I have now purchased 4 unlocked Curves and all seem to be displaying similar problems:

1. Keys and trackball on 3 of the 4 work intermittenly i.e.: problems with several keys making the phone almost impossible to use...

2. When on a call, despite having full signal, it still says 'searching for network' at the bottom of the screen... is this normal?

I would like to be able to check my firmware version - How do i do this? And is there a firmware release which resolves the problems mentioned above?

To check your firmware go to Options > About (my 8700g shows v4.2.1.101). Then check the sticky at the top of the 8300 forum to see if there is a later version.

Sorry you're having issues. I got mine a month ago and haven't experienced any of what you're going through...though mine's not unlocked.

That is weird to have so many issues. My curve is unlocked as well and I do not have those issues. Could it be carrier/area related?

I'm trying to upgrade the OS to hopefully solve these issues, but next issue is:

After downloading the OS upgrade and installng as per windows installer, it then opens desktop manager and i connect the device, however, i do not get the UPDATE NOW option... HELP!!!!

Laurent... where are you getting these unlocked 8300/Curves from?

Are you trying to install and HIGHER version of the OS than you already have on the BlackBerry? If they are the same version, you will not get the update window. Please post the current BB OS (Options > about: v.?????) and the version of the OS you downloaded to your PC.

I currently have v4.2.2.89 - is this the latest OS?

And what are you trying to update to?

Mine shows that also, no big deal. I also had a replacement where the trackball didn't work, even the new one i got doesn't "click' when you push it down like my old one but it works all the time.

Package Version: 4.2.2.265
Consisting of:

* Applications: 4.2.2.146
* Software Platform: 2.4.0.62
* File name: 8300CJK_PBr4.2.2_rel265_PL2.4.0.62_A4.2.2.146_Smar tone_Vodafone.exe
* File size: 74.67MB

Did you delete the vendor.xml file?

Follow these instructions:
How do I upgrade the OS on my BlackBerry? - BlackBerryFAQ

All working now... Thanks!

Hopefully it will resolve the issues i've had!

Good luck (my niece just returned from Johannesburg, and I have a good friend here who is from there).

Its a great country!

Thanks for your help...

One more question, how long should the hourglass spin for after this whole procedure, its been going for 20 minutes... nothing happening...

hourglass could spin for 30 minutes or more, according to the mess of call logs , etc., on your BB. Give it AT LEAST an hour. Do not pull the USB and kill it partway. Be patient.

Ok. I admit I'm a complete novice. I don't know if this is the right forum but I'm too lazy to maybe find the right one.

What is the advantage of unlocking your phone? And what does that mean?

Wrong, you're not a complete novice unless you've hijacked someone else's account (Feb 06?), and you're not too lazy, or you would not be asking! haha.

Look here, first few topics:
Main Page - BlackBerryFAQ

SO the update completed.... and the problems persist...