Equinox Debranding Thread

[antprdgm]

You may not have to re-flash. If I understand what happened correctly, I think all you need to do is follow the steps I listed out in post 42. Copy in those files and the menu.ml and turn the phone back on. You shouldn't even have to do a phone reset.

As I recall, you can't delete some of the existing files from those folders in a2uploader. But if you just drag and drop the menu.ml and the swf files , the files with the same name will be replaced with the correct files.

T-Mobile modified the swf files (which are the flash menu) to that spinning circles. The swf files I link to were taken out of the T707 firmware and are the standard SE files. That's why you can get the grid layout back.

ahhh all i did was put in the menu.ml, without putting the .swf files in there. I didn't think the omission of those would make a difference, but it seems to

[jet1000]

ahhh all i did was put in the menu.ml, without putting the .swf files in there. I didn't think the omission of those would make a difference, but it seems to

Yes, both are needed to work properly.

[antprdgm]

Yes, both are needed to work properly.

I shall give it a try later... the driver is now freezing my laptop up again (this is after re-installing a new version of SEUS), so I have to wait till my brother is done with his laptop to do it.

[antprdgm]

I'm curious to know why Google Maps won't install... Would that be something that would require removal of the security certs?

[antprdgm]

OH! I have it back to normal, menu-wise. I found out that you after putting the swf files and thm files in, you have to re-do the menu.ml file else the grid will be screwy

[jet1000]

I'm curious to know why Google Maps won't install... Would that be something that would require removal of the security certs?

The latest version of Google Maps comes standard with the Equniox. If you have the custom menus, you'll find it under Entertainment then Location services.

[antprdgm]

The latest version of Google Maps comes standard with the Equniox. If you have the custom menus, you'll find it under Entertainment then Location services.

Well now, don't I feel smart

I added some A2 acoustic files from se-lifestyle... i don't know if they made a big difference

[ratchetrizzo]

Does anyone know the wireless-villiage settings for this?
I want to see if the .xml entries for it will work on my c905, I have the aim, yahoo, and msn entries back but I can't log in because one of the strings is wrong. These entries are different than on my tm506 so those wont work.
I was hoping since the equinox was newer that it would have similar <wireless-villiage> settings for customize.xml

edit:
NM, found the original 707 customize.xml and used the client-id string out of it and i'm all working. Now if my MMS came though full size i'd be happy.

Well I have a full customize.xml file for a c905 that works if anyone needs it lol.
IM, mms, network settings, conversation view..

[sangraal]

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for all of the work put into this thread. It's clearly been invaluable to several people and I, myself, have learned a trick or two in browsing the forums...

But I've ran into a bit of an issue that I cannot figure out. I had been using TM506 for the last six months with zero issues in connecting my PC to the internet through the USB cable. Recently, however, we had an account change. We dropped the T-Mobile [MyFaves in favor of more minutes because we seldom used the phone that much and when we did, it seemed we were more likely to call someone not on the favorites. Nevertheless, we changed and I was sent a hit to my phone which disabled the option. In doing so, it seems to have disabled my internet access THROUGH the PC, but it's still fine through the phone itself... I know it happened at this exact moment because I was online and received a text letting me know that MyFaves had been removed and, at that moment, I was promptly disconnected and have not been able to return.

So I did some Master Resets. I reloaded firmware through SEUS. I debranded as per the instructions on the relevant TM506 thread. Several times. And while I got a lovely "new phone" out of the ordeal, which ran better than before using the custom pack (including flawless GPS operation, iTracks, Google Maps, and Radio), I still could not connect online.

So I figured that some hit must have messed with the phone settings that could not otherwise be repaired through fw alterations... which really didn't make much sense to me. Thus, today, I exchanged it for the newer, nicer Equinox/TM717 in HOPES that it would reconnect. It doesn't work. I used the last configure.xml and loaded it through A2 Uploader, reset it and nothing. I am wondering if something was put into the SIMS card- or is it possible that I've had the equivalent of an IP ban through the network? It's a dynamic IP, and while I do not have the option to ipconfig/renew as with a Windows OS, one might assume that within 48 hours the IP would change.

What makes me wonder more if its one of the above is that we have another phone on our account that is also an Equinox. However, it connects just fine like the TM506 prior to the account alteration. I'm using it right now. But I want mine to have that capability...

So I am wondering again if its a SIMS issue or, even worse, a block on my account? I've been browsing the boards and googling the issue, but I have came up with no leads...


Suggestions? Or does one think its a serverside issue whereby I have little to no hope in getting it repaired?

Thanks a ton.

[jet1000]

In doing so, it seems to have disabled my internet access THROUGH the PC, but it's still fine through the phone itself...

When you say you're using the other equinox to tether, are you using it on the other phone number (i.e., not your own number.)

If so, try putting your SIM into the equinox that you know will tether, does it work?

What data plan did you have on your phone before the rate plan change? What data plan do you have now? Verify it on t-mobile.com. Did it change? What data plan does the equinox that does tether have? Is it different from yours.

What procedure do you tether with? There are several:

USB with dial up networking
USB with ethernet emulation
Bluetooth with dial up networking
Bluetooth with personal area network.

Have you tried the other procedures with the equniox that is not working?

