VERIZON users on Custom Rom's - annoying voice-only network notification??

[NinjaDuck]

Who is going to test if the new VZW Radio fixes the issue?

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=90342

Direct Download:
ftp://up.ppcgeeks.com/Touch%20Pro%20...W_2.23WV_S.exe

[CrossroadsTech]

Originally Posted by mike2037

Who is going to test if the new VZW Radio fixes the issue?

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=90342

Direct Download:
ftp://up.ppcgeeks.com/Touch%20Pro%20...W_2.23WV_S.exe

The new radio exe doesn't fix it. It also does not overwrite the ERI. Version 4 still remained. I just got through loading the complete Verizon OEM Update and it upgraded the ERI to version 5. Now I'm going to load MightyROM back and see what happens. Stay tuned.

[gbruyn]

Originally Posted by thayer

Yeah, read the thread....its ONLY with custom roms. Are you running custom?

NOT TRUE. The dropping down to 1X happens on ALL ROMS. I just flashed the new VZW radio from there 6.5 rom and hoping that it fixes the issue. I had the issue with stock 6.1 rom as did hundreds of other people.

[gbruyn]

What is ERI out of curiosity?

[CrossroadsTech]

Originally Posted by gbruyn

What is ERI out of curiosity?

ERI = Enhanced Roaming Indicator

It is a small bin file stored in the phone's protected file system that simply says what to display on the screen and references them by a number. For example:
40 = display "Verizon Wireless"
42 = display "Extended Network"
There are also other properties for each entry such as displaying a roaming triangle and more that I don't understand.

Verizon's PRL references the ERI roaming entries to display neat things like "Extended Network" when off the VZW network. Problem is something about the Extended Network entry in the ERI is causing the Voice only network pop up on custom ROMs.

The fix I've discovered is to get the #42 "Extended Network" ERI to not display. One way that I referenced in a previous post is to load a PRL that won't use the ERI. Works, but requires someone to create and keep an updated PRL for us to use and is not a very clean solution. I'm working on the ERI now to see if I can modify it and fix it. Stay tuned....

[CrossroadsTech]

Well I have modified the ERI with HexEditor until it didn't work at all and can't get rid of the voice-only pop-up. Looks like because the PRL references a different entry (42, Extended Network) than the first entry (40, Verizon Wireless), whatever process/driver creates the pop-up knows its on a roaming system. That's the key to the problem... if the PRL/ERI indicates the phone is roaming, than the pop-up appears. Looks like the only forseeable workaround is to use a modified PRL that has the roaming indicator off for all SIDs like the one in my previous post. I'll start working on updating the current Nationwide and Hybrid (Alltel preferred network) PRLs so we can use them. Hopefully some ROMs can be cooked using the new WM 6.5 VZW ROM and won't have this problem!

[CrossroadsTech]

PRL FIX FOR VOICE-ONLY NETWORK POP-UP

Here is my fix for the annoying Voice-Only Network pop up message that plagues Verizon custom ROM users when they travel outside or lose Verizon Wireless native (owned and operated) coverage. This PRL is exactly the same as the current Verizon Nationwide Plan PRL except I have disabled the Enhanced Roaming Indicator (ERI) and instead use a flashing triangle to indicate "Extended Network" and a solid triangle to indicate "Roaming." I will keep it updated as new PRLs are released by Verizon.

Enjoy!
CrossroadsTech

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51739m - Current VZW PRL
65084m - Current VZW "Alltel-Hybrid" PRL

Change Log

2/15/10 - Released Modified PRL 51739 (Legacy Verizon).
* Decided to use legacy PRL instead of Alltel-Hybrid as Alltel networks are almost all completely integrated with Verizon.
* Set roaming triangle to flash when on Extended Network and solid when on Roaming (mostly International) network.

1/8/10 - Initial release of the Modified PRL Fix. Used (Alltel-Hybrid) PRL version 65084. Roaming indicator (triangle) is off for all SIDs.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

How to install:

1. Download the current modified PRL and save it to your phones "\My Documents".
2. Dial ##775 and press Talk
3. "Please Enter Unlock Code" displays. Enter 000000 and press OK. (six zeros)
4. Press "Update PRL" and press Menu (right softkey). Select Edit.
5. Press Browse and select the current modified PRL. Press ok (top right).
6. Press Menu and select OK.
7. "Update the items?" displays. Press Yes. Press ok to reboot the phone.

The install is successful when you don't see the "Verizon Wireless" or "Extended Network" banner on the top of the Today screen anymore. I recommend keeping the modified PRL file on your phone in case you need to reload it back. (See FAQ Question #6 as to why.)

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FAQ -- Updated 2/15/10

1. What is causing the Voice Only Network pop up message?

It's still unknown exactly why. It only shows up on Custom ROMs for Verizon users whenever the "Extended Network" ERI is displayed on the phone. "Extended Network" is displayed when you lose service or leave the Verizon owned and operated coverage area and are "free" roaming on another cellular provider (like US Cellular or Cellular South). This fix disables the ERI thus no more pop-up message.


2. What is the Enhanced Roaming Indicator (ERI)?

To simplify it, it is the fancy text that is displayed on the Today (main) screen that says "Verizon Wireless" or "Extended Network."

3. Can I get roaming charges from using this modified PRL?

This PRL is exactly the same as the official Verizon Nationwide PRL with the same version number except for the text on the Today screen. As long as you are on a current postpaid Nationwide plan, you should be fine. With that said, use at your own risk!


