Backlight of PPC6700

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Backlight of PPC6700

Golfman32

116 posts

Master Geek

#12256 7-Mar-2007 16:59

Hi,

Has anyone else experienced issues with backlight on PPC6700.

The problem is simple, I am hoping the solution is simple.

When the device is on battery power and turned off for a while, 30 min as a example, I go to turn the device back on and the backlight is not on.

Sometimes, the unit will not come on, sometimes the backlight is off and I have to get to settings (a real pain when you can hardly see the screen) and change the backlight.

I called UTStar, they think it is a problem with some application, they suggested hard reset.

Is this just user error, is there some settings I need to use, is there applications that may affect the backlight?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank You

Dave

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#63092 7-Mar-2007 17:02

I no longer own one of these but had that same problem from time to time. It seemed to be completely random as to when it would be happen. From what I could discover there seemed to be no real fix for this.

Golfman32

116 posts

Master Geek

#63093 7-Mar-2007 17:25

Thank You for your reply.

I just completed a hard reset about a month ago, did your problem with backlight stop after a hard reset?

Also, I wanted to ask you as well, I read your information on the Apache ROM update.

Was you ROM specific to your carrier or did the upgrade pick up the information required to work properly.

I am interested in trying the update if I can confirm the following:

Is the link for ROM still available
Can I get my PPC6700 back to existing state if ROM fails
Will ROM work with my carrier (Bell Mobility), the device is out of warranty in about 1 a month
Will there be issues with PRL's (carrier specific info)
Was your device more stable after ROM upgrade
Is there any downside to upgrade?

My concern is most of the carrier regression testing in North America is done by Verizon Wireless, my carrier Bell Mobility has no plans to update to AKU 3.3.

In the end, I do not want to mess my PPC6700 up in case I sell device once PPC6800 is released.

I use SPB Backup 1.1, will this backup ROM, 2.11.17 WWE and ext ROM 2.11.71 WWE

Thank You

Dave

bradstewart

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#63097 7-Mar-2007 17:41

The ROM is not carrier specific.

Before you do an update, make sure you download the latest ROM version from Bell.

Also make a backup of the ExtROM, there are instructions on my blog.

The ROM makes the Apache a lot faster and yes it is more stable.

If something goes wrong then you can just reflash the old version then restore your backup.

Downsides include no BT DUN.

After I wrote that blog I moved to AKU 3.5 which was even better again. Update with that instead.

Download the best AKU 3.5 ROM from here. Any problems, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help.

Its a fairly painless and riskfree process as long as you backup everything you need to.

bradstewart

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#63098 7-Mar-2007 17:44

I should also add I never saw the back light issue after I upgraded from AKU 2.2 to AKU 3.x

Golfman32

116 posts

Master Geek

#63100 7-Mar-2007 17:59

Brad,

I will see if I can get the ROM from Bell Mobility, I have checked their web site, I cannot find it. The carriers in Canada are very protective of the ROM, they do not want anyone to tamper with it. Bell Mobility ROM is not on UTStar web site.

I did have UTstar re-flash my device last year, it took them an hour and then another hour to fix the issues with the device not connecting to EV-DO towers (this was the tech stars at UTstar that knew what they were doing).

Do you know of others in North America that have updated using this ROM, does this screw up setting up the voice and data services on the device and all the customization that has been done for Bell Mobility?

It was made very clear to me that there is no support from Bell or UTstar if I decide to update my ROM.

Also, I am not a techie, if I need assistance, how available are you?

For someone who has not updated a ROM, once the preparation is complete, copies of both ROM's and backup of data/programs, how much time is required?

I do not have backup device if this fails.

Sincerely

Dave

bradstewart

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#63102 7-Mar-2007 18:24

This does not affect the Radio ROM or the ExtROM which installs the carrier customisations after the ROM has been flashed. Voice and Data work fine.

You can check out the Pocket PC Geeks forum http://www.ppcgeeks.com there are lots there who have it running on Bell, Telus, Sprint and Verizon. Thats where I got the ROM. Have not read of any troubles running the update. If you follow the instructions exactly you will be fine.

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek

#63103 7-Mar-2007 18:26

Hope I am not stating the obvious but this puzzled me with the earlier model (Harrier). In actual fact when turning the Harrier off and on, if you simply hold the on/off button down will turn the backlight on or off.

