Wifi Power Mode

[stephenad]

I'm new to Blackberry and new to Crackberry with a one week old Curve 8900, on Vodafone in the UK.

After a lot of experiments and thanks to an excellent post in the Bold section, I've found that the only way I can connect to my home WiFi network is to change the WiFi Power Mode to Active (from Auto), by using the Engineering Screens.

I can, however, connect to at least one open WiFi hotspot and a friend's secure network without making this change. This suggests that there is something about my Wireless Access Point (it's separate from my ADSL router) that is incompatible with my BB.

Has anyone who has had this problem come across any solution or setting other than having the Active power mode. The BB battery drains very quickly and, although I've been very active with my new toy this past week, I suspect it's the power mode that's causing this.

Thanks

[synwars]

Hi Stephenad,

This was the only solution I found for myself that worked. To save battery, I now switch it to "Short Doze - Normal", which actually saves battery power unlike the "Active" option. Also, be sure to toggle your WiFi to off when you are not using it to further save battery.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[stephenad]

Thanks synwars
I've already tried Short Doze (normal) but I can't make the connection in that mode.

[synwars]

Originally Posted by stephenad

Thanks synwars
I've already tried Short Doze (normal) but I can't make the connection in that mode.

Sorry mate. All I can suggest is toggling your WiFi on/off when needed.

[sonni_kuba]

change the WiFi Power Mode to Active (from Auto), by using the Engineering Screens.

What are the engineering screens ???

[stephenad]

The Engineering Screens are hidden screens containing various bits of data and settings, some of which can be changed - I think temporarily until a battery pull reboot.

On my BB, a branded device, you first go to the help screen by keying ALT SHIFT H simultaneously.

While on that screen you type in a special code. You can get the code from a code generator at absolous.no-ip.com/projects/escreen. (Sorry I can't post real links.)

Use the "What is this" link for full instructions.

[synwars]

Originally Posted by sonni_kuba

What are the engineering screens ???

E-screens are not for everybody. There is a general thought/consensus not to mess around with them unless you feel absolutely comfortable doing so. We don't know for sure that absolutely "everything" will revert back to default settings on a restart, so it is best to trace what things you have changed just in case you have to switch it back manually..

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[sonni_kuba]

Cool, thanks for the info, learned something new today

[beastbmw]

Hi
can anyone help?
I'm having the same wifi problems I think-I can connect to the service but I cannot browse. The same message of ' a communication error has occured...'. I have managed to get into the engineering screens and onto the power page but cant work out how to change the setting. Any help appreciated! Thanks.

[synwars]

Originally Posted by beastbmw

Hi
can anyone help?
I'm having the same wifi problems I think-I can connect to the service but I cannot browse. The same message of ' a communication error has occured...'. I have managed to get into the engineering screens and onto the power page but cant work out how to change the setting. Any help appreciated! Thanks.

Can you be more specific? What is the problem?

[stephenad]

I have managed to get into the engineering screens and onto the power page but cant work out how to change the setting.

I think you might have a different problem to me. I can't connect to the access point without going to minimum power saving

Anyway, on the WiFi power mode screen Scroll down to Set Power Mode and below that are 4 lines:
Active - (Minimum)
Short Doze - (Normal)
Long Doze - (Maximum)
Auto

Scroll down to the one you want and click the tracker ball. That sets it for me but I've also read that you might have to click menu and Execute Action

[beastbmw]

I have changed the settings so that the hotspot browser is the default browser and it appears that it is connected to the network, but when I go to the browser and enter a web address to search it fails to connect. The name of the wifi network name appears at the top of the screen next to Vodafone and the wifi symbol is in blue- it wont connect though

[synwars]

Originally Posted by beastbmw

I have changed the settings so that the hotspot browser is the default browser and it appears that it is connected to the network, but when I go to the browser and enter a web address to search it fails to connect. The name of the wifi network name appears at the top of the screen next to Vodafone and the wifi symbol is in blue- it wont connect though

Sorry I didn't realize you had an 8120, couldn't see it from the mobile forum view. So tell me... Do you have a BB data plan or no?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[beastbmw]

No problem! I do not have a data plan but my network provider (Vodafone) says that this does not effect my wifi and that it will be a phone software issue??? Spent days searching internet and trying different settings but still no joy.

[synwars]

Try going to Options>WiFi connections> Do you see your router there? Next hit the menu button and go to WiFi tools>WiFi diagnostics. Hit the menu button again and email me a copy to synwars@crackberry.com or you can copy/paste it in here so I can take a look.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com