Alltel Razr V3A ringtone help

Having same problem with a new v3a. Have a couple older v3a's that work no problem. From what i have read, the new v3a's have a different software version that has eliminated mp3's as ringtones. Not to happy if this is true.

 

Same problem here...just waiting to see if anyone come through with a hack to be able to use mp3s on their v3a as a ringtone. I've got the mp3s on my phone..just need the hack

 

Hey guys, joined this forum to give you the solution. I didn't come up with any of this myself, but just pieced together bits of advice from here and there.

First of all, you're going to need a way to physically plug in your v3a. Bluetooth won't do, in this case.

Okay, so you've got your phone and your cord. Don't plug anything in yet.

Hit this page here:
Hack the Razr :: Downloads for the Razr

And you'll need 2 things from there:
-Motorola Software Updater (MSU)
-P2K Commander

Right, so download those 2 things. The p2k software is pretty small, the MSU pushes 10mB, I think. Anyway, install and run MSU. It'll take a second to download correct drivers. For me that took around a minute, but my internet connection isn't too fast. Probably be more like 20 or 30 seconds for most people. After it does that, it'll return you to the main screen. On the left side it'll say "Phone not connected" and there'll be an unmoving graphic on the bottom, some text in the main panel.

Now is the time to plug in your phone. The graphic will animate and your cursor will turn into a cell phone. This may take a while, I think it took over a minute for me. Just wait it out.

Once its done, you'll probably get a notification of whether or not your software is up to date. If you don't, the left panel will show an "IMEI Number", which will be a string of text and letters. If that is filled, your phone has been connected successfully.

Now minimize this window. Make sure you minimize it, not close it. MSU is now acting like a gateway, it is going to hold the door to your phone open for p2k commander. If you close MSU, the door will close and this won't work. So yeah, just minimize it.

Now go and unzip the p2k commander folder. Note that these things come in .rar format. Download winrar if you can't open them, its free. Just google it. Anyway, inside that folder is P2kCommander.exe, the icon for it is a gold star. Double click that to open it. It'll tell you something about a selected partition and /a, just click OK, its not important. On the right drop down menu, Select the top option, which reads "P2k mobile phone". It'll load the files from your phone. Congrats, you've officially hacked your Razr.

Now, the section below that drop down menu is pretty much like windows explorer. Double click to open, etc. To go back, or "Up", you'll double click the top icon which has a label of ".."

Double Click "a", then "motorola", then "shared", then "audio". You'll see all the ringtones currently on your phone. Drag the ringtones you want uploaded into this folder. Let it do its thing, even if it looks like its crashed, it hasn't. Don't push it too hard, just let it work. It should only take a few seconds per file you're wanting to upload.

Right, now you've got the ringtones on them, we have to trick the phone into thinking our new, custom ringtones are actually default ones that came with the phone. That's what we'll do now.

Double click the icon with the label of ".." 3 times. You should be in a folder now with "brew", "mobile", "motorola", and a series of files. Scroll down until you are past the end of the "MMS_push_..." files. There will be a file called "MyToneDB.db". That's the culprit which is snitching on you about which files are new and which are original. It has to go.

Highlight it by clicking once on it, then press the Delete button in the lower right hand corner. It's the one with the big red X on it. Wait a few seconds to confirm that its gone, then close out of P2k Commander. You're done here. Back in MSU, hit "End" in the lower right hand corner. The window will close and windows will make the USB-Disconnect tone. Thats fine. You can unplug your phone now. MSU did a soft-reset of your phone, so if the screen is blank, don't worry. Hold the end call button to turn it on like you would otherwise. Once it is on and finds service, cycle the power like you usually would, hold the end call button until it turns off, then repeat to turn it back on.

By doing this, the phone noticed that file we deleted was gone. It knew that was a problem, so it went ahead and wrote a new one, including *all* the mp3 files this time. Your phone now believes your songs were on the phone when it was brand new.

Go into settings, ringstyles, you know what to do. Enjoy your free, custom ringtones.

I hope this guide wasn't too long or complex, It may look daunting, but trust me, it isn't.