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bradstewart

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#63105 7-Mar-2007 18:29

Yes same with the Apache, but the issue is when turning it off (actually just putting it in standby) and then on again, the backlight doesn't turn on. Holding the power button doesn't turn it back on, you need to manually chnage the back light brightness.

Golfman32

116 posts

Master Geek

#63107 7-Mar-2007 18:35

Brad,

Did the ROM update make any changes to your sound volume when making phone calls.

I have some people who I call make comments that they have trouble hearing me, I am using Jawbone Bluetooth Headset.

I have phone volume at highest level.

Dave

bradstewart

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#63108 7-Mar-2007 18:42

No, I found that call volume was fine, before and after the update.

It must be the headset.

How are you finding the update? Faster?

Also I forgot to mention about not being a good idea restoring an update over the top of the new AKU. It may overwrite newer system files with older backed up ones.

Golfman32

116 posts

Master Geek

#63112 7-Mar-2007 19:10

Brad,

I am still trying to track down the existing ROM.

I called Bell Mobility data tech support, they do not know if/where I can download Bell Mobility ROM 2.11.20 WWE for PPC6700.

I need to call them later this morning.

As far as volume, the main complaint is from people who are on either portable phone at other end of call or people who also have bluetooth headset on call.

The Jawbone is truely state of art for consumer Bluetooth headsets (uses vibrations from jaw).

I guess part of the problem is that we are used to excellent sound quality from landlines, some people expect the same on cell calls.

Also some of us listened to too much Led Zep and AC/DC in our younger years that we lost some hearing!!!!

Dave

freitasm

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#63125 7-Mar-2007 22:25

Don't do the upgrade yet - have you tried the tip posted above about holding the on/off button to restore the backlight? If you power down the device and keep pressing the button it will change backlight to "OFF". Turn it on and keep pressing the button to turn backlight back to "ON".

canada4U

18 posts

Geek

#63270 9-Mar-2007 15:46

Hello Golfman 32.
I'm also with Bell Monilty in Toronto.
I'd like to change to AKU 3.5 because the WM5 bluetooth stack is giving me
trouble connection to my Motorola car kit (IHF1000).

Please let me know if this works for you.

I saw the APAC_BM_21120.exe from Bell on their website incl. pdf instructions.
My issue is the same as yours. Once you flashed with the new Rom, can you ever go back?
Extended Rom? How do you make sure it loads everything Bell specific?

Golfman32

116 posts

Master Geek

#63272 9-Mar-2007 16:19

First of all, the backlight issue is resolved.

Thank You

I do have some interest in doing the upgrade for other reasons like faster unit and fixing A2DP (I think).

I am trying to weight the risks, I am not a techie and would be working without a safety net.

This is my only device

I have read some comments from others and have found that this is not a trivial task.

There is a risk, plus, I still want to have the ability to redo the unit back to factory ROM if required.

Also, my unit is not out of warranty yet (this month).

I am also waiting for PPC6800, which is not far away (I am hearing 2 months).

If the PPC6800 does come out, I will be selling PPC6700 and want to make sure the unit is factory spec.

I have read the comments from Brad, he is saying it is not a big issue, Brad, if you are a techie, it may not be for you.

If I am certain, I can get the required ROM's to get my PPC6700 back to factory spec and have ability to communicate with someone that can assist if required, I may proceed.

Canada4U, if you have URL for ROM, please post.

In this post, I did mention that UTstar office did flash/re-image my device last year, they had issues with the device be able to work with EV-DO.

Bell Mobility has also told me that they are heavily involved in the customization of the ROM (personally, this scares the s#@t of of me), I am concerned that others may have had better success with US carriers or Asia Pacific carriers that may use a more generic ROM?

At this point, the worse case senerio if I move ahead is I would have to purchase a replacement PPC6700 if the ROM messes up my existing PPC6700 (I would rather use the upgrade credit to PPC6800).

If there are others who are on Bell Mobility and have done AKU 3.5 upgrade on Bell Mobility PPC6700, it would be helpful if you chime in on the discussion with your experiences!!!!

Thank You

Dave

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#63273 9-Mar-2007 17:11

Guys, updating the ROM with the official release is easy and should be painless. The official release in your case is the one you get from Bell. I don't recommend upgrading with the "cooked" ROM because that one does not have support and is a mix of software from different sources - with all the risks involved.

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