How do you get a cell phone and PC to communicate?

It worked!

The photos were transferred to PC successfully, thanks to some key
bits of guidance you provided. Details:

Used BitPim Beta 1.0.7.20081215. I specified a phone that BitPim
supports (LG VX5400) that might be functionally similar to my VX5500.
However, BitPim then detected it as a generic "Other CDMA phone."

Tried the variousl BitPim functions, but none work (which for my
present purpose doesn't matter). BitPim could not get "phone info" or
access its phonebook, ringtones, calendar, etc., since my phone is not
supported

Fortunately, BitPim can be used to navigate the phone's directory
structure. A little exploration found the photos in the phone's
directory: \brew\mod\10888. It was necessary to copy them one at a
time, but that's no problem.

Most other directories can be viewed but not otherwise accessed. For
example, I could not copy or delete any ringtones, attempts at which
got the error message, "Access to the file/directory has been blocked
on this phone by the phone provider." Cute.

ADDED: Just tried specifying a different phone (VX5300), and all of a
sudden BitPim and my phone came to life. The BitPim functions now are
accessible, although they still get the "file/directory blocked" error
thanks to Verizon.

BitPim is a nice program. So is its price. It can do lots of useful
things for phones that it supports and whose carriers have not
crippled them.

The bluetooth tips have been noted for future use.

The guidance you folks provided is appreciated. THANK YOU!

"Nelson" <noreply@vapor.edu> wrote in message
news:5m5pq450hqrqp08vbg0ehreuuf40k7qdad@4ax.com...
> It worked!
>
> The photos were transferred to PC successfully, thanks to some key
> bits of guidance you provided. Details:
>
> Used BitPim Beta 1.0.7.20081215. I specified a phone that BitPim
> supports (LG VX5400) that might be functionally similar to my VX5500.
> However, BitPim then detected it as a generic "Other CDMA phone."
>
> Tried the variousl BitPim functions, but none work (which for my
> present purpose doesn't matter). BitPim could not get "phone info" or
> access its phonebook, ringtones, calendar, etc., since my phone is not
> supported
>
> Fortunately, BitPim can be used to navigate the phone's directory
> structure. A little exploration found the photos in the phone's
> directory: \brew\mod\10888. It was necessary to copy them one at a
> time, but that's no problem.
>
> Most other directories can be viewed but not otherwise accessed. For
> example, I could not copy or delete any ringtones, attempts at which
> got the error message, "Access to the file/directory has been blocked
> on this phone by the phone provider." Cute.
>
> ADDED: Just tried specifying a different phone (VX5300), and all of a
> sudden BitPim and my phone came to life. The BitPim functions now are
> accessible, although they still get the "file/directory blocked" error
> thanks to Verizon.
>
> BitPim is a nice program. So is its price. It can do lots of useful
> things for phones that it supports and whose carriers have not
> crippled them.
>
> The bluetooth tips have been noted for future use.
>
> The guidance you folks provided is appreciated. THANK YOU!
>
>
>
>

FWIW, keep checking once in a while, Bitpim is user supported and new
phones/features are added once in a while (that ones rather new and not
added yet), and if you have the phones firmware/software updated, things may
change (my e815 functions have changed - very slowly - over the years,
specially when i had my e815 reflashed, and my sisters vx8300 - both no
longer sold by verizon - sometimes have new features/functions supported in
both bitpim and mpt)

On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 09:45:35 -0500, "Peter Pan"
<pponvistaNOSPAM@MarcAlanNOSPAM.Info> wrote:

>
>FWIW, keep checking once in a while, Bitpim is user supported and new
>phones/features are added once in a while (that ones rather new and not
>added yet), and if you have the phones firmware/software updated, things may
>change (my e815 functions have changed - very slowly - over the years,
>specially when i had my e815 reflashed, and my sisters vx8300 - both no
>longer sold by verizon - sometimes have new features/functions supported in
>both bitpim and mpt)

Good advice.

