Hey guys,
So, I finally rooted my Desire (no so much because i was unhappy with what i have, but more because I could ). I just wanted to share some general observations about the whole process and ask a few questions. This is my first android device and the first time I root/flash a rom so for all accounts and purposes I am a newbie.
Things I learned:
1. Save your APN settings BEFORE you do anything. My provider (Softbank, Japan) locks APN info and you can't even see it - use a third party app like ApnManager that exports the info to a xml file. If you don't you will find yourself without network after rooting. Also, if you are on Softbank (or other such ****ty carriers) you might have different APN settings for different data plans.
2. From what I understand you can use any SD card after rooting. You will need a goldcard only when flashing a new ROM.
3. After rooting it found itself an update (the 1.21) but for some reason it never finished updating. So, I flashed a new ROM instead.
4. Battery life improved a lot after flashing new ROM (I was on 1.18 before, Pays-ROM is 1.21). I had 13% left after around 14 hours with casual browsing over wifi, few phone calls and an hour or two of reading books on it... Before it would have died on me after the 8th-9th hour I think.
Questions:
1. After I rooted (and, after tons of googling, found APN settings that worked) I noticed my phone never stayed on "3G", always switched to "HSDPA". From what I understand, HSDPA is faster (I am consitently getting 2Mbps download). However, it is not the behavior I experienced before rooting. Most of the time I had the phone use "3G" and only so often switch to "H". Now it seems it tries "3G", doesn't get a response, and switches to "H". So, I am curious if anyone has any knowledge about this, is it normal, etc.
same i get H when i am on 3G but it seems slower for me when i am on H . are you on orange ?
Nope, softbank (Japan). Try to run a network speed test... What speeds do you get?
Some ROMS don't include the "H" icon for HSDPA and will show the "3G" icon instead.
Pays-rom has it. It just doesn't stay on the "3G" at all - always switches to "H" after 2-3 second delay... Before I flashed it showed mostly "3G" and rarely "H"...
@the OP, you will probably find that you are getting H reception now because you used new APN settings. The original settings probably have a few parameters that were different. There was a thread in general about this very subject. people altered their APN settings and got much faster speeds.
The only roms that don't have the H symbol are the new froyo beta's. All 2.1 roms have this icon, although the H symbol has been worked in to some of the new beta's now.
Your understanding about the SD card is correct. You only need a goldcard during the rooting process. Any standard SD card will then work as normal.
@faddys, if you are on H you should get the best speeds. Download a speedtest app from the market and test it.
Related
Check the thread pages to see results from other users who have had much better results than the ones I got.
This solution was discovered while I was checking out the CDMA Hero forum, so I don't take credit for discovering the method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=651848&highlight=cell+standby
Goto dialer and dial *#*#4636#*#* (DO NOT press send) wait a second and you will get the test menu.
In the test menu choose 'Phone Information'
scroll down and choose on the first drop down - GSM auto (PRL) (for high speed data) or GSM only (You may get 3g if not use GSM auto (PRL))
Back out to test menu then back into 'Phone information' to see if it sticks (if not try again) then back all the way out.
You might want to reboot, but I found the settings worked straight away.
Edit 3 - I don't take any responsibility for step 6 - 6) Try other settings on the dropdown if you are brave as I don't know the consequencies of using settings like "EvDo only" and "unknown" as they may be better depending on the way your provider provides information.
Edit 4 - can't seem to select the other settings like EvDo and unkown anyway.
Edit 3 - TBH - GSM auto (PRL) is working for me with HSDPA and I will try
(PRL) instead of GSM auto (PRL) <- edit - previously it mistakenly said GSM only
the CDMA and WCDMA settings later to see what other effects there are.
This way I managed to get 5½ hrs and only lose 10% battery (GSM Only)! (Edit 3-) Slightly more drain with GSM auto (PRL) but still better than before.
Previous to this I lost 35% in the same amount of time with the same use (sometimes even more when I didn't even use the phone all night).
Hope the devs can make use of this (maybe mess with other settings in there to improve battery more.). I did notice that the GSM auto (PRL) uses a bit more battery than GSM only, but that is to be expected.
