(added link to my ringtone library) All of these 'hacks' simply restore functionality to the phone that has been removed or crippled by Verizon. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK! All of these procedures have been tested and verified, however things happen - I'm not at all liable for things that go wrong. I am not Verizon customer (dis)service. If something is wrong with your phone, call them. If something goes terribly bad while you're applying these fixes, please let me know, but don't expect me to care or help you fix it. If your e-mail does not relate directly to the topics listed here, do not expect a reply. Even though this is written for the Verizon Wireless 8600, if you have this phone on another carrier (or even another Audiovox phone), much of this will apply.
The Audiovox CDM 8600 is a wonderful phone, however Verizon Wireless, through pressure on Audiovox and through network modifications, has severely limited much of the advanced functionality. This tutorial will help you restore much of that functionality as well as extend the functionality of your phone.
To the best of my knowledge, none of this is illegal. If you believe any of these activities to be illegal, you must leave this site now. If you are looking for illegal airtime hacks, getting free Get It Now services, etc., look elsewhere. YOU OWN THE PHONE. VERIZON OWNS THE SERVICE. Hacking YOUR HARDWARE is perfectly legal, as long as doing so does not allow illegal activity on VERIZON'S SERVICE.
Below is a list of functionality limations and problems that have been introduced by Verizon:
If you really want Verizon to fix these problems, here are a few ideas:
If you'd like to use
my personal WAP gateway to test your connection, use IP 129.123.17.148 and
port 9201. This is a test
gateway and should only be used for testing or moderate use.
The CDM 8600 is WAP enabled. There is no such thing as FREE Internet access with this phone. When browsing the Web, you will always use airtime. If you have free nights/weekends, do your browsing then. However, you CAN get around the $4.99/month charge that Verizon charges for their Web browsing service. In short, the phone can access the Web at any time, you just have a choice of whether you want to pay Verizon $4.99 to use their homepage and other Web-based programs. For many of you, this may be worth it. If you're interested in creating your own Web portals or surfing the Web using other WAP portals, read on.
Here's a few WAP sites you might want to try:
http://wap.oa.yahoo.com/
http://wireless.mapquest.com/wml
http://wap.wsj.com
http://wap.hollywood.com
You can use any of these data cables with the CDM8600 - the DIC-8300 (serial), DICU-8300 (USB - driver here), DIC1100, or the DICU-8600B USB cable that comes with the Verizon Mobile Office Kit (~$70). If you're getting the MOK, make sure you get the Verizon one as the software for the non-Verizon phones won't work on Verizon phones. You can get all of these on e-bay on the cheap. I got the serial DIC-8300 from Radio Shack for $21. The serial cable requires no drivers and is very easy to use - just plug in and go.
BitPim is a free software program that allows you to connect to your phone from your computer and see the data structure and files of your phones software. You can use BitPim to backup/restore the contents of your phone, as well as add and replace files. Here are instructions to get connected to your phone with BitPim.
BACKUP YOUR PHONE NOW! I recommend making a full backup of everthing on your
phone (right click on / and select Backup entire tree...). If you happen to
screw up something, you can always usually fix it with the backed up
files.
If you reset your phone, you will need to exit then restart BitPim before trying to connect.
What you will need:
- Data cable
- BitPim
- The eri_binary.bin file
This hack works with the Audiovox 8900 and MAY work with other Audiovox models. Use at your own risk.
The Verizon 8600 displays a "Verizon Wireless" banner on both the outside LCD and the inside display. The outside banner cycles every 5 seconds between "Verizon Wireless" and the time/caller. This 'feature' makes it difficult to quickly identify the time or who is calling unless you are lucky enough to look during the 5 seconds that "Verizon Wireless" is not displayed. The flashing "Verizon Wireless" banner is actually an Enhanced Roaming Indicator (ERI). It will only display "Verizon Wireless" if you are within Verizon's digital network. If you are roaming or on another network, it will display "Roaming" or "Enhanced Network". By applying this patch, the "Verizon Wireless" display will be removed, but the phone will still display "Roaming" or "Enhanced Network" if you are not on Verizon's digital network.
