Treo 700wx ESN Change

The Godfather · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 02:25 AM

Does anyone know if it is possible to change the ESN of a Treo 700WX

Treo_newb · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 11:20 AM

The esn can not be changed.Consider it a vin# number on a car and like a car vin# its illegal to change.
Sprint owns your ESN#

**CozBoogie** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 11:27 AM

But of course you can call Sprint and have them swap your ESN. I did it so that I could still use my old cell phone number with my new 700wx.

Treo_newb · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozboogie

But of course you can call Sprint and have them swap your ESN. I did it so that I could still use my old cell phone number with my new 700wx.

yes sprint owns the esn#.This topic is very upsetting to me Sprint/Verizon control.It would be fair if they would rent there phones for 5 bucs a month.I will leave it at that.

The Godfather · #5 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 06:39 PM

its possible to change your ESN on the Samsung A900 and some other phones, thats why i thought you might be able to do it on a 700W.

I do know under some circumstances this could be considered illegal tampering of a CDMA device, although i purchased a used 700WX on ebay and spriint will restart my wait period for the 150 dollar rebate if i swap the esn.

**Malatesta** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 08:06 PM

Not that it is practical, but it can be done...

Had a friend who worked at Radio Shack and they soldered out a chip from one phone to another and got Verizon to activate it (after a bunch of rejected calls and pleading with a CS rep, since the number was not in their system).

So technically, yes, but practically this is extremely difficult and not likely.

sker · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 04:43 AM

it is COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE to change ur esn....u may be able to change the sticker on the back or even the one on the mother board but the phone will NEVER except the new esn u give it.....the esn is needed in the programming of ur phone since there is no sim card....each esn has its master subsidary lock code which is a crucial element to the programming of ur phone along with ur number and msid....just forget about it and lose the $150 for another two years..u already got ur phone!

schlesinger99 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 02:36 PM

I thought cloning a phone was the same as switching the esn so can't you clone the treo.

**ruskiyab** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-06-2006, 10:50 PM

I'm sure it's possible with the correct software. I have changed the ESN on my a900.

When it's time for your upgrade, call sprint and tell them you replaced it because the old phone was having problems, I did that a few times and they gave me the $150

Bearxor · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2006, 01:00 AM

The only practical way I could think of to change your ESN on you 700wx would be to buy a broken one dirt cheap and swap out the cellular daughterboard on the inside.

This of course is not your situation but if someone had bought one that was locked out of Sprints system, as long as the replacement boards ESN number was not it should work fine.

I'm certain that there is a way to do what you want - If you're looking on forums though you won't find it. You need to look in much darker places than that and since it's technically illegal to do the type of modification that you're talking about, I think that's about as far as the conversation should go around these parts.

Bite the bullet and risk losing the $150 rebate. A good argument with a CS representative will get it back for you easy.