Getting Vodafone to unlock my N70..

Eurorunner

I usually use bluetooth to connect between pc and phone but this isnt fast enough for installing route66. Finally got a hold of a DFU cable and when i try and setup a pc/phone connection using nokia pc suite, it hangs on the following error:
'Please connect your cable to the computer and the mobile phone to the cable. Make sure that your phone is not locked.'

I rang vodaphone and they really resisted unlocking it. They said that they had to contact me by post in order to verify that I am who I say i am - and only then will they unlock the phone.
Is there any faster way to get this damn thing unlocked? If i had realised the difficulty in getting these phones unlocked, i would never have gone near them.

wba88

correct me if im wrong but it sounds like the pc is talkin bout the phone being 'keypad locked' not 'operator locked'

viking

Why not buy a cheap card reader to transfer the files? I've got one built into my laptop and it works a treat.

Or you could tell vodafone that you are going abroad and want to use a UK vodafone sim for making calls and would they unlock it?

Eurorunner

wba88 wrote:

correct me if im wrong but it sounds like the pc is talkin bout the phone being 'keypad locked' not 'operator locked'

I thought it must be that but even with the keypad unlocked, it doesnt get me any further.

viking wrote:

Why not buy a cheap card reader to transfer the files? I've got one built into my laptop and it works a treat.

If there was a shop across the road selling them, I'd do that but it annoys me that I should be inconvenienced because of their damn policy on unlocking.

viking wrote:

Or you could tell vodafone that you are going abroad and want to use a UK vodafone sim for making calls and would they unlock it?

I didnt think there would be any hassle when I rang them so I didnt have anything like this ready for them. Not sure if I can ring them back now as they probably have my previous enquiry logged?

@viking:did you get your gps receiver yet?

Motorola Mobile Phone Tools says the same thing. In that case its referring to the phone lock (where you lock the phone and need to enter its security code to use it again). I'd say its the same thing for you.

I'm assuming your phone isn't locked in the way I mentioned above so I'd suspect there's something else wrong. The SIM lock shouldn't make any difference whatsoever.

viking

Not sure if I can ring them back now as they probably have my previous enquiry logged?

Worth a shot, doubt they logged it. Anyway who's to say you aren't heading to the UK tomorrow?

No GPS receiver yet, shipped out Thursday and thought I'd have it today but no sign yet

EDIT: Heh, it just arrived

Gizmodeon

theres a place on aungier street called my mobile that unlock phones, i think its about a tenner, but otherwise call vodafone and demand that they unlock your phone, they have to if you request it, their bastards about doing it, but let them know whos boss

Gizmodeon

Gizmodeon wrote:

theres a place on aungier street called my mobile that unlock phones, i think its about a tenner, but otherwise call vodafone and demand that they unlock your phone, they have to if you request it, their bastards about doing it, but let them know whos boss

They won't be able to do it, the N70 is a BB5 phone, only Vodafone can unlock it. But the OPs issue is nothing to do with the SIM lock.

Are the right drivers for the USB cable installed?

Eurorunner

Karsini wrote:

I'm assuming your phone isn't locked in the way I mentioned above so I'd suspect there's something else wrong. The SIM lock shouldn't make any difference whatsoever.

Yeah, it certainly took me by surprise. I mean, if i'm able to establish a BT connection, whats the difference in establishing a cable connection?

And your correct in your assumption. The phone itself isnt locked.

Karsini wrote:

Are the right drivers for the USB cable installed?

I'm under the assumption that they are. USB drivers should be available via Win xp sp2? How can I check?

No, for Nokia cables you need the connectivity driver from their website. Nokia PC Suite also has it built in.

Eurorunner

Karsini wrote:

No, for Nokia cables you need the connectivity driver from their website. Nokia PC Suite also has it built in.

Thanks for getting me thinking along those lines. The usb pci card had become unseated in the process. Copying over files for route66 now via usb.

Thanks for your help.

Pythia

Gizmodeon wrote:

theres a place on aungier street called my mobile that unlock phones, i think its about a tenner, but otherwise call vodafone and demand that they unlock your phone, they have to if you request it, their bastards about doing it, but let them know whos boss

Ok firstly, no one will be able to unlock your phone except vodafone so don't bother going anywhere else.
Secondly, vodafone subsidised the cost of your phone, so if you bought it on pay as you go especially then they don't have to unlock it until you spend a certain amount of money. You can't just demand it.

Eurorunner

Pythia wrote:

Secondly, vodafone subsidised the cost of your phone, so if you bought it on pay as you go especially then they don't have to unlock it until you spend a certain amount of money. You can't just demand it.

subsidised...christ whats a 'fair' price for a N70 then?

Pythia

http://www.expansys.ie/product.asp?code=127211
Recently reduced to 385 here, with no free credit.

Eurorunner

Interesting pythia...never realised that was the case with 'ready to go' phones.

Eurorunner

Vodafone sent me my unlock code via text today - so cant bítch about them too much anymore.:)