Problems with HTC Inspire

[eddyg]

Greetings,

Last JUN (2011) I upgraded to numbers with HTC Inspire phones. For purposes of clarification, Phone 1 is mine and Phone 2 is my daughters. For the first 6 months or so, we did not have any significant problems. During Christmas, Phone 2 started having a problem: any buttun pushed opened the camera. The only way to recover from this was to reboot the phone. The nexxt problem was the phone dialing random numbers. We researched the problems on the web and did a reset of the phone. Problem still exists. Then phone started turning off on its own. Spoke with tech support; said it was a battery problem and sent a new battery. For the most part, this solved the problem. In the past month, Phone 2 will not "wake". Dragging a finger to enter phone makes screen go black. Pushing On/Off button does nothing. Only solution is to open phone, remove battery, turn on. Since first of JUL, phone turns off by itself. My daughter is at college and I do not like the fact her phone is not dependable. Last week, two guys in a black truck followed her, her phone would not turn on. This scared her and she drove to large busy parking lot where she could pull her battery out. This is not a dependable phone.

Phone 1 is mine. I am disabled and spend most of my days alone at home.My problems started in JAN. During a string of text messages, some messages are not sent and will finally send hours later. Messages both before and after send without problems. Sometimes I cannot send a text at all and I have full service. This is inconvenient. The most serious of problems started in APR. The phone will not acknowledge incoming calls. I have full service (4 bars) and calls placed to it will not make the phone ring, lights blink, or vibrate. There is no record of the call in the registry. Callers must then leave a voicemail. It does not matter if the phone is in my hand, on the bed beside me, or on a table. The same happens in multiple cell sites. Last THU, I was waiting for a call from my doctor to review my latest treatment (since APR, I have had 2 surgeries and multiple treatments), his nurse told me the doctor would call after 1630, The phone did not ring, lights did not blink, did not vibrate, nor was there a record in my call registry. He left a voicemail telling me he would try calling again TUE because he was going out of town FRI and would not return until MON. (I later learned he had surgery). Regardless, I had to wait until today to get an update on my treatments. Was not a good weekend. The next problem is an inability to connect a call when one is placed. Whether I dial a number or dial from phonebook, the screen says "calling" but nothing happens. No ringing, no voicemail, no recorded messages indicating my call could not be completed as dialed. I must disconnect and then redial the number. The last problem with the phone is random dialing. It calls numbers on its own. I have reset the phone, deleted apps, replaced battery and nothing fixes the problems.

Needless to say, I am a little upset with HTC Inspire cell phones. I know I have written a lot but I want to make sure I included all the pertinent information. Does anyone have any ideas what we can do? I have read in the Android forums where other phones in addtion to the Inspire have had similar problems, and they replaced the phone(s). We cannot upgrade until next summer. Any help is appreciated.

Regards,

Eddy

[jamileh]

I'm sorry you've had such difficulty with the Inspire. 

Your daughter's safety is very important and it's clear you're very reliant on your phone. 

Will you please send me a private message with your name, account number, phone number and the best time to contact you? I would like to have a member of my team contact you to see what we can do to resolve this issue for you. 




To send a private message, you can either click on the link in this message or click on the little blue envelope in the upper right hand corner, click "compose new message" and type my username in the "Send To" field.

[redpoint73 ACE - Wizard]

You have a 1-year warranty on any phone purchased from AT&T.  If you were having problems within that year, you should have taken action earlier to get a replacement.  As you are now outside the warranty period, you may be out of luck, but maybe jamileh can help you in some way.

[jamileh]

Thanks redpoint - we're working with eddyg to see what the best options are.

