HOWTO: Flash TMO-TM506 to CB-TM506

[visualist]

Thanks so much! It was driving me crazy to not be able to see the time with it closed.

[Scottish Skyedance]

Thanks to all who have put so much work into this. You've done such a great job!

I'm having a little problem with my phone after the flashing procedure. Normally, with the phone closed, the side buttons (used for volume or phone status) will cause the outside display to turn on so you can read the clock. It now does not work. Did I forget to do something? Is there a custom_upgrade.xml that I can add to get this to work again?
Thanks!

perhaps the <ringtone-volume> part should be an answer

		<ui>
			<reg-op op="purge" reg-path="/apps/ui/shortcut-list">
			</reg-op>
			<settings reg-path="/apps/ui">
				<ui-settings>
					<copy-sim-show>0</copy-sim-show>
				</ui-settings>
				<standby>
					<ringtone-volume>true</ringtone-volume>
					<startup-screen-mode>2</startup-screen-mode>
					<startup-screen-path-operator>/tpa/user/picture/Startup.gif</startup-screen-path-operator>
					<shutdown-screen-path-operator>/tpa/user/picture/Shutdown.gif</shutdown-screen-path-operator>
					<startup-sound-path-operator>/tpa/user/music/Start up.mp3</startup-sound-path-operator>
					<show-flight-mode-at-startup>0</show-flight-mode-at-startup>
				</standby>
				<activity-menu>
					<focus-tab>shortcut-tab</focus-tab>
					<prio-focus-tab>shortcut-tab</prio-focus-tab>
					<visible-in-menu>1</visible-in-menu>
					<event-action>0</event-action>
				</activity-menu>
				<screensaver>
					<screensaver-enabled>0</screensaver-enabled>
					<sleepmode-clock>0</sleepmode-clock>
					<automatic-keylock>1</automatic-keylock>
				</screensaver>
				<shortcut>
					<key id="nav-up">
						<name>Calls</name>
						<state>activated</state>
						<action-type>short-press</action-type>
						<type>standard-item</type>
					</key>
					<key id="nav-down">
						<name>Phonebook</name>
						<state>activated</state>
						<action-type>short-press</action-type>
						<type>standard-item</type>
					</key>
				</shortcut>
				<shortcut-list>
					<item id="0">
						<name>Camera</name>
						<type>standard-lockedposition-item</type>
						<vendor-name>no-name</vendor-name>
						<entry-point>no-name</entry-point>
					</item>
					<item id="1">
						<name>BlueTooth_Settings</name>
						<type>standard-lockedposition-item</type>
						<vendor-name>no-name</vendor-name>
						<entry-point>no-name</entry-point>
					</item>
					<item id="2">
						<name>MenuItem_SetTemporaryAlarm</name>
						<type>standard-item</type>
						<vendor-name>no-name</vendor-name>
						<entry-point>no-name</entry-point>
					</item>
					<item id="3">
						<name>MainMenu</name>
						<type>main-menu-item</type>
						<vendor-name>no-name</vendor-name>
						<entry-point>no-name</entry-point>
					</item>
				</shortcut-list>
				<language>
					<t9-predictive-input-active>1</t9-predictive-input-active>
				</language>
			</settings>
		</ui>

[waldog]

Is there any way to make the soft keys customizable? My C905 will let me change them. I don't like the contacts on the right soft key.

[jet1000]

Is there any way to make the soft keys customizable? My C905 will let me change them. I don't like the contacts on the right soft key.

See my partial answer here:

http://www.howardforums.com/showpost...4&postcount=49

It's a partial answer because while I know how to edit the file, I don't know how to find the name of the function to use for Action type.

I don't know of any menu setting in the phone that allows you to directly change it in the same manner that you change the function of the D-pad.

[carlsbad0331]

I see this thread has not been active for awhile, but I hope someone can chime in and give me a hand.
I just purchased the TM506 and want to remove the branding so that I can install the native Gmail application.
I have modded many phones in the past and I am quite sure I am following the instructions perfectly but I cannot get the phone to connect with the A2 uploader.
I had Sony PC Suite installed from a previous phone, and that works fine. I have the Update service installed, but not open, so Im quite sure I have the proper drivers to connect.
I Open the Updater, click the "File System Tool" button, hold down the #2 (C) and plug the cable in to the phone...... and wait and wait and wait. Nothing happens.
I have also tried altering the order in which the cable was plugged in and the #2 were pressed and that just starts the phone in storage mode.
I read in a previous post that someone thought this was caused by the PC Suite being installed, so I uninstalled that and it had no effect. I uninstalled all applications related to this, re-downloaded them and re-installed them with no effect.
Is there something different that I need to do, am I just a failure and should give up... I have modded all my Sony's, Nokias, 2 I Phones... and never had issues with something as simple as getting it to connect.
Thanks in Advance if you can help!
T

[libran28]

1) Before running A2Uploader, make sure Gordon's Gate is installed in same folder as SE...
2) Remove battery .. place it back and DONOT start the phone...

