vB Easy Archive - Sony Ericsson Z520a off Cingular website/new firmware info

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Sony Ericsson Z520a off Cingular website/new firmware info
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Posted by: bodeh6

I was browsing Cingular.com and noticed that the SE Z520a is now off the site.

Posted by: no clue

I had Z520a for one week and it constantly turn itself off! (just sitting on top of my desk w/ full signal bar)

I didn't bother to go through CSR and just exchanged for a razr at my local store.

Perhaps Cingular pull them out for "repair"?
I remember I had the R3A firmware/Malaysia made.

Posted by: bodeh6

People have been complaining on the boards about quality issues on the Z520a.

Posted by: coach41

Yup, lots of people on the Cingular forums have had problems.

Since I've been turning off my phone at nights, I haven't seen any problems.

Cross my fingers. I almost wish I would have bought a Razr when I was getting a new phone.

Posted by: WirelessAndy

Funny, I always felt the z520 was built pretty well, physically. Far better than the Moto stuff of recent memory (v180, v220).

I had the unbranded z520i, and even without the Cingular branding, I encountered some strangeness (menus trying to catch up if pushed too hard, WSOD every now and then).

Posted by: anubis9278

this phone has been recalled due to "customers not power cycling their phone off and on everyday" man this brought a smile to my face. Actually their is a memory leak on the phone. but is on stop ship stop sell status until further notice

Posted by: smcassara

Action Required: Stop selling and immediately return all existing product to the Fort Worth, TX Distribution Center.
(Fri, January 13, 2006)
Issue/Volume number:

Issue Summary

When not turned on and off as part of regular usage, customers may experience issues with the Z520A including frozen animations, blank screens, top menu icon corruption and ring tones that don't play for incoming calls.

see-ess-pee

Posted by: Telegraph

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcassara

Action Required: Stop selling and immediately return all existing product to the Fort Worth, TX Distribution Center.
(Fri, January 13, 2006)
Issue/Volume number:

Issue Summary

When not turned on and off as part of regular usage, customers may experience issues with the Z520A including frozen animations, blank screens, top menu icon corruption and ring tones that don't play for incoming calls.

see-ess-pee

er... isn't that a direct quote from......
uhm.... thats not too smart! be careful what you post!

Posted by: I have a phone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telegraph

er... isn't that a direct quote from......
uhm.... thats not too smart! be careful what you post!

why yes. Yes it is.

Posted by: RYOBI

Finally they took the pos off. What an engineering marvel that phone is/was.

Posted by: boston_errol

i like the z520a. it's the little phone that could

Posted by: I have a phone

exactly. I've never had a problem with it.

Posted by: cali0028

Found out that cingular is releasing a z520 version with ptt.

Posted by: microchip13

Wow, usually SE doesn't have big issues. Usually it's only somewhat poor reception on the first firmware and slow UI.

I'm surprised.

Posted by: tekelberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by microchip13

Wow, usually SE doesn't have big issues. Usually it's only somewhat poor reception on the first firmware and slow UI.

I'm surprised.

You're right. I would have expected this from Motorola, not from SE.

Posted by: smcassara

Quote:

Originally Posted by I have a phone

why yes. Yes it is.

didn't mean to offend. just quoting a reliable source. you all knew it was recall'd already, anyways.. not like i anounced that the earth was flat

Posted by: wdst

Do yall have any idea how long it will be until the phone will be re-released? I have had a t616 and a t637 & had good luck with both phones. Not wild about the clam shell aspect but I like the operating system and the fact that it syncs with a mac. Was just about to buy one this weekend when I saw that it was pulled from their website. How long a wait do you expect? Thanks

Posted by: orion2087

I just got mine last week, and it works well. Much better then my razr..

The only problem I've had is that sometimes some of the graphics go down and I need to restart.

Posted by: RYOBI

Quote:

Originally Posted by orion2087

I just got mine last week, and it works well. Much better then my razr..

The only problem I've had is that sometimes some of the graphics go down and I need to restart.

