dslreports logo
 story category
Verizon Un-Cripples RAZR V3c?
Update allows cable content transfer
For a long time, owners of Verizon Wireless branded phones have complained that the firmware was crippled, forcing them to use Verizon's network (and incur data charges) if they wanted to move data. According to this blogger a new update looms that will allow at least RAZR V3c users to transfer content via simple accessory cable.
view:
topics flat nest 

PhoenixDown
FIOS is Awesome
Premium Member
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY

PhoenixDown

Premium Member

Why not blue tooth

Isn't that the point of it?

ridebud
Challenge Accepted
join:2003-12-06
usa

1 edit

ridebud

Member

Re: Why not blue tooth

"AftThat’s not all. OBEX, the service used to transfer data over Bluetooth, has been added to the phone’s list of Bluetooth services. This means that anyone with a Bluetooth dongle has the ability to transfer and retrieve photos, etc. from their phone for free."

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

1 edit

en102

Member

Re: Why not blue tooth

I've had that with my AT&TWS Motorola V505 phone (yeah - they're out of business, that's how old the phone is!) from the factory.

roamer1
sticking it out at you
join:2001-03-24
Atlanta, GA

roamer1 to ridebud

Member

to ridebud
said by ridebud:

"AftThat’s not all. OBEX, the service used to transfer data over Bluetooth, has been added to the phone’s list of Bluetooth services. This means that anyone with a Bluetooth dongle has the ability to transfer and retrieve photos, etc. from their phone for free."
Only after being sued and having to refund lots of ETFs and take back used phones (V710) do they finally get it...

-SC

rtcy
FACTS only please
Premium Member
join:1999-10-16
Norwalk, CA

rtcy

Premium Member

Re: Why not blue tooth

I already did a search and updated my own firmware, so SCREW verizon. I bought the phone and the software only to find out that hte bluetooth and USB had been disabled.

anyone that wants to do it can do so from these links.
********************************************************
Originally Posted by technokid88

NOTE: This is "shortcut version of the instructions" has only been tested using Verizons Razr v3c firmware .03 with USB connectivity, Windows XP and the software listed below. Bluetooth file transfers (OBEX) are not supported with firmware .03 even with this seem.
for other information or the complete convoluted & scattered instructions go to »www.v710.org/mark/index.htm

Here's the more concise version:

1. Install Motorola Phone tools (works with 4.0.4b and earlier), reboot and make sure you can connect to your phone. (close the app when finished)

2. Install USBSER.SYS (if using win xp & CDMA phone) obtain from »www.bvrp.com/customers/m ··· rade/US/

3. Install PST 7.2.3 with patch - do a google search for this or beg someone besides me!...if you really can't find it pm me technokid88

4. Install (unzip) PST drivers if you are using USB cable - obtain from »www.v710.org/mark/Files/ ··· ack1.zip

5. Install (not really - just unzip to a folder on your pc) P2KSeem
Obtain from »www.v710.org/mark/Files/ ··· V710.zip

6. Run PST 7.2.3 phone programmer - Please Note -
The Windows Add New Hardware Wizard should run, automatically search for, find and install the new drivers which you installed in step #4. If not, point the wizard to the folder you unzipped the drivers in. The phone will now be listed as Motorola USB Modem in device manager.

(If your phone shows up in device manager as Motorola USB Modem, launch PST using the Phone Programmer icon off the start menu. Again, if this is your first time doing this, or you have connected the data cable to a different USB port, the Add New Hardware wizard will run. It will try to install.... Communications Class - Control Interface, Data Logging MCU Interface, Test Command Interface, and Accessories Interface. For all of these, choose "Install from a list or specific location..." then click next. On the following screen, to the right to the "include this location in the search" click browse... and direct it to where you downloaded/unzipped the V3C PST drivers to. If the add new hardware wizard does NOT run, check device manager for a Motorola USB Device group with Accessories Interface, Data Logging MCU, and Test Command Interface listed. If you have them, you can proceed. If you do not, unplug your phone, power it off/on, and reconnect. These devices must be installed for P2KSeem to connect to the phone! They will only be listed in device manager while PST is still running so DO NOT EXIT PST! )

PST really gives NO indication that it is connected to your phone. To test... Launch PST... When it comes to the main interface, click File -> New -> Phone Book File -> Ok. You will be presented with Untitled Phone Book File. Use the Phone pull down, and click READ. PST should start reading the contents of your phone's Contacts. If it finishes, PST is connected. NOTE: Be careful when doing this in PST, choosing an improper option (even for reading) can fry your phone!!

