ME returned a temporary error

Question

Level 1

8 points

ME returned a temporary error

I've been receiving the "ME returned a temporary error" message after I have been using my iPad for a few mins.

What is causing this error and how can I fix it.

Pierre

Dell 1764, Windows 7

Posted on Dec 21, 2010 4:49 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 21, 2010 4:55 PM in response to pcastric

HI Pierre,

Try restarting your iPad.

Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears. Slide your finger across the slider to turn off iPad. To turn iPad back on, press and hold the Sleep/Wake until the Apple logo appears.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

pcastric Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 21, 2010 5:54 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thanks Carolyn, I just googled it and found a post on YouTube. The problem might be caused by the sim card I purchased from Telus Mobility here in Canada (Ottawa).

The author posted "No "solution" yet. Talked to Telus a couple more times, with a "it's something to do with the SIM cards trying to authenticate with the network over and over...." but that's it.

Interestingly, with the latest iPad software update to 4.2, I see that the "your sim card sent you a message" repeats don't occur. Just the actual "me returned a temporary error" actual text message shows. Maybe Telus tried to fix something?"

I will call the Telus support tomorrow to see what they say. If it's a faulty sim card, I will return it. BTW - the YouTube post was entered on Nov. 1/2010.

I will update this post tomorrow.

Pierre

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Answer 3

pcastric Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 22, 2010 1:57 PM in response to pcastric

Hello again,
I was in contact with a former work colleague who also has and iPad Wi-Fi 3G (Telus Mobility). He suggested I turn the Cellular Data and leave the Wi-Fi on. I turned the Cellular Data off, rebooted the iPad. iPad has been up and running for the past 30-minutes and no error message.

Regards,

Pierre

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Answer 4

pcastric Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 23, 2010 5:47 PM in response to pcastric

Update:
I was in contact with Telus Mobility support desk relating to the "ME returned a temporary error" which was a waste of time. Tech advised that I should call them the minute I get the error message so that they could trouble shoot the problem and find a solution. I told the tech once you phone the support desk, it takes several minutes to get through and it the error message only stays on for a few seconds. I think the best solution will be to go to my local Telus Mobility store for help. I will update this post soon.

Regards

Pierre

BTW - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

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Answer 5

Jan 11, 2011 12:17 PM in response to pcastric

My uncle, a Telus 3G user, is also receiving this message fairly frequently on his iPad. He can't say if this message is having other effects besides the annoyance factor because he is using WiFi. Please update status if you have any. So far I have not seen this message on my iPad; I have a Bell SIM card installed.

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Answer 6

Zoubly

Level 1

0 points

Jan 16, 2011 8:52 PM in response to Ricky Lee1

I get the same problem and I have a telus sim card too. My IPad freezes quite often while saving. I am able to make it work in restarting again and again and reinitializing my network connection. I changed my IPad without success in an Apple Store.
Tonight, I switched off my sim card which I don't use at this moment and I think it worked.

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Answer 7

Jan 27, 2011 10:57 AM in response to pcastric

Like the rest of you, I am also getting this error but only when I power down the unit, then power it back up. I have an Apple Extendicare account and called them up to find out what this error might be and how to resolve it. The senior tech explained that Telus has two types of SIM cards - one that provides "pure" data and one with voice/text/data capabilities. If you have the latter one, you will get this error. The tech suggested that I call Telus and get them to check into my account to see what kind of application(s) I have attached to the SIM card. If I have the voice/text/data, the tech suggested I visit a Telus store and have them replace it to a "pure" data card, and that should solve the problem.

I have neither called them up or gone to a Telus store yet so I cannot say for certain if this solves the problem. I'll let you know if/when I do and what the ensuing results are, if any.

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Answer 8

Jan 29, 2011 4:05 PM in response to AceLizard

For anyone still following this thread, I just spoke at length with a Telus tech who seems to know what he's taking about (unlike other techs who are merely script readers). The error that we are receiving happens when The iPad attempts to connect to the Internet. The micro-SIM sends a message to the Telus servers indicating that a connection is required for a particular iPad. The responding message is what we get. He said that we should ACCEPT the message and proceed normally. It does not adversely affect the performance of the iPad. Telus does not really support iPad functionality but merely provides the means necessary to connect to the Internet. E tech I spoke with did seem to think that the addition of voice and text to the micro-SIM may be a part of the problem but unfortunately, there is no way to remove these two functions. He also said that if asked, the text portion could be disabled but would not guarantee that the iPad would connect if done. I guess I'm chicken because I said, no, don't worry about it, I'll live with the displayed connection error. Besides, it's not like we turn our iPads on and off repeatedly, only when its necessary to clear the memory cache or when a RESTORE is required, or when some tech thinks it might be necessary when troubleshooting. Otherwise, we tend to just let the iPad go to "sleep".

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Answer 9

pcastric Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 11, 2011 4:57 PM in response to AceLizard

Since I entered my original post, the frequency of getting the error message has dropped substantially during the past few months.

When I do get it I click the accept button and keep on using my iPad. I guess we'll have to live with it until Telus gets tired of receiving complaints and fixes the problem.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying using my iPad either at home, work, or traveling - it's a lots easier than dragging my heavy laptop around.

Pierre

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Answer 10

Jun 2, 2011 7:20 PM in response to pcastric

I recently purchased an iPad. I have also been receiving this me error from my telus sim card. It's rather annoying to me and it seems to appear when I turn on my device as well has randomly through out use! I set up a case with apple so I will see what they have to say. I'd like to avoid having to go in and talk to someone at telus as I'm sure they probably won't have any good answers. Hopefully this issue will be cleared up sooner then later. Considering how much we pay for this device we shouldn't have to bite our tongue and deal with an repeatative error message.

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Answer 11

Jun 13, 2011 11:18 PM in response to pcastric

Unfortunately I'm getting the same error on a just acquired iPad.

The message is absolutely meaningless as if Microsoft wrote it. So far it starting to become annoying.

Some of the suggestions aren't very useful, such as turning of the Celluar data function. Having cellular data access is the whole point of having this model in the first place.

So I'll do my regular thing and call Telus and ***** yet again.

Al

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Answer 12

Jun 14, 2011 4:05 PM in response to pcastric

I have talked to a couple people at telus and they did a bit of troubleshooting which did nothing. Then I proceeded to purchase a new sim card because they claim it only happens to a few people and its from the sim card. The new sim card does the exact same thing. I'm really disappointed and annoyed with this whole thing. I'm switching to rogers simple as that.

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