sony k750i - standby crash bug (more than just a handful of us)

[nocco]

Just a friendly heads-up, more than just a few new owners have experienced their phones crashing while in standby mode (ie. the mode with the clock screensaver w/o backlight). While this is rather annoying for some, for people like myself who rely on my phone as my alarm clock, this is quite a nasty bug.

I'm hoping that SE cranks out a firmware fix for this (as well as an annoying problem of muted sound when paired w/ my HBH-300), but until then, my advice for someone on the fence waiting to pick one up, I'd say hold off for a while. A K750i owner in the Esato forums mentioned that they got a reply back from SE saying that an updated firmware might be available in 2 weeks. I'm hoping this is the case, but either way, I'll post back and let you all know.

[Jacob_Stevenson]

What's the firmware version on your phone now ?

[difenbaker]

Just a friendly heads-up, more than just a few new owners have experienced their phones crashing while in standby mode (ie. the mode with the clock screensaver w/o backlight). While this is rather annoying for some, for people like myself who rely on my phone as my alarm clock, this is quite a nasty bug.

I'm hoping that SE cranks out a firmware fix for this (as well as an annoying problem of muted sound when paired w/ my HBH-300), but until then, my advice for someone on the fence waiting to pick one up, I'd say hold off for a while. A K750i owner in the Esato forums mentioned that they got a reply back from SE saying that an updated firmware might be available in 2 weeks. I'm hoping this is the case, but either way, I'll post back and let you all know.

yup, you're not the only one.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=649184
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=645825

I guess the firmware is still a bit buggy... better wait for the newer one to be available.

cheers!

[Jacob_Stevenson]

If someone knows the firmware that has this bug I could tell you if there is a newer version of it. Anyone know ?

[difenbaker]

from this other thread:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=644544&page=1&pp=15

the firmware is: R1A044

cheers!

[nocco]

mines is:

manufacture date: 05W16
firmware: R1A044

The firmware, I believe is the latest according to:
http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=92737

[nocco]

further on down the thread, another user quotes a SE rep saying that they will be releasing the new firmware in week 24:


...

A new software release will be available for download from Sony Ericsson Update Service at www.sonyericsson.com/support (http://www.sonyericsson.com/support) in week 24 (within the next couple of weeks).

...


http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=92737&start=30#post1287234

(assuming Monday, 1/3/05 is when they start counting weeks, we're currently in week 23).

[difenbaker]

further on down the thread, another user quotes a SE rep saying that they will be releasing the new firmware in week 24:
http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=92737&start=30#post1287234

(assuming Monday, 1/3/05 is when they start counting weeks, we're currently in week 23).

Let's hope so... some of my friends are just itchin to buy this phone already. But they've been putting it off coz of the reported bugs. (and that low-volume sound)



cheers!

[Jacob_Stevenson]

Yeah, R1A044 seems to be the latest so far. Also it seems most of the problem phones are branded ones.

[kiigan]

Been reading all the coverage of this bug anywhere I could find. I decided to get a SIM-free version of the handset, after seeing the horrible things that Vodafone have done to customise and utterly ruin it.

I'm hoping that being unbranded, I'm less likely to get this bug. Will report tomorrow :)

[MadCool]

please post when the new firmware is out. I brought this phone in HK, and have experience the crash at least 4 times in one week.

[difenbaker]

please post when the new firmware is out. I brought this phone in HK, and have experience the crash at least 4 times in one week.

umm, just like to ask, is that a "vodafone" phone?

[3ple4]

Attention: Marwan

Hey dude, didn't you encounter the standby problem of the K750 according to the folks in howardforums? I hope not :)

[bentheslayer]

Heard about this on Tuesday when I was asking about the K750 in the O2 shop in Cardiff. The fella there told me all of their handsets have been recalled due to this freezing bug; he was expecting a shipment of new handsets with updated firmware in on the 20th June.

[kiigan]

Got my SIM free K750i... no sign of the standby bug at all, have had my phone on standby constantly. I've got the same firmware version as everyone else too, the original version.

