Hi there,
I'm new to these forums but I'm the need of the masters here to help me out rebranding and unlocking the S500i. I'm a total newbie to Sony Ericsson phones and to this kind of stuff with mobile phones so bare that in mind please...

I don't yet have the SE S500i but I'm thinking of getting one and I have like 36 hours (or something) to get one after that, no more. Why? Because it's an auction and I want to try and get one and after that I won't get one cause I can't afford a new one. Anyway, this mobile phone here in my country is branded and locked to one operator and if I'm going to get this phone I need it to be unlocked or I don't have any use for it. I also would like to have it rebranded or restored with it's original unbranded content because I don't like what the operators in my country do to their exclusive phones.

So, where do I start to unlock/rebrand it? I don't need you to write yourself everything, posting detail by the detail, you can point me (or quote) to topics that have the guides I need (but please be specific and not point me to an entire topic, I'm total newbie and I get confused by all these things) and tell me which order should I do what. And if I have a problem with something, I go step by step at what I did so you can help me as easy and fast as possible.

I've been reading these and other forums so let me try my luck and tell what I think it's the first step and then you tell me if I'm right or wrong...

Like I said, the phone I want to unlock is the S500i and I believe it's DB2020 with CID52 correct? To remove the phone branding I'll have to flash a new firmware (I think) and I also need to do that if I want to unlock it with SIMLockPatchGen v2.1 (I already have this software). Which I believe it's the only available free method to unlock this phone. So, I think I can do these both steps at once, right? What I mean is that, I don't want to flash the phone to unlock it and then again to remove the branding, if I can do it flashing just once, that would be nice. Anyways, for this, I need to have two files I think, one with FS in the name and the other with MAIN in the filename, but I don't have these files nor I know where to get them.

This is all I know, but I don't know exactly what to do, what files to open in which software, how to use the software and all that.

Is this the first step? If not, which is? And what should I do?

Unbrand
Start xs++
Turn of the phone.
Press the button connect.
Hold "C" button on the phone and connect the DCU-60 cable.
if CID is lower then 52 xs++ will ask you if you want to upgrade CID press yes.
Tick flash main firmware and browse for your main.
Tick flash file system and browse for your fs.
Tick customize file system select phone model and region.
Press the flash button and wait.

Make the patch
Start patch generator.
Open firmware in the patch generator.
Press the button make patch.
You will find the generated patch in a folder called vkp.

Apply patch
How to apply patch if the phone is unbranded
Start setool2 lite 1.11
Select phone modell.
Tick bypass DB2020 security box.
Press the button add and browse for the main file.
Add patch In MISC files.
Press flash and follow instruction in setool.

finding firmware is hard some times but main is the easy part.
if you write what region you have it's easyer to help you

I thought there is no patches for s500.

Thank you for the detailed post and sorry for missing that location information. I'm from Portugal, Europe. Although, I always like to have my phones language to English, just in case, but I think that most firmwares brings more than one language and English is probably always present right?

1) Anyway, if you could point me to the correct files I should download it would be great... I found a few files (While reading these forums) here: http://www.esnips.com/SharedFolderAction.ns#files

But there are quite a few for the S500:

• S500_R6BC002_FS_EUROPE_1_RED52.rar
• S500_R6BC002_MAIN_GENERIC_LY_RED52.rar
• S500_R8BA024_FS_C_ASIA_RED52.rar
• S500_R8BA024_FS_CENT_EUROPE_RED52.rar
• S500_R8BA024_FS_S_ASIA_LEVAN_RED52.rar
• S500_R8BA024_MAIN_GENERIC_LY_RED52.rar

If I could guess I would choose between the ones in bold. But I don't know what are the differences between R6BC002 and R8BA024 and which one should I choose. Or maybe none of these and you are going to suggest me a different version?

Let's call the above, question #1 cause I have few other questions and I like things organized if you don't mind...

2) For all this to work (XS and SetTool2) I need to have Sony Ericsson Update Service installed right? (Should I download this: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/download/1...up-2.7.12.4.exe ?)

3) Doing the unbranding procedure you just posted, I only need to do it once, right? And the phone will be unbranded forever, correct? If not, which cases is the phone going to be branded again?

4) What about updating the firmware. After having SEUS installed and done all that unbranding/unlocking procedure, will SEUS just work and update the firmware to the original firmware and not the branded one? How will the firmware's upgrade work?

5) I read that in some cases, dunno if it's flashing the phone, would make me loose my settings, contacts and stuff like that. I would like to know exactly which cases would make me loose things and which things would I loose doing that.

6) Just to make sure, doing this procedures, I would get the PSP like menu navigation that the guy talks about in this video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=jrhGWw5lIbw), correct? Not that big of a deal, I just want to know...

I hope you (or someone) can answer me all these questions and enumerate them as I did if you don't mind so I don't get confused and mix everything. I'm sorry to be such a pain in the ass, I just want to make sure that I'm getting something I will like and I can use the way I like it.

Care to elaborate why you think that? What is making you believe that? I'm not an expert, far from it, but as this phone is DB2020 and CID52, doesn't that make it possible to be patchable?

