Yes I know the phone isn't exactly new, but still, there isn't a thread for the K850i.
So here are some Tips and tricks for the Sony Ericsson K850i:
1) The infamous secret menu:
This is a secret menu that can be accessed by typing the following: >*<<*<* . In other words use the joystick or directional keys to go right (>) or left (<) and the star is quite simply the *. Don't worry if some short cut like contacts or something comes up, just continue with the combination.
Notes: The K850i has a built in accelerometer, so in the "Service Tests" section of the secret menu you can view the X, Y and Z axis, pretty cool
. You can also turn USB charging on and off here.
2) How to open a stuck lens cover:
Sometimes on the K850i when you press the camera on/off button the lens doesn't want to open, suggesting that it is stuck.
Basically what you can do is press the camera on/off button so that the lens is supposed to open, then tap around the lens with your index finger. Keep on tapping for about 4 seconds, if it hasn't opened yet, press the on/off button again. Then press the on/off button once again and repeat the tapping until it opens.
Here is a Youtube video for better illustration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8RdwqvJLs8
3) The infamous BROD (Blue ring of death):
This is a very common problem with the Sony Ericsson K850i. The problem occurs when you switch the phone on, and then only the blue ring around the camera lens will light up. The keypad might also light up but the screen doesn't come on. The most likely cause of this problem is buggy firmware (firmware for your phone is like Windows for your computer and it consists mainly of a GUI and drivers).
There are a number of ways you can try to fix the problem, although the success rate is quite low. Here is what I recommend:
>Use the Sony Ericsson Update Service (aka SEUS) to update the phones firmware: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/topic/updateserviceapplication/k850i
You are going to require the USB cable you received with your phone and a internet connection (preferably broadband). See the above link for further instructions.
>If the SEUS fails, try the following: This is not recommended for persons who are not familiar with Sony Ericsson firmware : http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=181043
You are going to have to register at the forums in the link above. It's free.
Note: If you don't know what is going on in the link above, browse the Esato forums some more to gain some knowledge.
4)Micro SD cards are compatible with the K850i:
Did you know: When you bought your K850i you probably received a 512MB M2 memory card with it. If you wanted to upgrade your memory card, you would've realized that the M2 cards are very expensive.
The K850i can also take a Micro SD card which is much cheaper, it just go's the opposite side up that the M2 does
5)Disassembly
I do not recommend that you disassemble your K850i, but if you need to for some reason here is a guide: http://www.formymobile.co.uk/Dismantle/k850idisassembly.htm
This isn't a very good guide so I you should also view the Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQmJJ_8wNCc
6)Are your low light photo's very dark or pitch black?
This is most likely caused because your fingers are in front of the flash. On the K850i the flash is almost in the middle of the phone, so it is very easy to hold the phone wrong and let your fingers cover the flash.
Hold the phone with your left and right index finger and thumb only! When holding the phone like this there is no way your fingers can cover the flash.
7) Is your phone slow when playing videos and viewing images?
The K850i has a auto rotate feature (uses a accelerometer to determine the orientation of the phone) which can cause the phone to lag while viewing photo's or watching videos. To resolve this go to "Media" and then "Settings", change the setting from "Auto rotate" to "Portrait". When you are viewing photo's or watching videos you can then click "more" to change the orientation to your liking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you know any other Tips, trick, features or fixes, Don't hesitate to post them here!!!
For further reading on the Sony Ericsson K850i, here you go:
*Original Sony Ericsson K850i overview: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/k850i
*GSM Arena Full phone specifications: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_k850-2003.php
*More tips and tricks : http://sefanboy.com/tag/k850i/
*An overview of the K850i firmware : http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=157121
*Loads of photos taken with the K850i : http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=156144&start=3300#post2335863
Thank you for reading my Sony Ericsson K850i tips guide!!!
So here are some Tips and tricks for the Sony Ericsson K850i:
1) The infamous secret menu:
This is a secret menu that can be accessed by typing the following: >*<<*<* . In other words use the joystick or directional keys to go right (>) or left (<) and the star is quite simply the *. Don't worry if some short cut like contacts or something comes up, just continue with the combination.
Notes: The K850i has a built in accelerometer, so in the "Service Tests" section of the secret menu you can view the X, Y and Z axis, pretty cool
. You can also turn USB charging on and off here.2) How to open a stuck lens cover:
Sometimes on the K850i when you press the camera on/off button the lens doesn't want to open, suggesting that it is stuck.
Basically what you can do is press the camera on/off button so that the lens is supposed to open, then tap around the lens with your index finger. Keep on tapping for about 4 seconds, if it hasn't opened yet, press the on/off button again. Then press the on/off button once again and repeat the tapping until it opens.
Here is a Youtube video for better illustration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8RdwqvJLs8
3) The infamous BROD (Blue ring of death):
This is a very common problem with the Sony Ericsson K850i. The problem occurs when you switch the phone on, and then only the blue ring around the camera lens will light up. The keypad might also light up but the screen doesn't come on. The most likely cause of this problem is buggy firmware (firmware for your phone is like Windows for your computer and it consists mainly of a GUI and drivers).
There are a number of ways you can try to fix the problem, although the success rate is quite low. Here is what I recommend:
>Use the Sony Ericsson Update Service (aka SEUS) to update the phones firmware: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/topic/updateserviceapplication/k850i
You are going to require the USB cable you received with your phone and a internet connection (preferably broadband). See the above link for further instructions.
>If the SEUS fails, try the following: This is not recommended for persons who are not familiar with Sony Ericsson firmware : http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=181043
You are going to have to register at the forums in the link above. It's free.
Note: If you don't know what is going on in the link above, browse the Esato forums some more to gain some knowledge.
4)Micro SD cards are compatible with the K850i:
Did you know: When you bought your K850i you probably received a 512MB M2 memory card with it. If you wanted to upgrade your memory card, you would've realized that the M2 cards are very expensive.
The K850i can also take a Micro SD card which is much cheaper, it just go's the opposite side up that the M2 does
5)Disassembly
I do not recommend that you disassemble your K850i, but if you need to for some reason here is a guide: http://www.formymobile.co.uk/Dismantle/k850idisassembly.htm
This isn't a very good guide so I you should also view the Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQmJJ_8wNCc
6)Are your low light photo's very dark or pitch black?
This is most likely caused because your fingers are in front of the flash. On the K850i the flash is almost in the middle of the phone, so it is very easy to hold the phone wrong and let your fingers cover the flash.
Hold the phone with your left and right index finger and thumb only! When holding the phone like this there is no way your fingers can cover the flash.
7) Is your phone slow when playing videos and viewing images?
The K850i has a auto rotate feature (uses a accelerometer to determine the orientation of the phone) which can cause the phone to lag while viewing photo's or watching videos. To resolve this go to "Media" and then "Settings", change the setting from "Auto rotate" to "Portrait". When you are viewing photo's or watching videos you can then click "more" to change the orientation to your liking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you know any other Tips, trick, features or fixes, Don't hesitate to post them here!!!
For further reading on the Sony Ericsson K850i, here you go:
*Original Sony Ericsson K850i overview: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/k850i
*GSM Arena Full phone specifications: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_k850-2003.php
*More tips and tricks : http://sefanboy.com/tag/k850i/
*An overview of the K850i firmware : http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=157121
*Loads of photos taken with the K850i : http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=156144&start=3300#post2335863
Thank you for reading my Sony Ericsson K850i tips guide!!!