carl0s

OK, well, here's where I'm up to: I have sucessfully debranded the phone - it now doesn't say Orange anywhere on it, and it has the generic firmware, which means things like Internet Telephony which orange disabled are now back, and there are no shitty Orange applications on it. However, it still has a sim-lock on it, so I guess I mistook "how to debrand your N95" for "how to unlock your N95". so, still more work to do it seems.. before: v 10.0.018 15-03-07 rm-159 nokia n95 (44.01) after: v11.0.026 17-04-07 rm-159 Nokia n95 (01.01)

Well, it's looking promising so far. You need to have the Nokia PC Suite installed so that the N95 drivers get installed, then the phone needs to be put into PC Suite mode when connected to the computer. I just did this, and started the Nemesis NSS software, and it was allowing me to even change the IMEI (and the product code etc. - this is where I will change from "Orange UK" product code to "EURO 1" or whatever). Then I'll have to use the Nokia Software Updater to apply the latest firmware update. If there was no new firmware update available from Nokia then I guess it wouldn't work this way. I'll post the results back in a min. For reference, it came up "invalid sim card" with gf's O2 sim card a minute ago so I have something to compare against anyway.

Doesn't sound that way - seems you can DIY: http://www.expansys.com/ft.aspx?i=141579&thread=138

Girlfriend is on O2, so I'll firstly make sure that it doens't accept her sim card - i.e. confirm that it's locked to Orange, then I'll go through the NSS product-code change & firmware update, and if it goes well I'll have an unlocked N95 for sale. Watch this space.

This sounds interesting: you change the product code to generic, then update from the Nokia website: http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/5216_The_Nokia_N95_is_updated-v1100.php

Hmm. I'm not sure - I just assumed it was as easy on all models. Worst case would be flashing with the generic firmware wouldn't it? It's really not an area I know anything about, but I'll do some googling now and see if I can pick up any facts. I seem to remember hearing once that many mobiles were simply locked to the band type, or parent network or something, so that T-Mobile and Orange worked interchangably, as did say O2 and Vodafone, or perhaps the other way around. I'll see what I can find anyway.

Had this for about a month. It has a couple of minor dings/blemishes on it (on corners) but nothing bothersome. I will add pictures later if anybody thinks they might be interested. Comes with box, all cables, manuals etc. It's locked to Orange but I'm sure that could be easily fixed. The handset itself doesn't actually have the Orange logo on it anywhere though.

anyone got one, cheap-ish? dual solenoid? thanks.

My TT passed with just the second CAT fitted.

105.4p at the BP on the A556 near Knutsford. What happened?

The only files I had were next to useless. Apparently you need to use a 'bastard cut half-round file'. Bastard cut means it's really rough or something Or, do what I did... I used one (actually, about five) of those grinding stone bits that go in the end of a drill. It ate through them pretty quickly but they were only a cheap set anyway. I can't see how you could do it without a vice though. Thank god for grandads and uncles

Almost looks like a squashed VW beetle with those rear arches only kidding

Filthy http://www.chapman.rockbottom.btinternet.co.uk/fixturesman/penthouse/helenchamberlainpenthouse_01.html

Ordered a black one from Expansys just now and I can go and pick it up from Trafford Park shortly! Cool I was watching a black one on eBay and it went for £140, second hand. This has cost £152. Thanks for the ideas guys anyway.

Oh, fancy that. Expansys are located in Manchester. hmmm

Might check their website now and if price is OK, ring a store. cheers.

Wouldn't have thought of that, although it's only about a tenner cheaper than new from expansys. Something to consider though and they have a store in Manchester. thanks!

I missed some important emails due to being very busy the last couple of days, and RoadSync on my N95 not working properly, and the fact that it's hidden away behind a few menus anyway. So I'm going to buy a Nokia E50, having just sold my E70 on eBay (it was too big). eBay prices are not much better than expansys.co.uk, but I'm wondering if I can just go into a shop and buy one? carphonewarehouse.com don't show the E50. Who else is worth checking? Obviously I'm checking websites with a view to walking into a store nearby to pick one up. any ideas guys? cheers.

Seems to make sense. I hope Mike in the states is able to sort it out as it's not Imi's fault and he's really just been doing everyone a good favour.

Hmm. Now it's making sense. So has Gary got the same ducky as me, but it's just pushed further down?

They stop the car fine. I bled the brakes about a week before going around Oulton park, with a proper racing driver giving it some (lots and lots of smoke, but no pedal problems so no air in the system). They stop the car fine, it's just that the NA car with the 2pot brakes that I drove had very grippy brakes, just wondered if it was something perhaps related to the design of the 4pots over the 2pots

Dunno. I ruffed them up a bit with sandpaper before putting them on (they were 2nd hand), and I got through a few sets of pads on the last car and it was the same, and of course the last set of pads on this car. They certainly stop the car well enough, it's just that there's no grippiness from light pedal action. You have to push pretty hard.

Doesn't particularly bother me, but I'm curious all the same. My UK car, and my current car which also has UK brakes, well the brakes don't seem to 'bite' at all. It stops well enough, but there's no clingy grabbiness at all. I drove a 5spd NA with the 2pot brakes, and this had grippy brakes like what most modern cars have (fiesta being one, although they're too grabby). My current car has CW fast road pads on it, and fresh-ish (6wk old) fluid. Is it simply characteristic of the larger 4pot brakes and their design or something?

Sure, as do most privately sold cars. If you want something specific, then it's worth having someone look at bringing it over from Japan - 6spds being rarer over here is one such example, but other than that there is plenty to choose from over here already and you can go and look at as many as you want first hand. Some people just seem to have this 'fresh import' mentality, where they think a used car brought from Japan is somehow more like a NEW car, than a used car bought from the UK.

My facelift TT auto was £6,995. I just think all this "Don't buy a used one from the UK - get a fresh import" is really going to hurt us all come resale time, and most of us do look after our cars and spend lots of money making things right (£600 new sidemount being my most recent, paintwork tidyups when needed, better shocks, etc.)