This is a long rant manifested by my anger from the last few days event dealing with BestBuy China and HTC
I've tried to summarize my problem at the bottom if you don't feel like reading through the horrors of buying a smartphone in mainland China.
Story
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I recently decided to say goodbye to my samsung galaxy spica when it was stolen a few days ago. I live and study in China so I head over to BestBuy to get myself a new phone (yes, china has BestBuy). Once I enter the store and announce that I am in a search for a cellphone I am swarmed by five or six cellphone experts. I love android so I tell them I want the HTC desire HD; this temptress of a phone which appeals to my most inner desires. The best buy cellphone guys assures me that the phone is in English and that everything will be to my satisfaction. It is a fine day for spending credit and I am psyched as I draw my golden credit card from my back pocket as a modern warrior. I swipe my card elegantly and fast, as if I am a man who have made purchases of this magnitude many times before. I tell the lady behind the counter, who by the way does not speak a word English:
"Today is the day I am reborn!!"
I grab my newly purchased baby and throw myself into a taxi. I force the phone out of its wrappings and switch it on as soon as I'm done telling the taxi driver to take me home. The HTC logo appears "quietly briliant" it proclaims. After a few seconds of that the phone asks me weather I want English or Chinese? As my English is substantially better than my Chinese I went with English, cool enough! As I get home in range of my wireless I enter my google account details and I'm set! I tell this baby to automatically sync everything I got. I receive my first email after only 3 minutes of syncing and can see my entire inbox, really cool! My contacts and calendar is probably right around the corner but since it's kind of late I go to bed, I'm a very happy first time HTC customer and I dream a happy dream about flowers.
You can probably guess that this is the paragraph where it all turns to ****. Correct. I wake up and find that neither my contacts nor calendar have been synced. Probably a glitch. I enter the sync settings and find that my google account isn't there. Probably something I've missed. I press "Add account" and find that there is no option to add an google account at all, not cool. I search high and low for an answer, read cryptic texts translated by the mighty google translate. People keep saying to just look press "add account" and add my google account and follow the on screen instructions. Since I know I'm following the instructions correctly I just figure I give HTC a call to finally just fix this minor issue. I hit up HTC Hong Kong (HTC China doesn't have a English site so it's hard to navigate). They tell me that I have a Simplified Chinese rom. Ok, well that figures, I think to myself.. So how can I sync my google account? "I'm sorry sir that's not possible, you can however try to sync your gmail account to Microsoft outlook 2003/2007 and manually sync contacts every time you connect to your computer."
(excuse my language but I don't know any other way to express my feelings at that time other than...) "What the ****!?"
Is it not an android device I am wielding in my hand? Do I need a workaround to sync my google account? The tech support-guy asks for my email "to check if my device has that function (read: sync google accounts)" and he will contact me later. Turns out I can sync my contacts and calendar semi effectively through exchange activeSync. Alright, not exactly what I wanted but, pheeeew!! I can work with this.
I start customizing my DHD and think to myself, would it not be nice with some apps to go with this phone? Yeah, it would! I head over to the android market and install all the apps I could ever dream of. No wait, where is the android market? Oh there it is.. it's just called 'HTC Marketplace', figures, since this is an HTC device I'm holding. I head over to the HTC Marketplace.
HTC Marketplace greets me:
"I will provide you with the best application to your specific device, son!"
"Great, like apps that are customized to fit the DHD?"
"No, apps that are in Chinese."
"Oh, so how do I access my regular apps, like barcodescanner, facebook, youtube, spotify, etc? You know, the good ol' apps I've come to love over the years?"
"Sorry son, I don't know why, but that's just impossible for me to do for you, because my programming tells me I hate you"
Since HTC marketplace hates my guts I hit up HTC tech support again. My conversation goes a little like this:
"Hello, I'm having trouble with the android market"
"Yes, you want access the android market?"
