Speaker phone problem?

Im running a non branded desire at 2.2 but its developed an annoying problem.

Whenever i make a call or answer a call it defaults to loud speaker ON and i have to press the button to disable it.  I can't see any menu setting anywhere to cause or change this so any idea how i fix this?

Also, maybe unrelated but whenever i first boot the phone it comes up with an icon saying "car mode on" which i have to disable by clicking on it (but this doesnt stop the speaker phone behaviour)

Any idea how i can get speaker phone to default off?

IVe tried cleaning the USB connector with a cotton bud and so on but it seems fine, no dirt, corrosion or anything that i can see.

Its not related to a cradle, whenever i boot the phone i get a car picture which i have to click on to disable in the notification area.  (It started doing this in the last week or so only)

Even with the car mode removed/gone its still routing calls to the speaker phone - i can send them back to earpiece by simply pressing the button during the call but its a pain.

Returning to the shop might be an issue for the next 4-5 months as im working out of the country (and not trusting it to the middle east postage system!).

I might try a factory reset to see if that clears it but failing that does anyone know of any software where i can create/edit a profile to force speaker phone always off or off by default?

So it happensfor no particular reason ...

Mail HTC about it, see what they have to say.  They usually respond to mails very quickly.  

EDIT : Oh, and please report back once you've had a reply, of course

Dear xxx xxx,

It is difficult to know if this a hardware or a software problem. I would try a hard reset on your device. It is possible that the problem will get sorted out this way, if there is a minor software "bug" causing this problem. Please make a backup of your phone before you do the reset, since the reset will delete all personal data on the phone. If the reset is not successful, you must send the device for a repair: You can send it in via you retailer.

To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number xxx.

Sincerely,

Adam

HTC

Probably a loose contact which occasionally makes a circuit between the 4th and 5th pin of the USB port.  I doubt it'll improve over time. 

Get your phone fixed ASAP, or at least on the first chance you get where you won't be needing it much for about 2 weeks. 

When you take it to the shop, make sure they write on the repair form that the contact is loose.  That way HTC cannot ignore the fact that it IS a hardware problem.  Otherwise they may simply flash the phone and send it back with the faulty main board still in it.

Mark,

The problem seems to be that the USB port doesn't really have a solid connection with the case, which would otherwise lock it firmly in place.  It's held mostly by the connectors on the main board, which means that all the pressure you apply to it (while plugged in) has to be dealt with by those connectors.  Needless to say, electronics weren't designed to handle much torsional load, so they can indeed develop a loose contact in this case. 

This is as much a design flaw as it is a user error, so all I can do is advise people to minimize the forces being applied to the USB port. 
My advice would be to NOT use the phone while it's plugged in.  That should make a huge difference.

Hi Everyone!!

Well picked up NEW Desire today!!  It could not be fixed by HTC so replacement handset issued..

Happy Days...

Have a good Weekend

If your problem is the car mode icon randomly making an appearance, I suggest checking my post here: http://www.htcdesireforum.com/htc-desire-troubleshooting/car-mode-2195/15/

But the short answer is reseating the SIM card fixed the issue, and my phone has been running fine for the last 2 weeks!