Had my Desire a couple of weeks now and so far I'm fairly impressed, it's a great phone, however, there are 2 fairly major problems I'm getting which I'm hoping Vodafone or HTC can sort otherwise it's going to have to go back to the shop.
1. The Camera - While using the camera I am getting an odd glitch where the picture showing on screen is split into quarters (not equal quarters) and are all different colours. So say one of the quarters is Blue, the other Red etc and as I move the phone around to focus other objects the 4 quarters move around making it impossible to take a picture. I've also had the problem where pressing the optical button does not do anything, this normally happens after I go back to the app after the split picture problem occurs. I'll try and get a picture up of this later.
2. The network keeps dropping out - For some very odd reason, and seems only when I'm at home, the network (Vodafone) keeps dropping out a lot. It also fluctuates in signal strength a lot from nothing up to 4 bars. When the network is off then obviously I cannot send/receive calls or texts which is a fairly major problem for me. I've changed my Sim but this does not seemed to have helped at all. Another thing is that when I go to settings and try to register the phone automatically onto the network it says "your SIM does not allow a connection to the network" and whats worse is that if I go to register manually onto the Voda network, the phone hangs for a while trying to register and then reboots itself. Yet sometimes if I do it this way it registers back onto the network fine!
So, not sure if these problems are to do with software, hardware and in point 2's case, the network. My GF has a Voda phone and does not get any problems at home, infact we both have had vodafone for the last 5 years while at this address without any problems at all, which make me think its more likely the phone that's faulty.
Anyway, I will ring Voda again today and see what they say, no doubt they will probably just replace the phone.
I have been out and about when the camera has played up so, at the time I hadn't got my camera to take a picture of what the screen looked like. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't let me take a picture while the screen was all messed up, everything else looked fine so I'm pretty sure its not the screen, just a bug in the camera software or a faulty camera. I've tried to repeat the problem this morning without any joy but I will keep trying so I can take a photo of what it looks like.
I would also lean towards the signal problems being the networks fault but none of my other phones had a problem with signal strength where I am and neither does my gf who is also on Voda. I checked the signal strength settings and I'm getting an average of -95 dBm which after doing a bit of Googling is a fairly low strength.
The antennae is housed in the bottom of the handset I think (like the nexus). If you pick it up and hold it by the base (covering the antennae), then you will have issues with weird signal reports.
Do you find the signal is fine, then you pick it up to have a closer look and it falls?
Same issues with the Nokia E71 a year or so ago.
The antennae is housed in the bottom of the handset I think (like the nexus). If you pick it up and hold it by the base (covering the antennae), then you will have issues with weird signal reports.
Do you find the signal is fine, then you pick it up to have a closer look and it falls?
Same issues with the Nokia E71 a year or so ago.
You learn to get around it.
Hi trick202, the signal just drops even when I'm not holding it. I can leave it on my desk with 3 bars shown and then when I next look at the phone it has no service at all. If I then pick the phone up there is still no service, I then go into the settings and it says not connected to network etc etc. Then I can leave the phone for 5 mins and the signal is back, or it could be 20mins.
If I go into the settings like mentioned above and try to connect to the network using the Automatic register option, it says my SIM does not allow connections to this network, or if I use the manually connect option and select Voda from the list, the phone tries to register and then reboots itself.
I currently have a signal and the dBm is -73 and I have 4 bars, but then a little later I will have nothing at all, yet my gf phone will still have 4 bars (different phone).
I might do a master reset later before I call Voda or HTC as I'm sure they will just get me to do this first anyway.
EDIT: Sometimes when I do go to settings and try to register automatically or manually it registers and then I get the signal back again.
The antennae is housed in the bottom of the handset I think (like the nexus). If you pick it up and hold it by the base (covering the antennae), then you will have issues with weird signal reports.
Do you find the signal is fine, then you pick it up to have a closer look and it falls?
Same issues with the Nokia E71 a year or so ago.
You learn to get around it.
Surely this can't be right, you're saying that by holding the phone in you're hindering it's network performance !?!?!
Surely HTC wouldn't release a phone with this issue.
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Some people reported this with the Hero, but I never believed it myself. If it was true I would have had problems like this, and I never did. So that points to it being the network, not the phone.
Some people reported this with the Hero, but I never believed it myself. If it was true I would have had problems like this, and I never did. So that points to it being the network, not the phone.
I would normally agree but as I said above... my previous phones have worked perfectly at this same address for the last 5 years, so have my girlfriend's. It is a very odd problem but for me it's fairly major as I'm unable to receive any calls when the service drops out. I will keep you posted to how I get on with it after I've done a factory reset.
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As its with vodafone, do they provide a desire with generic firmware? Wonder if its something to do with the network settings on the phone if vodafone didn't add it themselves? No idea if it is but might be worth investigating
I guess it could be that, the Firmware version is 2.1-update1 and the Build is 1.15.161.4 CL155070 release keys. I can't call them at the moment but will do as soon as I can and see what they say about this.