Several Verizon stores have confirmed that they can remove the "Verizon Wireless" banner (ERI) if you request it. Their approach will remove the banner entirely, whereas this fix will only remove it when you are on Verizon's digital network (you'll still get roaming indicators). If you don't have a cable, go to your local Verizon store and request a non-ERI PRL. While you're at it, demand a credit for your time and inconvenience - we want Verizon to know that we're sick of them limiting phone functionality so that they can inundate us with marketing.
Shhhhh... don't tell anyone! As a treat to my fellow 8600 users, I'm giving you access to my ringtone collection of nearly 3000 ringtones. Do not tell the world about this, because if my bandwidth is used up, I'll have to turn it off for everyone. Enjoy! Browse My Ringtone Library.
What you will need:
- Data cable
- BitPim (version .7 test 9 or OLDER, version 10 and newer may not work)
- VoxIndexEditor
- Midi ringtones
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS HACK WITH THE 8900 OR ANY OTHER AUDIOVOX PHONE BESIDE THE 8600 AND THE 8610. IT WILL RUIN IT. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
First of all, the 8600 has native functionality to download ringtones on the Web and to have ringtones sent as EMS attachments. However, Verizon has stripped out this functionality and forces you to use Get It Now to get ring tones at $1.99 each. If you do not have Verizon, you MAY be able to get free ringtones by browsing to sites via the Web browser and downloading them OR by sending yourself an text message with the ringtone attached (depends on your service provider). These steps will help you get loads of free ringtones onto your phone for free.
To edit the ringtone list, just open VoxIndexEditor and select Load... and open your download-snd.txt file and edit the list of files, then replace the file on your phone. Make sure all of the files referenced in VoxIndexEditor are uploaded to the /user/sound/ringer directory on the phone.
This new method allows images and screensavers to remain on the phone even after you power it off. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITH THE 8900 OR ANY OTHER AUDIOVOX PHONE BESIDE THE 8600. IT WILL RUIN IT. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
What you will need:
- Data cable
- BitPim (version .7 test 9 or OLDER, version 10 and newer may not work)
- VoxIndexEditor - create store.idx file and save in /brew folder
- Save images on your phone in /brew/shared/images folder
To edit the images list, just use VoxIndexEditor to create a new store.idx file (remember to remove the .txt extension). Then replace the file on your phone. Make sure the files all images referenced in VoxIndexEditor are uploaded to the /brew/shared/images directory on the phone. You'll have to reset the phone after each change to the store.idx file.
Wallpaper saved to the phone
The ERI banner will cover part of the wallpaper image when you are roaming. If you haven't applied the banner removal hack above, it will cover part of the image all of the time.
Screensaver image saved to the phone.
You have to have a data cable and the computer must detect the phone as a modem. Detailed instructions for various operating systems can be found at http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/mobileoffice/additionalsetup.jsp
There are two networks that Verizon uses for wireless network connectivity - Quick2Net (also known as QuickNetConnect or QNC) and National Access (formerly known as Express Network or EN). Quick2Net is included with all major wireless plans and uses your existing minutes, but is limited to 14.4 kb speeds. National Access allows up to 144 kb speeds, but costs extra for a data plan. Your wireless plan may indicate that it has National Access enabled, but this is just a flag that tells the Verizon network to use the high speed network for things like messaging and Get It Now. According to Verizon's policy, you can only use National Access for data access if you have paid for the plan, however many people connect through this network without paying for the plan, get the higher speeds, and never pay a cent. Feel free to try connecting to the National Access plan, but if you get billed for the data usage, don't blame me (I've only seen 2 confirmed cases where people have been billed and 100's where people use it for free).
To get your phone set up as a modem, you'll need the data cable. Here are instructions for setting things up:
This one stumped me for a while. You don't program voice dialing in the phone book, you do it in Voice Services - Menu... Voice Services... Voice Dial... Add... (Menu... 9... 4... 2). To enable voice dialing, press and hold Send for 5 seconds. You can also turn it on automatically when you open the phone by selecting Menu... 9... 6... 5... and enabling Active Flip - however, this is often a pain as the VR will start every time you open your phone.
