Glossary of Terms

Last edited by PsychoI3oy on Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:45 am, edited 1 time in total

Motorola phone hacking glossary. Terms seen here that aren't in the site's glossary here. If you don't know what something means and it's not here or in the main glossary, please email me or one of the moderators. Likewise, if you have a better definition, question about one of these definitions, or think something's incorrect, please email me. If you have a question about a phone, please use the search feature and double check the tutorials forum and post elsewhere. Phone questions in this thread will be deleted. Apologies to the WAP browsers, this is a long one.

Compiled from various sources here and on the net by PsychoI3oy, with xXxSamsungxXx providing editorial help and answering some questions.

General Terms - These terms are used in many programming/hacking circles (including computers and other phone manufacturers) though the definitions here may be more specific to Motorola phones.

Warez - Short and modified version of software, also 'appz' - any software not released to the general public for free, wether downloaded from a p2p network (gnutella: limewire, bearshare, gnucleus; kazaa; bittorrent) or the web from a site dealing in such things. Programs released as freeware, shareware, or open source are not warez, neither are commercial applications paid for and bought online or in a store. Downloading/installing warez is by definition a violation of copyright law, and links pointing to such sites will be deleted from this board immediately. May require 'cracks' or 'patches' to get working without cd keys, security codes, serial numbers, etc.

checksum - A mathematical calculation run on a piece of code to make sure it's the same as when the original checksum was generated. This is useful after flashing a phone to make sure the data in the phone is the same as what's on the computer. Variations are 'md5sum' and 'crc32'.

hex - Short for hexadecimal, or counting in base 16 (as opposed to the normal base 10, decimal). A very easy way to write binary, as an 8 bit binary number becomes a single digit in hex. Some version numbers for flash files may be in hex, the digits are 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F such that 0B.D2.30 is newer than 0B.12.30

bit - A single digit in binary, 1 or 0 - often used as true/false or on/off settings

theme/skin - A set of graphics and colors to change the appearance of a program or OS. Motorola skins are similar to Windows XP themes or Winamp skins. Theme files will have the extention .tcf and skin files .dat and .ski.

firmware - Somewhere between hardware and software. Generally used to mean any software that's semi-permanently written to a chip and not changed often without lengthy write sessions. The BIOS or CMOS in a computer is a type of firmware.

USB - Universal Serial Bus - A faster way to connect peripherals than the old serial or parallel ports, also the best way to connect phones. Motorola phones use a mini USB plug on one end and a typical USB A plug on the end that goes into the computer. The plug is similar in size but not the same as the Mini B USB plug used in some digital cameras, but is identical to the Mini USB plug used in other cameras. If you have a cable that you think might work and it fits (DON'T JAM IT) then it should work provided you have the right software and drivers.

BlueTooth (BT) - A wire replacement technology used to pair (communicate) with other BT devices (headset, usb dongle, pda, etc,). Some carriers are disabling the file-sending capabilities of the BlueTooth devices in some handsets. While it may work for transferring ring tones/graphics/phonebooks, Motorola phones can't use BlueTooth for the more advanced enhancements discussed here. For BT to work the paired devices must be within 30 feet of each other.

bootloader - A small piece of software that tells an electronic device where the operating system is. Computers have a bootloader at the beginning of the hard drive that tells where the main OS is, and it's the same with Motorola phones. Generally speaking, unless you have major issues, you shouldn't upgrade the bootloader. In addition to causing other problems if done improperly (i.e. dead phone), newer bootloaders tend to have more security measures built into them making things like unlocking more difficult.

J2ME - Java 2 Micro Edition - The more compact version of Sun's Java platform that Motorola phones run and downloadable games and applications are written in.

midlet - A Java application written in J2ME, called 'midlet' because it's somewhere between a full application and an applet

.jad - A small text file that contains a few lines describing a midlet, it's size, name, location, publisher, and a few other details are included.

.jar - A Java ARchive file. In the context of phones, this is basically the installer file for any midlet you wish to install. Motorola phones can't install a .jar file without a .jad.

