Sprint Touch on Cricket with working Poxy Bypass, MMS, Java, EVDO Rev. A and GPS
LG vx10k Voyager with DUAL NAMs on Cricket and Verizon pre-pay with WAP, MMS, and EVDO
Samsung Alias u740 with DUAL NAMs on Cricket and Verizon pre-pay with WAP, MMS, and EVDO
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PWNED by the Cricket Mafia!
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Free Beginner's Guide to Modifying, Repairing, and "Flashing" Phones!
A great deal of questions are asked about modifying, repairing, or even "flashing" phones. While perfectly legitimate for topic of conversation, these concepts, however, may be too advanced for beginners.
Therefore, I have taken the liberty of compiling and sharing a general FAQ and How To for those members who are new and are interested in modifying, repairing, or flashing their phones.
I will continue to make additions and changes to this post as necessary. And if you feel like you have anything useful to add to this guide, please feel free and don't hesitate to share!
Enjoy!
CDMA and GSM--The General Difference:
CDMA and GSM are two different cell phone technologies that are the de facto standards chosen by wireless telephone carriers. The technical differences are too complex to discuss here; however, the basic difference is that GSM phones use Subscriber Information Modules called SIM cards, and CDMA phones use Preferred Roaming Lists called PRL files (see Glossary below). The easy way to tell the difference is that if your phone does NOT take a SIM card, then it is probably CDMA.
GSM carriers include:
--AT&T (formerly Cingular)
--T-Mobile
CDMA carriers include:
--Verizon Wireless
--Sprint
--Alltel
--Virgin Mobile
Some CDMA phones have a slot that looks similar to a SIM card slot. They are either hybrid phones that use BOTH technologies, OR the slot is what is known as an R-UIM card slot. An R-UIM card is a Removable User Identity Module also goes by the name CSIM or CDMA Subscriber Identity Module.
Visit Wikipedia.org for more information on these technologies.
Glossary (in no specific order):
ESN--Short for Electronic Serial Number. A serial number unique to each phone that identifies it to a specific carrier. Some carriers will not activate the ESN of phones that are from another carrier. Cricket typically does not restrict activating the phones of other carriers so long as it has not been reported lost or stolen. A lost or stolen phone is "blacklisted" or flagged in the company's database, and service representatives logged-in to a network computer system can identify these phones. The ESN consists of eight hexadecimal (hex) numbers and/or ten decimal numbers.
MEID--Short for Mobile Equipment Identifier--Similar to an ESN number, except with 14 hexadecimal numbers. Newer phones use MEID numbers. MEID numbers can be converted to ESN--the resulting numbers are called a "Pseudo ESN" or p-ESN.
OTASP--Short for Over The Air Service Programming. On most CDMA phones, programming the phone can be done "over the air" by dialing a special code, usually *228 or some variation. Sometimes abbreviated as OTA.
PRL or PRL File--Short for Preferred Roaming List--A small text file containing instructions for how a phone connects to a specific network's radio towers.
WAP--Short for Wireless Application Protocol--Technically speaking, WAP is a mobile framework for data exchange. However, this term is used colloquially to mean wireless Internet access or "mobile web".
MMS--Short for Multimedia Messaging Service--Also called Picture Mail--MMS allows subscribers to send pictures, sounds, and videos to one another with the same ease as text messaging. This is not to be confused with "Picture E-Mail" or "Rich E-Mail", which is the ability to send and receive e-mail using POP or IMAP protocols that can have embedded multimedia.
Brew--Allows you to download games and other applications to your phone. Different carriers have different names for Brew, and all Brew content is proprietary and locked to a single handset.
Java--Like Brew, but non-proprietary.
Mod or Modding--Short for "modifying"--To take the default "factory" settings and features and change, adapt, modify, add to, etc., hence modify. This also includes customizing the phone and its features, such as changing ("skinning") the phone's default theme (colors, fonts, etc.) or "tweaking" the User Interface (UI, i.e., menus, icons, graphics, etc.).
Hack--To make a phone do something it wasn't originally intended to do, especially if it violates rules, company policy, and even THE LAW!
Flash or Flashing--Technically, flashing refers to the overwriting or re-writing of the phone's firmware. The firmware is software in the phone that doesn't change when you turn it off, and it cannot be deleted unless it is overwritten, hence flashed. Colloquially speaking, flashing can also loosely mean making a phone from one carrier work on another carrier.
PST--Short for Phone Service Tool or Tools--Special software used by phone manufacturers to program their phones. Be advised that such software is considered "warez" (i.e., pirated/stolen licensed software) and the acquiring and trading of such software is technically illegal in most countries. You can and will be prosecuted if caught trading warez, and it is against the rules of this website and should not be discussed in the public forums.
"Monster File"/"Monster Pack", ROM, or "Kitchen"--System software that is needed to flash a phone.
