Does the Handset being SimLocked cause problems???? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey Guys and Gals......
I am about to purchase a Shiny New SGSII from o2 in a couple of Days (when i get paid LOLOL) and was wondering this........
Are there any problems to look out for if the Handset is SimLocked?
The reason i ask is because i flashed my unlocked SGS easily and often with no problems at all...whereas i did this for a friend who had his with an ORANGE contract and had numerous problems/bugs etc. Am i just paranoid about having to stick with o2 and is the switching of Sims the only gripe people have if the phone is simlocked. Can anyone shed any light please....
Cheers

Orange cram their phones with bloat like 'Orange Maps' and 'Orange Messenger'. They even removed Google Maps and GTalk from my Desire so I wouldn't touch another of their phones with a barge pole!
O2 seem pretty harmless bar a wallpaper and start-up animation.
The only thing to look out for is the release of updates. Carriers take time 'testing' (which in Orange's case means adding their ****ware to it) so updates can be delayed by a few weeks.
If you want the latest then get a sim-free/unlocked handset. Phones4U and CPW usually hand them out on contract and I expect PAYG too.

Thanks for the reply but i flashed both handsets with ODIN and the contract phone had problems. My question above should have read............
Do i need to remove the simlock 1st before i flash a Custom Rom? Can there be problems otherwise?

Related

Finally got my HD2 fixed, but they've changed the ROM

Hey guys,
So my phone developed a strange white mark on the screen. Took it to get it fixed and finally a month later Vodafone returned a different handset to me with the latest Vodafone ROM on it as I expected.
Bottom line is I don't want the Vodafone ROM on it. Can I simply install the official HTC ROM onto the handset from their website? Is it that simple or will it totally mess up my handset?
Thanks.
Richard.
Ha, just discovered now that it is locked to Vodafone. Can I make an issue out of this with the idiots at Vodafone? HTC website won't let me download their ROMs. What can I do about this?
do a hspl and flash away.......
BIG ISSUE
If the phone you send in to repair was originally an unbranded device and they returned you a branded device. I would make a BIG (oh no a HUGE) issue out of it, they just can't do that. They have to replace it with a similar device, a branded Vodafone device isn't worth half on the second hand market because of SIM-lock.
But you cannot just install a HTC ROM, you'll have to use HSPL2 (1.66HSPL preferable) but HSPL2 can void your warranty, all tough it is reversible. With HSPL2 the Vodafone branded device will still be SIM-locked.
webpatrick this is exactly as I thought...so yesterday before looking at the posts on here I sent a very heated email to Vodafone telling them exactly as it is. This handset is worthless to me. And you are right about the branding. I bought a phone last year that was branded (I didn't know this when I got it) and I had loads of trouble trying to sell it on. I can mess with the ROMs all I want but the bottom line is that any new HTC ROMs would never install unless I HSPL2 it, so how could I sell it on to someone without telling them that it is branded? I can't.
Words cannot convey how fuming I am with Vodafone right now. It took them a month to get a working device back into my hands...and then it wasn't even my device or indeed a similarly set up device. Absolutely pathetic. This means I have to make more journeys to the Vodafone store, waste my time and money etc.
Thanks for your posts guys. I will let you know what develops. I should be recieving a reply to my email at some point soon.
Richard
Ok so I got this email back from them today. How do you think I should proceed?
"Hello Richard,
To reinstall the HTC ROM on your phone you can visit the nearest Vodafone stores.
Alternatively, you need to contact the HTC manufacturer if they can help you to reinstall the HTC ROM on your phone.
I trust this helps."
What should I do? Should I persue the issue or do one of the above?
Thanks
Richard
So basically....THEY DIDN'T READ MY EMAIL.
So it was originally branded, you probable had a bit of discount back then.
But the employee that sold it to you probable didn't know it was branded neither. Vodafone used to brand devices with a visible vodafone logo on the outside, and they didn't do that with the HD2.
I also was mislead by it a year ago, but since an vodafone upgrade is available, i don't bother anymore, cause I can install any ROM I like with HSPL2 (except new 3.14 ROMs), and revert with the official vodafone upgrade if needed.
So if you want an original HTC ROM, you have to use HSLP2 or for the latest HTC ROM a GoldCard, cause there's no HSPL for the new 3.14 ROMs (with SPL 3.03.0000 bootloader) (see Artemis Thread).
Turns out I have just installed custom roms. I figured that I might as well void the warranty. I will just revert to the stock if worse comes to worse.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

