Sony Ericsson K800i firmware debranding

sam94 · 03-07-2008, 5:44 PM

My phone was locked to Orange but my tie in period is over. I had it unlocked and tested that it worked with Vodafone. However the debranded phone had a couple of strange quirks in the menus, so I used the SonyEricsson update service to refresh the firmware. I didn't give me a choice of firmware. Now it's back to looking like an Orange phone and will only work with Orange again. How can I get it working with Vodafone? Do I have to pay to get it unlocked again? Is there some different firmware I can install? How?

I also tried telling the update service is was a K810i as I was under the impression that the hardware on the two phones was the same and that its just the firmware that's different, however it still installed the K800i firmware.

t1m103 · 03-07-2008, 5:56 PM

hi ive debranded a few sony erricsson phones and all have been totaly clean and free from all the rubbish the service providers put on them,i always use davinci to do the debranding.the only thing i can say is make sure when your debranding to choose generic uk software not the o2/orange/vodaphone software from the debranding menu.this service is about £8 or 10 euro.
http://davinciteam.co.uk/index.html

syko67 · 15-07-2008, 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t1m103

hi ive debranded a few sony erricsson phones and all have been totaly clean and free from all the rubbish the service providers put on them,i always use davinci to do the debranding.the only thing i can say is make sure when your debranding to choose generic uk software not the o2/orange/vodaphone software from the debranding menu.this service is about £8 or 10 euro.
http://davinciteam.co.uk/index.html

when debranding can you use the supplied usb cable or do you need a different 1??

hmsq · 15-07-2008, 6:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam94

My phone was locked to Orange but my tie in period is over. I had it unlocked and tested that it worked with Vodafone. However the debranded phone had a couple of strange quirks in the menus, so I used the SonyEricsson update service to refresh the firmware. I didn't give me a choice of firmware. Now it's back to looking like an Orange phone and will only work with Orange again. How can I get it working with Vodafone? Do I have to pay to get it unlocked again? Is there some different firmware I can install? How?

I also tried telling the update service is was a K810i as I was under the impression that the hardware on the two phones was the same and that its just the firmware that's different, however it still installed the K800i firmware.

Just dl the firmware version for it, you need to know what cid version your phone is, then dl the correct firmware, i easly unbranded my phones and also unlocked them using the supplied cable didn't have to pay a penny.

itsamac · 15-07-2008, 9:31 PM

The cheapest and easiest way to debrand a SE phone is using XS++. It's free.

Using the cable that came with the phone, connect the phone to your computer and run the software. The software gives you the option to change the CDA (the CDA is a unique code for the firmware). I would recommend setting it to Generic Worldwide 1. Once it has been reset, run Sony Ericsson Software Update. With the changed CDA, it will download the generic firmware and overwrite the Orange one.

I did this on my wife's K800i and my P1i and it works a treat.

It is a pretty easy process but if you are uncomfortable with the process, either try the DaVinci method (and get an upgrade to the K810i software) or try your local markets.

Gavin01 · 10-08-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsamac

The cheapest and easiest way to debrand a SE phone is using XS++. It's free.

Using the cable that came with the phone, connect the phone to your computer and run the software. The software gives you the option to change the CDA (the CDA is a unique code for the firmware). I would recommend setting it to Generic Worldwide 1. Once it has been reset, run Sony Ericsson Software Update. With the changed CDA, it will download the generic firmware and overwrite the Orange one.

I did this on my wife's K800i and my P1i and it works a treat.

It is a pretty easy process but if you are uncomfortable with the process, either try the DaVinci method (and get an upgrade to the K810i software) or try your local markets.

any tips on using that program i just cant get it to detect my phone?

hmsq · 10-08-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin01

any tips on using that program i just cant get it to detect my phone?

Have you unplugged the battery put it back in and then held the c button while you plug in the cable?

Gavin01 · 10-08-2008, 5:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmsq

Have you unplugged the battery put it back in and then held the c button while you plug in the cable?

yes mate i have, even the proper SE update thing wont work....

Basically i found a brand new SE K800i in my garage in the box still with plastic on the screen so im using the lead that came with it...

I think it was a unwanted upgrade at the time......

Im now trying to get it going but if i put in a valid 3 sim it either says no network coverage or inactive usim..

So im either after debranding it and see if i can get it going or a cheap unlock solution.

