To the powers that be - would asking questions regarding calculating an a-key given a particular ESN be off limits here?

It's perfectly legal in my part of the world, so I'm not breaking any laws.

Fine by me. I just tend to be against any discussions that would involve me being sued, and those tend to be limited to copyright violations. The EFF managed to ensure cell phone unlockers cannot be sued under the DMCA for copyright reasons.

Cool. Here's the story.

When back in the states, I was looking for a phone to replace my wife's dead
Droid.

While browsing Craigslist, found a listing for a brand new Droid2 for $100. Auction listing said it couldn't be used on Verizon, but I thought, "no biggie, I'm taking it to Belize anyway." I didn't realize til later that that meant the phone was likely lost, stolen or the former owner didn't pay their bill.

So I get it down to Belize, and Smart says I need an a-key for the phone to work (I assume because it was never activated in the US). Anyone know of a way to bypass that or have a calculator that can come up with one given the ESN on a Droid 2?

I can get to the screen to enter it by either ##PROGRAM then send or ##AKEY then send. I just need the number to enter.

A-Key Calculator

Kaspersky says the standalone is virus-free. And it seems to work under CrossOver (WINE).

I'll give it a shot and let you know if it works.

So that A-Key calculator doesn't work with the Droid. They seem to have changed the process (likely since there's a calculator available for the old one).

Wondering if rooting the phone and installing a custom ROM such as Liberty or Fission will allow me to bypass the need for an A-Key.

Any thoughts?