How do I enter unlock codes for Sony Ericsson W302

martin-w_2

Hi

I have a Sony Ericsson W302 locked to Virgin Mobile. I paid my £15 to get unlock codes but the standard way of entering unlock codes for Sony Ericsson models doesn't work for this phone and Virgin Mobile can't help...

When I enter: <**<

nothing happens!

Does anybody know how to enter unlock codes for this model? Thanks....

martin-w_2

Anyone know?

gaming_guy

it should work, have you tried taking the sim out and entering the code without a sim inserted?

i found that with a w810 on orange (with generic SE firmware) that it wouldnt let me into any of the service menus without taking the sim out first

martin-w_2

gaming_guy wrote: »

it should work, have you tried taking the sim out and entering the code without a sim inserted?

i found that with a w810 on orange (with generic SE firmware) that it wouldnt let me into any of the service menus without taking the sim out first

Tried it with and without sim cards - no difference. From searching online it seems that this phone actually uses Sagem hardware - wonder if that's why the <**< approach doesn't work. :-(

bluejake

martin-w wrote: »

Hi

I have a Sony Ericsson W302 locked to Virgin Mobile. I paid my £15 to get unlock codes but the standard way of entering unlock codes for Sony Ericsson models doesn't work for this phone and Virgin Mobile can't help...

When I enter: <**<

nothing happens!

Does anybody know how to enter unlock codes for this model? Thanks....

Hey, I had exactly the same problem. I paid £15 to Virginmobile for the unlock codes for the Sony Ericsson W302 but the instructions for entering the codes that Virgin provided were wrong. I could enter the 'service info' menu by typing >*<<*<* . I scrolled down to simlock and pressed enter and I could see the padlocks on 'Network' and 'Service Provider'. Virgin had provided me with the 'network. and 'service provider' unlock codes but could I find a way to input them? No I bleedin' couldn't, very frustrating!

I rang virginmobile and got through to a call centre on the other side of the world and spent 50 minutes trying to explain the problem to various foreign people and getting nowhere. Very annoying trying to explain to a foreign person just why you can't input a 16 digit number into your phone.
"It just won't let me, there is no way select 'service provider'" - you'll know what I mean if you have been stuck here!

Anyway disheartened I decided to just try stuff myself hoping I did not knacker the phone. I discovered this is how you enter the unlock codes into your Virginmobile Sony Ericsson W302:

1. Insert your NON Virgin SIM card into the phone and turn it on.

2. The phone states 'locked' or 'incorrect sim' or something like that. I can't remember exactly what the message is but you know what I mean.

3. Simply use the phones keypad to type in the 16 digit 'Service Provider' unlocking code that virginmobile provided. Just as you would type out a telephone number. Not a lot happens. The message is still the same, 'locked' or 'incorrect sim' or whatever it was.

4. Then use the phones keypad to type in the 16 digit 'Network' unlocking code that virginmobile provided. Same again, just as you would type out a telephone number.

5. The phone starts up and hey presto, it is unlocked and recognises the NON Virgin SIM card. Hurray!:T

Pity Virginmobile couldn't have put the correct instructions in their letter. Would have saved me some time. Anyway, post if this works for you.

coffeeghost

Hi Bluejake !

I have exactly the same prob as urs. I tried your instruction. However, when I got to the 3rd step, it only let me insert 6 digits instead of 16. Attempted with different sims, and the same prob still occured. Was there any missing step from your instruction ?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Cheers!

coffeeghost

bluejake

Well it is a few weeks now since I unlocked my phone so my memory is not as good as when I made that post.

However, if I recall right I turned the phone off.

Then I installed the NON Virgin sim card and switched it on. The phone display states 'incorrect sim' or something like that.

Then I simply typed in the first 16 digit code using the phone keypad. Not a lot happens, just ignore the screen but type in that 16 digit code exactly as it is. It appears nothing has happened. It still states 'locked' or 'incorrect sim' or whatever. Remember to have the NON Virgin sim card in the phone. I suggest you just carry on typing in that code regardless of what the screen states and even if the numbers you are typing do not appear on screen - just keep typing that 16 didgit code in.

Then I simply typed in the second 16 digit code using the phone keypad and hey presto the phone re-starts and is unlocked.

That's it as far as I recall. The only other thing I can think of is you might have to get past the start up screen to get to the point where the phone states 'incorrect sim' and that would be just a matter of clicking OK to get past set up. Although I can't quite remember if I had to do that or not.

Basically, you put the non Virgin sim in the phone and turn it on. It should show something like 'incorrect sim' after it has started up. Then type in the first 16 digit code using the phone keypad. Ignore what the phone states just keep typing until you have input that 16 digit code. Wait 5 seconds then input the second 16 digit code. Again just keep typing until you have input that code. Ignore any messages. If the numbers you are typing do not appear on the screeen - doesn't matter just keep typing. After you have input the second 16 code digit code the phone restarts and it is unlocked.

I can't remember anything else apart from the instructions from Virgin were wrong and phoning them was a waste of time in the evening because you get through to Bombay and they do not have a clue. If you are still stuck you could try and ring Virgin during the daytime and I think it is possible to get put through to their English 'technical' section who may be able to talk you through it. I am sure other people must have had the same problem by now.