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Motorola V3i unlocking


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Old 06-08-2006, 13:16
Suzey
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Hi all

I posted this msg a couple of days ago and had a notification saying someone had replied, but when I click on the link it says the thread doesn't exist! Dunno if it's been deleted or what.

Anyway, the question I asked was whether anyone had been able to ge their V3i unlocked? I've heard horror stories about people buying them and not being able to get them unlocked, or having to open them up and having them soldered or something.

Any ideas?

Suze
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:19
RYPW
 
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The answeer was yes just take it to your local market where most stalls that deal with mobiles can unlock it.
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:21
dawson
 
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Your original thread/post was merged with the existing sticky thread on the same topic:

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...0#post10073440

Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 13:24.
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:31
Suzey
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Thanks for the info. So it's not too new to be unlocked then?!

Suze


Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479
The answeer was yes just take it to your local market where most stalls that deal with mobiles can unlock it.
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:32
Suzey
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Oh right - thanks! I'm not going mad then.

Would be nice if the system sent you a mail when this happened, as this new thread isn't in my subscribed list 9and the old one was).

cheers

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson
Your original thread/post was merged with the existing sticky thread on the same topic:

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...0#post10073440
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:45
jonnym
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Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:54
Suzey
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I don't understand - I've read that some people have been able to get the unlock code from Virgin Mobile if they spent £30 on airtime??

Suze


Originally Posted by jonnym
Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.
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Old 06-08-2006, 13:59
dawson
 
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Originally Posted by jonnym
Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.
Local market stalls around here offer unlocking using smart-clip and testpoint.

You are however correct that the unauthorised removal or modification of the protective cage by the unlocker will invalidate any warranty.

Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 14:10.
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Old 06-08-2006, 14:02
dawson
 
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Originally Posted by Suzey
I don't understand - I've read that some people have been able to get the unlock code from Virgin Mobile if they spent £30 on airtime??

Suze
Virgin offer the unlock code for their own PAYG mobiles once the user has spent £30 on top-ups.

However they don't offer the unlock code to any other networks phones. You will need to contact your own network for your unlock code and they will charge you a fee for this (like most networks do) if you want to unlock it this route.

Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 14:13.
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Old 06-08-2006, 14:15
Suzey
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Thanks.

Just to be clear - if I get a V3i can it be unlocked via code? i really don't want to have the handset opened up and the warranty invalidated.

Some of the posts on here seem to suggest codes can be used (I'm willing to pay the network provider) and others seem to be adamant that the handset needs to be opened.

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson
Virgin offer the unlock code for their own PAYG mobiles once the user has spent £30 on top-ups.

However they don't offer the unlock code to any other networks phones. You will need to contact your own network for your unlock code and they will charge you a fee for this (like most networks do) if you want to unlock it this route.
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Old 06-08-2006, 14:36
RYPW
 
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Originally Posted by jonnym
Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.
Every market stal round here unlocks them and I know a few people who have had theirs done down the market.
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Old 06-08-2006, 14:40
Suzey
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Did they have to have their handset opened up though?

Suze


Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479
Every market stal round here unlocks them and I know a few people who have had theirs done down the market.
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Old 06-08-2006, 14:40
dawson
 
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Originally Posted by Suzey
Thanks.

Just to be clear - if I get a V3i can it be unlocked via code? i really don't want to have the handset opened up and the warranty invalidated.

Some of the posts on here seem to suggest codes can be used (I'm willing to pay the network provider) and others seem to be adamant that the handset needs to be opened.

Suze
Yes it should be able to be unlocked via a code obtainable from the network.

However, I'm not sure how much the network will charge and they probably won't offer the code until the contract expires (after which time the warranty on the phone will also probably have expired)

If you want to purchase a phone that can be used on any network from the off, get one sim free.

It's cheaper to buy a sim free V3i from amazon than it is to buy the phone on PAYG from virgin

Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 14:48.
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Old 06-08-2006, 14:57
Suzey
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OK, thanks for the info Dawson!

I am seriously considering buying the phone from Motorola SIM-free and your advice is pushing me towards this option even more!

I was going to buy the phone on Orange PAYG. Someone else I know did this the other week and the Orange shop told them to go see the guy in the dodgy shop down the road - he said he couldn't do it and sent them to another Orange shop, who said they could do it but couldn't guarantee that it would work :|

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson
Yes it should be able to be unlocked via a code obtainable from the network.

However, I'm not sure how much the network will charge and they probably won't offer the code until the contract expires (after which time the warranty on the phone will also have expired)

If you want to purchase a phone that can be used on any network from the off, get one sim free.

It's cheaper to buy a sim free V3i from amazon than it is to buy the phone on PAYG from virgin
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Old 06-08-2006, 15:47
ram33
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Originally Posted by Suzey
OK, thanks for the info Dawson!

I am seriously considering buying the phone from Motorola SIM-free and your advice is pushing me towards this option even more!

I was going to buy the phone on Orange PAYG. Someone else I know did this the other week and the Orange shop told them to go see the guy in the dodgy shop down the road - he said he couldn't do it and sent them to another Orange shop, who said they could do it but couldn't guarantee that it would work :|

Suze
if you but from cpw you may find they are already unlocked as they usually use sim free stock i believe
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Old 06-08-2006, 18:29
RYPW
 
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Originally Posted by Suzey
Did they have to have their handset opened up though?

Suze
what do you mean opened?
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Old 06-08-2006, 20:21
ram33
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Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479
what do you mean opened?
needs to be opened and metal shield removed to make the testpoint
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Old 07-08-2006, 20:04
Suzey
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As in, the cover of the handset is taken off and soldering needs to take place inside, then it is all put together again. It invalidates the warranty, so I'm not keen on this option.

Suze


Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479
what do you mean opened?
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Old 07-08-2006, 20:19
Suzey
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One thing I'm a bit annoyed about is that I wanted the purple one Orange is selling on PAYG, but I can't find this on sale anywhere from a reputable dealer (only ones which import from overseas and I'm worried about having to pay duty).

Think I'll ring Motorola on Saturday and see what they say.

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson
Yes it should be able to be unlocked via a code obtainable from the network.

However, I'm not sure how much the network will charge and they probably won't offer the code until the contract expires (after which time the warranty on the phone will also probably have expired)

If you want to purchase a phone that can be used on any network from the off, get one sim free.

It's cheaper to buy a sim free V3i from amazon than it is to buy the phone on PAYG from virgin
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Old 19-01-2007, 23:19
Captain Cod
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Not quite free - costs £4.05, but this guy seems to be able to supply the "Subsidy codes" needed to unlock all Motorolas. He sorted my phone (a Pebl locked to Orange) in no time.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNLOCK-Remote-...QQcmdZViewItem
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Old 01-02-2007, 21:38
dangermouse1
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I have the pink razor on vodafone anyone know how to unlock it?
I have tried the local markets but they say the software doesn't support it?
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Old 01-02-2007, 21:59
Captain Cod
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Try the man that I mentioned in the previous post - really quick and easy for £4.07.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNLOCK-Motorol...QQcmdZViewItem

He has the data base to give you your "Subsidy Password" - no software required. Checkout the guy's 100% feedback if you're a disbeliever!

Last edited by Captain Cod : 01-02-2007 at 22:12.
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Old 01-02-2007, 23:09
dangermouse1
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Thanks for that
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