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hey guys pretty much a noob here. i got an alltel ppc-6800 for a really good deal. reason why i got it for a good deal is that it has a bad esn. what i want to do is reflash the unit and use a verizon rom on it instead and have it on the verizon network. big question is that i've been reading the wiki on how to flash, etc... but should i follow the steps for downgrading to stock verizon rom or what?
I think before you start anything you might wanna think it over. Are you using this phone for yourself because personally I would NOT try to activate a phone with a bad esn, you do realize they will need the esn correct? I would make sure Verizon will let you use the phone on their network.
first off, the ESN is BAD. VZ will not activate it. you would need a clean device (most commonly a broken one where you can still salvage a good ESN)
and take the clean ESN from the broken phone and swap it with the bad ESN on the good one. now, not only is this 100% illegal, and there is a fat fine and possible jail time for changing ESN's, but it is very advanced work. and if you are really a 'noob' as you stated, ESN swapping is reserved for those with technical knowledge far above us, and this process is way over our heads. dont bother with it. sell it on eBay and buy a brand new one.
aguas said:
first off, the ESN is BAD. VZ will not activate it. you would need a clean device (most commonly a broken one where you can still salvage a good ESN)
and take the clean ESN from the broken phone and swap it with the bad ESN on the good one. now, not only is this 100% illegal, and there is a fat fine and possible jail time for changing ESN's, but it is very advanced work. and if you are really a 'noob' as you stated, ESN swapping is reserved for those with technical knowledge far above us, and this process is way over our heads. dont bother with it. sell it on eBay and buy a brand new one.
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Not good advice. Plain an simple
yea i do not plan on cloning a device. way to much work. well i got the phone because the person did not want to pay for the cancellation fee so there is hold on the esn before any activation can occur on their network. It is not on a currently black list for "Lost/Stolen" phones. So really i can activate the phone on alltel i just have to pay the rest of the money, lol which im not doing. And my buddy at verizon said it maybe possible to put it on the network he just wants me to reflash to verizon and he's gonna try to add it to the network.
vlhoang said:
yea i do not plan on cloning a device. way to much work.
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No that shouldn't even be talked about on this forum thats just asking for trouble. I would NOT condone the replacement or changing of any ESN on any device its illegal period.
KDKobes said:
No that shouldn't even be talked about on this forum thats just asking for trouble. I would NOT condone the replacement or changing of any ESN on any device its illegal period.
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as i *clearly* stated. i was informing him of his options.
also, now that he said that the ESN is 'on hold' it's really irrelevant since he first stated it was a bad ESN, which are two totally different things.
So I found a person on Craigslist who had a Droid 2 for sale, good deal. So I met up with him, checked out the phone, everything looked good. I called Verizon before making the exchange for the phone and verified the ESN was clear. I get home and try to activate the phone and can't. I called Verizon back and this time I'm being told the phone is still allocated to an account but not active, probably someone who didn't pay a bill would be my guess. It's still early and I haven't tried contacting the person I purchased it from, but providing that falls through what are my options? Or are there any?
I've had verizon for almost 12 years now, can't say I've had the best experience but this just takes the prize. First guy says yes, second person says no, I'm probably out money. ><
Be careful. It could either be stolen or his and he could be filing a claim that the phone was stolen so document everything from the transaction to ensure you don't end up in the wrong. I'm not sure if anything can be done if you have a linked but not active ESN.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
newk8600 said:
Be careful. It could either be stolen or his and he could be filing a claim that the phone was stolen so document everything from the transaction to ensure you don't end up in the wrong. I'm not sure if anything can be done if you have a linked but not active ESN.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
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Yea I kinda figure that I'm out some cash and got a nifty paperweight now. I'm calling VZW to raise hell since one person told me it was clean, and the other told me the truth about it. Nothing will probably come of it, but at least I get to ***** at them for it. I did manage to get the guy I bought it from to tell me earlier today that it was on his wifes account and that she needed the money from getting rid of the phone to buy another and have it activated. Of course he hasn't returned any of my follow up calls asking when this is going to happen. Unfortunately this isn't someone I know, but do feel like giving him the ass beating of his lifetime.
