Sadly, techno challenged..new cell phone with too much ....

[wallycat]

I feel so out of it.
I just ordered a new Tracfone (Motorola C261). YIKES>.....text messaging, T-somthing, D-something...ACK.
And worse, the universal kit for recharging...ummmm...isn't it SUPPOSED to come with instructions???!!!!!???? There's a piece there I swear is for USB to download pix taken on the camera, but I'll be d**am*d if I have a clue how to use it.
Oh, and if anyone is familiar with that phone and has a clue how to turn that STUPID intro song every time you turn the phone on, I will be in your debt.

[Beth]

At least you're trying. DH got a new phone when his company changed services and I found up months later that he hadn't retrieved a single message because he hadn't figured it out.


My son taught him how to use his phone.

[sneezles]

My son taught him how to use his phone.

I feel so out of it.
...
Oh, and if anyone is familiar with that phone and has a clue how to turn that STUPID intro song every time you turn the phone on, I will be in your debt.

You need to borrow a child of the 21st century! I'm serious you need a kid of at least 10+ years (sometimes even they have to read the directions! )!!

[HeidiD]

You need to borrow a child of the 21st century! I'm serious you need a kid of at least 10+ years (sometimes even they have to read the directions! )!!

Yup, this is true. My daughter just turned 11 and is very well versed in how to do technological things. When my 76 yr old mom got a new cell phone this fall, Hope programmed the whole thing for her with speed dial numbers, specific ringtones for different people calling, time and date, etc. She could not believe my mom had gotten this far in life without knowing how to program a phone.

My mom lives with us and feels fortunate to have a teen and preteen so close at hand. They have helped her with her computer, VCR, cell phone and even changing the time on her oven's digital clock. No more calling Dell or paying consultants to defrag her hard drive.

[wallycat]

OK, so you guys aren't helping!

I can do all the stuff you guys mentioned (thankfully!).
I just don't get the formats that some of the text stuff uses and this weird "universal" attachment for USB to download pix from the camera. It doesn't seem to fit anything or anywhere...computer or camera.

And, to make matters worse, I called Tracfone this morning and even they couldn't figure out how to turn off that annoying intro song on the phone whenever it gets turned on.
NO WHERE is there a logical place to turn it off.
I plan to call Motorola and see if they have a clue or if I'm stuck with it.

[JackieO]

I feel so out of it.

Ana....no advice, but I can relate to your pain!
One of my goals at work is to bring my technology skills into the 21st century in 2007. I'm lucky I have a company that will pay for it! I just have to overcome my fear and loathing.....

[lindrusso]

I think I figured it out!!

Whenever someone has a question about technology like this, I take it as a personal challenge to try to figure it out or it bugs me.......

I have a Motorola with Tracfone, so assuming the interface is somewhat the same here's what you can do............

Hit the menu key and go to "settings". Then select "Ring Styles". There should be a menu, the first thing that is listed on this menu should say "Style:" After the ":", there is whatever you selected - Loud, soft, vibrate, whatever. Let's say you selected Loud. Under "Style: Loud", it will say "Loud Detail" (or Vibrate Detail or Soft Detail, or whatever you have selected). Highlight "Loud: Detail" and select "Change". After you hit "change", you will see a list with Ring Volume, Calls, Inbox, etc. Scroll down until you find "Key Volume". Select "change" again and put the key volume down to "0".

Your interface may be different than mine and I may not have explained it well above, but basically you're looking to set your Key Volume to "0". Now you won't hear the power up and power down music - but you also won't hear any noise when you press the buttons to make a call, so as long as you don't care about that, you should be good to go.

HTH.

[wallycat]

That makes sense and I did see that, but I wondered if I'd hear my phone ring??!

[badunnin]

Ana - am I correct in that your phone gives you a little "welcome" tune when you turn it on, like the Windows tune when you boot up your computer?

[lindrusso]

That makes sense and I did see that, but I wondered if I'd hear my phone ring??!

It shouldn't effect your phone ring (that's under the list with loud, soft, vibrate, etc.)........just the operating tones.

[lindrusso]

Ana - am I correct in that your phone gives you a little "welcome" tune when you turn it on, like the Windows tune when you boot up your computer?

Yep.

All of the Motorola phones I've seen or used do this.

[badunnin]

Yep.

All of the Motorola phones I've seen or used do this.

I have a Motorola and didn't know I might be able to turn it off! Must check mine now...

[funnybone]

Oh, and if anyone is familiar with that phone and has a clue how to turn that STUPID intro song every time you turn the phone on, I will be in your debt.

I don't have that phone, but I do know my way around the phones I have had. For mine, I have to go into the RINGTONES and then select which ringtone I want for what function. That opening one is called START MELODY on mine. You just have to find what it is called on your phone, and select if ON or OFF. It's very simple on mine.

[lindrusso]

I have a Motorola and didn't know I might be able to turn it off! Must check mine now...

Turning off the keypad volume will turn off the music, but it will also turn off the beep you get every time you hit a button. As long as you don't mind not hearing the keypad beeps when you dial...........it will work fine.

I sort of rely on the keypad beeps to know for sure that I've pressed the key correctly, but it's certainly not necessary - just something I'm probably used to.

[badunnin]

Turning off the keypad volume will turn off the music, but it will also turn off the beep you get every time you hit a button. As long as you don't mind not hearing the keypad beeps when you dial...........it will work fine.

I sort of rely on the keypad beeps to know for sure that I've pressed the key correctly, but it's certainly not necessary - just something I'm probably used to.

Didn't work for me. I still get warm-up/down music.

[lindrusso]

That opening one is called START MELODY on mine. You just have to find what it is called on your phone, and select if ON or OFF. It's very simple on mine.

Is yours a Motorola?

We've had 2-3 different Motorolas and they all used the same interface, but maybe they've finally upgraded it. Mine doesn't have that "Start Melody" function - maybe some of the newer Motorola's do, though.

Seems like they could easily put that in - you can select a tone for text messaging, faxes, alerts, alarms, etc., but no turning off the start melody.

[lindrusso]

Didn't work for me. I still get warm-up/down music.

That's odd - maybe your interface is different and has it under a separate function like Erika's.

[badunnin]

That's odd - maybe your interface is different and has it under a separate function like Erika's.

The menus I have are exactly what you described. It's really ok though - the music on mine isn't that annoying, and I rarely turn it off.

[lindrusso]

The menus I have are exactly what you described. It's really ok though - the music on mine isn't that annoying, and I rarely turn it off.

Well that's good. Doesn't bug me either.........

[funnybone]

Is yours a Motorola?

We've had 2-3

No, mine is a Siemens and my son's is a Sony and his is similar to mine. DH has a Motorola but he never turns his off, so it's not something he's bothered by.

[wallycat]

I just got off the phone with Motorola itself. They can't make it stop either :mad: :mad: :mad:
I sent a nasty e-mail to tracfone....doubtful it will do any good, but it made me feel better to be obnoxious to them