Camera takes a poo on 7400

[KAT]

Been offline for a while, modem went south, nice to be back. I went to take a picture with my 'trusty' 7400 the other day, and realized it didn't work. Went home, tried it again, same thing. What happens is it will take the shot, say "Saving to camera", and then I get a totally white screen for a second, and the phone completly shuts off. A few seconds later, the phone turns itself on again, with the "Looking for service" screen, just like when you turn it on yourself in the morning. Same thing happens with taking a video, or if I try to transfer pic to "Save to phone". Went to a Sprint store to see if it could be fixed, they couldn't do it, and offered a vm 5500 as a replacement, saying the specs are the same. They also showed me the 8300, but I couldn't stomach the smaller display size. I asked about the 5600, they said it's discontinued, which I already knew, so I asked for another 7400, and they said ok, so they must have more in stock. Anyway, wondering if anyone else has had this camera issue with their 7400.

[donblay]

yup, the EXACT same thing started with mine on Monday. Exactly. Can't save anything to it. Can't download ringers or screen savers either. It seems like the flash memeory in it must have died, nothing can be saved. I took it in to Sprint and they ordered me a replacement 7400. It was supposed to be in today but when I went to get it and they told me to check back tomorrow :(
Odd that we're both having the exact same issue.

[KAT]

yup, the EXACT same thing started with mine on Monday. Exactly. Can't save anything to it. Can't download ringers or screen savers either. It seems like the flash memeory in it must have died, nothing can be saved. I took it in to Sprint and they ordered me a replacement 7400. It was supposed to be in today but when I went to get it and they told me to check back tomorrow :(
Odd that we're both having the exact same issue.
Wow, that is odd, and to make it worse, the girl at the Sprint Store now tells me she doesn't know why the guy there said I could get another 7400, they are discontinued, which I knew, so why did the guy say I could get another one? I figured they had a couple still in stock, but maybe this guy screwed up. I loved the 7400, I'm so pissed this happened, and when I look for a replacement for it, I see nothing that really equals it. And whenever they say they will call me, they don't, I have to keep bugging them about it. I just don't know if I can stomach a lesser phone with a smaller display, and have to learn the phone all over again, or just keep the 7400 and ditch my pix mail plan, this stinks. Let me know what happens.

[donblay]

i was lucky that they offered a 7400 right away, and ordered it. but i'm a little nervous now that is hasn't come in still. i'll let you know what happens tomorrow.

[steb0ne]

I'd go back and keep bugging them until they either fix it or get you a replacement. Have them check other stores or the warehouse or somewhere. Somebody, somewhere has another 7400 even if it's a refurb. I wouldn't except the 8300 as a replacement from Lockline, and they had a refurb 7400 sent to me after enough complaining.

[KAT]

I just called the Sprint Store, and the girl gave me the name of the guy I originally dealt with, so I'm gonna call him at 4:00, and get the skinny on whats up. Hopefully we will both end up with brand new 74's soon. I don't care if they have to order one from where you are getting your's, I really don't want to deal with a different phone right now. At least until the new Sanyo MM-9000 comes out! Good Luck

[KAT]

I'd go back and keep bugging them until they either fix it or get you a replacement. Have them check other stores or the warehouse or somewhere. Somebody, somewhere has another 7400 even if it's a refurb. I wouldn't except the 8300 as a replacement from Lockline, and they had a refurb 7400 sent to me after enough complaining.
Apparently, this problem cannot be fixed, so if they can't get another one, what other phone would be a equal replacement? I know about the vm 5500, and the 8300, but those are the only 2 I know of, except maybe the a880, which looks nice, but I'm just so used to the Sanyo Menu/UI, and how to get everywhere. I suspect you had different problem than the camera.

[steb0ne]

Apparently, this problem cannot be fixed, so if they can't get another one, what other phone would be a equal replacement? I know about the vm 5500, and the 8300, but those are the only 2 I know of, except maybe the a880, which looks nice, but I'm just so used to the Sanyo Menu/UI, and how to get everywhere. I suspect you had different problem than the camera.

