5230 Debranding

P

PASK

New member
I'm sorry to start a new thread, but the Nuron thread has become unwieldy. I'll be more than happy to delete it if it is inappropriate. But I'm wondering if anyone has had any success in debranding the phone?

This is my first Nokia (well, I had a 6263 for a short time) and I have no clue how debranding is done, but I'd really like to install the recently released fw v20.0.005 update: "New additions in the v20.0.005 include a new Ovi Sync application icon which will be added to the desktop, all new improved music player, Kinetic scrolling added to the main menu UI, speed increase for the overall system, new GPS code allowing faster fix on your location."

So where do we stand on being able to cut through the tmobile crap, and install this?

Thanks!
 
notedigo:

There are four different Nokia handsets that are called Nokia 5230. They are:
  • RM-588: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 + UMTS Band VIII (900) / I (2100) EURO/MEA/APAC markets
  • RM-593: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 + UMTS Band V (850) / IV (AWS) for T-Mobile USA, Wind Mobile Canada and DAVE Wireless Canada
  • RM-594: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 + UMTS Band V (850) / II (1900) for NA, LTA markets
  • RM-629: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 + UMTS Band V (850) / I (2100) for Brazil

Indeed there are firmwares in the 20.x range for the RM-588, but if you have a T-mobile Nuron, your handset is actually RM-593, and since the hardware is different (modem uses different frequencies), you can't use RM-588 firmware on RM-593 platform.

Second thing to keep in mind: T-mobile customizes firmware of the handset pretty heavily, with t-zones, my faves, etc. If you revert to a non-t-mobile firmware, you will not have all of that on your phone. I use a generic phone with t-mobile SIM when I visit US and it works OK for me, but you might miss some of the t-mobile customizations.

You can type *#0000# on your Nokia handset to get information about the version of the firmware and the platform.

Now, Nokia just released 11.2.80 firmware for T-Mobile Nuron. You can start by upgrading to it, using Nokia Software Suite if you are running 10.x firmware.

One additional thing - you generally can not downgrade Nokia firmware (Well, it's possible under certain circumstances, but has high probability of bricking your handset).

If you still don't like what you see with the t-mobile 11.2.80 firmware, you can use Nemesis Software Suite, and change the product code of the handset to the product code of the Canadian Wind Mobile or Mobilicity (DAVE Wireless) phone, and flash firmware 12.8.95. Be sure to write down your Internet/MMS/Packet Data settings before you do that, since they will get overwritten by the settings in the firmware you install.

There is almost no difference between Mobilicity and Wind firmwares (I am running Mobilicity firmware on a Wind phone) - you will have a different start-up logo, some new/different bookmarks in the browser, with Wind firmware you will get 5 Wind branded wallpapers, and there will be provider specific network settings (MMS/WAP/Internet) that you will have to change back to t-mobile ones.

Otherwise the phone will be as generic as they get.

Note that once you upgrade to the Wind or Mobilicity firmware, you can't revert back to t-mobile firmware until t-mobile releases a firmware with higher or equal version to 12.8.95.

The procedure (and google and read up on this) is to use Nemesis to change the product ID to either 0597292 (Wind) or 0599497 (DAVE/Mobilicity), then use Nokia Software Suite to update your phone as usual. Record your t-mobile product code (Should be one of 0592823 0597507 or 0597970), in event you want to get back to the t-mobile fold once t-mobile updates the firwmare.


Good luck.
P.S. If you phone is unlocked, and you are sufficiently motivated, consider reading up on making your own custom Nokia firmwares. You want your phone unlocked, since that makes life easier when you deal with dead phone flashing.

One of the upsides of making your own firmware is that you can add ROMPatcher+ right into the firmware, making the phone hackable, etc, and fix some of the "features" of the current firmwares.

One of the things that bugs me in the current firmware, for example, is the SMS that gets sent to Nokia each time a new SIM card is installed in a phone. With custom firmware that "feature" could be disabled.
 
With the Even More plans, prepaid, etc. the MyFaves interface is nothing but bloat. Telenav blows too so not losing much there. I really just want the ability to lock 3G since the Nuron has some serious issues dealing with low 3G signals.

Is it really as simple as installing the Nessus Software Suite, changing the code (is that easily done within the software) and flashing it to the Nuron? I don't want to brick the phone so I want to make sure everything is done properly.
 
Well, for what it's worth, both Wind and Mobilicity firmware 12.8.95 allows you set Dual mode, UMTS or GSM in the Settings -> Connectivity -> Network -> Network Mode setting.

So flashing with Canadian firmware is what you want, then.

The tool is Nemesis Software Suite. Not Nessus, my fault, I've confused two different programs.

And yes, all it takes is Nemesis to change the code, and Nokia's own Software Suite to update the phone. If the phone is locked to t-mobile, it will remain locked to t-mobile.


Basically you download Nemesis, install it and run it.
In the Nemesis window, click "Phone Info" and then "Read" under the production data. Change the product code, tick off the check mark, and click "write".

The you shut down Nemesis, and run Nokia Software Updater.

Update: Here is a tutorial: http://thesymbianblog.com/2009/07/02/how-to-change-the-product-code-on-a-n97-nokia-5800/

There are other tutorials on how to do the same thing if you google for "change nokia product code nss"

NSS download: http://www.b-phreaks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=page_2

P.S. This thread probably now belongs in Nokia forum, more then in the t-mobile forum.
 
Sorry that I break your bubble, but through my experience with de-branding 6263 and 3555 with P******, even you have it de-branded, a mysterious text sends out upon startup.
I'd never touch any branded nokia phones, and there are more and more non-branded nokia phone with band IV 3G available (N900, 3710, N8, and another mysterious N8 like phone with N97 style).
 