I only have less then 12hours to get this phone and I know I already have most of the important answers to my main question, but can someone answer my latest questions enumerating them accordingly before the 12h limit it would be great. And more importantly, can someone confirm or deny BHBMT said?

i dont know what fs files contain your language but english should be in all.
you dont need Sony Ericsson Update Service.
the phone will always stay unbranded.
seus will not brand it again but if you try to update after patch unlocking the patch will be gone.
if you wants to have your contacts only make backup of the gdfs first and write back the backup after flashing and unlocking.
the menu will be sony ericsson generic menu if you wants flash menu there is tutorials in the forum for that.

Answer to my old questions:

1) I read some topic on Top Sony and I think EUROPE_1 has Portuguese (my language), so, I believe I should use the one with R6BC002 on the name. Correct?

2) But every tutorial I've read on this forum, ask me to download SEUS so the USB drivers are installed, otherwise, how is XS++ or SetTool Lite 2 going to connect to the phone if there are no communication interfaces between the OS and the phone?

4) So, when SonyEricsson releases new firmware versions we can't update through SEUS and should wait for someone to have access to the FS/MAIN files and post them publicly so we can flash them with the patch. Is that it?

5) I'm still confused by your answer to this question, care to elaborate please?

6) That got me confused... That video review on YouTube is from an unbranded S500i and it shows a PSP like menu, which I think it's flash. Maybe it isn't? Either way, I though the S500i had native flash menus in it's unbranded version, like everchanging theme and that...

Hope you can still complete the questions above but I also have some new ones:

7) I lost the phone in the auction but I'm still thinking of buying. Though, the phone is exclusive to one operator I need to get it from them but I didn't want to lose the warranty doing all the flashing and unbranding. So my question is: Is there a way to backup everything? I mean, the default firmware installed along with all the phone branding from the operator? In case I need to send it to warranty, I wanted to restore everything

8) I also read in a few topics in this forum that you need a custom pack after flashing the FS. Is that really true? You don't have that on your mini-tutorial... If it is, which one should I download from the downloads area if I go with the S500_R6BC002_FS_EUROPE_1_RED52 FS?

9) Can you confirm or deny what BHBMT has said about believing there are no patches for the S500.

there are w580 patches now, so you could flash s500 to w580 and use them. I don't know if w580 patches will work directly on s500 firmware. Everchanging and Day and Night flash themes can be used on w580 too. I've only flashed with setool2lite, but you will need the firmware (fbn), main (mbn), and custom pack (something like: w580_CDA102568_107_R8A_GENERIC_AMERICA_2.zip).

For all firmware/main/custom packs, I think the best place for reference is topsony (they have good charts explaining the languages and stuff), and since you can't download from there for free, search for the files you found on topsony on 4shared.

flash s500 to w580 guide: http://forums.se-nse.net/index.php?showtopic=17015
I briefly skimmed over that guide, and it's so different from other flashing guides.

The most easy to understand flashing guide for me is:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1267845

just remember to press FLASH first, then hold C and insert.

If you want to upgrade to w580, you should use:
MAIN: W580_R6BC002_MAIN_GENERIC_LA_RED52.mbn
FW: W580_R6BC002_FS_EUROPE_1_RED52.fbn
Custom pack: HB1-06_Gen_CDA102568_10_R8A_GENERIC_EUROPE_1.zip (look for CDA102568_10)

When you flash your phone, you will lose all data stored on the phone memory. However, you can backup: contacts, music, videos, pictures, themes, and i remember someone figured out how to backup the t9 dictionary also. All other things such as settings, games, apps, will all be wiped.

Of course, if you decide not to flash to w580, use the corresponding firmwares for s500 (i would guess those would be harder to find than w580 files)

I've been looking around and I don't think there are US operator firmwares available, and no way to backup the firmware. Some representatives from cell companies aren't that picky about debranding.. I've read people sending their debranded phones to repair and getting it back fixed and branded without trouble.

I didn't have in mind to flash the S500 to the W580 cause I don't see any real benefits... I already asked on that thread if someone could do me a list of the new things one would get just to see if it was worth it, but for me, I don't think it is. I mean, Walkman 2.0 is not that big of a deal for me and the idea of having a few menu options (like the radio...) that simply won't work because the phone does not have the required hardware... I just don't like that idea.

If you could list everything I would get from flashing the S500 to W580, maybe I would change my mind, but for now, I don't want to do that, I want to stick with the S500 firmware.

I've already read those charts and like I said, I'm from Portugal, so, this is what I come up with:

EUROPE_1 -> English - Portuguese - Spanish - French
FS: http://www.esnips.com/doc/ce582a57-e662-41..._EUROPE_1_RED52
MAIN: http://www.esnips.com/doc/8bbbcfb0-505b-41...ENERIC_LY_RED52

CDA102568/10 -> EUROPE_1 -> GENERIC EUROPE_1
CUSTOM PACK: http://forums.se-nse.net/index.php?automod...mp;showfile=683

I think this is correct...?