Edit: Actually you might need to set it on each reboot, not sure, the settings stayed when I rebooted
Edit 2: When you change roms (or re-install a rom) you will need to do this again, but should stay after a normal reboot as it does for me.
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Results:
Your results will vary depending on the rom, but it should improve battery performance - some have had better results than me using this.
GSM only <---- If you don't get 3g with this it is the same as 2g setting then use GSM auto (PRL) if you want faster than 2g (as some people are getting 3g on GSM only - I will investigate. (if you don't use internet or don't need fast internet)
5½ Hrs - lost 5% Battery - This one is same as running 2g as you don't get HSDPA, but using Opera browser makes browsing fast even using this. If you want Higher speed data use the one below.
GSM auto (PRL) <---- Recommended if you want High speed Internet and save battery
1:40am to 2:00pm (12hrs 20 mins) - lost 40% battery with moderate use a bit of surfing at HSDPA speeds, a few calls and messing with a few apps. Other people have had even better results than me though, so I might change my rom and try again. (I would usually about this amount of time I would have lost about 70-75% - and yes it was that ridiculous - I had to find something to stop this).
" WCDMA Only"
2:06pm to 11:37pm - (9hrs 31mins) lost 46% battery again moderate use and a reboot
This one might be useful if you live in a place that has low GSM signal like the chap in post #10 as it does give HSDPA - but this is only a suggestion as I cannot test it in Iceland. Anyway
" WCDMA preferred"
6:02am to 2:51pm - (8hr 49mins) lost 41% battery this time with less use that the WCDMA use and no reboots.
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Conclusion: (For me anyway)
SO my preference is GSM auto (PRL) some people have got some excellent results with this. You may, however, require one of the other options depending on your service provider signals.
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EXTRA OPTIONS :
Other settings you can change: (You may have tried this already)
If you don't get GSM auto (PRL) then if you press the menu button on your phone in the 'phone information' page and select 'radio band', you may be able to change it to Automatic or one of the other settings and then you might get GSM auto (PRL).
Available Radio Bands * You may get others depending on the radio you have installed, but I haven't confirmed this*
Automatic
EURO Band
USA Band
JAPAN Band
AUS Band
AUS2 Band
There are other settings there that I haven't messed with, maybe someone with more knowledge may be able to help
Thanks to those who found out what PRL stood for, I will try to update this info in the instructions soon.
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I think the reason this works is because it prevents the phone from constanly looking a round for various networks types as it I did notice that the Cell standby time is always high and using this method the cell can standby without constantly searching for a signal thereby wasting power. ALso using this method my "Awake time" is a LOT LOT lower than my "Up time" - about 1200% less (is that right 12 times lower (Up 12hrs - Awake 1hr) ?) - before this the two times were most of the time the same and some times slightly lower. - I'm sure someone will let me know if this theory is incorrect - and I'm open to and welcome that.
This is my experience you can read other peoples who have achieved a lot better than me, and I'm glad I spotted this and let you guys know. (Those who are saying that you've known about this test menu thanks for letting me know that you knew about it before, but a lot of other people didn't know about it. ALso I don't think people have used this as a tool for increasing battery in the GSM section of the forum. As I mentioned at the top of this post I noticed it in the CDMA section as a way of increasing battery performance. - credits to them for thinking it up in the first place.) -
All I am saying though, is to test it out yourself.
.
.
Just tried this. If it works i'll kiss you.
petsasj said:
Just tried this. If it works i'll kiss you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in that case I don't know whether I want it to work now, LOL, unless you're a fit babe.
I went back to 1.5 for battery problems, let me know if it works so i can go to 2.1 roms
This is just using 2g instead of 3g, isn't it?
xangma said:
This is just using 2g instead of 3g, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said in the first post GSM (auto) PRL gives you 3g/hdspa but not as brilliant battery as GSM only, but is better than before.
I am now unplugged from fully charged. Will report back in the morning and throughout the day to let you know if this works.
