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invalid ruddy mobile! |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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I've just bought a secondhand T610 with a broken screen to do up and hopefully resell. I've replaced the screen no problem, powered the phone up, and it's come up with the dreaded 'Invalid Mobile'!  I've tried Sims from three different networks in it, with no joy.
Now I know that it means that the phone's been blocked, but what are all the reasons? I know there's if a phone's been stolen, or lost, but are there any other reasons? Can a phone be blocked if someone doesn't pay their bill?
Is there any other reason at all that mobiles are blocked?
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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Lynx69
Joined: Feb 22, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: [ENGLAND]
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Just a thought:- I reckon it was broken then a claim was made on insurance for a new phone so they might have said they lost it, and it got locked, he got his new mobile and you got the broken, 'lost' one.
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[ This Message was edited by: Lynx69 on 2004-06-17 22:25 ] |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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yes, that's entirely possible! I suppose the seller could be totally unawares that the phone's now all but useless!
Or he is, and doesn't care....
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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Residentevil
Joined: Feb 29, 2004
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From: Raccoon City, USA
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Goes back to my rule: only buy from a reputable seller with a phone number and a physical address. sorry pal this does not look good.
If you have a sales receipt you could go to a mobile store and try to have it activated there, so the blame does not fall on you.
Tough times don't last, tough people do!
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Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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With it been an ebay purchase, I don't have a recipt so I guess l'm stuffed! Barring doing something illegal, there's not much I can do is there?
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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Residentevil
Joined: Feb 29, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Raccoon City, USA
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Nothing comes to mind. As you said, you are stuffed.
Tough times don't last, tough people do!
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50Cent
Joined: Nov 08, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: ...whatever psycho!!!
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i was wondering, how to operators block phones.
what information do they need ? imei?
some1 was telling me that the sim in the phone is blocked at the same time? that true?
Twista
Trusted Trader: 50Cent (+6, -0)
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Lynx69
Joined: Feb 22, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: [ENGLAND]
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All they need is the IMEI number. To block the sim they need the phone number. Correct me if im wrong.
Im not sure how they block the phone but i reckon its something so they send a signal wirelessly to the phone to lock it 
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masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
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if they sent a signal to the phone to block it then you wouldn't be able to take it to another country and use it.
no, as I understand there is a simple common database used by the operators which is referenced when you turn the phone on and connect with the network and the phone identifies itself
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[ This Message was edited by: masseur on 2004-06-28 20:33 ] |
50Cent
Joined: Nov 08, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: ...whatever psycho!!!
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ahh, so u just tell them ur imei number (better note mine down).
cheers
Twista
Trusted Trader: 50Cent (+6, -0)
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Lynx69
Joined: Feb 22, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: [ENGLAND]
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Yea, when i had my phone stolen they took my IMEI and they said they would block it, then i called O2 and got my sim blocked with my phone number.
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50Cent
Joined: Nov 08, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: ...whatever psycho!!!
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k, always nice to know i can stuff the fool who nicks my mobile 
unless of course i lose it 
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Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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@Twista ....Or some gullible fool like me buys it off ebay from the thieving git who pinched your phone! Despite my occasional frustration, it is a good deterrent I think. @masseur - I was under the impression that phones blocked in this country still work in other countries, at last as things stand at the moment?
To further the debate - could the phone that your sim card is in be blocked if they don't have your IMEI number? As I often have a sim in different phones testing them out - could they, for example 'know' what phone my sim card was in by logging the IMEI of the particular phone that the sim card was in just before it was stolen, then blocking that phone?
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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etaab
Joined: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: UK - South Yorkshire
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When you switch your phone on, the sim sends its signal to your operator. It also sends the phones IMEI number that the sim is being used with. Your phone cannot be used if your operator doesnt have access to your IMEI.
All IMEI numbers are stored in a database. Each time you turn on your phone or attempt to make a call the IMEI number is checked whether it is blocked or not.
From my own experience, even if you use your sim in a phone who's IMEI number is blocked your operator wont do a thing about it. Whether this is because they dont have any 'alarm bells' that ring whenever someone tries to use a blocked phone or they simply know the phone is useless, and therefore dont care im not sure of.
I do know however, that a phone with a blocked IMEI number can still make SOS emergency calls. Thieves or not, everyone is entitled to emergency relief. 
Lastly, its possible to change a phones IMEI. Its involves cloning the IMEI number of a phone thats already in use. Normally if a back street shop says they can do this they'll require another IMEI number such as the one in your old phone. They then wave their electronical magic wand to create a cloned phone. Its kind of like car theft, with the cloning of the VIN plate. IMEI cloning is internationally illegal. Its better to just buy a phone from a reputable source.
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[ This Message was edited by: etaab on 2004-06-29 01:10 ]
[ This Message was edited by: etaab on 2004-06-29 01:10 ] |
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Posted: 2004-06-17 23:19
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