A SIM card
You may find that your MOTORAZR phone gives you a "SIM error" or "chip error" message when you switch your carrier to Verizon. This happens because your phone is locked and won't recognize any chip other than the original carrier's. You'll need an unlock code to resolve the matter. You can get one online at a pay site or possibly get one for free from the original carrier's support service.
Instructions
Getting an Unlock Code Online
1. Open the Motorola page for Unlocking.com, MyUnlockCode.com, MobileUnlocked.com or GSMLiberty.com (see the Resources links). At GSMLiberty.com's main page, find Motorola toward the bottom and find your model in the drop-down menu. All four are pay sites and most take PayPal if you don't have a credit card.
2. Remove your RAZR's battery. Read the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number underneath. The unlock site you chose will use it to generate the unlock code. You will receive the unlock code in an email by the end of the day.
3. Go into phone mode on your RAZR and enter the unlock code precisely as it appears in the email. For example, "A5148J Send" would be entered as "251485," and then "sent" into your phone by pressing the "Talk/Call" button for processing.
4. Put the Verizon (SIM) chip into the slot in the battery compartment. If you still get a chip error message when trying to make a call, repeat Step 3. Then contact the company who sent you the code so they can rectify the situation. You paid them, so they owe it to you.
Getting Unlock Code From Original Network Provider
5. Call your original network's customer service center. Using a landline will allow you to read off the IMEI number to them and enter the unlock code to make sure it works before hanging up.
6. Ask for an unlock code. Tell them you have an IMEI number to give them. Remove your RAZR's battery to access the number.
7. Read the IMEI number out to them. Insert the Verizon chip in the battery compartment if you have one already. Put the battery back in so there's power for you to type in the unlock code.
8. Type in the unlock code if they can give it before hanging up. Ask them to wait while you make a test call to verify the code works.
9. Call again to get a different representative if the first one doesn't understand your request or is hesitant. Be polite, even though you likely won't talk to the person ever again. What you say in one call goes in your file and could discourage a subsequent representative from cooperating.
Tags: IMEI number, unlock code, unlock code, your RAZR, battery compartment, before hanging, chip error