Database Users

Do O2 and Vodaphone 'Network Lock' their phones

I am hoping to get a wizard as soon as they come out and it looks like O2 and Vodaphone will be first. Do both these carriers lock their phones? I currently have an Orange and a t-mobile account so would prefer to use my existing sims and just use the new account as a means to "spead the payment costs" (I got my jam for free 9 months ago for the price of a £22 p/m contract )
If they do lock their phones does anyway know if the existing unlock methods will work.
On a different note, I much prefer the look of the qtek 9100 to the k-jam - are there any hardware differences apart from the look?
Paul

I'm %90 sure they do... plus as a rule Vodafone butcher the firmware of most phones.
Get either a Imate or Qtek you should find it unlocked as its not a 'branded' phone.
I would suggest that buymobilephones.net is the best place as you can get one of the above with a contract... I am...
Terran

T-mobile MDA vs. Cingular 8125

I'm looking to purchase one of these devices but not sure which one. I belong to Cingular but I like the look of the T-mobile MDA. Is there anything majorly different from a hardware/software point between these two?
If I get the t-mobile mda will I have any issues using it with Cingular? I know I need to sim unlock it first. My main use of this phone is for calls and text messgs. I rarely use the internet but may do so more later on. Just want to make sure the T-mobile softeware will not interfere with cingular settings. Can someone enlighten me? How about flashing it to a non branded rom? Or a cingular rom if thats possible. lol
Great forum my da way!!!

i bought a tmobile mda for use on cingular because of the keyboard design and general asthetics od the thing. i did unlock it then flashed it to the 217.7.2wwe cingular rom found on this sites ftp section. it works great with text, internet, has great rf reception. only thing i havent tried with it is mms.
rest easy; it works. if you have more questions there are people here much more experienced than i.

hardwares deep inside, they are the same machine. Once you have it (either 8125 or MDA) you can do SIM & CID unlock and put in any ROM for wizard you'd like; if you get MDA you can put 8125 rom on it and has all the cingular settings (which you can set it up manually also with other ROMs)
The main concern is the warranty. You are with Cingular and if you get 8125, whenever you have problem with it within 1 year of purchase, you can get warranty exchange (cingular will send you a new one, and you send the bad one back to them after you recieve the new one, all free)
But if you have MDA, you will have to send it to HTC for repair which might take a long time to come back.

jdub71 said:
i bought a tmobile mda for use on cingular because of the keyboard design and general asthetics od the thing. i did unlock it then flashed it to the 217.7.2wwe cingular rom found on this sites ftp section. it works great with text, internet, has great rf reception. only thing i havent tried with it is mms.
rest easy; it works. if you have more questions there are people here much more experienced than i.
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Click to collapse
Great! just what I was looking for. I did not know you could install a cingular rom over another brand. soo cool. Did you use the lokiwiz program (which version??) to unlock both the sim and cid? Or another program? Same here I like the rounded corners and two tone keyboard. I wish t-mobile online would sell w/o contract since its a decent price. At the store its almost 100 more.
New to PPC coming from the Motorola camp....
Know to search for a MDA....

Be Careful
Be careful, some of the newer Wizards (MDAs & 8125s) have a newer chip inside referred to as the G4 chip. It is my understanding that lokiwiz will SIM unlock the device which will allow you to use your Cingular SIM card. However, lokiwiz won't CID unlock the MDA with the new chip. So you won't be able to use all the new custom ROMs on ths site.
It is pretty easy to manually configure the setting so the MDA will work fully on Cingular. I have the 8125 and am using T-mobile. The internet, text messanging, and MMS work great.
Check out the threads on the Wizard Upgrading forum for more info. on how to tell which chip your phone has.

Thanks for the tip. I've read some threads about the dreaded G4 chip. Hopefully someone will crack it soon. There is a website that can unlock the G4 chip both sim and cid but it costs like 40 bucks. Worst case I can send it to them.
jdub71: How is the ear piece sound level on the MDA when on a call? how do you rate it? loud, med. or could be louder despite on full volume.
rambo6: Same question. How is you're ear piece volume level on the 8125?
PC mag suggested that the MDA had a lower ear piece volume than the 8125. I wanted to hear from actual users. Louder the better for me. Is there a reg. hack to make the ear piece volume louder? Thanks

I'm running an MDA on Cingular with no problems. Got it a week ago with every intention of flashing to 8125 cingular, but it seems to have figured out most Cingular settings automatically.No problems.... yet.
I don't see how one Wizard could be louder than another.

