hello. i have the GE 28310EE1 dual skype phone. i've had it for a few months now and it's worked fine. one day i checked and i noticed it had signed itself out of skype. curiously, it won't let me sign back in.

I was attempting to sign in via: Menu > Status > Sign in to Skype
When I press Select, it just returns me to the main screen (nothing else happens). I've tried resetting both the base device and phone as well as re-registering the phone to no avail. Another strange thing is that when I try to update the firmware it says "No Connection to Base Station" even though there are bars on the top left.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Try resetting everything. Remove battery from the phone; remove power from the cradle; power off the base station and power off the router. Wait 10 minutes and try again.

thanks for the reply.

i unplugged everything, took out the batteries and let it sit for an hour while i ran some errands. plugged it back in, let it register and still won't let me sign on. i even tried resetting the phone to default settings.

any other ideas?

anyone??
pleeeassseeeee

I have the exactly same problem, there are tons of people do so. Hope GE realse its new firmware to solve this problem.

This worked to mine. Just be patient.

Actually, I've spent thouthonds of time to reset, register and everything that could think of before it back to live, but after I hooked up to the base again, the internet settings are still there. I think there's something stuck at the ip setting, and its 'Reset' function won't actually reset everything back to the 'factory settings', that causes this trouble.

In another thread I posted the following, which I received from Ge/Thomson tech support. I believe one user responded that the procedure solved persistent problems he/she was having. I hope this helps.

1) Remove AC power from the base
2) remove the phone line from the base
3) remove batteries from the handset
4) let the phone sit idle for 10 minutes
5) Reconnect everything in reverse order
6) Register the handset by setting it on top of the base for 20-30 sec.

They were very specific that I should perform these steps in the order they described.

i have the same problem if any one is having problem with this phone please call your phone product phone number i have ge DECT 6.0 28310EE1 phone it is and ge corp number is(310-053-9028) if your have the GE DECT 6.0 28310EE1 please call and report the problem they will fix it tell them that u tried unpluging it to 10 min and still doesn't work

hey zeke56 tried your suggestion but no hope jet

Sorry to hear about your problems. At this point I would recommend a call to the support line. The # I was given and used was 310-953-9028, not 310-053-9028. I don't know if the latter was a typo or if there is more than one number. Just searching for things to try, if you have it connected to a router you might log in there to see if your phone got an ip address, and look for any other signs of problems. I wouldn't recommend just blindly buying a new router unless you're desperate but I don't think consumer-grade networking equipment is especially long-lived, and I know I've had sort of subtle intermittent problems that I never did pinpoint but that seemed to go away after trying a new one. Good luck...

I called the support line as well for this same problem. This really looks like a software problem, yet they told me I need to send it back to them at my expense, and only then would the new one be sent out.

Is this the same substandard response others have been getting? What happened to sending out a replacement and putting the bad unit in the postage paid box to return it? GE is supposed to be a reliable company. This is far short of that.

It is the weekend and tech support was in India. The first person I spoke to had me repeat the issue three times and put me on hold each time. I finally asked to just be forwarded to level 2 support, which I was told did not exist. I gave up with her and called back and finally got the response outlined above. I am going to wait until Monday and call the HQ and try to talk to an American. Has anyone else tried this? I will post the result of that call. The bill of materials on this is maybe $10, I think an appropriate level of support is in order.

Also, does anyone know how to update the firmware when the phone is in the state of this post? Is there a hidden http server that can be accessed from a web browser. By linking the MAC address to an IP address in the router, it should be possible to access the device if there is a hidden http server. If there is one, it does not seem to be accessible by simply http://<IP Address>

argh. I am having the same problem. I received the phone as a christmas gift, it has worked great, and then starting Friday I couldn't receive calls in (calls in the skype on my computer are fine, its the phone itself that wouldn't connect). I reset it and then it wouldnt let me sign into skype. I've tried all the above steps and still no resolution. I guess I'll be calling GE support on monday.

Is anything else on the phone acting abnormal? When I had a problem w/ the phone, some of the settings options were unavailable - they were "grayed out". Unfortunately I'm not near the phone at the moment or I might be able to tell you more.

No luck with GE Thomson support. I have been completely unable to contact anyone in the USA. the El Paso and Indianapolis sites are unlisted, so no luck on phone numbers to call.

See the post below before you send it in for service:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/382/RipOff0382436.htm

I tend to take stories as such as one-off items, but the complete frustration has made this story seem likely to repeat. If you do send it in, I would definitely send it insured and by someone that delivers to the address, (UPS, FedEx, etc.) and not the PO.

Since mine was brand-new when it started behaving badly, (I bought 2 of them from Amazon at the same time, one is fine), I am going to return it to Amazon.

Best of luck to the rest of you. You may want to keep an eye on postings for the Dualphone RTX3088 as it is the same phone, just a different case. This has to be a problem they will fix with a software solution.

the phone was giving " network busy" signal. AFTER reset and firmware update, if the ABOVE Procedure is DONE EXACTLY as stated, the phone started working again.
Thanks for the TIP

I bought 2 of these, the first one did this, basically right out of the box. The second one just did it too. ~ 2 weeks old.

