SE W900i ‘Configuration Error’

A few days ago my phone suddenly displayed this message during startup and refused me further access. I did not abused it in any way but I guess after nearly five years there bound to be hiccups like this. I am not a phone addict. I rarely use it for calls or even short messaging. It stays in my pocket most of the time while making the service provider richer. I am not going to dump it either for the new Android or God forbid me, the iPhone.

Sony Ericsson w900i is a solid built phone. A guy would feel comfortable with it in their hands. After five years it is still in good physical condition. I am truly happy with it except  the lacking of A2DP (Stereo Bluetooth) feature which is frustrating for a Walkman Phone. I have decided to keep it till it truly fall apart.

I have a sound knowledge of electronics and programming but I have never done any phone hacking. I guess hacking my own phone is considered legal compared to giving to a repair shop and they will fix it under five minutes and will charge me 50 bucks for it by just pushing a button. So I Googled my problem and found several answers. Since I am new to this, the lingo I read sounded a bit alien. But after a while I was able to translate it to a dummy perspective. So here are the things you need for the job.

1. The DCU-60 phone-to-USB cable, that came with your phone when you bought it.

2. USB Flash driver. This is a different driver than the one you use to transfer files to and from your computer. This driver is  used to read the firmware of your phone. I used the Gordon’s Gate flash driver. You can download it from SE-NSE.net - http://forums.se-nse.net/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=942

3. XS++ v3.1 Flashing Software. It is used to restore the firmware to its factory default or update it. You can download from http://forums.se-nse.net/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=575. For updates you can go to Sony Ericsson Update Service or just Google for the latest firmware.

This the screenshot of XS++. It is simple and straight forward. To access the flash firmware you need to press the ‘c’ button on your w900i together with the right joystick and connect the USB cable after you press connect on the software. Most of the instructions I have read just mentioned ‘c’ button but never mentioned the right joystick which got me lost for a day. The phone has to be in the off state and the SIM card removed prior to that.

These are the three steps you need to do to revive your phone.

1. Flash the Main Firmware. The latest Main Firmware I have found is ‘W900_R5BC004_MAIN_GENERIC_SA_RED49.mbn’.

2. Flash the File System. The latest File System I have found is ‘W900_R5BC004_FS_EMEA_1_RED49.fbn’

3. Flash the Customize File System or CUS. You can select the phone model the CDA and Region from inside XS++.

Just click ‘Flash’ button under Procedure Control and wait for 5 minutes or so. When it is done, unplug the cable, re-insert the SIM card and turn on your phone. It will go through the setup wizard and your phone OS will look brand new.

If you need more more information you can visit these two sites:

SE Flashing and SE-NSE v5

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Muslims in Memphis new logo

Recently I was asked to design a new logo for the ‘Muslims in Memphis’ website. The logo has to include the letter ‘M’ and also reflect a bridge particularly the Hernando de Soto bridge or the Memphis bridge which looks like the letter ‘M’. I used to live in Memphis and have seen the bridge many times but I have never crossed over it. I guess there wasn’t a need at that time. But this time I have to take a closer look and show you the process of designing the new logo.

I downloaded the picture of the bridge and removed the background and converted it to a monochrome. I drew three overlapping circles to divide the length into equal parts. The circles are also the base shape for the overlapping two ‘M’s that I had in mind.

I stylized the bridge and constructed three arcs to make the overlapping ‘M’s. The first ‘M’ is indicated by a red marker. Notches were added to the top of the arcs to make it look like arches of the mosque to have a feel of Islamic where mosques are the central body of the community.

Here is the completed construction with  the first ‘M’ in front of the bridge while the second is behind the bridge. While the ‘i’ is at the centre at the intersection of the two ‘M’s. The logo is well integrated with the bridge just as the Muslim community in Memphis integrating themselves with other communities by building bridges among them.

The final construction was exported to Adobe Illustrator for coloring to make it available for printing works. The white ‘M’ represent sincerity while the red and white stripes were added for that American touch. After all the Muslims in Memphis are part of the American society. Though I have left Memphis long time ago but this logo made me feel close to this community that I love so dearest. I hope with this logo my presence is still felt there.
Link: Muslims in Memphis website

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BVI Class of ‘75 Reunion 2012

1973 perhaps a long time ago when I was young and foolish. Uncertain about many things in my life or what the future may brings. But one thing for sure I wanted to be an artist as a career. Perhaps in my rebellious way I could express myself through my art. But it was not art for art. It was advertising art. Coke was the ‘Real Thing’ and blue jeans was not just something we wear, it was a skin. Advertising looks so exciting then. So I rocked on and joined the first School of Design in Singapore. It was uncannily named Baharuddin Vocational Institute. For the first time in my life I entered an educational institution where people spoke the same language which was art with a slang of insanity. It was a pivotal two years which most of us could not forget. It was more than a school. It was like a home. It was more than schoolmates. We were like family. But through the years of free and easy 70s we never did get high or lost our innocence. We were truly happy. But sadly we have to come to term with the law of time. In mid 1975 we finally graduated and moved on with our lives separately. Though some did stayed together but collectively we never did.

After 37 years we finally got together again for tea and dinner. With the magic of internet we found each other, well almost, for some are still missing or passed on.  But the real magic was not the internet or the electronic media, it was us who made the persistent effort. We may have achieved many great things in our lives  and careers but our friendship worth more than gold. It is priceless. For that night we were truly back in 1975. We were young again in our hearts. May we will be forever young.

Thanks to our lecturers who were standing in the centre of the photo above. From left, Mr Richard Wee, Mr. Wee Chwee Beng and Mr. Loh Khee Yew. We the class of ‘75 salute you Sirs.

Look us up on facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BVI.Class75/

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