"Error invalid number" when replying to text messages

[Flapjack]

I'm still getting used to my Treo 750 (moved from a BB Pearl). This seems like a pretty simple problem to fix, but the answer eludes me.

Before I go any further, I feel compelled to tell you I have zero contacts stored. This is not an issue of me not putting the area code in the contact's phone number.

That being said, I walked out of the store with my new 750, and the first thing I did was type my g/f a text message. I put in the 7 digits and it immediately came back "use the 10 digit number". Fine. I deleted the message and created a new one with her 10-digit number. She got it and replied, and I got the message a few seconds later. When I hit "reply", her previous message shows in the threaded view. There is no option to change the number, and it shows up in the title bar with no area code. I just don't understand this garbage.

So what I have to do is wait until the message comes back undeliverable, go into threaded view, hit the menu button and hit "resend". THEN I can change the number and add the area code.

Keep in mind, this happened with the phone as soon as I left the store with not a single contact stored. I was hoping after I upgraded it to WM6, the problem would go away... but it didn't.

[Flapjack]

I talked with AT&T, and they suggested creating a contact to ensure the 10-digit dialing is applied. I can open up contacts and send a message. It delivers without issue. But as soon as I get a reply, it goes into the "threaded" mode which seems to completely ignore the fact the device needs 10 digits to work.

This is not a network problem. I can dial out 7-digit phone numbers all day long. As soon as I try to send an SMS, however, it barfs.

If the phone requires 10-digits to send an SMS, why in the world wouldn't replying through the threaded conversation (IM style) use the 10-digit number as well?! Don't get me wrong... I love this phone, but this has got to be one of the stupidest mistakes I've ever seen. And to think it happens on both WM5 and the beta AT&T WM6 ROM.

Now, if you had the opportunity to put in the area code when replying in threaded mode, this wouldn't be so big a deal. It would still be irritating to do every time, though.

I thought possibly there would be an options page in the threaded view where you could set either 7 or 10-digit dialing. Well, there's an options page. Trouble is when you go there, IT'S BLANK!

So for now, I have "Create chats from messages" set to "never". What a great feature. Too bad I can't use it....