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Gossamer · Jul 17, 2006, 08:36 AM

I've got a Nokia 6256i from Verizon that no longer rings. I've had it for less than a month, and for some reason it won't ring anymore. I played with every setting I could find, but nothing worked. The screen lights up and tells me someone's calling, but there's no sound or vibration. The only thing I could find was "Restore Factory Settings" but it requires a lock code that I do not know.
Any ideas?

Landos Mustache · Jul 17, 2006, 08:52 AM

try 0000 as the default code or look it up in your instructions.

Gossamer · Jul 17, 2006, 08:56 AM

I tried 0000, 000000, 1111, 111111, 1234, etc. but I couldn't get it

. When I get home from work I'll take a gander at the booklet, thanks for the help though.

CMYKid · Jul 17, 2006, 10:15 AM

nope, thats likely the MSL, which is unique to every cell phone made. you'll need to take it in. now....you CAN scam it from the rep if you're half smart, since they generally wont tell it to you if you ask. there are a number of things, such as provisioning data services, activating/doing an ESn or handset switch, that also require the MSL and if you're on the phone with them they'll tell you to hit some series of # signs and numbers and one of those strings is your MSL. Its always useful to write that down for later use.

assuming you're sure that you didnt just accidentally turn the volume on the ringer down (you HAVE already tried turning it up the usual way I assume) then it might just be junk, especially if it was a giveaway or soemthing as it's very likely a refurb. Might just wanna get it replaced.

For mroe info on that specific model you can check out either the Nokia or Verizon-specific message boards at howardforums.com. Its signature hell, but there's usually some good info.

gururafiki · Jul 17, 2006, 10:16 AM

Try taking the battery out, and then putting it back in. I know this works on Moto phones when they start acting up.

zerostar · Jul 17, 2006, 10:24 AM

A search on http://www.howardforums.com might help you.

Stratus Fear · Jul 17, 2006, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by CMYKid

nope, thats likely the MSL, which is unique to every cell phone made. you'll need to take it in. now....you CAN scam it from the rep if you're half smart, since they generally wont tell it to you if you ask. there are a number of things, such as provisioning data services, activating/doing an ESn or handset switch, that also require the MSL and if you're on the phone with them they'll tell you to hit some series of # signs and numbers and one of those strings is your MSL. Its always useful to write that down for later use.

Is that deal with the MSL a CDMA-only thing? I've only ever had GSM & UMTS phones and have never heard of such a thing. I at least know that the ESN is a CDMA thing, where on the GSM side we have the IMEI & IMSI. Typically I've ever only seen Security/Unlock codes on GSM phones that have a pretty simple default and are user changable, and are perfectly capable of doing a factory reset without going to the carrier/manufacturer. CDMA carriers like to lock their phones down though (especially Verizon which locks out pretty much anything, like Bluetooth OBEX) so I'm not so surprised if this is the case.

Gossamer · Jul 17, 2006, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Stratus Fear

Is that deal with the MSL a CDMA-only thing? I've only ever had GSM & UMTS phones and have never heard of such a thing. I at least know that the ESN is a CDMA thing, where on the GSM side we have the IMEI & IMSI. Typically I've ever only seen Security/Unlock codes on GSM phones that have a pretty simple default and are user changable, and are perfectly capable of doing a factory reset without going to the carrier/manufacturer. CDMA carriers like to lock their phones down though (especially Verizon which locks out pretty much anything, like Bluetooth OBEX) so I'm not so surprised if this is the case.

woah...too many acronyms!
I played with the settings for a while, then pulled the battery, and suddenly it rings! I kinda wondered why my phone hadn't rung since Friday. Thanks guys!

Stratus Fear · Jul 17, 2006, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

woah...too many acronyms!

Just like computers

CMYKid · Jul 18, 2006, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stratus Fear

Is that deal with the MSL a CDMA-only thing? I've only ever had GSM & UMTS phones and have never heard of such a thing. I at least know that the ESN is a CDMA thing, where on the GSM side we have the IMEI & IMSI. Typically I've ever only seen Security/Unlock codes on GSM phones that have a pretty simple default and are user changable, and are perfectly capable of doing a factory reset without going to the carrier/manufacturer. CDMA carriers like to lock their phones down though (especially Verizon which locks out pretty much anything, like Bluetooth OBEX) so I'm not so surprised if this is the case.

nah, not CDMA only, they're just different names for the same things. ESN is just Electronic Serial Number, like a MAC address for handsets...MSL is Manufacturers System Lock or soemthing similar...Lots of GSM phones are locked to their particular networks also.

MacMan4000 · Jul 18, 2006, 10:36 PM

try the last 4 digits of the phone number

brassplayersrock² · Jul 18, 2006, 10:42 PM

sorta derailing the thread here but: my cingular phone has been putting itself into Emergency Only mode in spots that use to get full signal. i need to restart my phone to get it out of this, also, my reception has gone to hell too. any ideas?

Stratus Fear · Jul 18, 2006, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by CMYKid

nah, not CDMA only, they're just different names for the same things. ESN is just Electronic Serial Number, like a MAC address for handsets...MSL is Manufacturers System Lock or soemthing similar...Lots of GSM phones are locked to their particular networks also.