Its a decent enough phone to throw £25 at but not really worth any more than that....

Any pointers?

oh one thing is it reports its own number as being suspiciously like the one i had years ago....They didnt flash them locked to a number did they at any point?

works fine with SE editing suite but i cant update with xs or the proper SE update program ......does the phone have to be in a particular mode?

all i can get with xs is

error cannot open phone communication port

any tips would be great. Ultimately id find great satisfaction from getting it going on any network:D

and the semx usb flash driver just wont install and just says error installing driver?

Gavin01 · 11-08-2008, 9:40 AM

right ive managed to get xs++ working now and let it do the first update thing but im now unsure of what im doing tbh...

also can you unlock the phone for free or is it a pay only service?

just tryed the se update software and it connects to the phone but cant identify it

hmsq · 11-08-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin01

right ive managed to get xs++ working now and let it do the first update thing but im now unsure of what im doing tbh...

also can you unlock the phone for free or is it a pay only service?

just tryed the se update software and it connects to the phone but cant identify it

Hopefullly this is allowed mods? If not i'm happy to remove this!

Unlocking tutorial

How to connect the phone to flashing/patching tools:
Many users asked me how to connect the phone to SETool2 Lite, XS++, etc., so I decided to write it up. First of all fully charge your battery.

I. Install USB Flash driver:
If you never modded your phone, then probably you don't have the USB Flash driver, what is required to be able to communicate with phone. So install the driver: USB Flash Driver Installation - Guide

II. Connect the phone to SETool2 Lite(or any other flashing tool):
Click on button what you need/guide says(Identify, Read GDFS, etc.)...
When SETool2 Lite says to press the C key and connect the cable you need to:
1. Turn off the phone(if it was turned on)
2. Remove the battery, wait a few seconds(2-3 seconds is enough) and put it back, but DO NOT turn the phone on
3. Press and hold the C key on phone and connect the DCU-60 cable(data cable, what comes with phone)
4. When you see some progress on SETool2 Lite status window(on left side) release the C key.

What is your phone's platform and EROM CID?
If you don't know what is your phone's platform(DB2010, DB2020 etc.) and EROM CID, then read this: General Information about Patch-Unlocking (start here if you want to unlock)

A. How to apply the generated patches to DB2010 CID49 phones:

Follow this tutorial: How to apply patchs with Se Tool 2 Lite on DB2010 phones

B. How to apply the generated patches to DB2020 CID52 phones:

IMPORTANT: First you need backup the GDFS. If something goes wrong you can unbrick you phone with this backup. Here is how to do:
Open SETool2 Lite v1.11.
1. Select your phone model.
2. Click on Read GDFS button.
3. Follow the instructions given by SETool2 Lite.
4. You will get a gdfs_[yourIMEI].bin file in SETool2 Lite folder. Put it to a safe place.

I. We will apply the quick access patch to phone. It is needed to be able to use the quick access method in future. Due to this great patch you can easily apply the further patches, just like to DB2010 CID 49 phones.
!!!YOU NEED TO DO THIS ONLY ONCE!!!

With SETool2 Lite v1.11.
1. Select your phone model.
2. In Windows Explorer drag the MAIN file (.mbn) onto SETool2 Lite v1.11 folder\qamaker\qamaker.exe. In the qamaker's folder you will get a quick_access_XXXX_XXXXXXX.vkp file.
3. Click on ... (three dots) button near MISC files box, and select the vkp file generated in step 2.
4. Tick Bypass DB2020 security checkbox.
5. Click on Add button and select the MAIN firmware file.
6. Press FLASH button.
7. Follow the instructions given by SETool2 Lite.
8. READ THIS CAREFULLY, it is a little tricky: When a dialog pop-up, click "Yes" to remove the patch. Click "No" to add the patch. In this case click on "No" button.

At one moment you will belive that nothing happens and the status windows is not changing! DO NOT remove the CABLE! Wait until "ELAPSED x SECONDS" appears in status window.

This process will take some time, about 10-15 minutes or more...

II. Now we need to generate an unlock patch.
Run SIMLockPatchGen.exe, select that MAIN firmware (used earlier) by clicking on ... (three dots) button, then press the Make patch button. In status window you will get the path to the generated vkp file(e.g. "D:\...\SIMLockPatchGen\vkp\Remove_SIM_lock_XX X_XX XXXXX.vkp" patch file created.) Close the SIMLockPatchGen.

