[bhixon]

Out of curiosity, i see people with a signature with something like t-mobile unit and cingular OS....are people actually mixing and matching os's and machines? How and why would one do that?

[d_fisher]

Yes, you can mix and match the OS and handheld to some extent. All the handheld software is produced by RIM and the carriers test/and release that version for their units.

For the most part, all 8700's are the same hardware with some cosmetic differences. This is only true for devices that can be used on the same network. For example, Cingular and T-Mobile both operate on a GSM based network. Their software is inter changable. You could not use Nextel, Sprint, or Verizon software because they work on a different network.

To install a different carriers OS on your device you must first install it to your PC. Next, search for and delete the vendor.xml file. The vendor.xml file is what restricts what OS can be installed to a particular device based on the cellular carrier. Once its gone, any OS compatible for you device can be installed. Finally, run AppLoader to install the OS to your device. Search the forum for a thread that goes into more detail.

[John Clark]

You can use any OS designed for your model of BB. It makes no difference what carrier released it as they are all produced by RIM for RIM devices. All 8700 OS's will work on all 8700's, etc. But be careful because an 8703 OS will not work with an 8700 since the radios are different technologies. Also, a 7130 OS will not work on a 7100/7105t. However, the 7100t and 7105t OS's are interchangeable. There are lots of threads/stickys on OS's. My advice is to read them first before doing an OS upgrade. The only trick to installing another carrier's OS is the deletion of the vendor.xml file off of your PC after installing the Desktop Manager and OS package download to your PC. If you don't delete the vendor.xml the Desktop Manager won't detect that an upgrade is needed. Nothing, whatsoever, is lost by deleting the vendor.xml.

[John Clark]

DOH!! I guess I type too slow!!

[bhixon]

thanks guys!