• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Root Not receiving phone calls or texts anymore

slimbobaggins

slimbobaggins

Well-Known Member
EDIT: Sorry this long. Cliff notes: My phone suddenly doesn't hold a signal unless I'm actively making a phone call.


I've searched for the last few days, haven't found anything that works.

Rooted Stock ROM, 3.29.651.5

I rooted my phone in the fall using unrevoked, and went along happily. Didn't mess with custom ROMS or anything, just the standard root apps off the market.

I installed roam control last week to try and get a better signal, and ever since then I cannot receive phone calls or texts. Not saying roam control is to blame, something in my phone could have broke, I don't know. I've been in contact with the dev since then, and we can't figure out a fix. He's been very good with communication.

Symptoms: My phone seems to forget that it needs to monitor the network for calls or texts. Upon phone start up, I get an error saying android is unable to detect my current time zone, so it's not even pulling that data. It displays 0 bars at idle. If I place a call, it picks up the signal, makes the call, and then when I hang up it drops the signal again.

If you call me, my phone never rings. If someone sends me a text message, I don't get it... until I call out from my phone. Then, while I'm on the phone, it downloads all the texts that have accumulated, and voicemails.

I did a nandroid restore to before I installed roam control, didn't fix it. My friend said my radios are old, so I updated those yesterday. Of course, I ended up with the PRI 1.90 phone not sleeping issue, so I rolled back to 1.77.

I've been thinking of updating to the latest Sprint ROM to see if this fixes it, but don't have high hopes.

Any suggestions, before I go to OTA 3.70, or put the phone back to stock and take it to sprint?
 
Relevant info:

Hardware Verison: 0003

Software Info:

Android Version: 2.2

Baseband Version: 2.15.00.11.19

Kernel Version: 2.6.32.15-ge2fb08e
htc-kernel@and18-2 #11

Build Number: 3.29.651.5 CL252548 release keys

Software Number: 3.29.651.5

Browser Number: WebKit 3.1

PRI Version: 1.77_003

PRL Version: 60674
 
1) Just because your radios were out of date didn't mean a *whole* lot. Since you're on an older software version, that was fine. At this point, you're probably not doing yourself any favors by using an older software version ROM/kernel along with the new radios, etc. even though you downgraded your PRI. Likely, that's the reason you had trouble with your PRI.

2) The above issues aside, start by doing this:

menu->settings->system updates->update profile/update prl. If you've already tried that, skip ahead.

2) I suggest you flash a ROM based on the latest OTA - 3.70.651.1. If you're happy with stock, you can go with either of these:

[ROM] RUU SuperSonic EvO 3.70.651.1 OTA - Stock - Sense - Deodexed & Odexed Version - xda-developers

While you're at it, update back to PRI 1.90, and downgrade back to 1.77 only if it's still an issue. You can find specific instructions in the Rooting for Dummies guide, section 6, but if you've already updated your radios once, you probably know the drill. Basically, it's not a good idea to have newer radios, but an older ROM. Some combinations won't even boot, while others will just be generally unstable.

3) Once that is done, update your profile again. If you've already updated to the latest PRL, trying to update it again will do nothing.

That should give you more of a clean slate. There are other sort of drastic things we can try if none of the above helps.
 
Thanks for the response Akazabam, I appreciate the help.

1) Already tried the update profile/prl, multiple times (when i the issue first started, did factory reset and tried, flashes nand and did it, updated radios and did it a 4th time- no help)

2) I was reading through the thread you posted earlier, figuring that would be the next step. I have a couple specific questions before doing this upgrade:

- You mentioned I'm running an older ROM/kernel. That thread has the file to upgrade to the latest rooted OTA ROM... but nothing about upgrading to a later kernel. Is the updated kernel included with this update, or is it something I need to grab from elsewhere?

- I've read about people losing their 4G codes because clockwork isn't backing it up- I have clockwork version 2.5.0.1 that was installed by unrevoked when I rooted in the fall. I grabbed the radio checker app and i still have them. I didn't see where I could grab clockwork version 3.XX, and nor any instructions how to install it (is it installed from .zip just like I did with the radios?)

