[Lex24]

NOTE: The post was updated after BlackBerry BBOS servers were shutdown on 2022-Jan-05.

Whether you have a new BBOS device or continue using an older one purchased years ago it makes sense to get the last, stable release of the OS. Some apps, like BlackBerry World (when it was still available), might not even work with an older release. The procedure involves performing the backup, wiping the old OS and all data, installing the new OS, restoring the settings, emails, etc. and re-installing all third party apps from the backup. It's not really as difficult as it sounds. Here are the instructions, consolidated in one place and updated as of November, 2019. All the testing was performed on Windows XP (updated until April, 2019) but everything should also work on Windows 7, just the directory paths will be different.

1) Download and install the last version of BlackBerry Desktop Software. The links are available in paragraph #1a here:

https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb.../#post13459666

2) Install on the computer the last OS available for your phone (the phone must be disconnected from PC). The OS file can be found in the sticky section of CB subforum dedicated to your particular BlackBerry model. It should be the only OS installed on the computer. If you have a few different BB phones then the OS for each one must be installed on a separate machine, or on separate partitions on a multiboot system. Revo Uninstaller or a similar utility should be used to uninstall all unwanted OSes and to do some Windows registry cleanup afterwards.

3) Download JL_Cmder (v1.9.0)

File: JL_Cmder v1.9.zip
Size: 61,401 bytes
MD5: 057ecf5023e6b322ef6e538ca522de83

JL_Cmder Javaloader Utility

Backup link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z6B...ew?usp=sharing

If the links go dead you should be able to find the file on the web. Just make sure that MD5 hash matches the one provided above.

4) Backup the data on your phone with BlackBerry Desktop Software. Do the Full backup (the restore process will be "selective").

5) Please ignore this step as it is not relevant any more after BlackBerry servers were shutdown on 2022-Jan-05.

Original text: "Backup the data on your phone with BlackBerry Protect (just in case)."

6) Some third party apps have an option to backup settings to SD card, so please do those backups as well.

7) As the BlackBerry World was shut down on 2022-Jan-05 all third party apps must now be backed up on the computer first and then restored from SD card, as explained in the post mentioned before:

https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb.../#post13459666

8) Disconnect the phone from the computer.

9) Delete all instances of "vendor.xml" file on the computer. Make sure that the search program used to locate the file has the following options enabled:

Show hidden files = ON
Show systme files = ON
Show file extensions = ON

Windows Explorer's "search" can be used but it is inefficient. My favourite file search utility for Windows XP and Windows 7 is Locate 32. It's light, it's fast and it's free. First you need to hit F9 to update the file and directory database and then run the search:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/5941/QZ7V98.png

The screenshot is from Windows XP and the paths might be different in Windows 7.

https://locate32.cogit.net/

10) Verify the connection between the phone and Application Loader Wizard:

Connect BB to the computer, click on file Loader.exe and follow the prompts to select PIN, etc. The first path shown below is for 32-bit version of Windows and the second path is for 64-bit version:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\Loader.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\Loader.exe

Here are some screenshots. When you see the window with the list of supported languages the connection is confirmed and you need to click Cancel:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/6396/M55Z9A.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/5337/LNP5VF.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8471/9RJ8nU.png

11) Wipe the phone with JL_Cmder:

Keep the phone connected to the computer.

a) Windows 32-bit

Start JL_Cmder (run JL_Cmder.cmd). Select option #4 to wipe the phone, then wait until BB disconnects and reconnects a few times and boots to black and white window with Error 507. At this point select option #7 to quit JL_Cmder.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1369/LGeKyf.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/9091/qkOZHs.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/4831/wpDdmP.jpg

b) Windows 64-bit: command line must be used

- navigate to the directory where JL_Cmder was unzipped
- run the command shown below

JavaLoader.exe -u wipe

- enter BB password when prompted
- wait until the phone gets "Disconnected"
- wait for Error 507 to pop-up on the phone

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/6899/GzY86c.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/1082/1FKRIJ.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1593/T4ssCI.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/4885/ahVwCy.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/4831/wpDdmP.jpg

Other options to run JL_Cmder on 64-bit version of Windows are explained later in this thread in post #21:

https://forums.crackberry.com/showth...1#post13671534

12) When you see Error 507 displayed on the phone click on file Loader.exe again and follow the prompts just like before.

Select the components which you want to be installed on the phone. You can safely uncheck the items which you don't need, like most languages. Apps which no longer work should be unchecked as well.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/6364/5ceOUb.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/5007/JUmkkS.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/632/7LDKKW.png

BlackBerry Messenger was selected to be installed because it can be used as QR code reader and is also required to install "BBM Connected Applications".

