A quick Basic guide on how to skin the V3c, V3m, K1m, and L7c

[Village Idiot]

Here is a quick guide to skinning the V3m, V3c, K1m, and L7c
This will only work with Motorola Phones that use the Motorola UI. Verizon uses a Brew Overlay that disables the Motorola UI and CAN NOT BE SKINNED.

What you need.

Motorola Software Update program or PST 7.2.3 (Google It)
Skinner4moto and the E815 Module
P2k Commander NOT THE BETA 4.1 Use version 3.3.0 or 3.3.5 The test version 4.1.xx is too buggy yet and will cause problems and a huge headache!!
BitPim

First get PST or MSU installed and make sure it can find the phone.

Next get Skinner4moto and the E815 module. Make sure that Skinner4moto can find the E815 module

Now go to the folder that you downloaded the skin to and next to the SKI. file you should see the spiked ball Icon. By clicking that icon will open up skinner4moto.

Now that it is open on the right side it gives 3 options for the wallpaper folder. Make sure that the IN/Motorola/Shared/Picture/ (E815) is selected.

Next in the left column is Font Fix. Click it.

Now also in the left column is the P2k commander star Icon with install under it.

Upon clicking that it will run P2k commander and start the install process. You will get a box that say Execute or Cancel.

Hit the Execute and the skin will be properly installed.

It will ask to do a restart on the phone. Yes restart it.

You should now have a new skin on your phone.

Now with the K1m and the L7c these phones have the mp3 player. Most skins you will find will not support the mp3 player. But it has been reported on the K1m that if skinned with a V3c skin that when the mp3 player is enabled the phone will automatically default to the last stock skin used to make the mp3 player work. And revert back to the V3c skin when the mp3 player is shut down.

As for the L7c all the steps should be the same. Its basicly a K1m with out the Flip.

Use BitPim to Delete the skin in BitPim's file tree.

Never Delete the DEFAULT MOTO SKIN!
Hope this helps out.

[Splain]

Here is a quick guide to skinning the V3m, V3c, K1m, and L7c
This will only work with Motorola Phones that use the Motorola UI. Verizon uses a Brew Overlay that disables the Motorola UI and CAN NOT BE SKINNED.

What you need.

Motorola Software Update program or PST 7.2.3 (Google It)
Skinner4moto and the E815 Module
P2k Commander
BitPim

First get PST or MSU installed and make sure it can find the phone.

Next get Skinner4moto and the E815 module. Make sure that Skinner4moto can find the E815 module

Now go to the folder that you downloaded the skin to and next to the SKI. file you should see the spiked ball Icon. By clicking that icon will open up skinner4moto.

Now that it is open on the right side it gives 3 options for the wallpaper folder. Make sure that the IN/Motorola/Shared/Picture/ (E815) is selected.

Next in the left column is Font Fix. Click it.

Now also in the left column is the P2k commander star Icon with install under it.

Upon clicking that it will run P2k commander and start the install process. You will get a box that say Execute or Cancel.

Hit the Execute and the skin will be properly installed.

It will ask to do a restart on the phone. Yes restart it.

You should now have a new skin on your phone.

Now with the K1m and the L7c these phones have the mp3 player. Most skins you will find will not support the mp3 player. But it has been reported on the K1m that if skinned with a V3c skin that when the mp3 player is enabled the phone will automatically default to the last stock skin used to make the mp3 player work. And revert back to the V3c skin when the mp3 player is shut down.

As for the L7c all the steps should be the same. Its basicly a K1m with out the Flip.

Use BitPim to Delete the skin in BitPim's file tree.

Never Delete the DEFAULT MOTO SKIN!
Hope this helps out.
Will this work on my Sprint v3m?:scared:

[tjedwards]

great guide village idiot.
i will add, to try and stay away from the skins that have a bunch of .dat files. for a cdma phone try and stick to the skins that only have 2 or 3 .dat files. otherwise your menu system might get messed up.
mine has always come back after deleting the skin causing the problem. but that doesn't mean it always will.

i have a k1m and you are correct about the mp3 player issue. that's exactly what mine does.

