Troubleshooting

We have three convenient locations!

Wal-Mart Kiosk
425 Hwy 30
Carroll, IA 51401
712-792-3456

Carroll Office
603 N Adams
Carroll, IA 51401
712-775-2946

Breda Office
112 East Main St.
Breda, IA 51436
712-673-2311

or call us toll free at
888-508-2946

 

Below are just a few tips which might help you with any phone trouble you are having, but always feel free to come into one of our locations for us to help you.

Cellular Phone Battery Tips & Tricks

Voicemail Programming & Support

Troubleshooting Tips

 

Cellular Phone Battery Tips & Tricks

Do cellular batteries have a memory effect?

Cellular phone batteries virtually do not have any memory effect. Below is some comparative battery information that may be useful.

Lithium Ion (Li Ion) Batteries

Lithium Ion batteries for cellular phones are high energy density batteries that provide greater capacity than comparable NiCd or NiMH batteries. These batteries are typically about 30 percent lighter (cell for cell) than NiMH batteries. Finally, Li Ion batteries are designed specifically to work with charging systems to provide optimal charge rate and help maximize capacity and battery life.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries for cellular phones provide the same voltage as Nickel Cadmium batteries. However, NiMH batteries typically outperform NiCd under normal consumer conditions and operating temperatures. Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are available in several different sizes to accommodate your cellular needs.

What is the recommended time charge for my battery?

The recommended charge time for an overnight charger, depending on the battery, can range from 12-24 hours. The recommended charge time for rapid chargers, depending on the battery, can be up to four hours. See your user manual for details.

What happens if I leave the battery in the charger for an extended period of time?

Extensive charging may shorten the life of the battery. We recommend not leaving batteries in a charger for more than 24 hours.

Charging a New Battery

New Batteries are supplied in a totally uncharged state. To ensure maximum battery performance, a new battery (or battery that has not been used for several months) should be charged for at least 14 hours before use.
A new battery will require several full charge/discharge cycles in order to achieve its optimum performance. A new battery, or battery that has not been used for several months, may cause a premature fully charged indication. Ignore this indication and let the battery charge for several hours.
Your batteries will not charge if they are not matched properly to the phone connection markings (+ and -). Please ensure that you have installed the batteries properly before initiating a charge.

• Best battery performance will be achieved when you regularly charge and discharge batteries.
• Battery performance is greatly affected by network coverage and features selected.
• If left unused, a fully charged battery will discharge itself in approximately one month.
• When not in use, store your battery uncharged in a cool, dark and dry place.
• Never leave your battery in extremely high temperatures (over 140° F), for example behind glass in very hot, direct sunlight.
• When the battery level is low and only a few minutes of talk time remain, a warning signal (two double beeps) will sound, the border of the battery symbol will begin to flash, and "Low Battery" will be displayed.
• When the battery is completely discharged, your phone will turn off.
• The travel charger can power the phone and charge a fitted battery. Ensure the local mains voltage at your location matches that of your travel charger. Fit an original battery onto your phone.

To charge your battery:

1. Attach the correct adapter plug to the travel charger.
2. Connect the travel charger to the phone. The connector is keyed and can only be inserted one way.
3. Insert the travel charger plug into a suitable main power socket.
4. A beep-tone is heard and the battery icon flashes when charging begins. Your phone can either be powered on or off during charging.

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Voicemail Programming & Support

The first time you use your U.S. Cellular Voice Mail, you will need to complete the online tutorial within the system to set up your:

• Password (4 or more digits)
• Recorded name in the system
• Your personalized greeting

Access the tutorial from your wireless phone (while in
your home area):

• Dial your 10-digit wireless number + SEND
• Enter 9+9+9+9 (Default Security Code for accessing the Tutorial)
• Follow the tutorial steps to set up your own security code and greeting
• When you have completed the tutorial and the main setup above, you can access your voice mailbox. After this point, the system will prompt you with instructions for future operations and the tutorial will no longer be required.

To listen to your messages:

1. From the main menu, press 1 to play messages (play menu)
2. Once in the play menu, press 9 to save messages
3. To delete messages, press 7
4. To keep message new (will not place message in "saved messages" storage location) press #
5. To return to the main menu press *
6. To exit the system press # (from main menu)
7. To recover deleted messages (while on the same call) press *,then 3

Playback Options (while listening to a voice mail message)

• Pause/Resume - Press 2
• Rewind (6 seconds) - Press 1
• Rewind (beginning) - Press 1, 1
• Fast Forward (6 seconds) - Press 3
• Fast Forward (end of message) - Press 3, 3

To Modify Greeting/Password/Recorded Name at Any Time
Access your mailbox and then follow these instructions for each:

• GREETING - Press 3 (Places you into the Greetings menu)
  Follow prompts to listen to and modify primary or alternate greeting
• PASSWORD - Press 4 (Personal options menu)
  Press 4 again (Personal preference selection menu)
  Press 1 (Modify your password)
• RECORDED NAME - Press 4 (Personal options menu)
  Press 4 again (Personal preference selection menu)
  Press 3 (Modify your recorded name)

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Troubleshooting Tips

Familiarize yourself with these simple directions to minimize any minor difficulties you may encounter with your wireless phone or service. Equipment features vary from one manufacturer to the next, so consult your equipment manual for specific operating instructions. Call or come by one of our locations for additional help.

Phone will not turn on

Have you pressed the PWR button or Power Key and held it down for three seconds?
Check the battery connection. Have you charged your battery?

Can't place a call

Have you pressed the PWR button or Power Key?
Check the battery connection, if applicable.
Have you pressed SEND/TALK?
Is the phone locked? If so, enter the unlock code and try again.
Did you dial the complete 10-digit number?

A rapid busy signal is heard

Press END, redial the number and press SEND/TALK.
If dialing long distance, did you dial 1 + area code + 7 digit number?

A siren sound is heard

Are you out of the service area? Redial when the NO SVC indicator goes off.
Did you make a mistake when dialing? Please redial.

Infrequent static is heard

The signal may be temporarily blocked. Push END and redial.

Continual static

The antenna connection may be loose or incorrectly positioned. You may be traveling outside the service area.

"No SVC" indicator is on

Are you out of the service area? Check the service area map on the Cellular Information page. If in the service area, the antenna connection may be faulty. Is the antenna missing?

Hands-free doesn't work

Is the hands-free speaker phone disconnected? Check the connections to the external speaker.
Is the handset in the cradle? Check the handset position.
Move to a quieter area. Background noise may interfere.

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