7. Leaving Pst 7.2.3 running on your pc, Open P2kSeem.exe from the download location.

8. P2KSeem should say "connected" in the lower left corner.

9 . Locate the LOAD area in the bottom right corner. Change the Seem to 2742 and Record to 1. Once they are filled in correctly, Click the LOAD FROM PHONE button.

10. You will see a bunch of "junk" (really its hex codes, etc) in the top part of the window. Under Selected Byte Details (lower left section) you will see OFFSET:0000 (that is where the cursor is at load time.)

11. You want to backup the original seem. click save to file, choose the location and name the file 2742_0001.bak and ok to save a backup copy

12. Go down to Line 000060 and go over to e3 (may be e2 on some phones) should say offset 006a - added by shandon

13. Click on the box for BIT 0 to put a check mark in it. That sets BIT0 = 1 (this turns on the USB File transfer for music/video/pictures in the motorola phone tools software) **do not experiment with any other bits**

14. Click Save to Phone

15. Click Restart Phone

16. Close P2kSeem & PST

17. Unplug the usb cable from your phone, and then plug it back in (this resets the connection with the pc after programming)

17. Open Motorola Phone tools

18. Press or go to menu/setup/general setup

19. click on communication tab and choose change modem

20. click Next 2 times

21. click the box beside "do not automatically detect..." & click next

22. click on Motorola CDMA & choose V3CM & Click next

23. click finish & Ok

Now your MPT software should connect with your phone and show you the multimedia studio & calendar options.

If not, reboot your pc and reopen phone tools to connect again.

If all you want to do is flash down to .02 without all the problems associated with P2K and PST - use these directions - using RSD is MUCH MUCH easier...

_______________________

Here’s what you will need:

DriverTool here: (»forum.osnn.net/showthrea ··· &page=51)

Motorola v3c USB Drivers here: (»forum.osnn.net/showthrea ··· ?t=80317) (Page bottom of 1st first)

Motorola Phone Tools (MPT) 4 (google this-get version 4 if you can - if not get close and do a update from inside the MPT to version 4.

Motorola RSD Lite v. 2.5 (Needed to flash v3c to ver .02) (google this also. its not free but a little bit of searching will find it.)

version .02 flash file (»ryfiles.com/flash/)

To downgrade the Software on a Veizon v3c to .02

Install Motorola Phone Tools 4
shut program down
Install Motorola RSD Lite v. 2.5
shut program down
Run driverTool (phone not attached to the PC)
reboot PC
After reboot start RSD Lite 2.5
Connect Phone to USB cable
youll get a "new hardware found" message
chose "let windows find the file" but chose your own location: location is where you have unzipped the v3c drivers (directory only)
this happens about 4 or five times, do the same each time (same directory - it will chose the right drivers), after RSD Lite will show a bunch of info in line #1. When this happens your all set. If it doesnt - re-run drive tools, reboot and start again. (took me 2 tries) - the drivers can be finicky.
Ok, if line #1 in RSD Lite is full of info, point to the shx file for the .02 flash (GATW_01.0F.02) (wherever you unzipped it) (recommend you unzip to the desktop just to make life easy)
Click Start
When finished (about 15 minutes); You're done!

Open MPT and press F6, click on Communication Tab at top.
Click Change Modem button
Next button to begin wizard.
Select Motorola USB Modem, click Next
Check the "Do Not Automatically Detect" checkbox
Select Motorola CDMA
Find v3cm in the list - finish up the wizard.

This will enable multimedia studio etc.

Now your ready to load ringtones and pictures as you desire.

