How do I update a N85 to use a non-custom firmware

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › How do I update a N85 to use a non-custom firmware

seriouslycgi

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#64998 27-Jul-2010 13:36

when i start up the phone (nokia n85) the interface that normally appears is
gone all thats there is a grey wallpaper with "non-vodafone sim card",
no shortcuts or menus. the only way to do anything is the long way
(press bottom button and navigate thru the sub menus).

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/f7a23d6f6f8d1144921fff136e049f32.jpg

the
only thing they (2 degrees) could offer as an explaination as to why
the 2 degrees sim makes it go this way is because its not 3g on their
network yet, but it just seems strange that lack of 3g would make the
menus and shortcuts to anything dissapear? and they are fine when there
is no sim card in there. is it locked to vodafone? can i possibly over
write all the vodafone **bleep** with an update/hack or unlock from that
provider, if this is the case. id hate to have to pay more for calls
and texts just to get a few shortcuts on my phone home-screen. and it feels like 1/2 the phone software is missing because you have to dig deep to get to them.

is there a setting i need to adjust for the menus/shortcuts to work with the new sim

nokia n85-1
type: rm-333
software version:30.019
date: 11-06-2009
custom version: 30.019.226.4
date: 05-08-09
lang: 013

freitasm

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#357100 27-Jul-2010 13:38

There is an ongoing discussio in our 2degrees forum, but I suggested seriouslycgi ask here how to update his handset to a non-Vodafone OS/firmware, seeing the phone is not SIM locked.

seriouslycgi

49 posts

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#357102 27-Jul-2010 13:43

freitasm: There is an ongoing discussio in our 2degrees forum, but I suggested seriouslycgi ask here how to update his handset to a non-Vodafone OS/firmware, seeing the phone is not SIM locked.

yeah sorry forgot to mention the phone works normally its just missing the menus on the home screen which means i cant use any shortcuts. and no alerts on the main screen, eg. received texts or missed calls.

thanks for any help.

allstarnz

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#357137 27-Jul-2010 14:52

it's a two step process, changing the phone ID so the firmware will work, then applying a firmware update. Failing to do the first step will fail the whole update, as Nokia won't recognise the phone

I did it on my Telstra phone, so it's just got generic firmware on it now, but can't remember how I did it.

:edit:

a quick Google of 'how to debrand a phone' brings up this - http://serk01.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/how-to-debrand-your-nokia-n95-and-probably-other-nokia-phones/

this is pretty much the sort of thing I followed.

dolsen

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#357147 27-Jul-2010 15:01

On a different type of phone (Nokia 6220c), I used software called NSS (google it) to change the product code of the phone to a generic Nokia phone. I then used the NSU (Nokia software update) to update to the latest firmware version for that phone.
That's how I unbranded my Nokia phone.
Sounds like something similar would work for you.

allstarnz

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#357157 27-Jul-2010 15:24

yeah, that link describes using NSS too. Think that's what I used. I did it 18 months ago, so can't remember much detail.

BrentR

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#357488 27-Jul-2010 23:25

seriouslycgi:
freitasm: There is an ongoing discussio in our 2degrees forum, but I suggested seriouslycgi ask here how to update his handset to a non-Vodafone OS/firmware, seeing the phone is not SIM locked.

yeah sorry forgot to mention the phone works normally its just missing the menus on the home screen which means i cant use any shortcuts. and no alerts on the main screen, eg. received texts or missed calls.

thanks for any help.

What have you tried thus far?

The SIM shouldn't alter the way the home screen acts.

seriouslycgi

49 posts

Geek

#361088 1-Aug-2010 16:52

Its weird, I debranded the phone and updated the firmware to the latest version, but now the home screen is different on all sim cards and no simcard, so it had the opposite effect, now the menu and shortcuts dont exist lol

im tempted to try out foreign firmware like eu or usa but i dont want to brick it. its not a setting either because without changing a setting and only changing the sim to a vodafone one it would come back.

i changed the product code to nz generic copper 0561348, i can alwasy change it back to Vodafones i guess but what a pita

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allstarnz

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#361536 2-Aug-2010 13:02

strange that. My Nokia E71 looks exactly the same whether I had an AT&T, Vodafone NZ, or Vodafone AU sim card in.

You did use the Nokia software updater right?

BrentR

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#361585 2-Aug-2010 14:16

It looks to me like a custom theme.

Where did you get the handset from?

coffeebaron

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#361602 2-Aug-2010 14:32

I usally go with a euro1 product code

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seriouslycgi

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#361884 2-Aug-2010 20:25

coffeebaron: I usally go with a euro1 product code

yeah i might just try it see if its any better

seriouslycgi

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#361886 2-Aug-2010 20:28

BrentR: It looks to me like a custom theme.

Where did you get the handset from?

vodafone last june, i just used a voda sim in it until now, so i never noticed the difference.

seriouslycgi

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#362230 3-Aug-2010 11:44

ok i tried the euro1 code and there was no difference still the same dull screen, so i re-formatted by pressing *3 green key and turning on the power, after i backed up my details, this made it so there was a default menu on the home screen with some shortcuts, so this is a good thing, i have it set to vertical icons and this gives me similar functionality to the original firmware update i had done (vodafone branded) but its ugly, so i think ill try different firmware untill i find one the same as what it was originally.

also if anyone knows how to customize things let me know id love to tinker with this phone more and make it mine but without risking bricking it.