I've had irritating little connection issues with my Desire on Vodafone. Nothing quite as bad as yours, but it's definitely not as good as my Hero used to be.
I agree with Lekky, check network settings. It can be very troublesome if you select the wrong access point 'Post Pay vs Pre-Pay'
check to see if you are on auto as well instead of GSM or WCDMA manual.
I'm on vodafone. Maybe someone on a branded device could add the settings here.
The standard Vodafone 'Post-Pay' settings on the phone are correct, if you're on a contract. I verified them with what I had on my Hero.
Mine works fine 95% of the time, but occassionally it will struggle to get a signal if it's been on standby for some time, or if it's been on WiFi for quite a while and then has to switch to a mobile signal. This never happened with my Hero.
The antennae is housed in the bottom of the handset I think (like the nexus). If you pick it up and hold it by the base (covering the antennae), then you will have issues with weird signal reports.
This is rubbish IMHO...mobile phone signals pass through human tissue/bone with no attenuation.
It's metal structures that shield signals.
__________________
(Had) Brown Hero on O2 Simplicity.
(Now) Desire on Vodafone.
I noticed today that I was getting a very bad signal in my house, almost always no service at all and I couldn't call or text. The phone had been on non-stop since I got it just under a week ago, so I tried powering it off and back on, and the signal returned to a good 3 or 4 bars like normal. Strange.
Ok, I kept an eye on my phone all yesterday and it was left on all night (as usual) and the connection hasn't dropped once, infact I've pretty much had a full 4 bars constantly.
I haven't changed anything on the phone but there is one thing I have noticed, and that is that the phone is connected via GPRS. Now since I got the phone it has pretty much been connected up via HSDPA, so maybe this has something to do with it? Although I thought this was the connection type for data and not voice, I don't know but it has made a considerable difference.
It is also worth noting that Always On is switched off on my phone and I have wifi on all the time, so yesterday it never needed to connect via the data connection to voda. Today I am going to turn wifi off and see if it tries to connect up via HSDPA again and see what happens to the connection.
So at the moment I'm guessing that when it connects via HSDPA it causes problems, however, I don't know how this can be resolved as there is not a setting anywhere that I can find to specify what type of connections the phone can connect by.
Last edited by JasonC; April 20th, 2010 at 04:05 AM.
I've also managed to get pictures of my camera problem!
The only thing I have done it turn wifi off (as per my post above) and the battery level is approx 10%, but I've also had this problem when the battery is nearly full.
First pic shows the screen split into 2 and the second is split into 4, these splits move around at random and I think it does it when it autofocuses. I did manage to take photos while it was like this and the photos came out fine, although I'm sure the other day it would not let me take a picture at all while it was like this.
Menu > Settings > Wireless and networks > Mobile Networks > Network mode.
You can set either GSM, WCDMA, or auto. It should be in auto but if you really want to kill HSDPA then set it to GSM only.
To be honest I don't think this is your problem but you can give it a go.
Thanks, but yea I've already found that settings and it's on Auto. I would prefer it to connect via HSDPA but reliably, and I cannot work out why it wont now and only connects via GPRS.
For your network issue, try turning 3g connection off.Connect using GSM only and see how that works.Ive seen thats its helped me in the past.
Well as it happens, it wont let me connect up via 3G or HSDPA today and I'm in the same location, I can't for the life of me work out why, I guess it could be something to do with Vodafone maybe testing HSDPA around here or something and now they've switched it off? I don't know, but the network isn't dropping out at all while it's stuck in GPRS mode. It normally connects via HSDPA which is when I get the problems it seems.
Yes, according to their coverage map I have an Excellent service for standard Services and Very Good for 3G and Mobile Broadband. This is why I'm wondering why I only have a GPRS connection now, I'll have to call them.
today i made a call with a signal of -71dBm which is full bars, without moving the call cut out 6 times will no signal. after about 10 to 30 sec i have full signal again, redial and continue the call.
at the end of the call i checked the signal and it was at -67dBm still showing full bars.
i contacted my carrer and was told to log it and they will contact me tomorrow.
il let yu know the out come. it may be the same issues.
Could be a network thing... I'm from Derby and have a similar problem... I'm used to getting different signal strengths from different areas of the house etc. but this seems to be much more sensitive I've not done any proper testing yet though...
Well I've been out and about today and mine has been switching from GPRS to EDGE and to HSDPA, I'm now back at my office and it is fixed to HSDPA, whereas for the whole morning and yesterday it was fixed to GPRS.
The signal strength has dropped a lot while on HSDPA and is on about -90dBm (approx 2 bars) compared to -70 odd when on GPRS, so I'm guessing that the problem is with the HSDPA signal.
I haven't had chance to call voda yet but will do in the morning.
