Week 27 Article 02 - Installing a NON localised Blackberry Device OS [v4.5]

I started off with a Blackberry 7100v. For those of you that know this device,it looks like a brick but is one of the most robust phones I have ever had. Then I transitioned to a 8100 Pearl. This is less of a geeky and more of a fashion phone. Everyone wants one due to its sexy curves and sleek look . Check it out here

My Pearl came with OS v4.2.0.79 standard and when OS 4.2.1.102 was released by Blackberry, it was several months before Vodafone NZ released the firmware for its phones. This I believe is because they want to test the firmware to ensure it suits the local market and also to put in their own customisations/softwares etc. But many times the wait doesnt quite justify the end result. After upgrading to OS v4.2.1.102 I found the keys to be too soft. To explain this let me give an example. One of the buttons on the Pearl has got E,R and 1. So if you press the key once you get E, tap the key twice (if using multitap) you get R and if you use the SHIFT key, you get 1. I would press the key once but would end up with an R. This caused alot of TYPOS!! It took me months to get used to this ... the most frustrating few months of my life!!

Then came the release of v4.5 but this is only available for US carriers. Vodafone NZ is yet to release its own customised v4.5. Unable to wait, I decided to give v4.5 a try. Searching the Net, I found one from a Dutch carrier and dredging the shoals of google found me an article that revealed how to use another regions OS on your own device. So I am imparting this knowledge on to you folks.

PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD YOU KILL YOUR DEVICE. TRY THE FOLLOWING STEPS AT YOUR OWN RISK. ALSO THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE NOT THAT OF BLACKBERRY (as in the maker) OR THAT OF VODAFONE.

1. Download the OS that matches your device type (Pearl 8100 in my case).
2. Ensure you have the latest Blackberry Desktop Manager installed.
3. Unplug your device, if connected to the computer.
4. Install the OS by double clicking on it, choosing the relevant options etc.

Just before the install finishes, you are prompted with a tick box asking if you would like to start the Blackberry Desktop Manager to continue the install.Make sure you UNTICK this.

5. Once installed, look for and delete the following file C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\Vendor.xml
6. Connect your device
7. Start the Blackberry Desktop Manager and use it to install the new OS (the OS has already been placed in the relevant uploading directories. All that is left is for the Desktop Manager to push it up to the device).
8. Once done, your device will reboot.
The first startup after the upgrade is very slow. Be paitent .. you havent screwed your device ... YET

One of the first features that won me over was the key presses. They were not has jaggedy as v4.2.1.102. They were really natural to use and didnt jump to the next letter. The Calendar looks far better and the display is crispier. There is a new notification screen when someone calls you among a bagfull of other goodies