Oh, each time you want to add new ringtones, you'll have to delete the file again, so if you think you may forget how, might want to bookmark this post!

Ta ta for now.

 

If you have a data cord you can download a program called bitpim and hack into your phone. It will place the mp3 in the ringtones folder.

Alltel has official disabled the mp3 to ringtone feature in all phones. It is so you have to buy the ringtone. Sucks I know!

 

tech9, you are my new best friend! As of June 4, 2008, this still works perfectly. I wasn't sure at first, but there they all were at the bottom of the list of preloads.

Backstory: I bought a new phone a couple of weeks ago, and I had all kinds of problems with sending text messages and using the Bluetooth. Programming problems, but FINALLY after about two weeks of hassle, the tech support assured me that all was fixed.

So then came fun stuff. After downloading a ringtone from a company and seeing their ringtone worked, I bought the ringtone maker and a bluetooth dongle, so I thought I was all ready to start making ringtones for my new phone. I spent all day at it, coming up with one for everyone. But the coup de grace was the one I wanted to make for my ringtone from home.

Then none of them worked. Boy, I was one cranky Mommy. But now, thanks to you, my new ringtone when my two small children call me from home is

"Help me if you can, I've got to get
back to the House at Pooh Corner by one.
You'd be surprised--there's so much to be done.

Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky,
Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh."

THANK YOU SO MUCH! This detailed post was so well-written that even I could follow it. No sweat!

jojo

 

Hey guys, I joined just to say that in P2k, all you need to do is change the attribute of your mp3 or mid file to 0005

...right click the mp3 or mid in p2kcommander, and select "attribute" change the "0000" field to "0005" and poof, your ringtone is selectable!

enjoy.



edit: Even doing this adds your custom mp3s to the "myTones.db" score!

 

Tech9, much appreciated info. Works wonderfully.

Hey Corn, I noticed that my attributes were already set at 0005. I onder if they were already set like that or if P2K automatically changed them. Anyway, thanks folks

 

I did all this and it works but all it will play of the song is two seconds of it! How do I get it to play more of the song?

 

I'm having a problem similar to bradday9352. Using the method tech9 suggested, I was able to add a clip from More Than a Feeling to my phone that worked as a ringtone. However, when I try to add any more ringtones (seemingly regardless of the file size), p2k gives me an error regarding volume size or something. I've tried cutting the bitrate (and with it size) of the More Than a Feeling clip in half, and even then I can't add anything more (even if the second file is smaller than the 80-something kb I cut off the MTaF clip). My phone tells me that it has ~25,000kb of free space when I go to the media gallery and select the free space option. Do the ringtones take up a separate memory partition, or something? Is there some way I can get more than one ring tone added? I've even deleted all of the ones that came with the phone to free up more space.

 

Tech9,

My problem is the same. I did everything you outlined VERBATIM!! It loaded everything in, I also deleted out the programed rings out of my phone and they are still listed in the ringtones......I also got the file size error. And it only plays around 1-3 seconds of the cropped ringtones. Most of which are an average of 13 seconds long. What do I have to do to get the entire ringtone to work?! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Thanks a lot!
dsdallman

 

I have started having trouble, too. I think the problem is with MSU, not P2K. MSU will let me put any amount of information from phone TO COMPUTER. But when I try to move a large mp3 file from compy TO PHONE, it times out the connection and P2K thinks the phone is no longer connected. I started having this trouble almost as soon as I posted. The amount of time before it times out varies, and I've spent hours testing every variable to figure out when it will let me move an mp3 TO PHONE. Sometimes it will let me move the file, but usually it won't. If it lets me move a little of the file, then I can have part of the song as a ringtone. If I could just isolate what allowed it to work, I would tell you. For a bit I thought that I could trick MSU into not realizing I was doing a big mp3 upload by fiddling with attributes in phone, but that wasn't it. I also thought that maybe only mass uploads of 5 or more files at a time was the way to make it work. I also tried moving different files back and forth. I can move large pics to phone, but I can't consistently move large mp3's to my phone.

