And I went ahead and updated my .167 ,would my unlocked At&t branded BOLD, somehow get locked again to At&t???

If your phone is unlocked right now and you download YOUR carrier specific update it will allow you to install how ever though if it's another carriers version of the software installation won't go through.

no, installing an OS will not lock the phone (from what i have read)

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

Once a phone is unlocked it stays unlocked

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

Not true

You have to delete the vendor.xml file it will then load to the device

Thanks guys, is there a way to download a specific carrier OS?? example. go to bb website find the carrier of choice and download their OS on your device

yes
you can download ANY carrier's OS and install on device.
just remove vendor.xml from the apploader folder on the pc

I don't know if i am miss understanding you, to clarify I am moving overseas and going to start service with a carrier their. To make things fully compatible with no issues I would like to remove Att from my device and install this carrier's OS version. I found the file on bb website for the carrier that I want to use. So removing the vendor.xml file would remove ATT from my device..... or its something that is done for the sake of getting another carriers OS.

one more thing if i did this, would my device debrand from Att to the one that I chose, meaning no more Att settings, start up screen, themes, 3g lock.......

There is no such thing as a carrier version. All of the software is written by RIM and tested and released by the carriers.

Changing the software from one carrier to another does NOT change the start up screen, themes or 3G lock (on the Bold).

To load carrier specific themes, you must modify BLACKBERRY.ALX (see the Media Forum for directions). There is no legally available software which will allow you to change the startup screen.

no.
choosing a different carriers OS does not effect the branding, i.e start up screen.
Their is no legal way of debranding.

removing the vendor.xml allows you to use any carriers OS.

so by switching to other than Att OS, I will still not be able to turn off 3g.... or fix the ATT wifi issue. and if the other carrier has .167 same as Att then there will be no difference at all by changing the OS from Att??? i am so confused now

basically no.
if you want a bold that you can use by turning off 3G, get one from the carrier you are going to be on.

the OS is the operating system just like a PC, but a PC needs a boot rom that is on the motherboard. same with the phone, there is the firmware (like boot rom on motherboard) which is what AT&T have used to "lock" the network mode selection. This is also where the startup screen is located.

There is certain functionality burned in to the hardware. Like the ability to not turn off the 3G. Not sure what the AT&T WiFi issue. You will have an AT&T branded device on another carrier's network. That's about it.

so if the other carrier OS is .167 and i have Att .167, then no difference and no need to change........... in a nut shell i will have the same thing

.167 is .167. End of story. It doesn't matter what carrier releases it. It's the same OS.

So what's the "AT&T wifi issue?"

Ability to use At&t Wifi HotSpots is restricted to At&t branded Bolds (Vendor ID=102)

And that's an issue why?

If you have a Rodgers Bold unlocked and with AT&T service, AT&T WiFi may not work.

The wifi issue doesn't seem to be an "issue" IMO.