Changing Product Code / Installing Other Languages

[nirave]

So is there a difinitive guide on how to debrand to say generic Euro firmware?

[93tid]

So is there a difinitive guide on how to debrand to say generic Euro firmware?

This is a bit of overkill but you can skip the full reset part:

so you want a clean factory fresh n8 -- heres how

[nirave]

This is a bit of overkill but you can skip the full reset part:

so you want a clean factory fresh n8 -- heres how

Got a link to Phoenix mate?

Struggling to get it installed on my Win7 laptop...

[93tid]

Got a link to Phoenix mate?

Struggling to get it installed on my Win7 laptop...

Clearly I know nothing about your first question but I would recommend using a XP machine if you can.

[nirave]

Clearly I know nothing about your first question but I would recommend using a XP machine if you can.

No XP machine available man, upgraded all the laptops in my house recently - the Old ones sold plus I'm in Dubai now so even less chance :-(

Will try it with a Windows 7 64-bit laptop and report back...

[nirave]

Update 1: DOES NOT WORK with Windows 7 64-bit.

Will now be trying with Windows 7 professional running Windows XP mode & Windows Virtual PC.
IF it is as good as Microsoft say then it should work lol
Going to take about an hour or two so will come back and post another update once I know :-)

[slam525i]

Update 1: DOES NOT WORK with Windows 7 64-bit.

Phoenix works with Win 7 x64. Your problem is likely elsewhere. (Version: Phoenix Service Software 2010.08.004.41526)

[nirave]

Phoenix works with Win 7 x64. Your problem is likely elsewhere. (Version: Phoenix Service Software 2010.08.004.41526)

Three computers.

2 running Windows 7 32-bit
1 running Windows 7 64-bit

None worked.

[tabasco]

Three computers.

2 running Windows 7 32-bit
1 running Windows 7 64-bit

None worked.

Are you right clicking on the program and selecting, "Run As Administrator" You have to do that with some programs on Win7.

[rannyz]

So some time has passed from the beginning of this post.
Is there some new way to change the Product Code on the N8?
there must be a way somehow.

[93tid]

So some time has passed from the beginning of this post.
Is there some new way to change the Product Code on the N8?
there must be a way somehow.

No there isn't, and this method does NOT change the product code, it allows to install firmware for a different product code WITHOUT changing the product code - which would invalidate your warranty.

Given that the desired result can be achieved without changing the product code and the subsequent loss of warranty I don't see why a lot of effort would be going into finding a way to change the product code.

[rannyz]

No there isn't, and this method does NOT change the product code, it allows to install firmware for a different product code WITHOUT changing the product code - which would invalidate your warranty.

Given that the desired result can be achieved without changing the product code and the subsequent loss of warranty I don't see why a lot of effort would be going into finding a way to change the product code.

The desired result CANNOT be achieved without changing the product code and is is not the same thing!
If you just install firmware for a different product code without changing it permanentaly, the next update with FOTA or OVI will erase you languge files and will revert you firmware to the orifinal firmware of the original product code.
I (and I believe that most people) do not want to start the method described here any time there is a new update not to mention the people who do not know how to do that or people who are afraid to do that and this is the majority of the people. Not evertbody is Nokia Genius!

[93tid]

The desired result CANNOT be achieved without changing the product code and is is not the same thing!

Could you be more specific, since my considerable experience in these matters completely disproves your statement?

If you just install firmware for a different product code without changing it permanentaly, the next update with FOTA or OVI will erase you languge files and will revert you firmware to the orifinal firmware of the original product code.

That is absolutely true for all S60 handsets.

However, that may turn out to be untrue for the N8 and possibly S^3 handsets, based on the experience of several members here, including myself.

We all had various branded/country variant product codes and had flashed our handsets to generic firmware versions.

We got the firmware update OTA as soon as it was released for the product code of the FW we had on our handsets, although it is still not available for the original product codes of our handsets. In my case the language set was the same anyway, so I cannot verify that it has remained unchanged.

