Some N-Gage questions...

[zektor]

I'm very new to the system (just bought the QD 2 days ago now) and had some questions for the experts:

1.> Is there any way to keep the backlight ON? It turns off if a key is not pressed after 20 seconds it seems. Kind of sucks if you are watching a long game intro as you have to be sure to press a key or the directional pad every 20 seconds to keep the screen lit.

2.> How are you guys installing apps? I have been hesitant on installing apps into the systems memory, and have been selecting the option to install to the MMC card. I know I will loose the program after I format the card, but I am just testing a bunch of things that I really don't want to screw up the phone with. One thing is happening tho. After installing something (like Emame or Oggplay) and selecting the MMC card it works fine, but even after I remove the card the system still has the programs listed in the application manager. With the card removed I could not remove the reference to the program from that menu. I had to put the MMC back in and then re-install and remove the app to clear the list. Am I doing something wrong here?

3.> I haven't even had the chance to read through the manual and so forth (never been a fan of manuals...although I should change that train of thought) but I am assuming that the only provider I can go with is T-Mobile unless the phone is unlocked? Or so I've heard?

All in all, this is one awesome device. I played quite a few great classics via Emame tonight, as well as listened to some Paul McCartney & Wings albums with Oggplay. This just rules!

[unbroken]

1. yes there is, you have to download a program called torch and theres a few others too(my-symbiain.com) search around for some, though, im not sure if they work during games.
2. 99% of the time you will want to install to the mmc only, try to keep everything on the mmc, you will run accross some programs eventually, that need to be installed to the system memory, but try and keep it to a min.
3. you can use your phone with any company that has sim card support, yes you will have to unlock your phone it is very easy..search google for "unlocking ngage..ect"


hope that helps

[yoursisterspretty]

1. I'm pretty sure all the backlight progs do not work during games. It's an annoying "feature" but I've just learned to deal with it.

2. I'd manually uninstall every program before formatting the MMC card. You can do it manually if you forget to do this. Sometimes you can just highlight the icon and press the "C" button. If not you can always reinstall and then unistall. Or get FExplorer and manually delete the files (and you should get FExplorer no matter what).

3. You can use any provider you want, its just the SMS, MMS and GPRS settings are allready preconfigured for T-Mobile. What you'll need to do is go to n-gage.com and find the settings for your provider and input them in manually. don't go trying to call your cell provider for this as they are no help. At least that was the case with me and AT&T/Cingular. I had everything setup right on my own (copied the settings from my LG), but I couldn't access my mMode pages. Eventually I gave up with their tech support and went to the N-Gage site and everything has worked fine since. BTW make sure you set your new GPRS settings are set to default, and try to delete any settings you can. You won't be able to delete them all, but they don't hurt the operation of your phone if you configure it correctly.

If you need anymore help just ask, I've worked through most of it myself.

[zektor]

Excellent. Thanks for the tips and info. I'm just getting into this, and that is really sad. I should have grabbed this system a long time ago. I didn't realize how easy it was to do so many great things. It's like the Dreamcast of portables! :)

[Cauterize]

I'm very new to the system (just bought the QD 2 days ago now) and had some questions for the experts:

1.> Is there any way to keep the backlight ON? It turns off if a key is not pressed after 20 seconds it seems. Kind of sucks if you are watching a long game intro as you have to be sure to press a key or the directional pad every 20 seconds to keep the screen lit.

2.> How are you guys installing apps? I have been hesitant on installing apps into the systems memory, and have been selecting the option to install to the MMC card. I know I will loose the program after I format the card, but I am just testing a bunch of things that I really don't want to screw up the phone with. One thing is happening tho. After installing something (like Emame or Oggplay) and selecting the MMC card it works fine, but even after I remove the card the system still has the programs listed in the application manager. With the card removed I could not remove the reference to the program from that menu. I had to put the MMC back in and then re-install and remove the app to clear the list. Am I doing something wrong here?

3.> I haven't even had the chance to read through the manual and so forth (never been a fan of manuals...although I should change that train of thought) but I am assuming that the only provider I can go with is T-Mobile unless the phone is unlocked? Or so I've heard?

All in all, this is one awesome device. I played quite a few great classics via Emame tonight, as well as listened to some Paul McCartney & Wings albums with Oggplay. This just rules!

1> Unfortunately there isnt a way to keep the backlight on. Although the "Torch" method could possibly work. If you run Torch, then hold down Menu to bring up basically what the Pc does as Alt+Tab and select your game, torch might still be on, its worth a try!

2> The Application data is stored on the phone and not your MMC, therefore if you remove the MMC, the information on whats on your card will still be visible as its on the phone memory! But the golden rule is always install Apps to the MMC, optherwise your gonna mess the Ngage up. The Ngage has 3mb on its Phone Memory and if you start installing apps there it slows down and you get various problems. (i speak from experience there!)