If I needed a fully functional phone I'd be ticked (to put it mildly)
at the way Verizon (and other carriers) disable it. In this case,
it's a secondary cell phone for occasional and noncritical use.

Clearly most people would be better off buying a manufacturers'
unlocked phone even at greater up-front cost. Most people probably
don't know this. That's because they don't hang out in groups like
this :-)

On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:25:20 -0500, Peter Pan <pponvistaNOSPAM@marcalannospam.info> wrote:

>
> "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:CO6dnXSHqNIiyjbUnZ2dnUVZ_r-WnZ2d@giganews.com...
>> Nelson wrote:
>>> How can you access a cell phone from a PC to transfer pictures taken
>>> with and stored in the cell phone?
>>>
>>> The phone is an LG VX5500. Carrier is Verizon. PC runs Windows
>>> XP-SP2.
>>>
>> That explains it. Verizon Wireless likes to cripple their phones. If you
>> are forced to send your photographs over the air rather than through a USB
>> cable, VZW makes money from each photo you send!
>>
>>> This phone has no external memory card (or slot for one). So the data
>>> can't be transferred via memory card.
>>>
>>> I bought a USB data cable for the phone, got the driver, and installed
>>> it ok. Upon connection, Windows recognizes the phone. The phone is
>>> not registered in Windows as a disk drive, but it does appear in
>>> Device Manager as a modem.
>>>
>>> It would seem that some specialized software is needed to access the
>>> phone from the computer. Is that right? If so, which do you
>>> recommend?
>>>
>>
>> For Motorola phones there is "Motorola Phone Tools". I haven't a clue
>> what an "LG" phone needs to do this. If there IS a tool to do this, it's
>> probably LG specific and an LG specific newsgroup, if there is one, would
>> be a good place to ask.
>>
>> A possible solution is to use a real camera instead of a phone to take
>> pictures with! Real cameras have nice features for taking pictures; e.g.
>> flash. They also are not crippled! Many have USB capability and/or a
>> removable memory card/stick.
>>
>> It's also sometimes possible to hack the phone to re-enable features that
>> VZW has disabled. Doing so will void your warranty but some people will
>> do it anyway.
>
> or just consider using bitpim (free, works over a cable that you already
> have..... did i mention it's free? :)
> http://www.bitpim.org/
>
> make sure you use ORG
>
> While I have MPT also, i find I use bitpim most often...

I see from the .org site that bitpim is for CDMA handsets.
Is there anything comparable for GSM handsets?

TIA! And cheers, -- tlvp

--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP

"tlvp" <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote in message
news:op.uwbu49n3o63xbg@acer250.gateway.2wire.net.. .
> On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:25:20 -0500, Peter Pan
<pponvistaNOSPAM@marcalannospam.info> wrote:
> > "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:CO6dnXSHqNIiyjbUnZ2dnUVZ_r-WnZ2d@giganews.com...
> >> Nelson wrote:
> >>> How can you access a cell phone from a PC to transfer pictures taken
> >>> with and stored in the cell phone?
> >>>
> >>> The phone is an LG VX5500. Carrier is Verizon. PC runs Windows
> >>> XP-SP2.
> >>>
> >> That explains it. Verizon Wireless likes to cripple their phones. If
you
> >> are forced to send your photographs over the air rather than through a
USB
> >> cable, VZW makes money from each photo you send!
> >>
> >>> This phone has no external memory card (or slot for one). So the
data
> >>> can't be transferred via memory card.
> >>>
> >>> I bought a USB data cable for the phone, got the driver, and
installed
> >>> it ok. Upon connection, Windows recognizes the phone. The phone is
> >>> not registered in Windows as a disk drive, but it does appear in
> >>> Device Manager as a modem.
> >>>
> >>> It would seem that some specialized software is needed to access the
> >>> phone from the computer. Is that right? If so, which do you
> >>> recommend?
> >>>
> >>
> >> For Motorola phones there is "Motorola Phone Tools". I haven't a clue
> >> what an "LG" phone needs to do this. If there IS a tool to do this,
it's
> >> probably LG specific and an LG specific newsgroup, if there is one,
would
> >> be a good place to ask.
> >>
> >> A possible solution is to use a real camera instead of a phone to take
> >> pictures with! Real cameras have nice features for taking pictures;
e.g.
> >> flash. They also are not crippled! Many have USB capability and/or a
> >> removable memory card/stick.
> >>
> >> It's also sometimes possible to hack the phone to re-enable features
that
> >> VZW has disabled. Doing so will void your warranty but some people
will
> >> do it anyway.
> >
> > or just consider using bitpim (free, works over a cable that you
already
> > have..... did i mention it's free? :)
> > http://www.bitpim.org/
> >
> > make sure you use ORG
> >
> > While I have MPT also, i find I use bitpim most often...
>
> I see from the .org site that bitpim is for CDMA handsets.
> Is there anything comparable for GSM handsets?

