ZN5 - Some basic concepts

[biyahero]

Hey Guys,

I don't know anything about modding motorola phones... but believe I can learn fast if you would help me get started. I have flashed Nokia phones before... I have a N95 8Gb and a N80 and I have cause to be flashed at the service centers various other models like 6610's, so I have some familiarity with the concepts but Motorola
seems to be much different... especially the terminology!

I had originally on my ZN5's (I have two) it would seem, the locked T-Mobile version of R6637_G_81.11.17R_128 with Bootloader 06.2B

T-Mobile gave me the subsidy unlock codes for these phones when I bought them, as a long time customer, and I unlocked them.

Now I used the Motorola software update a couple of days ago and updated my firmware on the phone that I use myself, and now I appear to have:
R6637_G_81.11.2CR_128_LP0063B_GSJPIXL00TMB01NA.rar
LOCKED; T-Mobile US; Language Pack 0063B on it.

Yet in apparent contradiction to the notes in one of the forums here, my phone remains unlocked. As soon as I saw that note in the forum about flashing the phone with a locked firmware would re-lock it, I put in a foreign sim card to see if my phone had become locked again, and it is not. At first I thought because I had upgraded the firmware (or software as Motorola calls it) using Motorola software updater, but then I realized that I had been asked to choose my Service Provider, so I must have got the T-Mobile software... why then is it not locked??

My end goal is to "unbrand" I think is the term that would be used in the Nokia forums where I am more at home... I want to get rid of the T-Mobile software... to not have "T-Zones" cluttering up my main menu (just will use regular WiFi and not T-Zones); to not have the T-Mobile welcome graphic appear every time I turn the phone on, etc.

I presume that what I would want to have on it then is the "Unlocked US Retail; eCommerce version R6637_G_81.11.17R_128_LP0003_GSJPIXL00ECOMMNA.rar" that I see on
Skrilax_CZ's site on RapidShare?

As to what would be preferable in firmware I will watch the poll. I see nobody votes for the R6637_G_81.00.58I_LP0003_GIJXPIXL00AA
Unlocked; Factory Build; Language Pack 0003 but maybe nobody has it since it is referred to as the "Engineering Version"?

The best liked seem to be:
R6637_G_81.11.20R_GFU
R6637_G_81.11.10I
R6637_G_81.03.0ER
R6637_G_81.03.05R
R6637_G_81.11.17R_128

Then again there is R6637_G_81.11.20R_GFU_LP002E_GIJXPIXL00AA
Unlocked; Factory Build; Language Pack 002E

That has a later version number, but Language Pack 002E instead of 0003... so who knows what the differences in Language pack 0003 and 002E are? I would prefer American English. Is there information somewhere on the characteristics of the different language packs? Currently I have Language Pack 0063B.

Perhaps if the language pack is tied to the firmware some people who are voting are just choosing the firmware that is in the language they are most comfortable with?

There is a R6637_G_81.11.10I_LP0003_GIJXPIXL00AA Unlocked Factory Build also with Language Pack 0003 which is what the US Retail one had, but no bootloader with a matching number....

If I were to use a certain firmware, does the bootloader version need to be of the same version number? There is a bootloader R6637_G_81.11.17R_128, but I don't see
any for R6637_G_81.11.20R.

Now another discrepancy I have found is that R6637_G_81.11.2CR_128_Bootloader.rar
says it is Bootloader 06.2D, yet whatever it is that I got when I updated my software from Motorola ... when I follow the instructions of navyfootball94 to enter flash mode, I see this:

Boot Loader
06.2DP

So do I have a non-standard boot loader?