Thankfully Nokia do not exactly bombard us with firmware updates, therefore one would have to go through this process most likely 3-4 times during the usage of their handset - and you do not have to be a genius of any sort to perform it. You probably have the same chance of something going wrong using OVI Suite or NSU. There is actually a much easier and better written guide here - so you want a clean factory fresh n8 -- heres how

[rannyz]

Could you be more specific, since my considerable experience in these matters completely disproves your statement?

I had done the firmware change with Pheonix when I bought my N8 and had my local language files and everything was OK.
Last week there was a new update to ver 013.016 so I did an update via OVI just to find out that my N8 has reverted to the original firmware without my language files and you do agree with me that this sucks.
I had to download my local 013.016 firmware, install Pheonix again (had some problems with the new version) burn the local firmware just to get my language back and loosing of course some of my data and setting on the way.
I do not want this kind of trouble every time Nokia put a new update out even if it is 3-4 time a year.
Also, I know how to do it but what about most people who do not know or do not want to? They will need to go to a local lab and pay for such service again and again.
Changing the Product Code permanently will avoid all this mess but how do we do that? :-)

[Gaz]

Phoenix can change the language pack permanently without flashing firmware from another variant !

Nokia service centres can do this (I have done a few N8s here)

[dynomot]

Phoenix can change the language pack permanently without flashing firmware from another variant !

Nokia service centres can do this (I have done a few N8s here)

Gaz can a legit version of Phoenix change an N8's product code ? Can anything you know off change an N8's product code ?

[rannyz]

Phoenix can change the language pack permanently without flashing firmware from another variant !

Nokia service centres can do this (I have done a few N8s here)

Well it was not permanently with my N8. Did the language pack stay after your update?

Sure Nokia service centres can do this but at my place they charge you more than your local independant lab :-)

[rannyz]

Gaz can a legit version of Phoenix change an N8's product code ? Can anything you know off change an N8's product code ?

dynomot, read my above post. at the momant there is no known way to change N8's product code permanently. Not with Phoenix, not with NSS and not with JAF :-(

[dynomot]

dynomot, read my above post. at the momant there is no known way to change N8's product code permanently. Not with Phoenix, not with NSS and not with JAF :-(

Yes I'm aware of that. I was wondering if a 'proper' version of Phoenix (ie one only available to care point engineers) could do it. I was asking Gaz. I'm sure he has access to things that we mere users can only dream about.

[Gaz]

Rannyz ,yes the language pack change will remain after flashing to a new version of firmware. This is because NSC can edit the PPM file but retain the other flash files . When you update via NSU orOTA it should not edit this PPM file however it could.

Dynomot- the option is in the latest version of phoenix for us to change the product code but I have not had to do this myself to test it . I have had to flash an N8 with alternate firmware and phoenix then read that device as having a new product code but it seems the built in "device manager" within the N8 may still think it has the original product code while still offering updates via NSu and OTA of the new product code instead of the original one that is showing in device manager

[rannyz]

Rannyz ,yes the language pack change will remain after flashing to a new version of firmware. This is because NSC can edit the PPM file but retain the other flash files . When you update via NSU orOTA it should not edit this PPM file however it could.

Well, it did not happen in my case. After the update, my N8 reverted to the old code language and area.
I beginning to think that maybe sometimes it behaves well and sometimes not.

Dynomot- the option is in the latest version of phoenix for us to change the product code but I have not had to do this myself to test it . I have had to flash an N8 with alternate firmware and phoenix then read that device as having a new product code but it seems the built in "device manager" within the N8 may still think it has the original product code while still offering updates via NSu and OTA of the new product code instead of the original one that is showing in device manager

Do you have a link to the latest phoenix? Is it later then my version which is 2011.02.000.44842?
thanks,

[dynomot]

Well, it did not happen in my case. After the update, my N8 reverted to the old code language and area.
I beginning to think that maybe sometimes it behaves well and sometimes not.




