Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

How to Install an Unsupported Blackberry OS

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 03:43 AM PST

Even though the newest version of Blackberry OS for your device has been made available by RIM, your carrier may lag months behind or choose not to release it at all.

If that is the case, you may want to install another carrier’s official version of the OS for your device. Your carrier will not support this version of the OS, but the Blackberry support community on the web is robust and will provide answers to most questions.

This procedure must be performed in Microsoft Windows. If you have a Mac, we advise you to use Apple’s Bootcamp to create a Windows partition and install Windows XP, Vista, or 7.

While using emulators like Parallels will work for synchronization and application installs, many people have reported problems with Blackberry OS upgrades using virtualization software (i.e., Parallels or VMWare).

Under normal circumstances, you would use the Blackberry Desktop Manager to install a new Blackberry OS after you download and install it. The newest versions of the Blackberry Desktop Manager will not allow you to install an unsupported OS, so you will need to use the Application Loader application (which comes with Blackberry Desktop Manager) to circumvent the limitation RIM has established.

This tutorial assumes you have installed and configured Blackberry Desktop Manager. We do not recommend performing this process unless you are comfortable with backing up and restoring your Blackberry, and have also performed some carrier supported OS upgrades. Make sure you have your contacts, tasks, calendar, memos, and important emails backed up before attempting this.

Installing the Unsupported OS on your PC

1. Once you have located the version of the OS you would like to install, download it from the RIM site. You can find leaked versions of the OS and official versions release by other carriers via Google.

2. Double-click on the installer, and install the application.

3. When you are prompted to, choose your language and click OK.
4. When the InstallShield wizard opens, click Next.
5. Accept the License Agreement, and then click Next.

6. When the installation is complete, click Finish.

Installing the Unsupported OS on your Blackberry

1. Delete the Vendor.xml file from the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\ directory.

2. Launch the double click Loader.exe in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\ directory.

3. Click Next when the Application Loader Wizard opens.

4. The Application Loader will recognize your Blackberry and display the PIN in the Connection drop-down menu. Click Next.

5. If you have password protected your Blackberry, enter the password when you are prompted, and then click Next.

6. The Application Loader will read your Blackberry’s configuration, and determine what applications are installed on it.

7. The Device Application Selection window will display all of the applications currently installed on your device, applications and settings available to be installed on your device, and operating system options.

Click the checkbox next to anything you wish to install, or unclick the checkbox next to items you do not wish to install. When are done, click Next.

8. On the Device Backup screen, choose to Automatically back up the device. If you choose to you can also Include email messages in the backup and restore operation.

This is a crucial step, and unless you have a known good backup of your Blackberry, or are comfortable synchronizing your device with your PC or with the cloud (Google Sync, etc.), you should not skip this step. Click Next.

9. When you are ready to perform the upgrade, click Finish.

10. The Application Loader will update your device using the settings you have provided, and will give you visual progress updates.

11. When the upgrade is complete, the Application Loader will let you know that the operation was successful. Click Finish.

If your Blackberry freezes during the upgrade, you may want to consider starting the upgrade again and opting to do a clean install (without backing up and restoring the applications — see steps 7 and 8 above).

Sometimes it is necessary to remove all of your personal data and start with a clean installation. This ensures that older applications will not cause problems during the upgrade. It will also force you to install the newest versions of your existing applications when you are finished with the upgrade.