Question How do I check my phones hardware components?

[Seb_777]

Hello,

I recently bought a used Sony Xperia Z5 on ebay. According to the listing, it wouldn't read the SIM.
However, I tried it and it read the SIM card without any problems, asked for the pin and it seems to work. But then it won't connect to any mobile networks. I get no signal, can't call or be called. The settings say that there are no networks available. I've tried two sim cards, both work in other phones. The Xperia can connect to the wifi without any issues aswell.

I replaced the main antenna array with a new one, but that didn't do any good either.

I don't mind tinkering with this phone to get it working again, but I'd like to know if there is any way of actually finding out which component is faulty? Google searches are frustratingly unhelpful in this area.
I figure it might be the antenna, or... well, anything really, but I don't know how to check.

Any help would really be appreciated!

 

[britechguy]

I have no idea what market that specific Xperia was made for, but that could be the issue in and of itself.

It doesn't matter if it can read the SIM card perfectly well if the device itself does not use the same GSM bands as your carrier does.

That's one of the things one has to check carefully when shopping for unlocked phones for any given market, as sometimes even the international versions may not use the same bands as the service provider in a given country. I cannot find the Z5 model on https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker

 

[Seb_777]

I'm in Germany and the device seems to be for the same area, so I highly doubt that's the problem.

 

[britechguy]

the device seems to be for the same area

Based on what? And I ask that not to provoke, either. The devices are visually indistinguishable for all markets (generally) and you often have to dig in to "what's beneath the battery" for models where you have the major information sticker available via that route or by disassembling (which I never recommend, ever).

 

[Seb_777]

Based on what? And I ask that not to provoke, either. The devices are visually indistinguishable for all markets (generally) and you often have to dig in to "what's beneath the battery" for models where you have the major information sticker available via that route or by disassembling (which I never recommend, ever).

Based on the fact that I bought the phone on german ebay from a german guy, that it was set up in german and that he sold it as non functioning.
There's no sticker beneath the battery (I already took it apart a bit, based on a teardown guide). Of course, it could be that this phone is from a different GSM band area, but I think a faulty hardware component is the far more likely cause.

So once again, how do I check to find out which component isn't working?

 

[Yonose]

Have you tried doing a diagnostic test?

If not, try Sonys guideline following the link below: (its for z3, but as you got the same serie i hope it will work the same way)
https://support.sonymobile.com/au/xperiaz3compact/userguide/running-diagnostic-tests-on-your-device/
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Probably not your problem as you dont get signal at all, but general talk: About region-locked phones. It will be enough to call from a area which your phone dosent support for 15min (different from each brand).

 

[Seb_777]

Have you tried doing a diagnostic test?

If not, try Sonys guideline following the link below: (its for z3, but as you got the same serie i hope it will work the same way)
https://support.sonymobile.com/au/xperiaz3compact/userguide/running-diagnostic-tests-on-your-device/

Oh yeah, I've done that... that's just stuff like seeing if the camera works and such, it doesn't test the signal.

 

[TJ Hooker]

There are a number of variants of Xperia Z5, which is yours?

 

[Seb_777]

There are a number of variants of Xperia Z5, which is yours?

E6653. Not the premium, nor the dual sim, afaik it's the standard model.