Dsdallman, I had a little trouble when I didn't follow the directions exactly. If I didn't unplug the data cord at the right time or if I turned the phone off or on at the wrong time, it would retain the db file somehow and not create a new database file that included my uploaded ringtones.

Cornet, much thanks for the info about attributes. Now I can unlock my friends' purchased ringtones and we can bluetooth them to each other. Then after I bluetooth whatever I want to my phone, I just hook up to MSU and P2K, change attributes of files to 0004 or 0005, and soft-reset and then hard reset my phone. So even if I can't use MSU to keep my connection to my phone open, I can still change the attributes of the ringtones I move.

One of my friends bluetoothed a ringtone to me, and of course it wouldn't become a ringtone until after I deleted the db file. But it is available now, so I guess we can get around using the cable?

I ordered a bluetooth dongle and I'm going to try bluetoothing ringtones to my phone. As long as I can redo the attributes of the mp3s and delete the database files, it'll all still work well enough.

jojo

 

I have a new Alltel Razr V3A. I followed the MSU an p2k instructions. I thought all was great, however, I am not able to change the attributes from 4 to 5 and the uploaded ring tones do not play any sound. Suggestions?

 

Hey guys, just checked back here.

I'm going to try to look into some of the problems you're having, but I can say a few generic things first...

First off, about deleting files. It's actually extremely difficult to actually delete a file from your phone. I don't believe that p2k can really do it. BitPim can do it, but you're best off using your phone to delete it. For things that came on the phone, you'll have to use BitPim.

I'm not exactly sure why that is, but its something I've heard before.

As for the problem with the connection timing out, its not one I've had. Personally, I use short, 10-20 second clips with downgraded audio quality. I find that the quality of the speakers don't do much for you above 64kbps anyway. I also switch the audio to mono sound, you can't tell the difference anyhow. Most songs have the "voice" on one side and the "music" on the other. Mashing them into one doesn't really change much on such low quality speakers.

I'll look into the problems with file sizes and clip length. I've got 2 clips that I added to mine that both transfered and play fine. I'll experiment with sending larger files.

I'll post back when I've had a look!

EDIT:
A few more things I thought of.

First, I use WavePad to make ringtones, but iTunes import options can do it for you in a pinch. Wavepad does bulk editing which I like.

Second, the file sizes may have to do wtih allocated memory. I thought moto's didn't have that, but I know my LG did. It had X amount of internal memory, but it was allocated, Y amount for Ringones, Z amount for pictures, etc. I'm not aware that Motorola does that, but it could cause the file size problems. As I said , I"ll have a look.

2nd Edit:
I just put a 9.75mB, 10:38 long song into my ringtones and it cuts it off at 4:09.
So the tones I have on are:
1)4:09, 3945kb
2):30 354kb
3):29 341kb

That totals up to
5:08 for length, 4640kb for size, or 4.5mb.

Next I tried to add another song, 4.4mB and 3:12. It uploaded as 3945kB and 2:48.

Interesting, this is the identical file size of the other larger file.

So we've established something...3945kb is the per file cap, and the song will be trimmed to whatever length makes that fit.

I still have not encountered any time out errors at all.

For those of you still having trouble, I'd recommend repeating the steps where you delete the myTones DB. Make sure you're power cycling the phone /after/ the soft reset. So it'll seem like its off, but really its just sleeping. Wake it up, then turn it off, then turn it back on.

If that doesn't solve the problem, I'd try a different cable. Your camera probably came with one, or something similar.

 

Well, I think I've got most of my problem solved.

I ended up sending the ringtones over via BlueTooth so they went into my normal audio files storage. From there I went into p2k and deleted MyTones.db. This worked; I now have all of the custom ringtones that I wanted to add in the first place. My only problem at this point is finding a download that has the original ringtone files for the V3a so I can put them back on if I ever need to send my phone to Alltel (it didn't occur to me to back them up before deleting them).

When I was trying to add them using p2k, I was getting the same thing you did with the larger song files, except mine were all 100kb or less and all of them were less than 45 seconds long. They were all cut to only the first few seconds of the clip.

