Eris Wifi working without mobile service

[Bxrider11]

This is news to me and I figured i would share it with my fellow Droiders.

I just switched from the Eris to the Moto Droid. I figured switching would render my Eris usless because when starting up the Moto Droid, I had to go through an update orientation and had to connect the phone to a number before getting a chance to view the hoem screen. However, my Eris still works. I can not make phone calls, but I can still use it with the Wifi in my house and can play the music that is stored on the memory card. It is like an Eris Touch. I can also still get apps from the Market and update existing apps.

Figured I would share it with everyone else.

 

[mimmic]

I don't mean this to sound bad...it just will be...

You canceled your cell phone service on your phone and expected the other features to stop working?

 

[Bxrider11]

O.

I don't mean this to sound bad...it just will be...

You canceled your cell phone service on your phone and expected the other features to stop working?

My skin is a little thicker than that. I was only pointing that out because as I was setting up my Moto Droid I could not use it in that manner until it was activated so I figured by deactivating my Eris I would not be able use it either.

 

[40_LTDShooter]

Its true, I've used a Moto Droid without cell service as a wireless internet device, not to mention a mp3 player. It will even do turn by turn nav. without cell service so it's a GPS unit as well. Plenty of good uses for a Droid without cell service.

 

[Droidcula]

This is news to me and I figured i would share it with my fellow Droiders.

I just switched from the Eris to the Moto Droid. I figured switching would render my Eris usless because when starting up the Moto Droid, I had to go through an update orientation and had to connect the phone to a number before getting a chance to view the hoem screen. However, my Eris still works. I can not make phone calls, but I can still use it with the Wifi in my house and can play the music that is stored on the memory card. It is like an Eris Touch. I can also still get apps from the Market and update existing apps.

Figured I would share it with everyone else.

I switched over to the Eris last month. My old Samsung Juke still works. I can still make calls on it also.

 

[mpaquette]

I think a lot of us have recently switched from a BlackBerry to the Eris. On a BlackBerry, if you don't have a data connection through your wireless carrier to RIM, your phone is useless.

 

[Caddyman]

that is just the way BB works with the network. BB is a whole nother animal, which is why they do what they do so well.

 

[mpaquette]

that is just the way BB works with the network. BB is a whole nother animal, which is why they do what they do so well.

Yep, and that was my biggest reason for switching to Android, especially after the latest RIM outage that rendered my phone useless. I was just pointing this out to the posters that were surprised that the OP was surprised that his Eris worked w/o having an active line of service attached to it.

 

[tcbj]

This is news to me and I figured i would share it with my fellow Droiders.

I just switched from the Eris to the Moto Droid. I figured switching would render my Eris usless because when starting up the Moto Droid, I had to go through an update orientation and had to connect the phone to a number before getting a chance to view the hoem screen. However, my Eris still works. I can not make phone calls, but I can still use it with the Wifi in my house and can play the music that is stored on the memory card. It is like an Eris Touch. I can also still get apps from the Market and update existing apps.

Figured I would share it with everyone else.

Ok, I saw this thread. I wasn't going to say anything but I just can't help it.
I have to ask...were you really surprised that the eris still worked on "WiFi" after you disconnected from the network?

 

[BAM1369]

On the eris i forgot to pay my bill so my service is shut off ans with the service off i cant use wifi. Every time i open the browser the "WEB PAGE NOT AVAILABLE" message pops up, no matter what web page i try.

 

[Droidcula]

On the eris i forgot to pay my bill so my service is shut off ans with the service off i cant use wifi. Every time i open the browser the "WEB PAGE NOT AVAILABLE" message pops up, no matter what web page i try.

Just so I'm clear about something. Do you mean the Wifi or the Mobile? Makes sense the mobile won't work but I still find it hard to believe the WiFi won't work.

 

[BAM1369]

Just like i said my phone service is off and i still cant browse the web even though i get a good wifi signal.

 

[Droidcula]

Just like i said my phone service is off and i still cant browse the web even though i get a good wifi signal.

So help us out here. What works and what doesn't work if you're bill isn't paid? Does anything that needs internet work or don't work?

PS...it takes my phone a few seconds (20) to obtain a good signal in order to use WiFi. Some WiFi sites show good and OPEN but won't let you in also.

