So, you've read part one of our Motorola Tips, Tricks, and Mods tutorial. You've got your phone installed. You've been patiently awaiting the next installment. Well, here it is. Now, first off, DO NOT go any further unless you've made sure your phone is installed properly (it doesn't say 'Found New Hardware' when you plug it in). If you're good so far, and you have the QJ Motorola Mods Pack, you're all set. If not, go back and read the first part. Don't forget, the help thread is available for all users, and I'll do my best to answer any questions. Get there by clicking here.

Okay, time to get started with your first mod (primarily for flip phones): the external LCD text. You must edit the 'seems' in your phone in order to do this. A seem is a hex file that contains vital data about your phone, and should be edited with caution. There are a few ways to change the LCD text, so I'll go in order of complexity. But before that, we must learn how to extract seems.

Extracting a seem is fairly simple. Open the program P2K Tools that was included in the QJ Motorola Mods Pack. Make sure it says 'connected' at the bottom. On the left-hand toolbar, select seem editor. You must know the name of the seem you wish to extract, but these tutorials will tell you beforehand what you will need. Type in the name of the seem in two parts in the boxes that say num and rec. Click load from phone, then save to file. Make two copies, one as a backup. Save them in a safe place. To upload an edited seem, follow the directions, only you now click load from file and then save to phone. Slightly different. Hit the restart button in the program to restart your phone and allow any changes to take place.

First method: Motorola Tool

This is a simple program, provided in the QJ Motorola Mods Pack, that will allow you to do some simple modification to your phone. You will need the seem 0061_0001 from your phone in order to do this. Extract it with the method above. This is for Vxxx phones, so it won't work with phones like the SLVR or ROKR. Go ahead and connect your phone to your PC, and make sure it's installed properly. When that's done, open up Motorola Tool, inside the QJ Motorola Mods Pack folder.

This program has a few features, and you can explore it but be sure to back up your seems carefully, using P2K tools. For now, though, stick with the tutorial. Exploring can be done later. Once your phone is connected, click Customize Outer LCD Display. Browse to the seem mentioned a moment ago, and open it. It will tell you your current external LCD display, probably 'Motorola', and it has an empty box for what you want to change it to. Type in your new text, but keep it small. About 16 characters max. Finally, save it by clicking update. When that's all said and done, re-upload it to your phone using P2K Tools. Don't forget to restart.

Second method: P2K Advanced Editor

This is another program, also included, that will do all the editing, downloading, uploading, and changing mess by itself. All you have to do is install the program, open the program, and make sure it is connected (you may have to click 'connect in P2K mode' on the bar at the top). Once that's set, click on phone services in the menu bar. Go down to screen settings, and click it. In the window that pops up, locate the button that says 'Custom Text (see below)' and click it. In the box beneath it, type your new custom text. Again, keep it to around 16 characters, to be safe. Change it, and click close. Hit the button near the top that says restart and Voila! Your new changes are in effect.

Okay, now that the LCD is changed, let's discuss the Gain Table. The Gain Table is a file that you can edit to make certain volumes change. For example, if you feel your phones speakers are too quiet, you can modify them to be just a bit louder. Bluetooth headset too loud? You can make it fit your comfort level. This is a simple self explanatory feature. Once P2K Advanced Editor is installed, open it up and make sure it is connected. Go to phone services on the menu bar, select Gain Table, and click 'Read From Phone' in the window that pops up. Make your changes in the slider bars to the left, and when your finished, click 'Write to Phone' and then 'Close'. Restart your phone and enjoy silence...or volume.

My next tutorial will cover Video and Photo tips, tricks, and one or two mods. Stay tuned.