A couple of issues with my Droid X

[NikkiB6x]

I have been a verizon wireless member since 2003 and have had nothing but wonderful happy things to say about the company.  That is what makes my issue so frustrating.  My original Droid broke in January, and since I was due for an upgrade I figured I would use it to get a new phone.  I first went with the Samsung Galaxy S, which was a major mistake.  I had that phone for about 72 hours and wasnt able to make a single phone call or use a single app without getting an error.  So I took it back to my verizon wireless store and they were happy to trade it in (30-day exchange) for whatever I want, and since I loved my Droid I decided to go for the Droid X.  

The first couple of weeks with the DX were amazing, and I was super happy that I picked that phone.  After about 3 weeks of use, I started getting error messages when downloading various apps, "Download Error -18" or something to that note.  I learned that in order to download the game with that issue, I have to unmount my SD card (which is ridiculous since I selected to download all my apps to my phone and not the card).  After other frustrations with it freezing, or failing to install apps, I took it into my local VZW store and they showed me how to factory reset my phone.  Since February 1st I have had to do this about 3 or 4 different times due to download errors as well as the phone freezing, or other issues.  It's extremely frustrating and makes me want to get a NEW phone, but of course all the VZW reps at the store will offer is a refurbished phone mailed to me.  

The latest issue I have been having, which started today, is "Download Unsuccessful, Try Again Later" messages for any update or download I try to do in the market.  I was wondering if anyone else has been having similar problems with the Droid X or if maybe a VZW rep has any suggestions on how to help me either get a NEW phone (X, Thunderbolt, iPhone, WHATEVER as long as it isnt refurbished).  Or if someone is having the same current issues as me and knows how to fix it without completley wiping my phone (yet again).

I apologize for ranting, and I mean no disrespect to any VZW official or the company itself.  I have been a loyal customer for years and years, and hope that I can figure out a way to fix my phone without having to climb the ladder to get what I deserve.

[crb79]

Yes, I've experienced this same problem in the past.  What I did to remedy this was set my phone to performance mode and deleted a couple of recent apps.

It seems odd, but most apps are tested on only a couple of different phones.  When you start running into problems jump to the reviews section of your most recent app and see if other people are having the same problems.

[TBhouston]

That's what all carriers offer, for replacement devices refurb phones that have to meet certain standards. This isn't a vzw only practice, its just how the industry works.

One thing I would do is a master reset, run the phone a week without an extra apps on the phone and see what kind of errors you get.. The biggest problem with open source like the android platform is you get all sorts of apps that can end up conflicting.

I'm not sure why you think refurb has some sort of negative connotation to it. Even if you do get a bum device vzw will replace it for you. Yes with another refurb but at least it is over night.

[gerio]

I'd almost bet my beloved Droid X that the problem the OP is having will be related to apps.

The first clue is your assertion that the phone is to blame from having to un-mount the SD card in order to install a particular game. Sorry, Charlie. That ain't how it works. The GAME is to blame for that problem. So is Motorola supposed to check 30,000 apps for compatibility with every model of phone they make? That's easy...NO. It's up to the app writers, as much as they would hate to admit, to check the apps' compatibility.

I would yet again factory reset the phone, disabling all automatic backup and restore data options and run the phone for a few days with NO apps on it (other than the few that we all know and love). Than add the asps bsck, one at a time, and watch for problems as you install each app.

There's many of us here that have been down this road a bunch of times. Very seldom ever does this turn out to be hardware-related.

Geri O

[Ann154]

To add to Gerio's train of thought. When you start to reinstall the apps, space the installation at one application at a time and at minimum 24 hours apart. Include in that time period time for you to use the application in your normal use of the application. Should you start to have issues, install the last app that was installed. Start the clock again for a day's worth without that last application. Did any issues return?

I think that it took me over two weeks to reinstall my main applications after my last factory reset. (One I chose to do.) I think there were a couple that I never did install again. By that time, I wasn't missing them and it saved space on my baby DROID.

[Wildman]

Error 18 means that there is files stored on sd card related to other apps you installed and removed, this is why ejecting the card resolves this, if you delete the files in the .android_secured folder this usually resolve issue without ejecting..

Now as for the download error from market, this isnt device related, recently the market has been going through a update stage for the new devices with Gingerbread installed and this causes the market to go down from time to time during this transition..  Also it is wise to try restarting device when this happens and download usually retry the downloads and completes.