 

tech9 and cornettheory, thanks a lot!

as of july 2008 this method still works for alltel razr v3a

my first mp3 is only playing a few seconds of the song, but i think i can overcome that

for anyone that needs to "cut" their mp3 to make it shorter, check out

Free-Codecs.com :: Download musiCutter 0.7.1 : musiCutter, very good MPEG audio and Ogg Vorbis cutter and joiner (without need to decode and reencode)

also, audacity is free and easy to use. you'll just have to find and dl the lame mp3 encoder.

musiccutter is free and easy to use. you can "cut" out the 5 or 10 secs of your song you want

again, thanks so much tech9 for the tut and corney for the attribute

 

did you check the boxes? you have to check two boxes that combine to make 5. i forgot which ones! just right click any of the files that have a 5 attribute and you'll see the two boxes that need to be checked.

 

Ok I have downloaded both of those programs..but I can't get my phone to connect to MSU!! Has anybody else had this problem or know what to do!??

 

Tech9,

Hey! I found a second route to match your first route to go with problems for it not playing.

1. After doing exactly what you had said to do, I had problems with it playing the full 15 sec clip. So I went online and downloaded Motorola Phone Tools, which I should note is about $35. After that, I had to then get the Motorola Phone Codec Pack which was about $6.

2. Inside of Motorola Phone Tools, there's a customize tab that you click on, there you can cut down your song that you wish to use as a ringtone, and send it to your phone from there. You can also name the song whatever you want to. So far I have 42 different ringtone clips added to my phone and I still have a quarter of the space left in my phone.

3. After you've cliped your ringtone down, then do exactly what you said to do with MSU and
P2K. Once in, then you change all the attributes to 5 (*the 1st and 3rd boxes only to make it 5), and delete that "tattle-tale" file and your ringtones are ready to rock.

One quick side note however, I have had some problems with it combining the names of some of the ringtones added later on and then it doesn't play anything at all. Almost made me late for work. Had it on the wrong ringer!!!! For the record, P2K is fully capable of deleting out unwanted files. For (my phone at least) the rintones, and pictures that come preinstalled on the phone, they don't have a delete option. So I used P2K to delete all the "stock" rintones and pictures.

Hope this helps everyone!

David

 

Is it just me, or does it seem a bit of motorola to charge 40-odd dollars for MPT claiming you can make custom ringtones, etc. and you still end up having to "hack" to get the ringtones to work. Thus far, I've never been able to get P2k to realize my phone is connected, thus unable to use my MPT software do do anymore than play with pictures on my phone, the V3a. Some talented young code writer out there should throw together a freeware package that does what MPT claims to do.
I'm new to the whole using a cell phone for more than just making calls, so if this or any future posts make no sense, its cause I'm still learning.

 

Some of us are all new to that (using phones for more than just talking on). Either way, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know! If I can help I will. However, as I just mentioned, i'm new to it myself. But, I know enough now to get me around. Otherwise, I'd recommend talking to Tech9. But as I said, I'll help where I can.

 

Tech9! You helped me tremendously! I joined this forum just to thank you but also I have a few questions. I was able to do everything that you posted to the 'T' and it worked twice. I put 3 ringtones on my phone that are about 20 sec mp3 files. I am now unable to put them on. When I open p2k it says

GENERIC FAILURE
Volume name fail!
411 files found.
33 filenames loaded in 390 milliseconds.

And then it says GENERIC FAILURE again when I copy a file over.

Tech9 or anyone have any ideas?

THANKS!

 

Tech9, thank you for your explanation. It's very helpful, and much appreciated.

I'm using MPT, MSU, and P2kCommander to create ringtones for my Razr V3a, just as I read here. (Saved some money on MPT by buying it on Ebay-- $5 instead of $40, and MSU came with it on the CD.)

For those who are having problems with P2kCommander not displaying the "Mobile Phone" option on the drop-down menu, someone on a different forum wrote to try the 4.0.0 version of P2k instead of the latest. I tried this, and it worked for me. Everything slid into place easily once the right drivers were back in place and the 4.0.0 version was running. Dunno if this will work on models other than the V3a, but couldn't hurt to try.

