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HOW TO: Change your product code (and why you might want to)

34 replies · 33,780 views · Started 30 November 2007

Why would you want to do this?

When new firmware is released, Nokia will only release the vanilla, or un-branded, firmware. This means that only unbranded (non-network specific) phones will 'see' it when running the update tool.
The firmware goes to the networks who modify it by adding their logos or themes (and in many cases disabling certain apps 😡 ) so that is why it often takes weeks for the network specific version of firmware to roll out. Changing your product code allows you to 'fool' the updater into thinking you have an un-branded phone and thus get the update sooner, without all the memory sapping themes and crap and with all the apps intact.

Is there a risk of damage?

No. There is a small risk associated with updating firmware but changing your product code does not add any additonal risk.

Does this harm my warranty?

If your phone is still within the manufacturer's one year warranty (or any extended warranty) this will void it. However, many of us on this forum have changed the product code and subsequently had the phone repaired at a service center under warranty. There is a risk they may discover you have done this and refuse to do the work under warranty but the risk is very small. There is also the moral question, but that is up to you!

Ok, I'm cool with all that, how do we do this?

To change product code you need Nemesis Service Suite (NSS): http://www.b-phreaks.co.uk/software.htm#downloads

[LIST=1]
[*]Install NSS and, while installing, accept the default for 'Virtual USB'.
[*]Once installed, connect your N95 to the computer by usb cable.
[*]Run NSS
[*]It wil be pretty blank at this point. Hit the magnifying glass to search for devices

User posted image

[*]Once that is done (a couple of seconds) click on the Phone Info button and then, on the right hand side, click Read

User posted image

[*]You will now see your product code which is a 7 digit number. If you plan to change this back after flashing then make a note of the current code (this is probably wise to do anyway although it is written under the battery in the back of the phone).
[*]Take a look at this thread and choose a product code you want to use (remember the codes for the N95 'classic' are different to the 8Gb). The code for EURO 1 is generally recommended for the classic N95. Obviously you don't want an operator specific code!
[*]Delete the current code and type in the new one in the Product Code box in NSS. Tick Enable and then press Write
[*]That is all there is to changing your product code. Easy huh?
[/LIST]

Now you just need to update. There is a guide to that on the way 😊

One you have updated you can, if you wish, change your product code back again by repeating this process and writing the old code.

Matt.C wrote:Should save a few repeats.

Ha ha. You are kidding, right? Since when has anyone actually read previous posts when seeking information? 😉

(Top post by the way 3Shirts)

Another good one.

I'd add that, when you install NSS accept the default for 'Virtual USB'.

And the phone's original Product Code can be read from the label on the back under the battery.

Hey, how do i change the product code of my new n95-8gb then??

Only joking, cracking guide my friend. Maybe one day the world will realise that there is a search button!

@3Shirts

Very nicely done and also nice of you to take the time and trouble as this is easily the best and easiest guide to follow i have seen. Hopefully it will be a sticky and stop people having to ask how to do it repeatedly.

Marc

andykn wrote:I'd add that, when you install NSS accept the default for 'Virtual USB'.

I'll second that, it took me quite a bit of SEARCHING to work that out the first time I installed it.

Ok I don't mean to sound ungrateful but the sticky topic which uses my guide has been altered slightly, is missing the recent edits, my screenies are gone and there is no credit to me 😞

3Shirts wrote:Ok I don't mean to sound ungrateful but the sticky topic which uses my guide has been altered slightly, is missing the recent edits, my screenies are gone and there is no credit to me 😞

Your post is quite different from the one I posted, and while I'll admit it's something I've been meaning to post for a while, it's more luck than anything else that I had the time to do it today. You'll notice I placed a lot more emphasis on what the product code is and does, as this being a public website, and me being an admin on this site, I need to make sure that what's being posted is accurate and doesn't infringe on any rules / laws etc.

Just curious but:
is it as simple as it seems
is it legal
can nokia find out
It seems too good to be true. I really want to upgrade my firmware.

pac3 wrote:Just curious but:
is it as simple as it seems
is it legal
can nokia find out
It seems too good to be true. I really want to upgrade my firmware.

Yes, presumably yes, and don't see how unless you take the phone to a nokia repair shop but as has been said elsewhere they don't seem to care. It really is as easy as it seems, and takes seconds once the software is on your pc.

