Flaky reception .. return?

[duncantuna]

I recently bought a used Moto Droid (Verizon) on eBay. I love the phone, but I think its cell reception is really odd.

I live in a major metropolitan area that Verizon reports is covered by 3G, yet inside (and outside) my home, the 3g indicator is rarely lit, or will flicker on for a moment, then off.

I've had many phones in this house, and none of them have had problems .. usually had around 3 bars. The Droid is not so lucky, upon boot, the Droid will show 3g briefly, drop to 1 bar, drop to "1x" .. then finally flip to roaming and stay there.

That'd be fine if the phone consistently received calls. I've placed a few dozen test calls (using a land line) .. about half of them never ring the phone. Again, that was NOT a problem with any other phone I've ever had with Verizon at my house.

I do love the Droid .. so the question is: Are all Droids that bad? Should I return this one, and try another one on eBay? -- Is there some diagnostic or app that could help explain this issue?

TIA.

 

[aDroidman]

Did you do a complete reset? and droids are not bad but they could become messed up on the inside with the circuit board which would mean you would need a new one.

 

[duncantuna]

I did not do a "complete reset" .. although the phone looked very "default" when I first got it.

If a "complete reset" would possibly help, I'd certainly do it. How is it done?

 

[aDroidman]

Ok this is how you do it. Turn the phone off, while it is off open it and hold X while holding X press and hold the power button. Keep holding it till you get to a screen that has a triangle caution thing you can stop holding X and the power key. Press the volume up and camera key then while the phone is open use the key pad to go to factory reset. Hope this helps

 

[mwhartman]

Try dialing *228 and reprogram your phone. If you have issues call the VZW customer service.

Mike

 

[duncantuna]

I suppose I should have mentioned .. I've done *228 (2) a couple times now which has been successful, yet the poor reception remains.

Also .. I would be hesitant to call Verizon, as this phone was purchased off eBay.

So: Anyone else think a factory reset would help this issue?

 

[beavervalley]

I am having similar reception issues with the Moto droid. VZ is sending me the third replacement to see if the hardware is defective... however, I have found many other people that have similar reception experience with these devices... Maybe they need an external antennae like the old microtacs...

 

[Backnblack]

Maybe they need an external antennae like the old microtacs...

Doubt that is needed.... If the reception is poor at your home you might need a network extender.

 

[nerdbox08]

I've also been having some issues.

For the most part I chalk it up to all the activations on the network with the x launching, but is it possible the metal of the phone might actually be interfering? I don't see how it could be the cause since it made it through testing, but I'm running out of ideas.