Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Dear Maemo community,


Since yesterday afternoon after no problems for several months, when the phone shut itself down (I assumed due to empty battery), it shuts itself down every time after entering the SIM PIN. It starts when I take out the SIM or abort the SIM PIN entering dialog, but then trying to activate the SIM by entering the SIM PIN, it crashes/shuts down.

Have you ever heard of such a problem?

I am going to try to find some logs, but I am out of ideas.

1. O₂ Germany changed something.
2. After connecting the SIM, it tries to receive some data (SMS?), which crashes the phone.


Thanks,

PaulePanter

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Dear Maemo community,


Connecting the device over USB to a laptop, and enabling SDK mode, it didn’t crash after entering the PIN. No idea why.

Nothing related in `/var/log/pasms.log`. Here are the message before entering the PIN, and nothing related afterward.


Thanks,

PaulePanter

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Dear Maemo community,


And here the messages before a crash from `/var/log/syslog`:


Thanks,

PaulePanter

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Not 100% sure but I think so.
The connection to a cellular network (as well as receiving/initiating a call) will need more power for a short period of time (Leistungsspitze / power peak). And I guess your battery is quite old?
I had this iirc with a battery that else worked fine, still long enough but let the phone shut down in such scenario.
Please try the same with a connected charger...

--edit
ah, I did not see your other answers. So self tested already.
Your battery is worn out and cannot give enough power juice for such peaks anymore.

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Dear Maemo community,


Indeed it seems battery related. Disconnecting the charger after it connected to the O₂ network, I had problems again doing a call, and it lost connection to the mobile network, and after a few reconnects reste. No problems with a charger connected.

As there does not seem to be a way to fix a worn-out battery, I guess, I have to retire the phone or think about replacing the battery (found some offer for 24 €), but I guess it’s not worth it.


Thanks,

PaulePanter

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Unfortunately bit of a lottery with batteries now as last originals manufactured about 2013/14. Presumably your N9 16GB not 64GB? As UK based prior to Brexit I would have stepped in before with offer of working Jolla phone or to take N9 off your hands.

Lack of batteries is just another reason why I haven't updated my "Sticky - Re-commissioning N9 in 2015" together with the fact older eyes necessitate me enlarging screen icons and font size.:D

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

I can confirm that SIM cards sometimes (esp. when initialising I guess) draw a lot of power.

New battery:
https://www.polarcell.de/en/Article?s=n900
I got the slightly more expensive one.

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

I am not sure it is the SIM card as such. More like, a device with a SIM card inserted tries to register with the network. Using the cellular radio is what draws a lot of power.

Fun story I may have mentioned before. I had a Palm phone with a battery that lasted 9-10 days between charges. I did not bother to pack a charger when I was going away for just a week. My main usage pattern was texting and using apps (like games) that did not use the radio. Hardly ever any phone calls.

When the battery started getting old, I did not notice any change at all. It would still last the same 9-10 between charges, with the same usage pattern. The only change I noticed was that the voice in phone calls became distorted, due to the aforementioned power drain by the cell radio. Evenually it got to the stage when my phone rebooted when it received a call with the battery indicator below 90%. Replacing the battery fixed the problem.

The moral of the story is, do not trust the battery indicator. It may look like your battery is OK. The device may even behave like the battery is OK (see my 9-10 days between charges). But the battery may be already knackered. The OP's definitely looks that way.

Re: Crash/poweroff after entering SIM PIN
 

Dear Maemo community,


Thank you for all the replies with great input.

As an update, the problem vanished again, and I am able to enter the PIN and do calls without the plugged in charger. I know, this observation does not prove anything, and I keep in mind, that the phone stops working at any time and I should at least always carry a charger with me.


Thanks,

PaulePanter