Assistance Required - Totally Lost

[Guest Tiredandjaded]

So where to begin ... I'm basically technologically challenged when it comes to all the technical mumbo jumbo; as I scourred the net for answers to my predicament, I ended up getting more confused ... so hopefully at the end of this lengthy post perhaps someone might be kind enough to shed some light on solving this situation I am in :?:

Well my father coming home from Vacation in Europe and Asia decided to bring home a gift for me; this gift actually turned into a mess of trouble more than anything ... Him not even knowing anything about tech got some advice from relatives to purchase a T-Mobile MDA Compact II. So as I discover when looking at the package the wording is in Dutch or German (forgive my ignorance) I was in for deep trouble, of which lead me on a frezied search for answers; of which I am trying here. It would have been great if the user manuals had an english version then I wouldn't be in this problem; but even the software that came with it isn't english either ... :cry:

As I looked about on the net on the T-Mobile site, I noticed they don't have service in any part of Asia yet I was told by my father that ALOT of people use it and it is very popular and that you can use the phone by changing the SIM card that is provided by your current cell phone carrier; and I forgot to mention that I live in Canada of which T-Mobile hasn't made it's way into the market yet. Another problem is that from what I have researched the MDA Compact II is currently only available in Germany? and I have seen no screenshots of it picture any english software (google in the frame).

So problems are surmounting and more is to come if you bear with me ;) Is there a use for me for this phone if I get it working in the end? because technically you have to have a wireless connection to even make use of a PMA; so are the functions of the phone useless if I don't have net connection or can it be used like any multimedia device? (I really wish I had an english manual; or even a downloadable one via T-Mobile but there isn't)

So changing SIM cards allow you to use your 'phone' in whatever model you want. But as I did searches a lot of hits came up on phone lock ups and providing a Code? (I gather companies try to monopolize certain machines for their own unique service line?) So question being is 'unlocking' a phone an illegal practice?

So in summary ...

MDA Compact II sitting in my lap + not available outside of Europe or even Germany rather, technically speaking

Me = Very Lost and Hoplessly Confused + not very technical.

Phone lock when implementing my SIM card imput seems like an imminent problem.

Phone Unlocking - legal or illegal?

No English Manuals or Software for the Machine = biggest problem atm. (Since its on an window op; there a regional or language selection preferance setting?)

No wireless connection = defeats purpose of a PMA? it's real intent (for business) yet functions can be utilized as a media device (camera/organizer or what not)?

Oh ... and what does IMEI stand for by chance?

Thanks for your time and patience, sorry for being a noob :oops:

[Guest thudd]

Hi I'm a newbie too but does this help

http://www.manuals.t-mobile.co.uk/start.asp?manual=1317

Cheers! ;)

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

Welcome to the site ;)

The IMEI is the unique identification number of your device.

As for SIM unlocking if you are not ina contract then it is ok to remove the lock. Some countries have different laws regarding this though.

There are ways to SIM unlock, one is the xda developers site but if you have no idea about technology as you say it may be an idea to contact

the guys at www.imei-check.co.uk they offer a paid service to SIM unlock but it will cost you about

[Guest Pondrew]

The MDA Compact II has been available in the UK for a few months now and I believe the T-Mobile UK website includes a user manual. There's an online manual of sorts for it here

If you want some general info you can read the review here.

Good luck 8)

[Guest Tiredandjaded]

The MDA Compact II has been available in the UK for a few months now and I believe the T-Mobile UK website includes a user manual. There's an online manual of sorts for it here

If you want some general info you can read the review here.

Good luck  8)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I enjoyed your review; at least I know what I am working with, as well thanks for the link to the UK T-Mobile site for a user manual. A lot of my questions have been clarified.

I have a few unanswered problems of which I don't know if it is possible to resolve them. The hardware manual (the what buttons and parts that came with the box are what and proceedure to install the software to the phone which I dub the mini booklet vs the operating manual) I don't have. As well this doesn't over turn the problem concerning the installation disc and the applications disc included in the box; sort of hard to install things when I don't even know what I am installing; and if that is completed by touch and go trying to configure the windows op and machine settings will be problematic as I skim through a non english interface. Would it in my best interest to contact T-Mobile to arrange an exchange for the software and manuals? And if so from which international branch? Germany or the UK would do such a switch?

Thanks in advance

[Guest jimbouk]

Don't worry about the cd! That usually just contains activesync, which you can download from microsoft and a few other bits and bobs.

Best thing to do is to see if you can download the latest WWE (worldwide english) ROM for the device in question from Tmobile's site.