[Village Idiot]

Does Sprint use the Motorola UI?

If it does it MAY be able to be skinned.

I have not gotten my hands on a sprint razr yet to try anything out yet.

[Splain]

I'm not sure i'm a newbe to all this just don't want to brick my phone. If you explain how to find out I will tell you anything you need to know.
Thank you.

Splain :confused13:

[Boysbigbig]

Very Good I Love This Post It Helped Me Alot

[Village Idiot]

Another Satisfied Customer:up:

[Village Idiot]

I'm not sure i'm a newbe to all this just don't want to brick my phone. If you explain how to find out I will tell you anything you need to know.
Thank you.

Splain :confused13:

I am totally in the dark on the sprint UI on their razr's.
I will do some digging around to see what I come up with.

[Village Idiot]

great guide village idiot.
i will add, to try and stay away from the skins that have a bunch of .dat files. for a cdma phone try and stick to the skins that only have 2 or 3 .dat files. otherwise your menu system might get messed up.
mine has always come back after deleting the skin causing the problem. but that doesn't mean it always will.

i have a k1m and you are correct about the mp3 player issue. that's exactly what mine does.

Not true any more. I found the bug that was causing the problems with the full 13 .dat files.

If you use the method now posted here the bigger skin files should install with out a problem now.

Just remember that if you do use a skin that has custom icons (that is what all the .dat files are for) that if you switch to a skin that has fewer .dat files the last custom skin chosen will still display the custom icons and not revert back to the default set of icons.

To revert back to the default set of icons all you need to do is slect the default moto skin then select the skin you want to use with the default set of icons.

[Boysbigbig]

Hey im stuck on my other cell phonr and i read everythang right but P2k keeps saying error HELP

[Splain]

I thank you, and bow to your expertise in this matter. :crazy:

[poetic_folly]

added (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/cdma/skinning.php).

[Splain]

added (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/cdma/skinning.php).
I have been here and it still does not answer my question, i'm really not stupid I have been working with comps sence the old Timex Sinclair circ 1984.

[poetic_folly]

I didn't do anything, I just put this guide in the guides section.

[Splain]

I didn't do anything, I just put this guide in the guides section.
I know it's just I don't want to brick my phone. I'm strange that way! :smoker:

[poetic_folly]

Which question are you asking?

[tjedwards]

statement originally posted by......me
great guide village idiot.
i will add, to try and stay away from the skins that have a bunch of .dat files. for a cdma phone try and stick to the skins that only have 2 or 3 .dat files. otherwise your menu system might get messed up.
mine has always come back after deleting the skin causing the problem. but that doesn't mean it always will.

i have a k1m and you are correct about the mp3 player issue. that's exactly what mine does.
okay, here is the problem that i was referring to. after installing a skin with a crapload of .dat files this is what my main menu screen does.
the screenshot on the left is the custom skin main menu screen, and the screenshot on the right is after i set the skin back to the default alkali skin. some of the menu icons are gone. they still work if you select them they just don't show up.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6881/foxmotoskinmainmenu8ca.pnghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4204/alkalimainmenufaulty2hw.png
so this is what i meant by the menu might get messed up if you use a custom skin that has alot of .dat files. the only way i get my default menu screen to work correctly again is to open bitpim and delete the custom skin with all the .dat files and all the icons come back, no big deal. i just wanted everyone to be aware that this can and probably will happen.

@villageidiot
originally posted by villageidiot
Not true any more. I found the bug that was causing the problems with the full 13 .dat files.

If you use the method now posted here the bigger skin files should install with out a problem now.

Just remember that if you do use a skin that has custom icons (that is what all the .dat files are for) that if you switch to a skin that has fewer .dat files the last custom skin chosen will still display the custom icons and not revert back to the default set of icons.

To revert back to the default set of icons all you need to do is slect the default moto skin then select the skin you want to use with the default set of icons.
i have always used this method to install skins, and have never had a problem installing them, just the problem i stated above.(which is not that big of a deal). i just wanted to let people know that (for me) to revert back to the default set of icons i have to delete the custom skin from the phone, not just "select the default moto skin then select the skin i want to use with the default set of icons" as you stated.
but, when i install a custom skin i know is going to mess with the menu, i just only use it untill i want to change it to something else. so this problem never really bothered me too much.