Have noticed a few other small bugs - for example when you are checking out different ringtones sometimes it plays them through the small ear-speaker instead of the proper speaker. Weird. Nothing terrible so far though. Glad I didn't go for a network operator branded version.

[3ple4]

Maybe it's got something to do with the telecom operator customizing the K750. Coz my friend's brother's K750 is working perfectly well which he bought from Hong Kong (lucky bastard :D ) that is open-line/sim-free :)

[nocco]

well, I know mines is an unbranded version with R1A044, so I can testify to the fact that having an unbranded model does not guarantee you are free from the standby crash bug.

I'm getting antsy already, I hope they release the firmware update next week like I've been reading around the net. I really really want to love this phone, but it's kind of hard when you have to pull the battery on it everytime you look down to use it..

[difenbaker]

well, I know mines is an unbranded version with R1A044, so I can testify to the fact that having an unbranded model does not guarantee you are free from the standby crash bug.

Yup, I think it happens to all K750's, branded or not. But a larger percent of the misbehaving ones come from branded ones.

I'm getting antsy already, I hope they release the firmware update next week like I've been reading around the net. I really really want to love this phone, but it's kind of hard when you have to pull the battery on it everytime you look down to use it..

Hi, I'd just like to ask.... does your K750 have a multi-character search feature in the phonebook?
http://forums.mobileburn.com/showthread.php?t=9433&page=2
I figured that since yours is not a branded one - it should have it, right? So, does it work?


cheers!

[3ple4]

Has SE come up with any conclusion as to what could have caused the freezing in standby mode? Is it a firmware or hardware problem?

[commedecargons]

steady guys, dunt panic...... most phones are like that...... there should be a firmware soon.No worries.

[difenbaker]

steady guys, dunt panic...... most phones are like that...... there should be a firmware soon.No worries.

I do hope that it comes soon. Right now, the k750 is at the top of a very short list. The whole office (around 48 to 53 people) is depending on me to recommend and buy the next "company phone". Reading of all these "bugs" - I'm about close to scratching the k750 off that list. Anyway, Im giving it a coupla weeks... the next FW should be out by then.

cheers!

[commedecargons]

hmmm.... how come marwan's all fine ?!

[inoe0871]

can we download the k750i next f/w thru internet and upgrade it with our own PC (since it already has the USB data cable on the sales package) ?

[3ple4]

The whole office (around 48 to 53 people) is depending on me to recommend and buy the next "company phone".
You must be working for a very big company to recommend the K750 :) If you were working here in the Philippines, the company phone that you'd mostly likely be using is the Nokia 1100 or 2600. You'd be lucky to be given a Nokie 3200 only because no one buys it coz Nokia has an overstock, he he!

[difenbaker]

it's a corporation. :)

and some phone dealers - take off 10 to 20 percent off the pricetag, if you're going to get it by bulk (say 20 units or more).

[Arne Anka]

can we download the k750i next f/w thru internet and upgrade it with our own PC (since it already has the USB data cable on the sales package) ?

Yes, you can. Its mentioned in the manual as well.

[Karim]

Damn, our "company phone" is the Nokia 6220 :)
Anyways.
This bug is very annoying and many people I know have already returned the 'great' K750 because of it.

[3ple4]

This bug is very annoying and many people I know have already returned the 'great' K750 because of it.
Nokia must be enjoying this :D

[3gpeasy]

it's a corporation. :)

and some phone dealers - take off 10 to 20 percent off the pricetag, if you're going to get it by bulk (say 20 units or more).

or you could go to a proper wholesaler and get 40% off; just a thought.

my company phone's about to become a 6680, up from a d500. nice!

[3ple4]

Why is the K750i's price dropping so fast?

[3gpeasy]

it's not dropping all that fast, it's just that if you go to a proper wholesaler you get about 40% off. always have done always will do.

[difenbaker]

or you could go to a proper wholesaler and get 40% off; just a thought.

my company phone's about to become a 6680, up from a d500. nice!

mmm, 40%? Yup, maybe I will check up on that... thanks.