Verizon is a CDMA carrier. They do NOT support GSM on their network. Your
phone may support both.

Does bitpim indicate that it knows about your model of phone?

On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:27:29 -0400, D. Stussy <spam@bde-arc.ampr.org> wrote:

> "tlvp" <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote in message
> news:op.uwbu49n3o63xbg@acer250.gateway.2wire.net.. .
>> On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:25:20 -0500, Peter Pan
> <pponvistaNOSPAM@marcalannospam.info> wrote:
>> > "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> > news:CO6dnXSHqNIiyjbUnZ2dnUVZ_r-WnZ2d@giganews.com...
>> >> Nelson wrote:
>> >>> How can you access a cell phone from a PC to transfer pictures taken
>> >>> with and stored in the cell phone?
>> >>>
>> >>> The phone is an LG VX5500. Carrier is Verizon. PC runs Windows
>> >>> XP-SP2.
>> >>>
>> >> That explains it. Verizon Wireless likes to cripple their phones. If
> you
>> >> are forced to send your photographs over the air rather than through a
> USB
>> >> cable, VZW makes money from each photo you send!
>> >>
>> >>> This phone has no external memory card (or slot for one). So the
> data
>> >>> can't be transferred via memory card.
>> >>>
>> >>> I bought a USB data cable for the phone, got the driver, and
> installed
>> >>> it ok. Upon connection, Windows recognizes the phone. The phone is
>> >>> not registered in Windows as a disk drive, but it does appear in
>> >>> Device Manager as a modem.
>> >>>
>> >>> It would seem that some specialized software is needed to access the
>> >>> phone from the computer. Is that right? If so, which do you
>> >>> recommend?
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> For Motorola phones there is "Motorola Phone Tools". I haven't a clue
>> >> what an "LG" phone needs to do this. If there IS a tool to do this,
> it's
>> >> probably LG specific and an LG specific newsgroup, if there is one,
> would
>> >> be a good place to ask.
>> >>
>> >> A possible solution is to use a real camera instead of a phone to take
>> >> pictures with! Real cameras have nice features for taking pictures;
> e.g.
>> >> flash. They also are not crippled! Many have USB capability and/or a
>> >> removable memory card/stick.
>> >>
>> >> It's also sometimes possible to hack the phone to re-enable features
> that
>> >> VZW has disabled. Doing so will void your warranty but some people
> will
>> >> do it anyway.
>> >
>> > or just consider using bitpim (free, works over a cable that you
> already
>> > have..... did i mention it's free? :)
>> > http://www.bitpim.org/
>> >
>> > make sure you use ORG
>> >
>> > While I have MPT also, i find I use bitpim most often...
>>
>> I see from the .org site that bitpim is for CDMA handsets.
>> Is there anything comparable for GSM handsets?
>
> Verizon is a CDMA carrier. They do NOT support GSM on their network. Your
> phone may support both.
>
> Does bitpim indicate that it knows about your model of phone?

Sorry: it's not a Verizon CDMA phone, it's on a different carrier, and a GSM phone.
Is alt.cellular.tech a Verizon-only group, too, like alt.cellular.verizon is? Sorry!

