vB Easy Archive - Serial Data Cable off eBay

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Serial Data Cable off eBay - cannot work.
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Posted by: chaoman

I bought a serial data cable from eBay which I wanted to unlock my GU87 (ATT) and add some language packs. I had the same problem like the other detecting the phone.

After days of researching and trying, I found out a lot of
GU87, GD88 users had identical problems like me. They all
said by switching to an expensive USB data cable could solve
the pain.

Today, I decided to open out the serial data cable and see what's
inside. I found there is a chip resides in the DB-9 module. There are many wires and a sticker on the little PCB said - GD75. I had a though maybe it would support GD75. They though GD88 would be the same pin layout. That's why I posted a question in the need software topic asking for pin assignment for Gx8x.

My co-worker used an oscilloscope to trace the signal that this cable generates. We found out the power is given by the phone. It does transmit data from phonebook assistant software from Panasonic, but cannot receive. Maybe the data receive ready cables were soldered wrongly. I finally could see phone is connected message in that software. But I tried to pull the phone
book information from the phone and showed me time-out error.

I would like to know, does anyone have the same problem and could figure out how to solve it? I believe even a serial data cable would still work.

Posted by: lost_rebel

I do not believe the problem is in the RS232 RX/TX/GND of the cable. It is the identification of that cable to the mobile. Gx8x identifies at least two different kinds of serial cables. I regular datacable and a service mode data cable. I believe your problem is in the interrupt assignments of that cable. essentially the mobile does not know to listen to the datacable. From a battery preservation stand point that makes sense, as the mobile can keep the RS232 modem powered down unless there is an appropriate cable attached. I believe the key is in pins 4 and 10 where you need about 3.8 volts applied. This is an assumption since you need to cover both of this pins to make a regular data cable work as a service mode cable.

Posted by: TriMesh

For serial cable operation, pin 4 should be connected to GND (pins1 or 14), 7 and 8 are TX and RX, pin 10 is DTR, 11 is RTS and 12 is CTS. The DTR signal is used as part of the logic to detect the presence of the serial cable.

In service mode, 7 and 8 are still TX and RX, pin 4 can either be left open or used as an external vBat supply, and all the hardshake lines are ignored - pin 12 (CTS) is used as a PA active indicator.

The formal names for the signals are

1 - AGND
2 - HF_TXAUDIO
3 - HF_RXAUDIO
4 - VBAT_IN/DATA_MODE0
5 - nACC_SENSE
6 - nAUDIO_ON
7 - SERIAL_UP
8 - SERIAL_ DOWN
9 - ACC_PWR
10 - DTR/DATA_MODE1
11 - RTS
12 - CTS/PA_ON
13 - EXTPWR
14 - GND

Note: this information is actually based on data from earlier phones with the same connector, not the 67/87, but it seems to accurately reflect what's going on.

Posted by: cypher101

hello, ok basically from reading what you guys have said, if i buy a serial cable of ebay like i was going to do it wont work? i will not be able to put stuff on my fone or flash it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....&category=15046

i plan on buying one the cables like this, so could someone infor if i will be able to flash my fone and add ringtones and take pictures of it please

Posted by: TriMesh

It looks like a service mode cable to me - if so, then you would be able to use it for flashing the phone, but not for things like updating your phone book unless you modify it.

Since I wanted a service cable, I've just brought one, and I'll post a followup when I get it.

Posted by: cypher101

seen, well if u can let me know when you get it that will be great, because i want to downgrade to unlock my EEPROM with Crazk2d and then upgrade to A53 No Sound and then activate infusio and all that

as long as the cable can do that im happy

Posted by: TriMesh

OK, I've just got the cable and it is a data cable, just as it was described. It will work with the Panasonic edit tool software, but not with the Mobile Action handset manager (not even if you fool the software into thinking it's a MA cable).

It will work for flashing/unlocking, but you need to insulate pins 4 and 10 on the phone with tape or something simiiar. I just reflashed the language pack in my GD87 using this cable (and some tape), and it works fine.

Posted by: TriMesh

Ah, it looks like you can only edit your messages for 30 minutes after posting, so I'll post this as a separate message.

If you want to turn the cable into a dedicated service mode cable, modify it as follows:

1) Remove case
2) Remove the link between pins 1 and 4
3) Move the link coming from pin 14 from 4 to 1
4) Remove the wires on pins 10, 11 and 12 - trim the ends of the wires off
5) Reinstall case

I've just tested this with WinMoDo, CB2000 and Panareader.

Posted by: cypher101

lol thanks trimesh
but im just a little 16 year old and i didnt really understand much of wat u posted,lol!

my lead comes tomorrow so i guess u can help me then if i have any difficulties if u dont mind

Posted by: TriMesh

No problem

It's just what you need to do to modify the cable so that it doesn't need any tape on the phone. Since I already had one of the MA data cables, I couldn't see any point in having another cable, so I modified it into a service cable.

You can just ignore that stuff, and use the tape on pins 4 + 10, and the cable will work with the service software without problems.

Posted by: chaoman

thanks for this great information.
I will give a shot on it.

