This will load on ANY carrier's 8330m by following the instructions below.
This is only for the 8330m model (MEID based models)
From US Cellular

Software For BlackBerry® Curve (TM) 8330m smartphone

BlackBerry Handheld Software v 4.5.0.205 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.205
Consisting of:

* Applications: 4.5.0.138
* Software Platform: 3.4.0.30
* File name: 8330mAMEA_PBr4.5.0_rel205_PL3.4.0.30_A4.5.0.138.ex e
* File size: 82.74MB

Download here: https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads...B58CE00D1194C9

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

Instructions for installing on ANY carrier's 8330m:

1. Download the above OS file to the PC then install it to the PC by running (double clicking) the file you downloaded.
2. Go to c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader and delete the file named "vendor.xml."
3. Plug in BB and double click on "Loader.exe." It's located in the same place as the above vendor.xml file.

The process takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have to backup and restore during the process. Once it's done loading the new OS it will reboot (it may do this twice during the entire process.) You will see a white screen with an hourglass for up to 20 minutes at a time while the DM says "waiting for initialization."
If, for some reason, you end up with a white screen with small icons and the number 507, simply connect to the PC again and run Loader.exe again and it should load the OS to the device.

Good find.

its not gonan work with 8320?

No, 8330m only.

What does the 'm' mean?

"m" means that it is a MEID device. I guess they ran out of ESN numbers, so they had to start making devices with MEID instead. MEID is similar to IMEI that gsm uses. The reason that the OS for an MEID device won't work on an ESN device is because they use different radio files.

Do you know what this updates? I currently have version 4.5.0.131, platform 3.4.0.25

Probably nothing new added. Just bug fixes. Increased OS speed and memory available.

If i go to blackberry.com instead of using the direct link above and chose sprint instead of us.cellular it leads me to the .131 . I've been using the .138 though for a little while now and it has been working. Should i remove .138 and install .131 because its from sprint or does it really not make a difference ?

It doesn't make a difference. .138 is newer than .131. Sprint just hasn't released it yet. All of the OS's are released by RIM. If .138 is working for you, no need to change.

k thx

Are there any significant updates from .131 to .138 that anyone can notice?

Very new to all of this so I want to get this correct. This is download I use to upgrade my new Verizon 8330?

Thanks to all for your patience.

No, this will not work on the 8330. There is a separate thread for updates to the 8330 OS.

not including Eastern Asian Input support???

True, I assumed my 8330 from Verizon was an 8330m because it had an MEID. Wrong! None of the 8330m OS versions would load. The TELUS 138 ESN version loads and functions fine. So the bottom line is, don't assume your 8330 is an "m" model just because it has an MEID.

I am trying to figure this out as well. On my about screen it shows 8330 but on the status screen it shows meid numbers. I am on verizon as well. I asked a forum member and they said I had an 8330m but now after reading your post, now I am not sure again. Please help.

well, I was able to install the new os that is for esn devices only as well. I think the only part that matters is what is says for the about screen. I don't think it matters that is says meid under status.

I have the 8330m and on the about screen it shows 8330m and in the
Options>Status screen it shows 2 MEID numbers (dec & hex)
but no esn numbers. My old reg 8330 status screen (if I remember correctly)
would show a ESN and a MEID number.

i have a 8330m from sprint and if i want to do this update can i add to my phone arabic language from this software???

plz help

Is there a comprehensive list of differences between the 8330 and 8330m? I've heard different things but most of it seems to be subjective, like varying radio signal strength. Besides the radio files and ESN/MEID thing, is there any real difference?

If I update to this new OS would I lose services such as Sprint TV and Sprint Music being that it is not a Sprint upgrade? Thanks for your help

I downloaded the file for my 8330m curve on verizon. I followed the instructions to the letter. deleted xml etc... When I ran the .exe the program opens; gives me the option to remove programs; didnt want to so clicked next... then it zips through the rest of the process in like 3 seconds and the program closes. Still have the old os on my bb. What is happening??

Downloaded this software but in the middle of the download my computer crashed "vista". So know my screen is all white and has an error message 200. It also says reset but it wont reset. So i guess only half the software is on and the desk top manager wont recognize there is a bb hooked up??? What do i do? Can I wipe it?

Try rebooting both the PC and the device.

Then try reloading the OS, but don't use DM, use Loader.exe instead.

Id like to know the best sequence of loading a new OS ??

Would I wipe the BB with JL commander
Load the OS

then load 3rd party apps back in then restore from a backup file
or restore from backup then load 3rd party apps??

thanks for the help just wanna get this right the first time.

Ps.
Any have a clue when the .160 or higher is coming out for the 8330m ? I want my call timer back.

The best sequence is by following the steps in the first post of this thread.

The installation creates a backup of your data and 3rd party applications (if you select it) and then restores it automatically.

I was told that if you don't load your vendors OS, especially if you have Verizon, you're asking for problems. I found out the hard way. Anyone want to purchase a slighty used BB Curve ?

This is completely false! All OS's come from RIM originally, they are then sent to the carrier, and the carrier releases it once they put their approval on it.

The only difference between one carrier version and the other of the same build would be the Vendor ID. Thus removing the vendor.xml file would clear that issue right up.

There is NO issue in loading another carrier released OS onto your device. The only issue you may run into would be tech support refusing to help you.

Thank you

Just tried to upgrade with this OS from 4.5.0.160.

The 205 version creates a folder in Loader Files called
8330-v4.5.0.138_P3.4.0.30, which is clearly older than what was currently installed under 8330-v4.5.0.160_P3.4.0.41.

Both DM and Loader.exe do not recognize this new install as a newer OS.

Is there a problem with the naming of the folder here?

This may sound like a stupid question, but I just want to be sure. In the Options/About, my phone says 8330, but in the Status it has MEID numbers, not ESN. So I should use the MEID device upgrad efor 8330m even if my device doesn't say that specifically? (I just got a replacement at the verizon store, and it has 4.5.0.77, and I'm sure my other phone had a newer version, and my HTML email isn't working no matter how much I resend the service books, so I'm trying to upgrade the OS, I have other questions, I'll make a thread if I need help on non-OS-upgrade ones.)

Also, when I go to the link in the first post here, there is also an option for this:


BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.281 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.281
Consisting of:
Applications: 4.5.0.169
Software Platform: 3.4.0.51
File name: 8330mAMEA_PBr4.5.0_rel281_PL3.4.0.51_A4.5.0.169_U. S._Cellular_.exe
File size: 83.17MB


This is newer, but the page has both. Is there a reason to get the .205 instead of this?

If your BB is using MEID instead of ESN, you will ALWAYS use the MEID software versions.


PHP

Thanks - when I go to the link given in the first post, it has 2 choices, both from the MEID device. One is the one listed in the first post, the other seems to be a newer version. I'm having some problems with my CUrve (although I tend to think it's a combination of Verizon and the weak transceiver on the curve) so maybe a new update will actually do something.

Hello, I have searched many forums and decided to post here...
I have followed above instructions multiple times... I used cr@ck util to wipe sprint 8330m ... I loaded the USC 8330m pack on phone... I even tried a hybrid pack...sprint screens always boot on phone as well??? but phone works great on verizon for a few hours -- After using workshop to change p r l and s id all was fine on verizon and then data packets are transmitted back abd forth and the phone goes back to sprints system???? how do I keep it on verizon?? if i use any other pack than usc and sprint 8330m paacks, loader says therre is no compadible os files to load? is it the service books? i done have any issues with any other models going back except the meid curve? did anyone else have this issue and how was it resolved??? Im burnt out.... thanks

xphoneguyx...