Yeah, but on GSM, such a lock code only removes the subsidy lock and nothing else (you know, the thing that locks a phone to specific carrier SIM cards). I don't know so much about how CDMA phones usually do their thing...

goMac · Jul 18, 2006, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

...from Verizon...

Found your problem.

Yeah yeah... It's a phone problem. I just hate Verizon with a passion.

CMYKid · Jul 19, 2006, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Stratus Fear

Yeah, but on GSM, such a lock code only removes the subsidy lock and nothing else (you know, the thing that locks a phone to specific carrier SIM cards). I don't know so much about how CDMA phones usually do their thing...

Thats it, MSL = SUBSIDY Lock. That'd been bugging me all day.

Gossamer · Jul 19, 2006, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by goMac

Found your problem.

Yeah yeah... It's a phone problem. I just hate Verizon with a passion.

No, the 6256i is kind of a red headed step child to Verizon. You couldn't get it through them, and it's fully bluetooth unlocked, plus it doesn't use the stupid verizon interface, like the other phones.

Originally Posted by MacMan4000

try the last 4 digits of the phone number

Oh crap...I just reset it to factory settings testing that out

But thanks for the tip

Stratus Fear · Jul 19, 2006, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by goMac

Found your problem.

Yeah yeah... It's a phone problem. I just hate Verizon with a passion.

I was gonna say the same thing but I know some Verizon fanatics out there that would hammer me for it. Don't know if there are any on this forum, though.

MacMan4000 · Jul 19, 2006, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Oh crap...I just reset it to factory settings testing that out

But thanks for the tip

heh, sorry. Thats what my phone password has always been on my Sprint phones. But it's not documented anywhere. I had to call sprint to find out.

Gossamer · Jul 19, 2006, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Stratus Fear

I was gonna say the same thing but I know some Verizon fanatics out there that would hammer me for it. Don't know if there are any on this forum, though.

They've got great reception and I've only had two dropped calls ever (both this last week...guess I'm not supposed to talk on the John), but I do hate their locking of features, which is why I got this unlocked phone.

Stratus Fear · Jul 19, 2006, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

They've got great reception and I've only had two dropped calls ever (both this last week...guess I'm not supposed to talk on the John), but I do hate their locking of features, which is why I got this unlocked phone.

Oh I don't doubt the reception, but the other providers have also improved a lot in recent years. I've never liked Verizon because of their locking, I've heard nightmares about their CS dept., and I don't know if everybody notices it, but most of my friends that have Verizon or any of the other CDMA carriers typically sound kind of robotic on the phone, and it seems worse in areas with less signal. The voice codec might be efficient but it sounds like crap to me. I also have fairly discerning ears, but I recognize not everyone's going to notice -- I'm probably picky. I'm kind of surprised you had luck with an unlocked phone. Some people say they have issues getting Verizon to put those phones on the network for them. If I could have an unlocked phone on that network, I'd be more willing to use them, as that's my biggest complaint. I shouldn't have to pay them gobs of money to put media on my phone that I can do by myself with almost any other phone on the market.

Gossamer · Jul 19, 2006, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Stratus Fear

Oh I don't doubt the reception, but the other providers have also improved a lot in recent years. I've never liked Verizon because of their locking, I've heard nightmares about their CS dept., and I don't know if everybody notices it, but most of my friends that have Verizon or any of the other CDMA carriers typically sound kind of robotic on the phone, and it seems worse in areas with less signal. The voice codec might be efficient but it sounds like crap to me. I also have fairly discerning ears, but I recognize not everyone's going to notice -- I'm probably picky. I'm kind of surprised you had luck with an unlocked phone. Some people say they have issues getting Verizon to put those phones on the network for them. If I could have an unlocked phone on that network, I'd be more willing to use them, as that's my biggest complaint. I shouldn't have to pay them gobs of money to put media on my phone that I can do by myself with almost any other phone on the market.

Sorry, I didn't mean unlocked as in any provider unlocked, just features unlocked. I can put mp3s on it, send pictures via bluetooth, etc. My sister's LG can't do any of that without paying Verizon. I bought the phone at a Verizon authorized store, which is the only verizon-related place to get one, their official stores didn't offer the phone.

Stratus Fear · Jul 19, 2006, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Sorry, I didn't mean unlocked as in any provider unlocked, just features unlocked. I can put mp3s on it, send pictures via bluetooth, etc. My sister's LG can't do any of that without paying Verizon. I bought the phone at a Verizon authorized store, which is the only verizon-related place to get one, their official stores didn't offer the phone.

Oh yeah, I understood that. The biggest dent in Verizon retail phones is usually the lock on OBEX with Bluetooth, right? That's the biggest thing I'd want lifted on a Verizon phone.

Gossamer · Jul 19, 2006, 10:55 AM

I've transferred pictures to bluetooth capable Macs at CompUSA, and I've transferred them using the memory card and card reader, but I have yet to get bluetooth at home. My sister's LG and roommates Motorola (both Verizon) can't do that.