New into Z8 modding

[Radu4Moto]

Tomorrow (31th of july) I am going to purchase a Motorola Z8 (Green) :D . Now, I have a few questions...

1. Since there are not so many MPs for Z8 (I only saw 3 : Elegance - which appears to be the best :) - and two versions of Fox Mod). The main question is : which one is the best? :D
2. I use Windows Seven RTM (build 7600) X86. Flashing V360 on Win7 works fine :) . Is Win7 good to flash Z8 as well?
3. Can anybody give me the proper guide for flashing Z8? I found one (THIS (http://www.mmus.us/forum/showthread.php?t=3912) one) but I'm not sure about it :| .
4. I have all P2K drivers (2.9) for my V360. Will they work on Z8? Or I must switch USB ports and install some others?

Since there are not so many MPs for Z8, it's obviously that I won't be needed to flash it so many times :D . The rest of the modding would be easy (out-of-danger-of-bricking lol), I hope :) .


>>>>> I'm not so sure I have the courage to flash it myself ^^. I do, but on V360 :) . I wanna make sure I don't brick my future Z8 from the first day :D . This is why I am making this request : can anybody help me out? Using MSN/Skype/ICQ/Y!M and TeamViewer :D :D :D .

[tankrider]

Best thing you can do is flash them yourself and see what you like, they are all good monsterpacks.
The latest FoxMod MP-V3.4 seems very good however i was not able to apply custom fonts with that flash. Using ELEGANCE at the moment.

Win7 can be buggy for flashing at times, some members report issues when flashing and others have no trouble at all.
For those that do have trouble there is a fix posted that seems to work in most cases.
Trouble flashing with RSD lite in Vista/Windows 7 (http://www.mmus.us/forum/showthread.php?t=8101)

The guide that you have linked to will work just fine for flashing your Z8.

I have the latest Motorola USB Handset Drivers v3.7.0. These work fine for me for using all of my phones.
Motorola USB Handset Drivers v3.7.0 (http://www.mmus.us/forum/downloads.php?do=cat&id=171)

[Radu4Moto]

Thank you. Will see tomorrow...

Are there sticky firmwares, like on V360, L7...? Or I can flash Elegance on no matter what firmware my Z8 has?

Well, I want the MP that has the most features :D . Elegance 1.0 or FoxMod 3.4? :D


I saw on this forum that you said FoxMod MP series are a lot faster. Isn't that a patch? There was a patch which I applied on my V360 to make it faster (though it made thumbnails for images/applications go blank after scrolling a few seconds - though scrolling was a lot faster)... I don't want an MP only because it's fast. I also want to change fonts :D . Isn't there a patch or something...? But since people says "DON'T USE FB3 FOR Z8"... I guess applying patches is impossible - XVI32 might do... but I don't want to :P .

[tankrider]

No, none of these MP are sticky. These are based on the more stable 2388 build and will flash with no troubles.

Try the FoxMod 3.4 as its the most recent addition with a few new features posted.

Yes you can use the phone with the slide closed.

[Radu4Moto]

Okay :) . Thank you.

So... every firmware is good... ok :D .

I will try FoxMod 3.4 first... then... Elegance 1.0 :) . Are you sure you can't change fonts with FoxMod 3.4? :(

Maybe you can help me at THIS (http://www.mmus.us/forum/showthread.php?t=8101&page=2) topic (the one about trouble when flashing... :D I need an answer within the next 7 hours :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D ).

[tankrider]

I could not get custom fonts to work with FoxMod 3.4 no matter what i tried. Give it a shot for yourself...it's possible that i missed something.

As far as the flashing issue concerned with RSD lite...usually the problem is RSD lite does not seem to recognize the sbf file after you select it, and instead the "start" button remains grayed out. As long as the start button is there and you can start the flash you should be ok.

Just make sure to have a fully charged battery before you flash.

[Radu4Moto]

Well, assuming I know NOTHING about Z8 at the moment (1% maybe :P ), unlike you, owner of a Z8 for some time... I doubt I'll figure it out :D . From what a friend of mine (owning a ZN5) told me, you can change fonts on the Z8 only by clicking them with the File Manager.

I'll try both MPs, anyway :) . Thank you.

I will fully charge my battery first... And make a backup (with Motorola PcSync?!)...

[tankrider]

I will fully charge my battery first... And make a backup (with Motorola PcSync?!)...