My Phone Properties:
I updated the software on 04/13/2009 and now it says under Phone Settings; Properties:

AP Flex Version: [Press Enter]
Secure Setup:
GAS_NA_GSJPIXL00TMB01N
A_E018
Setup:
GAS_NA_GSJPIXL00TMB01N
A_S064
Resource:
GAS_NA_GSJPIXL00TMB01N
A_R6637_G_81.11.2CR_128_R
002
Logo:
GAC_GENERIC_GCJXPIXL00A
A_G005
AP S/W Version:
R6637_G_81.11.2CR_128
BP Flex Version:
GSJPIXL00TMB01NA05C
BP S/W Version:
R6637_G_81.11.2CR_128

Finally if you could help me understand a few of the terms used here it would really help me! The ones I am a little confused about are:

1. RAMldr

2. Bootloader - I can image what this is, but what would be the
differences between 06.2A, 06.2B, and it appears a new one
06.2D... and then mine 06.2DP. I am guessing that certain
firmwares need to be used with certain Bootloaders... thus
the porting project for 06.2B firmwares to 06.2A firmwares,
which presumably means that certain firmwares must be used
with certain booloaders only?

3. Firmware - I know what firmware is, but I guess my question is
which of these numbers in my phone properties identifies the
firmware... a lot of the version numbers are the same number
like A/P Software Version; B/P Software Version, etc. Is
Software an interchangeable term for Firmware in this case?

4. stock flashfile (as used by Skrilax_CZ in his post of 01/27 the
thread about Porting 06.2A to 06.2B)

5. noRSA - Apparently a good thing, but I don't have a clue what it
is. I know RSA is a form of encryption in some circles... but
related to firmware?

6. sticky as it applies to firmware?

Thanks for any help you could give me with these questions!

[kn100]

Finally if you could help me understand a few of the terms used here it would really help me! The ones I am a little confused about are:

1. RAMldr
RAMldr is a program by the russians allowing for boot patching, PDS patching, Blank setting on some phones.
2. Bootloader -
Think of the bootloader as the secratery for the firmware. The secratery has to speak the same language as the firmware. So yes, some bootloaders only work with some firmwares.

3. Firmware - The A/P software and B/P software are just the versions of the things INSIDE the firmware. Just ignore them

4. stock flashfile
A stock flashfile is a file that is unmodified. Flashing Stock Firmware will make your phone look like its just came out of the shop with NO mods.

5. RSA
Motorola protects parts of its firmware with RSA, meaning we can't modify it. noRSA just means someones found a way round the RSA.

6. sticky as it applies to firmware?
Sticky firmware is just that. Sticky. When you flash it, your phone is stuck with it, or newer versions of it. With sticky firmware, it means you can not downgrade and you can not change the firmware to a different version. For example if you flash some firmware thats sticky malaysian, you will only be able to flash malaysian firmware to it

Hope this helps xD

[ferrarix]

1) Not sure but I think it contains the commands required to control the phone's boot-loader to allow flashing etc on the phone.

2) No real difference as far as I know except compatibility problems. Some firmwares work on one but not the other. They can be upgraded. Not sure if they can be downgraded.

3) Depends what you mean by firmware. In Motorolas, the firmware is the actual code that makes the phone work and is only part of the flash file. Other CGs (code groups) would be the kernel, the language pack, etc etc.

4) Any firmware which hasn't been modified and is exactly how Motorola released it to its service centres.

5) Some of the CGs found in a MP (monster pack) are RSA encrypted to prevent people from modifying them. If modified, the phone will get stuck in boot-loader mode and will not run. A no-RSA boot-loader is a bootloader which has been modified in a way that it accepts CGs with corrupted RSA signatures. Thus we can modify the encrypted CGs and the phone will still run them.

6) A sticky firmware is a firmware that once applied cannot be removed. I'm not sure whether any stick firmwares exist on the ZN5.

As for a firmware, I recommend the eCommerce 17R. It's unbranded and works well and it has the required certificates to allow Java apps to access WiFi. Something which the T-Mobile firmware lacks. Not sure if it's compatible on 06.2DP though. It works fine on my 06.2B phone. However there are ways you can just flash parts of the CGs and get it to work I think. It's best to consult Skrilax_CZ on this, he knows best these things in my opinion. Wait till he comes online and replies here (don't send him a PM).