LOL that's too funny. The "only" problem? You need to restart the phone for it to work? Does your razr require a restart to work?

Posted by: I have a phone

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcassara

didn't mean to offend. just quoting a reliable source.

pretty reliable source considering you quote verbatum from a cingular update

Posted by: microchip13

I also know a couple people who are having problems with iSyncing them...

Hope it gets fixed soon, I was one of the people that suggested the Z520 to them..

Posted by: elushon

I think it's it can be ordered again after the 24th of January, as the shipment of phones that fix the problem is expected on the 23rd.

Posted by: Mazzel

I actually exchanged my razor for this phone as I wanted more memory and even with all the edits I did to the razr I still came up 9 meg short and for someone who likes to use ringtones for all of my women!!

haha I have no problems with it, I could guess and say I have not noticed anything because i regularly power the phone off to charge it at night and the CSP did say no exchanges. I have zero problems with reception and I actually find it to have better battery life than our lovely demo PTT Samsungs...IHAP is right, it is the little phone that could.

Posted by: orion2087

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYOBI

LOL that's too funny. The "only" problem? You need to restart the phone for it to work? Does your razr require a restart to work?

Well I went through 3 razrs in 29 days, thats a different story. I've yet to have a motorola product that doesn't fail on me.
The issue with the restarting is only some graphical errors, happens after leaving it on for a couple of days. No big deal, functions fine.

Posted by: Yze

lol id say 99.999% of the time it is returned.. is due to the hate of accidental shortcut key pressing.. the side button.

its funny because when id take the phone to take a look at it, id accidently press it to, in front of the customer.. haha

great phone but im SO glad theyre fixing it.

Posted by: regryni

This is my first post. I haven't had one problem with my z520, and I bought it from a Cingular Store. It didn't even have the messed up camera button, the memory leak, or the need to power it down daily . I wonder if I should return it; I have 12 days left on the exchange period.

Posted by: orion2087

If I return my phone to best buy, I will most likely get another bad one.

If I call XBM now, do they have the fixed models, or would they try to give me a v557 or something?

Posted by: djnick

i like how all the s.hit talkers talk about how motos suck and se's are the greatest but at least moto users can upgrade there phones from home and never have to send it to repair, where as se does a recall. love it

Posted by: Naveen

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali0028

Found out that cingular is releasing a z520 version with ptt.

that is what i have heard also

Posted by: tennessee31

Quote:

Originally Posted by regryni

This is my first post. I haven't had one problem with my z520, and I bought it from a Cingular Store. It didn't even have the messed up camera button, the memory leak, or the need to power it down daily . I wonder if I should return it; I have 12 days left on the exchange period.

You might go back to the Cingular store where you got the phone and ask them if they would swap you for the updated version when it comes in: it's supposed to be available after the 23rd, which would be within your 12-day window.

I have one too (haven't had any problems), and I'm not planning on returning it.

Posted by: Tstright

I had 2 520's for about 3 weeks then traded them in for the D357.... The 520's were always shutting off or acting weird...

Posted by: tdawgmd

I've had this phone for a month, and have had all of the issues that are being talked about--the animations/pictures screwing up, the camera button, and the loss of ringtones. It is all solved by a power cycle, but I don't think that when you get a new phone, you should have to compromise to get it to work correctly. I've had mine for over a month now, and got it at best buy. If I were to return the phone through Cingular, would they just send me another one, or would they replace it with something different?

Posted by: regryni

They will replace it with a z520 because the month exhange period has passed.

Posted by: hiredgun2112

i have 5 right now and have no problems at all

Posted by: GaDgEtMoN

I have a Rogers branded one and the only problem I have is once in awhile I have to reset the pop up for messages. Other then that everything works very well.

Posted by: regryni

What phone(s) will Cingular give in exchange of the z520, if you are still in the 30 day exchange period?

Posted by: Seltzer

Quote:

Originally Posted by regryni

What phone(s) will Cingular give in exchange of the z520, if you are still in the 30 day exchange period?