Good idea for sure!

To give you an idea, here is the guide to changing fonts on the Z8.
[Guide]Replacing Font Z8 (http://www.mmus.us/forum/showthread.php?t=6919)

[Radu4Moto]

Yeah, I saw that topic :D . It was hard not to :P .

About the backup... Motorola PcSync comes with the box of the phone, right? Or I must google it... But why can't I use Flash&BackUp 3.0.6? :| I mean... can't... I saw people saying "DON'T USE FB3".

[tankrider]

Yes, Motorola PcSync comes with the box of the phone.

Flash and Backup does not work with the Z8, at least as far as i know of.

[Radu4Moto]

Just bought the Z8 :D . It's... 8-> . It kinda flashes in the menu - guess I gotta flash it anyway. I have to get used to the menu - it's very annoying :P . The home menu is... please tell me I can change it :)) .

Do I have to "format" the battery? (Fully discharge it then charge for 12 hours - for 3 times)

The Internet settings are not as in V360/L7 (with WebSessions etc.) :( .

I kinda doubt it is USB 2.0. Copying 800 MB of media files (audio) takes ~30 minutes while it takes ~5 to do on my iriver E100 (USB 2). What the...? :|

[Radu4Moto]

When I try to install Motorola_PcSync from the CD that camed with the phone I get this error :

Error 1303. The installer has insufficient privileges to acces this directory: ...\x86_Microsoft.MSXML_2_6bd69abf345378_4_20.9818 .0_x-ww_8ff50c5d. The installation cannot continue. Log on as an administrator or contact you...

I have Windows Seven RTM (Build 7600) X86. I even tried to run it in Compatibility Mode (as Windows XP SP2 and Administrator - though I already am logged on as Administrator) - same thing :| . What the hell?! :(

[Radu4Moto]

Uhm, I downloaded almost all themes and programs for Z8. I cannot extract this .rar : http://www.mmus.us/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=4595 . It's the Xplore... I cannot unrar it - it appears to be corrupted.

Oh, nevermind. I told to a friend of mine to download it and unrar it and he did it. No idea why Firefox keeps failing on me when it comes to Downloads :( . I cannot delete posts - otherwise I would have deleted this one instead of editing it.

[Radu4Moto]

Swiss Manager Pro and TweakPeaks won't install.

"Component failed security check.
Cannot install."


When I try to run DivX Player, I get this message "Player expired! A new version of the player is available. Press OK or go to http://mobile.divxcom to get the latest version." If I press "OK" nothing happens. Guess I'll give it a try on that URL...

[tankrider]

Which flash are you installing these apps on?

[Radu4Moto]

What? What flash? You mean on what storage device I installed them? I installed DivX and Xplore on phone's memory, but at other two, that error shows up before I set where to...

I select the .sis, I press "Install", "Component failed security check. Cannot install" -> I must press Continue/Details. I don't even get to the point where I must select "where to install"...

I pressed Details :

Certificate had expired at the time it was used.
Issued to:
CellPhoneSoft
Issued by:
CellPhoneSoft
Effective from:
07/01/2007
Expires on:
07/01/2008

ROFL ! =))

One more expired certificate : General Sign. It just expired this march rofl. What the hell?! :|

[tankrider]

What i was asking is what flash/firmware is on the phone now? Stock?

[Radu4Moto]

In main menu, I press Options -> System Information. Here's what I got :D :

RIZR Z8

Motorola S/W Version: ESPOO_U_46.03.E3G_0000052d espo_uiq_31_200648_2283C4_A_20070915

Moto build: 2283C4 A

Flex Version: I doubt you need to know :P .

B.P Version:
MODEM4 U 40.08.91R

Can I flash Elegance 1.0 / FoxMod 3.4 safely? :D Before I make an backup with Motorola PcSync (installed on my mom's PC running on XP - since mine is on Win7 :D )...

[tankrider]

Ok so you still have the stock firmware, installing any apps should be no problems with the modded firmware.

Yes you can flash away, be sure your battery is up for the task.

[Radu4Moto]

So, it's a firmware issue?

[tankrider]

It could be, unfortunatly i recieved my Z8 used with a modded flash installed so i have never tried any of the stock firmware.

With modded firmware i have never had any trouble installing any of the apps in the downloads area.

[Radu4Moto]

I see. Well, I only have to backup my Z8 with PcSync and try flashing an MP :D .