[Q] HTC Mozart Orange -> T-mobile UK

Alright guys I tried to search for this but basically I couldnt find the answer,
Anyway I might be buying an orange uk HTC mozart from *bay, and then I'll be getting it unlocked via IMEI code also from *bay.
My question is how will I go about de-branding it i.e. taking everything "orange" away from it and also how will I make sure the phone is up to date i.e. which rom will i have to flash?
Sorry for the noob-ness its just I'm coming from android so all this wp7 malarky is new to me!
Thanks!!
try to read some threads before posting new ones..I am sure you will answer all your questions that way.
Sorry to say I cant find anything that answers my question would appreciate if you could help me out.
I'm confused as to whether the mozart will ge the NoDo update on a non-orange carrier?
Thanks
To be honest you won't see much orange stuff on it! You can uninstall all the programs and after that its just the start up screen (which you'll rarely see as who turns off their phone) and I think one of the colours is called orange uk! But the above guy is right there are millions of posts on here about debranding your phone, I did it and went back to the original rom as the european rom doesnt seem to have english uk, only english american...
Thanks for the tips, but im unsure as to what you mean by the original rom?
Basically i dont know what version it will be until it arrives, but i want to make sure I can unlock it, debrand it and keep it up to date whilst being on t-mobile (which happen to share a 2G network with orange lol)
my advice is: get your hands to the phone first, buy an unlock code through some of the several sites providing it if the phone is locked to orange or another network. then pop your sim in, enter the unlock code you purchased and uninstall any orange apps if there are any installed on the phone.. plug your phone to zune and update it to pre-nodo, no-do depends on what version currently is. remember that you have to un-plug and plug again your phone to the pc for each update.. hope that helped..
I did the same thing, bought a Mozart from Ebay, Unlocked by buying a code from the internet and then debranded the phone by downgrading it and letting it update through Zune.
Still looking at getting one of these, but just reading issues about responsiveness on the latest roms i.e. screen response etc.
Is it an issue i should worry about?
BUMP
My mozart is coming tomorrow on Orange UK, and I will need to use it on t-mobile UK.
Please, please oh pretty please will someone help me unlock and debrand it?
Thanks
I bought a Mozart locked to Orange last week to use with an O2 sim card. All you need to do is get an unlock code using the IMEI no. (I used Unlocking.com, cost about £15), then get your phone on a wifi network and dwnload the HTC settings app from Marketplace, which will automatically configure your phone for web/MMS/texts etc. Then just delete the Orange apps by long pressing on them in the app list and assign the correct voicemail number.
Job done! Other than an Orange logo on start up, you won't know any different.
Got my mozart Yay!
HOWEVER
What the hell is with the banding?!?!?! Whenever the screen is any other color than black, there's banding!?!?
Banding? Oh dear - I think you might have a duff screen
No I think this is the issue
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-1028496.html
Oh, right. Turns out I have that too, but hadn't noticed until now! Supposedly it'll be fixed in Mango, and it's no big deal so I can wait until then.

[Q] SGS2 in phones4u or carphonewarehouse UK

Hi. I'd like to buy a SGS2 in p4u or CarPhoneWwarehouse. I've got 2 questions:
1.How much would it cost?
2.Will be Unlocked and Unbranded?
BTW. Which shop do you prefer?
EDIT: If i would buy a branded phone is there posibility to make it unbranded(i really hate operators logos )?
Got mine at Phones4u, It's unlocked and unbranded. In both shops they told me it would be totally unlocked and unbranded whatever network I chose.
Pay as you go costs £499.99 in both shops, but you have to buy £10 credit.
As for contract?
http://www.phones4u.co.uk/shop/shop_contract_details.asp?ItemKey=519740
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/SAMSUNG-GALAXY-S-2
Can somebody tell me what is different between branded and unbranded phone (especially SGS2) ?? Only logo and firmware updates or something else.
sutu69 said:
Can somebody tell me what is different between branded and unbranded phone (especially SGS2) ?? Only logo and firmware updates or something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently it is only a bootscreen and a couple of wallpapers. However updates will be delayed and it's likely they will add more bloat later on. Orange ruined my HTC Desire with their crapware.
You can however easily change it to a stock firmware etc. A guide is available on the dev forum.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Took me a lot of blagging, but I managed to get my GS2 for £400 from Carphone Warehouse on the day they got them in. This is because they're doing some new policy where they will match your network's price. O2 are doing offline GS2s for £400. I had to go back to the shop 3 times, but I finally talked them into it. Was the last one in stock too on the day. This was even before the "Pay as you go" packages were on their system, so I didn't have to buy a top-up either. Was quite proud of myself.
Weren't going to pay £500 when O2 were doing them for £400!
Got mine from carphone warehouse on a new O2 contract and it's completely unbranded.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
i just bought the phone and im so happy.
First of all i bought it at p4u. i paid 499.95 + 10.00(topup). It's fully unlocked and unbranded
However, i've got a little problem with the phone. When i plug in a earphones which were in the box i sometimes got a strange noise but sound is still there. i tried with another earphones and everything was ok. both hedsets are hard to plug off (?)so i have to use some force. do u have same problem?
SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH

[Q] Has anyone got a phone from Orange UK yet?