3) Start A2.. and so on

I see this thread has not been active for awhile, but I hope someone can chime in and give me a hand.
I just purchased the TM506 and want to remove the branding so that I can install the native Gmail application.
I have modded many phones in the past and I am quite sure I am following the instructions perfectly but I cannot get the phone to connect with the A2 uploader.
I had Sony PC Suite installed from a previous phone, and that works fine. I have the Update service installed, but not open, so Im quite sure I have the proper drivers to connect.
I Open the Updater, click the "File System Tool" button, hold down the #2 (C) and plug the cable in to the phone...... and wait and wait and wait. Nothing happens.
I have also tried altering the order in which the cable was plugged in and the #2 were pressed and that just starts the phone in storage mode.
I read in a previous post that someone thought this was caused by the PC Suite being installed, so I uninstalled that and it had no effect. I uninstalled all applications related to this, re-downloaded them and re-installed them with no effect.
Is there something different that I need to do, am I just a failure and should give up... I have modded all my Sony's, Nokias, 2 I Phones... and never had issues with something as simple as getting it to connect.
Thanks in Advance if you can help!
T

[maiki]

This tutorial assumes you are currently using T-Mobile branded firmware, revision R3CA or R3DA, but it should work with other firmwares as well.

You can flash to the Cincinnati Bell firmware for FREE using this method.

Among other things, the CB firmware turns on the following features not found in the T-Mobile version: FM Radio, Better AGPS, TrackID, and Tethering.

It can also still connect to AWS UMTS(3G).

This DOES NOT change the simlocks on your phone. If your phone is simlocked, it will still be locked after flashing.

Sorry if my questions are newbie-ish, but I am new to this phone, and may have missed something. In fact, I didn't get mine yet, but just ordered it Friday.

Why is there a Cincinnati Bell version? Is that really the name of a baby bell local landline phone company in Cincinnati? If so, why would they have their own ROM for a cell phone?

Are the four advantages you mention the only ones? (FM Radio, Better AGPS, TrackID, and Tethering.) If others, what are they? Are there disadvantages? If so, please explain.

Does one risk bricking the phone by doing this flashing? Does one void the warranty?

If one doesn't like this CinBell ROM, can one go back to the original one? If so, how?

I definitely want tethering capability. Is this ROM the only way to get it? Will it not tether out of the box from T-Mo?

FM Radio--perhaps I would use it occasionally, if I got decent reception with it. My guess is, reception not too good. Correct? Also, will it stream to Bluetooth stereo headphones?

What are AGPS and TrackID?

What is simlock? Does it come from the factory in locked state? If so, how does one unlock?

Thanks for the info.

[danska]

Sorry if my questions are newbie-ish, but I am new to this phone, and may have missed something. In fact, I didn't get mine yet, but just ordered it Friday.

Why is there a Cincinnati Bell version? Is that really the name of a baby bell local landline phone company in Cincinnati? If so, why would they have their own ROM for a cell phone?

Are the four advantages you mention the only ones? (FM Radio, Better AGPS, TrackID, and Tethering.) If others, what are they? Are there disadvantages? If so, please explain.

Does one risk bricking the phone by doing this flashing? Does one void the warranty?

If one doesn't like this CinBell ROM, can one go back to the original one? If so, how?

I definitely want tethering capability. Is this ROM the only way to get it? Will it not tether out of the box from T-Mo?

FM Radio--perhaps I would use it occasionally, if I got decent reception with it. My guess is, reception not too good. Correct? Also, will it stream to Bluetooth stereo headphones?

What are AGPS and TrackID?

What is simlock? Does it come from the factory in locked state? If so, how does one unlock?

Thanks for the info.

Cin Bell just happened to have the same model phone so instead of t-mobile software, they put their own in it. That's all. There is an unbranded software now too. That just means it is free of all branding. Just a plain ol tm506. No carrier stuff on it. That usually means it has the built in email client enabled, (with push email on gmail, and possibly on other imap/activesync accounts), Better agps. Thats just assisted gps. Supposed to be faster. You also gain google maps with gps. With the t-mobile software, you have to use the java google maps w/o gps. You do lose telenav though if you get the cin bell/unbranded software. It is turn by turn directions for 10 dollars per month. Google maps works fine for me. And it's free!

If you do it right, you will still have aol/yahoo/etc. still on it. You also lose t-mobile contact backup, but gain the ability to use such services as google contact sync or mobical.net.

Hope that helps some.

[Scottish Skyedance]

Wirelessly posted (HP 211 and SE Z780: SonyEricssonTM506/R3DA Browser/NetFront/3.4 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 JavaPlatform/JP-8.3.2)

This tutorial assumes you are currently using T-Mobile branded firmware, revision R3CA or R3DA, but it should work with other firmwares as well.

You can flash to the Cincinnati Bell firmware for FREE using this method.