Oh well, I should have tried to activate it myself on the spot so I guess you live you learn.
By the way, I've got this new thing called an Android Paperweight that runs OS 2.2 if you're interested in buying it let me know (j/k)
StirCwazy said:
Yea I kinda figure that I'm out some cash and got a nifty paperweight now. I'm calling VZW to raise hell since one person told me it was clean, and the other told me the truth about it. Nothing will probably come of it, but at least I get to ***** at them for it. I did manage to get the guy I bought it from to tell me earlier today that it was on his wifes account and that she needed the money from getting rid of the phone to buy another and have it activated. Of course he hasn't returned any of my follow up calls asking when this is going to happen. Unfortunately this isn't someone I know, but do feel like giving him the ass beating of his lifetime.
Oh well, I should have tried to activate it myself on the spot so I guess you live you learn.
By the way, I've got this new thing called an Android Paperweight that runs OS 2.2 if you're interested in buying it let me know (j/k)
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Honestly, if it ends up being a bad ESN and you aren't ever able to activate it you could probably sell it to a developer to recuperate some of the cost. You probably wont get it all but I'm sure you could get a nice chunk back.
kwheel596 said:
Honestly, if it ends up being a bad ESN and you aren't ever able to activate it you could probably sell it to a developer to recuperate some of the cost. You probably wont get it all but I'm sure you could get a nice chunk back.
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I wouldn't even know where to start, but good suggestion, thanks.
I called VZW a few minutes ago to complain and found out that the person I spoke with last night didn't log anything in our account indicating a call and regarding what. The person I spoke with earlier today did. I just wish everyone knew how to do their job properly to make sure everyone in my situation ends up with the best possible results, and not out some money that could be used elsewhere.
So if life I guess
How much does it take to buy the phone..... paper weight
rdking said:
How much does it take to buy the phone..... paper weight
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At risk of being ridiculed over what I paid for the said item I'll take offers via PM For the time being I'm still holding out on the dream it will one day soon be functional.
put it on ebay you can still get a couple hundred bucks out of a droid 2 with a bad esn
Good luck man, I hope it will be activated soon!
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
First things first, never buy a CL phone unless you activate it on the SPOT. Regardless if the 'account is late on payment' or whatever that doesn't mean they can blacklist the phone from activating on the network.
If it is a insurance claim phone it can never be used and you are SOL, but if it's stolen I'd call Verizon again and have them contact whoever owns that phone to call you. You seem like an intelligent person, not some kid posting on here, and having VZW for 12 years confirms that. Do the right thing and contact the owner should it be stolen. Maybe work something out?
You could always use it with a different carrier or sell it to someone who wants to use it on a different carrier..
They flash over to cricket easily, probly to sprint or u.s. cellular also
Doesnt matter what the esn says in verizons system when going somewhere else
If you complain enough they will *SOMETIMES* allow you to swap it for a replacement with a clean ESN, though not always. You could also try going into a store and telling them you got ripped off and seeing if they have a carrier return laying that they might be willing to replace your bad one with, Verizon themselves doesn't care about blacklisted ESN's once they have them, they just simply remove it from the blacklist and sell it off
Streak 7 bad ESN
May be an stupid coment, but just by curiosity: when you change the ROM for some custom ROM , the STK7 is not by default unlocked?.
Mr. Cell Phone Unlocker
If you are willing to pay $75, I stumbled across this site that will do it.
Reputable company, but I make no guarantees of their effectiveness. Never tried it either.
Might be worth a shot
http://www.mrcellphoneunlocker.com/V2/products.php?product=Verizon_ESN
Hello I have a HTC G2 and i lost it a few days ago so i reported it to tmobile and they sent me a new one
Now after receiving the new one My friend cleaning out his car found the phone and called me letting me know
My question is can i use this phone still even though i have a new one
is there a way to mod the phone so that TM will not know its the one i reported lost.