Whatever phone YOU decide to get. Either pay the difference or get a credit.

Posted by: supaet

oh no, my parents just got two of those phones, if i call cingular about those issues, what will they do? send new ones? and we need to ship old ones back?

Posted by: regryni

It's probably best that they go to a Cingular store; it will make things easier.

Posted by: Omega2008

Well hell...I was going to get this phone for my gf, but if it has all these problems I rather not get it for her. I guess a razr is what she will be getting then.

Posted by: regryni

I just heard this on Cingular Forums! There is going to be an OTA firmware update on the z520a on 1/23

! This is supposed to fix the memeory leak issues and the freezing. The person on Cingular Forums *said* that he spoke with a CSR @ warranty exchange and the CSR told him there was going to be an flash available OTA (or at stores) and that you should call CC. Here is the link to the post on Cingular Forums: http://forums.cingular.com/cng/boar...essage.id=16930

Posted by: Flyinace2000

They can flash firmware over the air???

BTW: Radioshack had us pack up and mail back all z520a's in inventory for reflashing.

Posted by: anubis9278

Quote:

Originally Posted by regryni

I just heard this on Cingular Forums! There is going to be an OTA firmware update on the z520a on 1/23

wow, that has never been done before!!!

sad part, it never will, this year anyway

1/23 there may be new firmware, but it will be in new units that shipped from the warehouse not OTA

Posted by: boston_errol

Can someone post the old firmware that's giving people problems so we know what NOT to look for? Thanks.

Posted by: regryni

I belive the firmware version is R3C042.

*Note: My last post was only what I read on Cinuglar Forums. It may or may not be true.

Posted by: bobolito

It's ironic many other phones have FAR more serious problems than the z520a and they don't get recalled (the Mpx220 comes to mind).

Posted by: xbox360gamer

I'd like to know who the bozo(s) are who decide what gets recalled and when.

the reason I say this is because my local store has sold tons of Z520 phones and they may have only one or two phones in their "BRE" phone pile in their back storage room.

but other than that, my friends at the store tell me that they never, ever have any come back nor do they ever have any complaints from people who own that phone.

go figure.

Posted by: bobolito

How do you check the firmware version?

Posted by: xbox360gamer

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobolito

How do you check the firmware version?

> * < < * < *

-firmware version should be in the service tab.

Posted by: lopezpm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobolito

It's ironic many other phones have FAR more serious problems than the z520a and they don't get recalled (the Mpx220 comes to mind).

I think it's a good thing though, recall them and fix them. Don't wait until the phone has a ton of problems with it like the MPx220. They should all start doing this.

Posted by: Naveen

i never knew it was that important to power cycyle phones

Posted by: tekelberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naveen

i never knew it was that important to power cycyle phones

It shouldn't be. That's why they were recalled.

Posted by: jessicad52178

Well if my sources are right there are a few reasons for the pull from the website .. the biggest reason being that the web order department currently has them on back order in fact i think about 300 of them are on back order and there were 2 bad batches recently so they won't be getting a new shipment for a few weeks so they pulled it from the website since that is one of the biggest places the orders come from ... unless anything big happens it should be back on there soon.

Posted by: anubis9278

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessicad52178

Well if my sources are right there are a few reasons for the pull from the website .. the biggest reason being that the web order department currently has them on back order in fact i think about 300 of them are on back order and there were 2 bad batches recently so they won't be getting a new shipment for a few weeks so they pulled it from the website since that is one of the biggest places the orders come from ... unless anything big happens it should be back on there soon.

read first page of thread. there's a lot more to it

Posted by: tuolumne

Quote:

Originally Posted by WirelessAndy

Funny, I always felt the z520 was built pretty well, physically. Far better than the Moto stuff of recent memory (v180, v220).

I had the unbranded z520i, and even without the Cingular branding, I encountered some strangeness (menus trying to catch up if pushed too hard, WSOD every now and then).

Really? I would say this SE, like it's predecessor, the Z500, is built with very cheap materials. The only manufacture with consistant exterior build quality with Cingular seems to be Samsung.