Yeah, my hinge cracked. I couldn't accept a A880, because I use RL and it doesn't have that feature. The 8300 is so small and the display is small, and I really relied on the voice recognition dialing on the 7400 which the 8300 lacked. Plus since this was my 2nd flip broken in less than a year (after a casual drop) I didn't feel that phone was for me, it felt like a small toy and instead of the solid ruggid build of the 7400.

I wouldn't take a 5500 because it lacked MM capabilities.

[KAT]

Yeah, I forgot all about the 5500 not being a MM phone, and this is the first model this guy tried to pass off on me as a phone with all the exact features the 7400 has, glad I didn't go for it........ geeeeez And this wasn't some kid at Radio Shack, this was a Sprint guy at the Sprint Store.

[KAT]

Finally got a hold of that guy at Sprint Store, he said he can get the 7400, they are on back order, and others are waiting on the same phone. So it may be a few more days, but what's more interesting is he offered me a 5600, and possibly getting that even sooner. I'm pretty tempted! Hey donblay, maybe you should ask for 5600 as well, that's a definite upgrade for free!

[donblay]

Mine STILL hasn't come in yet. they told me thursday, i stopped in, not therer, told me to call friday. i called friday (several times) and they told me to call back saturday. i'm loosing faith....

[Deval]

thats a known issue on the 7400/5600...unfortunatly, its hard to pinpoint what causes it exactly, but it is covered under warranty. though, a personal observation is corrupted 3rd party ringers

[KAT]

Well, I hope they resolved this issue with the 9000. There's a new thread I read entitled. "My 7400 won't turn on" The same thing happened, except after he/she tried to take a picture, the phone stayed off, at least mine turns itself on again. Never heard about this till I started this thread, it seems I'm not the only one, that's for sure.

[GaryK]

thats a known issue on the 7400/5600...unfortunatly, its hard to pinpoint what causes it exactly, but it is covered under warranty. though, a personal observation is corrupted 3rd party ringers

Deval, do u know if warranty transferrable? i got Sanyo 7400 from fellow sprintuses. hasn't had above-mentioned problem yet, but u never know. thanks.

[KAT]

So I call the same guy at Sprint Store again because yesterday he told me to. He answers, and I say what's up, do you have 7400. He asked for my phone #, says he will call back in a few minutes. 3 hours go by, I call him AGAIN to ask why he didn't call me back. He says sorry, and now says there are no 74's or 56's in warehouse. I say I don't care, maybe there's some in Vermont, just get me a 7400. He then says I have a 8300 for you. I say no you don't, I told you 6 times I don't want no stinkin 8300. He say's he'll continue to look, but his boss wants one to, cuz his 74 F't up and he gets first dibs. This really is'nt lookin to good. I'm right back where I started, and I smell a endless game of me calling to hear the same story, but I guess it's either getting another picture phone I don't like, or dumping my pix mail plan. Isn't this great, and I'm not ready for a 1 year $75.00 rebate with upgrade till about Feb. :irked:

[VzeroX]

I too am stranded in replacement phone limbo. I took my a700 in about 3 weeks ago because of some standard Samsung issues. They offered and ordered an 8300 for me, but I went home and read some of the posts on this board about it, and called them back to cancel and "be put on a waiting list" for a new a700. After about a week of hearing nothing and dealing with daily lock-ups I went back to the store and argued for over an hour with the reps there. They reluctantly ordered me a 7400, and I picked it up 3 days later. After less than 6 hours with the phone I realized the headset jack didn't work properly (bad internal connection) so I went back the next day. They again tried to give me an 8300. After I threw a fit they told me I'd be waiting for an indefinate amount of time to get another 7400. They WILL NOT give me a new phone in the showroom, and under most circumstances I'd understand, but this is already my 2nd defective phone. We still have 5600s here in Omaha, or at least they still have a display model out.

now it's been 3 days with this phone thatI can't use in my car (I drive a 5 speed), and judging by the responses on the board here, it could be much longer. I WAS going to buy a Sammy 940 soon, but now I'm thinking it might be a 970 instead... I know.. Verizon... but that's my point. The CS with our sprint stores is terrible, and I know we aren't the worst. They have until Wed before I go back in and fight for a 5600 or a880... ...and probably end up with an 8300.

