How to Troubleshoot Skype SMS

1. Change the country code if you're calling internationally but have accidentally selected the wrong one. Skype offers a convenient drop-down menu of country codes, which means you don't have to remember the code itself, but you must select a country's name in order to text it.
2. Make sure the phone number is formatted correctly. For example, if you're texting a cell phone in Brazil, include the two-digit area code before the eight-digit phone number.
3. Check the phone number itself. If your SMS text message fails, it could be that you're attempting to send to a number that doesn't exist.
4. Ensure you have Skype credit in your account. Skype's rates for SMS messages are fixed -- and generally low -- but if you don't have enough credit to send a message, sending fails.
5. Log out of Skype, quit the program, re-launch it and log back in. As is the case with any software malfunction, SMS sending issues may constitute glitches that simply require a quick re-start to be fixed.

How to Locate an Unpublished Phone Number for Free

1. Go to public utility companies such as electric, water or gas. Bring the address and name of the person whose number you wish to locate. If trying to find a number outside the region where the utilities are located, phone them and ask if they can provide the number that is attached to the name and address.
2. Present this information to the desk clerk. Ask if it is possible to get a phone number to go with the name and address. According to Chuck Chambers, author or 'The Private Investigator Handbook: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Protect Yourself, Get Justice, or Get Even,' municipal water-utilities are among the most lenient in giving out this information.
3. Employ the services of free online reverse-phone directories. Enter in the information you have, such as address or name attached to the number, and wait for the results. Not all reverse-directories are equal. Find one that does comprehensive searches through public utilities, former addresses and public records (see Resources).

How to Put Ringtones on an LG Phone

1. Connect the LG phone to your computer. Plug the LG USB sync cable into the phone's jack and the computer's USB port. Watch for a window to appear on your computer to prompt you for action.
2. Navigate to the LG phone in the window. Click 'Open Folder to View Files,' and select the 'Media' subfolder.
3. Put the ringtones on the LG phone. In a new window, open the file location of the newly created ringtone file. Highlight the ringtone file, then drag and drop it to the LG phone's Media phone to transfer the ringtone to the phone.
4. Download ringtones straight from the Internet. This can be done through mobile Internet, and a computer Internet connection. Go to the ringtone website's URL from either your LG phone's mobile Internet, or your computer's Internet browser. (See resources for ringtone downloading websites.) Select the genre of music in which your ringtone falls, whether it be classical, hip hop, rock, etc. Browse through the list of ringtones, and double-click on the one of your choice. Provide your cell phone number when prompted to, and click 'Send'. The ringtone will come to your phone via text message. Click on the ringtone's link to download and store it to your phone.

How to Get Free Ringtones at No Charge

1. Compose your own ringtones for free on your phone. Your phone might already contain factory-installed software for creating ringtones. Check the multimedia section of your cell phone and select the 'Music and Sounds' option. Select the option for ringtones. If your phone contains built-in software for composing ringtones, follow the directions accordingly.
2. Contact your cell phone service provider and ask if they provide any free ringtones. Verify that the ringtones are compatible with your phone.
3. Read the fine print before downloading ringtones. Some sites require you to sign up for a product or make a purchase before downloading ringtones. Avoid signing up for a free trial period to receive free ringtones. Download free ringtones using legitimate sites such as Myxer.com, Freemobilefun.net and Iwfr.net.com.
4. Get free ringtones from your friend's phone. If you like ringtones on your friend's phone, it can send his free ringtones to your phone, as long as both phones share Bluetooth technology.

What Is Considered a Hands

What Defines Hands-Free?
While state laws vary, generally it is accepted that the driver can use any device to operate their phone that doesn't require the use of their hands. They may still have to dial the number by hand but can use any number of wireless options to carry on a conversation. These might include using the speakerphone option on the phone, a Bluetooth headset or other built-in Bluetooth device.
Using Speakerphone
Activation of speakerphone varies by phone model but most cell phones on the market today have this option. On some Blackberry models, you can press the Menu button during a call and select Speaker to activate the speaker function. On the iPhone, the speaker button appears on the phone's screen during a call. To activate it on an LG Chocolate phone, you need to press the camera button during a call. Refer to your phone's manual for more information about your specific phone model.
Bluetooth Headsets
Bluetooth headsets are available if your phone has built-in Bluetooth capabilities. One way to find this out is to check the Settings menu on your phone. If there is a Bluetooth option in either Settings or Advanced Settings, then your phone has Bluetooth. You can also refer to your phone's documentation. A Bluetooth headset usually runs on a small battery and connects wirelessly to your phone via Bluetooth. You must pair the two devices before they will work together. To do this, turn the Bluetooth service on from your phone's Bluetooth menu and set your device to 'discoverable.' Turn on your headset and let the devices find each other. You may need to enter a passcode to connect them. By default, this is usually 0000.
Built-In Bluetooth Devices
Many new cars, especially luxury or high-end models, come with built-in Bluetooth. Refer to your vehicle operation manual for information on how to turn on and use this service. If your car doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can have an aftermarket kit installed in your dash. This has the added benefit of never having to replace the batteries (as you do in a headset) and never forgetting your Bluetooth device at home. You do lose the mobility of a headset, however. Yet another Bluetooth option is to purchase and install a premium car stereo with Bluetooth capabilities.
State Laws
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association website, there are seven states that prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellular phones while driving. These states are California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. Also included are Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands. Additionally, many states have laws that prevent new and teen drivers from using any cellular device, hands-free or handheld. Twenty-eight states prohibit all drivers from text messaging while driving too.

How to Send a Text to Someone in Another Country

1. Determine the international country code for the cell phone you wish to text. For example, the country code for both the United States and Canada is “1”. If the number you are texting has been written down starting with a “+” sign, the country code should be included already; the plus indicates that the number is already in an internationalized format. For example, (212) 555-1212 is internationalized as “+12125551212”.
2. If the country code is omitted from the phone number, add it as a prefix to the number you are texting. This is the equivalent dialing “1” before a long-distance call from a landline; the “1” to place a long distance call is the same as the country code prefix used to make a call to the United States or Canada. If the number you are texting starts with a “0”, drop it before adding the prefix. For example, the number 020 7925 0918 in London would become +442079250918, since 44 is the country code for the UK.
3. If you are using a GSM phone (such as AT&T and T-Mobile), you can enter the phone number in international format when you send an international text: for example, type “+442079250918”. CDMA networks (such as Sprint and Verizon) do not automatically handle internationally formatted numbers, so use the international call prefix instead of the plus sign; in the United States, the prefix is “011”, so you would text to “011 4420 7925 0918”. Some CDMA phones may automatically convert internationalized phone numbers for you; contact your carrier for details if you are not sure which applies to your phone or network.

How to Send Free Text Messages From a PC

1. From OnlineTextMessage.com, enter the recipient's phone number, your email address and subject. Select the carrier from the drop-down menu. In the Enter Message field, enter the desired message up to 100 characters. Click 'Send Message' when done.
2. From Text4free.net, enter the number of the cellphone recipient. From the drop-down menu, select the appropriate carrier. If you want to send an identical message to another recipient, click the 'Click to Add Another Recipient' button and add another phone number. Enter the desired message (up to 140 characters) in the appropriate field. Enter the security graphic code you see in the bottom text box. Click the 'Send Message(s)' button when done.
3. From Text 'Em (textem.net), enter the recipient's phone number and your email address (optional). Then select the carrier from the drop-down menu. In the Message field, enter the desired message up to 155 characters. Enter the security code you see in the text box. Read the terms of usage and check the box that confirms that you agree to its terms. Click the 'Send Message' button when done.