Locating the ESN should be easy, right? Here's the popular wisdom:

#1. Look to see it printed on a white sticker, under the battery.
#2. Look on the outside of the cardboard box it came in... if you have it.
#3. Find it buried in the Windows software, like Menu -> Phone Settings, or Start Menu -> Settings...

Method #3 is reportedly the most accurate, but I've found is pretty much impossible. You can keep pushing buttons in the software until the cows come home-- the information is simply not within obvious view. Based on lengthy Internet searches, I'm obviously not alone in my frustration.

During an interaction with a programming representative from PagePlus Cellular, I learned how to locate the ESN electronically:

NOTE: this works on a Verizon branded Samsung SCH-i760 running Windows Mobile 6.

to go into Service Mode:
dial **772
service code 000000
stylus press OK
on the screen is the ESN, both decimal and hex version
stylus press Exit
phone app turns off, on again.


Disclaimer: I have no idea if this will work with Windows Mobile 6.1, nor what else you can accomplish in Service Mode. Now that PagePlus finally got this device activated, I'm going to leave well enough alone. Use at own risk, but this is what worked for me, and the procedure is repeatable.

Cheers!