Siemens A62 Unlocking

Before unlocking the phone (or after unlocking to check the unlock has worked) this is how you can see if it acually locked.

This is the most obvious:

• To check if the unlock has worked, try a SIM from another provider, or To find out the locks of a SIEMENS phone:

Another way to check:

• Take out the SIM and switch on the phone.
• Press *#0606#, then
• "Info" (left Softkey)
• If you get 5 x "Unbarred" there are no locks!
• Mine says 234 33 on line 2

I found a range of tips software and other infomation here: http://people.itu.int/~emartine/ the site is not more (Updated April 2015)

Remember that the A62=A65=mc60 they all have the same testpoint, use either new or old testpoint. Someone who knows abut unlocking A62 says they "still use old one, the have unlocked six A62's last week" If you think the testpoint for A62 is hard he says "A62s are easy compared with the new motorola v3x's!!"
I must that all the people on the MoneysavingExpert.Com site for their help.

Oh there is a new testpoint for the A62 it looks a bit easier than the old testpoint.

I made the cut, popped the A62 back together it booted up.
Popped a SIM in working fine.
Then I took the SIM out.
Found the COM port connect the cable to this and the other end to the A62.
Windows says I have 2 com ports COM1 and COM2.
In SST Pro 5.38 I selected E-Gold A65, Test Point Boot.
Clicking any action I tried Unlock changes the status to Power On
I press the Power button on the phone and the SST says "Entering Boot mode" and then no change even after 12 minutes....

During this power on when the Phone is connected to the PC, The display on the phone stays off. Settings are Com1 115200 (also tried ay 57000 to see if it was a serail speed issue same result)

I'm not sure what the problem might be. Is there a way of testing the serial cable? It is labelled SL55, I assume the COM port on the PC works I've never used it before.

It is possible everything is working I've just not made the cut deep enough?
Not sure how to tell if the CUT has worked. You mensioned that 90% of your A62 need another attempt at the cut?

I was going to ask for advice before taking the scalpel out again.


Flashing Tips
If you're going to start flashing make sure you have backed up a working fullbackup (fubu) beforehand. If you intend to change the startup logo, make sure the one you're downloaded is working (check other users comments). I know that the a65 have 2 different models of the same phone, using different chips, both require different fubu. Its very easy to corrupt the phone when flashing, but it is always possible to fix it if you have the correct fubu. Ensure the battery is fully charged. You've got to start somewhere, and the siemens isn't too difficult as long as you do the testpoint correctly.

Unlock Tips
Then charge battery and run unlock see notes below.. "To be honest this is not an easy task. I use a microscope and scapel to cut the testpoint, and its not for the inexperienced. I have unlocked 100+ a65,a62 (same testpoint),a60 etc but still you can get into trouble. Cut to deep and you will cut the sim track and get "insert sim" even with sim in, cut not deep enough and the phone want boot, also please remember these are multi-layer boards. Easiest program to use is SST, then choose correct e-gold phone (a65), choose testpoint boot, then press unlock, power on phone when asked. Once program calculates boot key it will say power on, at this point you need to remove the battery, re-insert it and power on again.

Hope this helps, let me know if you require any more help.

BR
James" From http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=139470&page=3&pp=10

This is a point of no return. Stop now and you have a locked working phone. Proceed you might unlock the phone, or destroy it trying.

It is critical to locate the testpoint. This is the track on the board to cut. This phone does not have a track of copper over plastic. This is a multi layer board with 4 layers of track on each side. Be VERY careful about this stage if you are not 100% sure stop: Familliarise yourslf with the components and the chips so THERE IS NO CHANCE of error!

Ok lets start with the basics, the PCB has a display this is on the underside of the PCB for our purposes, we do not want to alter that side of the board. Remember the display is delicate you do not want to scratch or damge it!

On the right of the photo below you can see the connector for the Power / Serial / USB lead this is the bottom end of the phone when assembled


If you look more closely at the bank of chips we are interested in, notice can still see the connector for the Power / Serial / USB lead at the right of the photo below.


If you light the PCB from the underside, I used a pocket LED torch. The tracks are easier to see..


OK at this point I got stuck. I think I know where the testpoint is. But I am not sure! I've marked the test point with a blue line on the left of a BLUE BUTTERFLY to make it easier to see!



Ok now we know where the test point is. Make a test cut using a pencil, of course you will not cut anything but you will find out if you are going to be able to, light the PCB from the underside, hold the PCB, hold a magnifying glass to see the test point, etc all at the same time!

Note that under normal lighting the test point looks VERY different. I've also highlighted a second testpoint known as a "new" testpoint. You can cut either. I've been told to use the "old" test point. But the new one looks much easier to locate and cut.


