Why?! - Orange Network Lock when Radio Upgraded - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I was wondering if some of the smart folks at xda could answer this question:
What have Orange UK done to their sims/phones that cause a network lock when you upgrade the radio?
I know you can just flash an older radio and everything will be fine but I don't understand WHY there is an issue when the radio is upgraded.
Anyway, looks like I'm unlucky, I tried to get an unlock code for my desire but have found that my IMEI doesn't exist in the database the guy was using (he told me that there would be a db update in a few days and refunded my money, decent guy!)

Did you update the radio and keep orange rom? or update radio and also change rom

A|ex said:
Did you update the radio and keep orange rom? or update radio and also change rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have flashed an unbranded rom (currently running the modaco rom) and I want to upgrade my radio but everyone who bought their phone from orange seems to get a network locked message when they upgrade their radio to the latest version.

DarthOps said:
I have flashed an unbranded rom (currently running the modaco rom) and I want to upgrade my radio but everyone who bought their phone from orange seems to get a network locked message when they upgrade their radio to the latest version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why this happens, but I would advise you not to upgrade to the latest radio (32.37.00.32U_4.06.00.16_2) if you are sim-locked to Orange. The solution would be to have the phone unlocked allowing you to flash the radio and not have the Network Locked message appearing.
When you tried and failed to have it unlocked, was this directly via Orange themselves?
Try this company - http://www.mobileunlocked.co.uk/HTC/Desire/
Seem to be pretty efficient and provide the unlock code within 30 mins, not a bad price either.
Here are some reviews about them: http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews136584.html

I've actually tried that company and two others, every one of them has said that my IMEI number does not appear in the database. I just got the phone on Thursday, could that be the reason it doesn't seem to exist in the databases yet?

I think so... because it's probably a newer version of the Desire, HTC's databases (where the code is requested from) might not be updated yet.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Regarding the unlocking - i had the same issue, desire 2 weeks old orange. Found a thread on xda mentioning an ebay unlocker - took the plunge, 30 mins 8.99!! after 3 other sites failed with database excuse! ebay item: 300434867258
I would never have dreamed of trusting an ebay unlocker, but have to eat my words, this one cheap, quick and pleasant!
I unlocked, made goldcard, ran generic rom 1.15, setup wifi, allowed update to install - all good no wifi issue.

Unfortunately that is the very ebayer that I tried, he did refund me my money really quickly though, I just hope my code gets into a database soon
Does orange have to tell HTC that they have sold the phone so it gets into their database, I would have thought that it would be in the database as soon as it left the factory!?

I used unlock-systems.com after another vendor couldn't provide my code and refused to give me a refund. Paypal refused to give me a refund too so I'll be avoiding those cowboys in future.