Please let me know as i will like to give this to my daughter thanks.
I'm guessing they would have the ESN/IMEI of the phone marked as bad so it cannot be used or activated anymore by a thief if it was stolen. There may be a way to get it work, but it would probably be illegal =/
what will be the procedure as if its a sim card how would they now what phone it is
Well, the most honest thing to do would be to call TMobile and ask which one they want back.
A less honest thing to do would be to call 611 from the old phone, which will probably work, say you found this phone and would like to know where to send it. At least you get to keep the newer phone.
Or, you could keep both and see if the old one is usable using a different SIM. But what kind of example does that set for your daughter?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
Well I understand sending the phone back will be good but as i spent 150 dollars to get the replacement. I was told it will not be refunded so whats the point of sending it back.
I figure since i have a few tm phones and at times i switch phones it will not be a problem.
Well if putting custom software will that hide the phone as they say rooting the phone is not exceptable and you can void your warrenty. And when putting custom roms they never now also apps that are downloaded.
storres6981 said:
what will be the procedure as if its a sim card how would they now what phone it is
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The ESN/IMEI are hard coded in a very deep level of the phone software somehow I think, so it doesn't matter what SIM you have in it; the network knows its being used. I'm sure there are [illegal] ways to change the ESN
For example if you look at phone people sell on Ebay, they are always labeled as "Clean ESN" or "Bad ESN". The bad ones are phones reported as stolen, etc and won't be able to be activated no matter what.
c00ller said:
The ESN/IMEI are hard coded in a very deep level of the phone software somehow I think, so it doesn't matter what SIM you have in it; the network knows its being used. I'm sure there are [illegal] ways to change the ESN
For example if you look at phone people sell on Ebay, they are always labeled as "Clean ESN" or "Bad ESN". The bad ones are phones reported as stolen, etc and won't be able to be activated no matter what.
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This is correct. If you've reported the phone lost/stolen, or the phone is associated to a delinquent or unpaid account, the provider (T-mo) will mark the phone as such, and the phone will not work with any other SIM card. So its only worth what it could be sold for for parts...
You spoke of rooting the phone, this won't clear the ESN, and this really isn't something we talk about at XDA (or most other reputable forums, for that matter) because it is highly illegal/frowned upon/etc.. Really no need for this thread to go in that direction...
Now the right thing to do would to call T-mo and ask which one they wanted back... maybe you can work something out with them even though they cant do a full refund. It would also mean that your account wouldnt be docked the cost or mark of having been given a phone under warranty, because most plans only allow a certain number of claims per time period.
Not true...you could change the esn and imei on blackberry. I did it because I was in the same situation. I just wanted to give mine to my bro. I'm sure if you could on blackberry you can with android. Android is more open I would think
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
popimp315 said:
Not true...you could change the esn and imei on blackberry. I did it because I was in the same situation. I just wanted to give mine to my bro. I'm sure if you could on blackberry you can with android. Android is more open I would think
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
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Never said you can't, just said its something we don't talk about here.
It should still work on networks outside of the USA (or which ever country it is you're in). So I suppose you can unlock and debrand it and sell it to someone abroad.
Have you tried putting your replacement sim on the old phone? You really should call tmobile to see what can be done.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
It will work just fine. I did the same thing and I asked the lady that worked for the phone's insurance before I ordered my replacement what would happen if I found it and she said you have 7 days to send back the replacement for a refund. She said if I find it after the 7 days it would work and be 100% usable but I wouldn't be able to send in the replacement for the refund... it is currently being used with no issues right now actually.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
but my xperia has been stolen, most likely by one of two coworkers. i don't have any proof other than i left the phone at work and neither one of them found the phone. i work for a verizon inderect btw.
so i don't know what to do go to the owner and explain and possibly get fired or ostracized, i have no proof, and i'm pretty sure the phone was wiped. though i did call verizon and they told me they can blacklist the esn though i recently filed paperwork for my employee line with that esn so that will be interesting.
any suggestions, i'm really pissed and don't know what to do, i really don't want to think i work with such ****ty people that they would steal from a co-worker, and i really don't want to think i work with people stupid enough to think i won't catch them.
any suggestions?