MSL/SPC--Special six-digit codes needed to access service programming features on the phone. MSL stands for Master Subsidy Lock while SPC stands for Subsidy Programming Code. Some carriers like Sprint has a unique SPC for every ESN while others like Verizon use all zeros. You may be able to ask a customer service representative to give you this number, but be advised that they may refuse you or ask you why you need it.
Service Programming Menu--A special menu typically hidden from the primary User Interface that allows for "deep programming" of a phone. Typically, a special code is needed to access the service programming menu. Access to the service programming menu can be disabled in a phone's firmware.
MDN/MIN Pair--MDN stands for Mobile Device Number, while MIN stands for Mobile Identity Number. The MDN number is your standard 10-digit phone number including the area code. The MIN number starts with your area code, but it is important to remember that it can be otherwise totally different from your MDN number. In order for some phones to OTASP, they need a valid PRL and must be set-up with a valid MDN/MIN pair. You can ask a customer service representative and get your MIN number.
SID/NID Pair--Two important sets of numbers that determine what home and roaming towers your phone is allowed to connect to.
Useful Tools:
The following tools are FREE and 100% legal to use:
BitPim
Required Skill Level: Moderate to Expert
Description: Use BitPim to interface with your CDMA handset to send and receive files such as ringtones, pictures, graphics, etc. In some cases, BitPim can also read contacts/address books, calendars/appointments/schedules, text messages, and other personal data.
URL: Welcome to BitPim
Audacity
Required Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Description: Use Audacity convert and trim MP3's and other audio files to ringtones.
URL: Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder
Nokia Multimedia Converter 2.0
Required Skill Level: Beginner to Moderate
Description: A simple tool that converts any audio or videos that your computer can play to audio and videos that will play on ANY handset that supports multimedia playback. Be advised: You must first sign-up to become a member of the Nokia Forums to gain access to download the program. They will email you a serial number to unlock the program during installation.
URL: Nokia Multimedia Converter 2.0
Q: What Mobile Technology Does Cricket Use? A: Cricket and Jump are CDMA carriers. Some phones like the Nokia 6265i feature an R-UIM slot that looks like a GSM slot.
Q: Can I flash my phone to Cricket? A: If your phone uses CDMA, chances are you can. Cricket accepts the ESN's of handsets from other carriers. There are a few exceptions, however, such as if the phone is reported lost, stolen, or otherwise blacklisted. Give the phone's ESN or MEID to a customer service representative and ask if it can be activated first. MEID numbers may need to be converted first to p-ESN (see Glossary above).
Q: How can I get ringtones on my phone? A: Find the ringtone you like or use a tool like Audacity to create your own. If you are on a windows computer, find the folder settings and set change those settings to allow you to see the file extension of known file types. Change the file extension of the ringtone to .MID. Then e-mail the file to your10digitPhoneNumber@mms.mycricket.com
*NOTE: If you get the message on your phone but the file is not there, try a different e-mail account.
Q: How can I get free games on my phone? A: Unless your phone supports Java, be advised that acquiring Brew games and applications without paying for them is ILLEGAL, and the process for doing so involves understanding how to manipulate the phone's file system. Find a solution at your own risk. Furthermore, Brew games and applications are encrypted and cannot be shared between handsets without illegal modifications to the files or phone.
Q: How do I get files from my computer to my phone and from my phone to my computer? A: Start by following the instruction guide that came with your phone. You can also visit the the support section of your carrier and also the manufacturer's website. If neither of those methods help then you may consider consulting an expert.
Q: How do I get my MSL/SPC code? A: Cricket uses a code called a Secondary Subsidy Lock code which unique for every ESN. Contact a customer service representative and ask them what your Secondary Sublock Code is. If they ask why you need it, tell them that the phone is locked and you are stuck at a menu asking for the Secondary Sublock code.
Q: My phone isn't working correctly--what can I do? A: Start by contacting customer service and have them reset and refresh all the services on your account. If this doesn't help, then visit the support section of Cricket's website.
Sprint Touch on Cricket with working Poxy Bypass, MMS, Java, EVDO Rev. A and GPS
LG vx10k Voyager with DUAL NAMs on Cricket and Verizon pre-pay with WAP, MMS, and EVDO
Samsung Alias u740 with DUAL NAMs on Cricket and Verizon pre-pay with WAP, MMS, and EVDO
Carrier
PWNED by the Cricket Mafia!
Feedback Score
0
Basic Flashing Guide
The following are the basic steps to "flashing" a phone to Cricket. Following these steps successfully only provisions voice and text on Cricket's network. Depending on your phone, it may require extra steps to unlock or get WAP and MMS working.
Before you go forward, be sure to review my original post, and be clear on all the terms listed in the Glossary section.