I found the following tips useful:

• Make sure you consider where the blade will be and where your hand is. I'm left handed so I had to rotate the PCB through 180 degrees. Get the blade placement wrong you will cut the wrong tracks and kill the phone.
• You should be familliar with the layout of the solder points, and components near the testpoint. Even the shape of the tracks have to be clear in your mind.
• Someone who has done lots of A62 told me to look for a hole near the test point. I looked and could see no hole but there was a blob of solder. I was told "the 'solder blob' as you call it is a hole drilled through the PCB, it joints a track from the top of the board to the bottom of the board. I know its not easy, but when you know where you need to cut just push the scapel down, it may not work first time (not cut) some you will have to push a bit harder. 90% of the time it takes me 2 or 3 times." Listen to people who have done this and take your time do not rush things.

You only need a light behind the board to find the testpoint, when you know where it is you only need the light point towards the front so you can see what you are doing. The "solder blob" on the photos above on the left of the blue butterfly is a hole drilled through the PCB, it joins a track from the top of the board to the bottom of the board.

"It is not easy, but when you know where you need to cut just push the scapel down, it may not work first time (not cut). Some A62s you will have to push a bit harder. 90% of the time it takes me 2 or 3 times." This is advice from some who has unlocked lots of these phones.

Ok ths is the plan:

1. Work out where to cut the testpoint.
2. Cut the testpoint.
3. Reasemble the phone and hope it still works, if not fix the damage or recut as required.
4. Charge the Battery fully.
   
5. Try the unlock software, if it does not unlock retry the cut.

Before running the unlocking software you need to open up the phone. The process is straightforward, if you follow the the guidlines below:

• The battery inside the phone carries a LOT of power even when flat, remove the battery from the phone and keep it away from your work area, screws and anything metallic. Keep it well away from the phone case and PCB.
  
• Never force or bend something, the phone's internals are delicate, if you are not sure about something: Stop and think. If you are stuck ask someone!
• Take photos of your work and make notes so that you know what to do and when.
• Keep all the parts from your phone, you need these to reassemble the phone.
• Do not take any shortcuts, the first time you do it will take you much longer

How to open the phone

1. On a clean worksurface place the phone face down and remove the battery cover. It is a good idea to place the phone on small cloth or bit of foam to prevent it getting scratched. Remeber the screen is delicate!
2. Remove the battery cover, store carefully away from work area.
   
3. Remove the battery, store carefully away from work area and any metalic objects
4. Slide the Sim rentaining clip up and remove the SIM
5. Use a number 5 Torx driver to remove the 4 retaining blots that hold the front and back of the phone together. DO NOT use a screwdriver, or the wrong size Torx, you will damage the bolts and will not be able to open the phone. I used a cheap Torx driver and found I had to apply some medium pressure on some of the bolts to loosen them. To prevent damage I held the phone in one hand and pressed on the driver with the other.
6. Store the 4 Torx bolts carefully, away from the battery.
7. Gently prise the base of the phone open.
8. Open the phone and unhook the retaining clip at the top of the phone. DO NOT pull hard or rush this you will break the retaining clip!
9. Store the rear case of the phone.
10. Lift the main PCB, starting at the base of the phone. Be gentle. It will pop out, and you will be able to unhook it from the top of the phone.
11. Store the front of the phone, you are ready to work on the PCB.

Note in the last picture I have removed the gold RF screen on around the CPU and memory, the larger of the 2 L shaped bank of chips.

Everyone likes USB but read this section before purchasing a cable. There are 2 types of data cable for Siemens make sure you get a SL-55 cable (serial or USB) remember that Windows 9x has no or very poor USB support. People who know about unlocking phones advised me to get a serial cable. I picked up one on ebay. Remember that many modern PCs and Laptops do not have serial ports, check before you start. Most cables assume the 9-Pin D connector for serial ports, very old PC will have the 25-Pin D connector.

You will need.

• A PC with Windows 9x,XP
• A serial or USB cable for the phone
• A fully charged battery for the unlocking process (this is VERY important, if the powerfails during a flash / unlock) you may be left with a paperweight!
• Torx 5 driver
• Clean work surface
• Good lighting
• Hands free Magnifying glass / scope
• Steady hands, and some patience!
• Unlock software Freevia (Free) or SST (Commercial)

The A62 is a colour phone made by Benq for Siemens. It is an entry level phone, with basic GPRS good battery life and a built in speakerphone.

Disclaimer: I have NOT unlocked my phone, this prodecdure is not recommended as is for informational processes only. The warantee will be void, and SARs rating of the unit may increase if you do this. DO NOT USE the information here for modifiying a phone it is for information only. Do not ask me

The Phone I bought was locked to a provider, I wanted to unlock it. This blog outlines how I tried to unlock the phone.