Hope this is clear, if not give me a shout - hope this helps... I know I'm happier than hell now after doing it!

Spectre

innoman
-
Premium Member
join:2002-05-07
Seattle, WA

innoman

Premium Member

Re: Why not blue tooth

Thanks for posting such detailed directions... so few take the time to do so. How much functionality willt his add and will it break anything else? I have GATW_01.15.04...

Thanks again!

rtcy
FACTS only please
Premium Member
join:1999-10-16
Norwalk, CA

rtcy

Premium Member

Re: Why not blue tooth

said by innoman:

Thanks for posting such detailed directions... so few take the time to do so. How much functionality willt his add and will it break anything else? I have GATW_01.15.04...

Thanks again!
Well I have no use for OBEX at this time, but went ahead and found the .02 ver of the firmware as it has OBEX and the Motorola Phone Tools actually works as it was suppossed to, then I went to the store and had them upgrade to the .04 version that fixes the bluetooth connections problems.

it's sad to say that since we went to the .04 the ECHO I was hearing has disappeared "somewhat" but now her phone at times will "not find" the dongle and she has to manually search for it, it's happened 3 times in 2 weeks

so it's hard to say if .04 really fixed bluetooth issues, also the rumor mill has it that a .05 ver will be out since the .04 leaves OBEX working if you go in with .02 in the phone, but this is still a rumor as far as I know.

FWIW when I called the store I was told that there are 2 version of the 04 firmware and that the stores are only doing the 04p but when I got the phones back both said firmware ver 04 so who knows what's up.

NVE
@comcast.net

NVE to rtcy

Anon

to rtcy
After i find Motorola USB Modem in my device manager i launch the pst phone programmer but the add new hardware wizard that installs "Communications Class - Control Interface, Data Logging MCU Interface, Test Command Interface, and Accessories Interface" does not show up when i run the app. whats wrong? thanks.

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536 to PhoenixDown

Premium Member

to PhoenixDown
said by PhoenixDown:

Isn't that the point of it?
VZ disables bluetooth so you cant tether.

sherman06810
join:2000-10-15
Danbury, CT

1 edit

sherman06810

Member

You can uncripple most Verizon phones yourself...

People already use their own USB cables and software to access their phones. Check out:

»www.bitpim.org/
Open source software to access most LG phones (like my VX6000) and a few others

»www.rpiwireless.com/
Where I bought my USB cable (it charges my battery too)

- Sherman

yock
TFTC
Premium Member
join:2000-11-21
Miamisburg, OH

yock

Premium Member

Confirmation?

The article comes without any quotes from Verizon and only links to some forum post (which seems filtered from my work internet connection). I need more concrete information before I go calling Verizon about this. I'm especially interested, considering I just got a RAZR V3c less than a month ago.

cavemonkey50
Monkey Madness
Premium Member
join:2003-11-22
Allentown, PA

cavemonkey50

Premium Member

Re: Confirmation?

I'm sorry. I forgot to link to my evidence. I have updated the article with the link.

yock
TFTC
Premium Member
join:2000-11-21
Miamisburg, OH

yock

Premium Member

Re: Confirmation?

said by cavemonkey50:

I'm sorry. I forgot to link to my evidence. I have updated the article with the link.
Heh, thanks. I appreciate that. I still cannot get to Howard Forums from work, though. Does the post contain something official from VZW? Some news outlet?

cavemonkey50
Monkey Madness
Premium Member
join:2003-11-22
Allentown, PA

cavemonkey50

Premium Member

Re: Confirmation?

Just confirmed user tests. So far Verizon has been silent on the subject, except for one person who claims they saw something advertising the feature in a local newspaper ad.

fcisler
Premium Member
join:2004-06-14
Riverhead, NY

fcisler

Premium Member

charging

Does anyone know if the RAZR V3c will charge off of USB, unlike my original RAZR V3?

by that i mean that I KNOW that mine charges off of USB - but ONLY if the USB host is windows, WITH their software (which isn't free). No drivers - no charging!