I don't know if they can but can't they track it? I mean I am almost sure they can use the GPS in it to track it. If you work for verizon shouldn't they understand?
rogeriskira said:
I don't know if they can but can't they track it? I mean I am almost sure they can use the GPS in it to track it. If you work for verizon shouldn't they understand?
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yeah they do, thing is i hadn't activated it yet, had just submitted the paperwork last week, and i am 99.99% sure i left it at work on the fourth, both the employees (one of em my manager) said they hadn't seen the phone.
thing is verizon can't track it if it's not active, and i'm also very sure the phone was wiped, as it's not showing up in the market as far as i can tell.
even if it does get activated by them (i.e. verizon) it has to be *228 option one for the phone to take the activation. but i can't believe that the employees would be that stupid to steal it, what are they gonna do keep it? and me not notice. plus i'm gonna report the esn as lost or stolen so it'll be a bad esn.
i must have just lost it but i have looked everywhere and can't think of where else it could be but one of them having taken it.
just venting more than anything. sorry for cluttering the forum up with my personal **** btw.
Hey, you gotta release your stress somewhere . I was always under the impression that the carrier can be tracked your phone easily but don't do it because you are on a contract and need to buy something new from them.
Two years ago I bought a phone, used it for 15 minutes and then switched back to old phone so that I can return the new one without going over the 30minutes return policy. The customer service rep can distinguish exactly how many minutes were used on each phone the previous night. This means that they know which phne is using their services at all time. I'm with rogers gsm network
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Thanks for the support worst part is all the games in had on there if hada16gb card completely full of games like I had 100mb left....
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Can't you track the imei? If they wipe that no network will accept the phone?
Sent from my R800i using XDA Premium App
thorpe24 said:
but my xperia has been stolen, most likely by one of two coworkers. i don't have any proof other than i left the phone at work and neither one of them found the phone. i work for a verizon inderect btw.
so i don't know what to do go to the owner and explain and possibly get fired or ostracized, i have no proof, and i'm pretty sure the phone was wiped. though i did call verizon and they told me they can blacklist the esn though i recently filed paperwork for my employee line with that esn so that will be interesting.
any suggestions, i'm really pissed and don't know what to do, i really don't want to think i work with such ****ty people that they would steal from a co-worker, and i really don't want to think i work with people stupid enough to think i won't catch them.
any suggestions?
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I think I read somewhere in this list of comments that you were sure the phone was wiped. Any chance that it isn't? You could try something like LookOut's "Plan B" from the Android Market web page, and if it is on your account still, you can tell it to install on the phone. When/if it does, it would start tracking it and tell you where it thinks it is.
If the phone has been wiped, then it is pretty much down to the procedures you described. Block the ESN/IMEI, report it as stolen, etc. If you can't prove it was the two other folks, then don't say it was them. Simply state your phone has been lost and/or stolen. Say you already did your due diligence of reporting it gone. I guess this is also the place to make sure that you have backups of your SD cards, as well as always to install some sort of remote-control-and-location service on your phone. If it doesn't get wiped, then you can do so. If it is wiped, then less to worry about other than your loss (and documents on the SD card).
Very good advice dvds I thank you. Unfortunately those methods havent worked. I will try plan b though
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
well the least you could do is put a poster where it was stolen and offer a reward.
Also ask if you can look at the security camera feeds if the location has cameras.
Makes sure you ask to check the camera as soon as possible they are usually deleted after a while.
Good luck
thorpe24 said:
but my xperia has been stolen, most likely by one of two coworkers. i don't have any proof other than i left the phone at work and neither one of them found the phone. i work for a verizon inderect btw.
so i don't know what to do go to the owner and explain and possibly get fired or ostracized, i have no proof, and i'm pretty sure the phone was wiped. though i did call verizon and they told me they can blacklist the esn though i recently filed paperwork for my employee line with that esn so that will be interesting.
any suggestions, i'm really pissed and don't know what to do, i really don't want to think i work with such ****ty people that they would steal from a co-worker, and i really don't want to think i work with people stupid enough to think i won't catch them.
any suggestions?