[larodriguez]

I have the exact same chronic issues with my HTC Inspire. In fact, I was again at an AT&T store yesterday.  I've had this phone for about 1 1/2 years now and have been complaining since the phone was little more than three weeks old. Each time, I was told a different reason why I was having problems. I've had master resets (lost all my contacts), battery and sim card replacements, all to no avail. A new sim card was put in yesterday. Today, with the exception of 2 phone calls, I've not been able to receive calls, make calls, send texts, get on the internet, etc. despite the signal bar showing enough strength. I am so fed up that it's not funny. I am paying for a service that I am unable to receive. Either AT&T's service is horrific or this phone is a piece of junk and has been since inception. The problem is, I followed the advice of each rep I spoke to until it was too late to return it. The only thing I have been offered is to put in an insurance claim and pay a $125 deductible. This is preposterous. My old little flip phone was so much more reliable. After nearly 15 years with AT&T, if this is the best they can offer for what is clearly a deficiency, then Verizon here I come as soon as my contract is up in a few months.

[jamileh]

I'm sorry you're having trouble. 

Will you please send me a private message with your name, account number, phone number and the best time to contact you?

Let's see if we can find some other options for you. 




To send a private message, you can either click on the link in this message or click on the little blue envelope in the upper right hand corner, click "compose new message" and type my username in the "Send To" field.

[smcfarland06]

I have been having the exact same problems with my HTC Inspire. Purchased the phones in September of 2011, and at firs they were great. However, since March of 2012 my phone has become more of a frustration than anything. On a daily basis the phone freezes atleast four different times, and each time I have to pull the battery out to get it to do anything. I will receive four or five text mesages at a time, that have timestamps on them from three our four hours earlier. I will receive a voicemail alert, when my phone never even rang or registered a miss call, and will have atleast 3  bars of signal. When trying to make a call, and having full signal, the call will say "dialing" for a few minutes, and then hang up. There have been several times where people have tried to call me, and were unsuccessful at contacting me, saying it would go straight to voicemail, however I would have full signal.  Technical supports solutions have been to do a complete factory reset, which has been done too many times to count, and to upgrade the software, which has been done several times as well. Someone please tell me how many times I'm going to have to upgrade my software with THE SAME version, and continue to have THE SAME problems, before someone will do something about it. This is all way past ridiculous. I don't know if it's an AT&T service issue, or actually a problem with the phone. What I want to know is  how much longer am I going to have to pay full price for a service I'm only able to use half of?? When I called Technical Support this last time, they fed me a line about there being in outage in Ohio, where I live, due to one of their towers being down, and they have no ETA on when it would be fixed. Now, I may be more likely to believe that if I didn't know that a few of my family members who live in California are having the same problems with the same exact phone. The whole "down tower" excuse seems to be just that, AN EXCUSE. I am really at my wits end, and ready to terminate my contract with AT&T and go to another provider. I'm tired of going through the same routine with technical support both over the phone and in the store, and getting the same, non working results.

[eddyg]

SMCFARLAND06, AT&T should be able to help you since you are within the 1-year warranty period. I was 6-weeks past the 1-year period because I have spent most of this year in hospital (2 surgeries), lots of therapy appointments, and follow-up visits. I accept my part of that. However, AT&T tried to help me with a few suggestions, but I was unable to afford the remedies. When I posted, I was hoping to find a technical repair, or some process that would resolve all or some of the problems. I was not seeking new phones, but it appears--and this is my opinion--the phone is not technically sound and instead and the appropriate solution is to replace because it cannot be repaired. I think it is an HTC problem--their design and manufacture--that makes it incompatible with the software. As I mentioned, I have done a factory reset and removed all applications and still have the same problems on both phones. The phone had full bars and other AT&T phones could call, text, and access internet with no problems.

I contacted HTC and was told that in the near future a new update would be available but it would reset the phone to original settings and he "hopes this might correct some of the problems I am experiencing". So far I have not received the update. Additionally, MON 06 AUG 12, both I and my daughter received a text message from AT&T: "AT&T is providing a critical software update that will enhance the performance of hour HTC Inspire device. This software update is only available via WiFi. From your HTC Inspire, please connect & remain in WiFi coverage, then go to Settings>AT&T Software Update>Check for updates." It is now 17 AUG and I have tried at least 24 times. Each time I receive an error message "Server Unavailable". My daughter receives the same message regardless of her location. I normally try at home using WiFI, but have tried at McDonald's.

Good luck. Please let us know how your problem(s) are resolved.

