Smart Computing Article - Troubleshooting - Cell Phones

February 2007 • Vol.11 Issue 1 Add To My Personal Library Using a phone used to be as simple as lifting up the receiver and dialing a number, but these days, our mobile phones can do everything from give us directions to play music and record video. Unfortunately, that means they’re a lot less easy to use. Because every phone is different from the next, and there are so many on the market, we can’t walk you through every troublesome scenario. But if you’re stumped by the special features in your phone or looking for help solving some common cell phone dilemmas, we may have the answers you’ve been looking for. As you seek solutions to your cell phone problems, you may need to locate your model number or other specific information. You should be able to find everything you need on a sticker located underneath your battery. Just pop your battery out to view the model number, manufacturer, and other information. Your “carrier” is the company from whom you buy airtime. If you subscribe to a T-Mobile plan, for instance, then T-Mobile is your carrier. Your “vendor” or “manufacturer” is the company that built your phone. The vendor’s name and logo is probably printed somewhere on the exterior of your phone, but if it isn’t, it’s definitely printed underneath the battery. Problem: I’m giving my old phone away, but I don’t want the next user to have all my info. What should I do? You should do a hard reset or “master reset”; this will erase your phone’s memory. The method varies by device. Your user’s manual should give you instructions. If you’ve lost your manual, try the vendor’s Web site, or drop by the store where you purchased it. Typically, it will involve navigating through a few menus and