Frustrated Statosphere User

[68chimera]

I have to say that I have been enormously unhappy with this phone. I'm fairly proficient technically, but I don't have the time this phone takes for troubleshooting. My data connection is extremely sporadic. The data connection drops frequently. I'm looking at doing my second factory reset in two months. The first one was for the data connectivity issues. It seemed to help for about a week, now it's back to its glitchy self. Of course, since I did the update I can't determine if the cause of my connectivity is the update or the phone. I travel extensively and have found that this phone is terribly unreliable on the road.

Now I have to do the reset b/c of the USB process failure. Of course, it would be too easy to be able to copy my files to my PC before doing the factory reset so I felt forced to purchase the paid backup solution. I guess I'm really just venting. I can't talk to normies about it b/c the only response I get is "why don't you just get the iPhone?" (Because I hate iTunes)

 

[smegal1215]

i rooted mine. dont have as many issues now

 

[jesta192]

For the record, rooting by itself does not solve any problems. It can enable you to fix the problem yourself, but it isn't a magic fix.

Regarding the USB issue, I've heard that you can clear the Cache for the Settings app and it might solve the Force Close messages. It is much faster and easier than a factory reset, so I recommend trying it. Beware that a couple settings may need to be set again; see this post: https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/784197

There are several threads in various places confirming that the data problem has to do with the software update (although neither Samsung nor Verizon has officially admitted a problem yet). Examples

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-stratosphere/187524-internet-connection-failures.html
https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/783651?start=0&tstart=0
https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/871547
https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/872442
http://www.facebook.com/11883011621...346482800&wend=1349074799&pagefilter=2&ustart (EDIT: apparently you have to log into Facebook to see this one)

SamsungSupport on Facebook (the last link) has told me they are looking into the problem, but so far no answers. Personally I'd be happy with a ROM image for the EI2 software which I could flash back myself. EI2 ran pretty well.

 

[anon(94115)]

here you go then: [EI2][Stock][Odin][Cwm]Full Deodexed Rooted Stock - Stratosphere Development - RootzWiki

If you are into ROMs, I recommend tweaked

 

[jesta192]

here you go then: [EI2][Stock][Odin][Cwm]Full Deodexed Rooted Stock - Stratosphere Development - RootzWiki

If you are into ROMs, I recommend tweaked

I appreciate the link, but unfortunately I don't believe it's that simple. The ROM for EI2 would also need to contain the modem files since they have been replaced by the FF1 update. As far as I have found, the Odin file for this does not exist in public. If you know otherwise, many would be glad to hear about it!

 

[anon(94115)]

Message dw either here or over on roots. It says that it is a full system dump so by all the definitions I know, that would include the modem.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dwitherell]

Unfortunately it does not. Modems are tricky business on this phone (particularly the CDMA one), and there isn't an easy way to switch around unfortunately.

 

[jesta192]

Thanks to DW for answering this.

By the way, I'm still on the FF1 baseband (modems), but I have flashed back to EI2 kernel and ROM, and the phone is working! The only known issue is the signal meter shows zero bars permanently (at least where I'm at). The reporting method for the signal strength changed since EI2, so the EI2 ROM doesn't understand what's coming from the modem firmware now. However, this doesn't seem to affect operation of the phone; it is a visual artifact.

Plus, according to this post: https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/883343#883343, Samsung/Verizon have finally noticed the problem and are issuing a software update. Unfortunately the wait looks to be about 3-4 weeks... But at least there is progress!

 

[jesta192]

Here's how I temporarily fixed the FF1 data and Wi-Fi problem while we wait for a real fix from Samsung and Verizon:
How I (seriously) fixed FF1 data problem! - Stratosphere - RootzWiki

 

[anon(94115)]

I want to apologize to the the thread. My wife has the strat and she has been happy with the initial setup with tweaked, so I guess I spoke from the hip without really knowing. I went on wht I thought was experience while forgetting each phone is different. My apologies

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[68chimera]

Wanted to give a quick update:

I've been going now for a few weeks since my last reset. The phone is actually much more reliable. The reset seems to have stablized the phone nicely. The GPS actually works much more consistently, internet works much better. All in all - much improved. I recommend taking the pain. I'm still not thrilled with battery utilization, but I don't blame this particular unit. After my previous ing - situation largely resolved. Now if Spotify would clean up their mobile app but that's a different thread...

Thanks all!