Posted by: tennessee31

The Sony z520 and 500 seem pretty well-built to me, especially compared to garbage like the Motorola v180 or most of the LG phones. The 520 also seems like a better design than the Nokia 6102, which is top heavy when opened. For durability you might do better with a Samsung or Motorola v557, but probably not much else.

Posted by: thisisnotadrill

so as far as anyone knows an updated version of the 520 will be back on the 23rd, correct?

despite the problems in the past, if they get the problems fixed I want this phone. i want a small bluetooth capable phone and dont want to have to get another moto.

Posted by: kt412

From the Cingular message boards
http://forums.cingular.com/cng/boar...essage.id=17111

Once again, we are pleased to say that because of all your posts and others stating their issue, Sony Ericsson has found the cause of many of your concerns.

Under certain situations and when you're not turning your devices on and off as part of their regular usage, customers are experiencing issues with their Z520a’s (i.e., frozen animations, blank screens, top menu icon corruption and ring tones that don't play for incoming calls, etc.). The root cause of this issue has been determined by Sony Ericsson to be a memory leak on the device. The device is currently not releasing memory as it should when it attempts to move from one cell site to another. This issue is not occurring in all areas as well as not in all the models sold, and can be resolved by simply power cycling the device. The issue will reappear every 3-4 days assuming the customer does not power cycle the device on a regular basis. This is very similar to an experience you would have on your desktop when you are notified that you no longer have memory available to complete the task and you are asked to reboot your PC.

Any exchanges to the new batch of Z520a will not be available until after January 23, 2006 (tentative date) when Cingular Wireless receives the new shipment of these devices without the above said issue.

Exchange Information:

New devices (within 30 days): Return to your POINT OF SALE for exchange options.

New or refurbished (over 30 days but less than one year ago): Call Customer Care for options of Exchange by Mail.

Anything other then what was stated here must be directed to Customer Care, thank you for all your input. Thank you for your comments, opinions to this topic. It appears that we have provided you with useful answers. This issue has been thoroughly discussed and is now closed. Should you find something NEW that we have not already discussed in this thread - feel free to open another thread to shed light of your issue or concern. If Cingular Wireless has new developments with this Z520a as always, we will alert our boards. Thanks for joining our online community.

Posted by: thisisnotadrill

perfect. i can live with my backup phone for a little while. thanks for the c&p

Posted by: Tpdude

Until yesterday (from the time these phones had been recalled), Amazon.com used to show this phone as unavailable. Noticed today its available for ordering again with a Cingular plan. Perhaps this is an indication the Z520a phones have been fixed and should be available soon (if not already available) at retailers as well as has been indicated on this thread as well as the threads on Cingular's forums? Any thoughts?

Posted by: Seltzer

Quote:

Originally Posted by kt412

From the Cingular message boards
http://forums.cingular.com/cng/boar...essage.id=17111

Under certain situations and when you're not turning your devices on and off as part of their regular usage, customers are experiencing issues with their Z520a’s (i.e., frozen animations, blank screens, top menu icon corruption and ring tones that don't play for incoming calls, etc.). The root cause of this issue has been determined by Sony Ericsson to be a memory leak on the device. The device is currently not releasing memory as it should when it attempts to move from one cell site to another. This issue is not occurring in all areas as well as not in all the models sold, and can be resolved by simply power cycling the device. The issue will reappear every 3-4 days assuming the customer does not power cycle the device on a regular basis. This is very similar to an experience you would have on your desktop when you are notified that you no longer have memory available to complete the task and you are asked to reboot your PC.

Mhm, there's a lot of z520as that have the blank screens as soon as you turn them on, no need to wait 3-4 days. This isn't like that v551 issues, it's worse. It really makes the phone useless.

Posted by: Naveen

blank screens always suck

Posted by: daftgem

Any update on XBMing these babies for new ones with working firmware?

Posted by: lopezpm

Quote:

Originally Posted by daftgem

Any update on XBMing these babies for new ones with working firmware?

