WWAN Module Unlock Code on Vista SZs "Available Soon"

Hi All

I have a VAIO SZ480. I bought it in the States but I live in South Africa. I bought the laptop with the understanding that Sony provides an unlock code on request for the EDGE modem so that any cell provider can be used - it was only later that I found out that the unlock procedure is not supported on Vista.

Anyway, I thought I would try my luck and phone up Sony Support and ask them for the code (figuring that I'd tell them I've clean-installed XP on here {I haven't}, so they can give me the code and I'd actually unlock in Vista using HyperTerminal Private Edition {or at least try}).

I was told, after being put on hold for a few minutes, that:

1. Unlocking the WWAN module is not supported on Vista (nothing new there)
2. BUT, that this was an "issue currently being worked on" and that I should "phone back in 2 weeks", because they are "working on a solution/unlock procedure for Vista".

I was given a reference number (I didn't ask for it - it was offered to me) so that I could fast-track when I call back in 2 weeks and get my unlock code.

I thought I'd share this information, as it sounds promising to me - but then I'd also like to hear if other people have heard this before from Sony to no avail!


Thanks & Regards
Fayez

 

I've been told that every laptop has it's own unique code.

 

Yes, every laptop would have its own unique IMEI number for the WWAN module and I would imagine that the unlock code is calculated using that number.

Anyway, I'm just posting an update here because as I was surfing the eSupport web site I came across this article: http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=513049

This has clearly been updated to reflect the fact that to unlock on Vista you need to download a hyperterminal client (because although XP had one built in, Vista does not). This gave me hope because this would imply that Sony is now supporting the unlocking procedure on Vista, so I gave Sony a call again.

It seems like things were meant to be, because I wasn't even put on hold before a representative answered my call. Around 5 minutes later (after asking me for my IMEI number - it's on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop) I was given the 8 digit unlock code! I eagerly put it into hyperterminal, and voila - my WWAN module was unlocked successfully!

Now here's the painful part - I can't get it to work (might have to do with usage of different GSM frequencies in South Africa vs. the States where the WWAN module is actually built for). My SIM card is recognised and everything (unlock was successful), but I just can't attach to my provider's network and get a GPRS/EDGE connection going. Oh well - at least now we know that Sony can unlock on Vista (if you bug them enough - if you get the "not supported on Vista yet" message I got, point them to the above article).

 

Hi all

I spoke to sony support & they guided me to this link:

http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=513049

this gives complete process of unlocking, along with the software to do so.

Any one who tries this please let me know if it works.!

BR

 

Hi BR

As I detail in my post above, I was able to get it working by using HyperTerminal (the program that is linked to from that page) - you just need to get the Sony representative that you speak to to give you the 8 digit unlock code (which they 'calculate' based on the IMEI of your WWAN module).

 

Hi everybody,

I have accidentally uninstalled CCM (Cingular Communication Manager) on my SZ430N a few days ago. After I found that my dial-up connections do not work, I used System Restore for getting back CCM. My dial-up connections now work normally but I cannot run CCM and it is not listed in the VAIO Recovery Center programs so I can reinstall it. So, I cannot read the IMEI number from within CCM. I have two questions:

1- Is the IMEI number printed on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop sufficient for unlocking the WWAN module?
2- Do I need CCM for SIM cards other than Cingular? Should I use the backup image I made the first day after purchasing my laptop for returning back to the factory fresh settings and re-install all my programs and re-update everything again? Does anyone have a link for downloading the CCM installer from Sony site? I have searched their site with no success.

Regards,
jwa

 

Hi jwa

1. Yes, the IMEI number on the sticker on the bottom of your laptop is sufficient. The Cingular software would give you exactly this number. This is the only number thta is needed to unlock your WWAN module.

2. Though I never got mine to work (see above for details), I'm quite sure you will be able to use the WWAN module as if it were a modem with Windows Dial-up networking. In fact, this is how I was trying to connect anyway. In the unlikely event that this doesn't work, you could try a full restore - but I don't have any doubts that you will be able to use dial-up networking, and is probably what the Cingular software does anyway too (it just has a fancier interface that gives you signal strength, etc.)

 

This is absolutely the good news to all SZ w/WWAN owners! I will try to hit up SONY Support next week and unlock mine. I just cancel the cingular service after the 30 days trial period.

Now, I wish someone could swap out the EDGE WWAN card to a built in SIM type HSPDA card. EDGE is just way too slow for today's standard.

 

Thank you viol8r for your kind response. The problem with my CCM is that it cannot find the file "Cingular.skx" which seems to be a skin file. Can someone please upload this file to a file sharing site? This way I may get rid of the error message and run CCM.

Regards,
jwa

 

fastorange, I agree with you on the EDGE being to slow - I'd love to be able to swap the module out for an HSDPA one too!

jwa: You're welcome. Here's those files: http://impenetrable.org/Cingular_skx.zip Extract them to C:\Program Files\Cingular\Communication Manager\

 

viol8r, thank you very much for the files. I have just downloaded and copied them to that folder and CCM now works. You saved me a lot of work and time.
But now when CCM starts, an error message appears saying: "Unable to open acceleration". I close the error message window and CCM starts. I live in an area with no Cingular signal present. Is this the cause for the error message?

Thanks again and best regards,
jwa

 

jwa, I'm glad it worked.

I think acceleration is one of the settings that you can enable for Cingular connections via the software - I don't think it has anything to do with not being able to acquire signal (I never got Cingular signal and not once did I receive that error message). However, this error message sounds like maybe the connection profiles are missing - have you tried creating any new ones?

Lastly, I doubt very much you will be able to get the program running satisfactorily because it seems like you fix one thing and another pops up. I don't think the restore that you performed would be able to get all the files/settings back properly. I would recommend you call Sony, have your WWAN module unlocked (you don't need the Cingular software for this) and give using dial-up networking to connect to your service provider a shot - it will probably work.

Good luck!

 

I contacted VAIO support last night and the representative insisted that they only unlock the laptops purchased in the US Mine is not from US and I wonder why Sony does not provide this service to other countries. Does anyone know what I should do to unlock my EDGE module?

 

Where did you get your VAIO and what model number is it?

Have you tried calling Sony locally to see if they can unlock it for you (and are you certain it is locked?)

 

It is a VGN-SZ430N. I have purchased it in Iraq from a company which exports VAIO laptops from the US (as they state) and is not an official agent of Sony (and cannot give any form of technical service). So, I presume that it is locked. (How can I check this?)
BTW, does Sony put Cingular SIM cards in laptops not intended to be sold in the US? Mine has a Cingular SIM card.

 

jwa, I hate to say it, but it sounds like you may be out of luck.

You can check to see if it's locked or not by putting in another SIM card into the slot behind the battery and seeing if you can connect. However, it would seem that since you have a Cingular SIM card already in there that your module is probably locked to Cingular.

As for whether Sony puts Cingular cards in non-US models, I honestly don't know, but I would doubt it very much.

When you called Sony, how did they know NOT to provide you with technical support? Did they ask you for a serial number or anything like that and then based on that declined to assist, or did you tell them upfront that you bought your laptop from an 'unofficial channel'?

 

When I called Sony, they said that a proof of purchase in the US is required and I said I have purchased it in Iraq and they simply said that they cannot help. Of course, I am not fluent in speaking English and I am not sure what else they precisely required. I requested them to have a live text chat or email the exact requirements to me but they said the only way is a contact by phone.