> what is IRDB? im stupid when it comes to this lol
>
It is an "Internal roaming data base"
It tells the phone which systems to go to,
when it can't find a native cingular system.
It is basically the same thing as a PRL for a
CDMA phone.
The IRDB is currently telling your phone to go to the ATT system.
When you are on that system, if you request, the att system
can push another IRDB(ATT IRDB) into your phone.
That way, the phone will roam onto the systems
that ATT wants you to roam on.
You can't manual request a IRDB download from keypad commands,
like you can load a new PRL.
You have to call in and request it.
The system will normally upload the most current one automatically,
with out the user even knowing.
But you would have to wait until they decided to push
the next IRDB, for the phone to get updated.
(Which can be a long time.)
There is two types of locks on TDMA and
CDMA phones.
The subsidy lock.
That is a 6 digit number that only the carrier knows.
You can not reprogram the number, or system on the
phone unless you know that 6 digit number.
(ie) The phone can not be reprogrammed at all!
That is normally used on
CDMA phones.
And there is the SOC(system operator code) lock.
You can still program the telephone number and system details,
but the phone will always go to the carrier it has been SOC locked to,
if it can find it.
If it can't, then it follows what has been programmed into it.
(ie) If you had both ATT and cingular in your area, and
you programmed it with the ATT system ID, and ATT IRDB,
it would still go to the Cingular system if it can find it.
People sell cable/software pack that allow you
to remove the SOC lock on most TDMA phones.
Linear Mode