-I've seen people talking about doing wipes 3 times before installing. Clockwork has options to wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache partition, and under advanced settings, it has wipe dalvik cache. im assuming the wipe data/factory reset wouldn't be used because im assuming that does the same thing a factory reset from inside the rom would do. But- do I need to do either of the other two wipe options, and if so, is it really needed 3 times?

I'm assuming the procedure would be do whatever wipes are necessary however many times, then upgrade rom, then upgrade radios again?

Again, thanks for the help. I'm going to re-read rooting for dummies because it's been a while since I read it, I see there's been updates, and I'm awaiting any answers you might have to the above questions.
 
Edit: Followed proc from rfd and installed clockwork 3.xx, making a nandroid right now so that i know ive got the wimaxx crap.

Edit 2: Okay, I see that Sprint hasn't released an updated Kernel since I rooted. So once this nand is done, I guess I'll download the latest stock rom and flash it
 
slimbobaggins said:
Thanks for the response Akazabam, I appreciate the help.

1) Already tried the update profile/prl, multiple times (when i the issue first started, did factory reset and tried, flashes nand and did it, updated radios and did it a 4th time- no help)
Click to expand...
I figured, but it couldn't hurt to make sure.

2) I was reading through the thread you posted earlier, figuring that would be the next step. I have a couple specific questions before doing this upgrade:

- You mentioned I'm running an older ROM/kernel. That thread has the file to upgrade to the latest rooted OTA ROM... but nothing about upgrading to a later kernel. Is the updated kernel included with this update, or is it something I need to grab from elsewhere?
Click to expand...
Kernels are *almost* always included with ROMs. Basically all stock ROMs you come across will have a kernel that goes along with that OTA. 3.70 is HTC #15, specifically, and is a different kernel than what you have now.

- I've read about people losing their 4G codes because clockwork isn't backing it up- I have clockwork version 2.5.0.1 that was installed by unrevoked when I rooted in the fall. I grabbed the radio checker app and i still have them. I didn't see where I could grab clockwork version 3.XX, and nor any instructions how to install it (is it installed from .zip just like I did with the radios?)
Click to expand...
I see from your second post that you already found how to get the new version. I will throw this in here - you should get clockwork 2.6.0.1 instead. Clockwork 3.0.0.x will not flash everything out there right now, specifically those stock ROMs. That being said, it's definitely a good idea to backup your wimax keys. Funny thing is that you're more likely to lose them during something like a radio flash than you are by just flashing a ROM. Nice that you still have your keys.

-I've seen people talking about doing wipes 3 times before installing. Clockwork has options to wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache partition, and under advanced settings, it has wipe dalvik cache. im assuming the wipe data/factory reset wouldn't be used because im assuming that does the same thing a factory reset from inside the rom would do. But- do I need to do either of the other two wipe options, and if so, is it really needed 3 times?

I'm assuming the procedure would be do whatever wipes are necessary however many times, then upgrade rom, then upgrade radios again?
Click to expand...
1) You need to wipe data/cache/dalvik every time you flash a new ROM, with just a few exceptions. If you're upgrading a ROM, you can sometimes safely not wipe data. In this case, you should make sure you have whatever you want to save backed up with something like titanium backup, then wipe data/cache/dalvik. Don't bother with the factory reset option in the ROM. You don't want to boot up *at all* between wiping cache/dalvik/data and flashing a ROM. As to the wiping three times thing, it's *mostly* people just being paranoid (myself included :p), but you don't really *have* to. It only takes a few seconds to wipe each thing, so you may as well to be safe. Clockwork 2.5.0.1 was known to not wipe correctly, so it was more necessary with that version.

Again, thanks for the help. I'm going to re-read rooting for dummies because it's been a while since I read it, I see there's been updates, and I'm awaiting any answers you might have to the above questions.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea.

slimbobaggins said:
Edit: Followed proc from rfd and installed clockwork 3.xx, making a nandroid right now so that i know ive got the wimaxx crap.

Edit 2: Okay, I see that Sprint hasn't released an updated Kernel since I rooted. So once this nand is done, I guess I'll download the latest stock rom and flash it
Click to expand...

