Red messages are level 1 messages. You can set that up on your BIS website.

As far as the green light for coverage indicator, did you enable it under >Options >Screen/Keyboard?

Note* Please don't duplicate post.

Thanks and sorry for the dup post. I'm lost on the BIS website you spoke about. How do I do that?

4.2 is awesome. First OS upgrade since I got the 8700c last July. I'm so happy I upgraded, especially because my BB now works as a bluetooth modem in OSX.

Not sure if I could help, but:

1) please do NOT update with Notepad.
I used Notepad to update blackberry.alx, but somehow it "screwed" the file.
The DM shows an error, i forgot what it was.
I suspected, it screwed the Unicode stuff...
Then, I edited the blackberry.alx using UltraEdit, and it worked fine.

2) mine is 8700g O2 (vendorID=125), but "not attached w/ O2 anymore" (if u know what i meant......)

Previous OS was 4.1.0.351.
I downloaded 4.2.1.85, installed it, & removed the 'vendor.xml'.

Without modifying any alx file, I install it, then...i got 4 themes:
BB-Dimension Icon
BB-Dimension Today
BB-Dimension Zen
O2 Icon.

To get Bell's theme,I edited the 'blackberry.alx' like this:

<!-- Bell Mobility Canada filesets -->
<fileset Colour="True" series="8700" Java="1.0">
<files>
net_rim_theme_109_icon_320x240_w.cod
</files>
</fileset>

Then open DM, it detects that there is a modification, then it installed Bell's theme.

I noticed, it's not so good, and to remove it, I use:

<!-- Bell Mobility Canada filesets -->
<fileset Colour="True" series="8700" Java="1.0" _vendorID="111">
<files>
net_rim_theme_109_icon_320x240_w.cod
</files>
</fileset>

Then open DM, it detects that there is a modification, then it UNinstalled Bell's theme.

I repeat the same steps to other themes.

If u r still attached with the operator, have u tried to put your operator's code inside the "_vendorID" ? e.g.:

<fileset Colour="True" series="8700" Java="1.0" _vendorID="102"> for Cingular.


3) About PTT
In fact...I have no idea what PTT is......:D... [is it Push To Talk ?]
I did NOT modify the original platform.alx, but I found out that there is no PPT in my BB...


Hope it helps.

I am with 8700g O2, but not sure if it is still 'attached' with O2, because I used it for other operator, and no service plan. (i am struggling to find out how can I connect to inet...)

I am happy with 4.2, because, it allows me to:
- create an "SMS distribution list" --> group of contacts whom only have phone number. This feature does not exist in 4.1.
In 4.1, u can only create an "email distribution list".

- exchange ringtones and pics with PC and other btooth devices,e.g.: palm/handset

And...I am NOT happy, since:
- it STILL has not solve the SMS Date/Time issue --> BB only shows the date/time of when I received it, instead of the date/time of when the sender sent it.
- a lil bit slower than 4.1

Cheers!

Can someone help with the 4.2 installation. I have no problem installing the software on my computer, but I can't seem to get the update loaded to my blackberry

Did you delete/rename the vendor file?

Here are the full instructions but not the most up to date versions:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/ring...-4-2-only.html

The up to date OS and alx file can be found earlier in the thread you are reading now.

edit: here is the OS link:http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...tml#post515038

Here is the alx file link:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...tml#post514628

Ahhh, finally, success.

Got google maps on, got rid of PTT, and the themes.

The process, since it hasn't been said anywhere else.

Download the update
Download the Blackberry.zip file, both from the first post of the thread. You need the blackberry.zip (which is the blackberry.alx file) to enable the additional stock themes.

Extract/run the update program

Navigate to the Platform.alx file

Using the 45 day eval version of UltraEdit, open the platform.alx and search (ctrl+F) for "vendorid" without the quotes of course. You will find

<fileset pttApp="True" Java="1.0" _vendorID="102">

Change the vendor ID to 100, like so
<fileset pttApp="True" Java="1.0" _vendorID="100">

Save the file (NOT "SAVE AS", BUT "SAVE") and don't worry, Ultra edit AUTOMATICALLY makes a backup of the file and renames it for you.--THIS REMOVES THE PTT SERVICE, SO IF YOU ARE NOT ON CINGULAR, YOU CAN GET RID OF IT LIKE THAT.