"Yes"
"I'm sorry to inform you that you that you cant access the android market, but you can however access the beautiful world of 'HTC marketplace', a world of possibilities and anime!"
"I wish I bought an iPhone 4..."
Yeah well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be, I should just return the DHD to bestbuy and order one from America or europe. What do you know? In China there is no such thing as a return policy. And the cellphone guys who told me I would be more than happy with my new DHD can't understand why I possibly can be unhappy with it and they suggest stuff like "Go on the internet", "Try calling HTC and ask them to open your phone for american internet access" and my favorite "You can call and send messages? Yes? Then no problem with your phone, go home"
So now I'm stuck with the most expensive phone I've ever purchased which China ruthlessly ripped the heart and soul out of, only to sell it to me and tell me the phone is more than good enough since it can make calls and send messages.
Sure to say, I had the worst day..
I should have ordered from Hong Kong.
/rant
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Problem
In short, I have a Chinese DHD without the ability to access the android market and it is generally crippled. This is apparently because of the Traditional Chinese rom it comes with. I would ultimately like to have a generic/stock DHD rom (I'm not quite sure what you call them but vanilla, out of the box, etc in world wide english) and I have no idea if this is possible or where to start my journey towards fixing this.
I've been reading about rooting for two days now and I still am unsure as to what I should do and where to start. Please, help a fellow out, I'm having a really bad week.
My phone:
Android version: 2.2.1
Build number: 1.75.1400.4
Software number 1.0.0.A9191
(If you need any other info from me please do tell me)
Impossible to do anything, as rooting not possible.
Chinese user with a HongKong DHD
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
In theory, you could install WWE (world wide english) stock ROM, but unfortunatelly, not with your software version as it is not rootable yet
Bloody hell that sounds bad, is this will all Chinese Desire HDs then? It's almost like one of those knock-off phones although you have purchased it genuinely. Don't know how things work in China but if you cant root it then give HTC a call and demand a replacement from Europe/America.
Again, don't know how things work in China but i would so furious that i would cancel my credit card and tell them to go screw themselves. Speak to a lawyer if you intend to do that..
if you really cant give the phone back, try to sell it.
perhaps anyone else will buy it.
than get one from europe or the US.
thats so damn pity, caus the phone os realy godlike i think.
if u cant sell it and dont have enuff money for a new nice phone, wait a little until an root hack for your version comes out.
thats really bad, i know
sry m8!
Just wait around for the root to come out for the software just like the rest of suckers who updated! ;p
Would the Goldcard method work here?
It should in theory work. I'm not sure you need root access to just flash a ROM from a different region. I did it on my previous Desire which I got from Hong Kong. Flashed a WWE ROM when Froyo was released.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
The problem is with Google, not China or HTC. Just like most of the 3rd world countries can't buy anything on the Android Marketplace (nevermind that fact that we cant even develop a paid app to publish on the market).
hehehehe ... i just read through your rant ... made quite a read .. ok now to fix your problem
Root your phone .. its no biggie follow this link and you will be all set
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=841076
next go to the development section , choose a rom of your liking .. suggest android revolution hd or leedroid .... read instructions and flash your phone .. .that should pretty much fix your problem ... do let us know how it went
Edit: Oops just saw that your build is 1.75 ... Sorry mate , no root for the phone at the moment
Maybe you should re-read his post, especially the end.
The latest HTC update has been applied, there is no root or ENG HBOOT options at the moment.
A little update
I've been emailing HTC asking them to fix (read: let me return) the phone ever since I realized I wouldn't be able to return the phone to BestBuy and I just got a call from HTC.