Eddy

[jamileh]

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smcfarland06 wrote:

I have been having the exact same problems with my HTC Inspire. Purchased the phones in September of 2011, and at firs they were great. However, since March of 2012 my phone has become more of a frustration than anything. On a daily basis the phone freezes atleast four different times, and each time I have to pull the battery out to get it to do anything. I will receive four or five text mesages at a time, that have timestamps on them from three our four hours earlier. I will receive a voicemail alert, when my phone never even rang or registered a miss call, and will have atleast 3  bars of signal. When trying to make a call, and having full signal, the call will say "dialing" for a few minutes, and then hang up. There have been several times where people have tried to call me, and were unsuccessful at contacting me, saying it would go straight to voicemail, however I would have full signal.  Technical supports solutions have been to do a complete factory reset, which has been done too many times to count, and to upgrade the software, which has been done several times as well. Someone please tell me how many times I'm going to have to upgrade my software with THE SAME version, and continue to have THE SAME problems, before someone will do something about it. This is all way past ridiculous. I don't know if it's an AT&T service issue, or actually a problem with the phone. What I want to know is  how much longer am I going to have to pay full price for a service I'm only able to use half of?? When I called Technical Support this last time, they fed me a line about there being in outage in Ohio, where I live, due to one of their towers being down, and they have no ETA on when it would be fixed. Now, I may be more likely to believe that if I didn't know that a few of my family members who live in California are having the same problems with the same exact phone. The whole "down tower" excuse seems to be just that, AN EXCUSE. I am really at my wits end, and ready to terminate my contract with AT&T and go to another provider. I'm tired of going through the same routine with technical support both over the phone and in the store, and getting the same, non working results.

---

I'm sorry you're having trouble. As eddyg noted, I'd love to help.

Will you please send me a private message with your name, account number, phone number and the best time to contact you?




To send a private message, you can either click on the link in this message or click on the little blue envelope in the upper right hand corner, click "compose new message" and type my username in the "Send To" field.

[smelancon09]

I cannot update my software. The volume keeps going to vibrate on and off all on its own. I tried to update software, but when I got to settings, update software, the only option is "Continue update"...when I select it, nothing happens.

[eddyg]

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smelancon09 wrote:

I cannot update my software. The volume keeps going to vibrate on and off all on its own. I tried to update software, but when I got to settings, update software, the only option is "Continue update"...when I select it, nothing happens.

---

I did not experience any problems with the volume, however my cell kept turning the camera on while trying to update. At first I thought I might had hit the button, but after several attempts knowing I did not, I continued trying to update. As of this post, neither of my cell phones will accept the upgrade. My daughter's phone did not have the camera problem, it just will not do anything after one of the screen options. I am sorry I cannot remember, the last time we tried to update hers was about 10 days ago. Mine was just this past weekend. I cannot wait until my contract is over and I can get a different cell. Good luck with the upgrade.

[jamileh]

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smelancon09 wrote:

I cannot update my software. The volume keeps going to vibrate on and off all on its own. I tried to update software, but when I got to settings, update software, the only option is "Continue update"...when I select it, nothing happens.

---

I'm sorry you're having an issue upgrading your software. It's possible you'll need to back up your phone's data and restore it. 

You can back up your data using your Google account so you don't lose contacts, email and calendar data -

Will I lose all my calendar events, contacts, and email if I have to perform a factory reset?>>

Yes, you will lose your data on the device. However, if you have set up a Google account on your device, your data is synchronized and backed up on your Google account.

To setup a Google account, press Menu on the Home screen, and then tap Settings > Accounts & sync > choose Add Account > Select Google, and then tap Next > follow the onscreen instructions to enter the account information. Your Google account will automatically sync with your Google contacts, Google calendar, and Gmail.

 Here is more information about the update released on 7/31/12: http://www.htc.com/us/support/htc-inspire-4g-att/software-updates

I hope this helps. 