Sounds familiar to me. My Blackberry Bold 9000 would generally get max or near-max signal strength at home, whilst connected to 3G except for some very rare occasions. With my new Desire - the same network - I'm lucky to get 3 bars of signal and it's more likely I'll see 1 or 2.
Also, for the first time ever yesterday when at home, someone phoned me and it went straight to voicemail.
I don't know if it's all in my head but I think my signal got better in general in the last couple of days...
Hmmm, your not the only one! mine hasn't dropped out at all over the last couple of days and it's still connected via HSDPA, that's why I haven't called voda yet as I will look like a fool It's still only 2-3 bars signal but I'm not too worried about that as long as the connection doesn't drop completely like it was doing.
Hmmm, your not the only one! mine hasn't dropped out at all over the last couple of days and it's still connected via HSDPA, that's why I haven't called voda yet as I will look like a fool It's still only 2-3 bars signal but I'm not too worried about that as long as the connection doesn't drop completely like it was doing.
That's the same for me - mine's not disconnected at all yet either like it has been... awesome Maybe they've being doing some maintenance on the towers or something, or maybe it's a coincidence and we should wait a bit longer to be more scientific
Oh, and by the way, Derbyshire Hi-5! I was in Swadlincote a couple of weeks ago for the ski slope
That's the same for me - mine's not disconnected at all yet either like it has been... awesome Maybe they've being doing some maintenance on the towers or something, or maybe it's a coincidence and we should wait a bit longer to be more scientific
Oh, and by the way, Derbyshire Hi-5! I was in Swadlincote a couple of weeks ago for the ski slope
Yea I'll keep an eye on it for a while longer to see how it goes.
Lol, I live opposite the Ski Slope, yet since the 5 years I've been here I've never even been to it! I guess I should pop over and have a go one day
Hi I have exactly the same issue as your point 2. The only way to get it to re find the network is to switch off and on again. I think this is a hardware fault.
Hi I have exactly the same issue as your point 2. The only way to get it to re find the network is to switch off and on again. I think this is a hardware fault.
This might be it, because I'm having the same issue and just realised in the OP it says on Vodafone but I'm on T Mobile so it can't be the network, can it? And I did turn it off yesterday...
Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonC
Lol, I live opposite the Ski Slope, yet since the 5 years I've been here I've never even been to it! I guess I should pop over and have a go one day
It was the second time I went - it's nothing like real snow though At Easter, they had £5 for an hour, which is when I was there
For those with signal problems: I'm on Vodafone, in Hull (notorious for poor connections, and bad radio/tv receptions esp freeview) and am getting fine coverage all over. It's an unbranded fone with settings from the sim card. Have you tried a full reboot (i.e. backup everything, sim out, battery out, start again)?
I have had my Desire a few days now, and after being blown away with how much better than my Hero it is, I have experienced exactly the same connectivity issues.
It will loose connection totally every few minutes or so, for a few seconds, then it's back to normal connection with several bars and HSDPA/GPRS. I can't hold a conversation on the phone this way, and it will kick me out of typing a text mid way through if it looses connection. I have tried setting network, removing HSDPA, restarting etc.
The handset itself is bought in Norway, but I live in the UK (I wasn't due an upgrade until next year). I am from there, so the language options were better on a Scandinavian handset and I got the 25% VAT off. HTC has a limited warranty which is valid through the EU/EEA, so should not affect my rights, other than that I can't really return it to the shop. I am on T Mobile, and had a Hero before, which never had this issue. The SIM is the same, and everything backed up from google/Mybackup Pro.
Worth rebooting and restarting? Nothing has changed from my Hero or network provider.
Apart from this it's an awsome device, but I'd like to say it is an awsome PHONE too!
1.15.405.4 for an HTC phone. 1.15.110.11 on T-Mobile 1.15.61.10 on Orange
Vodafone not mentioned on htc site, which is not unusual for voda, they are never quick at updating s/ware which is why my desire is SIMFREE UNLOCKED bought like that from Carphone wharehouse. i have o2 simcard in phone at the moment, also use orange sim/voda sim, i have no problems with phone because its got htc s/ware version 1.15.405.4.
Had a play with camera it had no problems with a multi coloured/split screen affect, ive just had a look on voda forum lotsa ppl asking about s/ware update for htc desire.
The last phone i got on vodafone network was the ericsson c905 and i had tons of problems with it all relating to vodafone branded s/ware, got rid and got my desire 3 weeks ago.
The HTC Desire is one of the latest high end phone by HTC bringing a huge 3.7" inch high quality AMOLED screen for crystal clear viewing, powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and runs on, you guessed it, Android.
We first heard a... Read More
2 fairly major probs with Desire
I've not done any proper testing yet though...
It's still only 2-3 bars signal but I'm not too worried about that as long as the connection doesn't drop completely like it was doing.
Maybe they've being doing some maintenance on the towers or something, or maybe it's a coincidence and we should wait a bit longer to be more scientific 
