Sim-Free and Unbranded

[Guest ScottR]

Hi. I have just purchased a "brand new sim-free unbranded" HTC Desire, however, when I inserted my o2 sim card and switched the device on I got a message that a different sim card was being used. I also had to select between three carriers being o2 contract, o2 payasyougo and Tesco Mobile.

Basically, my question is how can I check that my device definitely is sim-free and unbranded and not previously locked to a network? The Android version is 2.2

Sorry if I am being vague or not supplying enough information. I otherwise love the phone and still trying to figure it out haha.

Many thanks

Scott

[Guest EddyOS]

The 3 options are correct, my vodafone SIM gives me Asda Mobile, Vodafone Contract, Vodafone PrePay and a few others...

Easiest way, go to Settings>About phone>Software information and look at the software version

If it's x.xx.405.x then it's unbranded

[Guest ScottR]

The 3 options are correct, my vodafone SIM gives me Asda Mobile, Vodafone Contract, Vodafone PrePay and a few others...

Easiest way, go to Settings>About phone>Software information and look at the software version

If it's x.xx.405.x then it's unbranded

Thank you very much for this information...my software version is indeed x.xx.405.x so I am satisfied that it is unbranded.

Thanks again and kind regards

Scott

[Guest EddyOS]

There's ONE thing to bare in mind...

What version you on now? The reason I say this is as although you may be on an x.xx.405.x if you got it second hand or from eBay it may be debranded, meaning it was once running operator-specific firmware, and you'd need a gold card to be able to install updates.

If you've not set the phone up much, and your software version is lower than 2.29.405.2, download the latest RUU file and try to update your Desire. It will wipe all data but if it goes through without having to do anything you will know 100% that your Desire is unbranded. The latest RUU (2.29.405.2) can be found here:

http://www.multiupload.com/UOWLL86GVB

To install the RUU, you need HTC Sync installed on your PC. Connect your Desire and select 'HTC Sync' from the menu on the phones screen. Then once HTC Sync on the PC shows connected just run the RUU file. As said, you will lose all data but if it completes without issue then you're 100% unbranded

Edited November 26, 2010 by EddyOS

[Guest ScottR]

There's ONE thing to bare in mind...

What version you on now? The reason I say this is as although you may be on an x.xx.405.x if you got it second hand or from eBay it may be debranded, meaning it was once running operator-specific firmware, and you'd need a gold card to be able to install updates.

If you've not set the phone up much, and your software version is lower than 2.29.405.2, download the latest RUU file and try to update your Desire. It will wipe all data but if it goes through without having to do anything you will know 100% that your Desire is unbranded. The latest RUU (2.29.405.2) can be found here:

http://www.multiupload.com/UOWLL86GVB

To install the RUU, you need HTC Sync installed on your PC. Connect your Desire and select 'HTC Sync' from the menu on the phones screen. Then once HTC Sync on the PC shows connected just run the RUU file. As said, you will lose all data but if it completes without issue then you're 100% unbranded

Hi. I really appreciate this information. My software number is 2.09.405.8. Sorry for being ignorant but what is an RUU and gold card? When I checked for updates on the device itself it says that a system update is available for Android OS update patch, enhanced multi inbox Gmail support and improved RUS keyboard layout. Total 25.6MB.

I will give what you have suggested a go later tonight and post how that goes.

Thanks again

Scott

[Guest EddyOS]

If you've just been offered the update it will be for 2.10.405.2 - allow it and if it installs with no issues then you should be unbranded

An RUU is a ROM Upgrade Utility and is an official, complete HTC ROM file. Basically if you'd rooted your device but it then needed to go back to HTC for warranty purposes you can flash the complete ROM back to the phone so it's back to stock. RUUs can only be installed if the phone is on the same vendor code, e.g. x.xx.405.x - which is the vendor code for WWE (World Wide English) and is the generic, unbranded Desire version.

A gold card can be used to trick the RUU to being installed on a device with a different vendor code, e.g. x.xx.161.x - which is Vodafone UK, to allow the operator crap to be removed. A lot of people on operator-specific ROMs do this. I always get unbranded handsets so I don't have to faff about with gold cards and the like!!

Edited November 26, 2010 by EddyOS

[Guest ScottR]

If you've just been offered the update it will be for 2.10.405.2 - allow it and if it installs with no issues then you should be unbranded

An RUU is a ROM Upgrade Utility and is an official, complete HTC ROM file. Basically if you'd rooted your device but it then needed to go back to HTC for warranty purposes you can flash the complete ROM back to the phone so it's back to stock. RUUs can only be installed if the phone is on the same vendor code, e.g. x.xx.405.x - which is the vendor code for WWE (World Wide English) and is the generic, unbranded Desire version.

A gold card can be used to trick the RUU to being installed on a device with a different vendor code, e.g. x.xx.161.x - which is Vodafone UK, to allow the operator crap to be removed. A lot of people on operator-specific ROMs do this. I always get unbranded handsets so I don't have to faff about with gold cards and the like!!

Perfect...that now addresses my confusion :P

regards

Scott

[Guest ScottR]

Perfect...that now addresses my confusion :D

regards

Scott

Ok...for the first part my phone did update successfully to version 2.10.405.2 so I am further reassured that my phone is unbranded.

The RUU update I will attempt hopefully tonight but when I open the link you have provided there are several downloads to choose from...which one should I select? :P

Thanks again

Scott

Edited November 26, 2010 by ScottR

[Guest bpivk]

Deleted

Edited November 26, 2010 by bpivk

[Guest EddyOS]

Ok...for the first part my phone did update successfully to version 2.10.405.2 so I am further reassured that my phone is unbranded.

The RUU update I will attempt hopefully tonight but when I open the link you have provided there are several downloads to choose from...which one should I select? :P

Thanks again

Scott

Any of them, it's the same file but over multiple download sites...MegaUpload is normally pretty quick