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Problems

K

kurisix

Newbie
So lately I've been experiencing some problems with my Virgin Mobile service.
No picture/MMS messaging (I know a simple call can fix that)
Worser reception lately
Not getting calls
Dropped calls
Receiving texts late, a few times even 10 minutes late

I'm not sure if this is a problem with my phone (HTC Wildfire S), but it's really pissing me off. Should I give Virgin Mobile another chance with a different phone, see what happens, or just switch to either T-Mobile or Straight Talk?

EDIT: Also just remembered that sometimes when texting people, such as my girlfriend, they sometimes get a bunch of random letters and numbers instead of the message they were supposed to get
 
I was thinking that too, but what I don't understand is why it randomly started to happen about a month ago. before that it was fine.
 
I find it hard to answer this question. Some areas do seem to be having service issues and most areas 3G seems to be, at a minimum, running fairly slowly at peak times. So, it could be that 3G service in your area is too busy and is causing the problems.

OTOH, it could simply be that you have a bad phone that has some type of issue (either antenna or otherwise) that is the source of the problems.

If you know other Sprint/VM users in your area, you should talk to them and see if they are having similar problems. If they are, it is likely a localized problem with too many users or Sprint having tower issues. If others in your area aren't having problems, then it is likely a problem with the phone.
 
mogelijk said:
... it could simply be that you have a bad phone that has some type of issue (either antenna or otherwise) that is the source of the problems.

... If others in your area aren't having problems, then it is likely a problem with the phone.
Click to expand...

Before faulting the phone, most forget, and/or are unaware, that the phone's operating environment plays a major factor in its reception capability, quality and performance. Like any radio device, there are technical limitations in accordance to EM theories and principles--granted that some designs are better than other. However, if the phone is operating within a challenging environment like deep inside a shielded insulated structure with aluminum siding or metal exterior with several inner walls to penetrate, while standing next to an operating microwave oven, air conditioner, hair dryer, vacuum cleaner motor, etc., any phone would eventually fail. Even when operating outdoors, standing next to a running gas mower, for example, degrades the phone's performance drastically. Unless comparing performances of two phones literally side-by-side in the same environment, it's unwise to jump to conclusions...
 
tli said:
Before faulting the phone, most forget, and/or are unaware, that the phone's operating environment plays a major factor in its reception capability, quality and performance. Like any radio device, there are technical limitations in accordance to EM theories and principles--granted that some designs are better than other. However, if the phone is operating within a challenging environment like deep inside a shielded insulated structure with aluminum siding or metal exterior with several inner walls to penetrate, while standing next to an operating microwave oven, air conditioner, hair dryer, vacuum cleaner motor, etc., any phone would eventually fail. Even when operating outdoors, standing next to a running gas mower, for example, degrades the phone's performance drastically. Unless comparing performances of two phones literally side-by-side in the same environment, it's unwise to jump to conclusions...
Click to expand...

While I will agree with you to a degree, I don't think people are always using their phone next to a lawn mower or next to a microwave. Rather, I think most people use their phone at home and work/school (and places in between). And I would hope most people would know that if they have problems in one spot (particularly indoors) they also need to try it in other spots (particularly outdoors).

Last, in this case, he appears to be saying that it worked well previously ("lately I've been experiencing some problems"). Now true, he could be using it in only one spot and some device he has added recently is interfering with his reception in that spot -- but I doubt this is the case. And if he is merely having problems in one area, hopefully he now knows to try it in other locations.
 
tli said:
Before faulting the phone, most forget, and/or are unaware, that the phone's operating environment plays a major factor in its reception capability, quality and performance. Like any radio device, there are technical limitations in accordance to EM theories and principles--granted that some designs are better than other. However, if the phone is operating within a challenging environment like deep inside a shielded insulated structure with aluminum siding or metal exterior with several inner walls to penetrate, while standing next to an operating microwave oven, air conditioner, hair dryer, vacuum cleaner motor, etc., any phone would eventually fail. Even when operating outdoors, standing next to a running gas mower, for example, degrades the phone's performance drastically. Unless comparing performances of two phones literally side-by-side in the same environment, it's unwise to jump to conclusions...
Click to expand...

100% agree.
 
So I do know a few Sprint customers, not sure what is up with them, but I do know that one of my friends' phone got messed up. (I'm thinking it was a hardware problem). So I'm not sure what to do because I don't want to dish out another good amount of money to get a new phone for Virgin Mobile and have it not work again. I'm probably just going to wait a month or two see if anything changes (as you said, perhaps they were/are doing some sort of upgrade to the netwok). If nothing changes, get a cheap OV for like $30 see if anything changes. If not, then TMO or Straight Talk it is.\

EDIT: And I just realized I'm in the same area as Petrah over here. lol. I'm located in Carol Stream :D
 
/waves hi to kurisix!

I figured out why my phone was crashing all the time. Turns out it was my 16gb class 10 sd card (formatting it did not help). Once I put my 8gb card back in then the phone reboots and crashing stopped.

I had the ZV9 update on my phone and just reverted back to ZV5. My 3G connection appears to be somewhat stable again, but it could just be coincidence. Only time will tell.

Running stock and unrooted for the time being till I can be sure everything is running smoothly again.
 
Sadly I am stock and unrooted on my crappy WFS....

How has your connection been though? Like has it gotten worse than what you normally would've gotten before?

EDIT: For a while though my texting is acting like it should, usually getting them instantly, though in some cases maybe like 2-3 mins late, but its fine.
 
My connection has been a bit better than it was. Before I reverted I had no 3G at all, and once in awhile 1x. At least I have 3G now, even though it's a tad spotty. Seems like when the GPS is searching it knocks 3G out and puts me back to 1x. No idea why it does that.
 
I have no idea why but my data has been a lot better know though. But I still don't get calls sometimes. But I need help with my MMS. So I kind of get them, but when I click on download, then it won't let, some kind of error or message pops up saying Message Not Download. It's really pissing me off. How do I fix?
 
I have texting problems when receiving and sending MMS with my iPhone using friends. Also, if I send a text with special characters or similies that are not used by Apple software, they get my texts with an upside down question mark between every letter of my text. Have learned to not use any special Android characters, etc. :)
 
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