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Flash Menus : FAQ |
mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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There are similar guides on the web about this but I thought I would share what I've learned about flash menus, along with FAQs and common problems about this. Thanks to tranced, who helped me with some steps of the guide. 
What are flash menus?
Flash menus are flash animations that replace the standard Sony Ericsson menu, some phones have default flash menus that come pre-installed on the phone. There are many videos on YouTube showing modded phones with flash menus added.
Flash Menus
What's the difference between a flash menu and a flash theme?
A flash theme has a flash menu accompanying it, so there are two files in a flash theme:
The theme (.THM file)
The flash menu animation (.SWF file)
It's possible to link any flash menu (.swf) to any theme of your choice (.thm)
Which flash menus will work on my phone?
A flash menu will only work if it's supported by the correct flashlite version on your phone, e.g
A flash menu intended for use on a C902 (2.1 Flashlite) would only work for 2.1 Flashlite based phones and wouldn't work on 2.0 phones such as the K850i. If your phone is branded, the branding will block the flash menus so they wont appear, so the phone needs to be de-branded in order for flash menus to work. 
What is my phone's flashlite version?
FL 2.1
C510, C702, C901, C902, C903, C905, G705, T700, T707, T715, W508, W595, W705, W715, W760, W902, W980, W995
Fl 2.0
G502, K660, K850, W890, W910, Z750, Z770
FL 1.1
K770, K790, K800, K810, W880, W850, W580, S500, T650
So if you have a FL 2.1 phone(such as a C901), flash menus made for any other FL 2.1 phone (see list above) will also work with your phone! (the same goes for the other FL versions) Its the Flashlite (FL) version that's important.
So search google for Flashlite x.x flash menus or search for flash menus made for phones of the same flashlite version as your model! There are literally hundreds to download!! 
Is my phone branded?
If it's branded, you will have operator logos everywhere, like start-up and shutdown images. If your phone comes with default flash themes you could select one of them and see if the menu changes or not.
How do I install flash menus?
1. Debrand your phone (this can be done by flashing the phone to a generic firmware or by editing the custom file)
Debranding your A2 phone
2. Upload the flash menu animations (.swf files) to your phone’s file system, you need a program to do this, which program you use depends on what platform or ‘DB’ number your phone is on...
What "DB" number is my phone? Use this tool to find out
If you have an A2v1 (DB3150) or A2v2 (DB3120) phone:
C510, C702, C901 C902, C903, C905, G502 , K630, K660, K850, T700, V640, G705, W595, W705, W715, W760, W890, W902, W910, W980, Z750, Z770, Z780.
Use A2 Uploader along with this tutorial by tranced and put the .SWF files into tpa>preset>system>desktop>flash
If have a DB2020 phone:
K530, K550, K610, K618, K770, K790, K800, K810, K610, V630, W580, W610, W660,W710, W830, W850, W880, W888, W910,W950, W958, Z610, Z710, Z710, M600, M608, W580, P990, S500, T650, V630
Use Far Manager with JD Flasher Plugin with this tutorial and upload .SWF files to tpa>preset>system>desktop>flash
3. Now the flash menus (.swf files) are in your phone’s file system you need to transfer the themes (.thm files) to your phone via data cable.
If you just downloaded flash themes that have a .swf files and a .thm file with the same name then the flash menu (.swf) will be linked to the theme (.thm) already so you can just transfer these to your phone.
How do I link a flash menu to a theme?
NEW! Quick and easy way to link a flash menu to a theme!
---------------------------
Manual method.
How can I edit flash menus to remove vibration?
Taken from the A2-DB3150-DB3210 Flash Themes No Vibration thread
Answer given by dawian
1. Open SWF file with HEX editor or maybe in some simple text editor that will leave text unformatted (Didn't try notepad, but it might work). I used HxD that comes with Total Commander Ultima Prime package - it does not really matter which editor you use - the only important thing it that filesize must remain the same or the .SWF file won't work.
2. We need to destroy command StartVibrate. There is a script called Vibrate, that vibrates phone everytime you move in the menu. Search for string Startvibrate in the file. You'll find one.
3. Change whatever letter of the Startvibrate, but be sure to keep filesize intact. So change it to Startpibrate, Sparthibrate or whatever. You'll destroy script operability this way. Save. Preview in browser just to be sure SWF file works.