[Village Idiot]

That is because that skin is for GSM phones only. There is a difference. GSM phones have more options than a CDMA phone. Those blank spots are where other menu options would be if that was a GSM phone.

I bet that someone could make a 9 icon SKI file out of that skin and It would work properly.

[cash7c3]

yeah that is edited to 12 icons by the mma_ucp on a normal gsm phone. I don't know if you can edit the menu on cdma

[tjedwards]

i just liked the skin, i don't mind the menu issue everything else works correctly. i did'nt expect it to work at all, so i was pretty pleased. i'll use it till i get sick of it and switch to something else.

[Boysbigbig]

I LOVE This Post And It Helped Me Big Time I Mean Like I Could Do Like 30 Of Them In 30 Mins. Very Very Good The Other 1's Took So Long But This Dont

[Village Idiot]

Another Satisfied customer:thumbsup:

[hackerwacher]

Hello

You stated:
This will only work with Motorola Phones that use the Motorola UI. Verizon uses a Brew Overlay that disables the Motorola UI and CAN NOT BE SKINNED.

Do you know if the Telus K1m can be skinned? I don't know how to tell if it has the Motorola UI or a Brew Overlay.

Thanks,
Sue

[Village Idiot]

I am unsure about the Telus K1m. But if you would be willing to post a couple of pics of the menus and the option screens off of the K1m we can help you let you know.

[tbenzley]

I have an Alltel V3m. When I installed a skin somehow the MOTO file was deleted. Now my menu button and my menu, phone list, etc. are not visible with letter description. I can get into all of it but don't know what I'm getting into. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

[bongiobul]

I am totally in the dark on the sprint UI on their razr's.
I will do some digging around to see what I come up with.
So, have you come up with anything yet? It is driving me knucking futz that I can't skin, or even add wallpaper to my sprint v3m. I have been able to do ringtones and such with MPT, and change the outer lcd with bitpim. You would think as outdated as these phones are($20 at radio shack), that someone would have figured out the ui already. Oh well, I guess patience is a virtue. Btw, I will post any info you want if it will help to de-mystify the sprint v3m. Peace

[hackerwacher]

Whew, that's no easy feat to get decent pics of a backlit screen. Finally . . .

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/telussuesan/mainscreen.jpg

[Village Idiot]

One would have sufficed.

Yes that can be skinned. Just follow the directions and all should go good. Just read it all before you start.

[hackerwacher]

I am very appreciative of everyone's help.

Still have a question or two though. Is it OK to alter one of the skins that came with the phone and save it under a new name without deleting the original, or is this what is meant by 'skinning over a default skin?'

Have successfully applied a few new skins to the telus k1m without any real issues (using skiman). But a couple of things troubles me - the time says p instead of pm and if I don't manually set the wallpaper through settings I just get the default background color to show. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

[Village Idiot]

I am very appreciative of everyone's help.

Still have a question or two though. Is it OK to alter one of the skins that came with the phone and save it under a new name without deleting the original, or is this what is meant by 'skinning over a default skin?'

Have successfully applied a few new skins to the telus k1m without any real issues (using skiman). But a couple of things troubles me - the time says p instead of pm and if I don't manually set the wallpaper through settings I just get the default background color to show. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

Altering a skin is how most 3rd party skins are made. But in order to alter them you need a good understanding on how the program works and all the technical stuff behind the skin.

That is because skiman doesn't place the default wall paper with the correct pathway for the skin to find it. Skiman is mainly used just for GSM phones. Try using Skinner4Moto along with P2k commander version 3.3.5 or 3.3.0. and follow the directions in the first post of this thread.

[hackerwacher]

Thanks once again idiot.

