Verizon wants to replace my phone, but I have some questions

[mikeexplorer]

I called Verizon about a matter concerning my text messaging and they asked if there was anything else I had questions with so I mentioned that in my area, the handoff between 4g and 3g is causing me to drop data for a time and I usually resort to leaving the phone on 3g only. (4g signal is weak at my house) I was mainly just asking them when the 901 update was coming out because I heard it helps this problem. After asking me for some of the numbers in my "about phone" screen they said they would send a tech to check the tower and get back to me. I told him it wasn't really a big deal, I was more asking about the update. Well today they called back and they said the 4g coverage in my area is good and it should be stronger and not drop out on the phone so they want to replace the phone (mail me a new one and I mail back the old one) In the meantime the plastic cover for the volume up / down came off and is missing. I have not yet had a chance to stop in a store and see what they say about it but I found replacements online for like $8. I told him about it and he said not to worry as its considered "normal use and wear" (huh?) So sometime next week I should be getting this replacement and I have a few questions I hope can be answered.

Will this missing cover for the volume up & down be an issue or should I stop in a store first and ask about it.

The phone is rooted, but I have NOT installed any custom ROM's in it. I am running 5.5.893.XT875 Android 2.3.4
All I have done is install some apps that require root and froze some bloatware with Antek App Manager.

If I do a factory wipe, will it restore the phone to stock including the frozen apps and un-root it or do I have to unfreeze the apps, manually un-root it before wiping it out. I don't want them to come back to me saying the warrenty was invalid due to rooting. I think I used te "one click root" to root it but it is not "forever rooted"

I have appmonster to backup my apps, and I took screenshots of the phone so I can lay the apps out as I have them now with the replacement. He told me I will have to transfer my SIM card and SD card to the replacement so I don't need to backup the SD card, I do plan to backup the internal memory to a folder on my computer in case there is stuff stored on it I need. (and not lose it)

I do have my doubts this is going to fix the problem as I have noticed that my 3g signal is much better then when I had my old phone (HTC Eris) there are places that I had little or no signal before and with the Bionic I have good service. I may visit the Verizon store and make sure the missing volume control cover won't be an issue either.

Sorry for being long winded, I just never had to deal with Verizon's warrenty before.

Mike

 

[BroidDrionic]

Can you upload a picture of the volume control cover? I must admit I have no idea what you could possibly be talking about.

 

[BroidDrionic]

Oh, and 5.9.901 has done wonders for my 3g/4g connectivity. On 5.5.893 it was terrible, on 5.7.893 it was just as bad, but as soon as I moved to 5.9.901 it's been AMAZING.

 

[guidot]

You have to unfreeze, unroot and factory reset in that order. Otherwise when you factory reset the phone will be surely in trouble.

 

[k1ngr4t]

Also if Verizon is sending you a replacement they only send overnight mail, so you should have it tomorrow. One time I talked to them at like 8pm that night and got it the next day.

 

[mikeexplorer]

View attachment 45848View attachment 45849

This is what I am talking about. I am surprised it came off as the case is always attached and makes the controls recessed. Honestly I kinda doubt the new phone is going to solve the problem.

Mike

 

[mikeexplorer]

That is what I wanted to try, I asked when it would be pushed and he had no idea. He was insisting the phone's antenna was the problem. He told me they actually sent a tech out to my area and measured the signal strength and it was good, that my phone's internal antenna was weak.

Oh, and 5.9.901 has done wonders for my 3g/4g connectivity. On 5.5.893 it was terrible, on 5.7.893 it was just as bad, but as soon as I moved to 5.9.901 it's been AMAZING.

 

[Tonik]

Take the replacement phone. That fixes your volume knob. Don't worry about fixing root. I sent one back rooted with 5.7 on it. They never said a word. And yes it could be a phone issue, new phones have helped some people.

 

[mykl376]

View attachment 45848View attachment 45849

This is what I am talking about. I am surprised it came off as the case is always attached and makes the controls recessed. Honestly I kinda doubt the new phone is going to solve the problem.

Mike

Is that the case Verizon sells? I'm using the Diztronic case, but it's slick, without any texture on the back. Just wondering if there is another case for the extended battery that protects the front screen as well and has more grip on the back.

On topic, if Verizon is offering you a new phone, take it.

 

[wricks]

Is that the case Verizon sells?

Yep, that's where I got mine and it looks the same. Nice texture and a good grip. I tried a few others, but ended up returning them.

 

[Underwater Mike]

Take the replacement phone and just do a factory reset on yours without worrying about unrooting. When your current handset is received by the recert facility, they're going to tear it down anyway.

 

[drakenhoffen]

It is always a good idea before returning a phone to big red to return it to stock.
I say this for 2 reasons:
1. They can't blame the problem on root.
2. The wipe removes personal data, aka passwords you have stored for websites.
I know most people in the refebs have had reset phones but i am sure someone has gotten one that has not, and gotten someones information.

 

[azdrifter]

I agree return to stock without root and let them do whatever they do with the phones but if any "Issues" should arise they can't blame it on you for rooting,of course that's a just in case theory.

 

[mikeexplorer]

Yes I bought the case when I got the phone. It works really well and has a nice kickstand built into it.

Is that the case Verizon sells? I'm using the Diztronic case, but it's slick, without any texture on the back. Just wondering if there is another case for the extended battery that protects the front screen as well and has more grip on the back.

On topic, if Verizon is offering you a new phone, take it.

 

[mikeexplorer]

Well I got the replacement yesterday and I unfroze/unrooted and wiped the old phone. Got the new one running but it made no difference as far as the signal goes. Verizon is now sending me a new SIM card. On a better note, I have the volume control cover with the replacement. The tech told me not to worry about the missing one on the old phone.

They had also offered me a different model phone if I wanted, but try the SIM card first.

Mike