Among other things, the CB firmware turns on the following features not found in the T-Mobile version: FM Radio, Better AGPS, TrackID, and Tethering.

It can also still connect to AWS UMTS(3G).

This DOES NOT change the simlocks on your phone. If your phone is simlocked, it will still be locked after flashing.

Sorry if my questions are newbie-ish, but I am new to this phone, and may have missed something. In fact, I didn't get mine yet, but just ordered it Friday.

Why is there a Cincinnati Bell version? Is that really the name of a baby bell local landline phone company in Cincinnati? If so, why would they have their own ROM for a cell phone?

Are the four advantages you mention the only ones? (FM Radio, Better AGPS, TrackID, and Tethering.) If others, what are they? Are there disadvantages? If so, please explain.

Does one risk bricking the phone by doing this flashing? Does one void the warranty?

If one doesn't like this CinBell ROM, can one go back to the original one? If so, how?

I definitely want tethering capability. Is this ROM the only way to get it? Will it not tether out of the box from T-Mo?

FM Radio--perhaps I would use it occasionally, if I got decent reception with it. My guess is, reception not too good. Correct? Also, will it stream to Bluetooth stereo headphones?

What are AGPS and TrackID?

What is simlock? Does it come from the factory in locked state? If so, how does one unlock?

Thanks for the info.

tethering will work with my customize file, no matter whatever branding or version
aGPS utilizes cell sites to speed up location seeking
the green one is completely de-branded, with internet, mms, wireless village settings, and I wouldn't go back
TrackID uses sound fingerprint technology to identify the music being played

[sendpaulmailat]

. . . .
Does one risk bricking the phone by doing this flashing? Does one void the warranty?

I'd assume you do void the warranty and there is always a risk of making a mistake. I just did the process today on a brand-new TM506 I got from T-Mobile. I also did some modifications on an older TM506 I've had for several months. Both are still working, but YMMV. You have to be somewhat comfortable with messing with the software innards of your phone because it is a bit scary.

If one doesn't like this CinBell ROM, can one go back to the original one? If so, how?

There are some threads in this forum that say that you can. I don't have any personal experience with that, though.

I definitely want tethering capability. Is this ROM the only way to get it? Will it not tether out of the box from T-Mo?

Not in the most recent version of the software T-Mobile has loaded on the phone. The first version would, however. There are threads about this topic, too, and one suggests a simple change that the OP says will enable tethering. Once again, no personal knowledge.

FM Radio--perhaps I would use it occasionally, if I got decent reception with it. My guess is, reception not too good. Correct? Also, will it stream to Bluetooth stereo headphones?

The one from T-Mobile will stream to Bluetooth headphones. I'm assuming the flashed/debranded ones will, too, but I haven't checked it out yet. I was surprised with the reception because I picked up a radio station that I have trouble getting on many desktop radios.

What is simlock? Does it come from the factory in locked state? If so, how does one unlock?

Flashing it will do nothing to remove the lock, but T-Mobile will give you the unlocking code if you've been with them long enough.

If you're thinking of this, I suggest you read every thread in this forum on the subject. You'll find most of the answers to your questions and get a much better feeling for what is involved.

Good luck.

[S.D.]

This guide is obsolete now that the unbranded firmware has been found...

Here is the latest guide:

http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.p...branding_Guide

[sendpaulmailat]

S.D.:

First, thanks for your great work. I did encounter one bit of trouble with the technique you suggest and ended up having to use a variation that Scottish Skyeandce recommends in his debranding guide. Specifically, the small Customize_upgrade.xml file that you suggest we load on our phones first never changed the <cda-number> to 1217-0527 on my phone. I had to take your entire Customize_upgrade.xml file from your custpack and uploaded that first. I discovered this problem when I couldn't get the small change in a Customize_upgrade file to enable the 3G icons to actually take on another TM506 without uploading basically a replacement for the entire Customize.xml file itself.

I commend again your work and that of Scottish. I just wanted to post this one glitch I had in case anyone else encountered the same trouble.

[S.D.]

It works as intended. I've done it many times...

Maybe your text editor is making an incompatible file.

[sendpaulmailat]

It works as intended. I've done it many times...

Maybe your text editor is making an incompatible file.

I wondered about that, too. I ended up using an xml editor so that it would only insert Line Feeds, or only Carriage Returns, but not both. I wasn't trying to say your instructions were wrong, but just that I couldn't get them to work for me exactly as written. I may never know why, but if you saw some of my other posts this past weekend, you'll know I had trouble getting A2Uploader to even run on my computer. I may have simply been hexed.

[maiki]

I just purchased the TM506 and want to remove the branding so that I can install the native Gmail application.

Doesn't the Java Gmail app work in the TM506 out of the box? If not, why? Is the phone's Java app (midlet manager) incapable of running it? Does the different ROM have a different midlet manager, which can handle Gmail.

How about Opera Mini?

How about Google Maps?