I haven't had much luck with p2k programs, neither commander nor tools. My phone is detected but when I try to transfer, I always get an error and the program shuts down. Bitpim would allow me to create directories and files but they wouldn't show up in the phone.
Maybe when I get all my year end taxes done I'll fiddle around with the different program versions.
Skinman has worked pretty well for uploading skins to the phone.
Skinner4moto allows me to edit. With it I've fixed the clock problem and once I got rid of the underscores in the wallpaper names they load properly now too.
The skins are now 100% and an added bonus is that it has fixed the backlight/display problem. With the new skins the backlight dims after 20 seconds and display shuts off after a minute (just what I wanted). Much nicer as the display used to shut off in the middle of playing games.

Sue

[poetic_folly]

Thanks once again idiot.

thats funny every time.

[hackerwacher]

Am I wishing for the moon when I want a way to change or dim the status icons as well as the size of the date/time fonts in these skins? I sure can't find it in Skinner4moto and the E815 Module.

[evenstar]

Hi all, I'm a newb to this skinning stuff... I have a Metro PCS Motorola SLVR L7c, anyone here know if that can be skinned? So far the only thing I've done is installed the correct drivers and p2k commander on my computer and it works fine, I can see the files on the phone. Thanks for any help.

[Village Idiot]

Hi all, I'm a newb to this skinning stuff... I have a Metro PCS Motorola SLVR L7c, anyone here know if that can be skinned? So far the only thing I've done is installed the correct drivers and p2k commander on my computer and it works fine, I can see the files on the phone. Thanks for any help.

I think it can. What skins are currently on the phone?

[evenstar]

It just has the default skin that came with the phone...not sure what its called, when i look at the technology section of the menu it says 'CDMA 1X-EVD0'.

[silpkn0t]

Phone: SLVR L7c
Carrier: US Cellular

Ok, I think I installed skinner4moto right. I went to the directory double clicked on e815 and it installed the package, next I go to the directory that has the skin I want. I click on the ski file and it runs skinner4moto and I click on the right directory path for e815. Then I click on font fix. Next I click on the P2k icon so it will install it. Skinner4moto minimizes and P2kcommander opens up. Then it crashes and goes back to skinner4moto.

I don't know what to do, please tell me if there is something I skipped or did wrong

[Village Idiot]

Which version of P2k commander are you running?

[jed_only]

Here is a quick guide to skinning the V3m, V3c, K1m, and L7c
This will only work with Motorola Phones that use the Motorola UI. Verizon uses a Brew Overlay that disables the Motorola UI and CAN NOT BE SKINNED.

What you need.

Motorola Software Update program or PST 7.2.3 (Google It)
Skinner4moto and the E815 Module
P2k Commander NOT THE BETA 4.1 Use version 3.3.0 or 3.3.5 The test version 4.1.xx is too buggy yet and will cause problems and a huge headache!!
BitPim

First get PST or MSU installed and make sure it can find the phone.

Next get Skinner4moto and the E815 module. Make sure that Skinner4moto can find the E815 module

Now go to the folder that you downloaded the skin to and next to the SKI. file you should see the spiked ball Icon. By clicking that icon will open up skinner4moto.

Now that it is open on the right side it gives 3 options for the wallpaper folder. Make sure that the IN/Motorola/Shared/Picture/ (E815) is selected.

Next in the left column is Font Fix. Click it.

Now also in the left column is the P2k commander star Icon with install under it.

Upon clicking that it will run P2k commander and start the install process. You will get a box that say Execute or Cancel.

Hit the Execute and the skin will be properly installed.

It will ask to do a restart on the phone. Yes restart it.

You should now have a new skin on your phone.

Now with the K1m and the L7c these phones have the mp3 player. Most skins you will find will not support the mp3 player. But it has been reported on the K1m that if skinned with a V3c skin that when the mp3 player is enabled the phone will automatically default to the last stock skin used to make the mp3 player work. And revert back to the V3c skin when the mp3 player is shut down.

As for the L7c all the steps should be the same. Its basicly a K1m with out the Flip.

Use BitPim to Delete the skin in BitPim's file tree.

Never Delete the DEFAULT MOTO SKIN!
Hope this helps out.

"Use BitPim to Delete the skin in BitPim's file tree."


which skin are you deleting in bitpim?

[silpkn0t]

Which version of P2k commander are you running?

