Problem with ME45

  • Thread starter Thread starter idet2
  • Start date Start date
I

idet2

Guest
Hello to everyone.

I have a problem with my Siemens ME45 and I would appreciate if someone could give any advice.

Firstly you should know that currently I am living in the UK whilst in the past I lived in Greece.

So here is the problem.

One day , suddenly while I was composing an SMS the keyboard of my phone stoped responding (I mean that whatever I pressed there was no way to do anything). So I removed the battery to switch the phone off and started to open it again....


When the phone requested the PIN I couldn't enter any digit (the keyboard is like dead).

After removing the battery several times and doing this over and over again, I finally managed to enter once but then it was going always at menu 1-1-1 without me doing anything.

I removed the battery again and that was it. I never managed to logon with the UK SIM card.

I am thinking that by doing an upgrade at the phone's flash memory I might get it work. I downloaded some tools (one that is based on WinSwup32, and a S45/Me45 tool that I found in the web) but they don't work.
The first gives an error that cannot enter using bootloader and the other one remains at waiting for Power on.
And so I didn't manage to do anything as the phone always remained at the PIN screen.

After a lot of tries and using me Greek SIM card finally I have managed to open the phone.I thought in the beginning that I couldn't update the firmware because the phone wasn't turned on.
Now that it is ON i still get the same messages.

The phone though seems to work normally, buy with the down "arrow" key acting as a right "arrow"

I am afraid to remove the Greek SIM and enter the UK SIM because, as this is happening quite a lot of days, it might never turn on like it did in the past.

THe above is the description of the problem.

If someone could answer the following questions I think it would be really helpfull

1)Now that the phone is switched ON can I upgrade the flash???

2)What programm and where can I find it in order to upgrade it???

3)Do I need a special cable for this or I can do it with the one that came with my phone and I am using it to back-up contacts etc.

4)Does anyone have the original update from Siemens as it has been removed from Siemens site.

I am open to any suggestions - solutions......


Thanks in advance for your response.

Regards
 
The problem seems to be hardware: loose contact between the Keyboarp PCB and phone main PCB. Did you drop eour phone in water? You need to open the phone, and clean the contacts, and, maybe, pull up th contacts with a needle.

The S/ME45 tool upgrades Fullflash. Fullflash is the complete image of phones nonvioltale memory. To upgrade it you should first have a new fullflash, second - you should back up your EEPROM (and fullflash) before writing new fullflash and write the eeprom after writing new fullflash, third - all your flex memory contents including adress book will be lost, fourth - you will have to unlock the phone after. Without eeprom backup, your phone may loose radio signal sensivity. You should read some FAQ about flashing.
Winswup upgrades phone's firmware without touching eeprom. With my phone and COM cable it worked only on 57600 without precheck. To work with both programs, you should turn the phone off, plug in the cable, and SHORTLY press the red button when the program askes you to to power on the phone. Your cable shoult be eiter USB cable, or should be powered from COM interface, not from phone (which is common to non original cables)

But i`m 100% sure? that the problem is hardware. If you do not want to open the phone yourself, go to a service center. If you have questions about harware manipulations, post them here.
 
Thanks very much for your reply.

First of all because I am new to this I don't want to mess with eeprom etc. so from your response I think the best think to do is to upgrade with the Winswup.

I tried it without the precheck and at the rate that you suggest but I get the following error message : "Cant connect to Mobile with BootstrapLoader on Com1"

Can you please describe the necessary steps in detail so to see if I am doing something wrong and furthermore can you send me a link or a PM from where I can find the right Winswup prog. as I am not sure for the one I have????

Moreover what do you mean by saying that the cable should be powered from the COM????? I have the original cable that came with my mobile from Siemens ( a COM one and not a USB) is that OK????

Before I open my mobile I would like to give it one more shot with the firmware but right now I can't do anything, so it would be great if you could give me any details (or a schematic if it is available) for the "hardware" repair and cleanup, or even an instructions of what to take care, what parts not to touch, what to be carefull etc.

