Every now and then, somebody asks me why I do search. There are lots of cool things to do out there… writing the latest game, creating a photo-sharing service, etc. But search is one of the few that teaches me new things. Search answers my questions.
For example, as I’ve posted before, I’m heading down to Brazil. Also, I have a new AudioVox 5600, aka Typhoon, on the AT&T network — yes, it’s owned by Cingular, but it’s still AT&T. What I’d like to do when I’m down there is buy a pre-paid SIM card so I can make relatively cheap calls home and to anyone local. Seems reasonable. So, I need to call AT&T and have them unlock my phone so I can use it on the Brazilian network.
Except they won’t. Nope. They don’t give out the codes, and they don’t even give out the names of who would know how to get the codes to customer service. See, Cingular wants you to buy a new locked Cingular phone and suck down a new 2-year contract, and migrate over to the Cingular network instead of the AT&T network. So yes, this means that Cingular merged with AT&T Wireless the same way that you might merge with a donut. You eat it, chew it up, swallow it, slowly digest it, and, well, you know what happens to whatever you don’t need.
So, what am I do to? I could pay 20 GBP for some service and take it. I could potentially search CraigsList for someone who can do it. Or, I can type in something like unlock audiovox 5600 free into MSN Search and… hey, check out those first two results on the Cingular forums!
So, the second result almost solves the problem. However, it assumes you have a couple other programs, which you then need to find using a search engine. It’s kinda like an internet scavenger hunt. Well, for people who found this page, I’ll cut to the chase:
Note: actually doing the following probably voids your warranty (I don’t know as I never read it), and botching it could well render your phone unusable. But it worked for me, even with a few missteps I didn’t include here.
You need the following three files:
Or to save you some time (and in case the above are down), you can just get them all in one big zip: UnlockAudioVox5600Apps.zip
OK, now what? Again, sadly, there isn’t a single page that gives good detail on how to unlock the 5600, at least not that I could find with MSN Search or Google. And I don’t bother much with Yahoo :).
Again, to save some time searching, here’s what you do:
- Plug your AudioVox into your computer via the USB cable that came with it. Pop open a browser window and browse the top level directory of the smartphone… you should see directories like Temp and Storage.
- Extract aeconfig.zip. You’ll get a folder named “unlock-all” which contains two directories, StartMenu and Temp, along with a manual. The manual is almost correct for the 5600. What you want to do is:
- Put the “Disable Security” file in StartMenu under \Storage\Windows\Start Menu\ in your 5600.
- Put “AEConfig.exe” and “DisableSecurity.xml” in Temp in \Temp in your 5600. Do not reboot your 5600, as it will erase these files in \Temp!
- Go to Start on your 5600, then select Disable Security and run it. Phase 1 done.
- Pop open resetSecurity.zip and extract the files on your computer somewhere. I’ll say C:\unlock5600, but feel free to replace that with anything you like.
- On your computer, go to Start -> Run and type “cmd” for a DOS prompt. Change directories to the directory you put the files of resetSecurity (e.g. cd c:\unlock5600 using our example).
- Run RapiConfig as follows:
% RapiConfig.exe /p ResetSecurity.xml
This will unlock your phone to install new apps (needed for the next step). - Confirm it works by putting “CheckLock.exe” in the \Temp dir of your 5600 and running it by going to Start -> File Manager on your AudioVox and selecting CheckLock.exe under \Temp. It should say “Your phone is not locked.”
Phase 2 End. - Open up SPV-Services.zip and copy the files somewhere (say c:\unlock5600).
- Copy the Cert.cab into \Temp of your smartphone
- From your smartphone Start -> File Manager, browser to \Temp and run Cert.cab. Install the program.
- From your computer, run SPVServices.exe. Click on the SIMLock Toggle button and type AGREE. Don’t worry about the “Doesn’t work on AudioVox” as this did for this purpose.
- Unlock your AudioVox by clicking on the button. End Phase 3.
- Test out your new unlocked AudioVox with a friend’s SIM card on another network (I used T-Mobile). You will need to power down the phone, take out the card, put the new one in, and power up. If you see “Network locked, enter unlock code” then something didn’t work. If you see the normal home page with the carrier’s name, you’re golden.
So, that’s a decent number of steps… but it’s in painful detail, for someone who might not be a 5600 hacker and knows where to find and use all these files. Search isn’t a magic bullet; it won’t find The Answer if The Answer doesn’t exist in a single page. Sometimes it doesn’t even find the single page. But it will provide you the path to get there… and thus I’m psyched that the tool I help build was able to teach me, and now potentially teach you, how to unlock an AudioVox SMT 5600.
Hey Cingular: Bite me.
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Thanks so much for the info you share. “Hey Cingular: Bite me.” is my new mantra… I’ve been with Cingular since 1999. In October of 2004, I fell in love with the SMT 5600 so I switched to AT&T and bought it and was very pleased with the phone. I moved to Vermont in January and the local cell sevice wreaked havoc with this Smart phone and AT&T pissed me off so much that I switched back to Cinglular even though I knew they were merging. (Obviously, I had to buy a new phone– a Nokia 6320.) It’s decent enought, but once you’ve had a Smartphone, you want more. I’m not about to spend the money for another, but Cingular said this phone can’t be converted to Cingluar from AT&T. Is this the same scenario you described above? Can I really change back over and they’re just busting my chops?
I tried your “UnLock” fix above, but when I try to copy or move the Disable Security file onto the SMT5600, it won’t take (I get that circle with the line through it.) I’d appreciate any advise. Thanks again for your sharing!! -Alma
It worked perfectly, just going to use the phone as a backup, but it definetly unlocked the phone, and it was able to make calls on the cingular network. I followed your posted steps, and they worked. Thanks for your efforts!
I just got a 5600 and read everything to a tee. But the SVP exe when I try and execute it reads a the following error “Warning: RAPI Init failed: Client DLL not found ROM editing tools will be unavailable”. after clicking on the sim lock tool. I tried it several times and get the same answer.
any suggestions?
I bought a cingular Audiovox SMT5600 about a month and half ago. When I called them today and asked them to unlock the device, they showed a big attitude. First of all, they will not unlock the device within first three months of purchase. Then I asked for the supervisor and she tells me that they do not unlock the phone at all. Then I did all the reasearch I found your website.
It seems the process worked. I am going to check the device with T-Mobile SIM card tonight. You are like GOD to me. I am very impressed with your due diligence. I am going to donate my money to the Katrina Victims and to the earthquake victims in South-East Asia. These fat pigs don’t deserve the money.
Also, I was wondering if you figure out on how to make the Internet Explorer work without using the Cigular data network. I have a dial UP account and would like to use those free minutes (night and weekends) to dial up and surf the net on Windows Mobile PC. Would be glad to hear from you.
Thanks and Regards,
Soumendra
Hey bud
Thank you
its Working:-)
got stuck on the cmd window..what do i do there? how do i change teh directory?
worked like a breeze! Many thanks!
This unlock procedure worked great. Cingular wanted me to signup for an additional two year contract and thanks to your site, my phone was unlocked and working in no time without having to signup for a new contract. Much Appreciated!
THANK YOU!
Am yet to try it -but it sounds great.
I had a nearly 90 minute battle with 3 of Cingular executives who were polite but the first two were unable to help and the call got mysteriously disconnected during a hold in both cases. The third finally connected me tech support who assured me that the code would be sent over the next 7 to 10 days.
I had paid a full retail price(yes a couple of hundred over the 2 year contract price) to buy an “Open” phone and the retail exec had assured me that I could use ANY SIM in any part of the world where the network freq. matched. So I was shocked that my xyz SIM did not work on the phone today.
I intend to use your systems as soon as my travels are done and I get back to my PC.
Thanks once again -JS
So I am not sure if this copies over automatically, I do not have my Cingular SIM yet. I just tested it with a friends. But I use the data part of the phone a lot so while looking for unlock stuff, I found another URL from cingular that I believe shows how to setup the data and MMS settings for their network. Enjoy!
https://onlinecare.cingular.com/device-support/selectDevice.do?mode=na&universe=cingular&make=Audiovox&model=SMT5600&x=3&y=7
Could you imagine that some guys on mobiel2mobile.net were charging 30 British Pounds for this unlock code? That’s about US $50 folks, more than what some phones cost. Tell me what is a scam! Thanks for making the files and the instructions available on this forum. I just completed the installation and it worked perfectly! I was fool enough to use my Cingular SIM card on my last trip to London. It worked fine since I bought the international roaming plan. Needless to say the bill nearly sent me bankrupt at the end of the month!! A SIM card in London costs only 5 Pounds. No one should have to buy international roaming on smartphones that can be unlocked. That’s why they are smart phones. Thanks a lot.
It is proactive individuals like yourself that give me faith again the publics ability to have some control over what is going on. Thank you for your time and efforts. As a business man, I see the outcome of the Cingular / AT&T merger as proof of gross malpractice and consumer manipulation in America. I have paid both entities insurmountable amounts of money due to the merger rip-off. After loosing my new Audiovox5600 (Cingular does not insure PDA’s), it is very pleasing to me that I was able unlocked my prior AT&T Audiovox5600 without having to give Cingular a dime. Truly, Cingular can bite us all.
Thanks
All, I am desperately trying too unlock this smt5600 but lack one key ingredient, the usb driver! If you can help me out with this please email me at daveintexas@gmail.com. (it would be awesome if someone would email it too me?)
Many thanks,
David
Most excellent work with this.. completely flawless…..and screw cingular AND tmobile…
DH
Hi GUY’S
I try to follow the step to no avail….i get lost at “Go to Stat on your 5600, then select Disable Security and run it” run What..i didn’t see any thing to which i can select DISABLE. HELP
eZRA
In Reply to daveintexas.
I don’t think you need a special driver for the SMT5600 to connect to your PC. I guess you only need to download and instal ActiveSync on your computer, so it recognizes the connection to your smartphone. You can download ActiveSync from their website.
You have done a great service in making these files and processes available. Thank You!!!
I am loooking at getting a Audiovox 5600 after reading about all the great stuff it does. I am about to change to Cingular and join my wife’s family plan. If I buy a 5600 from Ebay where do I get a Cingular chip to put in it and how much do those cost. And do you have to have some kind of a chip in it to unlock it. Thanks, Thomas
Call Cingular, you should be able to just buy a SIM. Or, when you sign up, get yourself a random free phone and simply transfer the SIM over from the phone to the 5600 — free backup phone! I’d recommend getting a Nokia if you can, as there are some sites out there that will also unlock those for free.
Alternatively, I’d recommend getting the 2125 on Cingular… it’s the upgrade to the 5600, and has a lot of improvements. Tons of folks at Microsoft are raving about it (although not so much about Cingular… ah well).
got to step 5, and the command prompt, done the whole c:\rapiconfig.exe \p resetsecurity.xml
but kinda confused, with the order and the % /p…
but im going something wrong cause the smt 5600 wont unlock
Will this work on the Cingular 2125? Probably not, huh?
I paid a buck on EBAY for these zipfiles and had the same problem as the woman that made the comment that she couldn’t copy the files over to her SMT5600. I got around this problem by unzipping to my desktop or to the directory you suggested I make C:\unlock5600
I opened up “MY Computer” and then clicked on drive c:, I found the file and basically picked it up and moved it onto my desktop. From there I closed the “My Computer” Window and opened another “My COMputer” window only this time looking at the Mobile Device. I double clicked on Mobile device so that I was on the highest level of file folders. I then went over to the desktop and grabbed the file I needed and dropped it in the window. Once in the window I highlighted the file, hit copy, and then moved down the file structure and “paste” was an available option and I was able to complete the task. All that was for the Disable security” file.
In my case I actually had to restart my phone at this point before I did the same thing with the two files that needed to go in the Temp directory because my smt5600 didn’t initially display the “Disable Security” option on the start menu. Once I restarted the phone the Disble security option was on the Start menu and I then went through the same proceedure to put the two files in the Temp Directory. Like you mentioned, if I had put the two files in the temp directory before rebooting, I would have lost them when I rebooted.
Most people who are barely PC literate will have problems with your command line. It should be exactly as follows, the only space is between the p and the R!
RapiConfig.exe/p ResetSecurity.xml
If you don’t remeber the Basic DOS commands after you type “CMD”, “CD” will take you to the Root director and then “CD unlock5600″ will take you to the directory you need to go to to run the additional programs mentioned. That’s provide that you actually took this author’s advice and created a directory called “unlock5600″ which is the smart thing to do! Oh yeah, the quote marks above are not part of the DOS commands that you need to type, it’s everything between them!
