Hi to All,

After Angel asked me if I would be interested in writing an article for BerryTastic.com, I thought a long time. What could I tell you here?  Then I thought back a few weeks.  I was at my customer's, far away from home, and my Berry got the idea to stop working for me.  No appointments were updated on the Today-Screen, no OTA sync with my BES was possible - it crashed down completely.  Our system administrator told me to do a firmware update.  Easy said but complicated to do.

Here is the procedure:  First of all you need a Windows computer where you can install your BlackBerry Desktop Manager (freeware, ca. 200 - 300 MB download). You can find the latest versions of the Desktop Manager and ALL official handheld firmware updates directly in our forum section titled Software Discussions / RIM Desktop Software AND Software Discussions / RIM Handheld OS Latest Official Releases.

Note that firmware for BlackBerry devices ALL come from RIM.  It doesn't matter what carrier you're using.  For example, you can still use the latest OS from Orange UK even if your carrier is TMobile UK.

After downloading latest firmware version to your computer you have to execute setup. It will extract all the files to the RIM (Research In Motion) folders on your computer. When the installation in completed, you have to delete the file vendor.xml.  You'll find it in the following folder...C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader

Deleting the file is necessary because it contains carrier restriction for installation and it allows you Desktop Manager to read the loader file to initiate installation - no matter whar carrier you're using.

After deleting the vendor.xml you have to connect your Berry with the USB cable to your computer. You have to connect your device directly to your computers’ USB ports. DO NOT USE A USB HUB!

When you deleted vendor.xml it will prompt you automatically to install a newer firmware.

In the latest version of the Desktop Manger (V4.7) a virtual vendor.xml file is created during the automatic check for updates, which starts when you start your Desktop Manager.

To disable that update progress you have to de-select check for updates automatically when you install this new version of Desktop Manager. If you don’t, you will not be prompted to update your firmware when you connect your handheld to the PC even if you deleted the vendor file from the APP LOADER folder as introduced above.

OK, installation will run, now. But what happens during installation?

-          First of all Desktop Manager creates a backup of the contents of your Blackberry like contacts,       appointments, mails, sms, etc.

-          Then it will wipe your Smartphone and prepares it for the new firmware.

-          Third step is to install the brand new firmware

-          At the end desktop manager will extract created backup and restore it on your Blackberry

And finally installation is finished and your berry will run as great as it always did.

It is very important that you don’t disconnect your Blackberry from the USB cable while installation!!

Installation process will take a while, it can take till about one hour, so don’t get nervous or impatient.

Your Blackberry will reboot itself several time during installation so don’t worry.

After the firmware update my berry had a lot of more features (like creating movies on a curve) and since update its works very reliable!

If you have any question you’re always welcome to send me PIN message (PIN: 2569C5B9) or send me an Email.

Best regards from Germany

Matthias