Upgrading Your BlackBerry: How-to

[DataCentre]

Got me. Maybe someone here that has a mac can help you. If not, use a friends computer that has windows on it for all your blackberry upgrades.

[krisztibi]

I have a BB Pearl Flip 8220. OP starts with 4.6 Why I don't see that nowhere on your list?
Thank you

[tjsilos]

Originally Posted by Pariah007

Hey... I know it sucks... But hey if you like maybe you could try the southasian 4.5 OS. I was able to do it without any problems...

where did you get that version at?

[krisztibi]

Hi!

Thanks for answering.
I got the phone from the Rogers store with the softver and that,s the version on it.
Isn't that offical?

[lawst cawsuh]

Hey guys,
If your wondering why it says that there isnt any new updates its probably
because your running DM v4.7

Originally Posted by John Clark

So, you downloaded the newest, latest and greatest OS for your BlackBerry and have followed all the instructions found here.

1. Download and install Desktop Manager.
2. Download and install the OS of your choice for your device.
3. Delete vendor.xml located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader.
4. Plug in BB and open Desktop Manager.

However, when you open Desktop Manager you get no prompt to update. When you open Application Loader your new OS is not listed!!

This has been plaguing people for the last few months. I've never experienced the issue because of the way I've loaded Desktop Manager but Vasco at Horizon did and he and I together figured this out. I believe we've found the issue and will explain how to fix here.

The problem lies in the new Desktop Manager's automatic "Check for Updates" feature. This feature uses your internet connection to look for OS updates for your device from your carrier. When it does this it loads a second virtual vendor.xml file in the temp folder on your computer (Vista users look in C:\Users\Username\appdata\virtualstore.) So, even after you delete the normal one that is installed with the OS and Desktop Manager, the automatic "check for updates" feature loads another one based on the brand of device you've got plugged into the PC.

To prevent this from happening this you need to install Desktop Manager WITHOUT this Automatic Update service. Below are the steps to remove this service.

1. Go to Control Panel >Add/Remove Programs.
2. Click on "BlackBerry Desktop Software" and select "Change/Remove."
3. When prompted, hit "Next" and then you should get options for Modify, Repair, or Remove. Choose "Modify."
4. On DM 4.7 and higher, in the list of installed items, you should see "BlackBerry Automatic Update." Click the icon next to it and change it to "This feature will not be available." That should put an "X" next to "BlackBerry Automatic Update." If you are using DM 4.6 or lower and don't see this option in this list then just continue with the install and the installation will ask you a few screens later. A screen will be shown where you will be asked to check the boxes for:

A) "Start BlackBerry Desktop Manager automatically each time the computer starts."
B) "Create a shortcut for BlackBerry Desktop Manager on the Windows Desktop."
C) "Check for software updates."

Be sure number 3, "Check for software updates," is NOT checked.

5. Finish the installation.

(Note: If you're doing a fresh install of Desktop Manager, be sure and choose the "Custom" install button so that you get the prompt for what features you want installed. Otherwise all the features will be installed as normal and you'll likely run into this issue.)

Once that is complete, you'll need to go back and search your computer for vendor.xml. When you do the search, make sure you click on "Advanced Options" and make sure that you search Hidden files and folders. This is important as some operating systems create a virtual store in the temp folder that this vendor.xml file is located in. You will not find this particular vendor.xml if you don't have hidden files/folders selected for search. Once the hidden vendor.xml is deleted it won't come back if you've reinstalled Desktop Manager without the Automatic Update Feature enabled.

Now, make sure your OS is installed (you may need to install the OS again, if you actually remove Desktop Manager and then reinstall Desktop Manager again. Make sure that you delete the normal vendor.xml file LAST before updating the device.

Tip of the day: Desktop Manager is not even required for doing an OS upgrade. In the same folder as the vendor.xml file is a file called Loader.exe. Running that will run apploader without Desktop Manager. It still makes the full backup and restore, but without all the DM stuff running in the background. I use this for all my OS upgrades. Then later I connect to DM to start my BES activation.

[bigboy0121]

I need help!I have a bb8350i and i can't get the theme to work tried ota and download, can see the theme in
applications in bm but not in options on phone

[01spyder]

What theme/themes are you trying to load?

[epsilux]

Info was very useful however I followed the info as per your direction and my phone doesn't vibrate when I receive SMS text messages while in "vibration" mode. Any idea as to a fix?

p.s. I"ve tried changing around my theme and options in all modes and my phone doesn't vibrate anymore only when I receive voice calls, nothing else.

I had a program from crackberry that allowed my phone to vibrate and ring at the same time, which worked fine with my older version of software 4.2 but I thought maybe it was conflicting with my new downloaded version 4.5 and I since removed the program from my berry via applications and restarted and still nothing...


Any other ideas geared towards a solution would be very helpful and appreciated...

[psychicreader80]

Has anyone had any luck upgrading the BB 8703e to 4.5 os? I have Sprint and they do not offer it. I spoke to blackberry and they said the phone is compatable. Still they could not give me any release dates. Since I spoke to both Sprint and to Blackberry, it is discouraging. I think we may be the last to get the upgrade, yet us Sprint people pay the most money each month. Go figure.

Please post if you have successfully upgraded your BB 8703e to any system above 4.2.1.106.
Or contact me directly. Please give me some insight in to where I can get this updated.

[Jamal8820]

You should definateLy upgrade from another carrier. It doesn't matter what carrier you hav, as long as the update is compatible for your EXACT phone. You'll still have all the same features from your carrier, it won't change anything about your service.