Next, using the 45 day eval version of UltraEdit, open the LBS.alx and search and replace (ctrl+R) the following

_vendorID="102"> --IT HAS TO BE THAT EXACT STRING TO SEARCH FOR
and replace it with

_vendorID="100|102|104|105|107|109|111|118|119|120 |124|125|130|132|133|137|138|139|140|143|148|152|1 53|161|166|167|168|176|188|192|193|194|195|196|197 |198|199|200|231|234|235">

You can choose to find and replace them all at once, no need to do it manually each time. THIS ADDS GOOGLE MAPS TO EVERY VENDOR ID. Again, save the file (that is Save, not Save As).

Next, locate the Vendor.XML file. Delete, move, or rename that file.

NOW, shut down and pull the battery from your BB, and reinsert it, letting it boot completely, connect it to your USB cable, and start the Desktop Manager. Once the DM finds the BB, it should automatically ask you if you want to update. The answer of course is YES. Click yes/next/whatever till you see the list of applications to add to the BB. Make sure you choose BBMaps if you want to add it, and choose/unchoose those other things you want/don't want. Click next. A window will pop up telling you it is removing somethings. The "PTT" app should be listed. That is good, and click next, and let the DM do it's magic. IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE BB TO REBOOT, do not be alarmed, it is normal.

That should do it. I can e-mail my modified files to anyone who wants, just keep in mind that I am not at my computer night and day, so it might take day or two will it gets done. Just PM me with your e-mail address, and I will send them on over.

Hope this helps some people out.

Michael

Here's a 100 % Freeware utility - PSPad- a very nice notepad substitute:
http://pspad.siliconhill.cz/PSPad/fi...452inst_en.exe
instead of an eval version that needs renewal.
Been using it for the last couple of years.

Added OS installation instructions to the first post.

tried lots of times, but it did not work for me, although I did step by step as per the instruction. when desktop mgr was opened and I clicked App loader, nother happened?

I'm assuming your have the 4.2.1.85 version on your 8700? Then unzip and use the edited .alx file and replace yours with the edited one. Then do as plchan did. It'll work.

Is this for general 8700 models and the other file is for 8700c? Id like to know before I download a file from your website. Thaks...
Hal

it says (GSM Only). will it affect the EDGE on my 8700g?

EDGE/GPRS is GSM technology. Yes, you will still have EDGE/GPRS capability. It just says GSM to differentiate from CDMA or iDEN, on which this OS will not work.

thanks... crossing my chest

Ever since I upgraded Opera will not run. It gets to the Loading screen, and then gives me an error.

I was using 4.2.1.66 and had no problems until I updated to .126

yup, 4.2.1.85+ will not run Opera mini

They seem to play ok in the media player when placed on the device via Desktop Manager. However, I can't seem to get WAV files that are attached to emails to play. Am I missing something?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Wav file only play in the ringtone folder, doesn't play as an email attachment.

After upgrading to this version, I am not able to do "More" on the messages. When I reach the end of a long email, or if I click the "more" option from menu, I get:

"More request cannot be completed. Service book information not found." message.

The device is Cingular 8700c, and I am on BES 4.1.3. Resending of service books, and re-doing enterprise activations did not solve the issue.

Has anyone else seen this problem or check if you see this issue? This is the only problem I have so far.

Thanks!

I istalled the new os and themes no problem, I was doing a check for functionality and I can't get a menu in the browser with my click wheel push.

is anyone having a problem with the trackwheel push click? It seems to work fine with every app except the browser- it won't work at all with the built in browser, have I done something wrong?

Should I try and reinstall?

Should I revert back to the T-Mobile 4.1?

If you search the Blackberry Technical Knowledge Base with the error message text, you will find a series of recovery steps. I encountered the same problem and it required a "wipe" of the handheld, then deleting and reinstalling my account on the BES. Once that was done, everything worked perfectly.

