Firmware and Flashing FAQ

What is Firmware?

Firmware is the coded instruction and Operating System, OS (e.g. Symbian, Windows Mobile, Proprietary OS) in the phone. Simply said,


What is Firmware Flashing?






What is branding/debranding and firmware customisation?



Updating Firmware?

Nokia Phone Software Update

Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS)

Motorola Software Update

Sim Lock and Unlocking FAQ

What is Sim lock?

Sim lock is a function used by network provider to restrict the use of the phone with sim cards from other network providers.

Sim lock is not related to Pin or PUK code of the sim card and to the phone lock/security.

When a phone is locked to a specific network (let says telco A), you won't be able to use the phone when sim card from other network (telco B, C or D) is inserted unless unlocked.

Why the phone is Sim locked?

Sim lock is very uncommon in Malaysia network provider system. However, sim lock is widely applied in phone of foreign network providers (e.g. Vodafone, 3, Orange, DoCoMo, O2, T-mobile, Cingular, Verizon etc). Hence, if you come to a handphone that is locked to some network, it is very likely that the set is brought in from foreign country.

Reasons for network providers to lock the phone are many, including as marketing strategy, to prevent users changing to other network, to lower the value of the phone in the market, because phones are given free or at very low price as part of the contract, and many more.

What is Unlocking?

Unlocking is to remove the lock applied to the phone by the network provider. By unlocking the locked phone, the phone now will be able to use sim card from any network provider.

Unlocking is legal in most country but is debatable too. Network providers have the right not to unlock the phone and phone's owner does not have the full right to claim unlock service from the network either. However, unlocking phone without the permission of the network provider usually is breach of agreement with the provider.

How to unlock?

There are various method of unlocking:

1. Request unlocking service from the network provider. This has to be done by the registered owner of the phone by contacting the network provider. The phone can be unlocked by keying in master code/network code key provided by the network provider or by over-the-air.

2. Third party unlocking services. Unlocking by third party is not involving the manufacturer of the handset or the network provider. Further details on third party unlocking is discussed below.

Unlocking Services

Unlocking methods are not definitive. Different brands, or even different platforms of same brand required different tools, equipments, programs, software, technology or knowledge to unlock it. Some models can be unlocked easily by keying in the unlock code that is generated by some IMEI calculation software, some use the standard data cable and specific software to overwrite the firmware and unlock it whereas some other models required specific and expensive tools or cables to hack into and crack the phone.

For other major brands like SE, Motorola, Sharp, LG, Samsung etc, unlocking are fairly easy and widely available. However, most of these unlocking programs are made/cracked/developed by third party developer/individual, hence upon release of new platform or model, some time is required before unlocking become available and getting cheaper.

For Nokia unlocking story etc: google them or read this:

read (for nokia bb5 platform unlocking):

http://themediaguru.blogspot.com/2007/05/f...-available.html

Unlocking for BB5 platform of nokia is possible now, developed by a Serbian called Dejan, though some Nokia models remained unlockable.

Unlocking services from Garage Sales:

babyk
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=156257

Lalaman
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=333495&hl=

kit_kit
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=176132

jun
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=166992

Reference: Wikipedia

Very Useful Topics Discussed Before

Reset Security Code for Nokia S60

Nokia Unlock Code?

FAR manager, customisation & modding on SE phones

Nokia 6630, 6680 Unlocking

SE firmware flashing via Wotan Server

Samsung Unlock

SEUS troubleshoot

What is firmware flashing/unlocking

Soft or Hard Reset for Nokia Symbian Phone

Nokia firmware update introduced by Nokia

Firmware flashing info by BabyK

Nokia Unlocking again

Flashing K750i to W800i

Nokia Update Service again

Another nokia unlocking from aussie '3' thread

SEUS: success or fail?

Australia Nokia can be use here?

Another Nokia bb5 (6280) unlocking thread again

Yay another Nokia N70 (BB5) unlocking thread again

Firmware flashing @ SE service centre



Thread opened for any discussion or question about firmware, firmware flashing, firmware modification, everything about firmware or unlocking, soft-lock, hard-lock, pin-lock, security lock, network lock, sim-lock, everything about unlocking.


Kindly PM me for any correction, addition, removal, update, request or comment about this topic. And feel free to contribute too. Anything is welcomed

is modding the firmware counted?

I think so. Anything related to firmware, customisation, since modding phone file system is quite related to the firmware. I guess

---

Added on March 25, 2007, 11:51 amOh ya.. specific discussion about the phone firmware/unlock etc can be at the phone specific subforum too..

here's my contribution:

Firmware to Windows Mobile Phones:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/index.php

includes SIM unlocking and firmware updates. look through the forum for the correct firmware for your phone.

Great job man

Shall gather / merge all the questions related to firmware flashing & unlocking into this thread in the future.

Does symbian 9.0 music player equalizer settings and all the bell and whistles such as bass boost stereo widening and such firmware/software accelerated or hardware accelerated ?

does flashing invalidates the warranty?
or can u update the firmware at the service center?

it depends.. if it is flashed by authorised party, then it might not void the warranty, if you flash it yourself and cause damage, yes they may said warranty voided as damage cause by user.

but if you update firmware using the authorised method, NSU for nokia or SEUS for SE, it will not void the warranty.

flashing void warranty or not is debatable, it depends on how you say it or how deep they want to go to prove you have void the warranty by flashing it yourself or by non-authorised method or dangerously or that the damage is done by unauthorised flashing method etc etc.

yes you can update the firmware at service centre.

Guys, any idea whether i can actually flash my current Generic without Chinese language support firmware for my K800i AP distributor set? Need phone which supports chinese languages & i'm trying to get its firmware flashed myself thru online.

