vB Easy Archive - PM325 USB data cables

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PM325 USB data cables
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Posted by: gpsnerd

I read on another post someone sync'd up their PM325 using a USB data cable, but I cannot find them anywhere on the internet. Is there another LG USB cable I can use that works with the PM325? Is there special software I need to do the sync?

Where do I get the buy these items if they are available?

Thank you!

Frank

Posted by: jblack

Bump for this, I just got a PM-325 and want to get a data cable as well.

Which other LG phones share the same data port and/or cable?

Thanks!

Posted by: edleno@comcast.

FutureDial has the pm-325 listed, and supposed to use their type 49 cable - same as the vx6100/7000. I saw enough problems reported with FutureDial that I'm trying to find something different. I've ordered a 6100/7000 cable, and since I'm a developer I'm hoping to be able to add it to the open software BitPim.

- Ed

Posted by: gpsnerd

Please keep me in the loop with your results. I ordered a cable from a different company that would supposedly work with the PM325 that also claimed to be compatible with the 6100/7000. It appeared that the actual connector would plug in, but the plug sheeth countour surrounding the plug had two divets instead of three so I couldnt get it plugged in.

I fell there is a conspiracy!

Let me know if you get plugged in...thanks

Posted by: edleno@comcast.

Haven't gotten mine yet - I'm hoping it has the two divits!

- Ed

Posted by: havanahjoe

My findings so far are that this phone uses the same pin array as the VX6000, VX3100, VX7000 etc. The only problem is what gpsnerd mentions. But it's easy to fix. Just sand down or cut or get creative so that the bottom grooves are removed and the connector fits on the phone. The original connectors won't have the two grooves that the phone has.

And now for the software side. Once I did that to one of my cables, I was able to get windows to detect the device. I used the usual LG CDMA USB drivers that are used for the other VX phones. Windows found two devices, a modem and a diagnostic serial port.

Both bitpim and QPST communicate with the phone using the serial port. I can get the filesystem listing, and got the MSL (which I had already from peeking at the PC of the rep who activated the phone).

What I don't see are any directories for images or ringers. I haven't downloaded any yet, so I need to do that first to get a directory created. Once I have this it should be easy enough to upload the files to the phone.

Now, I am most likely not keeping Sprint's service, but I love the phone and wanted to activate it on my Mexican CDMA provider. I wanted to try something first without going to a store and having it added to my account. I know I once saw a software that would let you change the ESN on the phone. But now I'm not sure if it was for Kyocera phones only. If anyone knows of any good utility please let me know, I just want to use my current ESN on the LG to try out the service and then have it changed correctly (or avoid the trip to the store alltogether).

Thanks and hope the info was useful.

Posted by: lgreenberg

Moved to the software forum.

Posted by: havanahjoe

Thanks super moderator.

An update for anyone that is interested. I got QPST and was able to read all parameter from the phone. I was able to change the ESN but I think that's a touchy subject so I won't get into details.

QPST will read all parameters, I can make a backup of them. I can change whatever I need in the software, but I can't upload the changes to the phone.

I get a "Roaming list file contains no data" error. This seems to be because of the non-standard PRL format that Sprint uses. The problem is that even if I don't want to modify the PRL now, I can't change the other parameters that the phone won't let me edit. Like the Home SID lists. I was able to change the MSL though.

Having the correct ESN, MDN and MSID on the phone, it won't work correctly on the Iusacell network. *228 won't update the PRL or program the phone, but it won't do it on my original Iusacell handset (maybe its broken this weekend, who knows).

So its back to Sprint settings and trying to get wallpapers and ringtones on it.

Posted by: havanahjoe

More updates. I was using the wrong ESN, the conversion I was doing was completely erroneous. But now I have the correct ESN, I was able to get into the advanced menu using ##DATA# and changed the Home SID.

I can now make and receive calls with my mexican number, and I can receive text messages but I cannot send them. The reason is the phone is "roaming" digitally, and the data and sms functions won't work (or even try to) unless the phone is in native Sprint coverage. I guess this can be fixed with the correct PRL update, but maybe not. Another problem with this is that the phone sees Sprint coverage it will pick up that signal, and Iusacell roams with Verizon and not Sprint.

Posted by: havanahjoe

All right, now this will be interesting to more people.

I got an mp3 on the phone using the data cable. It's a 64 kbps, Stereo, 113 kb mp3 file. I know, Mono will work probably as well and will take up less space, but it's nice to see that the phone supports a higher bitrate than what I think most people were trying with the .mid extension change. I think they were using 32 kbps, I might be wrong.