Related

Wildfire Unlocking

Hi Guys
Apologies - am new to Android and Wildfire... (but veteran Windows Mob). Has anyone created a way of unlocking Wildfire's to run on any network yet?
Yours
Leon
This message was deleted by its author
My girlfriends on T-Mobile and their ones are locked with their own firmware on it. Takes years to boot lol
Nit3m4re said:
My girlfriends on T-Mobile and their ones are locked with their own firmware on it. Takes years to boot lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed - Gah! t-mobile seem to ruin any decent rom with their tat that is supposed to be helpful but really just bloats the rom and boot time.
I hear there are a few subscription services you can use to unlock but will need to wait a few weeks til the codes are posted (my phone is almost brand new).
Does anyone have a software unlock yet for any other droid phone? (not sure if things work the same a Windeaux phones with hard SPLs etc... ?
Does it start? Or blocks t-mobile the startup with the wrong simcard?
I have a wildfire from vodafone germany and use it with a o2- card.
The only issue I had was the network connection. Simply typed in the right apn an now it works fine.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App
is there any way to unlock it?
because it tried one of those unlock sites,but they couldn't. at least they refunded my money.
Wouldnt one of those gold cards work with the wildfire?
I tried a few places before I found someone that could unlock my WF. It was on 3 and, apparently, the codes have changed from May this year so I could not get a code from one of the cheaper (£15) places.
I ended up paying £23.50 from mobileunlocked.co.uk, but got the code within a couple of minutes
Doesn't rooting the phone and flashing a new rom like WildPuzzle solve the problem or the protecion is stored in another location?
It will proberly solve the problems.
i could make an radio unlock zip for ppl to flash then phone is rooted. will add one to wildpuzzlerom realy soon.
*EDIT*
Just updated WildPuzzleROM with an radio from WWE. maybe this will unlock some phones!
danne_jo said:
It will proberly solve the problems.
i could make an radio unlock zip for ppl to flash then phone is rooted. will add one to wildpuzzlerom realy soon.
*EDIT*
Just updated WildPuzzleROM with an radio from WWE. maybe this will unlock some phones!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hy,thanx for the fast answer.
i tried it, but it haven't worked. i also tried to flash the basic wwe 1.25.405.1 but no luck,im still locked to vodafone hungary.
2ma said:
hy,thanx for the fast answer.
i tried it, but it haven't worked. i also tried to flash the basic wwe 1.25.405.1 but no luck,im still locked to vodafone hungary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kurva onjad! i realy thought that would work.
Okey will try to think out something else.
Hi. I tried the whole process and I'm still locked on Vodafone (Romania) as 2ma is. If anybody can help on this one, will be more than thankful
What's the point of having a smartphone if you can not use it
I want to buy one from Telstra Australia as they are heaps cheaper but I need to be able to unlock it.
Would love software to unlock, I wish I could help in some way.
hi, i've a wildfire in SFR but i'm in Bouygues Télécom so i can unlock this with a website and code for 28€ and now i can use with every operator ^^
So i can take if you need the website
Unlocked Wildfire
Hy
I'm just one of many Wildfire owners bought from Vodafone Romania, who CANNOT unlock their phones nowhere because Vodafone changed the original factory codes with new ones.!
They charge us with 50 euro/phone just to push the unlocking code! Outrageous!
So if someone gifted with the knowledge can find a way-software or magic-- to unlock it, than you in advance!
best regards
Chris
Hi,
No news to unlock a Bouygues widfire ?
Thanks.
Take it to your carrier. They should be able to unlock it (or a phone unlock shop)
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
wildfire unlock - london (streatham)
as far as I know tilll now, there is no free software to unlock it.
contact your operator, they may be able to do it for free or a small free.
or you can unlock by code. it costs about £15-£20 on ebay it's the easiest way to get it done.
or you can bring it to local phone shop (like myself) where we can unlock it cheaper + can do the S-Off or debrand stuffs too
Where can I find/buy unlock codes?

