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How-to unlock your EDGE-enabled Sony Vaio VGN-T350

Ryan Block, @ryan
10.20.05
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Sony Vaio VGN-T350

So what's the worst part about the first cellular data-enabled laptop in the US, the Sony Vaio VGN-T350? Well, the fact that it's locked to Cingular of course. And it's certainly not like a phone where you might be able to get Cingular to unlock it so you can "travel overseas" or whatever. No, you're pretty much stuck with a Cingular-locked T350 that won't run on T-Mobile's new EDGE network… unless you follow Engadget reader Sean L.'s instructions for unlocking your lappie. Please note this is not an Engadget sanctioned hack, so if you mess up your machine or convince Sony to raid your house, it's pretty much your own damn fault. Sean sez:

I was able to unlock my Vaio T350 and hooked up to T-Mobile's wireless data service:



Here are the complete Instructions:

  1. **Very IMPORTANT** Before starting anything, make sure you have the ORIGINAL Cingular SIM inserted in your laptop. It will NOT unlock if you have your T-Mobile SIM inside during the unlocking phase.

  2. Enable your wireless WAN. In Cingular?s Connection Manager, under network info, record the IMEI #.

  3. Open Hyper Terminal (click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Hyper Terminal)

  4. Connect to COM4

  5. Type AT and check if you get an OK echo.

  7. If you do, call Sony?s customer service and request to speak with level 2 support

  8. Make sure you tell them you want to unlock your laptop?s built-in EDGE modem and you need the NCQU number. (This is an eight digit number.)

  9. Type ?AT+CLCK=PN,0,xxxxxxxx? (no quotes) in Hyper Terminal, where the XXXXXXXX is your NCQU number and check if you get an OK echo from the terminal. Try it several times, if you don?t get an instant OK, but do not hang up. If it doesn?t work, check the IMEI and the NCQU with the CSR once again.

  10. Close and Shut down Computer. Take out the Cingular SIM. Insert the T-Mobile SIM.

  11. Open SMARTWI and open up the Cingular Connection Manager.

  12. Click on ?Profile,?  Then look for the ?ADD? button at the bottom of the window. Click on ?Create Custom Profile?.

  13. Fill these in:
    Service Type: packet or cicuit
    Dialed: *99***1# ( leave it like that )
    Acess Point Name: (internet2.voicestream.com)
    Username: (LEAVE BLANK)
    Password: (LEAVE BLANK)

  14. Click next. On IP Settings leave everything on Automatic. Click Next again.

  15. In the ?Profile Name? slot, Type in T-Mobile or whatever you want. Then Click ?Finish?

  16. You?re all set to Connect to T-Mobile Internet and avoid the frickin Cingular monthly $79.99 Ripoff to connect.

  17. Hopes this clears things up. Enjoy!

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