Unfortunately, this BREW enabled phone has been stripped of all of it's games by Verizon. For now, use Get It Now and support the game developers. There is currently no known way to get free games onto the phone (though we're working on it).
Unfortunately, the annoyingly ugly clown that appears in the sub-LCD when you start the phone is part of the firmware and is probably there to stay unless Verizon updates the firmware to get rid of it (not likely).
You can toggle etiquette mode by holding down the * key for a few seconds. To silence the phone when it is ringing, just press one of the volume buttons on the side of the phone.
If you don't know what your password is, it should be the last four digits of your phone number. You can view the unlock code by entering #5625* (#LOCK*) and then press END.
Enter these numbers then press SEND
*611 - Call Verizon customer service. I've nearly worn these keys off my phone. ;-)
411 - Information. You can actually get all sorts of cool things (restaurant listing, movie listings, etc.) from these guys, though they give you the wrong phone number about half the time. It costs $1.25 plus airptime for each call.
#MIN or #646 - Stay on the line a few seconds to receive a text message displaying last bill date and total, total peak minutes, total offpeak/night minutes, total weekend minutes, total peak mobile2mobile minutes, and total offpeak mobile2mobile minutes. No more checking my balance online. This is a free text message.
#BAL or #225 - Same as above.
#VG or #84 - Voice Gear. A pay service that allows you to dial numbers and access information (stock quotes, sports scores, directory assistance, etc.) with your voice.
#PMT - Make a payment on your bill.
*VM or *86 - access voice mail. Press # during your greeting, then follow the prompts. Airtime charges apply.
*228 - Select option 1 to update/program your phone. I don't think this really does anything. It does NOT update your phones firmware. Select option to to update your preferred roaming list (PRL). This tells your phone which wireless systems to use and which ones not to use. Update this every few months, especially if you travel - it may save you a lot in roaming charges if your phone is using someone elses network when a new Verizon tower is in the area. Your phone will automatically reset when it is done.
*67 +10 digit number - Disable caller id for your call. The party you're calling will see 'Unavailable' instead of your number.
*72 + 10 digit number - Start call forwarding. Calls will be forwarded to the number you enter if you do not answer after 2 or 3 rings or if you are currently using the phone.
*73 - End call forwarding.
#7623 or #ROAD- Roadside assistance. I'm not sure what they do, but I'm sure it will cost you.
Enter these numbers then press END (not SEND). If you don't know what you're doing, don't make any changes.
##1111 - should display the amount of file space on the phone, but usually just fades out the screen. Press END to get back to normal.
##2773 - field test mode. The default SPC code, if prompted, is 000000.
Rx = Receive power measured in dB.
Tx = Send power measured in dB.
P_Rev Protocol Revision = 6 is 1x, 4 is regular CDMA.
Ec = A measure of how strong individual connections from the tower are compared
to everything that the tower is transmitting. Compares the pilot signal to
the overall level of traffic, but this is a good indicator of how your connection
compares to the overall level of traffic from the tower. -3 dB to -8 dB is
usually a “good” Ec. When Ec gets larger, like -10 dB or -15 dB
phones will start having trouble maintaining their connections, even with full
signal.
C = Channel. B side carriers start on 384. Will increase by 1.25MHz or 41 channels.
##20022002 - Be very careful! NAM programming menu. Under "Voice Option" you can also change your vocoder to 13K QCELP for a better sounding vocoder, but I'm not sure if Verizon supports it.
##2222 - display CDMA Automatic Gain Control and Low Noise Amplifier data
##2240 - S/W test. I don't know what any of this is, so be careful.
##2250 - RFNV Contents. Tons of options here. I have no idea what they do.
##2283 - Set the data port baud rate.
##7738 - Change P_Rev. Allows you to force CDMA (Select Rev 4)
##1122 - Test ringtone, vibrate, and colors. Adjust contrast and stuff.
##1133 - Be careful! Resets the phone back to factory settings.
##1144 - Change the length of the keypad tones. Navigation keys don't work here, use the numbers to change values.
##27752345 - Battery info and modification. Be careful!
##27732726 - Software tests and stuff. Displays the date/time of firmware. Lots of cool stuff in here.
2539** - Change authentication key. Be VERY careful!
Download/view the manual (PDF format)