As my phone is GSM only, it's no surprise that bitpim doesn't list it.
So I ask again: Is there anything comparable to bitpim for GSM handsets?

TIA; and cheers, -- tlvp

--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP

"tlvp" <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote in message
news:op.uwc70or8o63xbg@acer250.gateway.2wire.net.. .
> On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:27:29 -0400, D. Stussy <spam@bde-arc.ampr.org>
wrote:
> > "tlvp" <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote in message
> > news:op.uwbu49n3o63xbg@acer250.gateway.2wire.net.. .
> >> On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:25:20 -0500, Peter Pan
> > <pponvistaNOSPAM@marcalannospam.info> wrote:
> >> > "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
> >> > news:CO6dnXSHqNIiyjbUnZ2dnUVZ_r-WnZ2d@giganews.com...
> >> >> Nelson wrote:
> >> >>> How can you access a cell phone from a PC to transfer pictures
taken
> >> >>> with and stored in the cell phone?
> >> >>>
> >> >>> The phone is an LG VX5500. Carrier is Verizon. PC runs Windows


^^^^^^^^^^^^^

> >> >>> XP-SP2.
> >> >>>
> >> >> That explains it. Verizon Wireless likes to cripple their phones.
If
> > you
> >> >> are forced to send your photographs over the air rather than
through a
> > USB
> >> >> cable, VZW makes money from each photo you send!
> >> >>
> >> >>> This phone has no external memory card (or slot for one). So the
> > data
> >> >>> can't be transferred via memory card.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> I bought a USB data cable for the phone, got the driver, and
> > installed
> >> >>> it ok. Upon connection, Windows recognizes the phone. The phone
is
> >> >>> not registered in Windows as a disk drive, but it does appear in
> >> >>> Device Manager as a modem.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> It would seem that some specialized software is needed to access
the
> >> >>> phone from the computer. Is that right? If so, which do you
> >> >>> recommend?
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >> For Motorola phones there is "Motorola Phone Tools". I haven't a
clue
> >> >> what an "LG" phone needs to do this. If there IS a tool to do
this,
> > it's
> >> >> probably LG specific and an LG specific newsgroup, if there is one,
> > would
> >> >> be a good place to ask.
> >> >>
> >> >> A possible solution is to use a real camera instead of a phone to
take
> >> >> pictures with! Real cameras have nice features for taking
pictures;
> > e.g.
> >> >> flash. They also are not crippled! Many have USB capability
and/or a
> >> >> removable memory card/stick.
> >> >>
> >> >> It's also sometimes possible to hack the phone to re-enable
features
> > that
> >> >> VZW has disabled. Doing so will void your warranty but some people
> > will
> >> >> do it anyway.
> >> >
> >> > or just consider using bitpim (free, works over a cable that you
> > already
> >> > have..... did i mention it's free? :)
> >> > http://www.bitpim.org/
> >> >
> >> > make sure you use ORG
> >> >
> >> > While I have MPT also, i find I use bitpim most often...
> >>
> >> I see from the .org site that bitpim is for CDMA handsets.
> >> Is there anything comparable for GSM handsets?
> >
> > Verizon is a CDMA carrier. They do NOT support GSM on their network.
Your
> > phone may support both.
> >
> > Does bitpim indicate that it knows about your model of phone?
>
> Sorry: it's not a Verizon CDMA phone, it's on a different carrier, and a
GSM phone.
> Is alt.cellular.tech a Verizon-only group, too, like alt.cellular.verizon
is? Sorry!

I thought you were referring to the OP's phone. He clearly stated that
Verizon was the carrier. I even highlighted that above. I didn't realize
that your REPLY wasn't a follow-up to the the thread.