Understanding how network/sim lock works need help

Hello,
I just bought a new desire from an auction site like ebay, seller saying it is locked to Vodafone; I bought it since I have a sim card from Vodafone Romania and assumed stupidly that will work.
The phone seems to be from Vodafone Malta. I am saying this since there is a desktop shortcut on the phone desktop leading to the Vodafone website in Malta.
I called Vodafone in Romania and they provided the PUK code for my SIM card, but it didnt do the trick.
I got a code from one of the sites mentioned by many and it didnt work.
Then I went ahead and rooted the phone...got the gold card created, etc etc and in the end installed a new ROM (version 3.1 from MoDaCo). Even now the phone is still locked, hence I believe is something that I do not understand in terms of how phones can be locked by various operators.
Would really appreciate if somebody can help me understand how is this working?
As options, should I use a different baseband then, etc? I am a bit lost since I thought that if I am flashing the phone and install a new "neverlocked" ROM version then it will be fine. Or maybe try to flash the Vodafone UK original RUU file and then try again with the IMEI based codes as it seems like there are people getting unlocked for Vodafone in UK?
My current system looks like this:
- firmware: 2.1-update1
- baseband: 32.36.0028U_4.06.00.02_2
- kernel: 2.6.29-bravo-mck-r1
- build: 1.21.MCR.2
- software: MoDaCo custom ROM r3.1
Any clue on what is triggering the network/sim lock out of those elements? or nothing to do with this approach? What is the "part" of my phone that needs to unlock the sim card and connect to the network (maybe I can change that so it is able to connect to Vodafone Romania at least)
Thanks!
As far as I am aware the Network lock is independent of the firmware and as such this will have no effect on the lock status. The only way to unlock phones is with either the official code or a vulnerability in the firmware (as discovered in the iphone).
I have unlocked a load of iphones but when it came to the old motorola v50 I had to pay £5 to http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk/ for the code. I can only say that their codes worked for me and that there are many scam sites out there when it comes to unlocking, so maybe the first ones you tried for a code were not genuine.
Hope this helps
James
What happen though if one doesnt know what is the network that the phone is locked to? I was let's say lucky to assume that it is Vodafone Malta as there was this link on the phone's desktop.
Actually my question is more around how to unlock the phone with little or no dependency on the network where the phone is locked.
I red some articles that in some cases there is a big play for the baseband as this can "dictate" the way the phone is connecting to the network, however I am just starting to look into that and it might take some time, hence more opinions are very much welcomed.
Thanks!
If I was you I would try flashing the roms as posted earlier but if you can wait then I would email HTC with the IMEI and ask who it is locked too.
Thanks so much for the suggestion with contacting HTC for telling me where is it locked...not sure if they would know this based on the IMEI, but will give it a try for sure. The thing is that I already flashed the ROM and it is still locked, or maybe I missed your point on flashing the ROMs.
No I think you are right that the flashing wont help with a lock problem but HTC Should know who they locked their phones too. I could be wrong but I think HTC do all the programming pre shipment. If anyone knows different I am happy to be corrected?
Coming back with HTC's reply to my question about where is the phone locked (provided my IMEI)
Here is the answer:
"Dear Mr.Popescu, Thank you for contacting HTC. Kindly note that your device is not SIM locked and is not network branded. Your device is manufactured for Czech Republic and is HTC branded. S/N:HT05XPL08419 IMEI:xxxxxxxx. If you have any other inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us again."
Funny part is that my phone looks to be branded by Vodafone Malta (just the soft not something on the case) as I mentioned about the Voda link leading to Malta's website and they mentioned that the phone left HTC without a lock and to the Czech Republic.
Anybody heard about gsm operators that are locking the phones themselves in HTC's case? If they know how to lock them, maybe someone knows how they do that and becomes easier to unlock?
Thanks for the help,
Sorin.
The IMEI could be blacklisted. You can check at this site: http://www.amta.org.au/pages/amta/Check.the.Status.of.your.Handset