DarkTangent, thanks for sharing your ideas about the Nokias.
I'm intrigued by your mention of a totally custom firmware as an option; I'm a bit
knowledgable about the generalities of how you might go ahead and make something like that for Android or WinMo, but I'm unfamiliar with the process and resources for doing it with Nokia. Do you have any informational resources / links to share about the topic of custom firmware creation for S60 V5 phones like the 5230?
References to people who've successfully done it who might share tips/tricks/advice etc.?

Also one thing I haven't seen a clear answer on in terms of customization / debranding is a list of exactly what functionality you're missing out on with the branded firmware. I understand there's an annoyance about customizing the four icons in the bottom tool bar. I've seen some conflicting information about one's ability to do things like install and successfully use 3rd party applications whether that is some version of Opera or Helloox or whatever.

With the stock branded firmware what kinds / capabilities of 3rd party applications that are signed by somebody other than nokia/tmobile can you have? Say google maps, latitude, opera for symbian or opera mini for java, skyfire, whatever might be in this category?

Now what is the situation with unsigned applications like general freeware utilities or whatever from less major sources? Can you install them and use them with full capabilities on branded stock firmware phones? Say things like a browser, email client, sms utility, 3rd party gps map utility, 3rd party free video games, 3rd party free media players, etc. Things that use GPS, multimedia, internet access, SMS, email, etc. functions of the phone to the fullest. And if there are impediments to using these with stock firmware, do any of the alternative brand firmwares make it any better to have the capability to install/use such apps? Or even with totally generic totally unbranded unlocked firmware say on some of the european phones would you need to get a customized signing setup for your handset to sign the apps before unstalling/using any freeware unsigned applications like the above types?

I know there's lots of good freeware out there, obviously a subset of what would run on a more powerful totally open platform like N900, but still a lot of things you'd never find on Ovi / TM store, and from smaller providers that might not have the resources to officially release signed and supported binaries, so I'm mainly wondering what I have to do to take advantage of all that sort of free software.

Thanks
 
I heartily agree in principle. I've been looking for more models with AWS Band IV to come out, preferably ones that also support ATT-USA and common Euroasian WCDMA/UMTS bands too. So far it seems like the N8 might be the best thing in the near term depending on how the confusion about what bands it will actually support clears up. If something like the unbranded 5800XM already had 'quad band' 3G I'd already have bought it.

Only problem is that with only 4-5 handsets to choose from that support the AWS-IV band, if there's anything you don't like about a couple of those, you're pretty much out of options e.g. the connector reliability and software quality on the N900 and its uncertain MeeGo evolutionary support possibilities.

IIRC there's some new qualcomm chipset that's just out that is supposed to support multi-band 3G, so hopefully that will help more handsets have more band support.
 
I'm unclear what you mean by "mysterious text." What are the implications of this text? Is it a text to tmobile, informing them that you've tampered with the phone?
 
I just got the nokia 5230 unlocked (not t-mobile phone) I only get edge network is there a way I can get 3g working on my Nokia. I know Nuron has 3g, is there a way I can flash the software to get 3g on my phone?
 
alex5585,

I am in the same situation. I assume, like me, you bought yours through Dell? If so, apparently there are AT&T 3G frequencies (850 & 1900) and T-Mobile 3G frequencies (2100 & 1700) and the ones that Dell sell do not come ready to go with T-Mobile 3G settings.

Now I was at Costco yesterday and chatting up the wireless kiosk guy and he claimed that all 5230 phones are the same and that the frequencies are configured via firmware rather than a hardware change to the radio of the phone. While I am not sure if I buy that, I did send an email to Nokia this morning to inquire. I will report back if/when I hear back from them.

If I can not get T-Mobile 3G speeds, then I may return mine to Dell for a refund. I was excited about the unlocked/unbranded Dell version because in the past T-mobile branded phones have been severely crippled by T-Mo's firmware. But I am starting to learn that with this model, the 5230, it is not nearly as bad as in the past. So I may instead go ahead and pick up a regular T-Mobile branded one so I can get 3G speeds.

PT
 
The tmobile branding on the nuron truly does NOT cripple the phone. The only difference between branded and non-branded is the turn on-off welcome ? the bottom 4 icons on the home screen cant be changed and a slight few home screen tweeks ? some tmobile apps and utilities, basically to view your account and make changes to it OTA. And finally this might be the deal breaker for some. This might be the ONLY crippling thing. You can?t lock the phone in 2G or 3G mode. Sometimes the branded nuron will switch back to edge even though the 3G signal is plenty strong.

There is another forum we have going that will totally debrand the nuron if you so want but fully read all the post in the forum and make your own decision whether to brand or not. I might suggest you start reading at page 3. http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1645511-my-5230-is-100-de-branded?highlight=nokia+nuron
 
Some have said the Nokia Messaging application isn't fully working on the branded device unless you follow some process which may involve
unlocking/unbranding to reinstall it.

The SIP client may not be working on the branded one, though I don't know about its comparative function on other unbranded firmwares, or about the possibility of reloading it.

Being able to save phone memory by deleting unwanted apps e.g. need for speed game, default animations/etc. et. al. on the branded one may be a reason for some to unbrand or buy an alternative version or find some ways to control the unit to suit one's desires.

The TM branded RM-593 one when unlocked has at least partial support for AT&T US Band V 850 MHz 3g, though I'm not under the impression that the unbranded RM-594 type supports TM USA 3G, though it would support the AT&T USA 850/1900 MHz 3g in a way that is more complete than the unlocked RM-593 version does.
 
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