I just called and they said that the phone was just released again yesterday with the firmware update and they are available for exchange. I asked if I could just go to a store and get the update and he said no. None of the stores have the update and that the only way to get it would be to do the exchange. So I'm in the process of exchanging mine now.

Posted by: Tpdude

I stopped by the Cingular kiosk here in Rochester, MN and asked about the Z520 - the manager said they just got them this morning. He hadn't even printed the pricetag for it yet, but showed me the phone in the box. As mentioned in the Cingular forums, it did have a Yellow dot sticker on the side to indicate it was the fixed version.

The same mall has a Radioshack as well. Until a week ago, they didn't even have the Z520 sample on display. Today, they had put the demo back on the display. But when I asked them when they expect them in stock, the store manager didn't have any dates. I was told they didn't even have any pending orders for those phones, so could be upto two weeks later.

As you may have guessed from my post, we are quite interested in getting this phone for ourselves. I wonder how much this phone was selling for prior to the recall - anyone have a range? Based on the feature-list, looks like it may be closer in price to the Motorola V557 (between $50-100), rather than the Nokia 6102 ($Free-$30). Does that sound about right?

Appreciate any input,

Thanks,
-Topper

Just o

Posted by: lopezpm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpdude

I stopped by the Cingular kiosk here in Rochester, MN and asked about the Z520 - the manager said they just got them this morning. He hadn't even printed the pricetag for it yet, but showed me the phone in the box. As mentioned in the Cingular forums, it did have a Yellow dot sticker on the side to indicate it was the fixed version.

The same mall has a Radioshack as well. Until a week ago, they didn't even have the Z520 sample on display. Today, they had put the demo back on the display. But when I asked them when they expect them in stock, the store manager didn't have any dates. I was told they didn't even have any pending orders for those phones, so could be upto two weeks later.

As you may have guessed from my post, we are quite interested in getting this phone for ourselves. I wonder how much this phone was selling for prior to the recall - anyone have a range? Based on the feature-list, looks like it may be closer in price to the Motorola V557 (between $50-100), rather than the Nokia 6102 ($Free-$30). Does that sound about right?

Appreciate any input,

Thanks,
-Topper

Just o

Mine was $60 on Premier, and I got it Dec. 20th

Posted by: isosceles

The z520 is back on Premier as of yesterday (Jan 26). My price was $62.99 (purchased today), but I'm sure it varies according to your company's program.

Posted by: tdawgmd

After wasting an hour of my life on hold, an updated z520 is on the way. I called last night to get the replacement--they told me they were aware of the issues, but that they didn't have the updates in stock as yet. They offered me a v551 instead--UM; NO THANKS-- But they told me the shipment would be in today, but I would have to call back. So after 40 minutes of hold time today, and having to explain the whole issue with the z520's to the girl at exchange(which after the explanation she goes--"that's correct, this is a known issue with this phone"--like she was testing me)--the updated one is finally shipping.

Posted by: progamerz

coming this april were replacing this version with ptt version.

Posted by: .7

Thread merged that post cleaned up.

Those who's posts are now missing, please contuine your discussion via PM if you must but leave it off this thread.

thanks

Posted by: EdgeCrusher36

I called Warrenty Exchange last night around 7 PM EST, and talked to a guy that was really knowledgeable about the situation, and my new z520a is on the way to me, should arrive on the 31st.

Posted by: Slowpoke SS

Do all premier discounts include 2 upgrades per year?
Does each upgrade change the contract extension? I called before and was told that I'd have 2 upgrades per year but was never told if it'd extend contract or not.

Posted by: Tpdude

The local Cingular stores should now have the 'fixed' Z520a in stock. I had already seen this at the Cingular kiosk in the local Mall on Thursday last week. And we went to the Cingular store last night and although they didn't have the phones back on display yet (had the Z500 for some reason in the SE section), they checked their inventory and confirmed it was available. There was a yellow dot on both the box AND the inside of the phone (you'd have to remove the battery to see it). By contrast, the local retailers (Best Buy, Radioshack, etc) still haven't got them in stock.