[GrndOrange]

I will say, as a Sprint rep, the warranty replacement phones aren't up to us. The computer says whats available at that point in time so its basically a toss up. Within the past month I have seen the 7400 both available and unavailable at the warehouses, with unavailable being more often than not the case. Definately ask if they have any preowned to replace it with though.

[VzeroX]

My problem is that I fail to see how what the computer says is available should cause such a decline in CS. I understand that the 7400 or 700 isn't avail. HOWEVER.. this is my warranty replacement now, and IMO, it's a downgrade from what I paid for with the 700, both feature-wise, and financially. The 7400 however IS acceptable to me since I know a 700 isn't going to happen. The 8300 is UNacceptable. I have read too many negatives, and it's just short of entry-level. I paid for a $400 phone. The 880 is quite comparable to what I had. What is the purpose of having people in the stores at all if they can't make informed decisions for themselves? I'm not asking for a major upgrade.. I just want what I paid for. If you buy a microwave from somewhere, take it home and it doesn't work, you take it back for a NEW one. This hasn't been the case here. I get that refurbs help keep costs down, and you have to do SOMETHING with all those repaired phones, but not being able to offer a NEW phone when all else fails? Who does that?

In the end I probably WILL end up with an 8300 simply because an 8300 with headset is more useful than a better phone without. THAT is why Sprint can kiss my ass when my contract's up.

[VzeroX]

The irony to this all is that I just received an automated call from Sprint asking about my most recent visit. Needless to say, they got a nasty nasty review.

[steb0ne]

In the end I probably WILL end up with an 8300 simply because an 8300 with headset is more useful than a better phone without. THAT is why Sprint can kiss my ass when my contract's up.

Wow! Remember to be persistent and remain calm. I would take the 8300 for now, and keep trying to get what you want. I keep my 8300 for about 2 weeks before I got my refurb 7400 (which reminds me to check my earpiece to make sure it works).

[reemusk]

i think the 5500 is a good replacement..the 8300 is not, the 5600 is not either.

[VzeroX]

When you say the 5600 is not, why? Is it a quality issue, or is it actually too much better?

I don't really care for the vm4500 myself. First off, I'm not a huge fan of Sanyo keypads to begin with, in fact the 7400 is itself an adjustment, but the directional 4-way key at least isn't ROUND. Second, keep in mind I went from a Sam 700 screen to the 7400 screen, which is lower resolution, and I believe the vm4500 is even less. Plus, my g/f's bro has a vm4500, and he's had mechanical problems like breaking hinges and antennae, and I know he's not hard on his phone. I just need something to make it til july/august '06 that's comparable to what I had. I loved my a700, and despite the inferior cam on the 7400, the addition of a speakerphone, reception, and battery life make up for it. Not to get off topic, but since I know it's been debated many times over, I live AND work in fringe areas in terms of all cellular signals, and the 7400 seems to maintain a signal better than any other phone I've had (all Samsungs).

[KAT]

Hey VzeroX, If I sounded as if the 8300 is a bad phone, that's not what I meant to imply, many people like this phone, and for all I know, it's a good phone, my main problem with it was basicly the display size, I don't like small screens, I'm used to the 7400's larger, bright display, I use vision, MM stuff alot, and it's to hard for me to go backwards to a smaller one. But yes, it seems we may have to settle for the 8300 regardless eh? I guess it all depends on how long you wanna stick it out and call and call and wait and wait..........

[KAT]

i think the 5500 is a good replacement..the 8300 is not, the 5600 is not either.
I'd take a 5600 no problem. The 5500 is NOT a comparable phone since it is not a mutimedia phone, they tried to give me one of those as well, saying it had all the same features as a 7400...........NOT!

[MP2050]

Well u guys can add me to the &400 problem list... First I couldnt dowload new rings and then I realized no pics either. Next thing Uknow my 7400 went into looking for service and stayed stuck there the whole night.

I went into Sprint and heard everything U guys heard--- its a problem that cant be fixed....7400 is discontinued but U can have an 8300...

Ive had the phone for a week and its just so I dunno how to explaint it......BORING is a good word. Im at work and faces lights up with "OH U got a new phone" then I hand it to them and the disappointment just kills me..lol.