13) The phone will reboot (it will take longer than usual). Wait until the regular home screen comes up.

14) Configure basic settings on the phone (language, time zone, etc.) and then exit Setup app when it pops-up (it was used before Jan 2022 to update BBID account or configure BIS email):

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/6209/8Fi1It.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/69/WMu0ry.jpg

15) Perform the battery pull and put the SIM card in the phone (if it was removed before). If the phone is a spare or test device the SIM card is optional, but some apps require TCP connection and will not work on WiFi.

16) After the reboot check APN settings and edit if needed (phones with SIM card only). They are different for each carrier and are sometimes set automatically and sometimes left blank. Below is the example of APN settings for Bell Canada:

Options - Device - Advanced System Settings - TCP IP

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1161/fX3cge.jpg

17) Start BB Desktop Software and restore the data from the backup (Device - Restore). Select only the data elements which you need:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/3462/jkpZnJ.png

Here are some examples

- Address Book All
- Bluetooth Options
- Browser Bookmarks
- Browser Options
- Calendar All
- Categories (address book categories)
- Custom Word Collection (custom dictionary)
- Memos
- Message List Options (email options)
- Messages (emails)
- Mobile Hotspot Profiles
- Options
- Password Keeper
- SMS Messages
- Sounds (for selected profile and for contacts)
- Tasks
- Text Messages (headers only)
- WLAN Profiles (WiFi profiles)

Some third party apps have their settings saved by BB Desktop Software just like native BB apps (FileScout is an example). Those data elements should for now be ignored.

18) Do not restore or install any third party apps and perform the battery pull a few times during the first two days.

19) Restore third party apps from SD card and then restore data elements related to those apps from BB Desktop Software:

- Icon Arrangement
-----
- FileScout Preferences (if it is installed)
- LogicMail (if it is installed)
- XPRSS User Data (if it is installed)
- etc.

20) Perform the battery pull a few more times in the next few days.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

After Step 9, I connected my BB, launched JL_Cmder and saw an 'Unsupported 16-Bit Application' error relating to the CHOICE.COM file. I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. What can I do?

[Lex24]

The procedure has only been tested on computers running Windows XP 32 bit.

64 bit editions of Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate have Windows XP Compatibility Mode (which is 32 bit) so you should be able to run JL_cmder from there. Using XP Compatibility Mode should not be needed for anything else except for JL_cmder.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

64 bit editions of Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate have Windows XP Compatibility Mode (which is 32 bit) so you should be able to run JL_cmder from there.

I tried right-clicking the JL_Cmder.cmd file and choosing 'Troubleshoot compatibility'. An error saying this feature was only for .exe files appeared.

Are you referring to Windows XP Mode, which runs XP in a VM?

[Lex24]

You could try to set JavaLoader.exe to XP SP3 compatibility but it will probably not work. In that case the easiest solution would be to run the procedure on a machine with 32 bit XP or 32 bit Windows 7. Otherwise it gets a bit complicated.

Apparently, JL_Cmder which I have been using is v1.9.0, the support for 64 bit Windows was introduced in v1.9.2 and the last version available is v1.9.4. I think the first post in the following thread was actually written by the developer himself:

JL_Cmder - BlackBerry Forums Support Community

I could not find v1.9.2 anywhere but have downloaded v1.9.4 from that post and got a few warnings after Virus Total scan:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/945/MeGQLm.png

I do not see any of those with v1.9.0, the scan results are 100% clean. I downloaded that version directly from developer's website when it was still online (see the dead link below) and have never had any problems wiping several OS 7.1 devices (and testing other options), so v1.9.0 definitely supports OS 7.

http://www.blackberryfreaks.com

Also, v1.9.0 is a portable zip archive (you start the application by running JL_Cmder.cmd), while v1.9.4 is an executable. There was also a patch available for file CHOICE.COM, which apparently resolved problems with Vista 64 bit:

https://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...s-read-111043/

JL_Cmder was very popular in the past so maybe someone else can provide MD5 checksum for v1.9.4 and offer some comments.

It might also be a good idea to create a separate thread and specifically refer to JL_cmder in the title.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

The last version available is v1.9.4. I think the first post in the following thread was actually written by the developer himself:

JL_Cmder - BlackBerry Forums Support Community

This page says 'Do NOT use JL_Cmder to wipe your device if your device is working fine and are simply attempting to upgrade your OS and you can't get the OS to load or be recognized by Desktop Manager or Loader.exe.' Also, trying to download the zip file asks me to create an account.

Can I skip using JL_Cmder and just run Loader.exe? I'll create a new thread if not.

[Lex24]

"Do Not Use JL_cmder to wipe" is just a disclaimer for inexperienced users. You can see it in every thread about wiping the device. You will never get the proper BBOS experience without wiping the old OS first.

