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Firmware Flashing & Unlocking, Q&A section for your talk and questions!

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youngkies

Mar 17 2007, 11:36 AM

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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,

QUOTE(Wikipedia)

firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device

What is Firmware Flashing?

QUOTE(Wikipedia)

Flashing is the process of replacing a cell phone's firmware, usually to replace the original firmware with updated or custom firmware. Flashing is often performed to remove restrictions put on a phone by that phone's wireless carrier. While flashing is not illegal, it usually voids any warranty offered by the service provider.

Flashing is accomplished by connecting a phone to a computer using a data cable and copying new software from the computer onto the phone.

QUOTE(symbian-freak.com)

Flashing is changing the phone's internal software, also known as firmware update.
This can be done to upgrade to a newer version which has bugs fixed, modify the phone's features or modding (usually on S30 or S40 phones, add ring tones, change graphics, add features).

It is called "flashing" because the phone's operating system is not stored on a memory such a hard disk, they are stored in a chip which need direct programming (ROM), but with flashing possibility "flash memory" chip, that's mean "flashing".

What is branding/debranding and firmware customisation?

QUOTE(SE-NSE: thanks to iRonTech)

Customization is changing or replacing original content of the phone, like ringtones, wallpapers, icons, themes, that come with branded or unbranded phones. It also includes removing text message storage limit, mute camera shutter sound etc.

Branded Phones = Some network providers place their own ringtones, themes, icons, links etc within phone's software. (eg. vodafone/telenor, orange, t-mobile, rogers, cingular etc.) Debranding means removing all this content and restoring phone to it's original factory/generic condition. This will not damage phone in any way!

Updating Firmware?

Nokia Phone Software Update

Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS)

Motorola Software Update

This post has been edited by youngkies: Mar 31 2007, 08:09 AM

youngkies

Mar 25 2007, 10:44 AM

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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

This post has been edited by youngkies: Dec 19 2007, 03:43 AM

youngkies

Mar 25 2007, 10:52 AM

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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

This post has been edited by youngkies: Apr 20 2007, 09:04 PM

-vip3rleon9-

Mar 25 2007, 11:30 AM

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.:νιρэяıэои9:.

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is modding the firmware counted?

youngkies

Mar 25 2007, 11:35 AM

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QUOTE(-vip3rleon9- @ Mar 25 2007, 11:30 AM)

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..

This post has been edited by youngkies: Mar 25 2007, 11:51 AM

bola

Mar 25 2007, 12:23 PM

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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.

panasonic88

Mar 25 2007, 12:37 PM

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QUOTE(youngkies @ Mar 25 2007, 10:44 AM)

Reserved for Q&A section on hard-lock, security lock, pin-lock, phone lock etc to be done in near future.

Two posts above already took me two weekends to get it done.

Great job man

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

nabelon

Mar 25 2007, 06:34 PM

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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 ?

teetotem

Mar 31 2007, 03:59 AM

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

youngkies

Mar 31 2007, 05:47 AM

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QUOTE(teetotem @ Mar 31 2007, 03:59 AM)

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.

nd_4ever

Apr 5 2007, 04:58 PM

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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!

youngkies

Apr 5 2007, 05:14 PM

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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.

nd_4ever

Apr 6 2007, 08:53 PM

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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......

youngkies

Apr 6 2007, 09:01 PM

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QUOTE(nd_4ever @ Apr 6 2007, 08:53 PM)

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.

nd_4ever

Apr 8 2007, 12:55 AM

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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.

teetotem

Apr 10 2007, 08:33 AM

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

youngkies

Apr 10 2007, 09:19 PM

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QUOTE(teetotem @ Apr 10 2007, 08:33 AM)

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.

didi_85

Apr 13 2007, 10:45 PM

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

akkihiko

Apr 16 2007, 11:40 PM

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

youngkies

Apr 17 2007, 03:33 AM

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QUOTE(didi_85 @ Apr 13 2007, 10:45 PM)

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

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

QUOTE(akkihiko @ Apr 16 2007, 11:40 PM)

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

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.

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