How To Upgrade A BlackBerry’s Operating System

stevetaz · 09-05-2008, 01:39 PM

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

stevetaz · 11-23-2008, 07:26 PM

If you have upgraded to OS 4.5, but are not seeing HTML email….

You may have to enable the updated BIS functions. From your BlackBerry handheld or your PC:
-Log into your providers BIS site > select Resend Service Books
NOTE: You should receive a new Successful Registration message if the updated Service Books were sent and received.

Configure your email for HTML:
-On your handheld > Messages folder > Menu key (left of trackball) > Options > Email Settings > Enable HTML Email > YES > Download Images Automatically > Yes
NOTE: If you don't see “Enable HTML Email” and “Download Images Automatically” your service books have probably not been updated. You may need to do a Hard Reset on your BlackBerry. Remove the battery with the device ON, count to twenty, and replace the battery. It will take several minutes to restore and be ready to use. A battery pull is recommended to fix many issues with BlackBerrys.

Blackberry HTML Email is not generally configurable to automatically download images on a handheld. This means you will have to manually call for images in every email that includes them.
-Open an email > Menu key > Get Images > YES to the warning "Internet Images Can Expose…blah, blah, blah
NOTE: Some users report that their device does automatically download images. As of this writing I am not sure why and I suppose something will become evident at some point.

SteveTaz

Elite GK · 11-23-2008, 10:17 PM

I just upgraded my Bold's OS to v4.6.0.185 and it took a whole 15 minutes from start to finish

stevetaz · 11-23-2008, 10:33 PM

The other 45 minutes is for step #8...

SteveTaz

Elite GK · 11-23-2008, 10:35 PM

LOL, that's the most fun part

Kesslar · 01-14-2009, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by stevetaz

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.

SteveTaz

When you say Uninstall the previous OS from my PC, are you talking about the desktop manager and all... cause that and the media manager are the only blackberry anything i have on my PC

stevetaz · 01-14-2009, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Kesslar

When you say Uninstall the previous OS from my PC, are you talking about the desktop manager and all... cause that and the media manager are the only blackberry anything i have on my PC

No, there is no need to remove the BB Desktop Manager. Check back to step 4. Removing the current OS from the PC is only if you had installed it.

To install the OS you will have to install the new version to your PC. If the OS you are upgrading from may be the original one that came with the BB then you may have never installed it onto your PC because you really had no need.

Whenever you install a new OS to the handheld now you will have to install it to the PC first so the BB DM can find it to install...