Just some musings.
Have a read of OP's guide along with my blog of 29/08/07.
I also believe that the Nokia manufacturers worldwide warranty is 24 months although I stand to be corrected on this one.
You will definately immediately invalidate any network ops warranty.
However, the risks are negligable.
The legality of downloading and using Nemxsxs is a grey area.
Read and re-read the guides and make sure you understand the process fully before you attempt it. It is straightforward but 'bricking' is not unknown. You then have to go to a service centre.
There are arguements for and against re-coding back to your ops product code none of which in my opinion give conclusive reasons for doing so. It's up to you.
Once again make sure you understand what you are doing!

I just registered to say thanks a million for this post which also works with the N82. I had bought mine from Singapor and was a bit miffed I couldn't write messages in spanish nor german. So anyway a few notes for those N82 people wanting to follow this post.

1. You can get your product codes here.

2. You may have to explicitly download the Nokia Software Updater program as the autoupdate didn't think any update was needed and that version kept giving me "Device not recognised" . So download it here and then try run the update.

I noticed the menus run a little quicker after the update but also the font has changed slightly (not as nice in my opinion).

But anyway, my N82 is now fully updated and has T9 dictionaries for european languages as opposed to the APAC-1 ones it has previously.

A big thank you to 3Shirts!

-Mark

chrsfrwll wrote:Yes, presumably yes, and don't see how unless you take the phone to a nokia repair shop but as has been said elsewhere they don't seem to care. It really is as easy as it seems, and takes seconds once the software is on your pc.

Apparently there have been reports that Nokia are recording product codes against firmware versions when upgrades are performed. Could be the networks requesting this though if you have a SIM free unlocked phone then there doesn't seem to be any point in this at all.

I got as far as stage 5 of the guide, (clicking READ), but it seems to hang up when it's trying to read it.

This is the screen I get... (see jpeg attached - if it's worked)

At bottom left it says Reading Values. Then the number 4912 3. Then Busy. On the bottom right it says 0%.

I am running version 1.0.38.12 of NSS
A have Vista Home Prem OS on my laptop.
My phone is N82, connected via USB running the firmware version v10.0.0.46 from o2 operator.
I have followed all of the steps to the letter upto this point.

It must be able to see my phone as if I run NSS without it attached it just says Error at the bottom. Also as it is "Busy", if I detach my phone from USB it says Error and "Busy" changes to "Ready". So it does respond to my phone being connected to the computer.

I do have 3rd party progs installed on my phone such as Flipsilent and YBrowser and a few others, could these be blocking it?

Also when I downloaded NSS it came up with a help page telling me that Windows would ask me to Find New Hardware and I'd need to install new drivers for the USB or something, this never happend though and I was able to follow the guide exactly to this point.

I've tried restarting the phone and the computer but still no luck.
Any suggestions?

Attachments: Capture1.JPG

Hi there -

I have followed your instructions and downloaded and installed the NSS suite. When I pressed the read button nothing seems to happen. I also noticed that my product code is not listed. I am with Orange (UK) and my code is 0551192. Is that a problem?

Thanks,
Barry

Hi there, tried to do that in order to rebrand my E66. Unfortunately NSU gets stuck every time it starts installing the firmware.
Has anyone had any success with the E66?

chrsfrwll wrote:Yes, presumably yes, and don't see how unless you take the phone to a nokia repair shop but as has been said elsewhere they don't seem to care. It really is as easy as it seems, and takes seconds once the software is on your pc.

I have N96 on contract, I'm stuck with v11 (current - v12,43) and here is extension of those questions.

If I change code, update...well over humble v11, is it legal to go to repair shop with phone that has let's say v15 although allowed firmware is only v11 (I live in Croatia)

how do i know exactly what code to use?
I have n95-8gb locked to three uk, but im going to argentina for 5months and want to use an argentinian simcard
What code would totaly unlock it, or make it open to argentinian network simcards?

dodged wrote:how do i know exactly what code to use?
I have n95-8gb locked to three uk, but im going to argentina for 5months and want to use an argentinian simcard
What code would totaly unlock it, or make it open to argentinian network simcards?

Changing the Product Code won't unlock it. You will either have to apply to 3 for the unlock code or take it to a reputable mobile shop that specializes in unlocking. Either way the charge is usually around �20.

chrsfrwll wrote:Yes, presumably yes, and don't see how unless you take the phone to a nokia repair shop but as has been said elsewhere they don't seem to care. It really is as easy as it seems, and takes seconds once the software is on your pc.

change product code to euro 3..

downloaded the firmware but then updated failed.
disable firewall..

same result

check the two screen shots 😞 thx

Attachments: 1.JPG 5.JPG