C905a Debranding for Newbies - One Stop Shop

[rfb813]

I have a question?

Using the C905_R1FA035_FS_WESTERN-EUROPE_RED53 and C905a_1212-2674_R6A_Customized_Generic_LAM_(b) does the phone still have the 3 3G frequencies, the 2 US and 2100??

[slettnes]

Hmm.. the MediaFire link in the original discussion topic seems to have disappeared; however I have saved a copy.  The link was provided in my original message, but here it is again:

http://slett.net/misc/files/phones/c905a/im/customize_upgrade.xml

Just write this to /tpa/preset/custom, and reboot.  Now you'll have an "AIM" icon in your Messaging app; you can also switch to MSN or YM!

[slettnes]

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rfb813 wrote:

I have a question?

Using the C905_R1FA035_FS_WESTERN-EUROPE_RED53 and C905a_1212-2674_R6A_Customized_Generic_LAM_(b) does the phone still have the 3 3G frequencies, the 2 US and 2100??

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Yes.  The hardware remains the same.  Moreover, these two files will give you the "C905a" model name in firmware as well (so CV will work).

[paulytran]

My apologies, apparently chrome thinks the .xml file was an internet page and i couldn't save it. I figured it out! Thanks guys I'll give it a try today! 

[slettnes]

One word of caution.  By applying this customization, you are configuring your phone's native IM client to use the AT&T IMPS gateway.  This means that your usage will be counted as messages, not data.  Be sure to have an unlimited Messaging plan (aside from a data plan) if you plan to make extensive use of this.

As an alternative, you may try other IMPS gateways out there, such as MobJab.  (I haven't tried them with the C905a, YMMV).  In this case, you should not apply this customization, but rather configure your phone's IM client manually using the information they provide you.

Also, you may consider installing a third party IM client, such as Fring (which allows you to access AIM, YM, AOL, Skype, etc -- all at the same time in a unified interface).

[lergnom]

Thanks for this thread. Can a debranded phone be rebranded back to AT&T? Can it be reversed?

[slettnes]

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lergnom wrote:

Thanks for this thread. Can a debranded phone be rebranded back to AT&T? Can it be reversed?

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Of course.  The process is the same. 

If you do it yourself (using A2Uploader + SEUS), you can use the CDA 1214-8735.

This is the original AT&T branded customization.

[StonyRicsterson]

Thank you, slettnes, for your guide.

But now I'm afraid that i might have overlooked something important somewhere along the way.

I used the "Customized Generic LAM/Ice Silver" from DaVinci, and everything seemed to be going well.

Until i tried to update my phone's software.

Every time i try to update, it says that "new software is available" and then proceeds to download it.

But when it starts installing, it reboots after a couple of seconds, then tells me "could not update software".

i'm wondering if maybe i should have left well enough alone....

Can anybody tell me what i'm doing wrong?

Thanks

[slettnes]

Not sure why the update is failing, but you may consider using SEUS (the Sony Ericsson Update Service) instead of updating Over The Air.

Download here.

[StonyRicsterson]

Yeah, thanks. I updated successfully with the update service via USB.

Now I'm having lots of other problems, though.

I'm not sure if the new problems are because of the software update, or because of all the screwing around i did trying to adjust various settings.

But now I can't send or receive messages to or from an email address, though i'd been able to before.

And i can't seem to make any internet connections at all.

And none of the GPS applications will connect.

SMS messages seem to be ok, though, at least when i send them to myself.

very confusing. very annoying.

The strangest thing is that i keep getting messages from AT&T warning me about high data usage, telling me that i've used over $100 in data, then $200, and suggesting that i set up a data plan.

I don't really know if i've used that much just by experimenting with the phone's settings and the GPS applications a couple of times.

But those data usage costs haven't shown up at all, not on the phone bill i got in the mail, and not on the AT&T bill payment page online.

i don't know what to make of it.

[slettnes]

Not sure what's up with the billing/usage.  However, after debranding (and possibly after upgrading too?), you will need to configure your phone for the various data services provided by AT&T.

SE used to have a link on their web site to allow you to send the required configuration directly to your phone via SMS.  This seems to have disappeared.  However, you can always edit the settings manually, as described in the beginning of this thread (or via this direct link).