About PRL, here's what some telecom website says:
The term PRL actually refers to file stored in your phone. This file directs the phone to find alternative networks to operate on when the primary operator cannot be reached. Updating the PRL will store in the phone which are the most up to date, current networks to operate on. In order to operate on another carrier’s network your primary service provider must have a roaming agreement with other carriers.
Almost all phone carriers, such as Oxygen, Locus, Cingular, Verizon, etc. have roaming agreements with other major service providers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess it's useful?
Suppose so.
I am on a fairly small operator in Iceland and my phone started roaming when I did this.
I lost 3G connection and went over to Edge...
Switched back to the WCDMA Preferred.... My provider has a little limited coverage but has no roaming charges on the GSM network.
Any ideas what setting I should use for my phone other then WCDMA preferred
Yea mine is on Wcdma preferred when i go into it. Im on t-mobile uk. Ive left it for now as dont really know how long this battery is lasting. Going to give it a few days to see an average
skimminstones said:
Yea mine is on Wcdma preferred when i go into it. Im on t-mobile uk. Ive left it for now as dont really know how long this battery is lasting. Going to give it a few days to see an average
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on T-Mobile UK and GSM auto (PRL) gives me 3g/H and GSM only gives me gprs. Like I said, both give me loads of battery time (GSM auto PRL is a bit less than GSM only though).
Interesting, I may have done this accidentally a few days ago...
I just checked and it was already on GSM auto PRL, I'd changed this in my build.prop last time i was fiddling:
ro.telephony.default_network = 0
I thought that would give me wcdma preferred but apparently not...
I'll have done your tutorial ... will wait till end of day what happens
Definitely helped battery life.
Thumbs up!
In fact i can be wrong, but this tip only disable 3G access... only GSM and Edga.. so it save some battery for sure.. but you will navigate slower if you have a real 3G or 3G+ access.. am i wrong ?
Ciao
Fred
Surely this does the same as the button in the options to just use 2G?
frederikk said:
In fact i can be wrong, but this tip only disable 3G access... only GSM and Edga.. so it save some battery for sure.. but you will navigate slower if you have a real 3G or 3G+ access.. am i wrong ?
Ciao
Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't HSDPA faster than 3G?
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Downlink_Packet_Access
in which case you would get your faster browsing using GSM auto (PRL) - giving you HSDPA. I certainly get a H showing at the top of the screen while browsing and it isn't constantly connected when I'm not browsing, which it was doing (connecting and disconnecting all the time) before I chose this setting, and thereby my battery life was extended a lot.
Edit: Just try it - if it doesn't work just put it back to your original setting, it has worked for me - There are other settings in there but I have not tested them out yet.
btdag said:
Surely this does the same as the button in the options to just use 2G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be, but not if you choose GSM auto (PRL) - also make sure you have the correct APN settings from your service provider. I did notice that the standard APN's on the phone have always been a little different from the ones on the T-Mobile UK website.
This is not a fix for the battery issues in 2.1 roms, althought it may help as 3g doesn't use the same amount of battery as 2g. But i think everyone knows that anyway. Much easier having the 2g/3g toggle on the home screen and changing it to 2g only when you are not using the web browser etc
ps: before people say other wise this menu has been known for ages and every rom I use is always on GSM.
Hi all,
I got my Desire from the British carrier "Three" last April when it came out. It was stocked with Android 2.1 but the phone was unbranded and not locked so making life much easier.
I rooted the phone weeks later and flashed a number of various roms and radios (usually newest ones recommended by rom developers) and just played around with them. No problems ever occured and everything went smooth.
However a while ago (about 4 weeks I would say) strange thing happened: when the carrier 3 does not gave 3G coverage it usually switches to other network's 2G roaming service. It is also possible to switch to 2G permanently by forcing it via phone settings. It stopped working in Central London for me while still worked elsewhere (very strange) so I had to rely only on 3G service. I thought it was a network issue at first but now I'm not sure.
