Very dim old person with Mobile phone

[Palustris]

First of all let me say that I have never used a mobile phone before (not even used the real phone for 20 years). Daughter bought us a simple LG mobile for in the car. Told we should make one call a month to keep it active. Now today I tried to make a call. All I get is a white screen saying Press Unblock and then Yes. Great except that pressing every key does nothing at all. And 'Yes' as a key does not exist at all.
So what am I doing wrong?

[Old_Geezer]

You need to read the manual. At a guess I suspect the screen will indicate a button underneath it that it interprets as 'unblock' and possible the same for 'yes'' afterwards ?

If one knew the model one could probably check the manual on the Net.

[Palustris]

The' manual' is a 2 sided piece of paper which does not even mention the word Unblock or 'Yes'. It spends more time telling me how to dispose of the machine than it does on how to use it. I have tried pressing every button on the pad with no change to the white screen.
It is an LG GS101 phone.

[mccfluff]

try menu * (the left hand top button) might work

[gingejbee]

Do you have anybody handy (eg neighbour) who could point you in the right direction. This is one of those situations where a 1 minute demonstration is worth a hundred words!

[david51058]

Congratulations for holding out so long without a mobile phone. For most young people it is first and foremost a fahion accessory but it also works as a telephone when needed.

[mccfluff]

i found the user guide, its rubbish!

[dotty.]

press the left hand soft key and the * should work

[LoftyLottie]

I found this which means nothing to me!!

http://www.dialtosave...bile/lg/gs101/unlock/

[Old_Geezer]

That is about unlocking the handset from one service provider Lottie. Unfortunately the problem is about unlocking the keys to use the phone. A different problem.

I did look for a manual/user guide but found no free info on the web. but if folk say it is no use anyway.....

Maybe ask daughter to help ? Or go to a mobile shop and ask. They'd want to form a good relationship with such a regular phone user ;-)

[gingejbee]

OG; I did suggest that idea 75 minutes ago!

[LoftyLottie]

Are we talking unlocking or unblocking??

Did you lock it. If so it's usually the same keys to unlock it. Well my phones have worked that way. I really am no use to you am I ;o)

[Old_Geezer]

Ah, but you forgot to suggest an individual gingejbee ;-)

[Palustris]

Thanks folks. As the batteries are fully charged. (Took me an hour to find where to plug the charger in and the tiny little cover on it is not designed to be opened by people with arthritic fingers) I shall put it back in the car and ask family when we go visiting.
As for 'holding out', well the phone is of little use to me as there is no one I wish to talk to other than my wife, who is rarely away from my side.
Thanks once again.

[scotman]

Maybe you could persuade your family to get you something like one of these


http://www.google.co....4&fp=657ff32f6b4aefc8

[alexanderd]

I have a very simple Nokia, nearly as old as me, to lock or unlock it I have to press the top left and bottom left keys. Yours may be the same

[whiskeryron]

Palustris please persist with it you will get there in the end. I am very ancient & 5 years ago was visiting a relative in South Wales the car broke down on the M4 I had to walk quite a distance along the hard shoulder to reach a 'phone it was very frightening & after that my daughter bought me a mobile & I've had one ever since & find it very useful. Do you have a market near to you where you will find a market trader who can unlock 'phones.? Ron.

[alexanderd]

I agree with Ron mine is rarely used but would be there in an emergency

[LoftyLottie]

Mine is the botom left and the top right on a Sony Ericsson

[Wak]

On my Nokia, you press the top centre button (menu or Yes button) and the * button immediately afterwards. This both locks and unlocks the keypad.
I wouldn't have thought that a phone would say "unblock" on the screen as this is an operation used to change the telephone service supplier.
"Lock" simply locks the key pad to stop keys being pressed accidentally in your pocket, etc.

[Palustris]

See, shows I am not used to these things. It says UNLOCK then press Yes.
Also been told that no phone will work here as we are in a dead spot. So will take it with me tomorrow when I go for my walk and see it I get anything different at the other end of the road.
It was bought for in the car emergency thing. They put various numbers in for us, like the AA etc and when they used the phone they had no trouble.
Thanks for the help. Really very grateful.