System requirements
SCout is fully compatible with any PC hardware configuration, as soon as it supports Win98/ME/2000/XP/Vista and is equipped with minimum 2 USB 2.0 ports.
P2K, Android, Compal-Locosto
Flashing process of P2K, Android, Compal-Locosto and I-mode platform handsets requires a phone driver to be installed. Universal driver for all models is available within SCout directory (..\Program files\GSMserver\SCout\drivers\). To install the driver: connect your handset to PC, the system will detect a new device, locate the driver and run the installation as many times as the system will require it.
P2K based models can be flashed using 4 types of flash files: *.pcf, *.shx, *.sbf, *.hs.
*.pcf – flash files produced by the product developers.
*.shx, *.sbf, *.hs –flash and flex files from handset's manufacturer.
P2K flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Connect the handset/handsets* to PC USB port using data cable.
- Software should detect the handset/handsets, providing the following information:
- Model
- IMEI
- User code
- Security code
- Operation band
- Firmware
- Flex version
- Language pack
- Press "Browse" to locate a required flash file.
- Select the handset/handsets from "Connected phones" list.
- Press "Flash selected phone"(if you are working with a single handset), or "Flash all phones" (in case of working with several items).
- Disconnect the handset as soon as the process is finished.
- New firmware is installed into the phone.
*SCout functionality allows flashing of up to 16 handsets simultaneously.
Note
While connecting Compal-Locosto models: EM325, W360, W450, ZN200 – some phone information (Phone model, User code, Security Code, Language pack) may not be displayed.
Phone model F3 is a P2K based model – however, it requires to be connected using specific Motofone F3 flashing cable. In this case there is no need to install a phone driver, unlike for the rest of P2K models. Cable driver is required only.
How to check firmware version at Android based phone model
Original firmware version can be checked in 3 different ways:
- Power the phone On and read full phone's info using Scout.
- Check phone's firmware version in phone's menu: settings - about phone - build number
- Original phone's firmware version can be found on the sticker under the battery
Always use the same or higher firmware version for flashing.
What we don't recommend:
- Downgrade phone's firmware version
- Flash handsets with flash files from other models.
- Flash handsets with flash files taken from anywhere else, except from Boot-Loader v2.0
Motorola VE538 flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Log to P2K tab.
- Press "Connect VE538" button.
- Connect the Powered On handset to PC USB port using data cable.
- Press "Browse" to locate a required flash file.
- Press "Flash selected phone".
- Disconnect the handset as soon as the process is finished.
- New firmware is installed into the phone.
Please note that firmware version for VE538 phone model won't be read automatically. In order to check it type *#300# from the handset's keypad.
Q series flashing manual
In order to establish connection between PC and Q series device the ActiveSync software is required. Please download it from official developer web site and install. As soon as installation is completed, please restart your PC. The Q series device can be connected now and flashed. For more details on flashing, please check P2K flashing procedure.
Q series tips
Master Clear/Master Reset
There is some confusion about a Master Reset and a Master Clear because on previous Q's, the same name performed different actions.
To clarify, on the Q Global (the AT&T branded Q9h) a Master Reset is an action that will restore all settings to default (factory) parameters (the home screen, sounds, profiles, etc). It will NOT erase any of user's personal information, nor will it restore the registry if the any changes/hacks have been made to it.
The "Master Code" by default is set to "000000" (6 zeroes).
A Master Clear will wipe EVERYTHING off the phone (Storage Card is unaffected) and return it to a new state, as if the phone is switched ON for the 1st time. It does this because phones have a separate "flash" chip that contains nothing but ROM, which are the phones files. It reinstalls everything all over again. Again, the Master Code is six zeroes, "000000".
Alternatively, the Master Clear procedure can be performed with the phone powered Off. To do this, hold down the E and the Z key simultaneously and press the Power ON button.
Enable band selection
Please power the device ON, log to the menu and select the following Settings/Phone/Network/Band Selection. From there select the required frequency.
Firmware version
In order to get information about phone firmware version, please perform the following steps in phone's menu: Start ->Setting -> Phone Information.
Motofone F3 flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Power the phone/phones* ON or put it to the flash mode by pressing simultaneously on powered OFF handset 3-key combination (*#Power ON) and connect the phone/phones* to PC USB port, using data cable.
- Press Connect F3. Software should detect the handset/handsets, providing the following information:
- Model
- IMEI
- User code
- Security code
- Operation band
- Firmware
- Flex version
- Language pack
- Press "Browse" to locate a required flash file.
- Select the handset/handsets from "Connected phones" list.
- Press "Flash selected phone" (if you are working with a single handset), or "Flash all phones" (in case of working with several items).
- Disconnect the handset as soon as the process is finished.
- New firmware is installed into the phone.
*SCout functionality allows flashing of up to 16 P2K based handsets simultaneously.