Later (or at least so I noticed) the connectivity started fooling around: even when standstill (i.e. NOT in a train, bus etc.) and staying at home the network connectivity just disappears all of a sudden. Sometimes it comes back by itself and sometimes I just do it manually via netowking settings. This is much more common when on the move (i.e. on the train etc. even though it never used to happen before). Moreover, sometimes while manually searching for network it says "your sim would not allow to connect to this network" even though I try to connect to the correct one. Instead I switch "WCDMA only" and "WCDMA/GSM auto" options and connection comes back by itself. Then it disappears again after a while. Even more strangely, connection does not disappear if I am talking on the phone with someone but in other situations (such as browsing internet) it just disappears and I see no bars in network reception indicator and cannot connect to internet or make phone calls.
I know 3 has a reputation (deserved or not) of having "bad" network but I don't think this has anything to do with that. My Desire used to work fine before and never had such problems (except in specific spots which have bad coverage). Moreover, I have another old phone and it works fine without any problems with networking while the Desire messes around. I am sure it has either to do with firmware or, worse, hardware.
I have tried a number of roms, radios and settings and it's the same thing all over.
If nothing works is there a way I can still bring it to warranty service after flashing "unrooted" stock rom if there is one available? I'm so frustrated because I have no idea why this is happening.
Its because three have switched off 2g roaming I have the same problem. Search Google
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Sounds like a silly request... but see if my train of thought makes any sense.
Background: I have an evo running on pageplus. I've followed the tut's, and had sporadic 1xRTT data working. I also tested running the phone using the verizon (pp) setup for mobile profiles, being simply one profile rather than the three required for it to connect to data.
What I've discovered (using the debug tool ##DEBUG#) is that using the three data profiles, the phone never authenticates for EVDO, and thus, stays at 1X, but the data does work. Using one profile, the phone does authenticate, but the connection never actually starts. I've read that it is because of the way the sprint provisioning works. Needless to say, at 1X battery life is horrendous.. as the phone is constantly trying to authenticate with EVDO cell bands. With EVDO and 1 profile, battery life is fantastic, but there's no data stream.
SO... I'm not sure if the final step of data startup (where the phone checks to see if it is using a sprint mobile data or verizon mobile data) is part of the ROM, or coded somehow into the radio firmware (or both).
I was thinking of trying to port a rom from, say, an incredible or Eris (any VZW phone).. to see if it'll actually start data with true 3G.
I figure XDA is the best place to ask.. these forums have been indispensable to me for all my phone nerding needs. =-)
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Bueller.. anyone? anyone? Frye?
I'd really love to flash CM9 or an ICS ROM on my Page Plus carried Evo4G, I had it flashed on when I went through Sprint but, what precautions should Itake and is it even possible? Sorry for the bump, I searched and searched and couldn't find info about this since Feb so I'm finally asking
Hi,
I have some data connection problems since the first day i bought my DHD.
The phone reception signal bar are always changing even when i am not moving at all.
It can generally move from H to 3G a few times, then go to E and then G, in a few seconds.
it always moves, my internet connection is very slow.
It's as if the radio was always trying to renegociate the method of communication (GPRS, 3G, etc) with the operator's antenna
When i am in a phone call, i got disconnected sometimes or the sound stop during a few seconds (the time the radio switch from 3G/H to E/G i guess)
When i disable WCDMA from the settings i get a quite stable sound during my phones calls (maybe because the phone no more tries to negociate). But for Internet... it's just slow.
I tried a few ROMs, and their respectives radio rom (the one with the IRL branded in the ROM) i sometimes thought it was better but always it's still too unuseable.
I tried my SIM card in an iphone 3GS and i am usually in Edge (sometimes 3G) but when its 3G i can surf quickly during hours (if i don't move). This is not the case with the DHD.
btw i am on the french carrier SFR
If any of u had any clues i would really appreciate your help.
Thanks you
what rom are you using and what radio and ril................... now what radio are you on now
OP already stated he tried numerous ROMS and their cooresponding radios. Sounds like the signal is that degraded that any radio/ril combination will not help.
Thanks for your replies.
As said i tried many ones with their respective recommanded radio.
I am actually trying Radio_12.62.60.27_26.13.04.19_M with Android Revolution HD 4G_6.1.1 with no sense script.
Are there tests i could do to identify if its a hardware problem (like standing in front of an antenna and running some special tool maybe)
Btw, i also tried :
-RCMix3D_Runny_v1.3 but does work with internet pass through (wich is really important since i can't use internet from my phone carrier...)
