I think my cell phone is dead. :(

[CathyA]

I have a very old cell phone.......all it does is call/text/receive calls and texts. All of a sudden tonight, I couldn't get any signal. I can't make calls or receive them. I have lots of battery signal.
I've removed and cleaned the sim card and removed and put the battery back in, but still no signal.
Any other suggestions?
I guess its time for an upgrade. I don't believe in always getting the better model every time something new comes out, so I've used this phone for about 8-10 years. DH has an Iphone and that's probably what I'll get next, if I can't get this one working again.
Any suggestions on what else I might try to get a signal again? Getting a signal here has never been a problem.
Thanks!

[SteveinMN]

If the phone is starting up and has the normal screen content on it (except for signal bars), you could try:

- seeing if your phone has a setting that switches off the cell radio. Nowadays that's usually called "Airplane mode" but it may also be called something that refers to switching the radio on or off. Or, on a really old phone, the only way to shut off the radio was to shut off the phone. If you can't find the owner's guide for your phone, you may be able to download (or look at) one on-line. Or just surf through the Settings menus. If the rest of the screen on the phone looks OK, maybe something tripped the setting somehow.

- failing that, you could try resetting the phone by shutting it down, removing the battery, and letting the phone and the battery sit apart for a day or so. Reassemble and fire it up and see if it works. You might want to make sure you're doing this someplace where there's a strong signal (there are parts of our house where the signal can be surprisingly marginal).

Beyond that, really, the phone owes you nothing. It's probably time for an upgrade.

[puglogic]

CathyA, I just did this deal from Mr. Money Moustache and I am having a wonderful time with it, just food for thought: http://www.republicwireless.com/

[CathyA]

Thanks Steve and Pug.

Actually, I turned it off all night (with the battery still in) and when I turned it on this morning........it worked again! But........as I am looking at it right now, the signal bars are going low again.
I think it needs to retire.
Thanks for your suggestions.

[oldhat]

About a year ago it looked like my flip phone, which I got in 2007 as part of the original contract, was about to crap out. I went to Best Buy, bought the cheapest phone they had (I think it was about $15), popped in my SIM card, and that's what I've been using since. It doesn't have a camera, but I never used the camera on my old phone anyway. Even if you don't stay with it permanently, it will tide you over while you shop around for a new phone.