What APN are you trying to connect with? Is that different from the APN that the equinox that you are using to tether is connecting by?

If you provide some more information to the questions above, someone may be able to see where the issue is. Try to be as specific as possible in your response, like what error message you're getting on the pc, and at what point in the tethering procedure is it not working.

You may have to open up the connections window to view the status of the connection as it is trying to connect.

[sangraal]

Hello Jet!

Thank you for the response. I was uncertain as to how specific to be. In truth, I hoped it to be a simple answer. Here's the answers to your questions:

When you say you're using the other equinox to tether, are you using it on the other phone number (i.e., not your own number.)

Yes, entirely different Equinox. Entirely different phone number.

If so, try putting your SIM into the equinox that you know will tether, does it work?

I sure did, just to cover all bases. Same issue. It worked on the phone that was mine (but was not my sim), but did not work on her phone that had my sim.

What data plan did you have on your phone before the rate plan change? What data plan do you have now? Verify it on t-mobile.com. Did it change? What data plan does the equinox that does tether have? Is it different from yours.

Unlimited web, before and after. Verified in my account. No change whatsoever. Both phones are on the same account with the same service.

What procedure do you tether with? There are several:

Have you tried the other procedures with the equniox that is not working?

USB with dial up networking, via SE PC Suite and through standard dial up app on XP SP3. I never had the need to go through the standard op, as it always worked directly through the PC Suite, but I did give it a shot... and holy crap.. it just worked. Standard Dial Up program using *99***2# instead of *99***4#. I knew I tried it with the TM506 and had no luck, even with other numbers. I just didn't think it would work with the Equinox, until just now...

Here I was about to post a paragraph long message... And I gave this one more shot! Thank YOU for going through all of the steps!!

Thanks!

(PS) It still makes me wonder WHAT happened to my phone and why it stopped operating under normal conditions?

[jet1000]

USB with dial up networking, via SE PC Suite and through standard dial up app on XP SP3. I never had the need to go through the standard op, as it always worked directly through the PC Suite, but I did give it a shot... and holy crap.. it just worked. Standard Dial Up program using *99***2# instead of *99***4#.

(PS) It still makes me wonder WHAT happened to my phone and why it stopped operating under normal conditions?

The last digit in the dialing number determines which APN on the phone is used. The list of APN's are in Settings\Connectivity\Internet Settings\Connect Using and you'll see a list of Data Accounts. *99***2# means to use whatever data account is in the second position on the list. *99***4# uses the one in the fourth position and so on.

If you used the customize.xml file that Scottish put together, I think he usually uses position 4 as the internet3.voicestream.com APN. That probably doesn't work with your data plan. So that's why you were able to connect with the APN in position 2 on the list. Position 1 is usually epc.tmobile.com and generally works on all plans.

The reason your phone apps still worked even though you couldn't tether, is that they use whichever APN is selected in the Connect Using option (in the menu noted above). Again the phone usually defaults to position #1 epc.tmobile.com.

As a side note, there is an easier way to connect instead of using dial up networking. I think you do need to add the standard Sony Ericsson menus per the instructions in post #42 of the Equinox debranding thread. It allows you to access the USB Network options in the USB menu under the Connectivity tab. If you have access to those options, follow the instructions in this post below to set it up so that you can just plug in the USB cable into your phone and the computer will do an automatic data connection---no need to do dial up networking.

http://www.howardforums.com/showpost...6&postcount=10

[cnwk64]

By debranding the phone with T707's Asia firmware will it unlock the phone as well?

I just purchased the phone, and T mobile require me to wait for 15 days before I can get the phone unlock. But I will travel to China/Hong Kong next week, I want to use the local sim card instead pay an arm and a leg for roaming charge.

I need to use a2uploader to load both mbn and fbn file of the Asia firmware, and the Asia's customized file as well. anything else I am missing?

[jet1000]

Debranding a phone does not unlock the phone. You can put the T707 firmware on this phone, but the phone will remained locked.

If you need to unlock before T-Mobile gives you the unlock code, you can TRY to go to one of the providers of this service and for a fee they might be able to help you. I say might, because they don't specifically list the TM-717 as one of the models they unlock (because the model is so new). Both of these sites list the T707, but you'd have to check with them directly to see if they could do the Equinox:

https://davinciteam.com/phones.html?phones=SE

http://www.topsony.com/forum/cmps_in...imate_unlocker

As for the firmware, yes those are the files you would copy over with a2uploader if you wanted to install T707 firmware. Keep in mind doing so, will disable access to the phone's built in GPS as the T707 didn't have built in GPS. That's per an actual report from somebody who tried it at the beginning of this thread. That was the only thing he said that didn't work the same with T707 firmware.

[cheaplikeafox]

so i tried to tether with the sony equinox by copying over the customize file. I'm using an older version of a2uploader because the newest one did not work for me. it said the file was not a valid archive file.

Also, I've downloaded pc suite to get the usb drivers for the equinox, but when i plug it into my laptop, it does not automatically try to connect like my tm506 does. Is there something I'm doing wrong? see the local area connection for the equinox but it says network cable is unplugged. The only way to connect is to open up PC suite and connect from there. Is there a way to automatically connect without opening up PC suite?

Thanks.