Eliud Wanyo

Question: I bought the much-talked-about Samsung E1105T that supposedly has an anti-theft mobile tracking function installed. I followed the instructions on the manual to set up the tracking device. As fate would have it, the phone was stolen soon after. I have been unable to locate it since then, and did not even get an SMS alert on my new SIM card .

James Kweyu (via e-mail)

　

That Samsung model has been extensively advertised for its tracking function but not even this can guarantee a phone against thieves.

In my opinion, it is just a temporary security measure.

If the thief knows about the tracking function, then he may not be in a hurry to turn it on until he can disable it, which could explain why you are yet to get an SMS.

He can disable it without turning it on, as long as the battery is still inserted in the phone. All he needs to do is connect it to a computer’s USB port and this will give him access to the phone’s settings!

He can then replace them with fresh instructions. Now that is one thing your phone’s manufacturer is unlikely to tell you because it would obviously water down the marketing strength of the brand.

Did you report the lost phone to the police? If you did, then you can take the police abstract to the local Samsung representative and listen to what he has to say.

Question: I have a Blackberry manufactured under contract in China Research in Motion, owners of the brand. The handset works well most of the time but I can’t install or save Internet settings on it.

Karuoth Ogutu (via e-mail)

　

　

Your service provider sends Internet settings to your phone, and you should visit the nearest customer care centre or call their customer service desk for assistance.

My four-year-old Motorola can’t stay on for long.

Martin Wanjala (via email)

Your problem has more to do with poor handling and lack of proper service.

But the culprit could also be a single loose screw or a poor battery connection; if the battery is not firmly linked to the phone’s power connectors, then you will constantly have problems with the phone. It can even switch off in the middle of a conversation, or when in your pocket.

Another cause could be bad, old dirt again. When dirt builds up on key electronic components of the motherboard, it blocks current from flowing through, and also causes it to heat up by blocking ventilation.

—The writer is an electronics technician.

Email: eliwayo@yahoo.com