Have turn it down on both my plantronics bluetooth and wired earphones.

Couple of other quality control concerns with the MDA versus the 8125, I've heard that the MDA is more prone to having the paint come off the keys and that they are also more prone to having the stylus come loose after prolonged usage.
Don't have a MDA, only a 8125, but that's what I have gathered from reading the forums.

[double post]

How do you go about finding out what ROM version you have and also how do you tell if you have successfully unlocked your MDA?
Also how do you tell if you have the "G4" chip?
Thanks

Good question. I want a custom rom too.
8125ppc (and htc just updated)

You can go to the thread below to learn how to tell which chip is in your Wizard.
Also, I have great sound through the 8125's earpiece. Sometimes I have to turn it down.
My suggestion is buy whichever phone you want. The MDA has keys that are a little closer together. I'd suggest you look at both in person. You can buy either in the US through letstalk.com without a contract but the phone will be set up for either Cingular or T-mobile and you'll need to unlock it to use another carrier.
If you can hold off a few months, the TyTN or some UMTS form thereof should be offered in the U.S.
T-mobile is great but it will be at least a year before they get a 3G network going. Cingular is the only carrier in the U.S. with a 3G UMTS network in major cities. It's significantly faster than Edge but not as fast as Verizon's evdo.
I hope that HTC offers some phone to work on both the US and European UMTS/HSDPA networks soon. Some form of TyTN or the Trion would do it.
Once you start surfing the web and texting with a Wizard, you'll get addicted and want more speed. Verizion's evdo is so damn fast. I miss verizon's speed but love my Wizard and hope to have the newest HTC phone soon
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=54030

After read many many threads on these it does seem like the 8125 has a better build quality than the MDA. Sound quality may also be superior since alot of MDA owners are complaing about sound issues. I was going to get the MDA but now I'm leaning on the 8125. Main reason is availability. Its easier for me to get the 8125 since I'm on cingular. I'm just worried about the sound volume being too low. I've read about the slider not working and such.....many requests to boost the sound but no real answer.
Hmm. New phone called the TyTN? Made also by HTC? May look into that also.

My friend has a T-Mobile MDA and I have the Cingular 8125. He has the original rom that came with the phone and I have the latest one 2.25. We were at my friends basement he had 3-4 bars of connection while I had non or 1 bar. He always has better connection then me.

ZzFDKzZ said:
My friend has a T-Mobile MDA and I have the Cingular 8125. He has the original rom that came with the phone and I have the latest one 2.25. We were at my friends basement he had 3-4 bars of connection while I had non or 1 bar. He always has better connection then me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay,let's see here.....
1) Are you both using the same carriers ?
If yes to above, it is a Rom issue.
If no to above, then it is pretty obvious as to the reason for the different signal levels!
I have a Qtek 9100 Wizard with the summiter custom Cingular 2.24 rom and can tell you for a fact that different roms DO act differently.Even roms from the same carriers, I might add! LOL
Later........

Yeah like I said he has T-Mobile and I have Cingular. He has the original rom and I have that new one http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=54726 Even with summiter 2.24 rom that I had last month he still had way better connection in my friends basement.

ZzFDKzZ said:
Yeah like I said he has T-Mobile and I have Cingular. He has the original rom and I have that new one http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=54726 Even with summiter 2.24 rom that I had last month he still had way better connection in my friends basement.
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Click to collapse
That's just to compare Cingular v.s. Tmobile signal, NOT 8125 v.s. MDA.
If your 8125 is SIM unlocked, try put in your friend's SIM card and see how is the signal on your phone; should be much better than your SIM.

.....Like I said, different carriers= different towers =different signal strength. As was said above, if sim unlocked, swap sims and see what happens.
Later.......

I never tought about that, I'll try the sim change next time.