As for why MSU didn't lock your phone is, I guess because it detected your phone as being unlocked, and therefore flashed to your phone an unlocked version of the 2CR firmware, thus keeping the phone unlocked. If it had to detect the phone as being locked, it would not get unlocked. Flashing the same 2CR firmware through RSD Lite will lock your phone (unless you modify the firmware before hand to get it unlocked using SBF Recalc). As far as I know, if your phone gets locked, you can use the same unlock code T-Mobile had given you to re-unlock them.

EDIT: lol KN100 you were faster than me in replying XD haha

[navyfootball94]

Well, Motorola Software Update had a reputation for locking phones again, but I guess it did not do that in your case. However, if you flash the locked MP over to your phone, it may lock your phone again, but if you have the unlock code, it shouldn't be a big deal.

If you would like to use unbranded firmware, I would suggest the R6637_G_81.11.17R_128_LP0003_GSJPIXL00ECOMMNA.
If you would like to use R6637_G_81.11.20R_GFU_LP002E_GIJXPIXL00AA, then you will have to port it to the 06.2B bootlaoder. I don't know if porting to 06.2DP is possible. I do, however, beleive that just porting it to 06.2B would work.

Without porting firmwares, you cannot flash a 06.2A firmware to 06.2B. And the same applies to 06.2DP. 06.2DP is a new bootladoer which is still being discovered by us, so we do not know muh about this bootlaoder. Well... at least I don't. Maybe OCM770 could tell you a little more about that.

As far as the terminology, it looks like your friends kn100 and ferrarix did a good job of explaining those to you.

I would like to thank you for searching the forums and doing a little research before posting. This helps us so that we dont have to repeat ourselves all of the time. Also, welcome to Motorola modding and welcome to ModMyMoto! It's good to have you!

[biyahero]

EDIT: lol KN100 you were faster than me in replying XD haha

Thank you both KN100 and ferrarix! Both of you were so super fast it was almost unbelievable...seemed like only minutes!

Anyway I appreciate both your responses and learned a lot from both of them... I have been digesting them and doing a lot of reading in this and other forums since then to try to fully digest them before I ask more.

I have been also trying to get the appropriate software I will be needing to get into this, and I do have some questions/comments about the software... what is appropriate and needed.

So far the software I got is the following:

I wonder if there is anything else I will be needing to get to complete my "toolbox".

SBF-Recalc 1.2.9 I got from here
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/down...o=file&id=3630

P2K Tools ... I got two versions. Regarding P2K Tools ... do I really need to install the 32 bit drivers (Self installing P2K drivers v3.7.0 [32bit])? They are dated back in 2006 and I don't see any mention of the ZN5 as a supported phone in the list of phones. Perhaps Mobile Phone Tools Version 5 that comes with the ZN5 installs the appropriate USB drivers?

Also regarding the builds of P2K Tools here in the software library... I normally would expect that one should use the latest version.... which I guess is P2K Tools VS Version 3.0.9 Build 961
which I got here:
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/down...=file&id=16181

However, after I installed it I noticed that the "Help; About" page has a lot of question marks all over it, and the Hidden Settings choices appear to be in Italian, and the Settings; P2K mode has a box at the bottom under "File Name of Hidden Settings" that is titled and filled with weird characters. Is this file corrupted, or is that normal because I guess it was translated from Russian?

On the other hand I see also here in the download library:
P2k Tools VS 3.08 Build 864
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/down...o=file&id=6647
Which is billed as "The most user friendly and vast modding and utility for motorola phones, and the one being most actively developed. A must have for modders and normal users alike.
New Flash Mode!"
Changes:
1. Flash Mode added!. This is the first version, so always make backups using Flash&Backup!
2. Shortcuts editor added
3. Bug fixes
4. Hidden Settings now fully in english.

This version also has the question marks all over in the Help, About page, but it does have the the Hidden Settings choices in English, and in the Settings; P2K mode there is not a box at the bottom under "File Name of Hidden Settings" that is titled and filled with weird characters, as there is in Version 3.0.9 Build 961.

