Help Can't take it anymore: FCs, blank screen, etc...

[Jus10]

Okay, I've been dealing with this for the last few weeks. I'm using the Captivate (of course) and Live Home for a launcher. OS is the updated 2.1.

Live Home keeps force closing, and it seems to do it everytime the sync icon is in the notification bar. After it force closes (clicking "wait"
doesn't help) then the whole damned thing is unresponsive. I power the phone off and it won't power back on and it doesn't work. So the only cure is a battery pull. After the phone reboots I'm normally fine.

Well for the last 20 minutes everytime media scanning is complete and all that junk, I'm getting a blank screen as if the whole launcher crashed. So if it's the launcher causing the problems then I can't switch to another without getting into the settings and clearing the cache. So I'm stuck with a f'd up pos that won't stop pissing me off.

Is anyone else using Live Home on the Captivate with the same OS, unrooted, and having the problem? Because if there's people out there who are NOT having the problem, then it sounds like it's a defect and I have to have the phone replaced. If people are having the problem, then that means it's the launcher, and I have to find a way to get into my settings and switch it.

So anyone?

Experiencing this?

Know a fix?

Friggin help me before I throw this across the room!!!

 

[BookLover]

It could be a defective SD card.

Try popping out the SD card, to prevent the media scanning.

Then clear the cache. Then uninstall Live Home and see if you continue to have probs. If yes, then it's either a phone prob or an app prob.

If no, then pop in the SD card. If no probs, then the SD is fine. If probs, then the SD card has probs.

If you determine that the SD card was the problem, once you get a new SD card, you should be able to reinstall Live Home.

Just do a systemmatic troubleshoot.

 

[Frisco]

You may have a sync loop going on, wherein an app is unable to complete its syncing because a task killer or other app is trying to stop it. Or, you may be experiencing such a loop because two or more apps are trying to sync at the same moment, perpetually.

But, I'd start by going into the application manager and clearing cache, data and defaults on the launcher being used because that is what is force closing. Reboot and reconfigure the launcher.

Next I'd toss any task killer, but that's just my preference.

I see Bookover has brought up the sd card possibility, too. Good.

 

[Jus10]

UPDATE:

Finally got through to my settings and cleared the Live Home data, switched back to TW Launcher and so far it's working great. I miss the extra icons at the dock and the homescreen preview, but it's working fine now. I also have ADW and Launcher Pro, but now I'm hesitant to use them.

 

[Jus10]

Next I'd toss any task killer, but that's just my preference.

I've had several people tell me to use the Killer to help my battery life. Without it I'm charging my phone 3 times a day. So why do you say don't use one?

 

[BookLover]

Launcher Pro has been ok for me, except for a while it didn't seem to play nice with Tasker. But that prob seems to have cleared itself up. Have no idea how. Maybe it was a Tasker prob.

Never tried ADW.

Install Home Switcher so that you can go back and forth between launchers easily.

Once you do decide on a launcher, you need to remove the widgets from the launcher(s) you're NOT using as they will drain battery if you don't. You don't necessarily need to uninstall inactive launchers if have the space to keep them on the phone. Saves a little time should you decide to go back.

But only keep widgets on the live launcher.

EDIT:
Do you have PowerAmp installed? I had trouble with PowerAmp constantly scanning my SD card and causing lag and Launcher Pro redraws when I least wanted it to. Once I uninstalled PowerAmp, my phone went back to normal.

 

[Jus10]

Once you do decide on a launcher, you need to remove the widgets from the launcher(s) you're NOT using as they will drain battery if you don't. You don't necessarily need to uninstall inactive launchers if have the space to keep them on the phone. Saves a little time should you decide to go back.

But only keep widgets on the live launcher.

Seriously? I had no friggin clue. The battery's draining like crazy recently after trying out new launchers. I'll do that, and if that works you get a huge Thank You from me!

 

[Frisco]

I've had several people tell me to use the Killer to help my battery life. Without it I'm charging my phone 3 times a day. So why do you say don't use one?

I'm not saying, "don't use one." I'm saying, "I don't use one."

I do offer that alternative in FC issues, though, because, although there are "religions" on both sides of task killers, I feel that good configuration and maintenance regimens by the user are all that is needed to keep Android (and smart phones in general) at their best.

There are long explanations by experts on both sides of the TK issue as to why they should be used or not be used.

UPDATE:

Finally got through to my settings and cleared the Live Home data, switched back to TW Launcher and so far it's working great. I miss the extra icons at the dock and the homescreen preview, but it's working fine now. I also have ADW and Launcher Pro, but now I'm hesitant to use them.

Way to go, Jus10.

 

[Rob.G]

Once you do decide on a launcher, you need to remove the widgets from the launcher(s) you're NOT using as they will drain battery if you don't. You don't necessarily need to uninstall inactive launchers if have the space to keep them on the phone. Saves a little time should you decide to go back.

But only keep widgets on the live launcher.

Sorry for the off-topic question, but I have a question concerning the above statement. When I only start up into LP, then for whatever reason I switch to Sense, I see the htc white screen w/logo, then a Loading dialog.
Likewise, starting the phone into Sense, then switching to LP does the same.

So, if the launcher isn't even in loaded in memory yet, how can the widgets be using resources?

 

[Jus10]

Thanks Booklover. Deleted all my widgets from unused Launchers and my battery is working much better. That may have also been the reason my Cap's been unresponsive. Its working much better now. I'm turned off from live home but have been using Launcher Pro with no issues.
I'm not constantly seeing the sync icon either, so either my phones not syncing now or what, but my phone is working and I'm happier than I was.

