vB Easy Archive - Verizon Pulled The 8900

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Verizon Pulled The 8900
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Posted by: therock8888

I just got a 8900 for Christmas. I kept getting "Network Authentication Failed" errors whenever I sent or received picture mail. So I called verizon. They said that they pulled these phones and are no longer selling them. They told me to go to the store where I got it and I can exchange it for a LG V6000.

OK, what if I dont want that phone. The lady told me that that is the only other picture phone avail.

I am in NY, so how come other people arent having this problem on these boards? Should I just stick it out and hope for a software upgrade?? This is BS

S/W Version :
T095VEDT19_1.189

Posted by: johnbrain666

There has been a ton of info on this here. Call back Customer service and tell them to make sure National Access ( or ENMOU) is enabled.

That is the high speed network for picture messaging, and the lame CS reps overlook this everytime.

Posted by: Krome

Quote:

Originally posted by therock8888
They said that they pulled these phones and are no longer selling them.

I called four Verizon stores, two in Manhattan and two in Jersey. Only one of them told me that it wasn't going to be re-released, but the other 3 said they were going to be released again once the software issues are fixed, which they said is very soon.

If you haven't already, you might want to get your phone flashed. Not sure if that'll help you, but a bunch of other 8900 owners on the board got theirs flashed and it seemed to have helped them.

Posted by: Maak

This is incorrect information. Verizon has not stopped selling nor supporting this phone. I was told that another flash release is likely, but no confirmed date.

Posted by: Mike Daley

I called Verizon today (Florida) and they said all the 8900's were pulled due to a software problem. The phones were returned to Audiovox and are expected back next week. So they are going to sell them - we just have to wait for the shipment to get back.

Posted by: j2tha0e

haha.... verizon isn't pulling those phones. you got a ported number huh?
get the phone flashed to T20. amd it should be ok. i've experienced that when we first got those phones back in.
none of the phones of that version that you have should have been sold except if you got the phone the first day it was released. they pushed the new software version to the stores the 2nd day of release and the new software version only applies to someone with a ported number (adds mdn/min capabilities).

Posted by: johnbrain666

You sound like a knowledgable VZW employee.

So if I ordered my phone online as an uograde, and it shipped the 2nd day it was out mid-December, shoul dit already have the upgrade?

I wasn't ported over. If I check the s/w version, which am I looking for?

Mine is t095..... I haven;t had any problems

Posted by: therock8888

How do I get the phone flashed? Im assuming I go to the original Verizon store. The way things go for me, they will tell me they cant or something...

So I guess Im the only one with this problem.

Posted by: Pack

I would think your best bet is to call around to some of the VZ stores in your area and ask if they have this capability.

I did this for a previous phone I had, and some stores had 'flashing' capabilities, and some didn't.

So I went to a store that said they could do this. Then when I get there, they tell me they couldn't do it anyway because they didn't have the right cable to hook up my phone to their hardware. What??!!

Worth a try.

Posted by: Mike Daley

I went to my Verizon store in Florida and they had the software to upgrade the phone. They explained to me that the problem had nothing to do with the functionality of the phone other than for portability (if you took your number to another carrier).

Posted by: steelerfan

I did some research on this subject before I purchased my 8900 last week. I spoke with several (4) service workers for Verizon and I was told that Verizon did in fact stop selling the 8900 for a short period of time, however all new phone that have been sent to the stores are fine. The issue was not limited to ported #'s but to the web access and pix sending/receiving. This was a software issue, not a hardware issue. Your phone needs to have the latest software, which can be upgraded by pressing *228 and "send". Double check the # by calling *611 or 1-800-922-0204. Also, if you have the box your phone came in look to see if it has a yellow sticker on it. If it does, your phone was upgraded previously. If it is another color, such as blue, you need the upgrade. I also would call the 800 # rather than going to the nearest Verizon store, due to the fact that those stores are independently owned and operated, so you never know what type of service you will get.

Posted by: ~W~

damn..i lucked out....my 8900 works fine...pix mobile, ringtones...... this phne is nice... dammit...this phone can actually have pic caller id on the outside, or it should since you can take pics when the phone is close, using the external lcd screen as a view finder

Posted by: johnbrain666

Quote:

Originally posted by steelerfan
Your phone needs to have the latest software, which can be upgraded by pressing *228 and "send". Double check the # by calling *611 or 1-800-922-0204.

I don't think OTA programming can do the software upgrade. Can anyone else verify this?

Also, would that be option #1 or 2 if it does work? Option two is just PRL isn;t it?