So which version is the preferred one to use?

Then there is RSD Lite, which I didn't find in the download library here, but I did find here: ::WAREZ LINK REMOVED::

However after installing it I checked for updates, and I got a box that says that you are supposed to go to ttp://maillist.mot.com and subscribe to RDSLite mail-list and then the RDSLite team will give you approval and you are supposed to download it from http://compass.mot.com/go/rsdlite.

Well neither http://maillist.mot.com or http://compass.mot.com/go/rsdlite appear to be valid reachable URL's, so what is the deal with that?

The IDA Pro Disassembler and Debugger...
http://www.hex-rays.com/idapro/

I saw that Skrilax_CZ mentioned this program once to somebody to use, but the purpose of it's use appears way over my current level of knowledge, so I probably don't need to get that for anything yet.

Is there any other software that I will be needing for now?

Thanks!

[Av3LaR]

Well for basic modding all you need is RSD and a FW, perhaps Notepad++ to edit your .cfg files in a better way; The RSD you got is fine, it'll work
But there's one big problem.

Now I used the Motorola software update a couple of days ago and updated my firmware on the phone that I use myself, and now I appear to have:
R6637_G_81.11.2CR_128_LP0063B_GSJPIXL00TMB01NA.rar
LOCKED; T-Mobile US; Language Pack 0063B on it.

If you used the phone's update application now you have no chances to mod, as simple as that, if you flash it will be stuck on the bl, and you'll need to flash the same stock FW again

[biyahero]

Well for basic modding all you need is RSD and a FW, perhaps Notepad++ to edit your .cfg files in a better way; The RSD you got is fine, it'll work
But there's one big problem.

If you used the phone's update application now you have no chances to mod, as simple as that, if you flash it will be stuck on the bl, and you'll need to flash the same stock FW again

Thanks!

Do you mean an update application on the phone itself, such as the menu choice under Phone Settings for "OTA Updates" or I think I saw another "Update" menu choice somewhere? I hope...

What I used was the MSU application on my PC which came I think with Motorola Phone Tools (version 5.X which came with the phone).... it won't let me read the version number unless I connect the phone to it. Anyway it is Motorola Software Update Version C01.11.46, and I connected the phone to my PC using the Motorola USB Data Cable. It connected to a Motorola site, asked me what country and my service provider were, and then found the update and installed it.

I hope you meant by "phone's update application" you mean the phone's menu choice "OTA Update" and were not referring to the use of the PC software MSU? Is that correct?

Also since you say the RSD I got is fine.... is there a better or newer version? I do have other phones that haven't been updated yet so I will still want to do this even if I can't do it on my primary phone...

What is the situation with RSD Lite? I notice that over at MotoModding.US they even say on one page "Please do not request ANY version of RSD Lite"! What is the deal with that software?

For the text editor I have NoteTab Pro, so that should take care of the editing tasks of the .cfg files.

[ferrarix]

RSD Lite cannot be requested on the forum as it's classified as warez. Warez means that you cannot legally copy or redistribute a software or file. RSD Lite was designed to be used only by authorised Motorola Service Centres and therefore we cannot host access to it here. Google would be your best friend for links to RSD Lite .

I don't know about NoteTab Pro. There are a lot of ways on how to edit those files. Personally I prefer simply right click>open with WordPad (NOT notepad) lol but there are a lot of methods.

As for the MSU/Update thing I'm not sure exactly, Skirlax or OCM would know best the solution for that.

And one last thing, earlier you mentioned P2k Tools. That is useless for the ZN5 .

.

[biyahero]

RSD Lite cannot be requested on the forum as it's classified as warez. Warez means that you cannot legally copy or redistribute a software or file. RSD Lite was designed to be used only by authorised Motorola Service Centres and therefore we cannot host access to it here. Google would be your best friend for links to RSD Lite .

I don't know about NoteTab Pro. There are a lot of ways on how to edit those files. Personally I prefer simply right click>open with WordPad (NOT notepad) lol but there are a lot of methods.

