# How do I make my old phone work? - Need answer fast
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 12, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777 "2012-11-12T14:59:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/1 "2012-11-12T14:59:35Z")
I dropped my phone last night, and it seems to have stopped working. Of course, I don’t have insurance because I never drop my phone. I still have my old phone (Samsung Galaxy S), which I stopped using when I upgraded to the new one. How do I get the Samsung to work again? I tried putting the SIM card from the new phone in it, but it still says “not registered on network” when I try to make a call.
Need answer fast because I’m home alone with a baby and would prefer not to be unable to communicate.
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### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/2 "2012-11-12T15:05:29Z")
Is it the same provider? I remember having some Cingular phones modified by a guy to use the T-Mobil network. (I was a TM subscriber, nothing illegal involved)
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### Author:  [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/3 "2012-11-12T15:10:27Z")
Same provider, I just upgraded because I had a free phone coming to me.
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### Author:  [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/4 "2012-11-12T15:20:26Z")
Do you mean you used to use that SIM with that same old phone? That’s odd, it should work. The only reason I can think why it shows “not registered” and “no SIM” is the network has switched to another SIM and the old one is no longer valid. But that shouldn’t happen.
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### Author:  [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/5 "2012-11-12T16:03:41Z")
Turns out there are three steps: 1) Don’t be an idiot, 2) Don’t put the SIM card in upside-down, and 3) Don’t forget to reboot the phone.
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### Author:  [@boozilu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boozilu)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/6 "2012-11-12T16:12:07Z")
You should just be able to call the provider and they can activate your old phone remotely. I did that when my mother lost her phone but had her old one handy. Five minutes and she could use her old phone.
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### Author:  [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/7 "2012-11-12T16:14:25Z")
I thought upside-down SIM would give a “no SIM” error?
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/8 "2012-11-12T16:22:18Z")
> [@iftheresaway](#):
>
> Turns out there are three steps: 1) Don’t be an idiot, 2) Don’t put the SIM card in upside-down, and 3) Don’t forget to reboot the phone.
Wait, it’s possible to put the SIM card in upside down? I thought the cut out corner meant that a SIM card could only be inserted one way.
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### Author:  [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/9 "2012-11-12T16:48:57Z")
> [@AaronX](#):
>
> I thought upside-down SIM would give a “no SIM” error?
I think it did, but it was just a symbol and I wasn’t sure what it meant.
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Wait, it’s possible to put the SIM card in upside down? I thought the cut out corner meant that a SIM card could only be inserted one way.
Apparently I’m special.
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### Author:  [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/10 "2012-11-12T20:51:45Z")
Do you still have a dial tone? Maybe the cord just pulled loose from the wall.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-old-phone-work-need-answer-fast/640777/11 "2012-11-12T20:59:21Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#):
>
> Do you still have a dial tone? Maybe the cord just pulled loose from the wall.
This. You can also check the crank that you turn to get the operator. It may not be generating enough current to get a signal through to the switchboard. Sometimes those get all wonky but a sharp whack on each side of the wooden cabinet will usually get it working again.