Electronics

[SouthernBee]

Hi Y'all: Well finally today the cable company internet tech came out. I can't remember all the technical words and hope you can understand everything. He checked the old modem and said everything looked good. I explained all the issues. He replaced the modem and everything increased in power. He checked the Eero extended WiFi system and connected an extra extender. He said considering the configuration of the house and the location of the modem and where I used my IPad would still use the Eero system. Everything looked good and working. He said if the WiFi drops on my iPad- tell Apple that it's the iPad because everything for the internet has been replaced and checked at the house and everything with the cable company. Sadly: 10 minutes after he left- WiFi dropping on my IPad. DH said that his computer was working better. So me..... just continue. DH said : Told me- if I wanted a new iPad that he will get me one for Christmas but I must select what I want and he will pay for it. Just the thought of dealing with another change.😳🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[jackthebear]

try resetting the iPad

or 

wiping it and reinstalling everything

[SouthernBee]

---

@jackthebear wrote:

try resetting the iPad

or 

wiping it and reinstalling everything

---

@jackthebear : Thank you but this has already been done on several different days, months  or whatever. I have talked with Apple and they checked the iPad and stated it was problems with the internet. But the cable guy stated  not cable.

[cindyNC]

I can't imagine how frustrating this must be! Good luck with Apple. Maybe you can also find out if your current table is worth on a trade in. 

[SouthernBee]

---

@cindyNC wrote:

I can't imagine how frustrating this must be! Good luck with Apple. Maybe you can also find out if your current table is worth on a trade in. 

---

@cindyNC : Thank you. Yes- very frustrating. I received an email from Best Buy two weeks ago for IPAD trade in and it was $100- better than nothing but the cost for a new  one plus case etc $$$. My area doesn't have an Apple store but an authorized dealer and service center but haven't had the transportation to go . I am upset because my IPad is just 4 years and hoped to use it for a little longer and considering I don't use it for work but to research and goof off.

[gadgetgal613]

---

@SouthernBee wrote:

---

@cindyNC wrote:

I can't imagine how frustrating this must be! Good luck with Apple. Maybe you can also find out if your current table is worth on a trade in. 

---

@cindyNC : Thank you. Yes- very frustrating. I received an email from Best Buy two weeks ago for IPAD trade in and it was $100- better than nothing but the cost for a new  one plus case etc $$$. My area doesn't have an Apple store but an authorized dealer and service center but haven't had the transportation to go . I am upset because my IPad is just 4 years and hoped to use it for a little longer and considering I don't use it for work but to research and goof off.

---

Why don't you restore your iPad?  Reset it back to the "out of the box condition" and start over.  Be sure to back up your iPad before you proceed.  It's easy to do and can not only fix problems, it can breathe new life into an older device.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201252 

[gardenman]

My suspicion is that the Wi-Fi module/antenna in the iPad has an issue. Likely a loose connection or an issue with the antenna itself. Most iPads use a snap-on connector for the Wi-Fi module instead of a ribbon cable or other more secure fastener. If dropped, jarred, or otherwise handled in just the right manner (well, wrong in this case,) it's possible for the connector to pop loose. (Typically, it would have had to come from the factory not fully seated to come loose, but that happens.) With it loose, the connector ends can meet from time to time and give you a signal but then can also move apart breaking the connection until they come into contact again. There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube on how to replace the Wi-Fi module and replacements can be bought for under $10, but it's not the easiest job for someone inexperienced. In the right shop, the repair could be done in minutes, but at what cost? A four-year-old device is nearing the end of its expected lifecycle. (Published reports state that iPads have an expected life cycle of four years and three months.) Do you invest a lot in keeping it going at this point or move on to something else?

There are cheaper options. I just bought the 8" Fire Tablet for $45 here as a TSV a few days ago. I already have one but bought that as a spare. Amazon has new 8" tablets with an upgraded display and processor coming out in October for $99. For just goofing around and doing online research, that may be all that you need. You'd spend that much fixing the old iPad and could get a brand-new device that might even be faster and better than a four-year-old iPad. (Though not as good as a brand-new iPad. But it could be an upgrade over what you have now.) It's another option for you. 

[SouthernBee]

@gardenman : Great information- thank you. My first tablet was the Samsung Galaxy but for some reason really difficult for me to use then a friend let me use her IPad. I have no idea what the difference between the Samsung tablet and the Amazon fire tablet would be.Plus my IPad is a 10" and 4 years and 4 months,

[gardenman]

@SouthernBee 

If Amazon has the apps you like in their app store, there won't be a lot of difference for you. Everything pretty much works the same. You point, you tap, and stuff happens. I use my tablets for some games, lots of Internet surfing, reading emails, and occasionally reading using the Kindle app. I'll open up a book I'm writing from time to time to see how it looks someplace other than my computer. I watch YouTube, Sling TV, Paramount+ on it. A tablet is a tablet these days. 

I'm very happy with the existing (2020) version of the 8" Fire Tablet so I grabbed another one at $45 the other day. There is a newer, faster, better screen one coming in October for $99 that would be better, but I saved the $55 by getting the older one that I already know and am happy with. I had the 10" Fire Tablet and used that a lot, but it died a few months ago. (I had it since 2017 so I can't complain a lot.) Once I got the 8" version though I found the 10" to be a bit too big. The 7" is a bit too small (and their latest 7" one, at least the one I got, was junk.) The existing 8" Fire tablet is perfect for me. A nice size. Good enough screen. It does what I need a tablet to do.

I turn on my tablet after getting up in the morning. Once turned on I simply swipe up to unlock it. (I haven't set a passcode or password.) Then I swipe down from the top to view any notifications. At this moment, my notifications show that my Aunt has posted on Facebook, I can see the receipt from this morning's Acme shopping trip, and learn I have 21 new messages in my email folder. Then I can either clear the notifications by hitting the "Clear All" message, or just swipe up if I don't want to erase them. Then my Home screen pops up with all of my various apps available. (I have 43 apps on it currently.) To open an app, I simply tap it, and there it is. To close an app, I just hit the circle at the bottom of the screen. Easy-peasy. I'll typically play a fast game of Solitaire (mostly Pyramid these days) and then do whatever first thing in the morning. When I'm done, I just hit the power button, and off it goes. The Fire Tablets don't have the best camera in the world, by a long shot, but it's functional. Not as good as most phone cameras, but in a pinch, it'll do.

I've been tempted by the Samsung Galaxy tablets, but the price difference scares me away. This little tablet does what I need it to do and what I want it to do and for the price I paid, I can't complain too much. 

[SouthernBee]

@gardenman : Still looking at the Amazon tablet. I just remembered that the Samsung Galaxy tablet was my first use for android device. I didn't own a sell phone or smart phone. Considering that I have used an android smart phone for the last two years might make a difference for me using the Amazon tablet.