Posted by: michael1060

From what I have heard that is correct, you can not upgrade the firmware via over the air programming. OTA option 1 will set your NAM settings - this needs to be done once when you get the phone new (ususally done by Verizon). Option 2 updates the PRL only. This should be done every month or two.

Posted by: sid pearlman

Quote:

Originally posted by michael1060
Option 2 updates the PRL only. This should be done every month or two.

PRL updates are usually, but not always an improvement. They are designed to reflect Verizon's current roaming agreements which often expand or just change.
This is for Verizon's benifit not the always the end user.

Occaisionally Verizon drops a roaming partner that some users are depending upon and it's very difficult if not impossible to get an old PRL back.

Change is not always good.

It's a little complicated to check, but updating the PRL habitually without knowing what's going to happen, could have unintended coverage consequences. At least, waiting for any problem areas to show up with new PRL coverage, might be better advice. There are people using very old PRLs with no ill effects. All depends on where one is using their phone.

Mountain Wireless PRL Page
http://www.mountainwireless.com/prl.htm

-
Sid

Posted by: sid pearlman

Quote:

Originally posted by therock8888
I just got a 8900 for Christmas. I kept getting "Network Authentication Failed" errors whenever I sent or received picturemail.

That's interesting. To create a "network authentication error", just progrmm NAM 2 with all the same info as NAM 1 and try to make a call in a Verizon market that is using fraud prevention software. No workee, the network knows the difference between NAMs and thinks it is another, fraudulent phone trying to use the account.

I wonder if this problem has something to do with the NAMs?

It's always cheaper for Verizon to recall and ship a bunch of phones to one repair location and then fix, than to take up a bunch of CS phone time or have them come piecemeal into retail stores for troubleshooting by agents of various skill who may not have the flashing equipment.

Verizon seems to never say we are too cheap to pay someone that knows how to flash the phones properly at our retail stores. It's usually the "we don't have a cable" or our "computer is down". Right. Believe me, they could get any equipment or personel if they wanted to.

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Sid

Posted by: therock8888

Quote:

Originally posted by sid pearlman
It's usually the "we don't have a cable" or our "computer is down". Right. Believe me, they could get any equipment or personel if they wanted to.

Thanks for your help guys. I got the T20 version of the software and now all is good. The funny thing was the verizon store were it was purchased 1st said that there is no software and their computers cant do it anyway. So I *****ed enough to find out what store can do it. Basically I spent 12 noon - 3:30 getting this fn phone fix because I had to drive all over to get it fixed. And to top it off, they left the little rubber stopper where the data cable goes off. The last thing I want to do is go back to get it.

Posted by: johnbrain666

Quote:

Originally posted by sid pearlman
It's usually the "we don't have a cable" or our "computer is down". Right. Believe me, they could get any equipment or personel if they wanted to.

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Sid

Yeah. My store just told me sunday they have the software but "Don't have the cable" Sounds like B.S. to me! I bet the lady just didn't feel like doing it. It was a slow day too. Perfect to be in ano otherwise busy store.

At least my t19 is running fine, but I wondered if reports that the LCD looked better after flashing is true.

I also dont want to have problems down the road.

Posted by: tella

I spoke to a VZW's technical support rep about the problem I experience with my Avox 8900. The problem can be described as if someone calls me I would not be able to see either a name or caller ID, since the VZW banner is displayed on the sub screen. The rep replies that another software update is due very soon addressing this issue, possibly in the next three weeks. The responsible party, in this case, is AUDIOVOX Co. They will release the update, not VZW.
I am sure, I will be the first to get the update. I am not talking about the Rev 2.0 upgrade! This one is a newer one yet....

Posted by: Jay5gen

Im up at school and I left the box at home. Is there any way of finding out if im Updated with just the phone. Under the settings menu i found a S/W version. (T095VEDT20_0.189)...

is that (...T20_0...) at the end what you guys are talking about... or should i take my new toy back in for service.

Posted by: acf

That's the version I have...as far as the sub-banner, when someone calls the caller ID eventually pops up in place of the banner as its ringing and then alternates with it. Wonder if that's the best we'll get...

Posted by: Got VoX

So what exactaly does "flashed" mean?

Posted by: gdeocampo

Any more news on the Verizon recall? Are the phones back in the stores?

Posted by: roxie

Quote:

Originally posted by gdeocampo
Any more news on the Verizon recall? Are the phones back in the stores?

Called a few stores today - they said they should be coming in this week's shipment and be here Wednesday or Thursday.

Posted by: acf

Where are you talking about? I've had mine (in NC) for weeks.