As for the MSU/Update thing I'm not sure exactly, Skirlax or OCM would know best the solution for that.

And one last thing, earlier you mentioned P2k Tools. That is useless for the ZN5 .

.

Thanks ferrarix for explaining about RSD Lite... now I understand.

And also thanks for mentioning about P2K Tools. So it is useless for the ZN5 because the the ZN5 is not what they are calling a "P2K Phone? I was wondering what they meant by "P2K phone".

As for the MSU/Update thing, I'll double check with Skirlax or OCM or wait for Av3LaR to clarify what he meant by updating by using the phone's update application before I try it.

[NestorM]

well, ZN5 isn't p2k, ZN5 is a linux phone, so you can't use p2k tools with it. but, don't worry about that, linux = easy to mod XD Av3lar mean, if you use Motorola Software update maybe you can lock your phone, this happen because this program goes to update your phone with the latest firmware made by motorola, and this last firmware have a lot of security.... so... at the moment don't use motorla software update.

[biyahero]

well, ZN5 isn't p2k, ZN5 is a linux phone, so you can't use p2k tools with it. but, don't worry about that, linux = easy to mod XD Av3lar mean, if you use Motorola Software update maybe you can lock your phone, this happen because this program goes to update your phone with the latest firmware made by motorola, and this last firmware have a lot of security.... so... at the moment don't use motorla software update.

Thank you Nestor! So what does P2K mean? Is it an older Motorola Operating System, like Symbian on the Nokiaa, or it is just a classification of some sort for certain Motorola models?

I understand that the ZN5 runs on Motorola Linux.

Well if Av3lar just meant that using MSU could lock my phone, then I should be OK... As soon as I saw that warning in the SuperForum a few days ago after I had upgraded the software on that phone I took out the T-Mobile Sim and put in a foreign sim, and I am still OK. It is not locked, so I guess I lucked out.

[NestorM]

Exactly, P2K is the older plataform for some old motorolas, linux phone is the first generation, and MotoMagx the newest, but in fact the las 2 one are the same, just some changes in security modules are the diference, motorola put a lot of security on his newest motomagx, for this reason are called MotoMagx

I mean lock you phone in modding, some firmware provided by MSU are locked, what mean that ? modding feature.... this lastest firmware maybe are locked with double RSA protection in the bootloader, but anyways there is a NoRSA boots so its ok.

[biyahero]

Exactly, P2K is the older plataform for some old motorolas, linux phone is the first generation, and MotoMagx the newest, but in fact the las 2 one are the same, just some changes in security modules are the diference, motorola put a lot of security on his newest motomagx, for this reason are called MotoMagx

I mean lock you phone in modding, some firmware provided by MSU are locked, what mean that ? modding feature.... this lastest firmware maybe are locked with double RSA protection in the bootloader, but anyways there is a NoRSA boots so its ok.

Thanks for explaining that Nestor!

So the Zn5 is a first generation linux phone? What would be one that is a Motomagx? I thought ZN5 was the latest and greatest! How about the Razr V3... is that a P2K phone then?
I have access to one of those to play with....

Yes it scared me when I read that flashing the phone could lock it, and I whipped out my foreign sim card and checked it right away, but it is not. Anyway it was suggested to me that even if it does get locked again I could use the same code that T-Mobile already gave me to unlock it again, and that sounds reasonable.

[navyfootball94]

Please note that only flashing a locked firmware will re-lock the phone. If you think you have came across a locked firmware that yoiu want to flash to your phone, there is a guide in the "Firmware Superthread" by our friend Skrilax_CZ that will tell you how to unlock it.

Also, MotoMagX is a linux-based operating system. I do not think that the ZN5 is the first or the last of this chain, so someone else please verify that info.

The V3 is a p2k phone. Those are easy modding, just check the Razr V3 section of the forum.

[Av3LaR]

afaik E8 and EM35/VE66 are the last [the last two share almost the same FW, they are even interchangeable ]
but idk xD