Using n80 WITHOUT SIM - sim locking stupidity

[yidakee]

OK,

I got my locked to vodafone UK phone. My vodafone PT sim wont accept.

I creid and cried and cried.

Then I decided to try firing up the phone WITHOUT the sim card in it. Now I have the n80 fully working, just cant use it as a phone! This is PATHETIC!

I mean, even without being able to phone, it is still one hell a a device, with loads of features as you all know... why do they allow this, but a simple stupid simlock ruins it all !!

Now... what REALLY blew my mind is the following... As I fired it up, the phone is in PORTUGUESE not ENGLISH! Anyone have a valid theory about this? The phone, without simcard, recognised the region ?!?!

Running:

v 3.0614.0.3
11-04-2006
RM-92
Nokia N80(42.02)

[nj7]

Maybe when You put the Portuguese SIM, the phone change the language, because on Settings, the default language should be "Automatic". Change that to "English" if is your desire.

[dez_borders]

Originally Posted by nj7

Maybe when You put the Portuguese SIM, the phone change the language, because on Settings, the default language should be "Automatic". Change that to "English" if is your desire.

Hi,

Sorry but it is Vodafone who is to blame here, not Nokia. Network providers request Nokia to apply a SIM RESTRICTION to their handsets before they ship from the Nokia warehouse. Obviously Vodafone have asked Nokia to lock the handset to Vodafone UK so not only is the phone limited to Vodafone SIM Cards, but in this case only UK Vodafone cards are accepted. On the other hand, O2 UK rarely applies a SIM Restriction to their Nokia handsets so a cheap O2 online contract is the best way to get cheap or free unlocked Nokia Handsets, with a full manufacturer's warranty.

I agree with the previous forum user, setting Language to Automatic probably puts the N80 into Portuguese mode when booting up with the Portuguese SIM installed. The SIM Card security and language are read into the phone BEFORE the handset restriction codes are checked. To verify this, try putting in a SIM card (any network other than Vodafone) which has a SIM security PIN code set. You must enter the PIN Code successfully before you receive a message that the SIM is not accepted on the handset.

If you bought your N80 as park of a Vodafone UK Contract, you should be able to get the unlock code from Vodafone for £15 - £30. If you bought your handset on eBay you will have to ask the original owner to try and buy the unlock code for you.

Dez

[yidakee]

I did so already.

He contacted vodafone, he will be recieving the code by email in 3-5 days for 19,99GBP

Anyway, I think this is a daft situation. I agree with simlocks, but what's the point if it fires up in offline mode?

Now, firmware, it is ok to update it after unlocking it, or should it be done the other way round? Can anyone please explain how to interpret the FW numbers, RM-xxx etc? What do they mean?

thanks!

[dez_borders]

Originally Posted by yidakee

I did so already.

He contacted vodafone, he will be recieving the code by email in 3-5 days for 19,99GBP

Anyway, I think this is a daft situation. I agree with simlocks, but what's the point if it fires up in offline mode?

Now, firmware, it is ok to update it after unlocking it, or should it be done the other way round? Can anyone please explain how to interpret the FW numbers, RM-xxx etc? What do they mean?

thanks!

All the Nokia SmartPhones will boot up in Offline Mode, or allow you to select the Offline profile whenever you want (presumably when you do not want to send or receive calls, SMS, etx. - I think the authors consider Symbian to be a Mini-PC which also just happens to have some mobile phone functions built in!

[yidakee]

Well,

Today I got my "old" n90 out of the box, fired it up with no sim card and alas! It asks for a code. I knew there was something wrong! Tried 0000 and 12345...nothing doesnt let me in.

Obviously, this is to protect the interest of the owner! Privacy bla bla bla. It's logical and correct.

I love the n80, but I am getting a screen saver password enabled as soon as I can!