Do you have a link to the latest phoenix? Is it later then my version which is 2011.02.000.44842?
thanks,

No one except Nokia has access to the New Phoenix yet. Phoenix is a Nokia piece of software with a security dongle that plugs into a USB port. We are using cracked versions of it, giving minimum features only. It will take months before we get a version of today's latest version, if at all.

[rannyz]

No one except Nokia has access to the New Phoenix yet. Phoenix is a Nokia piece of software with a security dongle that plugs into a USB port. We are using cracked versions of it, giving minimum features only. It will take months before we get a version of today's latest version, if at all.

OK, now I understand. Gas is a Nokis personal so he has access to it.
Now I also understand you previous questions for him :-)

[cyno81]

Help me guys. i hard reset my phone and ovi store is gone. i followed the moderator steps using phoenix and navifirm. The following files i have in my folder

and the error i am getting. .

CAN the moderator and the experienced users help me. I would really be obliged to you guys

[not_sure]

Thanks for those useful instructions.

Just wanted to share that I did hit a problem, but it seems ok anyway:

Was flashing a north-american N8 PR1.0 to euro1 PR1.1 to get better languages and camera tone OFF, and phoenix (Phoenix Service Software 2010.08.004.41526.exe on Win XP) complained about missing optional files (ok, indeed no problem). After it started flashing and had reached 100%, it crashed ("phoenix applicaiton needs to close, should we send an error report to microsoft?" or some crap like that).
I waited a minute or two, then clicked "Don't send", effectively letting phoenix crash/close. Then unplugged USB, kissed my 2-day old phone good-bye. But after holding the power button 8(?) seconds (read that somewhere) it did indeed vibrate 3x and after that I could switch it back on.
It booted up, and the new firmware is installed. New languages and camera tone off setting working. Overall feels very nice and snappy. Didn't try ovi store and stuff.

[larnoy]

but I want to know that can i use thai ,chinese and english in one of it ?

[Moz]

OP please update you links.

[doshunnN85]

Hi I've got a Tesco locked N8 and I need to do 2 things. Firsly am on PR 1.0 and updates arent available according to OVI, NSU and OTA.. So will this method allow me to change the firmware to the latest ? And secondly, I have a T-Mobile sim I want to use on the phone, whats the best way around unlocking the N8 ?

[93tid]

Hi I've got a Tesco locked N8 and I need to do 2 things. Firsly am on PR 1.0 and updates arent available according to OVI, NSU and OTA.. So will this method allow me to change the firmware to the latest ? And secondly, I have a T-Mobile sim I want to use on the phone, whats the best way around unlocking the N8 ?

Best to follow this guide, you can skip the hard reset and format part, the rest is pretty straightforward:

so you want a clean factory fresh n8 -- heres how

And secondly, I have a T-Mobile sim I want to use on the phone, whats the best way around unlocking the N8 ?

You pay Tesco 20 quid for the code and unlock your phone.

[doshunnN85]

I am currently trying to use the method created by oblivinated.. I have currently a PR1.0 and SW 011.012. If I use the NaviFirm program to change that to the 14.2 SW version will that be ok ?

[doshunnN85]

Best to follow this guide, you can skip the hard reset and format part, the rest is pretty straightforward:

so you want a clean factory fresh n8 -- heres how



You pay Tesco 20 quid for the code and unlock your phone.

I cant really use the method you asked me to because I believe that my product code wont allow any further SW updates. I dont want to be stuck on SW 011.

[93tid]

I cant really use the method you asked me to because I believe that my product code wont allow any further SW updates. I dont want to be stuck on SW 011.

You can download any FW for any product code (as long as you do not attempt to downgrade) using that method. Your product code is completely irrelevant when using this method and you also maintain your warranty.

[doshunnN85]

You can download any FW for any product code (as long as you do not attempt to downgrade) using that method. Your product code is completely irrelevant when using this method and you also maintain your warranty.

