I'm about to do a new OS install. In the past, I would just go to OPTIONS - SECURITY OPTIONS - GENERAL SETTINGS - hit Menu and select WIPE HANDHELD. Then do an OS install followed by a restore of data that I backed up with DM. Does anyone know if there's an advantage to using the JL_Cmdr over the built in Wipe Handheld for clearing out the unit? I tried to read up on JL_Cmdr and can only find instructions regarding how to use it to wipe the unit vs. what it actually does or its advantages.

JL_Cmder removes the entire OS from the device, leaving it at a JVM 507 error. The security wipe only removes the data from the device and leaves the OS in tact.

However, you don't need to run either when upgrading your device. I never wipe my device prior to upgrading.

Some people say they do to get a "clean" install, but a wipe is done during the install process prior to loading the new OS. I never ran into any issues doing it this way.

OK...two stupid questions then:

1) Why would you want to get the unit completely wiped to receive the JVM 507 error?

2) If you do wipe out the OS, how hard is it to get a new OS installed and running again or is it simply connect the BB and run the OS install file after deleting that vendor.xml file - like you'd normally do when upgrading?

Thanks again.

1) Sometimes if you're receiving errors, your only option may to be wipe the device. Also, as I've stated, some people like to have a "clean" install.

2) It is as simple as running the OS install as you would any other time.

Guess it's like install Win 7 over Vista. Clean install vs upgrade

I always do a full wipe when upgrading.

Maybe I'm misreading the question but the error isn't the goal. Entirely wiping the device is.

Yep...that's what I was driving at!

doing an upgrade says it's wiping out files but it don't. otherwise people wouldn't recommend clean installs. i always have better performace with new installs using jlcommander. everytime i do upgrades i get big time glitches.

you wouldn't build a new house on a used foundation. why would you do upgrades. pc or phone. nothing but headaches.

Well...I finally used JL_CMDR last night and when it was time to reload the OS, I found out that Desktop Manager couldn't find my device [Device Connected (PIN): None]. Sooo.....after having a heart attack, I went to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader and ran loader.exe. I'm not sure if there were other things to try but that worked and I actually found the OS install to be quicker with nothing in the unit vs. doing an upgrade from a previous OS version.

Anyway, thanks again.

There are times you will want to just do the OS upgrade. If you have application that were installed OTA you may not want to use JL_Cmdr. Doing an OS upgrade the normal way will backup those applications and re-install them during the upgrade.

The idea of wiping first is simply to eliminate the possibility of a corrupted file on an upgrade... it's rare, but it happens, and you end up with a berry in a reboot loop until you wipe it...

I prefer a clean wipe and reload... but I enjoy playing with settings every time I do a new install... I pretty much only ever put my address book and calander back on... even 3rd party apps get omitted, because once it's back up, I can ensure that I get the most recent releases by re-downloading app purchases ect...

That being said, I don't use javaloader to wipe, I simply tell Apploader to erase all currently installed programs, and do not backup (I have a daily backup anyhow, plus online sync to miQ and google... so there's always a backup!