I am using V3.3.0

[dinodrew]

Phone: SLVR L7c
Carrier: US Cellular

Ok, I think I installed skinner4moto right. I went to the directory double clicked on e815 and it installed the package, next I go to the directory that has the skin I want. I click on the ski file and it runs skinner4moto and I click on the right directory path for e815. Then I click on font fix. Next I click on the P2k icon so it will install it. Skinner4moto minimizes and P2kcommander opens up. Then it crashes and goes back to skinner4moto.

I don't know what to do, please tell me if there is something I skipped or did wrong

I am having the same issue.
Cingular KRZR
PST 7.2.3
Skinner4moto v0.2.8
P2K 3.3.5

Any help would be appreciated.

[Village Idiot]

I am having the same issue.
Cingular KRZR
PST 7.2.3
Skinner4moto v0.2.8
P2K 3.3.5

Any help would be appreciated.

You have a GSM phone. Go check out the K1 section for skinning. The procedure is different.

[Village Idiot]

Phone: SLVR L7c
Carrier: US Cellular

Ok, I think I installed skinner4moto right. I went to the directory double clicked on e815 and it installed the package, next I go to the directory that has the skin I want. I click on the ski file and it runs skinner4moto and I click on the right directory path for e815. Then I click on font fix. Next I click on the P2k icon so it will install it. Skinner4moto minimizes and P2kcommander opens up. Then it crashes and goes back to skinner4moto.

I don't know what to do, please tell me if there is something I skipped or did wrong
The only thing I can think of is doing a reinstall of P2k commander then do a fresh reboot on your machine then try skinning with out any other program running aside from what you need to have running.

I have had problems with P2k commander being picky about how long the phone has been disconnected. Leave the phone disconnected for 2 long after having it connected seems to lock something up in the drivers. I have to reboot my machine to get my machine to see my phone again.

[silpkn0t]

The only thing I can think of is doing a reinstall of P2k commander then do a fresh reboot on your machine then try skinning with out any other program running aside from what you need to have running.

I have had problems with P2k commander being picky about how long the phone has been disconnected. Leave the phone disconnected for 2 long after having it connected seems to lock something up in the drivers. I have to reboot my machine to get my machine to see my phone again.

Well, Since P2kcommander was not actually installed, but unzipped, I did re-unzip the files and rebooted my system. I turn p2kcommander on and plug in my phone and p2kauto popped up saying stuff and I remembered (I had it turned off last time) and I tried to get p2kcommander to read my phone, it froze.

I kept messing around and messing around and finally discovered that p2kcommander freezes when I try to read my phone only while the autostart is running, so I disable the autostart and yes p2kcommander can finally read my phone once more.

Then I try the skinner4moto and try the install and again it says Error when p2kcommander comes up and closes out.

why can't they just make this stuff simple? why do huge corporations want to CONTROL everything we can and can't do?

[Village Idiot]

why do huge corporations want to CONTROL everything we can and can't do?

It's all about the $$$$$$$:smoker:

[milkbone98]

Im thinking that my V3m Sprint is a BREW overlay menu, i cant get msnap to see anthing but the homescreen no matter where in the menu i am, and the phone has a BREW folder even though it uses Java. So, no skins for me?

[mu7]

i've got a sprint v3m. i've followed those instructions in the cmda guide here, 'skin4moto, background, font fix, p4kcmdr, reboot' but nothing. the files are on my phone. i can see them via bitpim and p4kcommander, but how do i "switch" to another skin? i don't see any menu settings or anything.

[Village Idiot]

From what I gather, Sprint also uses the Brew Overlay and Also can not be skinned.

Nothing can be done about it.

[mu7]

i've seen sites talking about skinning verizon phones because of their brew overlay; maybe i should try that instead?

[mu7]

when i start up my sprint v3m, the hello moto splash screen comes up. doesn't that signify it is using the moto ui, not the brew overlay?

[Village Idiot]

Not necessarily. Most all the CDMA moto's have the Hello Moto splash. Except Verizon.

[joesparano]

Phone: SLVR L7c
Next I click on the P2k icon so it will install it. Skinner4moto minimizes and P2kcommander opens up. Then it crashes and goes back to skinner4moto.

