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The Droid:Bionic can do CMDA/4LTE and GSM/HSPA+ [IMAGE INTENSIVE]

Lars i have a question about the new update for the Droid Bionic from verizon from gingerbread to ICS (6.7.246) do i have to return my phone to stock? ( i made mine work with GSM in Mexico) if I do the update will it still work for GSM ?...if I repeat the process ?
 
Hey Guys,

I'm new to the whole Android thing and to this site and really needing some help ... hope you and your expertise can help solve my problem with my Motorola Bionic (running ICS). I've gone through all the steps of Radiocomm (Ver. 11.12.2 and Ver. 2.2.28 Device Manager Drivers) with no apparent problems, read/write line 1877 and everything appears to have worked successfully (it says it in the text/code and I get the Green Highlights and all) but the phone doesn't seem to be getting it. Simply wanting to recognize GSN on this phone to use AT&T card with Straight Talk. No evidence at all that it is doing anything to the phone. If Radiocomm is actually changing/updating the phone to my new setting, would/should it show the change if I go back in and re-read line 1877? If so, it isn't ... it just shows the original code everytime I read it. If you have any ideas, I sure would appreciate your assistance. Thanks in advance.

Volfan2
 
As someone pointed out, turn off usb debugging on the phone and try again.

Otherwise root with razr's edge, install bootstrap and flash the unlock zip posted early in this thread.
 
I'm glad this thread is here - you guys should be able to help out with this thread I'm working on:

http://androidforums.com/bionic-all-things-root/645450-5-5-886-ics.html

basically, he used RadioComm to enable GSM for AT&T and has been using the phone there, but it is spotty b/c he is still on 5.8.886. He wants to upgrade to ICS, but I said let's first make sure the RadioComm trick will work. Then I read the post where he got the info from and it is basically an NV edit to enable GSM. So, now my question is really: Does the BIONIC on ICS already has native support for GSM? It seem that this thread indicates that it already has GSM support, but I see all sorts of things like world phone and Pay-as-you-go carriers, I didn't see anything about AT&T paid plans.

Does anyone think that the ICS update (with the increased CDT.bin security + locked bootloader) could prevent this same RadioComm trick from working on a BIONIC on ICS?

Don't worry about *how* to get the phone onto ICS, I've got that part covered lol. Just need to know more before I let him truly be a guinea pig and end up bricking him.
 
I have gsm working on ota ics. It does not work by default. You need the radiocomm edit, change to global mode from ##program, and change the build.prop network mode from 8 to 7. This got mine able to switch freely between vzw and att. I am roaming but an att sim should work.

Others have done other stuff... Keep in mind that att signal isnt as good as vzw. The bionic isnt optimized for gsm.
 
k after reading this thread, i am not learning anything about how to make a bionic work on straight talk, people have done it i just don't have the knowledge to do it
 
This all sounds cool but not sure why I would want to use my phone on ATT's crappy network. I'm perfectly happy with verizon's coverage and 4G in my area. I guess if I was traveling out of the country it would be useful though. I might keep this phone even after I upgrade just to use as a world phone.

I would be much more interested in getting my Nexus 4 on verizon! ha.
 
Most people were either interested in the world capability (which I am) or running on straight talk (ATT) because it is cheaper at $50/month. We have enough phones our shared plan that the bill is now about $50 per device so we get good signal and cheap.
 
Lars said:
post number 3 of this thread links to the xda thread

The steps are as follows:

Connect the Bionic using PC ONLY MODE
23. Google and DL radiocomm (latest version) I believe I used 11.2.1 but can verify later
24. Let radiocomm install and also install needed drivers
25. Follow these instructions to enable the GSM radio:

In Radiocomm go to MA->CDMA1X->QSC60x5
After it comes up, switch to FTM Common1 tab and wait for the phone to enumerate purple.
On the upper right side in the NVAccess, scroll to NV item 1877 NV_RF_BC_CONFIG_I
Read the value from the device
Replace the first 8 bytes (16 digits) with: 8703E80400000200
Write the data to the device and powercycle.
This will enable GSM/UMTS bands.
Click to expand...

Hi friend i've followed the step by step instructions but when i restart the device its not saving the changes i made as to the gsm/cdma network it keeps going back to WCDMA preffered, how do i select the band i want and save:confused:? Thanks.
 
I downloaded Radiocomm 11.11.11. I can't find"

In Radiocomm go to MA->CDMA1X->QSC60x5

There are a bunch of other things after CDMA1X but not QSC60x5. Am I totally off??

Thanks!!
 
Lars said:
Radiocomm has to be in green mode. Put the phone in MPT USB mode.
Click to expand...

Lars not sure how to put Radiocomm in green mode.

I'm using RadioCom v 11.11.11. However under Main> MA> CDMA1X> OSQ 60x5 is the mode suppose to remain in DIAG, are there additional settings to change?

I have gone to > NV 1877, NV_RF_BC_CONFIG_l and pressed the read button, and get the following message in Red:

Sending 'NVRead' command with data '550700000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000' to the radio...
Sent to radio: 2655070000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000021CC7E
Returned from radio:
NVRead ==>FAILED
Driver answer ==> -256
Error Description ==> PST: Handle to device is invalid - no device present
Time to execute command: 0 seconds.
Command timeout set to : 15 seconds.

I'm sure I have done something incorrectly. I would appreciate any guidance.:)
 
spacecase760 said:
k after reading this thread, i am not learning anything about how to make a bionic work on straight talk, people have done it i just don't have the knowledge to do it
Click to expand...
what i did was dial *#*#4636##*#* click phone info and click where it says cdma click gsm only and then run a ping test, put my straight talk card in and it worked
 
kf6bsn said:
Lars not sure how to put Radiocomm in green mode.