I did a backup of my Z8 with PcSync. I doubt it'll be any good in case flashing an MP fails. It only backup-ed contacts, agenda, messages and media. I can't even find this so-called backup in C:\Program Files\Motorola\Motorola PcSync. Where the hell did it put it? =))

I'm gonna flash an MP now... FoxMod 3.4 for the moment :D .

[Radu4Moto]

After I fully charged my Z8, I tried to flash it. I copied the zesource folder from FoxMod 3.4 Pack to the root of my memory card (it took 3 mintes - 7 KB/s >.< ). I connected it as Modem, I grabbed the .sbf and pressed Start. After loading RAM, I heard the disconnected device sound and Phone[0000]: Waiting for re-enumeration appeared in RSD Lite, at 100%. I took out the cable and battery and turned on the phone again.

I tried to flash it again, but... same problem :| .

Now, I tried Elegance 1.0. It worked!

I have a few questions... There are 6 icons in main menu, icons with a white flower on a green background, and a diagonal line. These icons are : Media Studio, Connectivity, Tools, SIM, Games and Other. What the hell? I don't like it :| .

I also see a difference - the DRM. The battery is full, and there are 3 purple bars, and the entire battery icon is 40% dark >.< . I hate it! And the signal bars are black, while the 3G icon is green. I hate it! I want another DRM!

[tankrider]

Make sure to use the zesource/Resource folder for the flash you are using.
The icons are read from the mem card in that folder.

Elegance has a custom DRM. No easy way to change the DRM in these flashes, required editing of the firmware.
Your best way for now would be to flash one of the Foxmod MP, these use the stock DRM.

[Radu4Moto]

I forgot to copy that folder BEFORE flash (because that advice wasn't included in the ReadMe >.< ). After flash, I copied the folder, rebooted, and saw there's no change. Then, I figured that I must FLASH. I did it, and all's well :D . About the font... No need to change it. I deleted the "fonts" folder :) . I like the Moto one more than the big odd one :D .

So, the DRM at Z8 isn't like R4513 FW (V360/L7) - CG15. It's included in the firmware. Alrigth... I can live with the DRM from Elegance :D . I discovered last night that it's not bad at all :D .
Flashing FoxMod 3.4 failed. After READING RAM, "Renumering something" at 100% lol - I had to disconnect the phone and reboot it.

A few questions :
-do I have to "format" the battery? The phone is brand new... The "seller" (which appeared to be as dumb as an 1st grade teacher) told me I have to format it by fully discharging the battery and charging it for 12 hours, then do this for 3 times. Another friend of me - which has some experience - told me there's no need, because Li-Ion batteries can get damaged (lower life-time) if you fully discharge them.
So, do I have to format the battery that way? Or some another way? Or no way at all? :))

How to enable the key sounds :D ? I have Resources\SystemSounds folder, containing KeyClick and Slider, but only Slider works (slide sound). Why does not the key sounds work?

How to remove the 4 videos from phone's memory? I just can't >.< . Tried with PC - connected PC Connect.

Still some bugs in Elegance 1.0 (just like the Stock >.< ) :
-no zoom in Photo Camera >.< ~X( ;
-no rewind in Media Player (for music) ;
-missing symbols (like ^, | and more) ;
-if the cursor is near the right edge of the screen, when I switch to @ (symbol), 3/4 of the symbol "box" is out of the screen ~X(~X(~X( WHAT THE HELL MAN?!
-when you edit something (like the Log in boxes at MMUS for example or Post Quick Reply) in Opera browser (phone's browser, didn't tried with Java Browser yet - will do), the edit is in-line, not like at V360/L6 (Edit window shows up, where you can Copy/Paste/Cut text etc.) :( . How to open the Editor? :((

Now, some issues I have :D :
-the phone gets really hot during usage. It's like a heating pipe lol. Why? Because the battery is new? Because the phone needs to be used a while? Because that's the way the phone is? =))
-I always hear a buzz in the earpiece. It's hard not to, especially at night. The buzz is present only when the screen is lit. In java applications I haven't heard it :| . What is it? Because of the GSM network? It's set to Continuous, but I also tried High, Medium and Low (at Connection Speed - from Network Settings). It's really annoying when there's no other background sound :) . The SAR of the Z8 is low, so I doubt the buzz is caused by the network or some interference...

Can you give me the Skype application? I can't find it :( .