ROKR E8: No Coverage Almost Everywhere

[jlacroix]

Hello all, I am new here though I've been reading around the forum and you guys appear to be very knowledgable. I have a ROKR E8 and I've been having nothing but problems. I was hoping someone could help me.

First of all, I ordered a brand new (unlocked) E8 because it has all the features that I want and the phone looked like it would be amazing. When I got it, I instantly fell in love with it and considered it the best phone I ever had. The signal, call quality, music, everything was perfect. About a week later, it stopped getting signal at my house and would switch between "no service" and "emergency calls only". I thought it was T-Mobile's problem, but the other three Motorola phones I have had perfect signal in the same area. My E8 would get great coverage in a few places, but no coverage at all in most. I tried manual network selection, doing a hard reset, reloading the firmware, removing the SD card, you name it. I eventually sent it in to Motorola under the warranty to get it repaired.

About a month and a week later, I finally got my E8 back. Unfortunately, Motorola took it upon themselves to load the locked down T-Mobile software which basically strips away almost all of the features I really enjoyed using. The locked down T-Mobile software is stripped down garbage. But at least my phone worked great when I got it back. Perfect coverage, I was so happy to have it working that I forgot about the fact that my phone was locked. Two days later unfortunately, the coverage went back to barely working and all of the original problems have now returned. I can't even use it at my own house but my RAZR and W490 work great every single place I go. (four to five bars on both). I am about to contact the seller for a refund, but I really want this phone to work because the original Motorola firmware and all of the features are amazing. I just want to make and receive calls.

Do any of you have any ideas that may save my phone at the last minute before I (sadly) get rid of it? The phone does work fine at the supermarket but that's like the only place I can get signal..

[Av3LaR]

Well E8 is already Quad-band, so that's weird, it shouldn't have those problems, Do you change anything on the phone or put it on a specific place, i mean you used the same SIM on the three phones and the other 2 get better signal, that's weird, as Motorola is usually the best phone when it comes to get signal [or ask Apollo 11]

[jlacroix]

Same sim card on each of the phones, that's correct. I also went as far as to put my wifes sim card in there too. The only settings I've messed with are the manual and automatic network selections, which I've only messed with after the problem started to reoccur.

I am at work where I usually get 4-5 bars on this phone. Today I am getting 1. I don't understand this at all. At home yesterday I had great coverage all of a sudden, but this morning it was back to no service again. The morning prior, same problem. I have to walk out to my car to get good coverage. My other phone has no problem anywhere. I am so frustrated. I missed some important business calls yesterday.

[modnmotos]

Do you have a protective case on it? I know this sounds silly but heard about this same issue with a V3re. A lady had same issues and the problem believe it or not..... a thin metal walmart case was affecting signal strength.

[jlacroix]

No, I do not have any case on it. I got home today and had virtually no signal. I missed another business call. Yesterday I was able to get more bars. The only thing that changed between yesterday and today is that it was cloudy here today. My wife's T-Mobile phone was not affected though.

[modnmotos]

Is the phone fully charged? If you power cycle the phone will it help?

[jlacroix]

Is the phone fully charged? If you power cycle the phone will it help?

Thank you so much for your assistance. I keep a full charge on my phone. I sometimes charge with my USB cable, other times with my wall adapter. I have power cycled the phone and removed the battery and that doesn't seem to help.

[modnmotos]

You could google for directions on how to take apart the phone and make sure the the atenna didnt come loose from clips. Or goto local store and let them know what your issue is and see what their advise is. Is it under warranty still? I really like this phone as well, especialy now that I got full length movies to play on it! I wish I could help more but Im out of ideas and if its affecting your buisness(missing important calls) then I would have to return it as well....