So, I bought a RAZR. Yes, I decided to baa my way along and go with it.

Bought it from someone online. Was from a U.S. provider, suspended, it said, when I tried to phone somewhere. Well, it was cheaper than normal, which was probably an indication… but I decided even if I had to pay 25-40 to have it unlocked, it would be within tolerance.

So.

I found out how to get into the provider’s menu system. That’s easy enough and the code was simple (111111). But the ‘Subsidy Code’ was the next issue. Apparently it’s generally a generated one associated with the individual ESN on these (the v3c CDMA one). Only the provider knows.

What the hell, I had a computer, and the mini USB cable for my now defunct camera, so I went looking, and found this.

So, resigned, I began gathering the software and preparing to try and flash the phone to recover its functionality. I needed to do this so I could get into the base menus and program it for my chosen provider. Well, reading through the whole thing and already having my phone connected, I see part of the process involved essentially editing portions of the memory… and they gave the location for the Subsidy Code.

Well, hell, that’s all I needed, wasn’t it?

Checked that location, 6-digit number there. Tested and it worked getting me past that code. Happy day! Took it in and got my current number switched, so now it’s active.

And I’m reading up on the other small hacks you can do.

Remember kids, knowledge is dangerous. To you, or them? I forget.

This reminds me of nothing so much as 20 years ago, and editing saved games off of floppies with a hex editor. Gods, I’m *old*.

1. Anactoria, December 8, 2006:

   Floppy what?

   There’s a name for your generation of men.

   People who jump from one new technology to the next…

   I’ll have to ask marketing.