I know i can send over to any phone shops for firmware flashing but if possible, i would like to get it done myself. Anyone care to share some useful sites? Tried SEUS but only the release date is newer than my previous firmware BUT still without chinese language support. Sigh!

SEUS won't change the region pack for you, that is why even after update you still dont get chinese language support.

Too bad is that k800i system is not really cracked hence no free firmware flashing method is available for it. There are 3rd party flashing softwares, but still required payment and some effort, hence the only free way is, get it to your ap company and demand them to flash the firmware with APAC region (which contains chinese support language). They should do it for free.

Hmmm....... i asked my AP company edi & they r not willing to do it for FOC as they said they'll only flash K800i firmware IF only the current firmware got problem wor. WTF? Hmmm......

Lesson learned: check before you buy next time then.

Tell the ap company, problem is i cant see chinese in my phone. isn't that is a firmware problem to me.

else you got to pay some shops to get it done then. price from as low as rm15 to rm60 as i heard.

Hmmm.... thanx for sharing youngkies. I'll discuss with the AP company that provides the warranty for my K800i. Cheers & have a wonderful weekend ahead.

how about samsung?
does FMG provide free firmware update service?

yes, phones from authorised dealer will be serviced for free for the period of warranty, including updating service.

i want to know for SEUS....
does SEUS upgrade file system or not???
some say it upgrade some say not...
so confuse la....

I've flashed my k750i to w800i firmware.. is it possible to reflash to k750i?? I miss the shortcut button

i think so. if region pack & customisation is placed in fs.



yes you can reflash it back to k750i. how you reflash it with w800i firmware, then that is how you can reflash it back to k750i too.

can i know you using what software to flash w800???
because i don't have k750 and w800 and i planing to but this phone....

you can use wotanserver, davinciteam client to flash it. but it is not free. there is also free way, but i forget about it specifically, such a long time ago. try to search in esato or se-nse for that.

how about SEtool2 and Sonic SEtool???
some say can and some say can not...

Are the SE software updates only Windows compatible? I'm a mac user...so are my only options going to a service centre or using a friend's PC? Much appreciated if someone could confirm this.

yes. SEUS is windows compatible only.

best choice would be update it in service centre.

OK thanks, Youngkies.

last Sunday i already flash my friends phone...
from k750i to w800i...
i using XS++

didi or anyone can get me w900i firmware from topsony?

FS: W900_R5BC004_FS_APAC_1.rar

and

Main: W900_R5BC004_MAIN_CHINA_APAC_THAI.rar

thanks in advance then!

Ya..we all use xs++..u follow the guide..

To everyone,

I will update or rearrange this thread 2morrow or thursday..pls be patience when i update it..TQ

guys i got some question... my fren's UK O2 Mini S has been unlocked by a guy using some 3rd party s/w.... the question is... will the o2 MINI S b sim locked again if its hard-reset... coz logically the 3rd party s/w will b erased as well rite????

thanx in advance guys...

No it won't.

Unlocking by 3rd party (no 3rd party s/w is installed actually) is permanent, until O2 get it back and decided re-locked it.

Flashing the firmware or simply hard/soft reset won't relock the phone. So no worry, go ahead.

thanx alot...

I managed to get my current K800i flashed with APAC version firmware, which supports Chinese languages by my AP distributor in Klang. No charges from them & i would rank their service as best for an AP distributor.

wow you must be one lucky fellow... usually AP company will try to squeeze every one juice outta you.

hi.. how about SE K618i? can flashing too? btw, can add fm-radio to its function?

any phone firmware can be flashed with firmware.

add fm-function? no, it is hardware dependant.

you jsut put a lambo engine in a kancil lol.

I have a problem connecting my V3x to my pc. As i know if i want my pc to detect the V3x, i have u plug it in using a mini usb which i have done but when i plug it in my com shows nothing at all. When i select to memory card mode, i can only access the memory card( Removable F: ) thats all i can do, just drag and drop. But when i switch it to DATA mode and plug it in, my computer doesn't show anything at all. Should I delete and re-install all the Motorola drivers again?

did you try plugging into another usb port, check your control panel phone and modems and remove the previous motorola usb modem entry if there is one there.

I heard from my friend new nokia phone firmware cannot downgrade. Izzit true ?

I think not only Nokia. Even Sony Ericsson, once you update to the latest firmware, you can reverse to the previous firmware that you used.

nope that does not apply anymore.. now downgrading of the phones firmware can be done

---

Added on May 15, 2007, 10:44 pm
you sure damn right bro.. of course with the correct procedures

Oh which model ?? TOt downgrade will kill the phone ? Pls teach me how

what do you means by downgrade? reflash with older firmware. there has been no problem with flashing older firmware of the phone.

downgrade means like you say flashing the phone with older firmware..
newer nokia or motorola phones need to downgrade with the correct procedure or it will kill the phone... it not like sony ericsson where downgrading of firmware = no problem at all.

For sure flashing can "downgrade" the firmware. What we mean here is "downgrade" is using free way. That's totally impossible right ?

There is free way to flash phone firmware, esp. older model phones. So downgrade in free method is possible.

oh do you mean by nokia phones or sony and motorola phones?

Particularly to SE and Moto.

Ok, so to update this tpoic here regarding the unlocking of BB5, i'll just repost it again here.
Recently, Dejan (the creator of Mcode) had announced his unclocking software. BB5 phone can be unlocked now. What you need is the software, a DKU-5/CA-43 cable.
It can be downloaded from here:

Can someone tell me where can i get the dku-5 cable? And how much does it cost?

Just an additional question, if i want to remove the k750i message limit, where can i get this service at lowyat (or somewhere near there)? I'm planning to pay a 'visit' to lowyat tomorrow. And please, if anyone who is kind enough to tell me where's the nokia service centre located?