I have Cingular 8700c phone with 4.1.0.194 version of system software installed on it. There was a message posted on one of blackberry forums that the most performance stable version of 8700 software is the one used by TMobile on 8700g devices (4.1.0.284). I've heard that some of the Cingular 8700c owners upgraded their software version to TMobile .284.
Is there really any advantage in upgrading the software and what are the pitfalls of doing so? Is the TMobile 8700g software fully compatible with Cingular 8700c device and if it's will the 'Cingular' and 'EDGE' message and features remain after upgrading to TMobile .284?

I appreciate any advice on this topic.

Thanks,
~LC

No pitfalls whatsoever. You can use any carrier's version. They are all written by RIM. I would look in the Sticky Threads for the latest version (Bharti or Telstra has an even newer one).

Just remember to delete "VENDOR.XML" from your PCs C: drive before you start the upgrade.

Good luck and welcome!

Thanks for the information.

Will I need to perform Enterprize Activation and reconfigure all other applications I have on my BB after performing the upgrade?

~LC

Nope.. It will reactivate itself after the upgrade is complete.

Last question - maybe someone knows answer on it.

Why the cell phone companies don't keep on updating their BB versions to the latest if the latest versions have more bugs fixed?

I'm just curious why Cingular has stuck with such an old version of OS (.194) when other vendors have been using much more advanced versions?

Thanks for your input.

~LC

Probably laziness. Some companies require much more internal testing than others. Why worry about it when you're trying to play catch up with the Pearl launch, and release the 8800 before anyone else...

.194 is fully functional, and the "bugs" aren't that noticable unless you're geeks like us.

The reason I'm upgrading is that I have "choppy" voice problem with my Cingular 8700c phone even in the areas where regular Cingular (not BB) phones work just fine and I have full signal on my BB. I've read on one BB forum that upgrading to .284 Bharti or later improves voice and performance.
Also I'm going to get stuck with the 8700c unit for good 1-2 years so having better performance OS on it is a guestion of necessity not just curiosity of what's new outhere in the new versions of OS.

I have another question. When the unit performs Enterprize Activation after the upgrade will I be asked for any activation password? The reason I'm asking is that I don't know one.
Or will the DM perform everything transparently and after the upgrade I'll get the unit with all my email accounts setup with no further interaction with me?

Thanks,
~LC

no only the core files are updated, therefore all the setings you have will be unchnaged.

It should activate on its own. Rarely does it ever have an issue. Should you need to re-activate it manually, though, call your corp helpdesk or BES admin, and have them set you a password to re-activate the handheld. I do it all the time when I have an issue.

Thanks everyone, for leading me through the upgrade process.
It took a while (about an hour even though I removed phone call logs) but at the end I've got fully functional 8700c with all the themes enabled (separate thanks to Jibi's other link) - I actually received a call on my phone in the middle of restoring messages (had to ignore the call of course).
I've used latest Vodafone 4.1.0.351 and so far it looks that my reception did get improved in comparison with the old Cingular version (.194).
The ZEN theme is beautiful and I'm probably going to stay with it.

Again, appreciate everybody's 2 cents.

~LC