Siemens a62 orange network

seth

EdCov wrote:

I can understand the learning how it is done, it was just the money saving aspect of it that I was curious about. I was looking at unlocking a phone recently (before I got it) and discovering that it was going to be quite expensive - but when the phone arrived it was ready unlocked.

I don't think the A62 will go for that much unlocked.

I presume you were on holiday abroad, phones in the Uk are cheap because they are subsidised by the networks, abroad people are prepared to pay more.

The price of phones seems to be plummetting at the moment.

You are right an unlocked A62 will not be worth much more (Probably less if I get it wrong!) Financially the risk / reward does not make sense as you point out!

January is a good time for cheap phones. I stock up on PAYG and contract handsets at this time, just spares for holiday etc. I wanted some cheap handsets unlocked for Holidays. I spent £75 on calls with organe roaming in spain last year so I'll get a cheap Telephonica SIM this year!

I take your point about the cost of unlocking. If you have a few phones and are polite / helpful / considerate IE wait for a quiet time, I've found the phone unlock poeple at car boots will be flexible on price.

I was all set to have to unlock some contract phones from OSPS, last years ones from OSPS were locked, but now OSPS is part of CPW they just send a contract SIM and an unlocked phone! Result.

seth

Hi gents I got stuck locating the testpoint.

Thanks to all the tips I got the software, cable, Torx T5, open the phone, found the chips, lit the PCB from below and I think I see the testpoint.

But I'm not sure.

I've posted my efforts on a little blog so there are pictures and text there to show my stumbling.....

http://siemensa62.blogspot.com/

Basically how can I be sure I've got the testpoint I could mark it on a photo and post a link to the photo here for someone who knows to say Yes that is the testpoint or "don't cut that!"

Also I don't know how to cut the testpoint as I can only see it using a magnifying glass, and I need on hand to hold the PCB and one for the scalpel. I only have 2 hands. James said he used a microscope what sort?

Thanks for the help, I do not plan to give up! Please be patient As I said this is all new to me I have learnt how to open and dismantle the phone quickly though! And it still works.

xueta

seth wrote:

I've posted my efforts on a little blog so there are pictures and text there to show my stumbling.....

http://siemensa62.blogspot.com/

Flippin' 'eck seth :eek:

I can't distinguish the tracks even after zooming in!!
I'd be really interested in seeing if you can get this one to work
(so glad I haven't opened up my phone yet!)

james-73

let me know and i will send you a good picture of the testpoint.

good luck
james

james-73

here:

http://people.itu.int/~emartine/

goto all siemens testpoints then the one you want is: MC60 same as A65 Testpoint.

A62=A65=mc60 they all have the same testpoint, use either new or old testpoint, i still use old. done six a62's this week, the orange deal seems very popular.

these are easy compared with the new motorola v3x's!!

good luck and let me know if you need any more help.

best regards
james

seth

james-73 wrote:

let me know and i will send you a good picture of the testpoint.

good luck
james

Thanks James you are a star. I've marked what I think is the test point, with a blue line I've added a blue butterfly on the RIGHT of the testpoint for clarity.

hope this is ok?

Also as I only have 2 hands! How to I cut this as I can only see this using a magnifying glass, what sort of microscope should I use? You mensioned that you use one.

seth

I've added a blue butterfly to the RIGHT of the test point which is marked with a small line. I've also blown up the image hope this is clearer?

xueta wrote:

Flippin' 'eck seth :eek:

I can't distinguish the tracks even after zooming in!!
I'd be really interested in seeing if you can get this one to work
(so glad I haven't opened up my phone yet!)

james-73

yes, it looks ok. where the through hole is (the little circle) put your scapel just a little above it and press the scapel down. don't cut across just press down and wiggle a little.

BR
James

seth

james-73 wrote:

yes, it looks ok. where the through hole is (the little circle) put your scapel just a little above it and press the scapel down. don't cut across just press down and wiggle a little.

BR
James

I think I see what you mean, if I've understood you are saying cut just above the solder blob, (is the what you mean by hole?), I assume you are right handed so this is ok for you? Perhaps I need to rotate the board by 180 degrees to make the cut as I'm left handed.

I did a test run: Keeping the PCB on a soft cloth on a firm worktop, holding the PCB with one hand and make the cut with the other hand. But found it very hard to see the test point as this is Very close to the endge of the chip.

If I hold LED torch under it is clear to see. I will use a light under a glass table, you suggested under lighting is better than over lighting I see why.

I'll try a test run this way and see how that goes. If it is ok I'll replace the pencil I use as a mock scalpel with a real one!

Feeling well chuffed I got the testpoint right!

james-73

yes, you only need a light behind the board to find the testpoint, when you know where it is you only need the light point towards the front so you can see what you are doing.

the "solder blob" as you call it is a through hole, it joints a track from the top of the board to the bottom of the board. i no its not easy, but when you know where you need to cut just push the scapel down, it may not work first time (not cut) some you will have to push a bit harder. 90% of the time it takes me 2 or 3 times.

br
james