You should be able to create an account on BB Forums. In the old days it was as popular as CrackBerry Forums. Or I can send you the link to the zip file tomorrow.

Once you have that zip file with v1.9.4 copy only CHOICE.COM file from that version to v1.9.0 folder. Just scan that CHOICE.COM file on Virus Total first.

Another idea is to try to figure out how to run the procedure in Windows 7 PE (32 bit). You can get PE running from a bootable flash drive.

And another option is to perform the wipe using JavaLoader.exe itself, on the command line. I don't know what all those other files in the zip package are really for. I might have a look at it over the weekend. I always try to avoid using any files which do not have 100 % clean score on Virus Total.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

You should be able to create an account on BB Forums. In the old days it was as popular as CrackBerry Forums. Or I can PM you the link to the zip file tomorrow.

The site's registration page is broken - it says I haven't completed an image verification despite there not being one. Can you send a link to the file tomorrow?

I always try to avoid using any files which do not have 100 % clean score on Virus Total.

Could this be a false positive?

[Lex24]

I will send the link. Of course it could be the false positive. I have edited my previous post, please read again.

[Lex24]

The contents of the post had been updated and moved to post #21 below:

https://forums.crackberry.com/showth...1#post13671534

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

I wiped my BB in JL_Cmder then ran Loader.exe. Without asking me to select what to load, it showed the error in my image, which makes me think it is the wrong program. I tried running the Repair option in the loader's install wizard. I don't know what to do and am worried my BB is now bricked.

I've also created a new thread.

[Lex24]

If your BB shows Error 507 then it is not bricked. I will have a look at this later.

[Lex24]

Btw, I can not see your screenshot properly in Opera Mini on my Curve when it is embedded in the post. Please consider changing that in forum settings, to show screenshots as links. Then a screenshot can be opened in a separate tab and you can use "I" and "O" keys to zoom around.

Also, running any of those automated "repair" wizards is a bad idea, with any application. 90 % of the time they do not work and can make things even more difficult to repair. Using Google to troubleshoot a problem is usually much more effective.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

Please consider changing that in forum settings, to show screenshots as links.

I disabled 'Show Images'.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

If your BB shows Error 507 then it is not bricked. I will have a look at this later.

Yes, it's showing 507.

[Lex24]

Did you Install on the computer the last OS available for your phone (ref. p. #2 in the first post)?

Please confirm that you have BB Curve 9320. If this is correct then the last OS is 7.1.0.1098 and the file is:

9320AllLang_PBr7.1.0_rel2931_PL9.49.0.127_A7.1.0.1 098_O2_UK.exe

You can find the download link in PM which I sent before. This OS must be installed on the computer (do not connect BB to PC during the installation). Once this is done you need to delete all instances of "vendor.xml" file on the computer (see p. #9 in the first post).

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

Did you Install on the computer the last OS available for your phone (ref. p. #2 in the first post)?

Please confirm that you have BB Curve 9320. If this is correct then the last OS is 7.1.0.1098 and the file is:

9320AllLang_PBr7.1.0_rel2931_PL9.49.0.127_A7.1.0.1 098_O2_UK.exe

You can find the download link in PM which I send before. This OS must be installed on the computer (do not connect BB to PC during the installation). Once this is done you need to delete all instances of "vendor.xml" file on the computer (see p. #9 in the first post).

I uninstalled the loader and deleted the AppLoader folder. I reinstalled it from your link with the BB disconnected then deleted the vendor.xml file (there was only 1). Running it gave the same error as before.

I checked the file name and that my BB is a 9320. I can't use it until I fix this.

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

I uninstalled the loader and deleted the AppLoader folder. I reinstalled it from your link with the BB disconnected then deleted the vendor.xml file (there was only 1). Running it gave the same error as before.

I checked the file name and that my BB is a 9320. I can't use it until I fix this.

Might look at this post from nearly ten years ago... https://forums.crackberry.com/showth...=1#post9426834

Might try searching for some other archive site hosting these ancient files...

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

I deleted both vendor.xml files mentioned in Dunt's link (one was hidden before) after following Lex24's guide. My BB now works and is much faster!

I have a question: I reloaded my BB to restore ringtones and other files which had disappeared - they are now back. Will restoring my backup delete them again and undo my work?

[Lex24]

Use selective restore process as explained in p. #17 in the first post. This is where BBOS devices beat BB10 phones and most (all?) modern Android and iOS devices. You can fine tune the restore process to your liking and, for instance, restore only the Memopad and WiFi settings, and nothing else.

The safest approach is to not restore any OS settings at all (and redo them manually later) and only restore the personal data (Address Book, Calendar Events, etc.)