Motorola Terms - These terms are used specifically in this forum as defined, though they may mean something similar when talking about other manufacturer's phones and different terms with other manufacturers may mean something similar to these.

unlocking - A process used to remove the original service providers lock on the phone. By removing the lock the phone is reset to accept SIM cards from any carrier, as opposed to locked phones which will only accept cards from the original carrier. THIS IS THE ONLY THING UNLOCKING DOES, AND NO, WE DON'T HAVE THE CODES TO UNLOCK YOUR PHONE. DO NOT POST YOUR IMEI NUMBER!

flash - Part of the firmware of a Motorola phone that contains the OS and applications. Also, the act of putting a flash file on a phone. Reasons for upgrading flash include better RF reception, faster menu response, better battery life etc...

flex - Part of the firmware of a Motorola phone that contains settings and graphics, usually tied to a certain carrier unless specifically 'unbranded'. Reasons for upgrading the flex include unbranding the phone, faster menu response, and changing the look/behavior of the OS.

monster pack - A file that contains both flash and flex code for a phone as well as a language pack. Generally not used unless the phone is blank (or otherwise messed up).

master clear - Destructive restoration of factory default settings. This WILL ERASE your phone book, ring tones, wallpaper, and any other data stored on the phone. Used as a last resort to possibly fix major settings issues. The master clear code for most newer Motorola phones is 000000 (six zeros)

master reset - Same as master clear but without the destruction, but not always as effective. The master reset code for most newer Motorola phones is 000000 (six zeros)

reset phone - As seen inside an application or instructions here - power cycling the phone, i.e. turning it off and back on. The same as pressing the reset button on your computer. Usually necessary after settings and file changes over a connection to the computer.

seem - A file or address in memory that contains settings for the phone. All the seems in the phone (plus some other stuff) make up your flex such that replacing/upgrading your flex will undo any seem edits. Seem editing is similar to Windows registry editing - if you're careful it can make things a lot better/cooler/different; if you mess it up your phone may not work anymore.

triplets - a group of phones (v300, v400, v500, v600) that have similar hardware and all use the same flash files, starting with 'triplets_'

p2k - This term is used to refer to a command that is used for your phone to communicate with a computer, also known as a protocol.

opcode - a special code entered into the phone through the normal buttons on the phone (i.e. no computer needed) that let you change settings not normally available through the menus. Often phone or series specific in nature i.e. the opcode to enable Java App Loader works on a v300 but not a v551 or v188.

mma files - These files contain information regarding the layout of your phones menus and keypad buttons. There are two sets of mma files, mma_ucp (current menu setup) and mma_dcp (default menu setup). Both mma files are located in directory /a/mobile/system. They can be downloaded to your pc with p2kman/p2kcommander and edited with p2kmenueditor.

Programs - Frequently discussed programs for hacking/modding Motorola phones.

MPT - Motorola Phone Tools - This program is put out by Motorola for basic ring tone/wallpaper/screen saver/phonebook/sms transfer and comes with a driver that lets your computer use your phone as a modem. Usually includes a USB cable or BT adaptor, but not always. Available on e-bay, amazon, Motorola's site, and BVRP (the publisher) for anywhere from $20-40. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR SETTING UP MPT CAREFULLY AND IN ORDER. DON'T PLUG YOUR PHONE IN BEFORE TOLD OR IT'LL BE THAT MUCH HARDER TO GET WORKING. This program is usually everyone's first step in modding their phone from the computer, and while it can't do the more advanced things is necessary to have working properly for many of the other programs to work. Any "drivers" for the phone will only turn it in to a modem, you need MPT to be able to do anything else but rack up minute/data charges with the phone.

PST - Product Service Tool - Motorola's suite of programs for their service centers. Only legally available for large quantities of money to service centers. This, like MPT, is one of the programs that's often necessary to do a lot of the other things here. Any copies of this found online are Warez and linking to them is forbidden! You are responsible for acquiring this program on your own and the legalities of doing so.

