SIM Card

[htp13]

Hello,
Does all Sprint HTC Hero phones not contain a SIM card slot, because someone on eBay told me that he has an Unlocked Sprint Hero and it has a Sim card slot in the back!

 

[Kelmar]

Correct

The Sprint Hero does NOT have a SIM card slot in the back. The seller may have seen the microSD slot and assumed it was a SIM card slot?

If you decide to purchase a used Sprint Hero, be sure it has a clean ESN.

 

[htp13]

I already bought a used (4 days ago, in mint condition) Sprint HTC Hero (clean ESN) but then i'm from Morocco
I guess i'll have to return it when it arrives or keep it since I needed an android phone for developement, testing...

 

[LBPHeretic]

Not to be funny, but how does one determine if a CDMA handset has a clean ESN? Would one call Sprint and verify that way? What constitutes an unclean ESN anyway? Sorry for the barrage of questions.

I am not in the market for a new handset or anything. I am just curious in case the occasion comes up some day.

 

[Kelmar]

Not to be funny, but how does one determine if a CDMA has a clean ESN? Would one call Sprint and verify that way?

Yeap

 

[LBPHeretic]

Thanks for the quick reply, Kelmar. I edited my post while you were replying I think.

Anyone can answer the remaining question at their leisure though. I appreciate the information.

 

[Kelmar]

Thanks for the quick reply, Kelmar. I edited my post while you were replying I think.

Anyone can answer the remaining question at their leisure though. I appreciate the information.

No problem.

An example of an "unclean" ESN could be a phone that was reported as lost/stolen.

 

[htp13]

will I be able to use Email, Wi-Fi..and all functionalities working without activating it with Sprint... (since I'm from Morocco, again) ?
Thanks

 

[Kelmar]

Yes, the majority of the features should work over wifi. The market may not, but email, internet, etc should work just fine.

 

[htp13]

Yes, the majority of the features should work over wifi. The market may not, but email, internet, etc should work just fine.

Thanks, but why wouldn't the market work? how about if I install a custom ROM?

 

[Kelmar]

Market is tied to geographical areas but I'm not sure HOW it's tied to geographical areas. It may be through the service provider or through... or through.... I honestly have no idea.

Custom ROM may or may not work. It all just depends on how it "locks" out certain aspects of the market.

 

[htp13]

Ok, I'll have to try it and see... when the phone arrives.
But its included with the official OS, i don't think it'll be a problem...

 

[LBPHeretic]

If the app is free I guess you could always sideload the .apk file in a pinch if the Android Market does not work when you are traveling abroad. That would probably be the best way in that situation.

Of course that would require that you get the .apk file through another data source. I am guessing Wi-Fi would work in that case.

 

[htp13]

I wish it does.
Here is an alternative: SlideME | Android Community and Application Marketplace
Android App version: SlideME Marketplace | SlideME

 

[Sixxx]

There's a website somewhere that you can check ESN numbers on, I don't remember it offhand but it's out there.

 

[htp13]

There's a website somewhere that you can check ESN numbers on, I don't remember it offhand but it's out there.

I found this one, but its not free: Check ESN - we can check your ESN

 

[Sixxx]

If you look on ebay for phone's there's some descriptions that say "ESN checked through blah blah blah" that's how I found it originally.

 

[htp13]

Just got the phone today, Tested it and it seems everything is working (Market, Wi-Fi, Browser, MSN, Email...) @Morocco without service plan.
Except on Windows Live Messenger I get the following error message:
"Unable to sign in to the MSN service. Please try again later. (Detail: Error code 403)"
I think it means the HTTP 403 error code "Forbidden", Anyone here had the same issue?

 

[LBPHeretic]

I have never had an issue signing into Windows Live Messenger. But then again, I am not in Morocco.

Perhaps you could try toggling your Wi-Fi radio on and off and then attempt to sign into Windows Live Messenger again. I am not sure what would be causing this issue.

 

[htp13]

I've tried that...but I can use meebo app.
I'll try to reinstall wlm later and see how it goes.