Orange Sanfrancisco - unlock - then what?

spannerzone

For many people I don't think they need to worry about changing ROMS but they might want to remove the Orange applications if they don't use Orange as their network operator. I removed the Orange stuff and the phone works well, I might update the ROM but not sure it's really gonna make much difference to my everyday use of it.

Good phone if not a bit flimsey (so don't drop it too often!)

deanos

You can get a nice case and screen protector on Ebay , thats what i got for mine incase i drop it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270695663538

Kerry_o'keefe

If I just wanted to remove the orange rubbish,how far would I take the instructions I was directed to via the link(excellent link by the way)? Thanks to all for these posts v.v.helpful

pardal51

Great phone. Instructions on Modaco website are great and clear. Steven has posted an even easier way to flash San Fran, without using the fastboot option.

flash: http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blade-blade-modaco-com/329073/25-jan-guide-how-to-install-a-custom-rom-on-the-zte-blade/

I flashed mine with fastboot (couple of weeks ago) JJ7 and flashed the OH today using the new guide JJ9.

It is our 1st smartphone, but I do not think Apple can justify the price tag on iphone.

SanFran is great value-for-money handset.

OH is also migrating to giffgaff this coming week.

Other useful threads:

16Gb microsd card: http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blade-blade-modaco-com/327434/16gb-sd-cards-that-definitely-work/ - I am using Sandisk 16Gb Class 2

Case: http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blade-blade-modaco-com/319419/suitable-silicone-case-screen-protector-for-san-francisco-by-orange/

Screen Protector: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270679639682&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

iPlayer on San Fran: http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blade-blade-modaco-com/330785/bbc-iplayer-now-works-on-skyfire/

HTH

Kerry_o'keefe

Sorry. Having read these guides I am no closer to feeling any more confident in performing any of these actions. Scary. I must be an absolute neandertal. Are files written to a SD card? How do you write/copy them to Sd card? How do you utilise files on phone? Heard and seen USB mentioned. Is this supplied?
Clearly, there appears to be only me struggling with this - so thanks again to all

spannerzone

OK here's what I wrote on the Modaco forum when I removed the Orange branded stuff:
http://android.modaco.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=321479&view=findpost&p=1467911

Connect the SF (that's the SanFransisco) to your PC via the lead supplied (the charger has a detachable USB - micro usb which connects to a computer as well), Windows detects new hardware (you can just cancel those windows for now as that is Windows trying to detect the phone as a phone/modem which we can ignore at this stage), then the phone gives option - select 'mount' and your PC will now see the SD card on the phone as accessible memory like any other plug in memory stick. (Windows phone drivers here if you do want to install them)

Now you can find the SD card on your computer and drag/drop files as required. DO NOT just yank out the cable when done but on the top left of SF in the notification area drag down / press the 'Turn off USB storage' to safely disconnect.

Copy universal Androot (donwload 1.6.2.beta5 here) from my pc to the SD card on the SF (I created a folder called "androot" and copied into there)
Downloaded 'Astro' file manager from market place (on SF)
Downloaded 'Busybox' from market place (on SF)
Downloaded and paid 64p for 'SystemApp Remover' from market place (on SF) other people use TItatnium Backup.

I started Astro file manager, located the Universal Androot file, open app manager, launch, select 'superuser for android 2.0-2.2, press 'Go Root' ignore that it says it's already rooted (cos it didn't work!) and press 'root me please' wait then it says 'woot your device is rooted' , exit.

Run Busybox installer, click ok, click 'install', when it says 'Status: done!' then exit *(maybe only have to do this the once?)

Run 'SystemApp remover' and now (and only when rooted) can you access the'system apps' tab to uninstall 'System Apps' (Orange apps)

Scroll through list of crud to remove (maybe use the 'backup' option before uninstalling for good just in case.

Read the Modaco page linked to see what to actually remove as you don't want to take off something that is essential!

Hope that helps, if not live with the Orange stuff or get someone who is more familiar with tinkering to have a go! but really if you do what's listed you should be able to do it, I did and have never done phone stuff like this before.

Nostromo

Your probably overloaded with info and the Modaco site is now so confusing i dont bother anymore.
I used this guide found it so simple and had 2.2 froyo on the phone within minutes.You only hook the phone up to the PC to drop the rom on the memory card and 2 minutes later your sorted.

http://orangesanfrancisco.co.uk/android/how-to-install-custom-roms-android-2-2-from-scratch-on-the-orange-san-francisco-zte-blade/


I used the 2.2 jellyfish rom.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wt7nwyubj2i4cu6

spannerzone

Nostromo wrote: »

Your probably overloaded with info and the Modaco site is now so confusing i dont bother anymore.
I used this guide found it so simple and had 2.2 froyo on the phone within minutes.You only hook the phone up to the PC to drop the rom on the memory card and 2 minutes later your sorted.

http://orangesanfrancisco.co.uk/android/how-to-install-custom-roms-android-2-2-from-scratch-on-the-orange-san-francisco-zte-blade/

That's a good alternative if you're happy to remove ALL traces of Orange from the phone (except the painted on logo on the back cover of course!)

Nostromo

Couldnt believe how easy it was did it all from my phone one night at work except for the rom download.Did that when i got home dropped it onto the mem card, rebooted and bisto

Kerry_o'keefe

Gone for it - phone is on its way!! Thanks again for help and advice. Im sure once it arrives I will have even more questions. First an easy one. Think even I may be able to unlock it!! Once unlocked and o2 sim inserted, what is the easiest way to bring all my contacts? Are they written to sim?