How To Upgrade (And Downgrade) A BlackBerry’s Operating System
These are instructions for upgrading the Blackberry Operating System. The instructions also apply for downgrading your OS....Uninstall the previous OS from your PC, download and install the lower/older version onto your PC, then follow these instructions.
NOTE: You can load any carrier’s OS onto your Blackberry no matter what network/carrier you are with, but you must delete the “Vendor.xml” file (see #5, below). You also must make sure you load the correct model’s software. This is very important. BB software is device specific so an 8320 must have 8320 software and an 8830 must have software for an 8830 and so on...
1) Make sure you have about an hour available to complete the install.
2) Make sure BlackBerry Desktop Manager is installed on your PC. You can download it from BlackBerry.com. Here is a handy link:
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/desktop/
3) On your PC, open Desktop Manager and do a full backup of your device and then close Desktop Manager.
4) Download and install to your PC the BlackBerry OS from the carrier of your choice. Again, any carrier’s OS will work on your BlackBerry. You MUST NOT load an OS for another device/model to your Blackberry, so make sure you select the proper model. The following handy link is the official BlackBerry list of carriers with links for their official BlackBerry software:
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support...load_sites.jsp
5) If you are installing an OS from a carrier other than your own you must delete the file named "Vendor.xml" (C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Apploader). This does not affect your device, except to permit the OS from another carrier to be installed on your device.
6) Using the USB cable, connect the BlackBerry to your PC and start Device Manager (on your PC, Start > All Programs > BlackBerry folder). If it does not automatically detect the upgrade and prompt you to install, run the Application Loader (from the Desktop Manager), and it will install the updated files. If it doesn’t, check to be sure you followed #5.
NOTE: Make sure the BlackBerry is connected to your PC by a direct USB connection, NOT a USB hub.
7) It is normal for this process to take approximately one hour to complete. Your BlackBerry device may restart one, two or three times during the process. After the final restart you may see the spinning hourglass for 20 minutes (it only seems like 120) This is normal so do not unplug your BlackBerry until you see the familiar desktop screen.
8) Once completed have the cocktail of your choice while you revel in your technical prowess. Oh yes, and enjoy exploring the new OS....
SteveTaz