III. We will apply the generated unlock patch to unlock the phone.
With SETool2 Lite v1.11:
1. Click on Clear button.
2. Select your phone model.
3. Tick Use "quick access" patch checkbox
4. Uncheck(remove the tick from) Bypass DB2020 security checkbox.
5. Click on ... (three dots) button near MISC files box, and select the vkp file generated by SIMLockPatchGen.
6. Click Write SCRIPT button
7. Follow the instructions in left status window...
8. READ THIS CAREFULLY, it is a little tricky: When a dialog pop-up, click "Yes" to remove the patch. Click "No" to add the patch. In this case click on "No" button.

Wait until "ELAPSED x SECONDS" appears in status window, and done. Your phone is unlockedthe MISC FILES and press Write SCRIPT !!

BTW ths is not mine but from se-nse.

Gavin01 · 11-08-2008, 12:22 PM

Thanks for all that i now have xs++ working.

But i cannot connect with the SE utility to update so i signed up to wota, and there client wont work on any of my 4 machines....It just keeps crashing.

Ive also signed up with gsm liberty for unlocking but need to do the firmware first as they said if you unlock first then flash the firmware it becomes locked again!

AHHHHHHHHH

so can i download the firmware manually from somewhere and flash that with xs+_+

Thanks for help

hmsq · 11-08-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin01

Thanks for all that i now have xs++ working.

But i cannot connect with the SE utility to update so i signed up to wota, and there client wont work on any of my 4 machines....It just keeps crashing.

Ive also signed up with gsm liberty for unlocking but need to do the firmware first as they said if you unlock first then flash the firmware it becomes locked again!

AHHHHHHHHH

so can i download the firmware manually from somewhere and flash that with xs+_+

Thanks for help

You didn't have to pay anything, i never use Wotan server, basically you can find the firmware on the site i gave above "se-nse", you need to update the firmware then apply the patch to unlock it!

Gavin01 · 11-08-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmsq

You didn't have to pay anything, i never use Wotan server, basically you can find the firmware on the site i gave above "se-nse", you need to update the firmware then apply the patch to unlock it!

again thanks for your help...

with that xe ++ im lost at this bit..

Using the cable that came with the phone, connect the phone to your computer and run the software. The software gives you the option to change the CDA (the CDA is a unique code for the firmware). I would recommend setting it to Generic Worldwide 1. Once it has been reset, run Sony Ericsson Software Update. With the changed CDA, it will download the generic firmware and overwrite the Orange one.

as the settings seem to be slightly different now? as the settings seem to be europe 1 /2/3/4/ etc under cda and region?

i havnt got a clue which one to select.

Thanks for all the above but it looks quite comlpicated!

also the bit about se-ense the firmware files there seem to be removed?

well i just used xs++ to flash the firmware with K800_R1CB001_MAIN_GENERIC_RED52.mbn

but the phone still has all the three screensavers and planet 3 button am i missing something?

I thought that should of debranded it?

The main menu is different how ever?? but it still has that darn planet 3 button not to mention it still wont work with the three sim i have

Gavin01 · 12-08-2008, 11:50 AM

Finally after 2 days of reading and frustration its all going.....

Cost me £20 in lost credit to wotan and gsm liberty before i gave up and done it all manually

sam94 · 03-09-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsamac

The cheapest and easiest way to debrand a SE phone is using XS++. It's free.

Using the cable that came with the phone, connect the phone to your computer and run the software. The software gives you the option to change the CDA (the CDA is a unique code for the firmware). I would recommend setting it to Generic Worldwide 1. Once it has been reset, run Sony Ericsson Software Update. With the changed CDA, it will download the generic firmware and overwrite the Orange one.

I did this on my wife's K800i and my P1i and it works a treat.

It is a pretty easy process but if you are uncomfortable with the process, either try the DaVinci method (and get an upgrade to the K810i software) or try your local markets.

This looks great. However it doesn't seem to work. After 24 hours of investigation it seems that the Sony update has set my phone to CID 53. XS++ and setool2lite don't seem to support this. Something called jdflasher seems to but I can't find a download of it, it seems very complicated. Can anyone tell me whether I will find a solution if I persevere and does anyone have some instructions? Also I have not managed to find the firmware, but that may be irrelevant if I can't update it. TIA.


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