Posted by: cypher101

hey can you help me, i have got it working with CB2000 but i dont want to flash because i dont want to loose all my phone numbers on my phone because my sim doesnt support one name having like 3 numbers like the phone does and i'll loose bare
so can you tell me how you got it working with the panasonic edit tool?

Posted by: lost_rebel

My guess is that you have a service mode cable. There you are SOL. Check my website for info on how to tell.

Posted by: cypher101

tried to see what cable i had but just couldnt get the hyperterminal thing to work properly
anyway e-bay said its a data cable so im pretty sure it espicially since i have to cover pins 4 and 10 to get it working as a service cable, dont that make it a data cable??? i dunno im confused

Posted by: bassie01

when using edit tool, don't cover pins 4 and 10.

Posted by: cypher101

thanks, but im guessing it aint a data cable as when i was using CB2000 i didnt bother to cover pins 4 and 10 and it still worked, so that basically means i's a service cable right which means when im flashing i dont need to bother covering pins 4 and 10 even for win modo?
this also means i guess i can't transfer my pictures and tones then

Posted by: rborhara

Bought the same cable off ebay for 4.50 +p&p - from UKfone- if anyone else wants to buy these cable then please be aware its only a service cable not a DATA cable as the seller says.

Is there a way of changing a service cable to DATA cable - i dont mind opening it up

Posted by: cypher101

yhea i read on a webiste there is away if u don't mind opening it up
basically so that pins 4 and 10 are detected you need to make it so they both send out 5 volts or sumin like that

Posted by: TriMesh

Quote:

Originally posted by rborhara
Bought the same cable off ebay for 4.50 +p&p - from UKfone- if anyone else wants to buy these cable then please be aware its only a service cable not a DATA cable as the seller says.

Is there a way of changing a service cable to DATA cable - i dont mind opening it up

I don't know about the ones that UKfone are selling, but the ones that "polyphonic-sounds" have are definately data cables - they are also cheaper (UKP 3.49)

Probably the simplest thing to do is to open the connector and see if pin 4 is connected to ground - if not, then you have a service cable. If it is. then you have a broken data cable

I would guess that you need to connect both pin 4 (to ground) and pin 10 (to the DTR output via a 232->logic level translator) to convert the cable to data mode. You may have to connect up the other handshaking lines on pins 11 + 12.

Posted by: xyzyx

i was wondering if it is possible to flash the phone with a usb data cable or only with a serial connector it is possible?

it works with Windomo and Flash editor?

thanx for the help

Posted by: TriMesh

All the USB cables I've seen for the GD87/88 are really serial cables with a built in USB<-->Serial converter. They work exactly the same as the standard serial cables. Obviously, you need to isolate pins 4 and 10 for service applications, but this is true for all data cables.

Posted by: xyzyx

okay i'll look around and find one.. thanx

Posted by: xyzyx

ah got it.. now i need some help with flashing the phone can anyone help? pte msg me or mail me xyzyx22@yahoo.com.sg

The phone i have now is on A38 i would like to get it to A39 nosound or A53 no sound, i dun need to unlock it, how should i go about doing it? i have windomo and the firmwares. what abt the language pack loading GCD87L57.rel gives me chinese, chinese simplified and english? and the usage of CB2000 i do not fully understand.

ur help is greatly appreciated.

Posted by: jack_d12

i've got the serial cable but the edit tool isn't detecting my phone .. how do i change teh com port that the phone is on ??? seems like the edit tool only want to detect on com 3 cuz when i don't even have a cable connected to the pc it stills say connecting to handset and gives me an error ...

okay i change the baud rate and turn off the data terminal rate DTR unchecked it and it's detects the phone but after about 10 seconds it says communication timed out ??? i've changed the baud rate up and down and still it isn't working ??

Posted by: turbo_slug

Quote:

Originally posted by TriMesh
I don't know about the ones that UKfone are selling, but the ones that "polyphonic-sounds" have are definately data cables - they are also cheaper (UKP 3.49)

Probably the simplest thing to do is to open the connector and see if pin 4 is connected to ground - if not, then you have a service cable. If it is. then you have a broken data cable

I would guess that you need to connect both pin 4 (to ground) and pin 10 (to the DTR output via a 232->logic level translator) to convert the cable to data mode. You may have to connect up the other handshaking lines on pins 11 + 12.

how difficult would it be to connect pin 10 to the DTR output?

does the serial service cable already have the DTR output from the 232->logic level translator?

Posted by: terencey

so as a summary:
data cable = able to up/download phone book, transfer files to/from comp
and service cable = use for flashing, changing language packs?

and when flashing, there's an option that let's you unlock?

thanks

Posted by: keffka

I have a service cable for GU87, how do I convert it into a data cable if possible?? Thanks

Posted by: turbo_slug

Quote:

Originally posted by keffka
I have a service cable for GU87, how do I convert it into a data cable if possible?? Thanks

it's too much work to bother....it's not as simple as turning a data cable to service cable

if you want a new USB datacable, i have one up for sale.

$35cad