Aaaaaaaaaggghh - The Scream Thread!, Sign in here if you've had a bad week... Options

[Violin Hero]

My mobile is refusing to let me make or recieve calls or go on the internet. This is despite the fact it is showing me that it has a strong signal, which there is in my area. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

I need people to be able to contact me during the day when I am not at home, i.e at work, and anyway very few people know my landline number.

As an IT Analyst this one has me stumped and I need aquickish resolution.

This is what you get for being loyal to Vodafone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Mine did that to me the other week. I switched it off, took the battery out, took the sim out, reassembled and it worked again. Mine I suspect was a handset rather than a provider issue.

I did that, all to no avail. However just 2 minutes ago it start correctly functioning. However last night it worked and then stopped working so we shall wait and see...........

[BerkshireMum]

My mobile is refusing to let me make or recieve calls or go on the internet. This is despite the fact it is showing me that it has a strong signal, which there is in my area. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

I need people to be able to contact me during the day when I am not at home, i.e at work, and anyway very few people know my landline number.

As an IT Analyst this one has me stumped and I need aquickish resolution.

This is what you get for being loyal to Vodafone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Mine did that to me the other week. I switched it off, took the battery out, took the sim out, reassembled and it worked again. Mine I suspect was a handset rather than a provider issue.

I did that, all to no avail. However just 2 minbites ago it start correctly functioning. However last night it worked and then stopped working so we shall wait and see...........

This is a long shot, but is it something to do with it latching onto the wrong provider? I'm not sure of how these things function, but I've noticed with mine that in some areas where there is a strong signal for a different provider, the phone will latch on to that and only allow me emergency calls. Possibly if your provider's signal is a bit weaker than it should be, it's encouraging your phone to latch onto the wrong signal some of the time?

[Mad Tom]

Not an aaarrrgggghhh so much as a damn annoyance.

My car radio has packed up. No FM, no AM, but still plays CDs fine. My car mechanic had a look at it for me (for free!) and declares it dead, i.e. it's not a loose cable or dodgy aerial or anything like that.
Still, at least I can listen to CDs in the car, though I was more accustomed to listening to podcasts on my iPod, via an FM transmitter (which doesn't work, because the radio isn't picking up any FM).

A while ago it was time to renew my car insurance, and one of the websites on getting my car registration number confirmed the make and model, and said that by the book, assuming my car to be in average condition, it is worth a stunning 695 of your English pounds.

So while I was at my mechanic's, and he declared the radio dead, he phoned up his supplier to get the price for a genuine replacement. 400-550, the price variation being because it comes with different coloured faschias to match the rest of the dashboard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Both of us had a reaction to this something like A-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)

Mechanic recommended going to Halfords and getting them to sell and fit me something decent, at a much much lower price. Which I suppose I will do. At least I can get something that an iPod can plug directly in to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It seems such a waste of money, given that I only drive on Tuesdays and Thursdays (and Thursdays will soon only be in term time). I'm happy with CDs really. But I suppose when the time comes to sell the car (for tuppance, I know that), it will be even more worthless without a working radio. So I might as well get on with it and get a new one in there and get some use out of it before the car goes on its way (which probably won't be for a while yet - it's a mere 9 years old, and I'll keep it until the time my mechanic says 'rust' or 'welding' to get it through the next MOT).

If my music teacher weren't so far away, I could get away without the car. It'd double my train fare to get to work on Tuesdays but with no petrol, insurance, 'tax' disc, etc it would probably even out. But I can't get to music lessons without a car so I guess I might as well spend the money and use it...

It's just really annoying, that's all.

This goes some way to explaining why petty thieves find a ready market amongst otherwise respectable people for stolen car radios at 15 GBP.

[Swell Box]

My mobile is refusing to let me make or recieve calls or go on the internet. This is despite the fact it is showing me that it has a strong signal, which there is in my area. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

I need people to be able to contact me during the day when I am not at home, i.e at work, and anyway very few people know my landline number.

As an IT Analyst this one has me stumped and I need aquickish resolution.

This is what you get for being loyal to Vodafone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Mine did that to me the other week. I switched it off, took the battery out, took the sim out, reassembled and it worked again. Mine I suspect was a handset rather than a provider issue.

I did that, all to no avail. However just 2 minutes ago it start correctly functioning. However last night it worked and then stopped working so we shall wait and see...........

Might be worth taking it to your local Vodaphone shop. After all, it is in their interests that you use as many minutes of airtime as you can. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

If you go on a Saturday there will usually be a 16 year old in the shop who will know all the settings and will have it working for you in no time.

My irritation with mobile network providers is that they like to make it so difficult to use data that you have already paid for.

I bought myself a new Smart Phone earlier this year, (a Motorola Defy), and I am very pleased with it. Not only does it work very well, but it is waterproof, and isn't built like a [non waterproof] brick .

