Nook first edition 3G

[LinFL]

I've had me Nook first edition for about 3 years.  About a month ago I lost  3G connectivity.  I have no problem with my Wi-Fi connection, but if I shut the Wi-Fi off and try to purchase a book, a message tells me "network connection unavailable."  I know AT&T 3G is available in my area, I never had a problem with it before.  I took it to the store and they couldn't get it to work either.  Any suggestions?  The 3G is the reason I keep it and don't upgrade.

[robertVA]

Does you reader show the 3G radio activated on the Settings screen?

Are any 3G signal strength bars showing on the status bar? (Not the WiFi signal strength arcs).

Tried full reset (hold power button for 20 seconds) then turning the reader back on?

Nook First Edition firmware version? (Should be able to see on Settings display)

See if an AM radio picks up any noise when you listen to it near an operating 3G cell phone during a call. If it does, see if it makes a  similar noise near the nook with the WiFi radio turned off, the 3G radio turned on and shopping with the nook. See if there's any change when you start reading a book or turn the nook's 3G radio off.

In consideration of the reader's age, the 3G radio might have suffered a hardware failure, a situation you might not be able to find any remedy for short of buying a device that can act as a mobile WiFi hot spot.

[LinFL]

There are no bars showing, no signal for 3G connection.  Have taken it to Barnes and Noble store and could not figure it out either.  Mentioned possible software problem, but said they have had no one else with this problem,  I have shut it down, unregistered, put it back to factory setting, tried everything, but nothing has worked so far. Firemware version is L2. 0. 0.7AP.  Do have problems once in a while loading when trying to buy a book, but not often.  Wondering if my Nook is ready to quit.  The 3G connectivty was one of the main reasons I never upgraded.  I have a Droid cellphone with Verizon and have no problems with the 3G on that.  I've lived in the same place for 2 yrs., have had the same electronic devices and have not added any new devices.

[keriflur]

I have to agree that this sounds like a hardware failure.  You've already tried everything I would have recommended to fix it if it were a software issue.