Dunno how to see the IMEI on HTC phones though.. does anyone know?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Tried that link and the message is that there is no lock (reported by somebody so that the carrier goes ahead and blocks the IMEI)
Hi again mate. I am impressed HTC answered so promptly thats great news they gave too. Just so we can all be clear on the type of lock you are experiencing can you tell us or better still photograph the screen and show / tell us the lock wording. Word for word mate including all punctuation if not posting photo.
Hey, here is the sequence:
The following happens when I turn on the phone with my Vodafone Romania sim card in it:
- I am requested for the PIN code, I enter that and then move on as the PIN is accepted
- Message saying "Unlocking SIM card...", takes about 1-2 seconds
- Message on the screen: "Network locked"
- I "drag" on the screen and get to enter the code
- Keyboard is up now and message changed into "SIM Network unlock PIN"
That's all, then the code that I got from gsmliberty.net, providing my IMEI and the fact that the phone is locked to Vodafone in Malta, is not working hence here I am on the forum
found this for you mate
http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-hero/119257-huge-problem-sim-network-unlock-pin.html
I know it mentions orange but perhaps its the same problem
Will definitely try to reflash with different baseband versions just to see what happens; however dont think that it will do the trick as I was reading in multiple places about the radio problem specific to Orange phones only. Of course you never know, problem is that I cant try it now as I am travelling and dont have the required info with me, but will do that over the weekend when I am back home.
Anyways, thanks a ton for the suggestions and everything, still open for more though
Hi, new info on the situation.
Came back home and flashed various older radio versions going down as much as 32.26.00.24U_4.04.00.03_2.
Same problem with the network being locked and the IMEI based code that I got not working either.
I also got in touch with Vodafone Malta asking if they can provide some help. The answer back was that they are willing to unlock the network for 50 EUR. However, even though I said yes to it, they dont want to tell me what is the procedure; they just mentioned that I should give my credit card details by e-mail and then they will tell me how to do it. I double checked about not going to some service location or sending the phone over, etc and they said that it is not the case, bu then again I am not ok to send over my cc details just like that and asked for an account where I could send the money; they replied that they will come back with that.
Well, this paragraph is just for your fun regarding the way Vodafone Malta is considering this option...cc details over e-mail...these guys are joking
Anyways, back to the issue at hand, any other suggestions about getting past the network lock if the operator changed the "normal" codes available on IMEI based providers across the web? How to override this?
Thanks!
Hi, back to square 1. After providing the IMEI to Vodafone Malta to get my phone unlocked, they replied back that the phone is not locked by them; so the whole thing with having the Vodafone Malta link on the desktop didnt mean a thing apparently.
I continued on the path laid out by HTC directly (they said that they shipped the phone to the Czech Rep.). I have a friend that has a Vodafone Czech sim card and tried it now, but it doesnt work either, so the phone is not locked under Vodafone Czech Rep either.
Any suggestion on how to proceed? Now I am very lost as I dont even know where the bloody phone is locked, as in under what network...
Thanks!
I have the same problem
i bought my phone at Montenegro T-Mobile,
asked the HTC for information about the phone giving them IMEI
the answer was exactly as yours
Tried to flash, downgrade, still have "SIM network unlock PIN"
Any suggestions
Haven't you tried asking the seller wich Vodafone is locked to?
Android on HTC Pro 2
Hi all,
i buy a htc touch pro 2 from USA var. T-Mobile.I install android on it and everything work's great until :
1.without sim on it, when I try to connect on my wireless network the phone close.When I start it "Gen.Y DualBOOT" not work.I reinstal "Gen.Y DualBOOT" same problem.Can tell me somebody what is the problem?
2.with card on it doesn't recognize the pin number and say's "sim card is locked".What can be?
Now I am in a romanian network (cosmote).
Thank you!
ok popepope, but why you insist on malta and on vodafone?????
your device mabe have a costum rom installed before you buy it. and from there you see vodafone link and malta, but like htc said that phone it's locked in czek, but it's not nedeed to be on vodafone. can be other network...

