WARNING: Skins and the Verizon V3C or V3M

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 12:04 AM

I had to post this... we are seeing more and more V3C/V3M users getting into troubles....

Because of the Verizon RED UI, the V3C and V3M from Verizon can NOT use skins...

PLEASE DO NOT TRY AN ADD SKINS TO A VERIZON V3C OR V3M!!! If you try, you will end up messing your phone up...

A potential fix is posted -> http://howardforums.com/showpost.php...5&postcount=31

Originally Posted by IndyBeast36

EDIT:
I fixed it.
Here are the steps to what I did:
1. Install PST- Make sure to patch it with the UNI patch BEFORE you restart your computer. This is very important. If you do not do this the only PST tool that will work is the programmer. Also this stops MotoKit from working right. I cannot tell anyone where to get PST since it is warez, but if you search the internet long enough, it will turn up.
2. Install MotoKit- This one is easier to find and install- the steps and the program can be found on this site (hofo).
3. Open your P2k Software and delete the skin folder that is causing the problem, eg. I deleted the folder "Moto" because the skin I wanted to use was called Moto, and it was the cause of my trouble.
4. Run the PST programmer. When the new hardware wizard comes up, do advanced and direct it to the drivers folder of the PST install folder.
5. Once PST is installed and recognizes your phone, (this can be tested by opening a new phonebook document, and then reading from phone. If the program reads your phonebook from the phone, it is connected, if it fails it is not connected.) open MotoKit.
5. Once you change MotoKit to english, (the third text block from the left>1033 english) Go to Mobile>Control>Master Reset. This will restore the phone to factory settings. It will not delete the phone number, SEEM edits, picture, videoes, or rigntones already on the phone, however.

This should resolve the skin-to-white-screen problem.

Please post if this works so that we can spread the knowledge to others.
P.S.- Sorry for the long post, I didn't want to double.

If that doesn't work... you have no choice but to get your phone replaced... And, since "hacking" your phone voids the warranty... Verizon or Moto can refuse if they know it was because you tried to add a skin!!

NOTE: The Alltel V3C uses the standard Moto UI, and can use SKINS... So, Verizon V3C users who flashed their phones with the ALLTEL V3C firmware Can use skins.. Please see -> Wiki Guide to flashing V3c with Alltel firmware

BUT the skins for GSM Rarz's (available at MotoModders.net) are NOT the same as the skins for CDMA Rarz's... GSM RAZR skins will NOT work on the CDMA RAZR (i.e. Alltel)...

If you are using the Alltel V3C firmware, you can get working skins at -> http://darklodge.com/phonefiles/razr/skins/

V3M users, please to NOT flash your phone with the Alltel V3C firmware, or you will basically end up with a V3C phone... (you loose the use of the TF slot, Vcast music supoort, the Verizon Music player, etc..)

**Dodge2k6** · 07-10-2006, 01:44 AM

Some good info here. Should really be a sticky.

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge2k6

Some good info here. Should really be a sticky.

If you feel that way, please PM one of the mods asking them...

**lkingzin53** · 07-10-2006, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the news Mark! Is it considered safe to "overwrite" skins on a v3c/m , saying like using bitpim? And if so, where could we find them?

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by lkingzin53

Thanks for the news Mark! Is it considered safe to "overwrite" skins on a v3c/m , saying like using bitpim? And if so, where could we find them?

No its not. Maybe the OP should say DO NOT DO ANYTHING WITH SKINS on the Verizon V3C/V3M!!!

**Hagios** · 07-10-2006, 08:11 AM

^
No. I've also tried editing a VZW default skin (Tried changing the red bars to blue on tropical) using Ski Explorer and MotoSkin, to no avail (you could see the blue bar on the bottom replacing the red one right before the phone rebooted, though!)

I may play more with skins for the sake of finding new and interesting things to hack, at some point, but really, if you want cool skins, go alltel. The only thing that we'll realistically be able to change is the colour scheme.

The one positive note here, is that I've white-screened my phone five times trying to get skins working, and using MultiFlashFlex, I've ALWAYS gotten my phone back to normal.

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Hagios

The one positive note here, is that I've white-screened my phone five times trying to get skins working, and using MultiFlashFlex, I've ALWAYS gotten my phone back to normal.

But that was re-flashing the phone, right?

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 08:40 AM

NOTE: because in this process all PST is being used for is to just suspend the phone and get the P2K drivers loaded... If you can't find PST... MSU can be used instead of PST...

see item # 2a on the the HOW TO's page at http://mark.cdmaforums.com

**pyde_pypper** · 07-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

NOTE: because in this process all PST is being used for is to just suspend the phone and get the P2K drivers loaded... If you can't find PST... MSU can be used instead of PST...

see item # 2a on the the HOW TO's page at http://mark.cdmaforums.com

Thx Mark, but that is weird what happened to my post. It doesn't show up in the thread anymore but I checked my subscribed threads under User CP and it shows there along with your quote. Oh well no biggie. This may make some peoples life easrier tho. Peace

**Whitesnake** · 07-10-2006, 10:11 AM

I was playing around with the file system....

I noticed that there are only 3 files in the skins directory except for default. For the Hell of it ..

1) Backed up Tropical
2) Overwrote the files in tropical with another skin.. but just the 3 files..

It DID change things a little on some menus.. but didn't work fully.. I just switch back to default... restored the files back in tropical.. and everything seemed to be fine...

I think Default Includes "All of the images needed for the Verizon "SKIN" and tropical and other just have images to change "SOME" images not all ... I didn't want to play around anymore.. but I figure.. If someone had time... all they would have to do is to get a new skin.. rename everything to tropical. move it into the phone.. and walla , you have a new skin.... Just don't Screw with the default!!!... If creating a new tropical doesn't work.. just switch back to Default.. and then restore the tropical directory..

I used BitPim File viewer..

**Whitesnake** · 07-10-2006, 10:14 AM

Try playing with the other skins other then the default... I think Default comes with all the images and the other just change some images.. So if you play with tropical etc.. you won't screw up default... and can always switch back.

Originally Posted by Hagios

^
No. I've also tried editing a VZW default skin (Tried changing the red bars to blue on tropical) using Ski Explorer and MotoSkin, to no avail (you could see the blue bar on the bottom replacing the red one right before the phone rebooted, though!)

I may play more with skins for the sake of finding new and interesting things to hack, at some point, but really, if you want cool skins, go alltel. The only thing that we'll realistically be able to change is the colour scheme.

The one positive note here, is that I've white-screened my phone five times trying to get skins working, and using MultiFlashFlex, I've ALWAYS gotten my phone back to normal.

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by pyde_pypper

Thx Mark, but that is weird what happened to my post. It doesn't show up in the thread anymore but I checked my subscribed threads under User CP and it shows there along with your quote. Oh well no biggie. This may make some peoples life easrier tho. Peace

(hint: there are two threads... one in the Verizon/Moto section... one in the Moto/CDMA section)

**Mark_Venture** · 07-10-2006, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Whitesnake

Try playing with the other skins other then the default... I think Default comes with all the images and the other just change some images.. So if you play with tropical etc.. you won't screw up default... and can always switch back.

Personally, because of the RISK involved... and the little gain (due to Verizon's UI)... I still say... DO NOT MESS WITH SKINS On the V3C/V3M USING THE VERIZON FIRMWARE....

Remember, the SKIN editing tools are for the MOTO UI, NOT the Verizon UI... so even if you manage to edit a skin, chances are that it will NOT work properly...