My guess is that this is why Skype no longer sells these, in any of its brands and Phillips, etc. discontinued it. Probably wait for an updated version, or at least firmware, before buying.

I've had this phone for just under 1 year. This is the fourth time I'm having this very same problem. The handset cannot detect an "open base station".

The first few times this happened I was able to get it working again by removing the batteries, unplugging the base station, and resetting the router. But now I'm just about ready to throw this phone out my window.

I've reset everything multiple times. I've let things sitting powerless for minutes, multiple times. My internet connection went out for a short time two days ago and ever since then, this problem once again has reared it's ugly head.

I don't have the energy to attempt repairing this problem yet again. For a product to work perfectly and then lose function every couple of months, without a dedicated fix, I am angry at both Skype and GE for still selling it.

If anyone determines the SURE-FIRE way to fix this issue, please let me know.

My problem is related to the router port forwarding setup and exhibited exactly the same problems.

I noticed that my laptop was running SKYPE on the same network, I checked out the port forwarding on the router (Verizon Fios) and found that it was/is setup for auto port forwarding and that my laptop was registered for all SKYPE communications (didnt note the ports) but that the 28310 was not being assigned an IP and that there was no setting / port forwarding config for it.

I removed the port forwarding entries on the router for my laptop, turned on the 28310and immediately was back up and running.

It appears that the device has a requirement of some sort to be the only / first device on the network to register the skype ports (in not it doesnt even grab an IP/activate on the LAN!~).. and this would explain the apparent "on again off again"/transient nature of the issue...

I have manually added the the rules for the device to my router and will see if that helps.

I met the same problem last week.but when i reset the phone.i find that the battery logo turn into red color. i think that is why it doesn't work.so charge the battery 24 hours.and then everything goes back to normal.I suggest when u finished a call put it back to the charger,keep chargering,and buy some more bettery.

One more.
The same problem, in both extensions.
Unplug everything, and waiting...

The same problem. Tried all the reset-tips, but no luck.
Got the same solution from the manufacturer: "Thank you for your recent inquiry concerning your GE Telephone. We believe a reset of your telephone may help correct your issue. You can reset your telephone by unplugging the unit, disconnecting the unit from the phone line and removing the batteries (if applicable) for 10-15 minutes."
The router shows, that the base-station does not have an IP-adress. Reset-button on the back does not help, so the unplugging the AC power.
It just doesn't work!
P.S Tried to do Reset for the handset also. Nothing. Not possible to sign-in to Skype. The landlines calls are working perfectly at the same time.

I had what sounds like the same problem, managed to get it working yesterday. I first powered off the GE base unit, then went into my router configuration (by entering the router address in my browser - 192.168.1.1 for my Verizon FiOS router), disabling DHCP server, saving the change, then re-enabling DHCP server, and finally reconnecting power to the GE base unit. The GE got an IP address and the handsets logged in to Skype and have stayed connected for the past 24 hours. I hope this helps someone.

You're absolutely right... It really works!
- Turn off both base station and handset(s) by taking batteries off
- Unplug network cable from base station (maybe not necessary, but...)
- Log on to your router configuration page
- Disable DHCP and restart router. No IP should be automatically assigned in your network now, but, in my case, the computer used to access router page was still working with the same IP.
- Re-enable DHCP but don't restart the router yet
- Reconnect batteries on the handset(s) - it (they) will turn on and search for base station. No problem...
- Plug (ONLY) the network cable into the base station (and router)
- Now you can restart router. As soon as the router restablish communication with your PC, connect the power plug behind the base station.
The red LED will still be permanently lit, but wait some 10 - 20 seconds and then you will see through router LEDs that the base station restores communication with internet and, then, the unit unlocks itself.

It seems to be a project error of the product since RESET button does not reset network configurations - it only resets base - handset communication. The unit also lacks of an HTTP configuration page like routers, so it seems that the only way to workaround this network lockout of the base station is to restablish the same last working condition again. When you restart DHCP server, the same IP will be given to the base station again.
If it doesn't work for you, maybe the PC you are using to configure router is "stealing" the base station previously assigned IP. If this is happening, try to manually fix your machine's IP (even with DHCP on) to a different IP inside the router's valid range (which you are also able to set up). Then reset router and see if base station connects to Skype again. If still not, maybe you should redo all steps again with your computer set to a static IP and, if it is a wireless router, maybe you should disable the radio to avoid other devices to connect to the network. Once your phone is back on track, you can put your router configuration back to normal and the phone should still work normally.

My GE Skype Phone did it twice, but at the first time I waited 2 days disconnected (time that the DHCP server normally takes to change the "leased" IPs) and then it started working again without having to take further actions. So the DHCP theory for me is the best solution because now I made it work again in 10 minutes just restarting DHCP.

Thanks for the hint and hope it helps other users.
Mario

Even I was facing same problem, it would not let me sign-in. I tried soft reset, hard reset but no luck. Today out of my frustration I found a solution. I continuously switched OFF and ON the base station with all network cable attached and handset on the cradle. I did it for 10 times and waited for 5-10 sec, suddenly the RED LED on the base station started blinking… Thank GOD it started. This is the indication that your base is getting connected to the internet.