Ok thanks, one last thing. If I use it to use a T-mobile product code does that mean that my Tesco locked phone will now be able to use T-mobile sim cards ?

[93tid]

Ok thanks, one last thing. If I use it to use a T-mobile product code does that mean that my Tesco locked phone will now be able to use T-mobile sim cards ?

No, you cannot unlock the handset by installing different firmware on it.

[doshunnN85]

No, you cannot unlock the handset by installing different firmware on it.

So that means sending it tesco and waiting 2 weeks for it is the only option ?

[93tid]

So that means sending it tesco and waiting 2 weeks for it is the only option ?

No, it means waiting for a week for the code and doing it yourself without sending the phone anywhere.

[N8fan]

No need to send the phone off.

According to recent reports. Tesco are releasing working unlock codes. Pay £20 and get an email with the codes a few days later.

EDIT: Must learn to type faster

[Qualain]

Any useable links for Phoenix?! First one not working...and second one isn't installing right!

[doshunnN85]

Try these:

http://rapidshare.com/files/42773844...firm_V_0.3.exe

http://rapidshare.com/files/42774139....004.41526.rar

Qualain try these, I used them 2-3 days ago they were fine

[doshunnN85]

Any useable links for Phoenix?! First one not working...and second one isn't installing right!

Originally Posted by 93tid View Post
Try these:

http://rapidshare.com/files/42773844...firm_V_0.3.exe

http://rapidshare.com/files/42774139....004.41526.rar

[italian7]

followed the procedure. it worked perfectly. Installed italian language on a US product code, which is great.
But I was hoping to KEEP the italian product code so to have updates earlier and keep the italian language... (updates in the states roll out a lot later).
How can I PERMANENTLY change the product code?

Thanks

[Qualain]

Yeah they're the one's I downloaded but when installing Phoenix my security detected a trojan!

[93tid]

How can I PERMANENTLY change the product code?

No one has found a way yet.

I still cannot understand this obsession about permanently changing product code which voids your warranty - why would anybody want to do that, if there is an alternative method which provides exactly the same result and keeps your warranty intact.

[93tid]

Yeah they're the one's I downloaded but when installing Phoenix my security detected a trojan!

Get a better security program.

[Qualain]

So your saying its safe?!

[93tid]

So your saying its safe?!

You're not running McAfee by any chance ?

Changing Product Code / Installing Other Languages

I've only rehosted the original files, I use a different version of Phoenix so cannot guarantee about this one, but many people in this thread claim to have had no problems with it.

[Qualain]

I am indeed...waiting for the free trial with new laptop to run out!

Take it if I just disable it for a few minutes it'll be ok....?!

[italian7]

No one has found a way yet.

I still cannot understand this obsession about permanently changing product code which voids your warranty - why would anybody want to do that, if there is an alternative method which provides exactly the same result and keeps your warranty intact.

Because I'll be traveling for the next 3 months with out my computer and USA updates seem to never roll out (and really waiting for the new browser and new qwerty which means waiting and additional two weeks when the update is released...)... so I'd rather change it for a couple of months and then revert it back...!

But guess there isn't a way!
Thanks though!

[dynomot]

I am indeed...waiting for the free trial with new laptop to run out!

Take it if I just disable it for a few minutes it'll be ok....?!

You should be, my AVG detects a trojan as well. It's actually the small bit of code that replaces the security dongle needed for proper Phoenix.

[93tid]

Because I'll be traveling for the next 3 months with out my computer and USA updates seem to never roll out (and really waiting for the new browser and new qwerty which means waiting and additional two weeks when the update is released...)... so I'd rather change it for a couple of months and then revert it back...!

I do not believe the update you are waiting for will be released within the next 3 months.

Reverting back to your code does not save your warranty if you have updated via Nokia in the meantime - the error will be logged under the handset's IMEI and if the NCP bothers to check it your warranty is toast.