Things You Will Need Before You Start:
--An ACTIVE Cricket account
--A CDMA phone that has an ESN that Cricket will activate
--A means of connecting the device to your computer
--*The appropriate Phone Service Tools for your phone
--A Cricket PRL file
If you don't have any of these things, stop now. You are not prepared. Stop now and take the time to do some research. Read my original post and learn the terms I listed in the Glossary section. *DO NOT Private Message asking me or any other members where to acquire a PST for your phone. PST software is considered warez, and trading licensed software without purchasing them is ILLEGAL. If I get PM's asking me where to get warez, I will report you to the moderators. I encourage anyone else who is similarly solicited to do the same.
As the saying goes, "Google is your friend"!
Be advised that nether the manufacturer of the phone nor your service provider intended for end users to modify the system software of their phones: If you decide to take these steps, you are violating the terms of agreement with your provider and voiding any warranties therein.
Moreover, every time you write service programming information to your phone, you risk PERMANENTLY damaging it to the point where it will no longer function whatsoever. This is called "bricking" your phone. Be prepared to accept the fact that you may need to purchase an entirely new phone to replace the one you bricked. You must be willing to accept this cold fact, because if you're not, you may as well stop right now.
Lastly, neither I nor the operators or members of this forum are responsible if you permanently damage your phone following this guide. You have been sufficiently wardened of the consequences, and continuing with the instructions herein must be done at your own risk. You are solely responsible for the results, good or bad.
Speaking from experience, everyone here who has flashed a phone before will remind you of "acceptable loss". Again, if you can't deal with these consequences, then stop now for your own good.
Steps to "Flashing" Your Phone:
Step 1.) Unlock the Phone (if necessary): You need to acquire the SPC code for your phone. If you don't know what an SPC code is, stop now and refer to the Glossary section of my original post. There are various methods of acquiring the SPC for different models of phones from different carriers. If you can't find the phone's SPC after searching this forum or Google, then STOP RIGHT NOW. I'm sorry, but you are simply NOT qualified to flash phones. Do not take this personally. Not everyone is cut-out for this sort of thing. You can take your phone to a professional or even ask one of the senior members here if they can help you. Don't be surprised, however, if you are asked to compensate them for their time: After all, they ARE providing you with their professional services.
Step 2.) Load the Cricket PRL file to your phone: Connect your phone to your computer and use the PST to load the Cricket PRL to your phone. You will need the appropriate drivers for your phone. You can search this forum or Google for a Cricket PRL file. Do some research to learn which PRL file will work for you. Again, if you have difficulty with this step, this is where you STOP.
Step 3.) Enter the phone's service programming menu and enter valid MDN/MIN pair: Each manufacturer has a different special code to enter the phone's service programming menus. Moreover, these codes can change depending on what carrier the phone is for. Again, you must search for the code that applies to your particular phone.
Step 4.) Attempt to OTASP: Use the code that initiates the OTASP process. Be advised that all pones don't use the same OTASP code.
If all goes well, your phone will activate via OTASP. If it fails, this doesn't mean you can't use the phone to place calls or send text! It just means that you may not be able to get all of the features (such as roaming) to work. Consult the "Official OTASP Troubleshoot" thread located here in this forum using the search tool.
If you search the forums here or Google, you will more than likely find a solution that applies to your phone.
I will remind you that I will NOT answer Private Messages for help in the steps above! These are the same steps that I follow every time I flash a phone to Cricket. I have to search for answers for every handset I attempt to flash, and I always accept the responsibility that I might permanently damage the handset I am attempting to flash.
With that said, caveat emptor, and good hunting. You have been lead to the water....now drink at your own risk!
If you would like your "official" phone flash guide posted here, please let a mod know so we can review it and add to the guide.
1. All CDMA phones are easily reprogrammed by simply programming a .prl file. There is one linked in the FAQ. If you have the software to edit your phone, then just program the PRL and your phone should work on Cricket.
2. Some of these guides may require manufacturer software to edit. We WILL NOT provide it, nor do we provide links. Doing so will result in a permanent ban.
3. These GUIDES are just that GUIDES, the authors and howardforums take no responsibility if you brick or damage you're phone.. YOU ARE SOLELY LIABLE for you're own actions.
These Guides are divided by manufactures I.E LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sanyo ETC.
Scroll to you're section and locate you're phone model.
--- Nat3 ---
amo,
How can I flash this brunette ***** to a sexy blonde with long legs?
---amoamare---
Pull her shirt over her head. Thats step 1,
this initlizes the flash!
After this you simply have to use blonde_dye_1.dll this gets rid of the bugs and the ***** control thats built inside.
After that step you simply get a bumper case around the feet.
to extend the look of the legs
thats how apple does it
and thats how we do it !
Cricket FAQ/Guides For First Time Users
Free Beginner's Guide to Modifying, Repairing, and "Flashing" Phones!
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