1) Go ahead and flash CW 2.6.0.1 once that is done. Don't worry, the backup made in 3.0.0.x will be backwards compatible.

2) You'll definitely have a different kernel. As I said before, you'll get HTC #15 with 3.70.651.1.

Once you flash it, go ahead and update profile again. See if everything works before reinstalling any apps. Let's see if this clean slate is enough to fix things.
 
akazabam said:
Once you flash it, go ahead and update profile again. See if everything works before reinstalling any apps. Let's see if this clean slate is enough to fix things.
Click to expand...

okay, cleared/flashed/updated everything. lastest rom, kernel, redid the radios so that im on pri 1.9. updated the profile and prl several times, rebooting in-between each, to make sure it took.

same problems. phone doesn't ring when calling it, voicemails and texts not received until i dial out.

where to go from here?
 
Are you able to use the internet? Can you open the browser and go to few webpages?

Is this problem happening all the time, regardless of caller? Does it happen if you're on 3g/4g/wifi? Have you tried on both 3g and wifi? That shouldn't matter, but it could be important for various reason.

This is probably a dumb question, but it's worth asking, I guess. Did you accidentally turn on call forwarding? I would think that has nothing to do with it since you're saying signal goes down, and you're not getting any text messages, but, hey, I'll cover all the bases anyway.

Have you changed any NV items? If you have no idea what that means, I'll assume not.

Just one last question - Did you wipe data fully, and did you make sure not to install any apps after flashing and before testing?

EDIT: Oh yeah, can you tell me the exact error you're seeing when you turn the phone on?
 
akazabam said:
Are you able to use the internet? Can you open the browser and go to few webpages?

Is this problem happening all the time, regardless of caller? Does it happen if you're on 3g/4g/wifi? Have you tried on both 3g and wifi? That shouldn't matter, but it could be important for various reason.

This is probably a dumb question, but it's worth asking, I guess. Did you accidentally turn on call forwarding? I would think that has nothing to do with it since you're saying signal goes down, and you're not getting any text messages, but, hey, I'll cover all the bases anyway.

Have you changed any NV items? If you have no idea what that means, I'll assume not.

Just one last question - Did you wipe data fully, and did you make sure not to install any apps after flashing and before testing?

EDIT: Oh yeah, can you tell me the exact error you're seeing when you turn the phone on?
Click to expand...

I can surf the web just fine, both on 3G and on wifi.

Since I starting having the problem, it's happening 100%. I don't receive phone calls/ text messages, doesn't matter who it's coming from.

I have no idea how to turn on call forwarding? If it's on, I certainly didn't do it on purpose? I'm assuming this is done via sprint's website, which is currently down for maintenance. If it's done via the phone, by this point with as many times as it's been wiped, it would be disabled by now.

I have no idea what an NV item is, so nope.

I did the wipes three times each before I reflashed everything. Didn't install any apps at all, everything that's currently on the phone is what came with the ROM.

The message I've been seeing when I turn the phone on, isn't an error, but is asking me to set the current time... because it's not communicating with the cell tower, so doesn't know what time it is. Same deal as it's been, the phone is sitting idle right now, with no bars. As soon as I dial out, it picks up full signal and makes the call... and as soon as I hang up, it drops to 0 bars again. I don't get the little x for no service, it just acts as if it has a horrible sprint signal.
 
If you go to the battery stats page (menu->settings->about phone->battery->battery use), what do you see for cell standby? If you select that, what does it show for time without signal?

EDIT: Also, I'm sure you've already tried this, but if you go to menu->settings->wireless & networks->mobile network settings, what do you see?
 
Cell standby is average, 35%. However, time without a signal is 99%.

The mobile network settings are what you would expect, i have always on mobile data enabled, roaming enabled and set to automatic.

Im posting this from my phone over 3g right now. It connects, as long as im doing something. It just doesnt connect to the signal, even 1g/2g unless im actively telling it to go to a webpage, send a text, or make a call
 
As an experiment, i restarted the phone and let it sit, and until i dialed out, it said time without a signal 100%. When i finally dialed out, it picked up the signal, and the stock htc weather/clock widget on the home screen (yes i havent changed it since i loaded the rom) finally updated and shows the current weather. Now it says time without signal 98%.