Brand New Unopened MDA (T-Mobile USA)

I'm getting a new t-mobile mda usa phone this week and was wondering what are the first steps expert gurus like yourselves would do?
I've never used MDA before, but I'm a quick learner and have upgraded firmware and whatnot for other things in the past.
So, what would be the first step?
Test it out, see if it works...bla bla bla
Then? Would I upgrade the firmware? Which firmware should I use?
If I upgrade to a firmware that voids the warranty, could I flash the firmware back to stock T-mobile firmware and they would never know the difference (not that i would do that, just wondering)?
What programs/tweaks would you install?
If i get the 5.99 or whatever T-Zones, could I view any website and send/receive email through gmail...or would there be additional charges? Could I also use AIM, or would that cost extra?
I bought 5 MDA's for $250 total from amazon. However, it required me to select the data internet plan which is like $30/mo for each phone. But i was told I could cancel it within 14 days for all the phones, and instead get t-zones for $5.99?
Also...could you guys recommend some good accessories w/links or prices?
Screenprotectors, BT headsets...etc?
I'm also looking for a good, but cheap MiniSD 2gb card.
http://www.outpost.com/product/4922971 <-- Would this work for me, or is there a better one I should look at?
Sorry for asking so many questions, it's just that my MDA is coming this week and I'm really excited and want to be prepared for it.
Thanks guys!

THAT KINGSTON mini sd is the roxs!! works really well!
thou it might not read on ur card reader thru teh mini sd adapter, but hey for that price you can't go wrong!!
there are a ton of progs out there.. i would carefully breeze thru the wiki and other sticky's and then mod/add prog
if you have 1.80 ver firm.. unlock sim and CID then upgrade to 2.26!!
then programs and stuff is your liking.
enjoy.. sorry im in a rush, but you'll get plenty of help!

well .. MDA's cool but if you could wait a couple of weeks or maybe just get it's current version which is the MDA II (Vario II) which should be coming out soon here in the US ... In Europe, it's been out for at least a month or so... The MDA II (Vario II), aka XDA Trion, HTC TyTN, Orange SPVM3100, and the soon to be released Cingular 8525 is available online... just my two cents worth .... the new version has a lot more power and newer / current features which would work on HSPDA/UMTS ....
FYI

I got my MDA in July or August, I believe. I got it from T-Mobile, not one of their distributers, because I could control the family plan better, that we already had, and could request the area code I wanted (Also got a Samsung t-809 slide--a really cool phone).
Coming from an HP IPAQ 6315, I am VERY pleased with the MDA. However, I did not synch it with my Jensen B/T headphones because the driver wasn't compatible with WM5. More importantly, no matter what I tried I couldn't hook it up to my Garmin GPS 10--a B/T GPS unit that works AMAZINGLY well at finding your location--Both the headset and the Garmin work with the HP.
So I followed T-Mobile's directions to upgrade the MDA firmware to the ROM version 2.26.10.105 and I am SO glad I did!
The new version has its own A2DP driver, so the Jensens immediately synched beautifully.
The Garmin was trickier. I had to buy a registry editor--I went for Kilmist which works very nicely. You need to hack the registry to reveal the GPS Icon in the System tray.
The tree is:
Pocket PC\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\GPS Settings.
You delete ALL the keys under GPS Settings, especially the REDIRECT key.
I've read that you can switch the HIDE key from 1 to 0, but I couldn't get that to work--when I cleared the REDIRECT it worked.
Reboot, and the GPS Icon should appear. This allows you to tailor the device's COM port to match the GPS software from Garmin.
I'm not really crazy about the Windows Media Player--it's a pain to use, a pain to set up, and I have NO idea what MS was thinking. Instead, I use something called BetaPlayer both for movies and music. It's simple, clear, obvious, and you don't have to go through stupid gyrations to get either music or movies to it (it plays AVIs). When we travel, I'll rip movies using Pocket PC DVD (an nice, inexpensive pgm) to AVIs in the 15-225 meg range, and dump them to the Mini-SD card. BetaPlayer allows me to play them without any problem and rotates to landscape mode with a tap.
BetaPlayer is a free download, that Pocket PC DVD sets you up with. I THINK they have replaced it with an upgrade.
I can use it with AIM, but the return key on the keyboard doesn't "send"--so far I've had to tap the Send icon with the stylus--Is there a way around this?
eMail works very nicely--I route to my own account, not T-Mobile's, so I can get and send my mail. But it ALWAYS truncates the mail, forces you to click on it and re-download. Again, anybody have a way to fix this?
Compared to the HP IPAQ 6315, there's really no comparison. The HP has a bigger screen, but it's a bigger, bulkier unit and I don't notice a difference. It does just about everything better than the HP, and I don't have to soft-boot it every single day!
BIG plus on the MDA/Wizard--the antenna doesn't stick out so you can't break it off (I actually broke off the cover of the antenna on the HP in an airport--Had to replace the entire antenna assembly to replace the cover!)
I really like the SanDisk cards. I have 4 2-gig cards I bought on-line for about $40-$50 apiece (I forgot which). I THINK it was at Buy.com--not sure. I've never had a SanDisk card or flash drive fail or fail to connect. Yeah, 2g mini-SDs work just fine on this PDA.
The MDA is more like a thick cell phone than a PDA in size and feel. I hope to explore a lot more of its capabilities.