I have this problem with 4.2.1.66, only when a cursor is present in a text area. This problem forced me to learn the shift-click-to-paste shortcut.

OT: Is there general agreement that this new 4.2 is any better than .66 in terms of the speed and stability problems that seemed to accompany the first release?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

My favorite new feature is the the 4.2 browser has built-in RSS reader. The improved media player is awesome. I can launch some fairly large podcasts right from the webpage without "entity too large" errors. Wish it handled video like 4.2 on the Pearl.

Is anyone using this with the ThinkOutside Shasta Stowaway keyboard?

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I don't know whether it's the new OS or the different theme I'm using, but wow what a difference. I'm a vodafone today believer!

Just installed the 4.2 on my 8700c last night. Wow what a difference. I removed the PTT icon, cheers wiredwrx for that information.

Is there a way to get rid of the 'Setup Wizard' icon on the menu? I really don't want to go through that.

Other than reactivating my BES account and setting ramba back up im good.

Edit: I hid the icon Alt + trackwheel.

Just finished the upgrade, seems to work well.

Thanks wiredwrx for the extra info, also you state:

But when I went to edit the LBS.alx file, I noticed that the actual string looks like this:

_vendorID="~102">

Just a heads-up in case this causes some confusion for other people.

I just recently upgraded from a 6280 (yeah, I know it was old) to the 8700 and what a difference! Holy crap!

This is my fifth BB, starting with a RIM 850, then a 5810, then a 6280, then a 7280, then it died, so back to the 6280 and now finally this 8700

I'm having a bit of trouble doing the upgrade because it is not being recognized by the Desktop Manager. I'm the latest version, installed the BB software update, and deleted the vendor.xml file. When I connect and open up the desktop manager it doesn't prompt me to update. When I click on App Loader it brings up the screen as if there is new software available, but when I click next it says "No Actions Required."

Under the device application selection screen I tried clicking the Add button and manually selecting the new blackberry.alx file and I receive an error stating that there are no additional applications designed for my device available.

This is on an unlocked (T-Mobile) 8700g. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be quite appreciative. Thanks!

Welcome to the forums,
Follow the instructions in the first post exactly. What version is on your BB? What version are you trying to install?

You don't click the "add" button for the blackberry.alx file.

John-

Thanks for the reply. I followed the instructions in the first post and it did not recognize the update. That is why I tried manually "showing" the blackberry the new .alx files in hopes it would update. I'm new to the BB so I quickly learned that method didn't work.

I upgraded it to 4.1.0.346 from t-mobile.com when I bought the BB. I'm trying to upgrade to 4.2.1.85 that was in the link in the first post.

Thanks!

It sounds like the vendor.xml file is still there. Check for it again. It's located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader.

Then plug in the BB and try again.

John-

Double checked and it is in fact erased.

Here is a link to a screenshot of all the files in that directory. Is there anything else that I need to delete? What is strange is that when I did the upgrade from T-Mobile the update was recognized right away.

Did you uninstall your previous BB OS version from Windows?

snowskier:

Actually, no. I just did and rebooted... but it still won't work. I'm now Plugging in the BB, opening up the desktop manager and letting the blackberry connect but still nothing comes up. Upon clicking Application Loader I now get this screen (it used to display all of the 4.1 components before I did the uninstall)

Here

Thanks for helping me out everyone

Just a shot as I am not an expert at this but have done it with every new OS...Do you have desktop Manager 4.2.1.8? You need the newest version of the DM to load the OS.

Download Desktop Manager 4.2 SP1 from here:

BlackBerry - BlackBerry - Sys Req V4-2 Pack 1

Hey, in regards to themes, the Rogers themes that came on my BB were really nice, but with the modified Blackberry.alx file, I don't have the Rogers themes. Is it possible to converge the Blackberry.alx file and the associated images from my 4.1 softare into the 4.2.1 install so that I get them back?

Since you're doing screen shots can you give us a screenshot of this folder?

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files

Make sure we can see everything in it.