Has anyone yet received a phone from either an Orange shop or via their website/head office?
And if so how was the "bloatware" situation, what is your rom details and was there any orange branding on the device itself?
its available to buy through a new contract, but is still comming soon as an upgrade feature :/
i hope to get mine through at the end of the week, unfortunatly, just been the victim of card fraud, so have to wait for the bank....i will keep peeps posted
I actually get mine tomorrow so can look then, I was just interested to see if others had one already
I do know (from what the executive office told me today) that they have had 2 deliveries now but both have been very very small, first batch sold out in minutes and second batch was expected to do the same, thankfully I had one saved for me as a priority customer.
Lennyuk said:
Has anyone yet received a phone from either an Orange shop or via their website/head office?
And if so how was the "bloatware" situation, what is your rom details and was there any orange branding on the device itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get mine tomorrow, will let you know.
Just curious, wouldn't you root it and get a cleaner rom anyway?
I DO know that the phone does not come with NFC chip
Orange had no clue, so I called Samsung and eventually got the answer that only the USA version has the chip (which we know is not true, but suffice to say,the Orange one does not)
Mark
fredphoesh said:
I get mine tomorrow, will let you know.
Just curious, wouldn't you root it and get a cleaner rom anyway?
I DO know that the phone does not come with NFC chip
Orange had no clue, so I called Samsung and eventually got the answer that only the USA version has the chip (which we know is not true, but suffice to say,the Orange one does not)
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I will, but just wondered anyway.
Some people are currently investigating if the phones do in-fact have NFC included just software disabled. Early signs indicate that they may include the chip.
Lennyuk said:
Some people are currently investigating if the phones do in-fact have NFC included just software disabled. Early signs indicate that they may include the chip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I was thinking it would... partly to explain why Orange took a month longer than Vodafone to supply the phone. Also Orange have some initiative with some bank and another phone of theirs that has NFC, so thought SGS2 should have it too...
Mark.
I upgraded through Carphone warehouse a couple of weeks ago. Mainly because, at the time, Orange couldn't confirm when they would have it. I got a sim unlocked non-Orange branded SGS II! But it's not difficult to debrand and unlock the phone anyway...
I picked up one from the Orange shop in Kilburn London last Saturday. Didn't expect them to have one but asked the manager of the shop anyway who said that there was a delivery just made and he'll go check.
I was delighted when he said there was ONE delivered, yes just one? What's the point in that?
Anyhoo I'm a happy chappy ,there was a lot of Orange bloatware on it and sorry I can't remember the firmware as I flashed Lite'ning rom on it as soon as possible to get rid of all the Orange crap.
Admittedly I took out a second contract to get this phone but I did get it from the carphone warehouse on orange and my handset is unbranded and unlocked. I will never go to an orange shop to upgrade ever again, no orange branding is great!
Well Orange somehow screwed up my order (something about system thinking they had more handsets than they actually did) so my order was processed but there was no handset to send out..so I have to wait for them to restock.
Hey Lenny, picked mine up from my local Orange store in W-S-M this week
I ordered one last Sunday, just been told stock arriving Friday.
Could somebody with an orange SGS2 have a look and see what free ram there is at stadby please? Just wondered if the orange bloatware affected the amount of free ram available.
Thanks
Ian
Just got of the phone with orange, 5000 phones turned up today, once everyone is checked the will be in stock after the back orders are filled.
Looking at the 22 for them to be sent out !

[Q] Debranding a UK Orange HTC Mozart with a Mac?

Hi,
I've just bought an HTC Mozart and I'm looking to debrand it as I'm on O2 and it's currently branded with Orange UK branding. I can get it unlocked easily enough online, but all the debranding threads I've seen need either a goldcard which I can't make as I don't have access to an Android phone, a WM 6.5 phone or a Windows PC, or flashing (and again, I don't have access to a Windows PC).
Is there any way I can do it from a Mac? If not, does anyone know where I can get *just* a goldcard made up so I can debrand the phone without needing a PC? I already have a Y-USB cable, so I just need the card (and the kits on eBay are around £30, which is a bit steep given I don't even need half the stuff they come with).
Thanks in advance for your help!
I thought the only orange branding was a few pre installed apps and one more theme called orange uk? Thanks all i have on mine anyway...
Save yoursel the trouble and just delete the apps, fro the menu screen swipe left and long press on the orange ans and "uninstall" the phone will have no trances of orange firmware past this
Is that really all there is? From reading around I thought there were issues getting software updates through much more slowly if you didn't have generic firmware.
Can anyone confirm the Orange branding is just a few deletable apps?
even if the difference is only a few apps the fact that slows updates down is that orange have to sign off on their updates before it is pushed to phones. i've had both windows updates on time with non-orange firmware phones.
To be honest, that's kind of why I was interested in getting the phone unbranded! I expect the phone will have NoDo on it, but I don't want to wait longer for Mango just because some guy at Orange hasn't ticked a box on a form on his desk
As a side issue, I still haven't found anywhere that'll just sell me a goldcard. It's quite surprising really - you'd think there'd be a market for people wanting to unbrand their phones but not having the kit or not wanting to figure out how to make the cards up.

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