Now the way I did it. I used a free online mp3 converter, can't remember the url right now. And I downloaded a qcp file to my phone.

I browsed the file system and found a file in the /ams dir called 09.dat that had today's date on it. There were also two other files with the same name, extensions .gcd and .url. The url one contains the URL from where the file was downloaded, and the gdc file contains the attributes (this determines the file type and where it shows up on the phone menus, which I think many already know).

To make things easy, I just uploaded my mp3 file using the same 09.dat name, went to the downloads, ringers menu and played the file. Voilá. Mp3 on my PM325. Sound is pretty good I must say.

Now, as with the other LG phones from verizon, there are two indexes in /setas dir. amsRingerIndex.map and amsImageIndex.map. These files must contain the location of wallpapers and ringers.

If I were to add a new ringer or wallpaper (instead of just replacing one I downloaded) I would delete these files (or file related to the type of content I am uploading) and reboot the phone, since this is the method use on the other LGs. I haven't tried it yet! I might get the strength later to try it, or I might not.

I guess I will have to read up a bit on the other LGs to apply that knowledge to this phone. Maybe a quick modification to bitpim will let us use the integrated ringer and wallpaper features like on other LG phones.

Posted by: edleno@comcast.

I just tried a vx6000 cable (the vx7000 cable I ordered is a no-show) and it doesn't work - it has a prolific usb to serial, and as I understand things the pm-325 has direct USB support so no interface chip needed. So I've ordered a vx7000 cable from another vendor and hope it works!

- Ed

Posted by: edleno@comcast.

havanajoe - where did you get your cable. I think the pm325 uses a straight usb cable and all I can find has a prolific serial converter in the middle. Did the cable come with drivers, or did you find them somewhere else?

- Ed

Posted by: havanahjoe

Hey Ed! The cable I used is one I bought from tangshop.com (I've bought a lot from them and they have very fast shipping and have never had a problem).

It's a VX6000, VX4500, VX7000 straight USB cable. I just had to sand off the bottom part of the connector so it would fit on the PM325. The drivers I don't remember where I got them because I've had them since I had a VX6000 several months ago. The name of the file is LGUSBModemdrivers.zip and I'm pretty sure they're just generic LG drivers.

PM me your e-mail address and I'll gladly send the file.

As for the cable, they are very cheap, the only thing I'm not very comfortable with is that they are charging cables, and it doesn't seem to charge the PM325 so I'm kinda worried that it could damage the phone, although I've had it connected for quite some time and nothing has happened. The phone does not detect a charging current either.

Actually I just found a receipt from them. The cable is called LG VX-6000/VX6000 USB Data Cable with Charger (R-USB-DC-VX-6000) . $11.88 each plus shipping. I have no affiliation with them by the way, I just like to recommend places where I have had good experiences.

Posted by: QFT

I sure would appreciate it if you could send me a copy of that driver software too... nothing would make me happier than to be able to put MP3s onto my phone instead of the 8kbps voice files I've been creating from WAV files. Thanks!

mattmuller (at) gmail.com

Posted by: edleno@comcast.

Just the file name was enough for me to find a driver - the driver for the vx7000 is on the lg site and it looks to be generic:
http://us.lge.com/download/product/...ver_Ver_4.1.exe

- Ed

Posted by: havanahjoe

Ah yes. That is probably the same one. I'll still send you the file I have once I get home, just in case.

Posted by: edleno@comcast.

From the link you sent I was able to determine that the pm325 and the Audiovox cdm8900 use the same cable (something I had on my list from other sources as well). So, I went to Radio Shack and bought the FutureDial cable from them that's intended for the cdm8900. It was set up for the "three tabs", instead of the two that the lg pm-325 needs, so I got out my rotary tool and put two new grooves in the plug - and now I too can use BitPim.

I have the phone book mostly working in BitPim, but it's not ready for me to check in just yet. Still trashing my phone book on occasion and I have to reload it. So you don't want my code at this point! But somewhere in the next two weeks I should have all of the basic functionality working.

Posted by: apristel

helpi need amsImageIndex.map and amsRingerIndex.map for the pm325! it doesnt rebuild them i lost my backup somehow.thissucks. apristel@hotmail.com

Posted by: BigBallinTSX

Quote:

Originally Posted by edleno@comcast.

Just the file name was enough for me to find a driver - the driver for the vx7000 is on the lg site and it looks to be generic:
http://us.lge.com/download/product/...ver_Ver_4.1.exe

- Ed

is it confirmed tha tthis file will work as a driver/intermediary for BitPim and the PM325? if not, can someone point me to a working driver for this? I've got the cable and now i just need the driver

thanks in advance!