Additional buttons
Connect F3 – this function establishes communication with the handset (Motofone F3), connected via cable with virtual COM port emulator.
Refresh phone list – updates the information about all past and current phone connections.
Service Functions (P2K models only)
Listed below options can not be used with the phone in flash mode. The handset must me turned ON.
- Activate phone "Java App Loader" option – activates the Java applet in the phone's menu.
- Reset phone Life Timer - returns phone life timer back to "0" (zero).
- Master Reset - resets all customer settings to default factory settings.
- Master Clear - clears all customer data.
- Enable Unicode – the option allows setting the phone to receive SMS in Unicode.
- Set subsidy code to "00000000" – in case of flashing with a branded flash file, the handset may require a subsidy code to be entered. It is recommended to set the code value to "00000000" (eight times zero) before actual flashing – thus the user will be able to enter it when the SIM-card is inserted into the phone. If the code has not been reset to "00000000" (eight times zero) the handset will require unlock procedure to be performed in this case.
- Battery settings – for the best phone performance is recommended to create backup of the battery settings before performing a flash operation and restore them after completing the flash.
Motorola MTK platform flashing procedure
EX112, EX115, EX122, EX126, EX128, WX345 and others
Flashing procedure for MTK based phone models requires a phone driver to be installed. Driver for these models are available within SCout directory (..\Program files\GSMserver\SCout\drivers\MTK drivers). MTK based models can be flashed using 3 types of flash files: *.sfl, *.hs, *.mzf.
*.sfl – flash files produced by the product developers.
*.hs – flex files from handset's manufacturer.
*.mzf – flash files from handset's manufacturer
Flex (*.sfl, *.hs) flashing procedure
Flex files (*.hs, *.sfl format) contains default media files (?mages, ringtones), java applications and some phone settings
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Log to Motorola tab.
- Connect Powered ON handset to PC USB port using micro/mini USB cable.
- Select “COM port" from phone's menu.
- SCout detect MTK model as "Moto"
- Press "Browse" to locate a required flex file (*.sfl or *.hs)
- Press "Flash selected phone" (if you are working with a single handset), or "Flash all phones" (in case of working with several items).
- Disconnect the handset as soon as the process is finished.
- New flex file is installed into the phone.
Full (*.sfl, *.mzf) flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Log to Motorola tab
- Press "Browse" to locate appropriate flash file (*.sfl, *.mzf)
- Wait until flash file will be loaded ("Loading..." will change to name of flash file)
- Power the phone OFF
- Press “volume down" (EX115) or “camera" (EX128) button and hold it*
- Connect handset to PC using micro/mini USB cable
- SCout detect MTK model as “Moto"
- Press "Flash selected phone"
- Disconnect handset as soon as the process is finished.
- New firmware is installed into the phone.
* depending on phone model “volume down" or “camera" button is required to be pressed.
I-mode
Flashing procedure for I-mode handsets is similar to flashing of P2K models.
The handset requires to be connected to PC via Mini USB data cable and the phone driver has to be installed. Universal driver for all models is available within SCout directory (SCout\drivers\). To install the driver: connect your handset to the PC, system will detect a new device, locate the driver and run the installation as many times as system will require it. As soon as the driver is installed, the virtual COM port will be added to the system. Usually it will be the port of the highest number. To check the number, please perform the following: right click on My Computer >> Properties >> Hardware >> Device Manager >> Ports (COM & LPT).
There are 2 flash file formats to be used for flashing I-mode models:
- *.sfl – flash files introduced by product developer
- *.ipl – flash files from the handset manufacturer
Every entire I-mode flash file consists of 3 components: flash *.bin, loader *.ldr and boot *.br. They are parts of a single flash file and can not be flashed separately.
I-mode flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USBport.
- Launch SCout software.
- Connect powered handset to PC USB port using data cable.
- Select an appropriate COM port into which the I-mode is installed (usually this is the highest port number).
- Press "Browse" button to locate a required flash file.
- Field "Package is targeted for" informs about selected file.
- Press "Flash selected phone".
- Status bar informs about flashing progress.
- Message "Flash completed" informs that the process is finished successfully.
Compal (Calypso), CDMA Compal
For flashing purposes Compal (Calypso) models require to be connected to PC USB via flashing cable with built-in virtual COM port emulator. In this case the handset driver is not required. Cable driver is only needed to be installed. As soon as the driver is installed, the virtual COM port will be added to the system. Usually it will be the port of the highest number. To check the number, please perform the following: right click on My Computer >> Properties >> Hardware >> Device Manager >> Ports (COM & LPT).
Support team recommends to use original cables and drivers, produced by product developers only. We can not guarantee stable operation in case of applying accessories from other developers.
Compal (Calypso) based models can be flashed with the following flash files formats:
- *.sfl – flash files introduced by product developer
- *.mot, *.m0 – flash files from the handset manufacturer
There are 3 types of flash files for Compal (Calypso) models:
Each file can be flashed separately or in combination with other.