> As my phone is GSM only, it's no surprise that bitpim doesn't list it.
> So I ask again: Is there anything comparable to bitpim for GSM handsets?
>
> TIA; and cheers, -- tlvp
>
> --
> Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP

On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:34:32 -0400, D. Stussy <spam@bde-arc.ampr.org> wrote:

> "tlvp" <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote in message
> news:op.uwc70or8o63xbg@acer250.gateway.2wire.net.. .
>> On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:27:29 -0400, D. Stussy <spam@bde-arc.ampr.org>
> wrote:
>> > "tlvp" <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote in message
>> > news:op.uwbu49n3o63xbg@acer250.gateway.2wire.net.. .
>> >> On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:25:20 -0500, Peter Pan
>> > <pponvistaNOSPAM@marcalannospam.info> wrote:
>> >> > "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> >> > news:CO6dnXSHqNIiyjbUnZ2dnUVZ_r-WnZ2d@giganews.com...
>> >> >> Nelson wrote:
>> >> >>> How can you access a cell phone from a PC to transfer pictures
> taken
>> >> >>> with and stored in the cell phone?
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> The phone is an LG VX5500. Carrier is Verizon. PC runs Windows
>
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>> >> >>> XP-SP2.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >> That explains it. Verizon Wireless likes to cripple their phones.
> If
>> > you
>> >> >> are forced to send your photographs over the air rather than
> through a
>> > USB
>> >> >> cable, VZW makes money from each photo you send!
>> >> >>
>> >> >>> This phone has no external memory card (or slot for one). So the
>> > data
>> >> >>> can't be transferred via memory card.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> I bought a USB data cable for the phone, got the driver, and
>> > installed
>> >> >>> it ok. Upon connection, Windows recognizes the phone. The phone
> is
>> >> >>> not registered in Windows as a disk drive, but it does appear in
>> >> >>> Device Manager as a modem.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> It would seem that some specialized software is needed to access
> the
>> >> >>> phone from the computer. Is that right? If so, which do you
>> >> >>> recommend?
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> For Motorola phones there is "Motorola Phone Tools". I haven't a
> clue
>> >> >> what an "LG" phone needs to do this. If there IS a tool to do
> this,
>> > it's
>> >> >> probably LG specific and an LG specific newsgroup, if there is one,
>> > would
>> >> >> be a good place to ask.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> A possible solution is to use a real camera instead of a phone to
> take
>> >> >> pictures with! Real cameras have nice features for taking
> pictures;
>> > e.g.
>> >> >> flash. They also are not crippled! Many have USB capability
> and/or a
>> >> >> removable memory card/stick.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> It's also sometimes possible to hack the phone to re-enable
> features
>> > that
>> >> >> VZW has disabled. Doing so will void your warranty but some people
>> > will
>> >> >> do it anyway.
>> >> >
>> >> > or just consider using bitpim (free, works over a cable that you
>> > already
>> >> > have..... did i mention it's free? :)
>> >> > http://www.bitpim.org/
>> >> >
>> >> > make sure you use ORG
>> >> >
>> >> > While I have MPT also, i find I use bitpim most often...
>> >>
>> >> I see from the .org site that bitpim is for CDMA handsets.
>> >> Is there anything comparable for GSM handsets?
>> >
>> > Verizon is a CDMA carrier. They do NOT support GSM on their network.
> Your
>> > phone may support both.
>> >
>> > Does bitpim indicate that it knows about your model of phone?
>>
>> Sorry: it's not a Verizon CDMA phone, it's on a different carrier, and a
> GSM phone.
>> Is alt.cellular.tech a Verizon-only group, too, like alt.cellular.verizon
> is? Sorry!
>
> I thought you were referring to the OP's phone. He clearly stated that
> Verizon was the carrier. I even highlighted that above. I didn't realize
> that your REPLY wasn't a follow-up to the the thread.
>
>> As my phone is GSM only, it's no surprise that bitpim doesn't list it.
>> So I ask again: Is there anything comparable to bitpim for GSM handsets?
>>
>> TIA; and cheers, -- tlvp

Again, sorry I confused you with my follow-up question. Cheers,, -- tlvp
--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP