Flashing N73 so thers no orange/o2/t-mobile software on it

[Merlin4458]

My N73 is comically slow, i can count 10 before a message come up once ive clicked view. See ive heard about being able to properly factory reset, losing all the pointless orange music software put on it.

Does anyone have any more imformation on this

I know it voids the warenty, but mine has ran out anyway, so wanna try speed my phone up for the last few months before an upgrade.

Thanks all

[chrestomanci]

First up, you should check which firmware version you have. On any Nokia you can do this by typing *#0000#. Then go to the Nokia update website to see if there is a more recent version.

Unfortuately, it will be impossible to put non Orange firmware on your N73 without help from Orange.

All Nokia phones for the last 4 years at least have used digital signed firmware, and a lower level BIOS that checks the digital signatures and will refuse to boot unless the firmware is authorised. The problem is that when you have a phone with operator customised firmware, that BIOS is configured not to accept normal Nokia firmware, and only to accept firmware from your operator (Orange in this case).

If your phone is unlocked, then the firmware lock may also have been turned off, in which case, you will need a sutable cable (You can't update over bluetooth), then head over to Nokia update website and download the update tool.

If your phone is still locked to Orange, then you definitely won't be able to use the normal update tool so you have three choices. You could go to an Orange store and ask them to upgrade the firmware to the most recent Orange version for the N73, though that may not be very recent, you could pay Orange whatever they are charging to get the phone unlocked, though it sounds like you don't plan to have the phone for much longer so it may not be worth it. Finally, some Nokia phones have bugs in their BIOS that allow third party unlockers to work. A google search many find an unlocker, but there are no guarantees.

I work for Nokia BTW.

[Merlin4458]

thanks chres. Thats cleared a few things up.

Seeing as u work for nokia, can u explain why the n73 is the slowest phone ever made? Literally ridiculously slow

[TheAnimus]

Originally Posted by Merlin4458

Seeing as u work for nokia, can u explain why the n73 is the slowest phone ever made? Literally ridiculously slow

No one who ever works for the company should try and defend a comment like that on the forum enless they work in the PR department, in which case they should of learn't how to never get asked that sort of question!

a couple of points, the 73 is aimed at the more price concious end of the market and has power effecient processing techonology. The hardware is dog slow.

Symbian OS series 60 is awful, it was written by people who had clearly never designed an OS before, or worked with many OS'es, it had eveyrthing that was wrong with EPOC brought forward to the mobile phone market.

[mightymouse]

actually you can debrand it, just google nss and n73 product codes. change the product code using nss to the default euro product code and then use nokia software update.

but remember if you do back things up only restore your contacts and messages not settings. again do it with caution (at your own risk) and make sure you make a note of your original product code just in case you have warranty issue so that you can change it back

the default debranded ones are way faster

[Spud1]

^^ what mightymouse said, sorry chrestomanci but your wrong - its very easy to reflash recent nokias with either generic nokia firmware or any network branded version.

You need to change your product code to the one that matches the software you want (eg standard nokia EU, standard music edition, standard internet edition and so on), and then just run the standard nokia update tool from their website and it will flash your phone for you.

It won't probably fix your problem though, at least not permanently. N73's are not really very good phones, I had one for 16 months before I could finally upgrade and get rid..worked like a charm for the first 8 months and then just got slower and slower, and started crashing more and more (usually in the middle of calls). Reflashing from 3 firmware to standard music edition didnt help much, and neither did flashing to the standard EU firmware..although it did remove the 3 branding which was nice

It's the phone that has put me off Nokias, can't see why I would buy another nokia these days...best sticking with Windows Mobile based or iPhones from now on imo.

[Merlin4458]

Thanks u2. And sorry chres it wasnt an aggressive stab at nokia, but i understand. Looks like ill jsut have to wait for an upgrade. 4 months to go!.

> How soon can u get an upgrade on an 18month contract if u really tried? 17/18th month?

> Anything worth getting as ive been put off nokias for a while until they bring out new styles, generations.

Doesnt sound like its worth flashing anyway, but cheers for the info

[Spud1]

When you can upgrade depends on your contract..usually you can upgrade anytime - but the longer you wait, the better the deal. One option is going to somewhere like phones4u or carphonewarehouse who will sometimes buy you out of your current contract..but they don't always offer it.

If you are after a new phone and want to stay with orange, look at the HTC TyTN II which is a great PDA phone, or if you want something more slimline and pocket friendly then the HTC Touch or Touch Dual both make great phones..whats more all 3 are Windows Mobile based so are very customisable, have a wide range of apps available, sync nicely with outlook and have a good UI