First a guy who could only speak Chinese called, sure to say that wasn't a very productive conversation as my Chinese is very basic. I then recieve a second call late at night from someone at the Hong Kong office who speaks English. After about 5 minutes of telling me that he understood my situation, could feel my pain, was sympathetic to my problem and would do everything in his power to help solve it, I thought things were looking up! The conversation progresses like this but gradually he starts saying stuff like "help you make use of your device as best as we can" and "make it easy for you to operate". This was when I realized this person was not going to help me. I knew that if he was going to actually help he would have told me by now that I could return the phone, not this about "easing me into the phone". Finally the guy gets to the point and says "But although we understand your problem, there is nothing wrong with the hardware itself and we can not help you return the phone. Your perceived problem is with the software."
Christ..
To this I of course reply "Even though the problem is software related it's not any less of a problem, it has rendered the phone completely useless to me and I don't think the phone fulfilles the vision I got after reading reviews and watching the ads before buying it" ...And here we go again with the appoligizes and general willingness to help me use the phone as it currently is. He even asked me which applications I was missing so he could try and find Chinese "replacement apps", or Chinese apps that would fulfill my needs.
I'm not giving up yet, I'm sure HTC is willing to help me with this if I could only reach the right people in the organization. This is has turned into a genuine nightmare first time experience with HTC..
@RED_ I think this is how all Chinese DHD works, yes. And I don’t think I want to risk seeing the inside of a Chinese prison by cancelling my credit card although it is very tempting :\
@Eddie1506; tranceonline; momavujistic; irteza_h, I guess I have to wait for someone with the know-how to make my version rootable. I’m turning off automatic updates on my phone to prevent it from further updating.
@leppie, I can’t even access the free applications. I think HTC (or google) made this ‘HTC marketplace’ to be accepted by the government. When I was speaking with HTC today I asked why there was no access to the android market in the first place. They told me “because your phone is Chinese and the market you can access is specialized to your location and the customers in that location”. Which I think means that they can’t sell phones with the open android market in China because of government restrictions. The real android market works down here though, I could access it through on my European Samsung Galaxy.
andyharney said:
Would the Goldcard method work here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
olivierlee said:
It should in theory work. I'm not sure you need root access to just flash a ROM from a different region. I did it on my previous Desire which I got from Hong Kong. Flashed a WWE ROM when Froyo was released.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you guys saying it might work? If there's a chance I will try. How can I test this? Or is it safest to wait for someone to come up with a way to root this device?
How long does it generally take for a new root technique to be ready? Also, I've seen people complaining because they updated to version 1.72 or something. I have 1.75, does this mean 1) that I have to wait a lot longer or maybe 2) that my phone has some kind of special software?
hey there,
after reading your messages through this morning and everything, you should be able to flash a WWE Rom using this guide --> here <--
i hope this helps you liberate your DHD, if you need any help with this guide let me know ill guide you through
its the goldcard method.
Yep, try the goldcard method. If it works you'll get a WWE Desire HD. Not sure you need to do all these. You might just try to create a goldcard, have it in your phone, and just run any WWE RUU you want. I'd stay away from the 1.72 one as it seems to be causing alot of problems. However you might not be able to buy apps from the market since buying paid apps from the market is not possible from China. See http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=143779 .
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
well there is a liberated market somewhere on the forums for DHD
your phone was 'harmonised' by the communist government
I think you really should gain root access to your device and flash a customised ROM on it, in *should* solve your problem. though you probably want to have a backup before you do so
To be honest scientist, i wish you read earliar he cant root a 1. 75 rom. So he'll have to use the goldcard method
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
His best option is as suggested by flo. Just hours ago a method has been released which will allow him to downgrade to the wwe stock rom 1.32 version. From there he can root and install a custom rom, or if preferred simply keep it at stock and update it to wwe 1.72 version. As far as market restrictions go it is possible to use "market enabler" hacks to allow paid access to the market anywhere.
This sounds like good news!
Yesterday when I wrote the original reply I was kind of drunk and it was 6am I think so I'm just rewriting the entire reply. For all it shortcomings when it comes to smartphones, China do have a lot of opportunities for people (like me) who want to stay out all night singing karaoke and eating popcorn. Anyway, I think the best approach, instead of asking any of you to hold my hand through this is that I just post what I think I should do and then you can tell me if I'm way off target.
