Is my Phone Faulty?

[Guest SephirothX]

I can't figure out if this is just my location or if my phone is faulty. But the signal and wifi is awful.

Firstly I've had the phone since yesterday and unlocked it. I was planning to put 2.2 on but I stopped when I couldn't even load the web page to root it due to the signal strength. I'm holding off on that now until I figure out whether the device needs to go back. The internet works fine when I have a 3G or 3G+ signal even if it's 0-1 bars but more often than not my signal isn't even that good.

It will stay 3G for about 20-30 seconds on one bar before going down to G on 1-2 bars. Sometimes get the rare 3G+ or E at 1 bar. Tried an O2 SIM in it, it doesn't give me 3G or even G, but it gives 2-4 bars.

I have another Orange phone, but it's one of those basic phones that cost £10 a few years ago with a one inch screen, the SIM in that phone gives 2-4 bars of something. I say something because it doesn't say whether it's 3G, G or neither. I also have an old Nokia O2 phone from around 2004, that gives maximum signal but doesn't say whether it's 3G or G.

I don't know if this is down to my location or the phone. I live in a reasonably sized town (population 16k) so it's not that rural of an area. I always got on the net with my previous phone (T-Mobile) at home without issue. Surely both Orange and O2 can't be that bad at home?

Wireless, I set up the password for my home wireless and even though the router is half a meter from my phone it's saying out of range. Even if it doesn't say I'm not in range it won't seem to connect.

I suppose I should go to the town centre tomorrow and see what kind of signal I get there but I can't help thinking I should be getting a better signal at home too. I'm only a ten minute walk from the town centre and that's where the phone masts will be since it's at the top of a hill.

What do you guys think?

[Guest Steep]

If there's an Orange shop near you take it there and get them to test it, failing that try it yourself in a different place. I suppose It's quite possible that you have a bad one. I've had Sony phones like that, new from the shop.

Edited July 2, 2011 by Steep

[Guest SephirothX]

If there's an Orange shop near you take it there and get them to test it, failing that try it yourself in a different place. I suppose It's quite possible that you have a bad one. I've had Sony phones like that, new from the shop.

The nearest Orange store would mean a bus trip to the nearest city, about £4 return. Shouldn't really have to do that but I could wait until Monday when I'm in the city anyway. Sucks because if it does need replacing it will be a pain, I've a really busy schedule next week.

I'll go out tomorrow and test it around town I guess.

Right now my signal strength seems to move between 2-6 ASU which is terrible.

[Guest swisstourist]

I read here, months ago, that some ZTE have this problem. in fact the antenna is disconnecte from its connector inside the ZTE.

2 choice: you open it and fix it.

or you bring it back.

my ZTE Wifi is the best. even better than my old nokia.i live in a small town of 5000 people, and i can see 12 stations.

http://www.itc4u.net/it-chalk-board/77-gen...reception-.html

Edited July 2, 2011 by swisstourist

[Guest SephirothX]

lol I'm not going to try fix it myself. I did download that Wifi Analyser mentioned however. The figures seems decent, -30 dBm within half a meter and -63 at the other side of the room (about 3 meters). At that distance the phone says it's a good or excellent signal. Turns out I made the n00b error of forgetting to give it access control in my router settings. After doing that it connects and I get fast (for a phone) internet. So wireless seems ok.

I'm still worried about the lack of a good signal 3G or even 2G however. I'm going out to test it in a bit.

If it is the phone faulty and I have to get a replacement should I say no when they ask if I unlocked it?

Edit: It's looking like just a horrible signal where I live. I walked about 300 meters and started getting a decent signal, then went up to 3G 3-4 bars when I got to the town centre. What a shame, it will be almost unusable in the house for anything but texting and wireless internet. I rarely make/receive calls but still.

Edited July 2, 2011 by SephirothX

[Guest chealsearock]

lol I'm not going to try fix it myself. I did download that Wifi Analyser mentioned however. The figures seems decent, -30 dBm within half a meter and -63 at the other side of the room (about 3 meters). At that distance the phone says it's a good or excellent signal. Turns out I made the n00b error of forgetting to give it access control in my router settings. After doing that it connects and I get fast (for a phone) internet. So wireless seems ok.

I'm still worried about the lack of a good signal 3G or even 2G however. I'm going out to test it in a bit.

If it is the phone faulty and I have to get a replacement should I say no when they ask if I unlocked it?

Edit: It's looking like just a horrible signal where I live. I walked about 300 meters and started getting a decent signal, then went up to 3G 3-4 bars when I got to the town centre. What a shame, it will be almost unusable in the house for anything but texting and wireless internet. I rarely make/receive calls but still.

Try upgrading to Gen 2, it increases signal and Wifi.

[Guest mk_kev]

Try upgrading to Gen 2, it increases signal and Wifi.

Sorry to but in but is that statement about GEN2 and WIFI opinion or fact ?

If fact what is the best upgrade path ? :)

[Guest k0zmic]

The signal one seems debatable, for some it improves. The Wi-Fi seems more to do with the driver. See the Wifi driver fight thread for more info.

The TPT's by Wbaw, choose any one of these: http://android.modaco.com/index.php?s=&amp...t&p=1748318

Instructions are on the first page.