[wilderj]

I purchased this phone for my son using my upgrade in June of 2012. well after there were documented issues about this phone.  The issues were the design flaws (battery cover, sim cover and various other issues). Who puts an antenna on the inside of a removable cover???? Who wraps the cover around the end/sides of the phone???The sim card also slides which causes the phone to have too reboot.  ATT contracated with HTC to put this phone out there for their customers. From the beginning my son had problems with this phone dropping calls, randomly turning off and having to reboot.  Unfortunately, I didn't know there were issues until it was too late. When the phone first came out there were issues that the covers were too difficult to get off, many had to get replacement covers that supposedly fixed the problem .  Then they were loose.  Well my son's was so loose that he took his phone out of his pocket (by holding the sides at the end where the sim card cover is) and the phone crashed to the ground. He was left holding the sim cover in his hand. Needless to say the phone is now useless. I contacted ATT and HTC questioning why they allowed a product with clear design flaws to remain on the market and was told by HTC that they present phones to ATT and ATT chooses what phones to have them produce.  Once HTC produces them it would be out of their hands. In trying to resolve the issue of my son's phone now being useless I researched this phone and found complaints including on ATT's website stretching out well over a year before I purchased this phone.  I want ATT to stand behind their products.  I contacted ATT and while the people I spoke with were very nice the options they are offering me will cost me.  In one conversation I explained that I shouldn't have to use another upgrade and that I might as well get the Galaxy s3 from sprint for $99.  The rep asked if he could bring it down to X$ would I stay , I said yes.  He said he would call me back and never did. I waited all afternoon. After spending 3 plus hours with ATT trying to resolve my concerns, They tell me they can't give that price, while I appreciate that they are willing to credit me and such, that does change the fact that I will have to put out more than 3x's the amount the first rep told me. After being a ATT faithful. I think my only option left is to go to Sprint with my five lines. In addition I just may have to file a complaint with the AG and consumer affairs.  When you put out a product that is defective you should make things right.

[wilderj]

I would like to add other than the first rep that wasted my time the others were wonderful.

[redpoint73 ACE - Wizard]

I'd at least try one warrany replacement, before you completely discount the phone.  While others on the internet may have experienced a similar issue, there have probably been thousands of these phones sold, and I seriously doubt that every single one (of even a majority of them) have had the back cover so loose as to fall off like that.  The internet often give you a falsely skewed view about how widespread a problem is, since few people go on the internet to say "bought a phone, and everything works as advertised".

Its completely possible that a replacement phone will solve your woes, and not require the hassle of switching carriers.  Its at least worth it to give a replacement Inspire a try.  I'd also caution against switching carrier just becuase of one device.  Look at it in the big picture. Does Sprint offer good reception coverage and data speed in your area?  In my area, Sprint reception is pretty dodgy, and their data speeds are notoriously slow.  If you switch carriers, you are in it for the long haul.  You're paying for the service, not just the hardware (which makes a relatively small portion of the expense).  Maybe you've already considered and researched this.  But if not, I would strongly suggest doing so before switching. 

And if I know jamila (one of the AT&T reps that runs this forum) she will probably come on here and offer to resolve your situation herself.

[La-La]

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redpoint73 wrote:

I'd at least try one warrany replacement, before you completely discount the phone.  While others on the internet may have experienced a similar issue, there have probably been thousands of these phones sold, and I seriously doubt that every single one (of even a majority of them) have had the back cover so loose as to fall off like that.  The internet often give you a falsely skewed view about how widespread a problem is, since few people go on the internet to say "bought a phone, and everything works as advertised".

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Agreed.  I have 3 HTC Inspires on my account and we haven't had this problem with any of them.  Other than a slight issue after the update with texting not showing contact names (easily fixed using a 3rd party messaging program) we haven't had issue with them at all.  They've been great.  Exceeded my expectations (I was leery of going to all touchscreen). 

[avi8torgrl]

This is the biggest piece of crap i have ever owned,, many problems and after replacing so many things, still the darn thing just dies, wont come on wont charge, have tried everything under the sun, ???? I cant upgrade yet, since i havent had this one long enough and its just out of warranty spent too much time tryng all of your bologny suggestions,, everyone who owns one of these pieces of crap should be able to get an early upgrade, You cant tell me that you didnt know about these problems and still offered this phone to your customers ATT, I have bben a long time customer, but seriously thinking of going elsewhere,