One more closing remark! To the author of this site, my personal thanks, I have an AT&T Plan that I signed up for 4 years ago that is $99.00 a month UNLIMITED!! Obviously Cingular has to honor it, but doesn’t have to sell me phones that work with AT&T!! At this point in time, I need to unlock any phone I buy, regardless of paying $299.00 retail at a Cingular Store for the phone! Thanks again!@
i got a the smt5600 but i have t-mobile service, will it work with t-mobile if i unlock it?
Worked like a charm on an Audiovox 5600 on AT&T.
Tested with both a cingular and t-mobile sim and both worked perfectly - thanks!
I’m using an Audiovox 5600 and I’m stuck on step 10.
I executed steps 1-9 without a problem but I’m sutck on step 10.
I executed SPV Services and I selected “SIMLock Tool” on the left side under Tools. It displayed the Warning and asked me to type “AGREE” which is what I did and I clicked “Login” but nothing happens the screen flashes and comes back to the Warning screen again.
P.S. I’m using the USB cable (ActiveSync is connected). I also tried “agree”, “agree:”, and “AGREE:” but still no luck.
Found the answer to my last e-mail. IE7 is the reason I was not able to complete the process. I removed it and I was able to complete the process.
Hi,
Previously used and love the site. Worked great up until today when I tried to re-brand to T-mobile by installing a different CAB file? Now I have no reception at all and a “Home Service” operator on the home screen.
Any ideas?
Many thanks.
Just wondering if anyone knows how to make this work with a Mac. I can’t run the .exe files. Thanks
WOW! I am travelling to Europe and wanted to unlock my so called (bite me cingular) phone.
It works perfect! Here are 2 things I was puzzeled with:
1. Step 2.3. Go to Start on your 5600, then select Disable Security and run it. Phase 1 done.
This is not accurate. You have to browse your phone to get to run the file: Start -> More… -> File Manager -> Storage -> Windows -> Start Menu -> List View (button) and then run Disable Security.lnk
2. Now that the phone is unlocked, do I need to keep the files on phone or can I remove them now?
Thanks for a great tool!! you rock man!
Wow - followed the steps exactly and it worked!!! I did have to follow the cingular wap config steps to get exchange mail to sync, but after that was done all set.
I was a ATT customer who Cingular said “go away” to as well, they should have unlocked our phones for free.
Thank you for hosting this site.
I have a audiovox 5600 and its says please enter unlock code does anyone know the factory setting for this because i bought the phone off ebay and its for cingular but its not working for me
Is there an unlock method for the 2125?
I unlocked my SMT-5600 using your instructions about 6 months ago and it worked beautifully! I don’t know if the problem I am having now is because I have a BMC (Bite Me Cingular) phone and a T-Mobile SIM card, but it is driving me nuts.
I live in the hills and none of the providers have very good coverage out here. Even though I leave my phone on it always loses the signal and I end up getting a Select a Network Provider screen EVERY time I get home. Sometimes the only option is Cingular; sometimes T-Mobile; occasionall both; sometimes Cingular twice! If I choose Cingular, it just says No Service. From there I have to go to: Start/Settings/Phone/Networks/Menu/Select a Provider and HOPE that the phone can find a network to download the list from and then that T-Mobile is even listed. Even when I get back into a T-Mobile friendly area, the phone can stay stuck on either Select a Provider OR on No Service indefinitely.
The fact that I have to do this EVERY day is nuts! The toggle screen for Network Selection is permanently stuck on “Automatic” and I have even unchecked all of the Cingular options in the Preferred Provider list. I can’t call Cingular since I’m not using their SIM card. T-Mobile doesn’t support the phone and the folks in India doing Audiovox first line tech support know less about the phone than I do.
Has anyone seen this? Did something go wrong when I unlocked the phone? Any help greatly appreciated.
You can unlock the Cingular 2125 using the same software.
Once your phone is application unlocked (allows you to install whatever programs you want), you can use SPVServices to Sim UNLOCK the Cingular 2125.
Details here.
http://www.tweaks2k2.com/howto/viewtopic.php?p=184
My Cingular 2125 (purchased a week ago) came with 2 out of the 3 registry settings necessary to Application Unlock already changed. This probably explained why it was able to install most programs. I went ahead and changed the third registry key and had no problems installing the phone-side component of SPV Services (cert.cab). Everything went flawlessly and I was able to use another provider’s SIM card (AT&T) w/o any problems.