It's one of my biggest gripes about this phone. They ACTUALLY changes their version of the mini-usb spec to include another pin. My wall charger has this pin. If the phone dies - hope i have my charger. Once the phones dead, or 1 bar (of 5) left, USB will not charge it.

I think it's the absolutely most RIDICULOUS thing. My other phone charges via my set top Cablevision box via a USB data cable for *@#$&* sake!

Did i mention i hate all Motorola phones? especially nextel?

AnonProxy
Premium Member
join:2001-05-12

AnonProxy

Premium Member

Re: charging

Ummm the driver for charging is free nimrod and works with the v3 and v3c.
said by fcisler:

Does anyone know if the RAZR V3c will charge off of USB, unlike my original RAZR V3?

by that i mean that I KNOW that mine charges off of USB - but ONLY if the USB host is windows, WITH their software (which isn't free). No drivers - no charging!

It's one of my biggest gripes about this phone. They ACTUALLY changes their version of the mini-usb spec to include another pin. My wall charger has this pin. If the phone dies - hope i have my charger. Once the phones dead, or 1 bar (of 5) left, USB will not charge it.

I think it's the absolutely most RIDICULOUS thing. My other phone charges via my set top Cablevision box via a USB data cable for *@#$&* sake!

Did i mention i hate all Motorola phones? especially nextel?

odreian615
join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL

2 edits

odreian615

Member

Not to pump another site

but cellphoneforums.net will tell you everything on this issue in fact this is the sticky about the verizon razr here
»cellphoneforums.net/moto ··· ight=vc3
(oh yeah MPT is free but you didnt hear it from me )

Roundboy
Premium Member
join:2000-10-04
Drexel Hill, PA

Roundboy

Premium Member

E815

The motorola e815 has been crippled like this too..

Simple seem edits to the phone enabled this transfer for me via bluetooth.

check out howardforums.com ... you'll learn much.
thebulldan
join:2005-06-13
Bridgeport, PA

thebulldan

Member

Re: E815

Good point. Uncrippled - the E815 is awesome

I also have the USB wire and use tethered for EVDO access on my laptop. (Shhhhhhh)

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties to Roundboy

Premium Member

to Roundboy
howard's yes! And unrelated to the V3 and e815 yet very good info...
»www.nuclearelephant.com/ ··· eem.html
wentlanc
You Can't Fix Dumb..
join:2003-07-30
Maineville, OH

wentlanc

Member

When will they uncripple tethering??

I pay for unlimited data service. Why is tethering different? Isn't that a data service also??

puritan

hatchet_ryda
join:2004-01-25
Beaumont, CA

hatchet_ryda

Member

another spot

Also motomodders.net has alot of info about modifying motorola phones and has a driver pack for the moto usb connection.
north7
join:2003-01-18
Scarsdale, NY

north7

Member

Nope, they didn't.

So far it appears that if you go from the .03 firmware to the .04 firmware you don’t get OBEX back.
OEX was in .02, Verizon completely removed OBEX from .03, .04 does not put it back.
If you have .03, flash to .02, then up to .04 you will have OBEX as .04 does not remove it.
Keep up with the saga here -
»www.howardforums.com/sho ··· t=893475

Deus
Premium Member
join:2000-10-04
Brooklyn, NY

Deus

Premium Member

Re: Nope, they didn't.

There was a rumor going around Howard forums that it would have been reenabled in the .04 update. As people continue to get the update this is found to be false to a limited degree. As north7 has stated you can keep OBEX capabilities only if you originally had the .02 firmware and update to .04. The .04 only appears to be a patch to improve the UI speeds among some other minor changes. It doesn't add any OBEX capibilites that was removed out right in the .03 firmware.

As soon as I can, I'm flashing mine to .02 and then getting it flashed to .04.
JJV
Premium Member
join:2001-04-25
Seattle, WA

JJV

Premium Member

Re: Nope, they didn't.