I know the Sprint person real well from back in school and when she told me this is the closest thing to a 74 we can give U ---I figured she was telling me the truth but Id much rather have my 7400 right now. I miss my big screen and all my rings and etc... :indiff:

[VzeroX]

My saga continues.

I called my sprint store monday just to see what was going on with a replacement, and they told me they had one in, so I made an appointment the same night. When I got there from work (on my lunch hour, and a half hour drive to the store) the clerk that I spoke to on the phone told me that they gave the 7400 to someone else. I had to leave at that point. After about 6 trips and 4 phone calls to the store I was so infuriated I wanted to jump the counter SOOOOOo bad. I went outside to cool off and decided to take this problem to the *2 reps over the phone. After explaining myself to the rep, he told me that they have no more 7400s, but he'd be happy to waive my lock/line deductable and had me call them.

So I called Lock/line against my better judgement, and guess what? Now I'm waiting on either an 8300 or LG 535(?) to come to my house tomorrow. I'm guessing the 8300 will be in the box since te LG sounds like a much better phone. At any rate, I won't be renewing my contract next year, and at this point I'm trying everything in my power to avoid giving Sprint anymore money.

On a side note I overheard a sprint rep telling a customer that after 1/06 the stores will no longer honor phone warranties, but will be giving customers the number for the manufacturers. Just one more way for the reps to brush us off.
*sigh*

[donblay]

I finally got my phone on Monday (a full week later). When I called the girl was actually helpful. She told me it was on back-order (the 1st person to actually admit that to me instead of just saying, try back tomorrow) but then put me on hold for a little while. Then she came back and said my phone wasn't in, but they did have one for me and i could come pick it up. it looks like they might have had one in the store for something else, i'm not sure. anyhow i got the new one (I did ##786 and its a referb, but thats ok) and its been working fine.

[KAT]

Well at least there's one success in all of this, congrats! Still find it odd that the exact same problem seems to hit so many within days of each other, somebody else complained about the exact same problem on another forum a couple days ago.

[VzeroX]

It is odd... reminds me of the a680. LOL! Mine however is the headset jack, not the camera. I really haven't played with the cam much since I'm appearantly not keeping this phone. Oh, and Lock/line's a day late on my replacement now, as it was supposed to arrive today. I still wonder what I'm getting, but I think we all know....we just don't want to admit it.

[KAT]

There may still be a ray of hope for me. I waited about a week and a half, and after not hearing a thing from the Sprint Store I tried and called again, this time telling my story from the beginning to a new guy. I told him I refuse a 8300, and I'm ready to drop the picture mail from my plan. He said getting a new out of the box 7400 is nearly impossible at this point, but he could have a re-furb in 3-4 work days. He put the order in and says no problem. So why couldn't the first guy just say that? I may have had a 'new' phone 3 freakin weeks ago. But the way things have been going, I'll believe it when I see it.

[KAT]

Wait a minute, am I screwed if I don't have insurance on my phone? There's a new thread entitled "Fried 7400" that gets into this. I called the Sprint Store, and they said my refurb is now in, but if I have to pay for the phone I'm not even gonna bother taking the drive. There was never any talk of charges, prices, anything, and I was always under the assumption that if the phone dies, you get a "equal" swap.

[MainMarket24]

thats a known issue on the 7400/5600...unfortunatly, its hard to pinpoint what causes it exactly, but it is covered under warranty. though, a personal observation is corrupted 3rd party ringers

i make my own ringers for my 5600 and they are immaculate, they are loud clear and whatever song i want and the part of the song that i want...............

[KAT]

FINALLY went to the Sprint Store to pick up my 7400 re-furb.... refurb? I looked this thing over with a fine tooth comb, and I cannot see anything re-furb about it, this thing looks absolutley brand new. It even has a couple cool new options that my old phone never had. All my contacts were transfered flawlessly, all my selected ringers are still there. I checked the camera right away, works fine. Now, I'm almost glad my other phone had problems to aquire this one. And I'm also glad I stuck it out, and didn't just settle for that 8300........ :clap: