Okta Boss - Consistent hanging across 9 handsets

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65 posts

Master Geek

#117314 18-Mar-2008 13:10

Ashen:
Unfortunately the device sent to Telecom to be fixed still returned with the same problem of freezing / slowing down itermittantly.

I've found reviews of the device from overseas that state the HTC Libra / S720 (Okta Boss) has two problems:

1.) Crashing when using Media Player

2.) Intermittant Hangs / Freezing

It looks to be a problem that extends beyond NZ's Okta Boss and to those handsets provided by other service providers in other countries.

After much frustration from users these devices will be returned.

I still think they're a great device - very functional, easy to use etc - but their consistent hangs absolve any of those benefits.

There is also a DST issue with them, in that they do not apply the Extended DST update properly for the end of DST in 2008 on the 6th April, not 16th March (under old rules). See my other post for details.

I'd advise caution in going down the Okta Boss path.

If you don't experience any of these problems I'd hazard to guess you'd be very happy with the device - but I wouldn't take that leap.

I took peoples advice and took this phone back to Telecom. It was away for two weeks. They did some extensive testing on it but it came back with flying colours. The phone was reflashed and tested at some length from what I can gather. I haven't had the freezing problem since but I've only had the phone back 3 days. Will let you know.

If you return the phone to Telecom for repair you must say: REFLASH WITH LATEST SOFTWARE or they will not do it.

Ashen

32 posts

Geek

#117315 18-Mar-2008 13:26

Hi, good stuff - rest assured - we used capitals when asking for a "FIX"

We went for a number of days before the issue came back.

On those phones that haven't had any problems the user can go for weeks without problems, then have a rash of 3-4 failures a day for a few days in a row.

Telecom, nor Telelogistics can verify what causes the fault, so cannot determine whether flashing the phone, replacing the mainboard etc will actually resolve the issue.

I was told the mainboard was replaced and it "was" flashed to the latest software version.

Unfortunately it might be a bit of "porkies" as the ROM, Radio, Hardware, PRL, PRI were exactly the same as those devices which weren't sent away.

I'd be keen to know what versions you have for these items - my understanding is that there isn't a later software update, there are no known beta's that I've been able to find.

Apparently the mainboard was replaced with a newer "revision" but I am unable to determine this.

freitasm

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#117316 18-Mar-2008 13:27

Ashen:
I was told the mainboard was replaced and it "was" flashed to the latest software version.

Have you checked the About information to see if the OS build and Radio ROM dates and numbers are actually different from the old ones?

infused

65 posts

Master Geek

#117317 18-Mar-2008 13:28

Ok:

Rom Version: 1.33.781.1
Rom Date: 10/04/07
Radio Version: 1.45.00
PRI Version: 1.34_005

That's of the reflashed phone

freitasm

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#117318 18-Mar-2008 13:33

And what's on the old phones?

Ashen

32 posts

Geek

#117321 18-Mar-2008 14:01

Hi Infused and Frietasm - appreciate your involvement on this one.

On both the old and new my OS and ROM dates and numbers are exactly the same. I checked this after they returned.

I've checked again and checked against Infused's dates and versions.

Infused, your versions numbers exactly match my Okta Boss which hasn't been flashed and exactly matches the Okta Boss returned from Telecom that was apparently "definitely" patched.

Looks like whatever update they say they are doing doesn't increment version numbers or dates.

Or.... god forbid there are porkies involved - it's just a reflash with no upgrade at all.

infused

65 posts

Master Geek

#117322 18-Mar-2008 14:03

I gathered from what they said there is no update. They just reflashed them.

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freitasm

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#117323 18-Mar-2008 14:04

Ashen: Looks like whatever update they say they are doing doesn't increment version numbers or dates.

No upgrade was installed. The build numbers are always different with upgrades. Perhaps there's no upgrade at all.

Ashen

32 posts

Geek

#117326 18-Mar-2008 14:12

I actually asked the question "was it really flashed" and was told that, that was what Telelogistics told them.

Which I pointed out was weird considering the versions and dates were the same on the non-repaired phones and the one repaired.

It makes me tend to believe that the replacement mainboard that was put into the device, which was apparently a newer revision.... wasn't that at all either.

Anyhow. Unfortunately my staff cannot take the frustration of DST and freezing issues anymore.

They expect technology to work without hinderance - the reality is technolgy is inherently prone to something untoward - based on its complexity.

But there are other solutions out there that do not experience the same problems and this is what they need to get their job done.

Technically savy people are more forgiving of devices not always working as they should.. but this isn't the expectation of those that absolutely "rely" on their device working as it should.

If the consequences of a solution not working is failure in meeting a clients needs (the worst thing you can do) - then it's not a solution but a disaster.

Anyhow.. onwards and upwards.

Thankyou for your help.

freitasm

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#117328 18-Mar-2008 14:14

Ashen: I actually asked the question "was it really flashed" and was told that, that was what Telelogistics told them.

Yes, but not with a newer ROM - perhaps there isn't one available.

Ashen: It makes me tend to believe that the replacement mainboard that was put into the device, which was apparently a newer revision.... wasn't that at all either.

This is hard to dertemine without looking at the board then.

Ashen: Anyhow. Unfortunately my staff cannot take the frustration of DST and freezing issues anymore.

They expect technology to work without hinderance - the reality is technolgy is inherently prone to something untoward - based on its complexity.

But there are other solutions out there that do not experience the same problems and this is what they need to get their job done.

You are correct indeed...

infused

65 posts

Master Geek

#120698 3-Apr-2008 12:36

I have directed Telecom to this thread as I have had my phone sent to them, reflashed and still have issues. Hopefully they can find something out as I'm still stuck with a freezing phone.

It's to the point now where I am missing calls because it freezes for so long, by the time it unfreezes the call is over.

I think they want to replace it but I have a feeling I am going to get the same issue. I am trying to get on to one of the Titans as my co worker has one that works without issue. Telecom don't seem keen on this idea tho :P

Ashen

32 posts

Geek

#120708 3-Apr-2008 13:03

Hi Infused,

Good luck. I have stressed at each point in this process that Telecom needs to identify the cause, understand it, know what needs to be done and provide a fix.

I have confirmation that the issue is now with HTC and that the issue is with Telecom / Gen-i management - I'm confident that if it can be fixed, it will.

I still have concerns that providers in other countries have acknowledged this is an issue - yet there isn't a fix from HTC... interesting.

The time taken to get to this point has been excessive - partly due to the nature of the issue and partly due to how they managed the process from beginning to end.

If you are not satisfed at the time it takes to resolve this problem and the effects are to such an extent that it causes downtime that is untenable - you need to consider alternative options. i.e. Blackberry 8830, Samsung Global (to be released shortly) and the Triton.

If these devices don't meet your needs, consider Vodafone - there is more choice. Though you may have reasons for being with Telecom you cannot change.

I hope you have a successful outcome.

Cheers

iant

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#121141 4-Apr-2008 17:18

Hi, I've been experiencing the same intermittent problem with my Titan by HTC - which is OKTA by another name - it's been away for "repair" three times now and only in the last instance were they able to verify the fault. They've basically rebuilt he unit inside my case and have it back in the retail store were they're testing it before they give it back to me. BUT while they have had it away, they gave me a loan Titan to see how that ran - over about a week and half it has hung (I call it freezing) three times - too much to be acceptable. You can't wake the phone up by pressing the power button and as you say, you have to re-power it - I do this by rebooting. The REAL problem is while your phone is hung/frozen, anybody calling you can't get through and their call does not even get redirected to CallMinder. Of course, yes, it's a computer BUT when it's in your pocket and you don't know it's hung/frozen, you could be missing important calls - totally unacceptable because I do believe Telecom are aware of this problem. If, when I get my phone back, if it does the same thing again, I'm going to swap it for an HTC Touch which runs Mobile 6 - Titan only runs Mobile 5 as I believe does Boss. Being as Mobile 6 was well out before Telecom launched these phones, god knows why they didn't specify Mobile 6. The secret is that these were old models before Telecom even brought them into the country - the Titan doesn't even feature on HTC's home page. I posted in this forum about my problem (post 20502), but I see it has now been moved to the smart devices/windows mobile forum. Trust these thoughts have helped you.

Cheers, Ian

Ashen

32 posts

Geek

#121143 4-Apr-2008 17:26

Hi Iant, sorry to hear you've having problems.

Unfortunately the Titan is an entirely different device to the Okta Boss. Hardware and Software.

The Okta Boss runs WM6.

The cause of your issue is most likely entirely different to those which have been discussed in this post that relate to the Okta Boss.

Of course, there are the usual steps to look at - do you load specific applications etc etc.

I don't want to confuse this thread with discussion regarding the Titan, best to post outside of this thread separately. I'll provide as much help as I can.

fonechick

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#124159 16-Apr-2008 19:49

Hi Ashen,

I am working with Telecom acct management at the moment with a large proportion of our fleet (85%) of the OKTA Boss having the same issues as you have mentioned. We have plain & simple swapped out at least 3 devices and sent two for repair. Approx 4 have had the batteries replaced and we're now considering the Blackberry path. I too have forwarded this thread to Telecom because when provided with a solution - especially in a large company, you expect it to work. We were asked if it was possible if it could be user error, whereby the users were not closing down the applications, which is a reasonable request given that unlike the Palm Treo & HTC Apache & Harrier, there isn't the convienient x or ok button to close the app. However, when asking the users if they were and prompting them with a survey, most of them wanted thier Apache's back. I hope you find a resolution for your fleet, as I am campaigning to resolve mine!

Good luck!

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