Hi, thanks for all the replies guys.
I've been trying to do as much research as possible before getting the phone.
Bigshoguns said:
unlock sim and CID then upgrade to 2.26
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain how to unlock SIM/CID? I tried following a sticky, but it seems some of these forum links are dead or different b/c of the new forum software. I think i have to use lokiwiz or something, but I cant seem to find it? If anyone can point that out plus give me instructions, I'd appreciate it.
Also, I'm a bit nervous about OC'ing the device. Do you do it in increments? How do you know when you've OC'd it too much, does it start to freeze or will it just not turn on or something?
Yanktar03 said:
I can use it with AIM, but the return key on the keyboard doesn't "send"--so far I've had to tap the Send icon with the stylus--Is there a way around this?
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I've been doing some reading and I think I found an answer for you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=985458&highlight=return#post985458
Not sure if you can do it with the regular AIM, but with the hacked AIM you could go to options/preferences and under IM/Chat/Mobile make sure "Enter Key Inserts Return" is unchecked.
Sorry if this is incorrect, I dont have an MDA and have never used one but I'm just going by some stuff I read.
Oh yeah, does anyone know when MDA II (USA) is coming out..I would feel a bit of buyers remorse if it's coming out soon and will be offered at an attractive price for new contracts. Oh well....MDA is still good, right?
Anymore help/suggestions would be greatful!
Thanks!

chroniX said:
Hi, thanks for all the replies guys.
I've been trying to do as much research as possible before getting the phone.
Could you explain how to unlock SIM/CID? I tried following a sticky, but it seems some of these forum links are dead or different b/c of the new forum software. I think i have to use lokiwiz or something, but I cant seem to find it? If anyone can point that out plus give me instructions, I'd appreciate it.
Also, I'm a bit nervous about OC'ing the device. Do you do it in increments? How do you know when you've OC'd it too much, does it start to freeze or will it just not turn on or something?
I've been doing some reading and I think I found an answer for you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=985458&highlight=return#post985458
Not sure if you can do it with the regular AIM, but with the hacked AIM you could go to options/preferences and under IM/Chat/Mobile make sure "Enter Key Inserts Return" is unchecked.
Sorry if this is incorrect, I dont have an MDA and have never used one but I'm just going by some stuff I read.
Oh yeah, does anyone know when MDA II (USA) is coming out..I would feel a bit of buyers remorse if it's coming out soon and will be offered at an attractive price for new contracts. Oh well....MDA is still good, right?
Anymore help/suggestions would be greatful!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile makes you wait 90 days before they will give you the unlock code and procedure for free. But if you already are a customer you may be able to bully them into it sooner. I did because I added my MDA and T-809 phone to our family plan.
I don't know about the CID, but if you get the T-Mobile unlock that's all you need. The upgrade of the ROM, via the T-Mobile procedure and software is very easy and does NOT void the warranty.
Thanks about the AIM--I found another thread here yesterday where there is a modified version of AIM 2.0 that is FAR better than T-Mobile's and gives you the "return" key back, and allows you to force the sign-on. Apparently you don't have to pay for messaging with it--it's via Internet!
Little by little the MDA is becoming the PDA I always wanted.

chroniX said:
Hi, thanks for all the replies guys.
Could you explain how to unlock SIM/CID? I tried following a sticky, but it seems some of these forum links are dead or different b/c of the new forum software. I think i have to use lokiwiz or something, but I cant seem to find it? If anyone can point that out plus give me instructions, I'd appreciate it.
Also, I'm a bit nervous about OC'ing the device. Do you do it in increments? How do you know when you've OC'd it too much, does it start to freeze or will it just not turn on or something?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for unlocking use Lokiwiz02b.zip which is found in the Xda ftp:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BA_FTP_Site
dont worry about overclocking - im running mine @ 224 with the 2.26 rom
i was overclocking @ 240 with the custom 2.24 - really helps out performance
for overclocking someone recommended Batterystatus which is a small neat program, using very little resources to manage the battery and overclock and its free
http://www.chi-tai.info/cs_BatteryStatus_XDA_Neo_WM5_iM_cs.htm

Whatever you do don't buy ShieldZone Screen Protector.

