Updated Mobile Unlocking Article discussion

itsallaboutthemoney

Thanks a lot for all your advice. Yeah I did change my password, as soon as i realised they may be dodgy.

Does anyone know how to uninstall the crap that they made me install on my computer. i have searched for the programs and they don't come up on searches and they're not on the list of programs when i go to uninstall. i'm getting quite anxious that they could be spyware. :S:confused:

theboylard

Try CCleaner - has a useful uninstall section under the tools tab, shows a lot more bits than the Control panel uninstall does.

I would also run some serious rootkit/spyware bits just to be sure, plenty of free ones to use - If unsure try tools from the AV vendors first.

fritz1968

Ciderman wrote: »

As a general rule O2 phones are not locked. As Martin says it's well worth trying another operator SIM first!

now this is very naughty because O2 wanted £15.00 and told me they needed to send my phone away and it would take two weeks!!!

nokia N95 btw!!

many thanks ciderman:beer:

littlestoatie

ianonline wrote: »

Ok - in partial response to my own query, I've found this official post from Vodafone in their help forum which seems to confirm that for Pay As You Go customers, it's the AGE of the handset (and not how long you've been with the network) which determines whether you can get an unlock code from Vodafone for free.


They don't, however, go so far as to say how they actually establish whether a handset is over 12 months old - ie:

• date of manufacture? (->> highly unlikely)
• date of purchase? (->> quite possibly - but do they ask for proof of purchase? and what if you buy the handset second hand?)
• date of registration? (->> don't think so, as there's no requirement for people to actually register their handset with Vodafone when they buy a phone)
• date of first use? (->> another possiblility, but this may not take into account if you have used the same handset with a different Vodafone simcard for part of the period of ownership)

Ian :cool:

Well this is interesting.....I just tried to get a NUC from vodafone for a handset I had bought off ebay. They told me I would have to pay the 20 quid as I had only had the PHONE NUMBER for a month. Actually I have had this number for over 7 years.....I have ported it from another sim in the last month though - so she said there would be the charge and I said dont bother then and went to look at the free sites. My first attempt at a free code failed and I panicked and read through all these posts again ...

Bolstered by what I had read here I tried Vodafone again and explained that
a) the handset was old
b) I had had my number for a very long time and
c) it was only the porting of the number that was recent

I gave her the imei and she gave me the nuc

Job done!!
so it does pay to argue with them a bit - glad I didn't shell out!:rotfl:

on the other point in these posts - i.e. how do they tell? they clearly could tell I have recently used a pac to port the number. I dont know what they can tell from the imei - in fact as i bought my phone second hand i dont know the age of the handset myself.....

teresamaria

hi, i have found the unlocking codes for my Z500 which is now on 3. but i cant put in number because when i take out my sim and turn on my phone (as told to in the code instructions) i cant get out of the screen which tells me to put a sim in :mad: can someone help me ASAP as i need to do this vv soon. would be v grateful thanks. :j

Il0516

Please help,I have Nokia 6500 slide.From Orange and its locked.I was trying to get those codes,but its 7 of them.I am afraid to block the phone. Orange provider can unlock for £25.Do you think they provide codes for free? Any one can help?
Thank you.
il.

chuks_2

ianonline wrote: »

OK, I'll kick off the discussion as there's something I've been wondering about for a while and this seems like a good opportunity to ask the question.

In Martin's article he states:


Now I recall someone from Vodafone posting on the forum and stating that PAYG customers can get an unlock code for free provided they've OWNED a particular handset for 12 months - ie it doesn't matter if you've been with the network for many years, if you've only owned your current handset for a few months, you can't get it unlocked for free.

Assuming that the 12 month rule DOES apply to handset ownership (and not how long you've been with the network), how do they verify how long you've owned the handset? - do you have to send them proof of purchase, or do they just check the handset's IMEI number against your mobile number to see how long it's been used with that number (in which case they could only prove how long you've USED the hanset - this may not necessarily be how long you've OWNED it if you had the handset for a while without using it, or possibly used it with another number).

Is anyone able to confirm therefore EXACTLY how the "12 month rule" is applied for unlocking Vodafone PAYG handsets, and whether there is any information about this on the Vodafone website?

Ian :cool:

pls i need a help

chuks_2

i am chuks ui have a nokia 5200 and i need the restriction code pls who can help me

chuks_2

hello can some one talk to me pls \

saltydognl

Hi Folk,
BEWARE MANY SITES SAY INSTANT UNLOCK many do not and it can be up to 48 hours BEFORE you can get the code. and it can cost you £7:50 or more to get it plus the fee that they charge its probably cheaper and quicker to go to your local market and get it done instantly for a fiver or less. DO NOT TRUST WHAT THE SITES SAY many are cons.

I have just had this problem. I will be down to my market in the morning.

Mike