save an SMS

[snodvan]

Folks

For legal reasons a friend needs to keep/ record SMS messages that have been received. I am not a great SMS user so do not remember all the procedures but I seem to remember that onlyu about 10 messages are "stored" somewhere, and after that each time a new one arrives an old one is deleted. Is that right?

If so can anyone think of a way in which received messages can be retained/ downloaded/ printed? Needs to be easy because the people involved have no technical knowledge. My though was whether it could be forwarded to one of the Web-based SMS messaging systems ie I have a Lycos account (I think) and could they be forwarded to that? There does not seem to be any "forward" option on the phone menu.

Help appreciated.

[Mr_love_monkey]

It all depends on the phone - something like 10 are stored on the sim card with the rest being stored on the phone - mine stores around 60.
Also what happens to them when you reach the limit depends on your phone/network - mine tells me I've run out of space and won't deliver any more until I clear some out

[snodvan]

Right, the limit I am used to could therefore just be a function of my Samsung - which is a bit old and generally 'weak' when it comes to texts ie only allows about 3 lines of text. The phone my colleague is a Nokia but I have no idea which one.

[snodvan]

OK, just tried scanning the screen of my mobile - and it works fine. Yipee. Although some of the messages concerned are a bit more than a 'screenful' I will be able to cope with a couple of scans. Although the phone concerned may hold enough SMS messages until the solicitor is able to view them and comment on what should be done, at least I am now confident that I have a way of preserving those messages "just in case".

[willo]

Try asking your service provider if it can provide transcripts or save them.

[Matth]

Maybe something could be done with a data cable and software, depending on the model - if they are stored in the SIM, then maybe a PC SIM reader might help.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=51507 - Standalone + Serial interface - rather mixed reviews.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=58434 - USB - also some rather mixed reviews on SIM support.

They also have a variety of Nokia cables, considerably cheaper than most of the GSM specialists - though it may be worth looking on EBAY for one supplied with software, as most of the available software seems to be commercial / shareware / demo

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Matth

Maybe something could be done with a data cable and software, depending on the model - if they are stored in the SIM, then maybe a PC SIM reader might help.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=51507 - Standalone + Serial interface - rather mixed reviews.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=58434 - USB - also some rather mixed reviews on SIM support.

They also have a variety of Nokia cables, considerably cheaper than most of the GSM specialists - though it may be worth looking on EBAY for one supplied with software, as most of the available software seems to be commercial / shareware / demo

I use a serial SIM reader and can do exactly what you are after, pretty easy to use too.

[Richard M]

Which network are you on?

[Steve H]

Originally Posted by ZrByte

I use a serial SIM reader and can do exactly what you are after, pretty easy to use too.

Better to keep it as a hard copy on the phone though... doubt a copy on a PC would stand up anywhere - not even sure if a SMS would stand up.

[Richard M]

Well without knowing which network you're on I can tell you this:

• Phone up your main customer services (which will most likely be a chargeable call).
• They will DPA check you which basically means that you have to prove that you are the person who owns this phone (if you bothered to register the thing) - this is usually a password, if you haven't set one then it'll be your name, address and the last 3 calls you made.
• Ask them which texts have been sent to or from the phone.

I know that Vodafone can provide this information for up to a year... (because I work for 'em)

[Matth]

Scanning the phone display, if it actually works ok, is not a bad idea anyway, as it makes it clear that it IS on the phone.
Photographing the display might work better than scanning.

If copied using software it would need to be clear that the software could not fake an incoming SMS in its log, and especially not put one on the phone.

If it's offensive texts or text-stalking, then the phone company needs to be involved as soon as possible.

[Gareth]

I would definitely get both your lawyer and the telco involved, as I'm not sure what the situation is regarding the legality of photos/scans of a phone screen in a court of law.

Originally Posted by GDW1975

I would definitely get both your lawyer and the telco involved, as I'm not sure what the situation is regarding the legality of photos/scans of a phone screen in a court of law.

I share your concern, on that point, it is too easy to edit such 'evidence' - even with a date stamp, it might be admitted as circumstantial, at best ? - maybe a use for sd flash?

[SMHarman]

With the right phone / printer, you could print them in the presence of your lawyer and whoever else might be required and they could evidence that they are a true copy.