Posted from my pos phone that supposedly has no signal
 
akazabam said:
If you go back to mobile network settings, what you see for roaming? Can you change it to say Sprint only, and see if it makes a difference?
Click to expand...

If i go to roaming i can select sprint or automatic. I set it to sprint only, closed the screen and then reopened it to be sure the setting was saved, which it was. Didnt make a difference. I rebooted the phone and let it sit, but have the same results... unless i make a phone call, time without a signal is still 100%
 
akazabam said:
There's one other thing I might look into, but have you considered just having Sprint reprovision the phone? That might fix it.
Click to expand...

reprovision? i'd have to take it in... which would require reflashing and unrooting. seems like that's pretty much all there's left to do at this point. im assuming that hboot will get updated in the process... will it even be possible to unlock and root again?
 
Not necessarily. Try calling Sprint from another phone and tell them you think you need to reprovision it. They might be able to help you that way. If they tell you to bring it in, then yes, you *should* unroot it. I see no reason why hboot would get updated in the process. That would only happen if you unroot using a RUU (or PC36IMG.zip) that is older, and Sprint decides to accept the OTA updates for you. It's not part of reprovisioning. Even if for some reason you ended up with the latest hboot, it can be rooted, just the same. You can even downgrade the eng bootloader, and get back to whatever hboot version you want. Try calling Sprint first.
 
Basically, just have them go through the same process they did when you first got the phone and got it activated on the network. That might reset whatever is causing the problem. Obviously whatever is happening is below the OS level.
 
that is what I figured. I knew how to do it on one of my old phones...but not this one. On that phone all you needed was the msl to initiated from the phone side.

technically I guess one could do an esn swap from home and possibly accomplish the same thing... regardless I think I am going to unroot and stop by Sprint tomorrow. My data has been hit or miss for months. It's a good time anyway (rsl5 is acting up...but in a completely different way than what miks was)
 
Yeah, there might be a way to do it on your own like that. You might also be asking for trouble :p. You can probably just call them from another line, though, and see if they can do it over the phone. You might not need to go in (saves you the hassle of unrooting). As long as you're on a sense ROM (maybe it doesn't matter?), it should behave the same way. If not, they can definitely help you out if you take it in.

What's Myn's doing that Mik's wasn't?
 
I work right across the street from a Sprint store so I am going to run by tomorrow...or try it from chat while at work.

Myn's (besides being obviously slower) is having issues with a number of apps... getting random foreclosing on numerous apps..including but not limited to speedtest, launcher pro, titanium backup, camera, pandora, slacker....there really seems to be no common dominator ...sooooooo back to square one. I am not getting any of the issues I had with miks though. (mainly that screen issue/lock ups..or am I and Myn's is responding differently...hrmmmmm)
 
Interesting. I know you were talking earlier about titanium backup restores in another thread. I assume you've gone through the normal troubleshooting (of course you have :)). If you'd like to talk about it in another thread, I'd be happy to help figure this out. Let's not hijack this thread too badly :p. I still think your phone might be possessed... Anyway, let me know if you get your data issues resolved by taking it in. It seems that has been the last resort fix lately.
 
im going to try and call sprint during lunch break tomorrow, see if i can get them to do something over the air. i guess my only hesitation is that they'll somehow be able to tell im rooted

edit: especially if they have me reboot into recovery for some reason, obviously the directions they give me won't apply
 
slimbobaggins said:
im going to try and call sprint during lunch break tomorrow, see if i can get them to do something over the air. i guess my only hesitation is that they'll somehow be able to tell im rooted

edit: especially if they have me reboot into recovery for some reason, obviously the directions they give me won't apply
Click to expand...

You won't need to go to recovery for that. The only thing stock recovery is used for is accepting OTA updates. Changes to the OS can only be made from a separate OS (recovery is a mini OS in itself), and their process requires their own recovery. Just reprovisioning the phone has nothing to do with that (ok, I'll throw in a disclaimer. It *shouldn't*). If you just call them, they won't be able to tell. If you take it in, you should definitely unroot it. Let me know how it goes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom