313&postcount=438

 

[Azure1203]

I will try all that. From what I can tell it was using the correct band. Scdma 850mhz band 5.

If you type in *#*#4636#*#* and scroll down it tells you your prl.

I left my phone on overnight with the fido sim card in it and it would constantly drop signal and get it back after 15 seconds.

 

[Azure1203]

So what are the chances that the sim holder has a problem? As in its not working correctly so it loses signal every 15 seconds.

 

[mikegy2002]

Hmm. Have you already tried a complete wipe. Factory "hard" reset at any point to bring it back completely to stock on the stock rom?

 

[Azure1203]

Hmm. Have you already tried a complete wipe. Factory "hard" reset at any point to bring it back completely to stock on the stock rom?

Yep. Only thing I haven't done yet is go back to stock 2.1.

But it was working originally with stock 2.2 which is what I've tried numerous times.

I might take it in to get it looked at by a cell repair shop. Only thing I'm left with is hardware.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Android OS has a built in feature that checks if your SIM card is still active every 15 seconds. And my phone is checking it, and the SIM card can't make a good connection, so it loses signal probably because of a short or something, then gets it right back.

 

[chappatti]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I've done it both ways, and each time the flash has been successful.

+1

It really does not matter whether ODIN is opened before or after AS LONG AS you computer registers the phone.......I have done it either way, no problem.

---------- Post added at 03:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 AM ----------

So what are the chances that the sim holder has a problem? As in its not working correctly so it loses signal every 15 seconds.

Yes, I think you have either a bad sim CARD, or bad sim holder. Ahve you tried a new SIM card from your provider. Basically, since your SIM is not "coonecting" to your phone correctly, you get intermittent "Flight Mode" on (no sim card) and off (sees sim card)

Look at this nice link that helps you narrow it down to the SIM:

http://www.justanswer.com/electroni...ivate-push-power-button-says-flight-mode.html

Hope it helps !

 

[Azure1203]

I've tried at least 5 different SIM cards, and they all do the same thing. Find signal, lose signal. Some don't find it again, some do, but lose it again.

I'll check out that link. Thanks!

 

[fherpich]

Hi Guys,
Also with same issue, bought an I897 on NYC open box unlocked but when i came home don't have signal, with my old HTC i see the signal as UMTS 2100 WCDMA preferred, tried several roms but no luck, i get signal in some places but 99% of the time don't have any, do you have any clue?

 

[Azure1203]

Hi Guys,
Also with same issue, bought an I897 on NYC open box unlocked but when i came home don't have signal, with my old HTC i see the signal as UMTS 2100 WCDMA preferred, tried several roms but no luck, i get signal in some places but 99% of the time don't have any, do you have any clue?

Is it getting signal and loosing it after a certain period of time? The problem with my phone was a physical hardware problem. Friend of mine had the exact same phone with a badly damaged screen, and I just replaced the inside of the phone that lost signal with the motherboard from the phone with the cracked screen, and now it works perfectly.

Also, if you say NYC open box, is that somewhere in North America? If you're in a different country, it might be that North American phones don't have the frequencies you need. I figure that is not the case since if you can flash different ROMs, you probably understand the difference between frequencies.

I went crazy trying to figure out my problem, and in the end it wasn't software.

 

[space_eyes]

Hate to say it but have you triple checked your frequencies? Cdma just doesn't sound right for fido, I could be off the wall on this one but doesn't Fido run off rogers or something...

Now that I think of it, double check your phones, its possible that model was meant for CDMA network for example as opposed to GSM network, eg. Vibrant for Telus compared to one from T-Mobile. Same model except slight hardware change

Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

 

[mangaicaptivate]

My captivate is not registering a network

Help! I flashed captivate to the stock rom available then i put my sim .. now it hardly catches any network. even if does . I am not able to make any outbound call or messages. Can some one help out here ?? I have no idea why is this happening

 

[laughingT]

it sounds like you may have the wrong modem firmware as part of the rom that you flashed. or you may have lost your efs folder. Does the IMEI on your SIM card match the IMEI reported in settings on phone?

Flashing to 2.3.5 stock should allow you to get the correct IMEI.
I recall that TRusselo's stickied thread on 'how to flash any rom' also has a list of available modems with links. If you look at the sticky threads in captivate forums you should find it.

 

[mangaicaptivate]

it sounds like you may have the wrong modem firmware as part of the rom that you flashed. or you may have lost your efs folder. Does the IMEI on your SIM card match the IMEI reported in settings on phone?

Flashing to 2.3.5 stock should allow you to get the correct IMEI.
I recall that TRusselo's stickied thread on 'how to flash any rom' also has a list of available modems with links. If you look at the sticky threads in captivate forums you should find it.

yes it does match.. how do i flash the modem ? pls forgive me for my ignorance. I am new to all this .. wat modem should i flash ? i have my efs folder in the backup folder in my sd card..

---------- Post added at 10:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 PM ----------

yes it does match.. how do i flash the modem ? pls forgive me for my ignorance. I am new to all this .. wat modem should i flash ? i have my efs folder in the backup folder in my sd card..

how do i know which modem to install .. i have read some where that kernel and modem should match.. i have I897UCkk4-CL614489.. which modem to install for this . Can yu pls give step by step process. it will be helpfull. I am so dumb i knw

 

[laughingT]

yes it does match.. how do i flash the modem ? pls forgive me for my ignorance. I am new to all this .. wat modem should i flash ? i have my efs folder in the backup folder in my sd card..

---------- Post added at 10:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 PM ----------




how do i know which modem to install .. i have read some where that kernel and modem should match.. i have I897UCkk4-CL614489.. which modem to install for this . Can yu pls give step by step process. it will be helpfull. I am so dumb i knw

never had to change my modem, but there is a complete list with links in this post below, and if you carefully read the entire thread, starting at the top, you can figure it out.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18370245