This is driving me nuts... I got my 8700c about a week ago and I like many things about it EXCEPT: I can't get any of the ring tones loud enough. When I'm browsing the ringtones the samples play nice and loud; when I set the tone and receive a call the tone volume is MUCH lower. Yes, I have maximum loudness set in the profiles both in and out of holster. I know it is capable of being loud enough because I hear it when I'm browsing the tones!

I have spent hours on the phone with Cingular and got escalated to Blackberry. 30 minutes later they told me this was a "known issue" with the phone. I would buy that excuse except that the store salesman's 8700 rang nice and loud. He and I both compared every possible setting and we couldn't figure out why my phone rang softer. (I have exchange the phone 3 times - they all do it - except his, and he wouldn't sell it to me).

Can anybody help me? Would downloading another carrier's OS help? (Telstra?). Right now I am stuck using the loudest and most obnoxious ring tone just so I can be alerted to incoming calls in a noisy environment.

Arggh!

Yep, upgrade to Telstra and your problem will be solved.

In the mean time, make a speaker phone call, raise the volume all the way, then hang up.

Your ringtones will be loud.

Wow, that is bizarre. Thanks for the tip! Are there any step by step instructions and/or links for the Telstra OS upgrade? What else is different about the Telstra version of the OS, if you don't mind?

Instructions for Telstra here. If you read the various posts you will get a feel for how things have changed (Zen etc.)

LG, you are a genius. I had been having the ringtone problem off and on and could not figure out why sometimes it was loud and other times not. Your solution worked perfectly. Thanks again.

Thanks

But know it's really only temp. fix. The best thing to do is to upgrade to the Telstra firmware and solve it all together.

What causes the ring tone to revert back? I was actually going to search on why my ringtones are usually soft, but occasionally they are blaring and this must be why.

Hi all

I have an issue whereby I ask the BB (8707v) to Vibe AND ring, but it will only vide THEN ring.

Any ideas?

This is a UK Vodafone device.

I have the same issue with the vibe/ring on my 8700c (Cingular). For some reason RIM apparently thinks the appropriate way for this setting to work is vibrate first, then ring. They should have the setting choices include vibrate, then ring OR vibrate and ring.

GoFrogs - It is a glitch in the original OS load that causes the volume to remain at the level of the previous speakerphone level. The only way to fix it is to do as LGreenberg says by manually switching it in speakerphone mode, or upgradng the OS, which I also recommend.

Trick202 - The Vib/Ring setting will only vibrate, then ring. Unfortunately that's the way RIm designed it. I wish it were different too, but we're stuck with it. There are third party apps that will change it, but the name escapes me at the moment. Search around for it and you will find one I'm sure, or someone else will post it in here in a few mins I bet.

Sorry about that message guys, I posted before searching.

It seems it's a common niggle.

HOWEVER: Samsung mobiles used to have this problem too, and people (clever people) managed to create ringtones with rhythmic vibrations in-built.

As I say, no idea how it's done, but I know it must be possible.

I actually find it handy as I have the option to silence the ringer before it goes off. However, it would be good for RIM to give their customers the option to configure it how they want it.

Thanks for this, saved me from pulling my hair out. Cingular is sending a replacement already so I guess I can just mail that back. I wonder why they didn't advise me of this issue instead of just mailing a new one out.

Hi, Kram - It would be great if you would post after you receive your replacement phone regarding whether or not the replacement has updated software that corrects the problem.

I had the same problem and fortunately found this thread before I went crazy.

Thanks LG!

Because it's sad to say many of the Cingular reps. don't have clue.

I'm sure it won't since there isn't any new Cingular OS out yet.

But simply upgrading to one of the other carrier's OS does fix it.

You're welcome.

lgreenberg,
Does one necessarily need to upgrade to Telstra to fix the bug? I seem to have the opposite problem where my ringer is far too loud, even at the low volume setting and with my speakerphone set to low. I have the latest Rogers firmware. Thanks!

That's the only way I know to fix the LOW volume issue.

I have Verizon phone 7250. Can I upgrade to Telstra OS to solve my low volume issue? I don't think i have speaker phone option on the 7250.

There may be an upgrade to your phone, but not this particular one. This is an 8700-specific thread.

You may check out the RIM Software forum in here. If there's an upgrade for your phone, it should be in there.

I keep reading about the OS upgrades to improve ring tone volume, etc.

Does it matter that my BB is connected to my office's enterprise server?

I'm scared if I download something to my device I'll screw up the office connection somehow. (I'm a remote employee so help desk is not nearby)

Thanks!
D-

there appears to be a workaround..

using speakerphone, make a voice call, during this voice call, turn up the volume using the scroll wheel..

end the voice call.

now, the incoming ringer volume should be louder.

the latest Telstra OS release appears to have this bug fixed.

Sam