3> Youll have to get your phone unlocked to change provider (i think) as i doubt it will be unlocked already...

[Querjek]

I've never done this, but can't you just go to Tools > Settings > Device to change the amount of time the backlight stays on?


I personally install apps that I know that I would like to keep (SNAKES, Smartmovie, FExplorer) onto the system, and I put apps that I'm not sure about (DVDPlayer) and apps that need to be on the memory card (vNes) on the card.

[Cauterize]

I've never done this, but can't you just go to Tools > Settings > Device to change the amount of time the backlight stays on?


I personally install apps that I know that I would like to keep (SNAKES, Smartmovie, FExplorer) onto the system, and I put apps that I'm not sure about (DVDPlayer) and apps that need to be on the memory card (vNes) on the card.

Nope unfortunately not...
The only reason i would install an App to the Phone System is if i wanted to play it while my Mp3 Player was on...

[yoursisterspretty]

3> Youll have to get your phone unlocked to change provider (i think) as i doubt it will be unlocked already...

I think most N-Gage's come unlocked. Like I said mine came unlocked, but it was preinstalled with T-Mobile settings. I didn't have to change any settings to talk on the phone, just had to install my SIM card. SMS, MMS and GPRS were different though, I had to manually input those settings. I guess it depends on who your buy your phone from. If you buy it directly from your carrier then it'll probably be locked and if you buy it from a store like GameStop then it won't. I bought mine from a GameStop because I didn't want my phone to be locked to AT&T (especially when I knew the merger was coming...).

[Cauterize]

3> Youll have to get your phone unlocked to change provider (i think) as i doubt it will be unlocked already...

I think most N-Gage's come unlocked. Like I said mine came unlocked, but it was preinstalled with T-Mobile settings. I didn't have to change any settings to talk on the phone, just had to install my SIM card. SMS, MMS and GPRS were different though, I had to manually input those settings. I guess it depends on who your buy your phone from. If you buy it directly from your carrier then it'll probably be locked and if you buy it from a store like GameStop then it won't. I bought mine from a GameStop because I didn't want my phone to be locked to AT&T (especially when I knew the merger was coming...).

yeah it totally depends where and who you buy it from... mine came unlocked as i bought it onj its own with no sim card.

[zektor]

Ahh, I may be in good shape then. I bought it from EBgames. ANy way to check if it's locked/unlocked? Or I guess I'll have to just go to Cingular and try a sim card? A friend of mine works there and can get me a good deal, while T-Mobile is asking for a $500 deposit because of my bad credit, and I get it back in a year! No thanks...

[zektor]

Ahh, another Q. Is there any way of playing Java .jar games on the N-Gage? I found a site with some, and wanted to give it a try if possible.

[yoursisterspretty]

Ahh, another Q. Is there any way of playing Java .jar games on the N-Gage? I found a site with some, and wanted to give it a try if possible.

Just to let you know the N-Gage is a series 60 device, and yest all s60 java games work fine. A lot of s40 games work too, but because of the screen resolution difference they usually are messed up graphically, but they still work.

If you bought your N-Gage from EBgames I can say that it is unlocked, unless you bought it used. Just find someone with AT&T or Cingular and ask them to let your try their SIM in your phone real quick. If it boots and says AT&T or Cingular at the top then you know it's unlocked.

And for the best deal in non-contract wireless, have you ever looked at the Go Phone service from AT&T? $40/30 days will get your 400 minutes and free nights & weekends. But if your friend can hook you up with Cingular go with that. I'm with AT&T (kind of ;) ) and I pay $40 for 500 minutes, no roaming (on anyone's network, which is absolutely the best part of all), unlimited in-network calling (including Cingular peeps), and nationwide. But I'm pretty sure you can not sign a new contract with AT&T now... but Cingular is offering something pretty similar. And they also have their unlimited internet for $20 ($5 cheaper than AT&T). OK I've yapped enough.

[Cauterize]

Ahh, another Q. Is there any way of playing Java .jar games on the N-Gage? I found a site with some, and wanted to give it a try if possible.

To install these either send them through BLuetooth and you can install them straight from the Message folder, or use Fexplorer, select the Jar file and it should start loading in for you!

*Returns to his Ngage God Throne*

[zektor]

Cool and cool! I will try a sim card from my friend and see what happens, and will try some of these java games tonight. Thanks for all of the excellent help!

[classicb]

I had some questions for the N-Gagers here about playing Emulators on the N-Gage.

1. What viewing mode do use with the N-Gage screen. Do you stretch it or let it go off the screen a bit or have it fit on the sccreen with the black bars?

2. What types of games do think work the best. RPG's are nice but the text can get quite small. Faster games seem to get alot of slow down.

3. What emuator runs the best in your opinion? SMS, Nes, Genesis, Snes ....