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Keep checking Craiglist in your local area? Some stolen merchandise end up there.
Getting the ESN on the lost list is a great step but if they work there too couldn't they take it off the list? Keep that ESN and keep up with ebay and craigslist. Thats mess up, gotta be some kinda low to take from a co worker. They had to know you were gonna report it lost, they stole a paper weight.
thorpe24 said:
but my xperia has been stolen, most likely by one of two coworkers. i don't have any proof other than i left the phone at work and neither one of them found the phone. i work for a verizon inderect btw.
so i don't know what to do go to the owner and explain and possibly get fired or ostracized, i have no proof, and i'm pretty sure the phone was wiped. though i did call verizon and they told me they can blacklist the esn though i recently filed paperwork for my employee line with that esn so that will be interesting.
any suggestions, i'm really pissed and don't know what to do, i really don't want to think i work with such ****ty people that they would steal from a co-worker, and i really don't want to think i work with people stupid enough to think i won't catch them.
any suggestions?
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If you have the box it has your serial # on it. Verizon has a record of your phones serial number also. They take it down when you activate it.
So one of my friends bought a Version S5 off of Craigslist, turned out it was stolen so Verizon couldn't do anything about it. He asked me for help, but I wasn't too sure if the phone can be unlocked and used with a previous Sim card to work. Is there anyway to get the phone to work, even if I towel root it?
I know it means Verizon has it blacklisted but it could technically be used on a different carrier if unlocked, right?
Br4nd3n said:
So one of my friends bought a Version S5 off of Craigslist, turned out it was stolen so Verizon couldn't do anything about it. He asked me for help, but I wasn't too sure if the phone can be unlocked and used with a previous Sim card to work. Is there anyway to get the phone to work, even if I towel root it?
I know it means Verizon has it blacklisted but it could technically be used on a different carrier if unlocked, right?
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The phone will never work on any carrier, throw it in the trash.
The IMEI serial number is blacklisted by VZW and unless the original owner gets it back, it will never work again.
Okie John said:
The phone will never work on any carrier, throw it in the trash.
The IMEI serial number is blacklisted by VZW and unless the original owner gets it back, it will never work again.
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I know in older models you could "repair" blacklisted IMEIs to unblacklist the phone, anything like that for this s5 variant?
Br4nd3n said:
I know in older models you could "repair" blacklisted IMEIs to unblacklist the phone, anything like that for this s5 variant?
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The only ones who can unblacklist an IMEI are the carriers. Unless you can manage to change the IMEI, but then still... the carrier would have to allow that IMEI on the network.
Craigslist strikes again!
I purchased my phone locally from Craigslist but i had the seller agree to meet me at a verizon store to complete the transaction and have the phone checked out. It was brand new still in the box. That's probably the best way to go when purchasing a phone from Craigslist. If the seller won't meet you at your carrier's store just move on.
You could always use an online IMEI checker/verifier after meeting up, before handing over the money. Craigslist in general is super risky, though, even for personal safety. I recommend www.swappa.com
BigBot96 said:
You could always use an online IMEI checker/verifier after meeting up, before handing over the money. Craigslist in general is super risky, though, even for personal safety. I recommend www.swappa.com
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Yes i did check it online he was more than willing to give me the info i needed to check it out over the phone which was great. For safety reasons and a second verification i asked him to meet up at verizon.
I buy almost all my phones off craigslist and before I hand over any money, I call Verizon and have their customer service check out the IMEI number and confirm it is not blacklisted. Not to be harsh, but now your friend knows what a 2 minute phone call costs.
How much did he pay for it? And does he want to recoup pay off the value?
Calling the carrier means nothing since they can report it lost/stolen after you take possession and they already have your money.