How to remove the flashing "Verizon Wireless" banner on Audiovox CDM-8900

[jbroses]

I've posted this thread in an effort to consolidate directions on how to do this in one place, without having 1,000 posts. Please let me know if you have any suggestions/corrections/etc.! I will update this post often so this will (hopefully) be the definitive one-stop guide on how to do this.

Here's how I did it:

- I used a Future Dial USB data cable for the LG VX6000, purchased at Radioshack (IMPORTANT: The cable I purchased DOES have the box in the middle of it, UNLIKE the picture on the website. It still works fine.)

- I downloaded the driver from Future Dial's website. I was using Windows 2000 Pro.
- I selected LG VX4400 when prompted, and THEN plugged in the USB cable (with phone attached).

- I then started (v. 0.7 test 7) BitPim and selected the LG VX4400 when installing it.
- I selected "View Filesystem" from the pulldown menu.
- I then clicked "+" to open the directory structure, and got an error message. I clicked "-", then "+" again, and repeated this several times until the directory structure popped up. It took about 4 times, but eventually worked.
- Backed up the entire tree by right clicking on the parent directory and selecting "backup". This took 10 minutes (I had a lot of mp3 ringtones on the phone) and this was saved as a zip file automatically.
- I then opened the /eri subectory (I forget which directory it was under, I'll update this later), right-clicked on ERI_binary.bin, and selected "overwrite". I overwrote the file with this file (from apollosmith, thanks!), which I renamed to ERI_binary.bin (not sure if this was necessary.

- Closed BitPim, disconnected and turned off the phone, then turned it back on. Worked perfectly. I went to menu -> 7 -> 2 -> 4 to change my "greeting message" (the text displayed on the top portion of the INSIDE of the phone), which also worked. This also takes care of the problem where the roam triangle is seen on the phone at all times. I have no roaming indicator at the moment, but have NOT tried the phone in an area where I actually AM roaming - though I am told this DOES work as it is supposed to.

Mentalbob's original thread is here .

Thanks to everyone for all your help (esp. mentalbob and apollosmith), and DEFINITELY let me know if you have any additions/corrections to make to this post! If you have experiences that worked/didn't work, let me know that as well!

[KPT]

I think it's important to note that you should make sure the cable you buy isn't a charging cable as well as a USB cable. It's mentioned in MentalBob's thread, but I just thought I'd toss it here too.

[alexosten]

Hi,

So, I can't use the cable from the Mobile Office Kit (MOK) ?

Why is that

Thanks

a

[dhl]

Originally posted by KPT
I think it's important to note that you should make sure the cable you buy isn't a charging cable as well as a USB cable. It's mentioned in MentalBob's thread, but I just thought I'd toss it here too.

I use the USB charging cable from RPI Wireless... works great. It is the cable they reference on the bitpim website bitpim.sf.net

[sevenwords]

i just followed what jbroses said to a T and it worked great.

Thanks alot!

[jedisyfodias]

I bought the cable from Radio Shack, installed BitPim, installed the USB drivers, and connected the phone. Within 10 minutes I had replaced the ERI file. Works great!

The only difference I had was that there were two ERI files on my phone, ERI_binary.bin and ERI_binary2.bin (seemed like identical files). I'm not sure why this was but I replaced both with the new file.

[dhl]

Originally posted by jedisyfodias
I bought the cable from Radio Shack, installed BitPim, installed the USB drivers, and connected the phone. Within 10 minutes I had replaced the ERI file. Works great!

The only difference I had was that there were two ERI files on my phone, ERI_binary.bin and ERI_binary2.bin (seemed like identical files). I'm not sure why this was but I replaced both with the new file.

Umm... you only needed to change ERI_binary.bin and not the ERI_binary2.bin . The ERI_Binary2.bin is a backup just in case you screw up the ERI_binary.bin.

[sevenwords]

let's hope you didn't screw up the file or else you're

[m0ses]

I did some reading on the straight cables and BitPim does NOT support them at all... they only support the FutureDial cable with the prolific-chip. o.O

I think I'm screwed then, because I bought a straight USB cable. I installed the FutureDial drivers, installed fine but when it came to plug in the phone I get a "New Hardware Found" dialog and the installed drviers are nowhere to be found.

[schwarz2]

Wow - you're awesome!! Mentalbob - please kindly make your way over here, put your feet up, and allow us to feed you grapes. And thanks jbroses for consolidating everything. Just got the VX6000 cable today. Had trouble at first, but installed the futuredial software and it worked like a charm. Used bitpim .7 and had to press the (+) twice (error first time). Then backed up tree, overwrote the file you mentioned with the one you attached and presto - no more ×××× "Verizon Wireless" crap. I'll let you know if the roaming and what not work, though I'm sure it will.

Appreciate everything!

[bluestuff]

I've been reading with interest -- tried finding the Radioshack cable the other day, but one of the stores near me didn't have it. Will try another so I don't have to order online...

Just to be sure I understand correctly, the process described here should remove the "Verizon Wireless" static banner on the color screen on the inside of the phone, as well as the flashing banner on the outer display, right? I thought I could deal with the flashing, but realize now that while the phone is ringing and I want to see who's calling, it takes forever for the banner to flash to who is calling me...

Thanks!

[jbroses]

That's exactly right. It gets rid of the outer displays flashing "Verizon Wireless" as well as the permanent "Verizon Wireless" on the inner color screen. In its place (only the INNER banner), you can put your own "greeting message" by going to:

Menu -> 7 -> 2 -> 4

You can then input a personal message, or simply turn it off.

[trevorrowe]

Sorry, I dont want to sound like an ignoramus, but this is just what I have been looking for.... expect my phone is a 8910. Will the same cable/binary still work for my phone, or where might I find out?

BTW, the verizon people have been useless, their tech doesn't have a clue what to do and doesn't seem to know who to contact.

Thanks for any help. I just dont want to trash my phone.

Trevor Rowe

[ilvla2]

Menu 7, 2, 4 goes to the time and date