I know a friend who was facing same problem, I told him to switch OFF and ON the base station 10 times and even his base station LED started blinking and was able to sign in as I did.

I don’t know if this is a solution to the issue, but thought of sharing it with you all. This phone is abnormal and you never know which trick works on it. Just try this with your phone and do let me know if it works.

Regards,
Unaez

I have had and resolved this problem several times using one or more of the several techniques found in the forum. However I'm really stumped this time, and suspect a hardware problem in the handset. Following are the symptoms:
Base set communicates with router
Handset wirelessly communicates with base station, i.e. wireless comm indicator is present, Settings/Information gives MAC address and IP address, Settings/Advanced/Internet settings indicates Dynamic IP mode and identifies IP.
However, Settings/Advanced/Skype Ports does not give any information - it presents the "getting data" screen for a few seconds, and then returns to the menu.
Also, attempts to sign in to Skype (via Status/Sign in to Skype) fails to give any response, i.e. no sign in screen ever appears.
The main screen does not indicate a Skype connection, giving only time and a selection for "menu" in lower left.
Finally the Power button does not function as described in the manual, i.e. the handset cannot be turned off by depressing and holding the Power button, and a short press of the button from idle does not access the Skype Status menu.

I'm thinking it's a circuit problem in the handset. Anyone with similar problem?

Try these few steps:

1. Switch off Base & Router, wait for 1 minute and then switch it on again.
2. Once the router starts completely. Switch off and on the Base at least 10 times repeatedly then wait again for another 1 minute.
3. By now if the problem has been resolved the Handset screen will either it will allow you to sing in (will show Sign in at the Right Bottom) or display “connecting…” OR “NO IP ADDRESS”

Let me know this was helpful?

-Unaez

Thanks, but it did not resolve the problem. Handset still behaves as noted above.

To ALL you poooor souls who have felt soooo lost with all of these superstitions of "try this", "try that", "cross your fingers", "close your eyes", "take deep breath", "and hope it worked" ....... here is a better deal .... the actual facts of why in the world your GE Skype phone is not connecting and only showing "No IP address" ... it's "SIMPLY" this:

- your "Internet router" has an "address" to where info is sent to, probably 192.168.1.1 (this can be changed in the Internet router's settings)
- any devices connected directly to it by cable (like your GE Skype phone router) will be assigned a sub-address, like 192.168.1.2
- your Internet router should also allow you to create or modify settings for something called "DHCP server" (meaning if a guest visits you and asks to connect his laptop into your wireless Internet connection, your Internet router assigns your buddy's laptop a subaddress like 192.168.1.3)
- Now, depending on your Internet router settings, the subaddresses assigned by your internet router, are actually "leased" (or assigned) an specific time to be used as that subaddress, then it will "refresh" all the subaddresses.

This is where everything comes together, and things get harry.

Lets say that your internet router's address is something like 192.168.1.1 and that your DHCP settings are defined to assign any newly connected devices (like your GE Skype phone router or your buddy's laptop) subaddress starting with 192.168.1.2 through 192.168.1.99 accordingly. So, when you added your GE Skype phone router to the network, your internet router assigned it the first avaible DHCP subaddress (in this case 192.168.1.2), then when your buddy's latptop (or even your own) got connected to the internet network at your home, it got assigned the next available subaddress (like 192.168.1.3). Then, after the "lease" time for the subaddresses are up, and your internet router refreshes then (which means, it will erase the addresses, and reassign them anew) it might per chance reassign that first available address that was previously assigned to your GE Skype phone router to your buddy's laptop instead. The problem now created is that your GE Skype phone router can no longer use the assigned sub IP address it thinks it has access to, therefore displaying to you an annoyingly dreadful message of "No IP address". Yep, your buddy's laptop just "stole" that address.

Ok, to fix this, just login to your internet router settings, change the DHCP server settings to assign subaddresses starting with something like 192.168.1.11 through 192.168.1.99 (or whatever). What this will do is ensure that any "more permanent" devices (like your GE Skype phone router) that are connected straight into the back of your internet router will always get a reserved subaddress assignment without being "accidentally" replaced by or redistributed to other less permanent devices (like yours or your buddy's laptop). Meaning your GE Skype phone will always get the subaddress of 192.168.1.2 and the first slot that any guests would get would be from 192.168.1.11

Clear as mud??? If you feel you need to re-read this, I know it will be because you really like my writing and not because this is complexed.

Anyway, hope it helps. Here is some more info that might help you further understand the overall concept:

http://corz.org/comms/hardware/router/static.ip.address.php

or

http://portforward.com/networking/static-xp.htm

I tried everything in this thread. Still, the GE phone is not assigned an IP address. Do I need to wait for sometime before the DHCP server refreshes and assigns IP addresses to all the devices connected? My laptops dont seem to have any problem getting new IP addresses assigned (when I moved the valid range to 192.168.1.11 as suggested by one post).

Another possibility is to use a static ip address, instead of relying on DHCP. Pick one that is outside of the range managed by the DHCP and not used by another device on the network.

How do you go about doing that?