Attention
While flashing files in combination, the following sequence has to be observed.
- Flash file.
- Lang_pack.
- Flex.
If the flash file is locked and the flex is sp lock free, please always flash flex file as the last one and DO NOT POWER ON THE PHONE after writing the flash before using the flex file.
In case of ignoring this Note, the handset will become locked and will require to be served with any unlocking tool.
Compal (Calypso) and CDMA Compal flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Log to Compal (CDMA Compal) tab.
- Select appropriate model from the list.
- Connect Powered OFF handset* to PC using data cable.
- Select required COM port on which the Compal is connected (usually this is the highest port number).
- Press "Browse" to locate appropriate flash file/files.
- Press "Flash selected phone".
- Press Power ON button on the phone as soon as the software shows the corresponding massage.
- Flashing process starts.
- Message "Flash completed" informs that the process is finished successfully.
*SCout functionality allows flashing of up to 16 Compal based handsets simultaneously. The handsets have to be connected one-by-one. As soon as flashing of the first phone is started, the second one can be connected, an appropriate COM port has to be selected. Allocate flash file and start flashing process.
CDMA Compal service functions
- Low battery check – performs monitoring of the battery charge level. The flashing can no be performed in case of using low charged battery.
- Initiate phone formatting after flashing – performs formatting of the memory right after flashing. All user data get erased.
- Skip boot core area during flashing – boot area is not reflashed while flashing the phone with full_flash file.
W156, W160, W161, W175, W175g, W177, W180, W181, W230, W270 flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card and Mini USB data cable to PC USB port and launch SCout flasher.
- Log to the tab "Compal"
- Choose an appropriate "Phone group" from the list.
- Press "Browse" to locate required flash file and press "Flash selected phone".
- SCout will inform "Connect phone with battery at least 40% charged".
- Connect data cable to the powered OFF phone with inserted battery.
- With the first phone connect, the SCout will automatically (no user intervention is required during the installation) install "Locosto flash interface" driver and display the following message: "reconnect phone and try again". Please follow the instruction and press "Flash selected phone" again.
- The flashing process starts. At this stage the software may display the message: "Remove and insert back the phone battery". If the message appears, please follow the instruction.
- The flashing process continues.
- Message "Flash completed" informs that process is finished and the phone can be disconnected.
Chi Mei
For flashing purposes, Chi Mei based models have to be connected to PC USB via flashing cable with built-in virtual COM port emulator. In this case the handset driver is not required. A user needs to install just a cable driver. As soon as the driver is installed, the virtual COM port will be added to the system. Usually it will be the port with the highest port number. To check the number, please perform the following: right click on My Computer >> Properties >> Hardware >> Device Manager >> Ports (COM & LPT).
Support team recommends to use original cables and drivers, produced by SCout developers only. We can not guarantee stable operation in case of applying accessories from other developers.
Chi Mei based models can be flashed with the following flash files formats:
- *.sfl – flash files introduced by SCout developer
- *.mlf – flash files from the handset manufacturer
Every Chi Mei flash file contains the following components:
- *.ffs - FFS file
- *.img - image file
- *.lng - language pack
- *.flx - flex
- *.hex - firmware
- *.mlf - full file list
- *.mld - melody file
Each component is a part of a single flash file and can not be flashed separately.
Flash File name format
TCH-X-YYYY-RZZZ-001_LPSSSS.mlf
ROS-X-YYYY-RZZZ-001_LPSSSS.mlf
X = Hardware version
Y = Software version
Z = Flex model
S = Language pack
Chi Mei flashing procedure
- Connect SCout/S-Card dongle to PC USB port.
- Launch SCout software.
- Connect Powered OFF handset/handsets* to PC using data cable.
- Select required COM port on which the Chi Mei is connected (usually this is the highest port number).
- Press "Browse" to locate appropriate flash file/files.
- Select an appropriate model from the list.
- Press "Flash selected phone".
- Press Power ON button on the phone as soon as the software shows the corresponding massage.
- Flashing process starts.
- Message "Flash completed" informs that the process is finished successfully.
* SCout functionality allows flashing of up to 16 Chi Mei based handsets simultaneously. The handsets have to be connected one-by-one. As soon as flashing of the first phone is started, the second one can be connected, an appropriate COM port has to be selected. Allocate flash file and start flashing process.
Please remember that Motorola phones of any platform can be flashed with the same or higher firmware version only. In order to find out the version of the phone's firmware there is a special key combination for each platform.
| Platform |
Key combination |
| P2K |
*#Power ON simultaneously (on powered off handset) |
| I-mode |
Enter 5806 combination while holding the "*" key pressed |
| Compal (Calypso) |
#02#* |
| Chi Mei |
*#**837# |
| VE538 |
*#300# |
We are currently developing the flashing solutions for models of other platforms. |