4. How do I get the original/official Verizon PRL back?

Easy, just call *228 and select option 2. The "Verizon Wireless" text will magically reappear after the phone reboots.


5. All of a sudden, "Verizon Wireless" appeared back on my screen or "Extended Network" and the pop up returned. What happened?

Verizon's OTA programming system pushed you a new updated PRL. Don't panic. Follow the install instructions again and reinstall the modified PRL.


6. How often should I update the modified PRL?

Verizon lately has been releasing new PRLs at least monthly. I will try to post an updated modified PRL within a few days after a release. It is not a necessity that you have the latest PRL unless you are having voice and/or data coverage issues. With that said, I would recommend updating your modified PRL at least every quarter.



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[whetzel]

Originally Posted by CrossroadsTech

PRL FIX FOR VOICE-ONLY NETWORK POP-UP

Here is my fix for the annoying Voice-Only Network pop up message that plagues Verizon custom ROM users when they travel outside or lose Verizon Wireless native (owned and operated) coverage. This PRL is exactly the same as the current Verizon "Alltel-Hybrid" PRL except I have disabled the Enhanced Roaming Indicator (ERI) and I will keep it updated as new PRLs are released by Verizon. (It doesn't begin with a 5?! See FAQ below.)

Enjoy!
CrossroadsTech

65084m - Current PRL as of 1/8/10.

How to install:

1. Download the current modified PRL and save it to your phones "\My Documents".
2. Dial ##775 and press Talk
3. "Please Enter Unlock Code" displays. Enter 000000 and press OK. (six zeros)
4. Press "Update PRL" and press Menu (right softkey). Select Edit.
5. Press Browse and select the current modified PRL. Press ok (top right).
6. Press Menu and select OK.
7. "Update the items?" displays. Press Yes. Press ok to reboot the phone.

The install is successful when you don't see the "Verizon Wireless" or "Extended Network" banner on the top of the Today screen. I recommending keeping the modified PRL file on your phone in case you need to reload it back (see last FAQ question below.)

FAQ

What is the "Alltel-Hybrid" PRL? I need a 5xxxx PRL!
Verizon has created this version of the current PRL that prefers the recently acquired Alltel network in markets where Alltel has better coverage than the old Verizon one. For 99.9% of users, you should get better coverage in areas where Verizon acquired Alltel and if you are in New York City where Alltel doesn't exist, this PRL works exactly the same as the current 5xxxx. For these reasons, I'm not going to maintain a current modified 5xxxx unless Verizon changes this.

What is causing the Voice Only Network pop up message?
It's still unknown exactly why. It only shows up on Custom Roms for Verizon users whenever the "Extended Network" ERI is displayed on the phone. "Extended Network" is displayed when you lose service or leave the Verizon owned and operated coverage area and are "free" roaming on another cellular provider (like US Cellular or Cellular South). This fix disables the ERI thus no more pop-up message.

What is the Enhanced Roaming Indicator (ERI)?
To simplify it, it is the fancy text that is displayed on the Today (main) screen that says "Verizon Wireless" or "Extended Network." It also does other fancy things like say if the roaming indicator (a triangle on the TP2) should appear.

Are there any side-effects or bugs?
Two that I know of:
The fancy "Verizon Wireless" or "Extended Network" text no longer appears on the Today screen.
The "Roaming Only" option found in the Phone settings of some Custom ROMs (such as MightyROM) won't work anymore. That's because my PRL says all SIDs (Verizon and others) are a "Home" system.

Can I get roaming charges from using a modified PRL?
This PRL is exactly the same as the official Verizon PRL except for the text on the Today screen. If you get roaming charges in a particular area, everybody does. It's not because of the PRL.

How do I get the original/official Verizon PRL back?
Easy, just call *228 and select option 2. The "Verizon Wireless" text will magically reappear after the phone reboots.

All of a sudden, "Verizon Wireless" appeared back on my screen or "Extended Network" and the pop up returned. What happened?
Verizon's OTA system pushed you a new updated PRL. Don't panic. Follow the install instructions again and reload the PRL back.

I haven't tried it myself yet because I currently don't need it, but I thanked you for your efforts.

Hopefully this will work for everyone.

Please report back any findings if anyone tries it.

Thanks.

[CrossroadsTech]

Originally Posted by whetzel

I haven't tried it myself yet because I currently don't need it, but I thanked you for your efforts.

Hopefully this will work for everyone.

Please report back any findings if anyone tries it.

Thanks.

Yes, PLEASE. Let us know if it works for you and any issues you have.

[eth3rton]

I have been flashing through some of the latest ROMs and here is what I have noticed so far :

[ROM] ll* CFay_RHOD_500/400 *ll ll* CEOS 21887 *ll ll*Build 1.4 *ll COMPLETE OVERHAUL - almost completely unusable because of this error. I ran his original rom the longest and only had minor popups.

|R|6.5.3|ROM|WWE| ★ EnergyROM "Phoenix 2" 28014/21885 ★Dec 17★ Sense 2.1/Titanium ★ - Had less of the popups but took it off due to the mms/txt freezing up issues.

║MightyROM.com║ ║Windows Phone®║ ║Sense UI║ ║01.09.2010║ - knock on wood. No popups and no lockups so far. Been running it for almost 3 days and it should have at least done it a couple times now.

Don't know if this can or will help anyone but just thought I'd share my experiences. My coverage area is under Zip(s) : 62938 & 42001.