4. Install Gordon Gate drivers from A2uploader package. Have data cable for your phone ready.
5. Open A2uploader, click Filesystem. Turn off phone. Then hold 2 and 5 together (some phones require holding C button) and connect it to computer via cable. A2uploader should discover it and let you to the filesystem. Go to tpa/preset/system/desktop/flash directory. Here you'll see SWF flash themes installed in your phone. Upload your non vibrating theme by dragging and dropping to A2uploader. Click Shutdown FS. Disconnect phone.
6. Wait a while, then switch on the phone. If it doesn't switch on, reinsert battery. Then switch on. Check menu vibrations ... voila!!
If something went wrong and you don't see flash menu, following might have happened:
- filenames are wrong. information in XML file in THM package doesn't match with SWF filename
- wrong editing SWF file. you changed filesize and thus SWF is not working. use hexeditor to change startvibrate string
- you didn't upload swf file correctly. maybe you dragged and dropped it elsewhere
Good luck!
Common Problems
"When I select the flash theme, the new flash menu appears instead of the original, but when I select an option from the menu, nothing happens..."
Wrong Flashlite version - see "Which flash menus will work on my phone?"
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"When I select the flash theme, the menu doesn't change, what is wrong?"
Possible reasons:
Flash menu .swf file not linked to the theme file Part 2: Link a Flash Menu to any Theme
Phone is branded - see "Is my phone branded?"
[ This Message was edited by: mriley on 2010-06-24 18:25 ] Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010!  ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can | |
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mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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[ This Message was edited by: mriley on 2010-03-25 22:57 ] Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010! ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can |
hihihans
Joined: Mar 15, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: Netherlands
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Nice work Matt, or should I say; KingTut. 
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mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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 thanks hihi, ill finish it tomorrow, ive got the day off
Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010! ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can |
tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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Did I help? 
Will add this one to the super sticky thread later. Good job Mister Riley.
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turboexcess
Joined: Dec 25, 2008
Posts: 37
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i have linked my flash menus on c905, but when Im trying to use them, they look fine, but any icon works on main menu
also i noticed that where it should says "messaging" it says MENU_MSG_MES, and every icon says something like that
whats wrong ? |
mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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On 2010-03-26 19:59:13, turboexcess wrote:
i have linked my flash menus on c905, but when Im trying to use them, they look fine, but any icon works on main menu
also i noticed that where it should says "messaging" it says MENU_MSG_MES, and every icon says something like that
whats wrong ?
Yep, this is a common problem - i take it nothing happens when you select an option (messaging/camera etc) from the menu? You have got the wrong flash menu for your phone, your phone is flashlite 2.1 and you have got a menu that is most likely flashlite 1.1 or 2.0
Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010! ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can |
turboexcess
Joined: Dec 25, 2008
Posts: 37
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thank you, I searched for some flash 2.1 and they work |
litemint
Joined: Jan 17, 2009
Posts: 252
From: .:[ Bicol ]:.
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Flash themes and menu are cool.
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boy.in.PINK
Joined: Aug 28, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: Sa may Nilad
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Is it possible to modify a FL 2.1 Menu to make it 2.0? Thanks mate for this tut...
"Tell me what  you have and I'll tell you who you are." K700>G502>N82>GT-S5360>U20i>Innos D9 |
mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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Yes. It's possible to convert FL 2.1 menus to FL 2.0 (and FL 2.0 to FL 2.1)
However, you can't convert an FL 1.1 menu to FL 2.0/2.1 without rewriting the script and using icons that have to be made for it.
If you want an FL 2.1 menu converted to FL 2.0, here are some links for you
SE-Planet. This is a spanish speaking website, but if you use a translator and post the menu you want converted, you will most likely have a FL 2.0 menu within a few days from lagunalor
or
There's one on se-nse (not likely to get a reply)
Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010! ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can |
AlexJumper
Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Posts: 232
From: Greece
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Is it possible to upgrade FL???
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mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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Nope, not as far as I know. Possibly by flashing your firmware to that of a different phone, I don't think it's possible though, there are good flash menus for every phone.
Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010! ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can |
appleface
Joined: Apr 17, 2010
Posts: 52
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great work . what program can i use to chk my swf file on computer |
mriley
Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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You can use a program called SoThink SWF Decompiler to preview the SWF files on your computer.
Esato's Newbie of the year and Most Helpful Member 2010! ------------------- Life is just a ride, enjoy it while you can | |
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Posted: 2010-03-25 23:23
jay0726 | 