Regards
 
Yor cable is NOT ok for flashing. Basic idea is the following: inside your cable you have a simple logic level converter from -/+12V (RS232) to 0-3.3V for the phone (basicaly MAX232 chip or it`s analog). The level converter needs power supply, which can be delivered from your phone or from COM port. But whin the phone is OFF, there is no power supply from phone. So you need another cable. Or you can upgrade this one, but you have to do it well, (better without hanging unsoldered wires) because cable failure during firmware upgrade can permanently damage your phone. I can give you advice about cable upgrade, or give you a scheme of proper cable. So tell me if you ever dealed with soldering, and electronics. Can you open the case, in which the level converter on the cable is mounted (it is a box in the middle of the cable or in the COM port plug case).
If you do not want to deal with soldering, chips and wires, you can simply buy a non-original cable for x35-x45 phones.

Most of internet resources about phones, regading cables, flashing, patching, etc. are in russian. Ill try to find some english FAQ, you can also try to do it with google.
What vesion of firmware do you have? get it buy typing *#06#.
 
I can't open my phone to type *#06* in order to find the firmware...

That's the problem.I can't enter the PIN because the keyboard doesn't respond.

As for the other parts I have dealt in the past with electronics, cables etc but I would prefer if you could give me a site or a cable type that I can find and buy......On the other hand I don't know if it worths the trouble (and the cost) to buy it......

Regards
 
Cable costs approx. $10. Maybe even less, because very little people need x45 cables nowdays.
Anyway, your problem looksvery much like HARDWARE. Try perssing on the phone`s case around the microphone.
 
I know that it would be difficult to find a cable like that right now and I don't know anyone that can lend me his.

So I 'll try to see if it is actually hardware. I have already pressed the whole case etc. but I 'll try to open it like you suggested. If there are any schematic representations showing the basic connections and how I can open it can you please tell me where can I find them? (Even in Russian....a schematic is always the same in any language :P )

Thanks again for your help....I appreciate that
 
Look at this http://qrx.narod.ru/rem/s45.htm
First: remove battery before operation.
Second:be careful with the rubber string between the case parts.
The case can be opend with the help of special instrument (see the bookmark above), or just three small screwdrivers from small thin metallic 6 screwdriver sets with + shaped #0 and #1 ane - shaped 1.4 2.0 2.4 and 3.0 mm. As far as i know, such sets are sold all around the world. It is better to have two use two sets.
Two paarts of the case are pulled together with several plastic locs. The most strong are two on the top. You have to unplug them, and then you can easily unplug all the others by pushing the parts aside with a phone card or just with hands.
To unplug the top locks you have to do the following:
1. Remove rubber cover from the plug.
2. Fix thr phone in vertical position, plug down, small hole up. put it between two thick bools lying on a table, or just fix with your knees.
3. You take two 2.4mm screwdrivers into your right hand so thet the tips of their handles touch middles of your palms. Insert the screwdrivers into top hole. You will also need one 2.0 mm screwdriver. Take it into your left hand.
4. You should check that both 2.4 mm screwdrivers reach the rubber string on the bottom of the hole (not plastic step), but do not press oi it. The necks near the screwdrivers` handles should be striclly on the same level.
5. Insert the 2.0mm screwdriver`s handle between the necks of 2.4mm scredriver`s hndles.
6. Check the posiion described in stage 4 one more time.
7. Start ptshing the tips of the handles of 2.4 mm screwdrivers together, until the locks unplug.
8. pull the parts aside.
That`s all with opening.
Then you check the contacts, pull them up with a needle, if required, and wash with spirit if required (DO NOT USE vodca or some spirit containing medicine, only pure spirit. Also methanol can be used.)
 
It is a little tricky.......

I 'll see what I can do.....

Thx for your help , I 'll keep in touch....
 
Back
Top