-niarkMIUI-3.9.1
-LeeDrOiD_HD_V4.0.0-SE-3.0-BETA with Radio_12.54.60.25_26.09.04.11_M2
-cm_ace_full-203 with my stock radio ROM
-virtuous_unity-v2.37.0 with i don't remember wich one...
P.S : i would be Glad to test any ROM / Radio combinaison you would suggest me.
Thanks by advance for your attention
if you tried all those roms and diffident radios seems like its more like a hardware or provider issue does it happen off different towers or maybe you can go to one of the stores and try the phone at the store with yours at the same time?
Thank for the advice indeed i need to try this.
Do you know what i need to revert back for the tech not to tell the waranty is over since i have flashed my phone ?
Does i need to reflash the recovery etc? is there some tutorial in this subject because if i go to the store with my custom rom i guess i won't get too much help :/
Don't even take out your phone, your going to say your just looking, don't show anyone your phone, they won't even know what to look for, just test your phone to the one at the store, make sure apn's match. But if you return your phone you'll need to ruu back to stock. You can search easy s-on
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
What happens if you manually select 3G only, or 2G only from the settings menu? Does it just lose signal, or stays strong?
Hi
If i select 3G only
I first get no reception (as if when switching from 2G to 3G the radio had to restart)
Then the 3G signal appear strong, decrease slowly in less than 30 seconds, and after all, it seems quite stable.
The bandwidth is good i am downloading fastly
(i am commenting in real time)
Still no deconnection.
I will try it during the whole day and tell how it is behaving.
umm during a few seconds, there were no indicator (no 3G or H), just 3 bars.
It then restarted in H with 1 bar (i am not moving at all)
What will happen if i have no 3G in my area ? I won't be able to receve a phone call ?
Thanks
elfrancesco said:
Hi
If i select 3G only
I first get no reception (as if when switching from 2G to 3G the radio had to restart)
Then the 3G signal appear strong, decrease slowly in less than 30 seconds, and after all, it seems quite stable.
The bandwidth is good i am downloading fastly
(i am commenting in real time)
Still no deconnection.
I will try it during the whole day and tell how it is behaving.
umm during a few seconds, there were no indicator (no 3G or H), just 3 bars.
It then restarted in H with 1 bar (i am not moving at all)
What will happen if i have no 3G in my area ? I won't be able to receve a phone call ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you force it to 3G only, and you move out of 3G area, then you should either get a no signal indicator, or if you have roaming enabled, you would get the roaming indicator. I'm curious now because as you said you aren't moving, and it's still changing. That shouldn't happen. Hmmm
Hey guys. Strange thing just happened to my Gnex overnight. I'm currently on a OTA JB Rom. Unlocked and rooted. Stock radio. In the morning I found my phone with 0 bars of GSM signal. Thought it might be my GiffGaff operator who was down just recently. But the situation didn't change during the day. My SIM works perfectly in other phones. Other SIMs I put seem to catch signal briefly (mere second) during OS boot and even get an SMS but then it goes down to hell. What's strange is that the HSDPA works!!! Even though the indicator show 0 bars pages do load and I can use mobile internet. But can't make calls and send texts.. The signal strength shows -109 dB, HSDPA. Seems legit. But damn, what's happening to It?
Currently doing a nandroid backup and will try to either revert to earlier JB or ICS backups or try to flash something for the sake of experiment.. BTW reflashing stock XXLF1 radio didn't change a thing..
Have you checked to make sure that the network settings or on auto, or tried changing the network gettings to GSM(2g) only? Worth a shot ^^
So yeah..Flashing MIUI (4.0.4) didn't help..flashing another (older) radio didn't help as well..I'm out of ideas here..
I've entered the *#*#4636#*#* menu and tried to switch WHSDPA-preferred to GSM only. It didn't actually work. Ech..Flashing back my backup (to make things worse MD sum mismatched and I've lost the most recent backup)
So...I managed to get signal with a roaming SIM card. Though I can't call or text anyway. Even though I have 2-3 bars. Dammit, what can it be?