However, I have to pay O2 eight pounds a month to access the internet on the phone, for which I am allowed 500 megabytes of data. I don't use anything like 500 megabytes in a month, (more like 50 at best), so I thought I would try 'tethering' it with my laptop for mobile internet. It didn't work, so I called O2, and was told that I needed yet another 'bolt on', as I wasn't allowed to use the data allowance that I have already paid for on another mobile device. Why? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

That was going to cost me another eight pounds or so a month, so I got a Vodaphone SIM card for just five pounds a month, which fits into a slot on the back of my laptop and gives me 500 megabytes of mobile data.

But then, when I go abroad, they want eight pounds a day to access their network in Europe, and twenty-five pounds a day for other countries, including Turkey and the USA. Yet Vodaphone has its own networks in these countries, so why does it cost so much more to access the net abroad than it does in your own country. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Given our reliance on the internet in the 21st centrury I find this scandalous.

SB

[Violin Hero]

My mobile is refusing to let me make or recieve calls or go on the internet. This is despite the fact it is showing me that it has a strong signal, which there is in my area. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

I need people to be able to contact me during the day when I am not at home, i.e at work, and anyway very few people know my landline number.

As an IT Analyst this one has me stumped and I need aquickish resolution.

This is what you get for being loyal to Vodafone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Mine did that to me the other week. I switched it off, took the battery out, took the sim out, reassembled and it worked again. Mine I suspect was a handset rather than a provider issue.

I did that, all to no avail. However just 2 minutes ago it start correctly functioning. However last night it worked and then stopped working so we shall wait and see...........

Might be worth taking it to your local Vodaphone shop. After all, it is in their interests that you use as many minutes of airtime as you can. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

If you go on a Saturday there will usually be a 16 year old in the shop who will know all the settings and will have it working for you in no time.

My irritation with mobile network providers is that they like to make it so difficult to use data that you have already paid for.

I bought myself a new Smart Phone earlier this year, (a Motorola Defy), and I am very pleased with it. Not only does it work very well, but it is waterproof, and isn't built like a [non waterproof] brick .

However, I have to pay O2 eight pounds a month to access the internet on the phone, for which I am allowed 500 megabytes of data. I don't use anything like 500 megabytes in a month, (more like 50 at best), so I thought I would try 'tethering' it with my laptop for mobile internet. It didn't work, so I called O2, and was told that I needed yet another 'bolt on', as I wasn't allowed to use the data allowance that I have already paid for on another mobile device. Why? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

That was going to cost me another eight pounds or so a month, so I got a Vodaphone SIM card for just five pounds a month, which fits into a slot on the back of my laptop and gives me 500 megabytes of mobile data.

But then, when I go abroad, they want eight pounds a day to access their network in Europe, and twenty-five pounds a day for other countries, including Turkey and the USA. Yet Vodaphone has its own networks in these countries, so why does it cost so much more to access the net abroad than it does in your own country. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Given our reliance on the internet in the 21st centrury I find this scandalous.

SB

Phone is still functioning correctly so no need to go to a shop. I pay 35 gbp a month and although I never exceed my contracted allowances I do get quite near the limit.

[Roseau]

But then, when I go abroad, they want eight pounds a day to access their network in Europe, and twenty-five pounds a day for other countries, including Turkey and the USA. Yet Vodaphone has its own networks in these countries, so why does it cost so much more to access the net abroad than it does in your own country. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Possibly because it costs more for everyone (including the local inhabitants) to use a mobile phone in Europe than it does in the UK.

The so-called PAYG phones in France are a scandal; your credit is only valid for a limited amount of time and if you haven't used all your credit, and you don't want to lose it, then you have to buy more credit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I spend around 1 Euro a month of my credit but have to buy 15 Euros of credit every six weeks. When I'm abroad I can't send texts and can't receive in-coming phone calls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (And at that price I don't have any internet access anywhere).

Contracts are supposed to be coming down in price due to a legal ruling but until very recently the minimum monthly contract payment was 20 Euros and this was for a couple of hours of telephone, text messages and no internet connection.

[BerkshireMum]

Might be worth taking it to your local Vodaphone shop. After all, it is in their interests that you use as many minutes of airtime as you can. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

If you go on a Saturday there will usually be a 16 year old in the shop who will know all the settings and will have it working for you in no time.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Violin Hero]

Might be worth taking it to your local Vodaphone shop. After all, it is in their interests that you use as many minutes of airtime as you can. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

If you go on a Saturday there will usually be a 16 year old in the shop who will know all the settings and will have it working for you in no time.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I would hate to be outsmarted on the tech front by a teenager. Although I would not mind being outsmarted by some old wise person.

[Czerny]

Possibly because it costs more for everyone (including the local inhabitants) to use a mobile phone in Europe than it does in the UK.

