"Cannot connect for an unknown reason" using T-Mobile on Vario 2

[Guest dskeeles]

Hi,

Does anyone get the "Cannot connect for an unknown reason" error when using their Vario in normal use, and if so, have you found a reason? I get it occasionally when the data connection has been disconnected (maybe while out of coverage for a while), and it's trying to re-establish the GPRS/3G link.

It happens maybe once a day or so - and it normally requires either a phone connection cycle, a power off or a soft reset to get working again. However, right now it's just refusing to work despite three resets. I'm not sure if it's the network or the phone, or both.

It shows "Connecting to: T-Mobile Internet" twice in succession, and then gives up and reports the error. I have default APN settings at the moment.

Damian

[Guest Michael 1999]

I had this problem last night from around 11pm until about 12.30am when I gave up trying to work out what the problem was. It seems to be working ok now. I reckon it must be some issue with the network rather than the phone as I haven't changed any settings.

[Guest dskeeles]

I had this problem last night from around 11pm until about 12.30am when I gave up trying to work out what the problem was. It seems to be working ok now. I reckon it must be some issue with the network rather than the phone as I haven't changed any settings.

It could be a network problem. I did phone up TMO to see if they could help - and they did. They talked me through how to switch the Vario2 into GSM-only mode! :)

You may laugh, but it does actually work! I've not had a connection failure in 24 hours. The CSA's explanation was, effectively, that although I had a WCDMA pilot signal, there wasn't enough power for the data channel, so it couldn't connect to one.

All this took place in the centre of Leicester Square at 9pm last night, with 5 3G bars on the phone. Hmmm....

Anyway - it works, and so far I seem to be getting a better, more reliable data connection - given the number of connect failures or genuinely poor 3G signal areas I was getting. I'm often getting 10kB/s - enough for effective web browsing.

Of course, I'm locked out of videocalls, Skype, streaming media and simultaneous voice/data (the Hermes is Class B(?) on 2G, it seems.

So, why did I get this thing again? :D