I can confirm there is no obex in 04. It does speed up the sluggish UI.

user4275
Location, Location, Location
Premium Member
join:2003-11-27
Chicago, IL

user4275

Premium Member

Re: Nope, they didn't.

said by JJV:

I can confirm there is no obex in 04. It does speed up the sluggish UI.
At Howard Forums several posters have confirmed that there is obex in .04

»www.howardforums.com/sho ··· 19&pp=15

Deus
Premium Member
join:2000-10-04
Brooklyn, NY

1 edit

Deus

Premium Member

Re: Nope, they didn't.

I didn't read any post that said the .04 update included OBEX. It has already been stated that users with the .02 firmware who updated to the latest .04 firmware kept the OBEX feature enabled in .02. Those with the .03 firmware who updated to .04 hoping to get OBEX did not get OBEX reenabled. There was no OBEX profile in the .04 firmware nor was there any in .03, so you will have no OBEX going from .03 to .04. Only going from .02 to .04 will yield an OBEX profile.

Again, the .04 firmware didn't add OBEX nor did it remove OBEX. Through the confusion of people updating from .02 to .04, we were given the impression that it was reenabled. As more .03 users update to .04, you will see that there is in fact no OBEX in .04.

Howardforums has a copy of the .02 firmware which has OBEX, »www.howardforums.com/sho ··· t=836453. If you follow the V3c Wikiguide, »wiki.howardforums.com/mo ··· nterface,
or the post above, you can flash the phone to the .02 firmware to get OBEX. And if you want to get the improved UI speed, you can get the .04 afterwards with no effect to OBEX at your Verizon store or until the .04 update is leaked.

BTW, I flashed my phone in the afternoon today. It was simpler than you think. That Wiki guide was very helpful.

thatsjustgreat
@verizon.net

thatsjustgreat

Anon

Reverse a bad idea, gain publicity.

So Verizon wants to stop losing customers to Sprint! That's just great, and it doesn't cost them much to do so... even better. Now stop giving them so much damn publicity over the move, and maybe they'll actually do something thats worth talking about, like increasing broadband speeds, lowering rates!!!
newyorkslick
join:2001-12-19
Rosedale, NY

newyorkslick

Member

Verizon Sucks

Just last week I got my settlement package for the V710, the first phone Verizon crippled without telling anyone. I sent that straight off and received $370 (The price I paid for the phone at the time) and early cancellation of the contract with no charge. So now im happy as a clam with T-mobile's Blackberry.

The reason I shelled out that much cash to begin with was to take advantage of the V710's supposedly 'full-fledged' Bluetooth capabilities. But since they screwed me over, I’m quite glad to get the full price of my phone back plus extras.

No one was buying into that ‘get it now’ crap anyway. It’s not like crippling Bluetooth helped their sales that much, considering how much I and thousands of other Verizon Customers got back.

Mark_Venture
join:2000-05-31
Coatesville, PA

Mark_Venture

Member

V3C vs OBEX FT's

And to sum it up...

When it comes to the Verizon V3C and Bluetooth OBEX File Transfers...

To check which version you have... On the phone.... Menu -> Setting & Tools -> System -> Device Info -> Other Info -> S/W Version

GATW_01.0F.02 Initial Verizon release version. Either by "accident" or for some other reason, the ability to do Bluetooth OBEX File Transfers as well as make use of the MultiMedia Studio (aka MMS) features of Motorola Phone Tools (aka MPT) are ENABLED, and no hacks/seem edits are needed.

GATW_01.0F.03. There are NO release notes as to what was fixed. HOWEVER Bluetooth OBEX File Transfers do NOT work and it appears the actual CODE has been removed from the phone. Also, the ability to use the MultiMedia Studio features of MPT are now DISABLED on the phone, BUT a seem edit will fix this (Seem 2742, Bytes (h) 90, Record 1, Offset 6A, set Bit0=1 or "check the box").

Now, when it comes to the recently released .04 firmware update..

OBEX File Transfer and MPT's MultiMedia Studio capabilites with .04, depend on what your phone had BEFORE it was upgraded to .04...

in other words...
.02 or .02 directly upgraded to .04 = BT OBEX File Transfers & MPT's MMS works.
.03 or .03 directly upgraded to .04 = BT Obex File Transfers are NOT possible, and MPT's MMS works only after Seem Edit.