I don't know what to do, please tell me if there is something I skipped or did wrong

silpkn0t: I was having the same problem. I've found that I have to close P2k Commander, then navigate to the skin directory and double-click the install_filename.p2kc file instead. The install process then runs as expected. As a side note: If I don't like the skin, using the uninstall_filename.p2kc file will delete the appropriate files and remove it from the phone's skin list.

[CEason06]

silpkn0t: I was having the same problem. I've found that I have to close P2k Commander, then navigate to the skin directory and double-click the install_filename.p2kc file instead. The install process then runs as expected. As a side note: If I don't like the skin, using the uninstall_filename.p2kc file will delete the appropriate files and remove it from the phone's skin list.

same here works perfectly THANKS GUYS!!! :clap:

[silpkn0t]

silpkn0t: I was having the same problem. I've found that I have to close P2k Commander, then navigate to the skin directory and double-click the install_filename.p2kc file instead. The install process then runs as expected. As a side note: If I don't like the skin, using the uninstall_filename.p2kc file will delete the appropriate files and remove it from the phone's skin list.

Thank you good Sir, it works. I can now sleep at night.

[joesparano]

On US Cellular's SLVR L7c:

I've found useful trick. On the phone's memory, if you navigate to brew/mod/mp3player, you'll see several .bar files listed. Three of them correspond to the default skins on the phone: Alkali, Disco, and Glow. When using any of those skins, the MP3 Player will use a matching skin.

But when using a custom skin, the MP3 Player will default to a default white/blue skin. Here's the trick: rename any of the Alkali, Disco, and Glow .bar files to match your custom skin's name - and the MP3 Player will use that skin! (I've only tried this with skins using a single-word title.)

Now that you're in that directory - I could use some help. I accidentally deleted my default mp3player_glow.bar file. Anyone willing to send me a copy?

[mark i]

Thanks for the info. Here's the file you need.

[joesparano]

Unbelievable! Thanks, man! :corkysm21:

Thanks for the info. Here's the file you need.

[krzrrocks]

Guhh...the skin didn't work - I got up to the execute or cancel thing in p2k commander, clicked execute, and it confirmed the skin was installed...but no new skin for me :/

Do I need to select it from the themes menu? Because it doesn't show up...

[concept_guy]

OK, I have read through what seems like a million posts on skinning and apps on the K1m. I have a Bell K1m (Canada) and by what I can tell through all this reading is a large amount of conflicting information. Does anyone know if this phone can be skinned or not? If applications and games can be added or not? The phone seems to have both java and BREW; so by what I read, it is not a Motorola UI.

So basically I am totally confused at this point. I have cusomized some of the basic graphics, added/deleted ringtones etc, but after all this reading have no clue what I can or can't do on the phone regarding skins, games and apps (installing from a pc, NOT by downloading).

Can anyone give me some answers and perhaps a non-technical starting point?

Thanks!

[Superbleeder]

Great guide. too bad i can't skin my sprint V3m

[amh4502]

thanks alot for the thread but when i try to install the skin skinner4moto doesn't recognize p2kcommander i currently have version 3.2.2 is there some special trick to get it to work also i have the alltel v3m thanks in advance :thumbsup:

[Superbleeder]

You have to make sure your phone is reconized by P2k commander first

[nayru_slayer]

Ugh... I have a k1m with sprint. I used the skinning tutorial with ski man. I don't even see where to change my skins at. When ski man loads the phone it can't find any skins on it... yes it is connected correctly. It's reading memory etc.

[whoistherabbit]

you can't skin sprint, sorry.

[kevin2502000]

Ok I get to the part where you click the p2k install button and nothing happens. I have it running manually and it recognizes my phone but still get the error message about "Could not save default skin. Save it with another name or in a different directory." then I have to click ok and a folder opens. I have alltel v3c, msu running, p2k version 3.3.0

Is there a shortcut by using the micro sd card? Dammitt! I got to the execute part but it keep getting an error and closing p2k down. I'm getting really pissed............

[adels]

i have v3c cdma1x(version 1.1.1 s/w 44 03 29.
i want to know the debug screen code