ZzFDKzZ said:
Whatever you do don't buy ShieldZone Screen Protector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that the same as Invisible Shield? I thought those were supposed to be good.
What would you recommend then?

If you plan to upgrade to the Official Tmobile 2.26 rom you do not need to unlock. It will handle all of that for you. Just make sure your battery power is over the suggest amount (I think its 50%) I have seen some nightmare stories here from people who didn't.

Cingular 8525? Worth it?

Well im back here again after a month or two and soon i will be eligible to upgrade my phone with cingular..
i noticed the 8525 is available now and looks nice... Is the 8525 still considered a wizard? Will all the same apps work? I didnt notice a section specifically for the 8525 so i was just wondering?
thanks

The 8525 is the Hermes aka HTC TyTN.
Both the 8125 and the 8525 are WM5 devices and will run the same software.
For further information, check the Hermes forums

IMO, the 8525 is only worth it if you live in a 3G area.
As soon as 3G comes to where I'm living, I'll be making the upgrade

8525

I'm upgrading my 8125 to a 8525, and would like to hear comments (pros/cons) About the 8525. I am constantly having internet connection issues (PDA Unlimited plan), and I can't use Opera beta for mobile longer than 5 mins. Without my 8125 locking up..No buttons work, have to soft re-set everytime. My overall opinion of my 8125 since owned...PIECE OF S_ _T!

just a few more months to September, how about waiting for the Kaiser...
As for the 8525, I think it is ok but has its own set of issues as my friend keeps badgering about upgrades as he doesn't browse on this site as much as I do. In other words, it is just like your old PIECE OF S_ _ T!
Hardware wise it is a better machine.
BTW, I love my PIECE OF S_ _ T! good luck with the upgrade

Actually I loved my 8125, and was very happy with it when I bought it new a year 1/2 ago, until I had it replaced because the charging port broke off inside. The replacements I get from Cingular are refurbished instead of new, and the two refurbished replacements had done nothing but cause a lot of frustration and anger..I was to the point of throwing my 8125 against the wall, but held back. I think the 8125 is becoming obsolete because the customer service rep I spoke with today told me the 8125 was not on the available equipment list. weird!

If you take a look at the Tytn topics you'll see that about 56% of owners are experiencing the same screen alignment problems that Wizard owners are. That kept me from going down that particular upgrade path. Not sure if the Kaiser will be better, so I'm taking a chance on the Panda.

Tref said:
If you take a look at the Tytn topics you'll see that about 56% of owners are experiencing the same screen alignment problems that Wizard owners are. That kept me from going down that particular upgrade path. Not sure if the Kaiser will be better, so I'm taking a chance on the Panda.
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Click to collapse
I was having so many issues with the replacement 8125s, that the 8525 I received from Cingular new in the box with battery, accs., was given to me at no cost. I still have & use the 8125, as it is mine, too. Now I have a 8125 & a 8525. The 8125 is not being made anymore, that's why Cingular doesn't want my 8125 for the 8525. One thing I've already seen with the 8525 is the mini SD card slot, very small, 85% smaller than the 8125 card slot. Have to buy another SD card now.

hotdog53 said:
I was having so many issues with the replacement 8125s, that the 8525 I received from Cingular new in the box with battery, accs., was given to me at no cost. I still have & use the 8125, as it is mine, too. Now I have a 8125 & a 8525. The 8125 is not being made anymore, that's why Cingular doesn't want my 8125 for the 8525. One thing I've already seen with the 8525 is the mini SD card slot, very small, 85% smaller than the 8125 card slot. Have to buy another SD card now.
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Click to collapse
That's because the 8525 uses a micro SD card . . . the 8125 uses the mini SD card.

Thanks for the info. I did'nt know that. Now I know what to look for!