vB Easy Archive - Unlocked Cingular Treo 650 Won't Work on T-Mobile ---- Please Help.

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Unlocked Cingular Treo 650 Won't Work on T-Mobile ---- Please Help.
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Posted by: treouserinla

I'm leaving AT&T and switching to T-Mobile. AT&T gave me the unlock code for my (Cingular) Treo 650 and I successfully unlocked the phone.

Unfortunately, when I put a T-Mobile SIM card in the phone, it says "Your phone cannot be used with this SIM card."

I'm thinking it has something to do with the software/firmware I'm currently running on my Treo 650:

Firmware: 01.51
Software: Treo650-1.17-CNG
Hardware: A

Obviously, that's Cingular software I'm running. Could this be the problem?

I tried looking here: http://www.palm.com/us/support/down...treo650updater/ but there was no link for T-Mobile. I was thinking about using the "Unlocked GSM" updater listed there, but they specifically say:

The Unlocked GSM download is only for devices originally sold as "Unlocked GSM." If your smartphone was subsidy locked and you contacted your mobile service provider to unlock it, install the Treo 650 Updater version specific to your carrier.

I tried looking at the T-Mobile support site: https://support.t-mobile.com/viewAllProducts.html but they only have the Treo 600 listed.

Any thoughts???

Posted by: n2jtx

If it says "Your phone cannot be used with this SIM card." that means it is still locked. Try the code again and if not successful get in touch with AT&T.

Posted by: SpiralSlash

n2jtx is correct - the phone's not unlocked. Cingular CS didn't actually know how to unlock my Treo when I got the code from them (!) but I did get the code off them. I had to google for the proper method of inputting it.

As for running the Cingular software: there is a way to unbrand your OS version from the Cingular customized one, but if you're going through all of that you may as well cook up your own custom ROM. I ran the Cingular software for over a year on my 650 on T-Mobile with no issues.

Posted by: treouserinla

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, I finally concluded that my phone is indeed not unlocked. (The annoying thing is the way the Treo 650 tells you that you've successfully unlocked the phone. Then, when you put in a foreign SIM card, it indicates that it's still locked.)

I have contacted AT&T and they are going to contact Palm and then call me back this week.

SpiralSlash - Do you happen to remember the "proper method" of inputting the unlock code? The instructions AT&T gave me were:

Insert Cingular/ at&t sim card into device, verify the wireless mode is set to “ON”.
Follow these steps:
1. Press the green Phone button
2. Enter *#*#<Unlock Code>#
3. Press Dial.
4. Device should now be unlocked.

Do you remember if this is different from what you did?

Posted by: addiarmadar

Quote:

Originally Posted by treouserinla

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, I finally concluded that my phone is indeed not unlocked. (The annoying thing is the way the Treo 650 tells you that you've successfully unlocked the phone. Then, when you put in a foreign SIM card, it indicates that it's still locked.)

I have contacted AT&T and they are going to contact Palm and then call me back this week.

SpiralSlash - Do you happen to remember the "proper method" of inputting the unlock code? The instructions AT&T gave me were:

Insert Cingular/ at&t sim card into device, verify the wireless mode is set to “ON”.
Follow these steps:
1. Press the green Phone button
2. Enter *#*#<Unlock Code>#
3. Press Dial.
4. Device should now be unlocked.

Do you remember if this is different from what you did?

ATT was using an outdated codes for your phone. Each time a ROM update is done, the suffix of these codes change so as long as the prefix if right, the OS will tell ya its unlocked BUT the radio firm is not. They need to use the correct code based on your ROM on the phone. Easiest way is to make sure you have the 1.17 ROM for Cingular/ATT based Treo 650s and hope that ATT gives you the code based on that since thats all that they "should" be giving out.

Posted by: SpiralSlash

Quote:

Originally Posted by treouserinla

SpiralSlash - Do you happen to remember the "proper method" of inputting the unlock code?

Unfortunately, it was well over a year ago that I did all of this, so I honestly can't remember the sequence I used. I'm not even sure I was running the current ROM at the time. (I think I was on 1.15...) Sorry.

Posted by: treouserinla

Quote:

Originally Posted by addiarmadar

Thanks, addiarmadar.

I guess that explains why the code they gave me was wrong. I only hope they figure the ROM thing out when they "talk with Palm" and give me a call back next week. If they don't, I'll be telling them exactly what you just wrote and hope they are smart enough to figure out how to give me the right code at that time.

Posted by: treouserinla

After weeks of them continually giving me the subsidy unlock code that is "supposed to work" but does not, I am unbelievably frustrated with AT&T.

I explained the issue of the phone's ROM updates changing the subsidy unlock code and they were totally ignorant to this.

Does anyone else have any advice on how I can get the correct subsidy unlock code for my Treo 650?

:-)

Posted by: kidcom

I suggest that you take the Treo 650 to one of your local dealers that does unlocking and have it professionally done. Sure it will probably cost you about $20 or so but in the end it will be worth it, not having to deal with your current frustration and AT&T.

Posted by: tuan86

The way I got my Treo 650 unlocked was putting in my T-Mobile SIM first then take out battery or reset which ever you perfer... I waited until that "You cannot use phone with that SIM card" screen pops up and press ok... and pretty much did the *#*#<8 digit CODE># and pressed DIAL and it was unlocked... Does it matter what version of ROM or firmware? That I don't know but I always thought it didn't matter because the CODE is generated from the IMEI number... But I could be wrong... Good luck..

Posted by: rambo47

The ROM version shouldn't matter with an unlock code as it's based on the IMEI number. That never changes no matter how many times you update the ROM. Did you perform the unlock with your AT&T SIM card in the phone? I believe this is important, but it's been so long since I've done it that I really can't be positive.

Posted by: serge1er

help whats the code cingular/att gave you to unlocked your plam treo 650 phone I want to used my t mobile sim card too

Posted by: rambo47

The code is unique to each handset and is based on the IMEI#, sort of like the phone's fingerprint. One code will only work for one specific phone.

Posted by: serge1er

I see thanks for the reply

Posted by: tuan86

Just as "rambo47" stated... Each unlock code is generated through the phones IMEI number and only specific to that phone... So the only way for you to unlock yours? Would be through Cingular or pay to get yours unlock online... I paid $15 bucks to get mines unlock through www.650unlock.com and its better taking it to some dealer to have them do it for a crazy fee...