 

[TripsYou]

@Rob. G - I am a saints fan, but your profile pictures is awsome!

 

[BookLover]

Sorry for the off-topic question, but I have a question concerning the above statement. When I only start up into LP, then for whatever reason I switch to Sense, I see the htc white screen w/logo, then a Loading dialog.
Likewise, starting the phone into Sense, then switching to LP does the same.

So, if the launcher isn't even in loaded in memory yet, how can the widgets be using resources?

Several threads that I read when I was researching Launchers all had folks espousing this (removing widgets from unused launchers), so I did as recommended

If you find that you're not experiencing lag or battery drain, then you don't need to do so.

After evaluation, I just stuck with one launcher and had no intention of toggling between two, so removing the widgets (and extra pages) from the unused launchers was not a big issue. YMMV

 

[BookLover]

Thanks Booklover. Deleted all my widgets from unused Launchers and my battery is working much better. That may have also been the reason my Cap's been unresponsive. Its working much better now. I'm turned off from live home but have been using Launcher Pro with no issues.
I'm not constantly seeing the sync icon either, so either my phones not syncing now or what, but my phone is working and I'm happier than I was.

You're welcome. Glad to have helped.

I love my Captivate a wish the same for others.

 

[Rob.G]

@Rob. G - I am a saints fan, but your profile pictures is awsome!

Thanks You have to show your team some love, you know.

 

[Rob.G]

Several threads that I read when I was researching Launchers all had folks espousing this (removing widgets from unused launchers), so I did as recommended

If you find that you're not experiencing lag or battery drain, then you don't need to do so.

After evaluation, I just stuck with one launcher and had no intention of toggling between two, so removing the widgets (and extra pages) from the unused launchers was not a big issue. YMMV

Thank you. I will agree, that once more than one launcher is loaded, there is lag. But, I rarely have more than one running at a time. The only reason I do is when I am changing my layout and trying different things (which I seem to do much too often because I am never quite satisfied).

 

[tazman171]

Several threads that I read when I was researching Launchers all had folks espousing this (removing widgets from unused launchers), so I did as recommended

If you find that you're not experiencing lag or battery drain, then you don't need to do so.

After evaluation, I just stuck with one launcher and had no intention of toggling between two, so removing the widgets (and extra pages) from the unused launchers was not a big issue. YMMV

+1 to that.

After I flash to a new rom I always rename the file extension of the rom's launcher if it's TW after I default to LPP and then reboot. Lag is gone and I've always had good battery life doing it this way on every rom I've flashed and that is quite a few.

The performance difference is very noticeable whether using 2.1 Eclair or 2.2, 2.2.1 Froyo.

 

[Jus10]

Different subject, but is there a way to transfer downloaded content to the external memory card rather than using the internal memory card? I have a file manager but it doesn't give me the option to move any of the files.

 

[sremick]

I've had several people tell me to use the Killer to help my battery life. Without it I'm charging my phone 3 times a day. So why do you say don't use one?

Because they are misused most of the time and can cause more harm than good. If you're having to use a TK to get decent battery life, the proper solution is to uninstall the battery-hogging apps as they are what are at fault.

More info at the Captivate FAQ:

Task killers - CapFAQ

 

[Rob.G]

Different subject, but is there a way to transfer downloaded content to the external memory card rather than using the internal memory card? I have a file manager but it doesn't give me the option to move any of the files.

It depends on what you are trying to move, some apps can't be moved or they stop working. If it was just random things (pics, sounds) then you can. You mentioned you have a file manager on your phone, and you are rooted (RIGHT?), then somewhere in it is the option to move or copy then delete. If you mention which one you are using, perhaps someone with it can help.

Another option is to use your PC.

You could also have your downloads be saved directly to your sdcard. If your using the default browser go to Menu > More > Settings > scroll down to Download Storage and select Storage Card.

 

[Jus10]

It depends on what you are trying to move, some apps can't be moved or they stop working. If it was just random things (pics, sounds) then you can. You mentioned you have a file manager on your phone, and you are rooted (RIGHT?), then somewhere in it is the option to move or copy then delete. If you mention which one you are using, perhaps someone with it can help.

Another option is to use your PC.

You could also have your downloads be saved directly to your sdcard. If your using the default browser go to Menu > More > Settings > scroll down to Download Storage and select Storage Card.

Don't have a computer ('cept the one at work which blocks mass storage for security reasons). No I'm not rooted.

I'm using ES File Explorer. Doesn't give the option to move, but it looks like it gives the option to copy/paste files. My only fear is that if I do that then delete the primary file that it would erase the copied file.

Oh yeah, and I'm not trying to move apps, just media. I'd rather fill up my 8gb card before I start filling up my internal memory card.

 

[Jus10]

And I'm sorry for the bombardment of questions, but what's with Media Hub. Every time I access it it says "not yet availale, please check again later."

 

[Rob.G]

Don't have a computer ('cept the one at work which blocks mass storage for security reasons). No I'm not rooted.

I'm using ES File Explorer. Doesn't give the option to move, but it looks like it gives the option to copy/paste files. My only fear is that if I do that then delete the primary file that it would erase the copied file.

Oh yeah, and I'm not trying to move apps, just media. I'd rather fill up my 8gb card before I start filling up my internal memory card.

Once you copy a file, you can safely delete the "original". It won't delete the copy.

And I'm sorry for the bombardment of questions, but what's with Media Hub. Every time I access it it says "not yet availale, please check again later."

Sorry, I can't help you with Media Hub since I don't use it, but I'm sure someone who does will come along and assist.