First Treo, and problems already :(

[ladyeclectic]

I just bought a used Palm Treo 700p for Verizon which came with none of the installation software. My roommate had a good experience with buying one online so I was hoping I'd have similar good luck. Was looking forward to it all week, waiting for it to come, and it arrived today. Already, however, I have problems.

- the installation software didn't come with the phone, and I didn't realize you needed this to install VersaMail. I'm not interested in using the Sync email but am despairing on where to get the drivers/software that usually comes with the phone. Is there any place online I can download it, or if nothing else buy it?
- I am getting TERRIBLE reception with this thing. Whenever I put the phone up to my ear, I lose a call within seconds; speakerphone works great as long as I keep it away from my head, but the minute I put it to my head I lose reception. It's as if anytime it's near my head it can't get reception. I read that others are having this same problem, is there a way to fix it or will I need to use speakerphone from now on when calling (so not my preferred method)?
- two buttons on the front, the green one and the phone button, don't work. This has me irked as I was not told about this on Ebay. How, if possible, can I go about getting those fixed? There's no warranty so do I contact Verizon or Palm?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still stoked about this product. I've spent the last several hours fiddling with the internet (nice and fast! Yay for EVDO!) and learning what everything does, but I'm a little bummed by the absense of Versamail (even though I can log on the internet easily enough) and the terrible phone-call quality. Anyone want to help a Treo-n00b out with some info, pretty please? With a cherry on top?


Sarah

[benjie]

My 700P never had head reception problems. As for the buttons not working, the green button is considered by a few here and there as an extra button - I never used it for calls, I assigned it to do other things and the phone function can be assigned to another button. However.....

Have you looked at the Palm website for Versasmell (http://www.palm.com/us/support/downl...reo700pverizon).

From what you have told us, I am positive the original owner dumped it on you without being totally honest; hence the reason I would never consider a used device of this type.

The Treo 700P is an excellent device (I had one and after a bit of work, it was a very solid device). May I suggest if you are in a position to maybe switch providers or talk to someone about getting maybe a Centro or a refurbished Treo from a reliable source.

Ben

[ladyeclectic]

It seems like a good phone, I'm just having troubles with the programming now. I downloaded the Palm Desktop and VersaMail from the Palm website but whenever I sync the phone it does the rebooting loop and I can only stop it by doing a hard reset.

When I get home to my laptop I'll dl the programs from the site you said to see if I have the up-to-date versions, maybe that will change things. But is it worth it to send the phone back to Palm and have them work on it, or to just return this one and get a new one? Also, where would I pick up a refurbished model of the phone?

[benjie]

The key problem can be as simple as a mis-alignment of dust under the key. A lot of it depends upon how much you want to spend with the phone. Years ago I opened a 600 without a problem and fixed the problem. Another phone I opened up required major surgery so I put it back together and took it to the hospital. The tech there asked if it had been opened and I said yes, he said it violated the warranty and that was that.

A used phone presents a problem. With no warranty, repairs will not be cheap and if fixed, you still have a phone with no warranty. So in my case, since my devices have always been heavily used for work, a warrant of some type is very important and hence the reason I have stayed away from used phones related to work. I would opt for a new phone. There are companies out there that refurbish phones - a search would be required for that information. Palm repairs - that is an option and a phone call would probably answer that question.

Good luck. Ben

[ladyeclectic]

Well I went to the Verizon store yesterday and purchased a new Treo 755p with a two-year contract. With my service rebate (I'd been in over 2 years so had a $100 credit on my account towards a new phone) I was able to get it for $150 after the mail-in rebate, so I really can't complain. I should have just done this in the first place as I wasn't going to leave Verizon (they're the best service I've had between T-Mobile and ATT/Cingular); guess I got hung up on not wanting a contract. Great phone so far, and it has both the warranty and the insurance package.

Now off to the 755 boards! ;) Thanks for the help.

[benjie]

The warranty and insurance are important features to look at when purchasing a PDA such as a Treo. For those of us who use them heavily, no warranty/insurance is really not practical. The contract is not a big issue, I went without one with Sprint for a couple of years. The convenience of a warranty/insurance is noticable the first time you need it. Ben

[stevetaz]

Originally Posted by benjie

The convenience of a warranty/insurance is noticable the first time you need it. Ben

Amen to that!!!

SteveTaz