On the screenshot shown below only Address Book data will be restored and Address Book Options (settings) will be left intact:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/3462/jkpZnJ.png

It might be a good idea to go through all the restore options line by line to get a better understanding how all this works. You can restore items and then delete them on the phone. Once you finish experimenting wipe the phone with JL_cmder and reload the OS again, to keep it clean.

[Lex24]

There are four options available to run JL_Cmder on 64-bit version of Windows.

1) The safest option is to use v1.9.0 on the command line:

- navigate to the directory where JL_Cmder was unzipped
- run the command shown below

JavaLoader.exe -u wipe

- enter BB password when prompted
- wait until the phone gets "Disconnected"
- wait for Error 507 to pop-up on the phone

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/6899/GzY86c.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/1082/1FKRIJ.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1593/T4ssCI.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/4885/ahVwCy.png

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/4831/wpDdmP.jpg

Version v1.9.0 of JL_Cmder was released around the same time as BB OS 4.3 but it still works perfectly with OS 7.1 devices. I have just wiped BB 9720 without any issues (BB 9720 was the last BBOS BlackBerry, released at the time when first BB10 phones were already on the market). When using this method there are no worries about warnings from Virus Total (v1.9.0 is reported 100% clean) and no need to replace any files.

2) Another option is to run v1.9.0 but replace file CHOICE.COM (16-bit) with choice.exe (32-bit) from your own computer. The file is present in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11 (it is missing in XP) and is located in:

C:\Windows\System32\

3) The next option is to run v1.9.0 but replace file CHOICE.COM (16-bit) with choice.exe (32-bit) extracted from Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit (Workstation or Server edition), which should work with all 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows (NT 4.0 and later). The same file seems to be used in JL_Cmder v1.9.4 (it is renamed in upper case but SHA1 checksums match):

File: choice.exe (32-bit)
Size: 49,152 bytes
SHA1: E640F1507E4C020CEFA4410C8245A99093198A92

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ghl...HBjO-2fhR/view

More information about CHOICE.COM and CHOICE.EXE can be found here:

https://www.robvanderwoude.com/choice.php

4) The least desirable option is to run JL_Cmder v1.9.4. While I was able to verify MD5 hash of this version with another source, and it seems to be the original file provided by the developer, there are 7 warnings generated by Virus Total. Some of them can be attributed to EXE installer. After the program was repacked as a portable app the number of warnings dropped to 3:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/8569/70jn0K.png

What is unusual is that the warnings are related to JavaLoader.exe, which is the core file of JL_Cmder and was extracted from one of the latest versions of BB SDK.

More information about v1.9.4 can be found below:

File: JL_Cmder v1.9.4.zip
MD5: 6539d0912ea89dbf3c17f5dfd4f1e891
SHA1: e317a090315df4a567f6e21ef948edfd40adde89

http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=18789

Click on exe file to install it. In case of problems starting the program from the Desktop icon navigate to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\JL_Cmder\

and run JL_Cmder.cmd

[Lex24]

I have had a closer look at file JavaLoader.exe in different versions of BlackBerry JDE (Java Development Environment). The version of the file included in JL_Cmder v1.9.4 was apparently extracted from JDE 7.0.0. The file size (292,352 bytes) is exactly the same, but SHA1 checksum DOES NOT match. As a result I have removed all download links to JL_Cmder v1.9.4 from my posts.

For the record, here is the correct information about this file:

File: JavaLoader.exe
Ver: BlackBerry JDE 7.0.0
Size: 292,352 bytes
SHA1: EE9DA551A4AEFB8C89CC66991EAC93A07F186C1A

JL_Cmder v1.9.0 is ok. File JavaLoader.exe included in that version was extracted from JDE 4.3.0 and SHA1 checksums match.

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

The safest approach is to not restore any OS settings at all (and redo them manually later) and only restore the personal data (Address Book, Calendar Events, etc.)

I did this and only restored personal data and apps. My BB now works normally again!

[Zak-93]

Good morning
I need your help.
I'm bad at computers and I need your help after deleting my old OS to update it I have the same problem as SAVVYSCLUTTER

I deleted the files but I still can't install apparently there is a hidden one?
how did you do it can you help me I can't use my bold for the moment and it's my second professional phone...

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

Good morning
I need your help.
I'm bad at computers and I need your help after deleting my old OS to update it I have the same problem as SAVVYSCLUTTER

I deleted the files but I still can't install apparently there is a hidden one?
how did you do it can you help me I can't use my bold for the moment and it's my second professional phone...

Check C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\Loader XML or search the C drive for vendor.xml. Press Shift+Delete - moving to Recycle Bin doesn't work. I suggest using Windows 7.