Is this correct?
Step 1 - making a goldcard
I think you are saying that I need to make a goldcard and for that I follow the 'creating a goldcard' over at modaco.com. It looks quite straightforward so I don't think this will be a problem. However, I need to venture out into China and find a real SDcard with an adapter (guess I'm heading over to BestBuy again)
Question: In the downgrading thread it says to "Use MMC2!!", what does that mean?
Step 2 - Downgrading
I've extracted the downgrade folder conveniently to d:\downgrade and will open cmd and type inn all the commands I have no idea what actually does (I'm used to this ). Then I will look for "#" and proceed. I will copy PD98IMG.zip to the goldcard and hopefully there will be some instructions of some kind that I can follow.
Step 3 - profit?
If all this works what should I do next? Or more, where am I? What will happen after this? Do I have a stock rom now? And can I just stop there and update the rom and be happy? I do plan to root my device some time later, but for now I will be more than super happy just to have a wwe stock rom with no root, fully updated with the android market. Am I far off?
Success! Got myself a goldcard!
Now what do I do with it? (for real, it's not really clear in any of the guides what I should do with the goldcard microSD). Do I put it into the phone?
As soon as i bought my phone i noticed the playstation pocket store is not available in my country,but i wasn't very surprised since pretty much nothing is available here and I have to use all kinds om methods to cheat PSN,Youtube etc.
Now,I have been using market enabler to allow me to download apps from the american app store,but it's not affecting the PS pocket store,so i was wandering is there any way to unlock the store?
the only thing i can think of (if it actually works) is flashing a "foreign" rom to your phone, which has localization code in it. for example, uk generic 4.... firmware. i could be wrong, so if someone would like to correct me, feel free. but this is the only thing i can personally suggest.
hope it helped!
^
Didnt work
Cat_On_Droid said:
^
Didnt work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol epic reply...
But i have the Uk generic and it still doesnt work...last thing it can check can be the ip adress...so do you know a proxy service i can use?
OK, total n00b here to the forums.
I have a bit of a weird and stupid question, how can I buy tablet apps with the Samsung Galaxy W?
I did do a forum search but couldn't find a topic that would help in my case.
Here's my dilemma, I have a HP Touchpad running CM9 and every now and then want to buy an app for it, but I can't use Google wallet since I don't have a credit card nor will Google accept my debit card, adding to that Google doesn't seem to want to bring their gift cards over to Germany.
So far I got around it due to my phone provider allowing payment for apps and content over my bill, which works for apps that are also available in the phone market.
However, I now want to buy Sketchbook Pro for Tablets, which won't show up on my phone's Play store, so I can't buy it.
So is there an easyish solution?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
try market helper , maybe it will work on ur phone so google read it as a tablet (not so sure about it) , search it over the internet and download it and tell me if it works
mosta_9741 said:
try market helper , maybe it will work on ur phone so google read it as a tablet (not so sure about it) , search it over the internet and download it and tell me if it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but sadly it won't work
Dead Metal said:
Thanks but sadly it won't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to retract this as being BS, I tried it again and it works!
What I did wrong was visiting the store via the app, I tried it through the browser and bang it worked.
Downloading it now
Thank you so much.
Hello. I have a weird problem. Nowadays I live in Poland and wanted to install some apps, like zalando or olx.pl from Google play market. Sadly, I couldn't do this, coz it said, that it's not allowed in my country. I don't really know, why I get such a message? It's rom fault or maybe something else? Plz help, if there is a fix for it (yes, I know I can install it from anywhere else, but I want it from Google play). ROM Freedom OS, OP3 3003.
Those apps are not available in your country nothing you can do really :crying:
liam_davenport said:
Those apps are not available in your country nothing you can do really :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But they are for Poland and I live in Poland, WTF? All my friends have those apps.
