Help Signal drops completely - HTC Desire S

[schnide]

So that's from the Android 2.3.5 ROM with sense 3.0, I wonder how long that will take to become official. Does the Desire S have the hardware to support sense 3.0, I thought HTC had said it wouldn't run on single core phones.

Well they would, wouldn't they? But those over at the XDA Developers forum say different

 

[notebook]

So that's from the Android 2.3.5 ROM with sense 3.0, I wonder how long that will take to become official. Does the Desire S have the hardware to support sense 3.0, I thought HTC had said it wouldn't run on single core phones.

There are several custom ROMs for the Desire S with Sense 3.0.

And, very recently, there was a leaked version of Sense 3.5, which looks like a Sense 3.0 Lite. Whereas Sense 3.0 was designed to work on dual-core phones, Sense 3.5 is designed to work on single core.

However, as the custom ROMs prove, both work very smoothly on the Desire S.

Also, a month ago, there was a leak of a beta HTC ROM for the Desire S with Gingerbread 2.3.5 and Sense 3.0, which people believe will be offered as an FOTA/download. However, as it was beta, it might end up as something very different, if and when it's published.

 

[mark_baguley]

Yeah "if and when" is right, would be great to get Gingerbread 2.3.5 and Sense 3.0 but at the moment I'd settle for knowing I'm going to buy a phone that actually receives calls!

 

[mark_baguley]

Just tweeted this thread to HTC, they replied saying it would be passed on internally, worth a shot!

 

[schnide]

Nice work Mark. It's only by piling on the pressure that we'll ever find out what's happened, and what's happening.

I think what's most likely is that the next software update will solve these problems and we'll never be told what happened - but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[OEM+]

I understand that HTC shouldn't release an update that has messed up our phones, but HTC do not develop any update, Android do surely?

All HTC can do is notify the Android devs?

Either way I would like a working phone!

 

[mark_baguley]

I understand that HTC shouldn't release an update that has messed up our phones, but HTC do not develop any update, Android do surely?

All HTC can do is notify the Android devs?

Either way I would like a working phone!

It's my understanding that Google develop the base Android software and then HTC skin that with their sense interface and modify the code to suit their devices, for example the radio module that is causing all the problems would have been developed specifically for the Desire S by HTC so it is solely their fault if it isn't working. Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[ukgun]

I am awaiting delivery of my 3rd desire s from orange today..I had the same as you Mike, reconditioned phone with the software update already installed..I was told by a rep at orange yesterday that it is acceptable for txt msg,s to take 24 hours to come through, it

 

[schnide]

Nice work. When you get the Sensation, follow the instructions for battery life that I posted here when I first got my Desire S:

New Desire S only - Make your battery last three days - HTC Desire S

I'd read that the Sensation battery life could be terrible but, following this method, I'm only running my battery down for the second time and I got my new phone on Monday

If, for whatever reason you aren't successful in getting the replacement, then downgrade instructions are here if you decide to go for this method instead of waiting for any new software to be released:

http://androidforums.com/htc-desire-s/396171-signal-drops-completely-htc-desire-s-5.html#post3213686

 

[solorize]

Today

 

[mark_baguley]

Well done 'solorize' for getting O2 to sort you out, it does worry me that networks seem to be so quick to replace the phones with a different model, I hope people with the problem are still nagging the networks and HTC to sort it out.

 

[solorize]

Just to let you know the chap I was dealing with in the Repairs & Returns was quite insitant that he would only send me out a replacement Desire S to begin with and it took a lot of me explaining over and over again that I did not want to have the same problem. Until he went and had a chat with his manager. I had to be quite persistant to get the Sensation.

He also said that he would make the manager aware that there was a problem with the 1.47.206.2 software, so hopefully more and more people in O2 are becoming aware of how wide spread this problem now is.

 

[billy06]

what is a o2 refurbished handset? Glossary

 

[schnide]

For those wanting a brand new replacement, I'd advise you not to go through the Repairs team - deal with Customer Service or, if you at all can, go higher.

It's very possible that a refurb/return phone will be practically new, but if you don't want to take the gamble, don't settle for anything less than you're happy with.

In the meantime, in wearing down my Sensation to condition the battery, it ran into it's fourth day

 

[Frannybobs]

Thanks to schnide I now have a fully functioning HTC Desire S again, phone calls coming through, and my texts coming through on time as well. Absolutely made up. Cheers

 

[solorize]

I finally got a call today from O2 complaints department.

I told the lady that I had already had a chat with Customer Service and Repairs and Returns on Saturday and they will be exchanging my phone on Tuesday.

She then sent me an email to confirm she had spoken to me and said if there were any other problems that I could contact her back directly, which is nice to know. Fingerscrossed the replacement Sensation will be ok, I just hope its not covered in scratches etc.. as my Desire S is "as new" and has no scratches etc. I have taken a few photo's just incase my new phone is in a bad condition and then I will be able to show them what my original phone was like and that I want a phone in similar condition.

 

[starman316]

i got a brand new sensation, not a replacement, make sure you state u want a new one and insist apon it. it took me 2 attempts to get what i wanted

 

[mike2777]

Fingerscrossed the replacement Sensation will be ok, I just hope its not covered in scratches etc.. as my Desire S is "as new" and has no scratches etc. I have taken a few photo's just incase my new phone is in a bad condition and then I will be able to show them what my original phone was like and that I want a phone in similar condition.