I don't think most of the guides on this forum are hard to understand, they seemed pretty clear to me and yes, I've already seen that thing about holding the C key and only after that connecting, but thanks for the warning.

That kinda sucks... If SE keeps updating it's firmware, than it sucks to be always flashing to update the firmware and loose all those things. Hopefully, the phone is good and has no major problems that requires SE to keep releasing firmwares every now and then... right?

Maybe, maybe not... Actually, they say this phone is exclusive here to one operator. However, I've already seen it for selling in one major store and it was the unbranded version (more expensive of course). But that phone is probably fully unlocked and just patch unlocked... So, the operator might be picky about a patch unlock, but I could simply flash the same firmware again without the patch and that would make it locked again. But like you said, I would loose a few things doing that every time... About the debranding, they might be picky or not, it all depends on them, cause if debranded it, I probably unlocked it, even if it's locked when I bring them the phone for warranty...

Anyway, I'm still left with a few questions that were not answered the way I though and I'm still confused. I'm going to reformulate them:

a) Do I need SEUS installed (so the usb drivers are installed) or not to use XS++/SetTool Lite 2?

b) After flashing the phone (FS/MAIN/CUSTOM PACK), I don't need SEUS to update my phone's firmware, nor I can't use it because the way I unbranded/unlocked it. Correct?

c) You talked about Everchanging and Day and Night flash themes, they are on S500 by default (if it's not branded). This means that flash themes are supported by the S500. Are these 2 sentences correct?

d) Is there or is there not patches for the S500? The S500 is DB2020 and CID52, I've seen this info in various places. If that info is correct, then Remove SIM-lock patch generator can patch unlock it according to the info on their website:
Correct?

Hope you can answer me this last 4 questions along with the other ones that I've asked while commenting quotes I did from your last post.

a) You have a choice: install SEUS OR install flash usb drivers
b) No, you can still use SEUS after you have debranded it
c) Yes
d) Maybe. I haven't heard of any news on s500 patches. However, the s500 and w580 are very alike, so patches for w580 MIGHT work on s500's corresponding firmware (w580 r6 on s500 r6 and same with r8..). The sim lock generator can probably generate a working patch for the s500.

Yes, your firmware files are correct.



I don't think SE have released any Firmware updates yet for the w580. You are not required to update the firmware. R6 firmware I've heard is much more stable than R8, so you should be okay.



I don't really understand your point. All I'm saying is that technically you will lose your warranty, but this is not always true in real practice as some people will let you get your phone fixed even if it's debranded.

The main advantage of w580 would be patches. There isn't any real downside to it though.

a) Is there a big difference or what? What do you recommend and why?

b) And what would be the use to SEUS after that? To update the firmware when they release a new one? If yes, wouldn't that lock or brand the phone again (or only lock it or brand it)?

d) I've seen commercial sites (those that works with credits) that say they will unlock the S500 and I've heard it was patch unlocks. Also, I think I've seen other reports somewhere (maybe at Top Sony) that it would work on the S500. Not sure, I'll look again into the topic where they talk about the patch generator and maybe ask there if I don't find anything.

So, R6 and R8 are the fimrware version numbers, nice to know... No problem about that firmware update for the W580, I really don't think I want to convert the S500. I've been reading most of the patches and I'm not sure I care about them, have to take a second look though...

Sure, they might fix the phone even if it's debranded, but probably won't do it if it's unlocked?? This, if I take it to the operator, what if I take it directly to SE support and show them the receipt so they know it's under warranty, here I believe they don't care about debranded phones, but what about patch unlock? Do you think they may not care?

You are saying that there are no feature that the S500 firmware has that the W580 doesn't have? I think I've read one or two features (and that's it) that the S500 had that the W580 didn't have, can't really recall them though...

a) No difference in function. I would suggest the flash usb drivers if you don't plan to use SEUS at all. More compact I think.
b) I don't think it will brand the phone, but will remove the patch unlock. I think to us SE-NSE users, SEUS won't be of much use as you can just find the files around and manual flash IF there is an update available.
d) To test the patch unlock, you would need to have the phone and a copy of the MAIN (mbn). Make the patch using the main, then test it by patching it. For me, w580 patch unlock from the generator only worked with R6 but not R8.

As time goes by, more and more patches will be created/ported. I think patches have a lot of potential and they will come in handy. The most useful patch for me right now would be the remove "word not found" and "added to dictionary" pop-ups in T9 texting. Too bad it's not working yet, or at least I didn't get it to work.

To avoid confusion, the full firmware version numbers would be R6BC002 and R8BA024. I think there are a couple more, but those are the most popular ones.

You can remove patches as easily as you add them. I don't think locking even voids your warranty. On some occasions your service provider might unlock it for free even before your contract ends. You should check the policies of your provider to make sure.

From my memory, the only thing s500 has that the w580 doesn't would be the 2 default flash themes (day and night and everchanging). Those can be installed manually with on the w580.

If you plan to flash your phone anyways, you might as well give w580 a go and test it out. If you don't like it, simply do the same thing and flash to s500i.

by doing this u can unlock the phone but not unbrand