-g
AYUDA A A A
Hola. Tengo un audiovox 5600 bloqueado y lo quiero usar en Colombia. No e podido conectarlo a mi PC y no tengo los drevers alguno de ustedes me podría ayudar? Como conecto el 5600 a mi PC
mi correo es olmedovelez@gmail.com
disculpen mi ingles
Hello. I have audiovox 5600 blocked and I want it to use in Colombia. And not been able to connect it to my PC and I do not have drevers some of you could help me? As I connect the 5600 to my PC
my mail is olmedovelez@gmail.com excuse my English
Hey everyone. Someone from the states came down here to South Africa and gave me an old SMT5600, this phone rocks and we are unable to buy them here in South Africa so i was so chuffed but when i put my sim card in it asked for the unlock code so i searched the web and found this guys cool tools and unlocked the phone, now im left with a usable phone but it still blocks me from connecting to my network it just says home network the whole time, my network down here is called vodacom. Please if people still visit this website could you please give me advise?
Thanx
Nice….Very Nice Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HELP!!!! I don’t have and can not get a sim card. How can I unlock my SMT5600?? I dont even know who the old provider is.. got phone of ebay! I can hook up thru Activesync but can’t execute a file from my PC on the phone!! PLEASE HELP!!! aris@modelpromote.com
ditto what ariS Says. I don’t have a sim card, don’t want one. I just want to unlock this piece of crap! It’s my brothers old phone. I’m on sprint, we dont have sim cards, I can’t use it on my network, and Sprint owns my loyalty for 2 years (what a beautiful world we live in) anyways. So this phone is worthless to me except as something to play with & run Windows Mobile. SURELY there’s a way to do what’s discussed here, either via ActiveSync & USB stuff, or else by maybe overwriting something that auto-runs on the phone? Surely Disable Security could be run automatically without me having to already be PAST the sim lock??
i have a audiovox smt5600 its hang on startup (windows mobile) i m looking solotion for this i have try to rset but same what is name of flash file for this and where to get .
Thanks for helping us, i unlocked my smt 5600 today may 30th 2007, my sim card of tmobile works great, i already did some phone calls, but unfortunally i cannot use internet (my $29.00 a month) that i’m paying whith my dash . But is okay i’ll try to fix it later, i just gonna use it as back up phone, and will continue enjoing my dash listenning radios stations from argentina, seting in my stool in valet parking. Yes i m lazy and a soccer fun, i love my audiovox brand new from lost and found, my dash and my work. THANKS ERIC, I WILL USE THAT MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEEDS IT.
I have one question, i whant to buy a SMT from the USA but i leave in Bolivia, so i dont have a Cingular SIM to unlock the phone, can i exlude this step some way? I mean can i unlock the phone with out having the SIM?? PLZ help me is urgent! THX!
This Rocks !. It works 100%. I needed to give my Parents who are visiting me, a Phone in the U.S. I was able to unlock my old SMT500 and just get them a prepaid SIM card to use. Thank You so Much! Asking the ATT/Cingular Authorized ‘St’ealers wanted me to buy a new phone..not anymore.
the aeconfig.zip isnt there, can i get some help with it please
I followed the steps till #11 and got an error message: “Illegal readZone attempt - RAPI init failed”. Does anyone who still read this post knows what that error message mean? I run the steps on my Vista notebook. I did borrow a T-Mobile SIM card and it asked me to enter unlock code for SIM Lock…I assume it means the unlock for Audiovox was not successful…I have tried the steps 3 times and received the same error message at the very end…
Other than that, the steps are very clear and easy to follow…Thx to Erik!
I know there are issues w/ IE7; I suspect with Vista too. Got a bud still running XP?
hey,
i live in india
my smt5600 actually belonged to my uncle in the US. he then gifted it to me. i just wanted to know, does your solution apply to indian networks too?
also, i followed the procedure anyways and when the spv services program is opened, i pressed the LOCK button-is that a wrong thing to do, as now i am not able to use the phone due to some message saying:”network is locked-please input the lock code”
does this render the phone useless?
also, do i have to insert the original sim card (cingular) while doing the process, or will any card do?
punyeta sinungaling kayo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure if people still post here, but here goes. I just purchased an audiovox smt 5600 from eBay. It was supposed to be unlocked, but its not. Does this software still work, as it has been awhile since this was first posted? I wanted to know , so I dont screw anything up on the phone, since its brand new, and came w/at&tsim card. you can email me @ chris_p_sr@yahoo.com .