Slowpoke_SS:
I had asked the same question to a customer rep from Cingular's Premier department(?). She confirmed that all Premier accounts/agreements included 2 upgrades per year per phone and the upgrades would NOT extend the 'original' contract. Perhaps someone else in these forums can confirm/correct this bit of information as well?

-Topper

Posted by: lopezpm

I just got my new exchanged phone. What's the new firmware number and how do I find it? I want to compare it to the old one.

Posted by: Timeless

For those who bought the Z520a by today, there is a $50 rebate that expires 1/31/06. Go to the cingular website and search for "rebates".

I was so tempted to buy it because of the rebate but had to refrain. Too many phones, too little time to use them all.

Posted by: trojan9x

I just noticed it on the regular website today. Glad to see it back

Posted by: luckywabbit

Does anyone know if they will do the mail exchange even if I had to send in the original UPC from the box of my existing phone? I had to send it in for rebate.

Also, the guy on the phone doesn't appear to know that this phone had problems, but he processed my exchange. So basically, no idea if I will get the new firmware version, hopefully I will.

Posted by: ILuvMyMac

all the phones being shipped now have the new firmware. to double check, the box should have a yellow sticker on the side.

Posted by: closet410

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowpoke SS

Do all premier discounts include 2 upgrades per year?
Does each upgrade change the contract extension? I called before and was told that I'd have 2 upgrades per year but was never told if it'd extend contract or not.

i think it depends on your type of FAN. i was told i can use the hardware discount (40% off) as much as i want BUT each time i did it i would extend my contract 2 yrs. which makes no sense to me.

Example: i could get the LG PTT now at 40% off but it would extend my contract 2 yrs. then i could call back in august and get another phone at 40% off but that would also extend my contract 2 yrs. then in december i could get another phone at 40% off but taht would also extend my contract 2 more yrs?

i went over that a million and one times with teh CSR and that is what she insisted could happen. i doubt it but it DOES depend on your type of FAN.

Posted by: closet410

Quote:

Originally Posted by progamerz

coming this april were replacing this version with ptt version.

can anyone confirm this or add some insight as to that is the timeframe they are pushing for?

Posted by: lopezpm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILuvMyMac

all the phones being shipped now have the new firmware. to double check, the box should have a yellow sticker on the side.

Mine had a yellow sticker on the box and a yellow sticker under the battery also.

Posted by: Derek Zoolander

mine has a yellow sticker under sim as well on the box. problem is my camera side button is strange, as if it has no spring or clicker. I heard this is a problem with the first 520s. Is this a feature or a error?

I am left handed, i seriously take a few accidental pics every long call. should I ask for another phone?

Posted by: sz0wxc

Quote:

Originally Posted by progamerz

coming this april were replacing this version with ptt version.

Is it actually a new version with the same name or will those that have it be able to update the firmware and have ptt access.
I was going to get this phone this week but if it is going to be comming out with PTT in 3 months I might as well wait.
Can we buy a unbranded version of this phone with PTT or is the Cingular version going to be the only one with PTT capabilities?

Posted by: drdavidge

is there a way you can tell if its the new version of the phone or not, without having the box? im thinking of buying a used one or one off of ebay and want to confirm that they are selling the new one instead of the older one. any ideas?

Posted by: tennessee31

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdavidge

is there a way you can tell if its the new version of the phone or not, without having the box? im thinking of buying a used one or one off of ebay and want to confirm that they are selling the new one instead of the older one. any ideas?

You can check the firmware version by going into the service info. menu. This can be accessed by using the joypad: press 1 then right, *, left, left, *, left, * (>*<<*<*). Then go to service info, software info. The top line in the software info will list your firmware version. The old one is R3CO42. You could ask the seller to do this for you if they don't already know the firmware version.

Posted by: luckywabbit

Has anyone received a new firmware phone through the mail in warranty, and returned their old phone? The instructions specifically state to *not* return any accessories. I have my old phone, and received a new replacement phone with a new set of accessories. Since the instructions told me not to send any accessories, do I just send the handset by itself with no battery, battery cover, instruction book, and charger?

