Nokia Firmware Update FAQ
Jaro 9. January 2007 :: faq, firmware, nokia, software, update
I received quite many questions regarding the recent Nokia E50 Firmware Update. I know it’s frustrating when you experience problems after the update but let’s keep in mind that the software update viac pc is a young service and it might take some time for the Nokia people to kill all the bugs. Your feedback is very helpful and can improve the process in future.
I’d like to give answers to all of you but the fact is that I don’t know how to solve all the problems you came across during or after the update. Anyway, I created a list of the most common questions and we can together try to find answers. I’d like to encourage everyone who can help to participate in the comments or get straight to me by email. I know there are a few very knowledgeable folks around here.
Nokia Firmware Update FAQ
Q: Nokia Software Updater says that there is no update available for my phone but people with the same phone had successfully updated their devices
A: A few people on various forums claimed that after they reinstalled the Nokia Software Updater the update became available. Try it, if it doesn’t work keep checking every now and then. The availability of the update depends on a product code, country and even operator. I guess that Nokia releases updates in batches to prevent a huge server load.
Q: How do I know I have a new version of software/firmware?
A: Type *#0000# when in idle state, check the software version and compare it to the previous one.
Q: What exactly was updated in my phone?
A: As far as I know Nokia doesn’t release any change logs/list of updates so there is no way to check it out. Just use your phone and you’ll see ;)
Q: After the update I’m requested to input security code, why is that?
A: During the update your old security code is deleted. Insert 12345 (this is the default security code). You can change it again in Tools – Settings – Security Settings.
Q: Nokia Software Updater gives me the error message ‘Update Failed’.
A: Reinstall the updater and/or disable your pc antivirus software.
I’ll be updating this list from time to time. Feel free to ask questions in the comments below or send it straight to me by email at contact@nokiae50.info.
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Comments:
Comments are closed for this article. If you have questions check out the Nokia E50 Forum.
1. When the update starts downloading to the phone, what happens if the process is interrupted? (Like a PC power loss or the cable is detached.) Is the phone automatically bricked, or can the download be restarted? In what specific cases is a restart possible?
2. Not releasing a list of updates is just irresponsible. The update is still a risky process and not knowing if a certain bug is fixed just causes frustration. (Can you hear me, Nokia management?)
Somewhat related:
3. The backup was not able to restore all installed applications. In what cases does the backup fail to restore some data correctly?
Is it a better idea to uninstall all applications first?
Oliver, thanks for your questions/concerns.
1. Regarding the power loss/cable detached I think there is no way to say what will exactly happen. It much depends in what stage the update was interrupted and how much data was already flashed into the phone. If a pc can recognize the phone it should be able to continue/restore the update process. If not, Nokia Care Center is your best bet. If it’s not an option then you should claim the warranty (if still aplicable).
2. List of updates. I hear you Oliver. I’d like to be able to see changelogs too. Changelogs sometimes appear for some phone models. The sources are usually unknown. I haven’t seen anything official yet.
3. I lost a few custom installed applications too (e.g. Screenshot app.). Not sure if this is a bug on Nokia’s or 3rd party’s side.
Hi
I should say that I’m pretty unhappy with the firmware update :(
Unfortunatelly, most of my 3rd party apps (and I had quite a few) had problems – either not running, either lost serials. I’ve lost a lot of time restoring my apps, despite the fact that I’ve tried two backups (one made on the MMC, one on the PC). Also, now I have “orphaned” apps, that can’t be installed anymore, but are found by the app installer – and because of this, every time I start the phone, it wastes a few minutes tring to install them. Now I have to search them and delete them manually from the file system.
Lastly, I have a question: most of my J2ME games don’t start anymore – they are installed, located in the right folders (I have them on the MMC) but they won’t open. Anyway to fix this, or do I have to reinstall my 100+ games?
In conclusion, I know that this is a phone and not a computer, but the update process is total BS – just image that you’d loose all your apps every time you install a windows (or linux) update, and you’ll get a good ideea about how I feel right now.
Thank you
Hi again
After reading some other forums, I have find out that I’m not the first one who got unusable java applications after firmware update… The solution was to reinstall them all :((
It’s quite a shame – I would’ve expected more from the Nokia staff…
So my advice is – before a firmware update, make sure that you’re OK with reinstalling ALL your java apps and that you have all the serial number of your sis and sisx apps at hand, as you’ll need to reregister, for each and every one of them.
I just successfully updated the firmware. Some information that other people might find useful. During the update the screensaver was flashing, I was curious to see what was going on so I touched the joystick button, which made the disconnect sound play from the computer, then reconnected as a different device (several times), and the whole time the phone displayed “Test Mode”. Luckily, in my panic, I did nothing and the update went on like it should. It’s better not to be curious what’s going on.
Thanks everyone for your input! Others might find it helpful.
Ryan, you couldn’t resist, eh? :) Good that the pc recognized your phone even after it was disconnected.
Hello. I have big problems with my phone ! 2 times already in service ! i`ve bought the phone in 6 dec 2006 and today is in service. Total time of real use 1 week !!! The software or the OS is not working! i`ve tried the update from web … it gives me “Internal ERROR” I think is not normal … ihope that the guys from service do there work … but i`m not soo sure now . Nokia is not what it was in the past . :( I want to use my phone not to waste my time in service or anywhere else !
Plz advice. !
Yuri, sorry to hear about your troubles. It might be simply a faulty hardware. These things happen. But I do feel for you. You buy a new phone and it’s more often in service than in your hands. Hope it will turn out well for you!
what the phone must be turned off when I up grade it?
I want to try it.
tahks for your help.
Hi art, no phone must be turned on when upgrading, otherwise you won’t be able to establish a connection.