installing new OS software
 

I know this looks like another post i did but bear with me becuase my question really wasn't answered last time.

If you install new Blackberry OS software from another company (in order to get language support or any other reason) are the carrier spesific icons and settings still on your phone or is it like a completely new phone from the new OS. I am asking becuase I have cingular and need to install the Chinese OS, but if it will just erase all the preloaded cingular stuff then i would like to know before buying it.
thank you

Carrier specific icons, like the browser, are pushed down by the carrier and are not dependant on the software version.

Does this answer your question?

so essentially if I bought a 8700c or 8700g I would still have the same exact phone once i flashed the new OS?

Correct. The hardware is the same.

The vendor branding can not be changed. They are identical internally but you can not change the branding.

okay I'm being told two different things.
What I don't quite understand is once I install the Chinese OS (for example form CSL) i will still have all the cingualr stuff on my phone (icons and such) if i have a 8700c
and if I have a 8700g i would still have all the t-mobile stuff?
thanks

You're correct. You can install any "carrier's" OS, because they all come from RIM. Start-up Splash screen, etc, are carrier specific, so you'll still see the proper carrier branding.

so if I am on cingular I should jusst buy a 8700c so make sure everything works right?
if that's the case does anyone know where to get a black housing for the 8700c?

You are confusing yourself. You are not being told two stories.
I am not sure how to respond. You can load ANY vendor OS and not lose the Cingular specific icons.

okay but if I use a 8700g on Cingular will those icons be there?

OMG - yes.

If you have a Cingular SIM card, with a Cingular BlackBerry Data plan when the BB registers on the Cingular network all of the Cingular icons will appear.

NJBlackberry-
Which OS must I be running for this to happen? I am running .284 from TMO, am on the CIngular network now and can't seem to get rid of the tmobile icon for cingular browser :(

How do I get rid of the pesky tmobile icon displayed for my cingular browser?
I have an 8700g running on the cingular network with the .284 os and jibi's theme package loaded

Hmatfes: Q's for You
 

I'm on Cingular and have an unlocked 8700g, but I have no data connection. The screen "Data Connection Refused". Cingular techs have tried different things but none has worked so far (soft reset, hard reset, master reset, changed sim card, changed data plan, etc..) Also, the BB 8700 Series Software didn't recognize my BB when I tried to load applications. Is there anything that I haven't tried here? Thanks.