A refurbed phone should reach you in tip top condition, with no scratches or marks, big company's like 02-Orange etc know better than to send out something thats just going to come straight back. I've had a couple of them over the years, and if you didn't know it was a refurb, you wouldn't notice. Keep us informed how yours arrives.

 

[schnide]

I don't know about anyone else's view on this, but by now I get the distinct impression that this issue is generally known by the networks and HTC, at least by those people who 'matter', and that it's being swept under the carpet. That's whether it really is isolated to the Desire S at least in this incarnation or a wider problem with WCDMA/Android/HTC phones etc. Neither company wants to admit they have what could be a common problem even if it doesn't originate from them.

So I can only be grateful that places like these forums exist, and collectively we've all come to our own ways of solving it.

 

[spider90]

I am very unimpressed by o2 at the moment. I recently sent my phone away however they failed to spot the issue (despite the person on the phone telling me the issue is known) and so have sent the phone back with the 'latest update' despite already having it and it causing the issues.
Now i have the phone back i have tried 2 different SIM cards and it says 'limited service' and wont connect to any mobile network deeming the phone unusable.
I have just spoken to another o2 'Guru' who has even confirmed the issue with the phone...


Jamie: I have spoken to people in store who have 'unofficially' confirmed the issue (http://androidforums.com/htc-desire-s/396171-signal-drops-completely-htc-desire-s.html) which many other people have had. However when the phone goes to repair the issue is not acknowleged
Quentin: I do agree to that and the signal issue with the phone.


So now I am left with o2 'guru's' accepting there is an issue, o2 not fixing or sending a replacement phone and now sending me a faulty phone back!!!


I wasn't even going to get this phone but instead an Iphone, however after chatting to a few people in the shop they highly reconmended the Desire S. I am not impressed one bit

 

[mark_baguley]

@spider90 Well done for getting them to admit the problem, if enough people do this and point them to this thread then it should get back to HTC and something will be done. Don't give up on the Desire S yet, from what I've heard and the little time I've had to play with one it's a great device, just let down by some dodgy QA at HTC when making this software update.

 

[solorize]

I was shocked earlier today when my receptionist called up to say my replacement phone was in reception to be collected! I wasn't expecting it until tomorrow.

So I ended up popping down to get it, then I had to try and remember where the Factory Reset option was, which under pressure (as they wanted to get away) I couldn't remember. Luckily they had a problem with their barcode reader, so I had a bit more time and managed to remember where the setting was.

I then got up to my desk and had a good look at my Sensation, and can confirm that it is in good condition i.e. no scratched. it wouldn't turn on though, so have put it on charge and then it worked, I must of had a completely drained battery.

One thing I had noticed that is different to the Desire S is that the charging led light is now within the speaker grille.

I think I will leave it on charge until I get home tonight and then set the phone up properly.

 

[schnide]

Let's try and keep this focussed on Desire S users with problems, so that new visitors know what this thread is about, and how to fix them plus any updates to the situation..

Speaking of which, my Sensation is reporting an update to Android 2.3.4, which I'm downloading now. Cancel that - it finished downloading the 44MB in about three minutes and just as I started writing this sentence, so it's installing.

The fact that now, through this thread and others, I know we can safely downgrade our phones if we really must, I'm happy enough to try this without fear of no return.

Hopefully, the same kind of update will happen shortly for the Desire S and fix the problems that this thread existed for in the first place.

(And if it all goes t**s up, look out for a "Support Signal drops completely - HTC Sensation" thread soon!!!)

 

[mark_baguley]

HTC replied to me saying they can't access 3rd party sites so cannot view the forum; I've described the problem as best I can:

"I understand that you do not have access to outside sites so will describe the problem. In the current software update to the HTC Desire S (1.47.xxx.x) there is an issue which affects the functionality of calling and sending or receiving text messages:

- Phone will often not accept incoming calls, they will go directly to voicemail.
- Text messages are delivered late or not at all.
- When the phone is locked it will lose signal and not be able to reconnect.
- Possibly alleviated when GSM only is selected indicating a problem when 3G is enabled.
- Only permanent fix is to downgrade software to 1.28.xxx.x or 1.31.xxx.x by switching to S-OFF and installing an offical RUU.
- Other ticket number raised with the same issue are below:
11GBCW32ENA000343
11GBC350001164
11GBC340004263
11GBC350002296
11GBCW35ENA000689
- Other forums with members reporting problems:
[Q] Issue with 1.47.401.4 : often get "Limited Service" and hard to get signal back - xda-developers
Network Signal drops out every morning! after software upgrade - HTC Desire S
O2 Forum :: View topic - HTC Desire S Firmware Update 1.47 206.2 ISSUES
Signal lost when screen timeouts - HTC Desire S

I very much want to purchase this phone however I see little point if I am going to have to invalidate my warranty as soon as I get it just to make it work as a phone i.e. sending and receiving calls! This problem needs to be escalated to management and your technical departments so a fixed OTA update can be pushed out. If someone can read the forum you will see people are returning their phones and switching to different brands over this issue which I'm sure if not what you want as a company.

Please update me on the response from this and whether it will be fixed soon.

Regards,
Mark Baguley"

Will let you know what I get back from that if anything, hope it was okay to quote the various ticket numbers from this thread.

 

[notebook]

Re fixes: Another possible fix is to remove the battery for about an hour. This will (apparently) reset the phone's connection to the carrier's network and the network's 'awareness' of the phone.

No idea if this will work for everyone, but it's easy to try, although it could be a version of the 'Airplane Mode fix'.

Just remember to power down the phone properly before removing the battery.