Posted by: PointZero

I think by accessories they mean anything that might have been packaged with the phone, like a headset. You send in the phone with battery and battery cover - that's it.

Posted by: luckywabbit

Kay, just to be on the safe side, I sent it all back in, battery, cover, charger. Don't want any complaints from them!

Posted by: HHARVEY

i got a new 1 it has a yellow dot right by the SIM card slot

Posted by: Prost

For those of the lucky people that receive the updated Z520a, what is the latest filmware? I think the latest one is R3F015.

Anyone?

Posted by: ILuvMyMac

R3F017 on mine

Posted by: HHARVEY

i cant figure out how to check the firmware, can someone help me

Posted by: bodeh6

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHARVEY

i cant figure out how to check the firmware, can someone help me

Type in

>*<<*<*

<> is the directional pad movements
* is the * key.

Posted by: asdrew

That doesn't work on mine, which arrived today with the yellow dots (are they changeable like the covers?). When I press the right directional key, it goes to the AIM menu, then the * does nothing. Is there a place in the settings menu to get it?

Posted by: majortom1981

I have the z500a and the aim menu comes up. just do that combo and dont worry about the aim screen coming up it still should work

Posted by: ILuvMyMac

you have to press 1 first then the *'s and directional keys

Posted by: asdrew

It finally worked for me, the software is R3F017 on mine. The trick was to wait for the screen to go blank.

Posted by: hominid7

I purchased a new Z520a in December with the old firmware on it. I called this past wednesday and talked to cust service and they agreed to replace my phone with a new Z520a with the new firmware. I received my replacement unit today and it has R3F017 on it and seems to work great.

Posted by: tennessee31

For those of you who still have phones with the old software version, it's now possible to update your software online - you just need a USB cable (I suppose Bluetooth would work too). I did it tonight by running the Sony Ericsson update service: once you download the service program, you just remove your SIM card, put the battery back in, press the 'C' key, plug in the USB cable, and the update begins! It's worth a try if you still have the older version but don't want to go through the hassle of exchanging your phone.

Posted by: zztzed

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennessee31

For those of you who still have phones with the old software version, it's now possible to update your software online - you just need a USB cable (I suppose Bluetooth would work too). I did it tonight by running the Sony Ericsson update service: once you download the service program, you just remove your SIM card, put the battery back in, press the 'C' key, plug in the USB cable, and the update begins! It's worth a try if you still have the older version but don't want to go through the hassle of exchanging your phone.

Hmm, that's interesting. I was reading the official Cingular forums a couple of days ago and some people had mentioned using SEUS and still getting R3C045. Did you actually get R3F017 via SEUS? If it actually works I may just order a USB cable and update my phone myself. I've wanted to get a phone with updated firmware, but I haven't really felt like dealing with XBM.

Posted by: tennessee31

Quote:

Originally Posted by zztzed

Yes, I was able to update to R3F017 via SEUS. This must be a recent addition by SE, because this didn't work a few days ago. Works now - give it a try.

Posted by: kuj

Awesome! Just updated it to R3F017! Yeah, it wasn't working a few days ago for me also but now it works!

Posted by: bobolito

I wasn't aware you could update it online so I ended up going through XBM. So I now have a new z520a and I am waiting for the unlock code.

Anyway, how is the new firmware R3F017 working for the people around here? Any differences? Menu speed? reception? sound quality?

Posted by: tennessee31

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobolito

Anyway, how is the new firmware R3F017 working for the people around here? Any differences? Menu speed? reception? sound quality?

The update seems to have fixed the memory leak problem. I haven't noticed any missed calls since I updated. I've still had the phone freeze up once or twice: I was able to reset it once simply by powering off and on, the other time I had to take the battery out. Menu speed is about the same, once in a while just a BIT slower. The update has helped, but I still check the phone every so often to make sure it hasn't locked up.