Enjoy unlimited access to all forum features for FREE! Optional upgrade available for extra perks.

Phone problem thoughts?

Discussion in 'General Board' started by Systreg, Aug 28, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Systreg

    Systreg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Posts:
    8,110
    Likes Received:
    397
    Hi,

    My phone was bought from Three in Ireland, and as I'll soon be needing to use it abroad, I decided to get it unlocked, I first tried a non Three SIM in it and it asks for "SIM network unlock PIN", that confirms it's locked to Three.

    So, I submitted an unlock request on the Three site to get an unlock code, got a reply 2 days later saying:

    I was ok with waiting 10 days, but 4 days later they send this email:

    I spoke to a few clueless people from Three after that, they were fecking useless. I pointed out I'd already tried another SIM in it, and it asks for an unlock code to be able to use another SIM, and then a rep asked if I'd tried putting another SIM in it to see if it's locked :mad: I made no progress with getting unlocked, so yesterday I submitted a complaint to Three, they replied last night with:

    Ok, so I'll get a new phone, but it'll be locked to Three, not sure why it'll be locked if the old one supposedly isn't locked?

    When I get the new one, isn't it going to be exactly the same thing again, submit an unlock request, get told they haven't got a code, that they'll get one from Samsung, then another email will say, you don't need a code, it's not locked :confused:, or, do you think it could it be a problem with the phone not recognising it's unlocked, but still asking for the code?
     
  2. Domain Forum

    Acorn Domains Elite Member

    Joined:
    1999
    Messages:
    Many
    Likes Received:
    Lots
    IWA Meetup
     
  3. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2005
    Posts:
    4,203
    Likes Received:
    101
    You'd likely be better asking on a forum or website that specialises in unlocking (you'll need to provide more specific information about your handset model). Otherwise ask on xda-developers.com if it runs Android. I could speculate but there'd be little point because you haven't even said what handset it is you do have (e.g. is it an S5 like the new one Three are sending)? Assuming it is then you haven't said what other SIM you tried? Was it another Irish network SIM? Some new Samsung's, such as the Note 3 and possibly the S5, come region locked and xda-developers.com will provide you with much more information about that. Please go ask there as they are experts. :)
     
  4. Systreg

    Systreg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Posts:
    8,110
    Likes Received:
    397
    I thought I'd ask on here as I know a lot of members use phones, and they're only general questions someone might have an idea about.

    I joined androidcentral.com when I got the phone, as I had another problem with it shorty after getting it due to some software update it installed, I didn't get any joy with that question, though, people on sites like that are too techy for me, they speak another language :)

    Yes, my current phone is a Samsung Galaxy S5 and Three will be replacing it like for like.

    The other one I tried was a Tesco.ie SIM, when putting that in the phone and turning it on, the on screen message says SIM network unlock PIN with the box to enter the unlock code, or click dismiss, when clicking dismiss, the phone loads normally, but it says emergency calls only with the tesco SIM in it.

    I'm just having a look on Google to see how I do a factory reset on the old one before I send it back.
     
  5. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2005
    Posts:
    4,203
    Likes Received:
    101
    Maybe go buy a network unlock code from a web site and see if it works.

    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2727120

    and in the future don't buy locked phones through networks. I haven't for years. Finally, although unrelated to your issue, beware of the region lock feature on newer Samsung's if importing on the grey market. These region locked phones must be used for a period of time on a network located in the original region before they will region unlock to be used worldwide.
     
  6. Systreg

    Systreg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Posts:
    8,110
    Likes Received:
    397
    Thanks,

    I hadn't heard of region locks, and reading on that last link you posted, the same SIM network unlock PIN message on my screen is mentioned there, and although you say region locks are unrelated to my problem, now I'm not sure, several posts on that link give conflicting replies.

    One says SIM-Lock means it is locked to a carrier, region lock would show no signal and no service.

    Another said no, it's SIM unlocked. I get message saying to insert "SIM network unlock PIN" which is region-lock.

    But that's from him searching Google rather than from technical knowledge, someone else said getting a carrier to unlock might also unlock region lock at the same time, all fun and games ain't it :)

    On the Three site, it says there are just 2 points you need to satisfy to be eligible for an unlock code if you're on pre pay, those are:

    I'm not a broadband customer, and to satisfy point 2, because I'd only used the phone a couple of times since I got, I put €20 on when I first got it, and another €20 I put on in June, so I put another €110 credit on it before I sent my unlock request just to make sure I was well over the €130 limit, for all the good it did me :lol:

    I wouldn't buy an unlock code, I don't trust sites like that.
     
  7. AssetDomains

    AssetDomains Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2010
    Posts:
    3,062
    Likes Received:
    76
    Try Buying a code on ebay usually cheap enough not to sweat it if things don't work I've had a few that didn't always been refunded feedback system removes any cheats I guess.
    Failing that take it along to the guy who does mobiles at your market if you have one near they can usually sort stuff out.
    Finally try taking it into a 3 store if you have one local see if they can sort it out.
    If I remember rightly you paid a fair bit for this cash not sure why it was locked anyway
     
  8. AssetDomains

    AssetDomains Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2010
    Posts:
    3,062
    Likes Received:
    76
    One other thing by the sound of it you probably hardly ever even use the thing.
    Consider selling as brand new on ebay.
    Pick yourself up a moto g 4g version unlocked
    Will probably do everything you will ever need from a smartphone. Just doesn't have fancy fingerprint bolocks and the like
    http://www.tesco.com/direct/motorola-moto-g-4g-black/404-7860.prd
     
  9. Systreg

    Systreg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Posts:
    8,110
    Likes Received:
    397
    @ AssetDomains, I wouldn't buy an unlock code, I don't trust sites like that or the codes themselves really, and not being sure what a wrong code could to do the phone, so it's no go on that option.

    The courier phoned this morning looking for directions to where I live, to deliver the new phone, he said he has to collect my old phone in exchange for the new one, I was under the impression that I had to send the old one back in the post. Anyway, I told him he couldn't deliver it today as I haven't removed my personal details and done a factory reset yet, told him to come back on Monday.

    I got on to Three again, and they've assured me that when I get the new phone and submit the unlock request form, that the phone will be unlocked within 24 hours, that's yet to be seen, fingers crossed.
     
  10. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2005
    Posts:
    4,203
    Likes Received:
    101
    I'm not sure how on earth I'm going to cope waiting until Monday when the next installment of this particular saga in your life is published!


    (from iPhone)
     
  11. Systreg

    Systreg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Posts:
    8,110
    Likes Received:
    397
    Invincible, shut the fuck up, your being a right twat today (again)
     
  12. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2005
    Posts:
    4,203
    Likes Received:
    101
    I think you might need to think hard and invent another crisis that you can then write us an essay about on here, before Monday comes around. ;-)
     
  13. Systreg

    Systreg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Posts:
    8,110
    Likes Received:
    397
    Oh my heart bleeds purple piss for you :), don't like reading, don't read, very easy eh ;)
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.