MFF - MultiFlashFlex - Part of PST that lets you upload flash/flex files to the phone.

p2kman - this program is considered freeware. Program for transferring files to and from the phone at a more raw file system level than MPT. Note that this only transfers files and doesn't install them, so ring tones and Java games may require additional steps. Requires MPT or PST phone driver to work. http://motoaide.com:8081/download.htm

p2kmenueditor - this program is considered freeware. Winner of the 'most descriptive program name of the year' award - this is for editing menus on your phone. Requires MPT or PST phone driver to work. http://motoaide.com:8081/download.htm

Midway - A free program released by Motorola with their J2ME SDK (software development kit) that's available many places online as a standalone program. While the program itself is free and legal, you may have to use a warez (i.e. PST) program to enable Java App Loader (check the tutorial section) to actually use Midway. This is for transferring games and programs (midlets) to the phone, which MPT cannot do. In addition to the cable, midway, and having JAL enabled, you'll need both the properly edited .jad and the .jar file for the program you're trying to install. Follow the directions in the Midway tutorial exactly and you should have no problem. http://motoaide.com:8081/download.htm

motokit - this program is considered freeware. Program that can backup flex files (but not flash) in addition to easily modding your phones gain tables and basic phone repair. An all around useful tool for the cell phone modder. Requires MPT or PST phone driver to work. Not to be confused with another 'motokit' for Sony/Ericson phones. Available online if you search with google, apparently the site that hosts it is not linkable to here.

smartmoto - freeware program that can flash phones and do some other neat tricks such as see your phones security code if you forget. available at http://www.smrt-clip.com. Requires MPT or PST phone driver to work.

p2kcommander - A usefull p2k program for file management and particularly for creating skin directories and uploading .ski and .dat files. http://s5vi.vxxxstuff.com/ (click the page that takes you to p2kcommander, then click the anchor)

hex editor - any of a number of programs (many available as freeware or open source) useful for editing raw binary data in hexadecimal format. Programs used for seem editing, one of the more popular being XVI32. http://motoaide.com:8081/download.htm

Just wanted to make it a point that this thread is not intended for questions. If you have a term that you would like to add email me and I will have it added. If you have questions start a new thread. Thanks to PsychoI3oy for doing the bulk of the work on this post.

By Malibu21:

Unlocking:

The process of freeing your GSM Phone from provider locks, this only means that you are free to use this phone with any GSM Carrier in the world that operates on the phone's GSM band. This doesn't mean phone locks, password locks, or security locks. Also called a sim lock or subsidy lock. Your phone is locked if you get the subsidy password popup on startup. Unlocking doesn't affect anything but the ability to use any sim card. That means you'll have to adjust your MMS and Internet settings if you're using a phone that's programmed for another carrier.

Unbranding:

The process of removing carrier logos from the phone's displays. That means all of the little links in the phone, all the icons, and all the pictures that come with the phone that are a specific carrier, Like the Cingular Jack or T-Moblie logo.

The only thing I would add to unlocking is if it requests a password or says contact service provider when you use a different carriers sim then it is locked. If it gives a "flex error - subsidy locked" message then that is something different and can easily be removed (see the sticky here: http://forums.mobiledia.com/topic30504.html

Unblocking

If a (GSM) phone has been reported lost or stolen then the network carrier may block the phones IMEI number. This can happen up to a few weeks later if reported stolen (so police can track its usage).

The only way around this would be to change the IMEI number, this is illegal and may not be discussed here.

RSD Lite

Motorola software (newer than PST which is now discontinued) used to flash phones. Warez - so links are not permitted

Gain Table

The settings within the phone for volume control, programmed in hex, it can be modified to make the maximum volume higher than factory, the easiest way to accomplish this is through MotoKit, or GTPE

what is PDS?

WHAT IS LANGUAGE PACK? AND REFLASH FOR?

Glossary of Terms

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