(Q) Remove Simelock

I wanted to know if it is possible to remove the simlock form a T-Mobile (Austria) HTC Desire on your own.
Or do I need to use a online unlocker like htccode.com
I have read that its easier or cheaper when you have an older device because the unlock codes are well known.
You could contanct your carrier directly and ask them for it, they should give it to you although they might ask a small fee for giving you the code ... same as using an online unlocking site ... as the desire has been around for a while now the price shouldnt be too steep ... the only factor that you might want to consider is how long you have had the device, some carriers will only provide the unlock code after a certain period of time. I am not sure what t-mobile policy is concerning this.
Its always worth a try contacting your carrier first before you attempt anything else.
normaly they just unlock it after a year or so but then its almost for free
maybe its possible to ask another provider for unlock?
isn't it possible to flash the radio from a lockfree device???
You can flash another radio but i dont think that would remove simlock otherwise the need for sites to provide unlock codes wouldnt be there as everyone would just be able to root and flash another rom and then one of the newer radios that get released and are provided here on xda.
I know that there is a radio s-off tool over at the DHD forum that manages to obtain sim-unlock ... but they dont flash a new radio to do this and as far as i am aware this isnt possible yet for the desire.
I am by no means an expert and i would be more than happy if flashing a unlocked radio would provide sim-unlock! Hopefully there is someone in the forum that has more insight than me into this
another method would be to get access to the unlock codes
hope there is a way to onlock it somehow
Here in the uk you can get the simunlock code for £20 from the carrier. Orange (who recently merged with tmobile) still asks for £20 for older phones (i wanted an unlock code for the original HTC Touch and HTC Touch HD and they told me it was £20 for each handset so i told them to piss off!). Try getting a code online (it usually cheaper than getting one from your carrier + you get one nearly instantly, where'as carriers have to contact HTC for one so it can pottentially take longer) if that doesnt work for you contact your carrier. Also note that if you have a custom rom/rooted you may encouter problems like I have (I have a code but cant use it and am looking for the original orange ruu which doesnt exist)
So is it possible to unlock with the stock rom, and then flash anotherone? or do i have to stick with the stock branded rom????
orso7 said:
So is it possible to unlock with the stock rom, and then flash anotherone? or do i have to stick with the stock branded rom????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once unlocked you should be able to flash any rom..Rom shouldnt be involved at all
Nice, the desire from t-mobile would cost 94€ plus 20-40€ for online unlocking. still sounds like a cheap htc desire ^^
guess its the same unlocking thing with desire hd.
orso7 said:
Nice, the desire from t-mobile would cost 94€ plus 20-40€ for online unlocking. still sounds like a cheap htc desire ^^
guess its the same unlocking thing with desire hd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good!
The phone being sim-locked has no effect on flashing custom roms etc.
Hence unlocking the phone will make no difference!
droidzone said:
Once unlocked you should be able to flash any rom..Rom shouldnt be involved at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops sorry!
My previous post wasnt neccesary
yeah i know it makes no difference for flashing roms, but i want to use A1 (Vodafone) because i only have a data contract there ^

[Q] Can you help me unlocking to have HOX working on another provider / operator ?

Hello,
I bought a second hand HOX last week. It was sold to me as unlocked from operator SFR (Vodaphone France, or CID VODAP203).
I bought an unlocking code from an internet shop, tried it, didn't work... I went into a shop specialized in unlocking phones they could not make it provider free...
So I went on to this forum. Plenty of nice things, and as I already rooted an Android tablet from TOSHIBA (FOLIO100), I tried a few things.
It appears that my phone is rooted. When I boot in bootloader it says "UNLOCKED", and it is also S-OFF!!! I am able to change the CID as much as I want, and I have set it to "11111111". As such I was told on a french forum that any SIM Card from any provider should work, but it doesn't...
I have been able to install Jelly Bean from one of the ROM developpers, thinking (and this is where I am a noob) that I will clear the part of the system that tells it is locked to one provider... Of course it didn't do anything more, or different than telling me it doesn't work on any provider.
I went back to stock from Vodaphone France, and came to you in order to get some instructions or link to have on working on another network than the vodaphone one...
Thanks in advance for your help,
Alain
First off, it's great you have an S-OFF handset. You are lucky about that.:good:
On the other hand, unlocking bootloader doesn't have anything to do with SIM locks. So, whatever you did (as you experienced it yourself) doesn't work.
I suggest you search over here, because I know for sure there is a way to unlock SIM lock on HOX. I didn't have to do it, as mine was already unlocked (or SIM free, I can't tell now).
Don't worry, you'll find the way, just be patient.
A bientot!
Yeah everyone told me it was great to have it S-OFF, although I don't know what it can do for me... I guess this would be great for developpers ?
I hope I won't have to go through several unlock code providers...
S-OFF is giving you advantage in being able to flash any ROM, any RUU, any HBOOT, any radio... Good not only for developers.
Back to topic - I suggest you visit some mobile phone service, and pay ONLY after they finish the work. I guess there are whole lot of frauds online,, that would take you money for the "unlock code", and not care if it doesn't work.
I repeat, be patient, and keep searching. Here's what I found (you can do the same search yourself):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1654075
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25341694&postcount=71
it cost me a whole £2.79 to get mine unlocked.
I bought the code from ebay inserted an un supported sim and entered the code when asked. That's the main reason actually why I've stuck with HTC they are so easy to un lock
huxleypig said:
That's the main reason actually why I've stuck with HTC they are so easy to un lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate, nowadays most phones are unlocked through pw.... code. Usually, you get it for specific handset (IMEI and operator), and just type it in as you did.
BTW, Samsung Galaxy SIII is even easier to unlock - by an apk from Google Play Store.
Hello,
I went through one of Unlock Code providers that [email protected]|-|oR provided me through his links...
I had the exact same unlock code as the one I got in France... that doesn't work. But the guys were really professional, in reimbursing my money as they could not unlock my phone.
The strangest thing is that they asked me if the phone is rooted, and said that this is why I cannot SIM Unlock, because it is rooted... I reverted by to stock, and re-locked the phone but the result is still the same, it stays stuck to SFR...
I hope a solution will come out in the form of an application such as the one for Galaxy III, it looks so easy to do.
Have a good evening,
Alain
Hi my phone was branded by orange and obviously had a simlock what did with my hox and many others before is:root the phone ,get recovery,then flash custom rom and all that branded garbage with simlock is gone.I've done it before with galaxy S,S2,now with my hox. Don't never ever buy any codes online.
budensik said:
Hi my phone was branded by orange and obviously had a simlock what did with my hox and many others before is:root the phone ,get recovery,then flash custom rom and all that branded garbage with simlock is gone.I've done it before with galaxy S,S2,now with my hox. Don't never ever buy any codes online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I already did that, (root, flash customer ROM), but simlock is still here... only thing I didn't change is recovery, but it is 5.8.xxx (aka I think it is the latest).
Can you guide me rapidly in return ?
Al1
SIM unlock is totally separate from rooting.