Here's what to do: once you've downloaded the 4.0.0 version of P2k and extracted the files, click on the folder labeled "P2kDrivers_2.3" and run "DriverTool.exe". This will reinstate the drivers for that version. Open up MSU and crack the door, start P2k, and follow Tech9's excellent instructions.

 

Hello, I have a V3a razor, and I have tried downloading the p2k commander and the MSU, and i still cannot get my computer to recognize my phone. I also have the MPT 4.0 and I have updted that to the MPT 4.35, and still nothing. I have spent 2 days trying to get this to work, and I still have nothing! I really would like to put MP3 ringtones on my phone. Is there a really easy way to do this without purchasing more stuff? I am really new to this and all this confuses me! PLEASE HELP! Thanx in advance!

 

Tech9's method works like a champ!!!

I had to get a new phone because I wrecked the old one. When I bluetoothed my tones over, to my amazement, I was unable to browse to them on my phone...so....I called my service provider and she gave me this BS spill about copywrite infringement....what a crock...that has nothing to do with it at all...they disable the mp3's to ringtone to force you to buy tones...effn leaches!!!! I just laughed and hung up the phone. I followed Tech9's directions with one exception...I Bluetoothed all the tones over to my phone prior to the hack procedure...so when I gained access to the phone all the tones were already there...all I had to do was delete that nasty little file...reboot the phone and Wallah!!!! Tone-city biatches!!!!! For those of you who dont know...you can buy a USB Bluetooth device from most electronics stores that plugs right in to your PC...use a proggy called Audacity or the like to make all the tones you desire and Btooth them right over to your phone and tell all those idiots sellin tones to go fizzuck themselves!!!! I wasnt about to buy any tones anywhere because I knew some whizkid had already figured out a way around this revenue trap. Kudos to whom ever you may be...you rock...and tech9 rocks for that post.

 

I also wanted to give props to Tech9's explanation of the P2k usage. I saw the reference to the P2k commander software at another forum, downloaded it and couldn't get it to connect. After 2 days of messing with it I was just getting ready to take it back to Alltel. After reading your post I decided to give it one more try, I was able to connect, changed the attributes on my mp3's that I had already transfered over and it worked perfectly.

I just got my new v3a phone and just assumed it would use my MP3's the same as my 3 previous Motorolla phones did. I love the phone and didn't realize how much I answer calls simply based on the ringer ID. There is no way I was going to be stuck with a phone that wouldn't use my files.

Thanks for the great post Tech9!!

ETA - Starting the Motorolla Phone Tools Update an leaving it open is what made the difference P2k being able to connect to my phone. I think before I ran the MPT update and after it finished I closed it and then started P2k. This time I left the window open after it connected to my phone while I started and ran P2k.

 

Tech9, I registered just so give a big hearty THANK YOU!!!! Your instructions were PERFECT and I can now enjoy many wonderful ringtones for free on my V3a. Damn Motorola and Alltel for doing it, but thank you for the fix!!!

As of 9/21/2008, it works just great!!

 

This is a fast way to change a song you just added, i found this out tonight, (also just got my razr v3a tonight) so i hope this helps someone,

when your in P2K commander,

1. click on a
2. click motorola
3. click shared
4. click audio
5. pick which ever song you loaded on to the phone. (you can also load the songs onto the phone from here.)
6. click the attributes of the song.
7. change the attributes to
a. readonly, cannot overwrite/delete
b. System, survive master reset/clear
8. after you do that it will let you use that song as a ring tone.

i kinda went with what i knew about modding other stuff, like my psp and ds. this was kinda the same, i just went and compaired things till i found a quick way to fix it. (but this only lets you change one song at a time. but its really fast and takes almost no time)

i really hope that this helps some one.

 

Can you explain how to mod the volume levels for the V3a? Every place I've found mentions a file(gain table or audio_cfg.db) that I do not see on the V3a. I am using P2KCommander. Thank You.

 

i just wanted to ask what is a P2K?