First Post: "Gibberish" and lost service question - Treo Forums

davistld01 · 02-22-2007, 05:43 PM

Hi, everybody! I guess everybody here has a virgin-post, and this is mine. I've only had a Treo for about a week now, after sending back the Samsung Blackjack that I just couldn't get myself to like. I am a total newbie at this smartphone thing...and a as much a total techno-moron...so please be kind to me.

The only problem I have had out of my current 680 (the first one went into a mysterious coma...so I got a new one yesterday) is a couple of incidents of a strange "gibberish" replacing the Cingular logo on the homescreen...and a loss of service that comes with it. I did a soft reset each time...and it went back to normal. Weird. It has only happened two times since I got it yesterday.

What causes that, and what can be done to fix it?

Thanks!!

Stillrockin · 02-22-2007, 07:45 PM

First of all, welcome to ET Forums! I think you will find us pretty friendly around here all and all! I guess you could say, we like virgins . . .

But with all jokes aside, I am not sure that what you are seeing isn't some sort of a hardware problem . . . . The Cingular Logo being replaced with giberish isn't what I would call "Normal" for any Treo . . . Loss of service? It happens to me when I climb on the elevator in the morning. When I get off, my service returns and my phone continues working . . . No need for a reset . . .

My only suggestion, (and I doubt this is it since you have only owned it two days) is a software question. Have you installed any new apps at all on your 680? If you have, I would suggest that you delete them and see if this continues to happen. If it does, I would be visiting Cingular once more. If it appears stable, then I would check the apps that you installed.

Hope this helps and again welcome to the ET!!!!

davistld01 · 02-22-2007, 08:35 PM

Thanks for the reply. Actually the gibberish thing apparently is really a common thing...especially to those who have Cingular-branded Treo 680's...or it seems to be according to the many posts about it on other Treo forums. I read some more about it tonight, and some think it could be a glitch associated with Cingular-branding software...while others have a theory that it is caused by the new Cingular "fireball" 3G SIM cards. Seems some claim to have fixed the issue by switching to an "old school" 32k or 64k Cingular SIM.

I don't have an answer. But, since it has only happened twice...and a soft reset seems to stop it for awhile, it's not worth going through the hassle of another equipment swap. But...if if continues much, I may be forced to.

BTW, Stillrockin...I got nosy and checked out your band (Christian blues!!), and your "Biblereader" software. I see you're a believer!! Very cool. Me too. I have been looking for a really effective parallel-type bible software that allows me to prepare to teach some young people I minister to at my church every week. Have you found several that work really well...and are easy to read on the Treo?

Good to be here!

Stillrockin · 02-22-2007, 09:11 PM

That might explain why I haven't experienced that problem. I am pretty sure mine is a 64k card since I pulled it out of my 650 and plugged it into the 680. Regardless, keep us posted as to your results!

Bible Software: I have tried several specific to Palm. Someone here recommended that I check out OliveTree Bible Reader and I have to say, its really awesome! Its the best at getting at a particular verse that I have tried! The software is free, as well as a few versions of bibles and commentaries, and ebooks, etc. But what I have found really cool is the split screen feature. You can pull up. say the King James Version and maybe, the NIV at the same book/chapter/verse for comparison. You can even split it yet another time for a third view. Or use a commentary or a dictionary all on the same screen. You can save bookmarks, or even highlight a very verse or passage for later reference! Its the most feature rich Bible Software I have found so far . . . .

I would consider it easy for me to read . . . Check it out and let me know what you think . . .

jfa · 02-22-2007, 10:05 PM

Laridian can also do the split screen thing pulling up say NIV study and King James or lots of other bibles. I have used them on pocket pc as well as palm platforms.

davistld01 · 02-23-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillrockin

That might explain why I haven't experienced that problem. I am pretty sure mine is a 64k card since I pulled it out of my 650 and plugged it into the 680. Regardless, keep us posted

Went to my friendly neighborhood Cingular corporate store today where the young man who assisted me said he had heard many reports of the same problem I had...and was kind enough to provide me with a "2G" 64k SIM, and copy my contacts as well. He said that several people had come in lately and depleted their supply of the older cards. I got the next to last one as a matter of fact...

I guess if the gibberish never raises it's ugly head again...either the SIM worked, or it was simply a once-in-a-blue-moon glitch that would never happen again no matter which SIM I use. Who knows?

I know that my new Treo has the battery patch and the old-school SIM now...and I am ready for anything!!!