[Q] One X (Orange UK) Sim Unlock Issues

Hi All,
I've been trying to perform a sim unlock on my One X (Running 3.16.61.6 software, CID ORANG001), however I keep getting an incorrect password when I input the unlock code. I'd previously unlocked the bootloader to root the device, but have since relocked the bootloader and restored a stock boot and recovery image, all to no avail. There doesn't seem to be an RRU that matches my software version available however.
If I go to the hassle of getting the phone to s-off, is there some way to then obtain sim free? This has clearly been a learning process, in the future I shall do a sim unlock *before* rooting or otherwise adjusting my phones! However my girlfriend wants my old phone now, and keeps pestering, so any help would be appreciated!
The codes seems to have changed lately from the carrier. On the stock rom, recovery and kernel it should work. The bootloader can be locked/relocked/unlocked. That does not matter.
S-off.......good luck finding a shop who can offer you such service !
Mr Hofs said:
The codes seems to have changed lately from the carrier. On the stock rom, recovery and kernel it should work. The bootloader can be locked/relocked/unlocked. That does not matter.
S-off.......good luck finding a shop who can offer you such service !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hrm, maybe it's a duff code then - just a little loathe to throw another £10 or so at it for the same code to arrive.
S-Off shouldn't be an issue, I've found plenty of advice on how to obtain it, just not how to get from there to sim-free. Obviously if it was easy, everyone would do it
Or do I just launch it back on eBlag and pick another one up that's already unlocked!
S-off is a problem on the hox. The methods floating on the net won't work (like rumrunner) only via a shop it can be done. At home is a no go.
And as for carrier unlocking it i have no experience, i always go for the unbranded simlock free devices to start with
Mr Hofs said:
S-off is a problem on the hox. The methods floating on the net won't work (like rumrunner) only via a shop it can be done. At home is a no go.
And as for carrier unlocking it i have no experience, i always go for the unbranded simlock free devices to start with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I didn't have much cash when I bought this one, and it was an orange branded phone so no problems.
Other option is to port the GF's number to EE.
GF to EE.....you have to explain that to me ....never read about that before ?
Mr Hofs said:
GF to EE.....you have to explain that to me ....never read about that before ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GF = GirlFriend!
EE is who Orange and T-Mobile have merged to form into. My new HTC One is on a EE contract. GF is on Three Pay as you Go, but IIRC I should be able to port her number over to an EE Pay as you go.
Ah thanks, i misunderstood that part.

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