I'm using RadioCom v 11.11.11. However under Main> MA> CDMA1X> OSQ 60x5 is the mode suppose to remain in DIAG, are there additional settings to change?

I have gone to > NV 1877, NV_RF_BC_CONFIG_l and pressed the read button, and get the following message in Red:

Sending 'NVRead' command with data '550700000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000' to the radio...
Sent to radio: 2655070000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000021CC7E
Returned from radio:
NVRead ==>FAILED
Driver answer ==> -256
Error Description ==> PST: Handle to device is invalid - no device present
Time to execute command: 0 seconds.
Command timeout set to : 15 seconds.

I'm sure I have done something incorrectly. I would appreciate any guidance.:)
Click to expand...
Do you have USB debugging off in the phone?
 
I have done all this and got it working kinda. I have my net10 sim card which is suppose to be on the AT&T network but i get poor signal. Any ideas to get a better signal? I get 1 or 2 bars on my bionic and 4 or 5 in other phones.
 
1. The indicator is not correct unless you do build.prop edits.
2. The diversity antenna in the Bionic is not as good as a dedicated ATT phone.
3. ATT signal sucks anyway.
 
I'm trying to get my bionic to work overseas(France, Chile) and I have a couple of questions. I see that I need to download radiocomm and follow the steps listed by Lars. What else do I need to do/download in order to make my droid work on GSM? I'm using an ota update of ICS and have no knowledge so far of how to hack the phone. It's totally stock but i'd really like to learn. Will it be possible to get data working as well? I would be much appreciative of a step by step walkthrough of what I need to do inorder to make this work. Also does anyone have a link to the radiocomm download? Thanks!

Also I'm using a mac, will that affect the process? I can use windows if need be though.

Thanks again!
 
1. Band Unlock
Option A Root phone, install CWM recovery, flash TBH unlock zip
Option B Install RadioComm and drivers from admin mode on a PC, connect phone so it is in green mode as described above (mpt mode on and usb debugging off), perform manual band unlock to 1877
2. Global mode
Dial *#*#4636#*#*, select phone info, select LTE/CDMA/EVDO/GSM/WCDMA
3. Configure your sim
Option A For Verizon LTE sim log into My Verizon from a PC and provision global services on your line/account. Good idea to buy the 100MB global data when you travel or turn off Mobile Data.
Option B Insert a foreign non VZW sim and you should get voice and probably text, Dial ##program from the phone pwd 000000 and add the APN info for your new sim to get data (and maybe text). The phone should already have ATT and Tmobile APNs programmed.

I have found the phone works best on GSM using the Verizon LTE SIM. Signal and call quality is excellent roaming on Vodafone. Roaming with another SIM overseas like Tmobile was not quite a good. Your SIM may vary. I have used the Bionic in Mexico, England, Germany, Taiwan and Indonesia roaming on many carriers.
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kf6bsn said:
Lars not sure how to put Radiocomm in green mode.

I'm using RadioCom v 11.11.11. However under Main> MA> CDMA1X> OSQ 60x5 is the mode suppose to remain in DIAG, are there additional settings to change?

I have gone to > NV 1877, NV_RF_BC_CONFIG_l and pressed the read button, and get the following message in Red:

Sending 'NVRead' command with data '550700000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000' to the radio...
Sent to radio: 2655070000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000021CC7E
Returned from radio:
NVRead ==>FAILED
Driver answer ==> -256
Error Description ==> PST: Handle to device is invalid - no device present
Time to execute command: 0 seconds.
Command timeout set to : 15 seconds.

I'm sure I have done something incorrectly. I would appreciate any guidance.:)
Click to expand...



I am not sure if you have fixed the problem on your own or the advice given (check debug) worked BUT I had the same problem you did and found a very odd fix.

When he says "Green Mode" he means that after you press "Read" on tab FTM Common 1, the message that returns in the upper right hand box has a Green background. For the error you are getting the background is red. Correct?

Poss Fix:

1) I would make sure the version of Radiocomm is up to date (11.12.2)
2) I would make sure that ALL the drivers installed correctly. On my PC the drivers that Radiocomm tried to install were for a x32 machine. Mine is a 64. So I got errors that I ignored and what do you know, the program didn't work. I wiped it clean and installed it again. Before I ran it I put in the right drivers and deleted the x32 the program was trying to run.
3) Make sure the dot in the upper left of the FTM Common 1 menu is purple, not red. If it is red I would make sure the PC is recognizing that the phone is plugged up. If you know your drivers are good then it maybe something else. I had a cord problem. Swapped it with a Kindle cord and it worked like a champ.
4) MPT mode and debugging off. If Debugging is on, your status light will be red.

Here is the strange thing that worked for my Bionic: Settings-Developer options-Allow mock locations.

I toggled it on and ran the NVAccess -1877 "Read" and it finally turned green. I thought it was a just chance so I turned it back off. Ran "Read" again and it came up red with the same error code as before.

I don't know why it worked. I don't know how but I can tell you that on my phone/computer combination, its repeatable.

Once the error goes away and the background of the window comes up green, you can take the Data(Hex) block, change as directed above and have a sweet global phone. Let me know if it works for you. I am curious.

Strong Roshan signal in Afghanistan. Works like a champ. Thanks for all the above directions.
 
So I've been working on this for about 2 hours and no luck. I downloaded the program, completed the steps successfully, and it's still not working. I dialed that number to get to the menu and changed the phone options, it now says AT&T, but I can't make calls or text. I'm not sure what else to do to get this to work. Any suggestions?
 
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