Pearls that are shipped with their base firmware (4.2.0.54/4.2.0.64 or below) have many bugs in it.

To check which version of firmware you have, from the home screen, click Options->About. Your firmware verison will be the line located under "Wireless Handheld (EDGE)".


Bugs in the shipped firmware that are known include the memory leak issue, disappearing emails, and call logs that are being erased (Subthread located here). As well, delay in answering phone calls before someone can hear you, slow media access time, and slow reset time are also addressed in later releases.

To fix this problem, all you have to do is update your firmware.

As of April 4, 2007, the most current and stable release is 4.2.0.73 from Cingular, which can be found here:
https://www.blackberry.com/Download...4E4F82F9F00E7D4.
Make sure you select BlackBerry Pearl (Red 8100c)


To update your firmware, these are the steps that you will follow (adapted from Synncere's post):

- Download software update

- Run and install the newly downloaded program.

- Do not mark the option to open Desktop Manager when finalizing the install.

- Go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader and delete Vendor.xml

- Connect BlackBerry to USB

- Open Desktop Manager

You should be prompted for the update at this point. (If not select Application Loader) and you'll get the prompt for the update.

You may also want to do a backup for your BlackBerry before doing the upgrade.



Updating your firmware will not debrand your phone - you will still have the phone's original carrier logo on there. It also will not void your warranty, nor will void your contract with your service provider.

Worse case scenario, if the firmware is somehow interrupted in during the update, you can always start from scratch and reload it again. This will never brick your device.


This is in reponse to the surge of unnecessary threads that are being created in the RIM forum. I hope this will answer any questions that have arisen. Please do not make new threads.

I just want to make sure, but if I have an unlocked T-Mobile Pearl and upgrade to the Cingular firmware, it will not re-lock the phone. Correct?

No, updating firmware will never relock the phone once it's unlocked.

Sorry, I didn't really understood that. Even though the firmware is from Cingular, will it work with the T-mobile network?

It works perfect. I updated my t-mob pearl phone last night. Update worked flawless and it still is branded t-mobile. Be advised, update takes a long time because it backs everything up and then performs the update. It then restores everything. The only setting I had to re-enter is the custom setting for opera mini under TCP.

I have a 8100, branded to Rogers, but Unlocked.

Today, for the first time, it started acting up...slowing down...I was unable to dial numbers or answer the phone (calls were able to come through but I couldn't answer), the screen went black.

I tried restarting, taking out battery, SIM.

Anyone else experience this problem, or know how to fix it?

edit: My version is v4.2.0.67, Platform 2.2.0.39

Seems like a memory leak issue.

Try pulling the battery again, but leaving it out for 15-20 minutes. Reinstall the battery. Once you're in the home screen, type ALT + L G L G (this brings up the log). Press the menu key, select clear log.

If that still doesn't fix the problem, update your firmware.

When I got into the event log it said at the title at the very top "Event Log (Warning)"....then had a list of events under it.

Is this normal? The (Warning) part.

Thanks.

Yes. It's listing the events that are giving warnings to you (not errors). Clear the log, and you'll be ok.

Thanks gibbs, I Appreciate it.

Very good write up. The call delay was driving me crazy.

However, now I appear to have a bit of a brick. Upgrade just about completed; I think it was restoring Java apps and it disconnected. Now 8100 shows a circle, with a line through it, and the number 507 at the bottom.

Try to reset - remove battery and wait awhile. But no luck.

Any thoughts?

Sorry. False alarm.

Once I rebooted windows, the restore started and completed successfully.

Thanks.

If you ever used JL_Cmnder, and wipe the handheld, it does essentially the same thing - it more or less crashes your O/S, and hence the 507 error (Link)

Like I said in the notes above, you can never brick the device. If this does every happen, or forwhatever reason it doesn't complete the upgrade, you can always start over.

I'm a T-Mobile customer, and the one last thing I had to do was go to Options-Advanced-Host Routing Table-and click "register now", in order to get the Browser to work.

Of course, I had to re-install the applications, but that was to be expected.

Everything else seems to be great.

Thanks, again.

I have an unlocked TMO Pearl (running TMO firmware) and recently ported to Cingular. The voice quality with the exact same phone on Cingular sucks. I called CS and the guy says because it is TMO firmware that is why the voice quality blows. I call shenanigans but now am considering the Cingular update. I attributed the difference in quality to full rate / half rate codecs but now they have me wondering