The so-called PAYG phones in France are a scandal; your credit is only valid for a limited amount of time and if you haven't used all your credit, and you don't want to lose it, then you have to buy more credit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I spend around 1 Euro a month of my credit but have to buy 15 Euros of credit every six weeks. When I'm abroad I can't send texts and can't receive in-coming phone calls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (And at that price I don't have any internet access anywhere).

Contracts are supposed to be coming down in price due to a legal ruling but until very recently the minimum monthly contract payment was 20 Euros and this was for a couple of hours of telephone, text messages and no internet connection.

Would it be worth you getting a UK PAYG if you don't already have one? Texts are only 11p each and calls 35p p/m. As far as I know credit doesn't run out, so it might be cheaper in the long run.

[Swell Box]

Possibly because it costs more for everyone (including the local inhabitants) to use a mobile phone in Europe than it does in the UK.

The so-called PAYG phones in France are a scandal; your credit is only valid for a limited amount of time and if you haven't used all your credit, and you don't want to lose it, then you have to buy more credit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I spend around 1 Euro a month of my credit but have to buy 15 Euros of credit every six weeks. When I'm abroad I can't send texts and can't receive in-coming phone calls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (And at that price I don't have any internet access anywhere).

Contracts are supposed to be coming down in price due to a legal ruling but until very recently the minimum monthly contract payment was 20 Euros and this was for a couple of hours of telephone, text messages and no internet connection.

Would it be worth you getting a UK PAYG if you don't already have one? Texts are only 11p each and calls 35p p/m. As far as I know credit doesn't run out, so it might be cheaper in the long run.

I am amazed that our mobile phone charges area actually cheaper here than in mainland Europe, as everything else seems to be more expensive in the UK. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Do roaming charges apply In mainland Europe if you cross the border into another country, or is it a flat rate charge? Otherwise I presume it would be difficult to avoid making calls from a foreign network if near to a border, which could be expensive.

FWIW, I keep a spare mobile topped with 20 pounds worth of credit up in case we ever need it. It is on a Vodaphone PAYG tariff, which doesn't run out if you don't use it.

SB

[Misterioso]

Not happy today. My arthritis has flared up. I used to do 40 lengths of the pool twice a week and now am struggling to manage 10 lengths once a week. It's impacting on work, sleep and practise (well, life generally) and my flute exam is 3 weeks and 6 days away.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

[Czerny]

Do roaming charges apply In mainland Europe if you cross the border into another country, or is it a flat rate charge? Otherwise I presume it would be difficult to avoid making calls from a foreign network if near to a border, which could be expensive.

FWIW, I keep a spare mobile topped with 20 pounds worth of credit up in case we ever need it. It is on a Vodaphone PAYG tariff, which doesn't run out if you don't use it.

I'm pretty sure it's a 35p p/m flat rate throughout Europe.

My aargh: inanimate objects. Namely a smoke detector and a screw. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Roseau]

Would it be worth you getting a UK PAYG if you don't already have one? Texts are only 11p each and calls 35p p/m. As far as I know credit doesn't run out, so it might be cheaper in the long run.

This is what I intend to do (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) My younger daughter saved up her pocket money to buy a mobile phone in England (even the phone itself costs twice as much in France as in the UK) and the cheapest way of buying what she wanted was with a ?5 PAYG (which she has swapped for her French card since she has been back in France). When I saw how cheaps calls/texts cost with her English simcard are I decided that I shall be buying one for myself the next time I am in the uK.

I am amazed that our mobile phone charges area actually cheaper here than in mainland Europe, as everything else seems to be more expensive in the UK. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Lots of things are cheaper in England than in France (phones, computer internet connections, clothing ...)

Do roaming charges apply In mainland Europe if you cross the border into another country

Yes they do. My phone has been equally useless (ie no texts and no incoming calls and more expensive out-going calls) at conferences in Spain and Portugal.

[Guitar_tempo]

Still on the topic of phones...
tried to order a phone, Occupation: Student. Then, Time at Employer... I'm a Student and I'm not currently employed! Can I put N/A no of course not, it's in months/years, can I put 0, noooooooo (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) burgh will have to stick with my current pile of rubbish for now I guess (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Maizie]

My GP has been arrested (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
It's not for anything clinical (like bumping off patients) or businessy (like embezzeling from the practice). He is not working until everything is resolved (and I really hope he is not guilty and comes back to us without having to move somewhere new or anything like that due to 'reputation damage').

But but but, the biggest thing for me is that I now have to pick a new doctor! They always emphasise you are registered with the practice, not a specific GP, and that's fine. But they also recommend seeing the same one if you have ongoing visits, for continuity of care. So now I have to pick someone new to see.

This is very scary, although it could be interesting (a new doctor might force some changes, but such things are probably as likely to be good as bad so we shall see - but it won't make me any less panicky come the time I have to do my first visit to them...) Maybe I'll just book with whoever is available in future, and make myself see different ones each time until I find someone I like or I don't have to go anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Which is a silly concern to have, in the light of potential illegal activity, but still...