helping you stay protected in the digital age

Thanks to The Boy Genius Report for sparking this interest to write a guide.

How to Upgrade (or completely screw up and destroy) the Blackberry 8700c’s Operating System
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4 August 2007 UPDATE: see THIS POST for an update to the Telefonica Venezuela software download which is referenced later in this post.
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BEFORE WE BEGIN, please note:

• Blackberry Desktop Software is NOT THE SAME as the Blackberry Operation System Software. The Blackberry Desktop Software (BDS 4.1) is the software that is run on the user’s computer. The Blackberry Operating System (BOS 4.1) is the software that is run on the user’s cellular phone, the Blackberry 8700c.

• The 8700c, from what I could find on CNet, has a limitation of 64mb of RAM (I dunno if it is flash RAM or “storage space”) but is limited to 64mb none the less. I’m going to assume that the 64mb of RAM is for storage space. I’ve also read that MP3s uploaded to the phone are limited to 300kb. I don’t remember where I saw this at but will continue to look for it and post the info here as well as what bitrate and frequency the soon-to-be uploaded MP3s should run at.

• Don’t try to call Cingular and ask for the manual for the 4.2.1 Operating System. They said they don’t have it but referred me to Research in Motion and I’m not calling them.

• The final release of this 4.2.1 OS for the 8700c is rumored to be released in October.

So far, my 30 minute review of OS 4.1 v OS 4.2 is the new OS is SUPER SEXY!

Aside from the super sexiness of OS 4.2.1 (man is it sweet!) the feature that I wanted the most out of my phone is control over the media. The 8700c 4.1 Operating System software and Blackberry Desktop Manager 4.1 does not allow for media file transfers. You can get around this “feature” (I call it a limitation) if you have the Blackberry Data Plan. I’m just not interested in paying $~40.00 a month for a data plan that I am only going to use for transferring mp3s.

I did a little bit of searching on the interweb and found that it is possible to load the next version of the Blackberry Operating System software on the 8700c. My searches led me to Research In Motion in Venezuela or something to download the Blackberry OS 4.2.1 software.

BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OR DAMAGES THAT ARE CAUSED BY FOLLOWING THESE “UPGRADE” INSTRUCTIONS

These are the steps that I followed and created for myself and it worked for me but because it worked for me doesn’t mean it will work for you and you (the upgrader/hacker/cracker/modder/whatever you call yourself) accept full responsibility by following these instructions. As far as the legal part goes: This is my phone. It isn’t on a lease or loan. My phone that I paid with my money for my use. I’m not responsible if you lie on the Blackberry’s software download questionnaire about your ability to legally download the BDS or BOS (it is a felony if you mess around with that crap illegally).

Now that the disclaimer is over here is where the instructions on how to load the new operating system start:

STEP 1 - Upgrading the BDS from version 4.1 to version 4.2(.1)
Version 4.2.2 of the BDS contains the all important media manager not available in version 4.1. Install, from scratch or upgrade, the 4.2.2 software (upgrading is just like installing a fresh copy but all your settings are retained).
Redirect yourself to https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=A8BAA56554F96369AB93E4F3BB068C22 (the parent site is http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/downloads.jsp incase the link won’t work for ya).
Once there select Blackberry Desktop Software v4.2 Service Pack 2 and click next.
You should see
* File name: Desktop Software v4.2 SP2 (English or Multilanguage for my international friends)
* File size: 231 MB
* Date posted: 18-May-07
Select the download software link. Fill out the questionnaire and then promise to not export the phone or software outside of the United States (the government restricts the phone/software because of encryption technology currently employed by the U.S. Government, I believe).
Finally you can download the software. Be prepared: it is a 232Mb package.
(Now I have to wait 59 minutes)

If I have to write instructions on how to install the BDS then you aren’t qualified to modify your phone and at this point stop what you are doing before your break your toy.

During the install you will be prompted for a few items. They are self explanatory. You might also see the Roxio Media Manager installation window.

DON’T PANIC. This is normal. BDS4.2 uses Roxio Media Manager for media transfers on the phone. C’mon, they couldn’t have used a built in in-house tool for this?

Once the software is installed go ahead and sync your Blackberry with the BDS 4.2.2 application. Make a back-up of anything you have on your Blackberry with the built in utility (like I said, this isn’t a how-to guide for operating the BDS so you need to be somewhat familiar with it before hand).

STEP 2 – Upgrade the 8700c’s Operating System from 4.1 to 4.2
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4 August 2007 UPDATE: see THIS POST for an update to the Telefonica Venezuela software download.
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Visit https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=D010396CA8ABF6EAD8CACC2C2F2F26C7 at Telefonica Venezela to download the 4.2 package.

Once you are at the website, select Terminal Inalambrica BlackBerry 8700g. Once the new page loads, select Descargar Software (a link to the installer).

After accepting whatever the legal agreement was (written in Spanish or Portuguese and my Spanish is very limited to verbal communication only) I was transferred to the Download Now link.

Woohoo! Looks like the page earlier expect in a language I don’t quite understand.

After the installation package is downloaded, make sure you exit out of the BDS running applications then run the installer. Once the installer is completed restart your computer (makes sure any loose ends are tied up with the closing of BDS applications and BOS installer).

STEP 3 – Finish The Upgrade
Once the computer is up and running again, start up the BDS applications if not already started. Plug your Blackberry into your PC (USB preferred) and let the fun begin.

!!!WARNING / CAUTION / DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!

Unless you have some insane urge to brick devices and you think Blackberry 8700’s make good door stops then DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER OR UNPLUG THE BLACKBERRY from your computer during the upgrade. I don’t care if the cops come kicking in your door for failure to appear in court, DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR PHONE FROM YOUR COMPUTER DURING THE UPGRADE PROCESS.

During the upgrade process your phone will turn off and on automatically. Leave it be. You can monitor the progress on the upgrade windows that appear (with messages such as “erasing software” and “clearing memory”).

When all is said and done, and it takes some time, your phone will retain (should retain) most of the settings such as contacts and profile settings. You WILL need to go through and change some things like font size (if you modified these on the 4.1 OS).

The setup wizard should, might, maybe pop-up when the upgrade is complete. I’m not sure cause I only did this once and I’m not doing it again (why break it if it works fine?). Whenever you feel like your phone has completed the upgrade then unplug it. BE CAREFUL! Make sure it is finished before your unplug it.

GOOD LUCK! I hope it works! I’ll post some actual screen shots of the upgraded phone tonight or tomorrow as well as some cool features I’ve found and how to transfer media onto the phone.

~ by johndball on August 1, 2007.