Editing Seem Files for RAZR

July 13, 2006 10:03 AM

Anyone have experience with changing "seem files" on Verizon's Motorola Razr Vc3 cell phone? I am a Mac user but have an intel Macbook with windows running via Parallels. Most of the directions on various web pages appear to be written for advanced windows users. Is there anyone with suggestions for the best web page description of overcoming the crippled BT OBEX or with personal experience? Or would you advise against even trying.

I mostly would like to be able to use the camera to transfer pictures via BT without Verison's "help". I have a macbook with the latest MAC OS and windows XP pro -- I am quite familiar with the MAC OS but haven't used Windows that much. I have downloaded P2kman and PST 6.7. Now, however, I have cold feet about trying without hearing from someone how easy (or difficult) it is.

posted by jjcurtis to computers & internet (9 comments total)

Why not just transfer the files with Mac OS X's iSync, and then use Parallels' Configuration Editor to set up a shared folder to transfer images?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:17 AM on July 13, 2006

My understanding is that Parallels' USB support is very limited right now, which might affect your level of success.

I've done some seem editing and flashing of my V3 with success, but I'm on a Dell laptop. If I was doing it on a Mac, I'd want to have a windows installation using Boot Camp rather than a virtual one (even attempting with VMWare on XP, which I use for work purposes, gives me the heebie-jeebies).

If you want to reduce the liklihood of bricking your phone, running the apps in a native environment is preferred.
posted by lowlife at 10:42 AM on July 13, 2006

As for the actual process of changing the seem files, it's not hard but I believe the carpenter's adage applies: measure twice, cut once. You're unlikely to make too big of a mess, but the seem editing applications tend to be a bit clunky.
posted by lowlife at 10:48 AM on July 13, 2006

Perhaps this page may be of some use. Or not.
posted by unlicensedarchitect at 11:51 AM on July 13, 2006

http://www.howardforums.com/
posted by criticman at 11:52 AM on July 13, 2006

Blazecock, you can't use iSync to transfer files off of most Verizon RAZRs; they've disabled the Bluetooth profile on the phone that's needed in order to do that. That article appears to be written using either a hacked phone (one that has the OBEX profile re-enabled) or a phone with a firmware prior to when Verizon disabled it, but in any event, most of the phones out there are now crippled senselessly.
posted by delfuego at 12:27 PM on July 13, 2006

Howard Forums is the place to go for sure, but beware: I (thought I'd) followed a set of instructions exactly and ended up bricking my phone beyond recovery.

Getting PST and p2kman to work on a real Windows box was, for me, an two-day exercise in massaging device drivers that just didn't seem to want to fit into place. I'm pretty reckless (see above), but I don't know that I'd dare try this on a Mac.
posted by Zozo at 12:39 PM on July 13, 2006

F verizon. Didn't they just lose a lawsuit for something very similar to this?

I too did mine on a pc and thus have little advice other than to check howardforums....sorry.
posted by inigo2 at 1:03 PM on July 13, 2006

Yup, done it before. Seem my exact same question. I've marked the best answers (also see my last reply). Its easy, takes about 10 minutes and you're free to transfer files, music, ringtones etc. to and from your razr.

Don't worry, its not as bad as it seems (I thought the same when I started).
Good luck!
posted by special-k at 3:20 PM on July 13, 2006