The Random Ramblings of mattfast1

Recently, the T9 dictionary on my phone (which is a LG LX550, also called the LG Fusic) has become flooded with bad entries, coming from turning off the dictionary and forgetting to turn it back on or other PEBCAK errors on my part (entries such as Hmy, Gdt, and other gems are among the offenders). So, since I had problems finding out how to do it myself, I figured I would share how I reset my dictionary.

First, I guess you need to know what equipment is needed. Of course if you don’t have your LG Fusic this entire set of steps is going to be fairly unnecessary in the first place. You’ll also need the data cables. If you have Windows Vista, your computer can automatically install the LG/Sprint drivers; otherwise, you will probably need to install the driver. Keep in mind the driver only works on Windows, so MacOS/*nix users are kinda out of luck. Since I don’t know whether I can link directly to the software on Sprint’s website, I’ll serve it if you need it.

1. Direct yourself to BitPim and download the latest copy. As of today, that is version 1.0.5, and does NOT fully support the LG LX550. However, it will detect the phone and allow us to use the functions we need, which is the important part.
2. If you have not already, this is the time to install the Sprint/LG drivers on your computer. If you have Windows Vista (and possibly XP, haven’t tested that one), just plug in your phone using the cable. It will automatically pull the needed drivers from Windows Update.
3. Once you start up BitPim after Windows recognizes your Fusic, it will detect “Other CDMA Phone”. Go to View -> Filesystem.
4. This is about the only function you can use. In the filesystem view, delete “/t9udp/t9udb_eng.dat” Once you have deleted this file, right-click on the directory view and hit “restart phone”. Your phone will now reboot with a cleaned T9 Dictionary

I hope this helps someone, somewhere, who has made the same mistakes I have with my phone’s dictionary. Note that this procedure will result in the loss of ALL of your custom directory entries.

Yeah, so, I just tried a visit to my domain on deviantART.

It came back with an error code 500. Apparently, they’re having some trouble with their database servers.

Perhaps their dbAdmins shouldn’t have started changing various pieces of data, such as $spyed’s join date… Perhaps the black ninja shouldn’t be such an idiot… but that’s only the opinion of the community, which he’s already shown he totally disregards.

Hokay, so, I had a guy come in today.

That was the normal part.

As soon as these guys came around the corner, I started getting suspicious, ’cause they were buying an xBox. No one in their right mind buys and xBox. He was also buying Halo 2, and about 500 bucks worth of other stuff. All in all, the bill came to $733.73 (yes, I remember the actual amount… I’ve gotten to where I remember these kind of things).

Then he tried using a check to pay for it. The computer (wisely) asks for ID, and this guy gives it to me. Then, the computer asked me to dial 717 (some financial service guy in Minnesota) for authorization. And of course, they refuse to authorize the check.

So I convince this guy that he should apply for the Target REDcard. As it turned out, that was the smartest thing I’d done all day, since he agreed. So we gather all his information, and I run his application. He’s disapproved by the automated checkers, but we still have his application on file.

So now, we have at best a guy who can’t get any kind of slack. At worst, we have a really, really, really dumb criminal, since we now have his address (past and present), social security number, phone numbers, full name, and a bunch of other identifying information.

That’s gonna make it real easy for AP to investigate this case - especially since this guy tried the same thing at T-271 Douglas County as well. So now two stores have an ongoing interest in the case, along with great video of him and his cronies. Add to that the fact that our undercover person was watching these guys real close, and you just know that this guy’s gonna get caught very soon.

I do love uncovering tricks, though. Bad check fraud is the second crime I’ve come across in our store this week; I also caught a ticket-switcher who wanted a $130 calculator for $19.99, and paid with a credit card… so we’ve got him covered, too.

And of course, there’s Peter, Bob, and Lisa. Them’s always fun. What, you don’t know what I’m talking about? Well, I should tell you: Peter means pick up everything that enters register, Bob means check bottom of basket, and Lisa means look inside all. These are the three biggest principles of cashiering. That, and quickness. Much quickness.