How do I unlock and update my G2/Hero??

[Guest kingnothing83]

Hi,

Had a good look around the forum and couldnt find an answer on this so your help is really appreciated!

I have just purchased a second hand G2 Touch on T Mobile in the UK, and I want to unlock this and then use it with my 3 sim card. I know this phone uses the old software and want to update it to the new android software.

I know I need an unlock code, but what do I do first. Shall I first update the ROM then once that is complete unlock it? Also do I need to use the T mobile ROM from here T-Mobile - Help & Support or the HTC ROM from here ROM Upgrade for HTC Hero_2.73.405.5

I would rather use the HTC ROM if possible because id rather not have the T Mobile software branding. But will the HTC software work? Can I download this? It asks for my product S/N on the above link, will I be able to find one of these on my G2? I know its just a hero in terms of hardware but does it have this number? I dont want to put on the modaco ROM on at the moment but I might think about doing this if the software seems slow.

So to sum it up, i'm hoping I can get the phone, update the ROM to the latest HTC ROM, then it will ask me for an unlock code which I can buy off a website and enter. Can I do this? Or would I be best upgrading to the t mobile ROM, then unlocking, will this work with my 3 sim card?

The bottom line is that I am very scared about bricking it and want to use the phone with updated software (as i know the original is much slower) as easily as possible.

Can anyone suggest the best place to unlock the G2?

Thanks for your help

Simon

[Guest PhonePersona]

Hi,

Had a good look around the forum and couldnt find an answer on this so your help is really appreciated!

I have just purchased a second hand G2 Touch on T Mobile in the UK, and I want to unlock this and then use it with my 3 sim card. I know this phone uses the old software and want to update it to the new android software.

I know I need an unlock code, but what do I do first. Shall I first update the ROM then once that is complete unlock it? Also do I need to use the T mobile ROM from here T-Mobile - Help & Support or the HTC ROM from here ROM Upgrade for HTC Hero_2.73.405.5

I would rather use the HTC ROM if possible because id rather not have the T Mobile software branding. But will the HTC software work? Can I download this? It asks for my product S/N on the above link, will I be able to find one of these on my G2? I know its just a hero in terms of hardware but does it have this number? I dont want to put on the modaco ROM on at the moment but I might think about doing this if the software seems slow.

So to sum it up, i'm hoping I can get the phone, update the ROM to the latest HTC ROM, then it will ask me for an unlock code which I can buy off a website and enter. Can I do this? Or would I be best upgrading to the t mobile ROM, then unlocking, will this work with my 3 sim card?

The bottom line is that I am very scared about bricking it and want to use the phone with updated software (as i know the original is much slower) as easily as possible.

Can anyone suggest the best place to unlock the G2?

Thanks for your help

Simon

Here's my 2cents:

When you unlock is not important, however I would suggest you unlock it sooner that way you can test out the phone to make sure its functioning properly...

Speakers, Signal...etc. Just to make sure you don't have a second hand 'lemon' on your hands.

I purchased my HTC Hero from the UK and I unlocked it immediately for that same reason...and mine was brand new :D

As for the Latest ROM...You're on the Modaco Site already. The hard part is over :(

You wanna install the Modaco custom ROM for the GSM HTC Hero (Latest version is 3.0) which means you will first need to 'root' your phone to get a recovery ROM on there.

If you want your device's initial bootup screen to debranded, you'll first need to install an unlocked SPL (also up for grabs on this site ;)).

I apologize if all this seems a bit intimidating...

Go to www.theunlockr.com for video details and step-by-step instructions on rooting your device.

Between that site and this site, you have all the information and tools you need to make your HTC Hero the best it can be.

Read carefully, take your time and you'll have no problems at all.

Good luck my friend :D

[Guest sprucas]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=572683

http://neilandtheresa.co.uk/Android/

check these two sites out - i was apprehensive about unlocking/rooting my hero - but everything was a breeze

don't do anything that you would be uncomfortable with - only do it if you understand what is meant to happen

[Guest kingnothing83]

thanks for the advice guys much appreciated!

i'm sure curiosity will get the better of me and i'll end up putting the modaco ROM on at some point in the future, but at the moment due to it being new and a recent bad experience of nearly bricking a 400D digital camera(!) i would rather not install a custom ROM just yet.

Obviously the modaco ROM will be a world better than 1.5xx or 1.6xx but how much better than 2.7xx is it? Is there a noticible speed difference or is it just a tiny difference? What are the other benefits of using modaco over 2.7xx?

Also, when Android 2.1 is ready for Hero will I need to unlock my phone again or can I just install the t-mobile version of this (when they get round to releasing it) and happily use my 3 sim card? I know the t-mobile branding is pretty much non existant on their version of 2.7xx over the HTC version so I think I can put up with this at least for now

thanks

Simon