[difenbaker]

Why is the K750i's price dropping so fast?

this is just a guess....

but maybe they're trying to get rid of all the batches of units that they have right now... in order to make way for the new k750 with updated firmware and a CCD camera?


cheers!

[Bimmer X,M5]

where do i go to check the firmware version of my phone?
what is the latest version? thanks

[inoe0871]

@ Arne Anka,
Thanks, I guess I missed that on the manual, sorry for asking such obvious question. My bad.

@ Bimmer,
try this (without the quotation marks) :
" >*<<*<* " or "joystick right-star button-left-left-star-left-star".
Note:
The first time you move the joystick to right, the program might ask if you want to add shortcut. Ignore it, and continue with the code. A menu will appear, choose "Service Info" then "Software Info". Be careful because some of contents of this option is quite sensitive and could wreack havoc to your phone (there are option to run test and change configuration, pretty hairy stuff for the uninitiated), that's why it is hidden. Caveat emptor.

To go back to main menu, press OK or press back (the tilted "U" arrow on the top left) for a few second, it will take you back to the "create shortcut" screen, and you are now in the normal operation mode again.

[3ple4]

Coz according to some people in this forum, Singapore's price has gone down already and it's not yet even released here in the Philippines. So when it's released here, I don't know long I should wait for the price to go down.

Actually, it's already sold here for 21,300 pesos (USD 380) but without warranty coz they're not authorized Sony Ericsson dealers.

[jtntwozz]

yea.. the price in singapore has dropped from ~$750 when released to ~$690 now..

no idea what is going on?!?!

[3ple4]

yea.. the price in singapore has dropped from ~$750 when released to ~$690 now.
May I know in a span of how many weeks did the price drop? When was it released in S'pore?

Has there been any recalls of the K750i in S'pore? Any news on customer complaints regarding the freezing/crashing?

[commedecargons]

Malaysia, NO. M'sia prices are around RM1600 - RM1900. very weird for such a new phone.

[Bimmer X,M5]

@ Arne Anka,
Thanks, I guess I missed that on the manual, sorry for asking such obvious question. My bad.

@ Bimmer,
try this (without the quotation marks) :
" >*<<*<* " or "joystick right-star button-left-left-star-left-star".
Note:
The first time you move the joystick to right, the program might ask if you want to add shortcut. Ignore it, and continue with the code. A menu will appear, choose "Service Info" then "Software Info". Be careful because some of contents of this option is quite sensitive and could wreack havoc to your phone (there are option to run test and change configuration, pretty hairy stuff for the uninitiated), that's why it is hidden. Caveat emptor.

To go back to main menu, press OK or press back (the tilted "U" arrow on the top left) for a few second, it will take you back to the "create shortcut" screen, and you are now in the normal operation mode again.
Thanks so much, i was able to see my phones version already and i upgraded my phones software just now. R1J002 is my software version. is this the latest?

[Bimmer X,M5]

I have another problem with my k750i. The pictures that were stored in the memory card cannot be renamed so what i did is, removed the memory card then renamed and arranged it into different folders using my PC via card reader. After doing this, the problem is that the phone cannot see the folders that i created therefore, i can;t see my old photos via the phone! has anyone encountered this problem?

[JoN]

Well' i'm getting a K750i next week so i hope i dont get all these probs cos' my patience with buggy phones is wearing VERY thin these days. can firmware upgrades for SE be done instore or do i have to send it away?

[Arne Anka]

You can do the FW upgrade your self at home.

[Bimmer X,M5]

You can do the FW upgrade your self at home.
yes, the k750i is supplied with a USB data cable and you can upgrade it yourself. =)

[nocco]

Hi, I'd just like to ask.... does your K750 have a multi-character search feature in the phonebook?
http://forums.mobileburn.com/showthread.php?t=9433&page=2
I figured that since yours is not a branded one - it should have it, right? So, does it work?

Hey there,

If by multi-character search, you mean, punching in the first few chars of the first name (nokia's is better, they search on both first and last names), then yes, this phone has that.

Cheers!