Maybe it has something to do with your google account - when you have register for it - what country you were in? I remember somebody was having similar problem.
Nexus5-32GB said:
Maybe it has something to do with your google account - when you have register for it - what country you were in? I remember somebody was having similar problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have registered it in Ukraine. So, it can be the culpit? How I can change settings to make it work?
pankozin said:
I have registered it in Ukraine. So, it can be the culpit? How I can change settings to make it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as far as I know you have to call google support for that, but cannot remember if they were actually able to do this change or not.
hey all
please i need a working free vpn to make a phone call via social application
any help ?!!
Use the free one built into the wifi app?
wireguard
Amazing that someone hasn't heard of Google Play where there is an untold number of free VPN's. I'll even bet that a quick Google will find a few. Either is going to be faster than posting on a forum and having to wait for aomeone to answer your plea. But then, some people just have to be led.
Makes me wonder how people who post this sort of moronic question have managed to sign up for the forum in the first place, or indeed found it at all. Or are we being trolled?
Tel864 said:
Amazing that someone hasn't heard of Google Play where there is an untold number of free VPN's. I'll even bet that a quick Google will find a few. Either is going to be faster than posting on a forum and having to wait for aomeone to answer your plea. But then, some people just have to be led.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no sir the amazing thing that there is many people smart like you think that all vpn is working on countries prohibit the vpn !! you are very smart man !!
try to travel to any country prohibit vpn and go to google store and search for untold number of vpn and try to make it work ,, good luck smartest man i ever met
Z
amjadRR said:
no sir the amazing thing that there is many people smart like you think that all vpn is working on countries prohibit the vpn !! you are very smart man !!
try to travel to any country prohibit vpn and go to google store and search for untold number of vpn and try to make it work ,, good luck smartest man i ever met
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, and it's still pathetic that someone doesn't know how to search. And BTW, learn how to post questions that fully explain your problem. A quick search found this
https://www.guidingtech.com/58822/free-vpn-android-apps-bypass-country/
https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/free-android-vpn-apps/
I have to say that we don't know the position of @amjadRR
So his question is legit.
If you have never been to a country like China for example you won't understand @Tel864
But in short: Google is blocked in China and that means also Google services don't work there. Therefore you can't just google or download something in the Playstore, since the playstore is also blocked. So it's not that easy to get a VPN if you're in China.
I've been there for a year. Luckily I knew that before I went there, so I downloaded some VPN's before.
You can't just assume that everyone is living in a developed country or assume anything at all...
Anyway, if you need a download link for a VPN app let me know @amjadRR.
Thank you for your reply
Yes i wish to have a free vpn working in countries like uae prohibit vpn
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I downloaded all these vpn and not working and so.e of them work and after few days it stop work :crying:
@amjadRR the reason for these VPNs not working is very simple. They are in the store, so of course the government is gonna block them.
But as I said earlier in this forum, get wireguard.
This one might work and it is for free.
You just need to download the VPN profiles and open them with the wireguard app.
https://www.wireguard.com/install/
amuro1 said:
I have to say that we don't know the position of @amjadRR
So his question is legit.
If you have never been to a country like China for example you won't understand @Tel864
But in short: Google is blocked in China and that means also Google services don't work there. Therefore you can't just google or download something in the Playstore, since the playstore is also blocked. So it's not that easy to get a VPN if you're in China.
I've been there for a year. Luckily I knew that before I went there, so I downloaded some VPN's before.
You can't just assume that everyone is living in a developed country or assume anything at all...
Anyway, if you need a download link for a VPN app let me know @amjadRR.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing assumed and I have been there. What I assume is someone knowing how to post a question on forums so they can get the information they need. These forums are packed full of lazy people that would rather ask for something rather than search. BTW, there is a way to search in China and find those things. A free VPN is most likely not going to work. VYPRVPNI will make itself invisible and is what I used.