 

[BAM1369]

The phone turns on and all of my games work all apps that dont use the web work. The android mark dose not work.

the phone is connected to a good wifi signal but any web page i try i get that "WEB PAGE NOT AVAILABLE" message.

 

[Droidcula]

The phone turns on and all of my games work all apps that dont use the web work. The android mark dose not work.

the phone is connected to a good wifi signal but any web page i try i get that "WEB PAGE NOT AVAILABLE" message.

Do me a favor. Try clearing the cache and data then check again.

 

[BAM1369]

I just tryed that and it didnt work. Dose anyone else on here have a eris that has no service, i'd like to see if any one else is having this problem.

 

[starseed42]

TO everyone who is surprised that the poster was surprised that it still worked.. You give the greedy cell phone companies too much credit..

The fact that the eris has an unlocked GPS was a HUGE step for verizon.. They lock phones down and cripple their features like no ones business..

So yes, I was pleasantly surprised to hear this is the case. Thanks

 

[rick311]

when i first got my phone i was able to surf the web via wifi even before i activated the phone.

 

[Doit2it]

I just tryed that and it didnt work. Dose anyone else on here have a eris that has no service, i'd like to see if any one else is having this problem.

I had an Eris for about a week that had a bad ESN, so no service at all possible. I was still able to use WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS. I downloaded apps, surfed the web, used GPS features no problems.

I'd try to set up your WiFi again. Settings / Wireless Controls / WiFi Settings. Long press on the WiFi network you are having trouble with and select Forget Network. Toggle WiFi off and on and try to reconnect to the network, putting in any passwords, etc.

You might also try to temporarily disable any WEP/WAP on your home network and see if you can connect then. If so, you are not setting up the WiFi correctly on the Eris.

 

[refthemc]

This is news to me and I figured i would share it with my fellow Droiders.

I just switched from the Eris to the Moto Droid. I figured switching would render my Eris usless because when starting up the Moto Droid, I had to go through an update orientation and had to connect the phone to a number before getting a chance to view the hoem screen. However, my Eris still works. I can not make phone calls, but I can still use it with the Wifi in my house and can play the music that is stored on the memory card. It is like an Eris Touch. I can also still get apps from the Market and update existing apps.

Figured I would share it with everyone else.

That's cool. Thanks for the info

 

[BAM1369]

I paid my bill today. The payment did not come out of my account yet but they turn on my mobile service. Still no web, the 3g is also not working. Do you think it is verizon blocking my network till they take out the payment? Or should i call them to see whats up.

 

[Doit2it]

I paid my bill today. The payment did not come out of my account yet but they turn on my mobile service. Still no web, the 3g is also not working. Do you think it is verizon blocking my network till they take out the payment? Or should i call them to see whats up.

But you can use the voice (place calls)?

If not, is your Eris in Airplane mode? There will be an icon of an airplane in the notification bar. Turn off airplane mode: Settings / Wireless controls / uncheck Airplane mode

If that doesn't help, contact Verizon directly for help. I'm stumped.

 

[weihl165]

Ok, I saw this thread. I wasn't going to say anything but I just can't help it.
I have to ask...were you really surprised that the eris still worked on "WiFi" after you disconnected from the network?

Well I would say apparently he was or he wouldnt have posted this thread. Thank you OP I did not know this either.

 

[Droidcula]

I had an Eris for about a week that had a bad ESN, so no service at all possible. I was still able to use WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS. I downloaded apps, surfed the web, used GPS features no problems.

I'd try to set up your WiFi again. Settings / Wireless Controls / WiFi Settings. Long press on the WiFi network you are having trouble with and select Forget Network. Toggle WiFi off and on and try to reconnect to the network, putting in any passwords, etc.

You might also try to temporarily disable any WEP/WAP on your home network and see if you can connect then. If so, you are not setting up the WiFi correctly on the Eris.

I was thinking that's pretty bad-A$$ they can disable a wifi NIC card if you don't pay your bill. I know if you use a third party app to turn on/off the WiFi (network settings) it sometimes causes a conflict. I was going to suggest resetting the phone.

 

[Droidcula]

I paid my bill today. The payment did not come out of my account yet but they turn on my mobile service. Still no web, the 3g is also not working. Do you think it is verizon blocking my network till they take out the payment? Or should i call them to see whats up.

I know this isn't probably what you want to hear. Have you tried resetting the phone? I know that might be a last resort other than calling tech support but it is an option.