How To Fix Your Dead Phone
Jaro 22. October 2007 :: dead, firmware, flash, update, upgrade
You wanted to update your phone’s firmware but the phone died in the middle of the process. It happens quite often. People either don’t follow the recommendations (i.e. have your battery fully charged) or there really is something wrong with the update itself. The best thing you can do in this situation is to contact the closest Nokia Care point. They should repair it free of charge if your phone is still under guarantee. However this is not always an option. There are not that many Nokia Care points, especially not outside Europe.
Send your phone to iUnlock
I’ve heard good things about the guys from iUnlock. They are located in Boston and for certain fee they will flash your phone with new firmware. Price depends on the model and its condition. If it’s completely dead you’ll have to pay $5 extra. Flashing of Nokia E50 will cost you $35. I think that $35 is the price if you are located within the US.
One of the readers from Germany contacted me a couple of weeks ago to let me know that iUnlock reflashed his phone for a total cost of $46. It might seem expensive but if your phone is completely dead you have only two options – throw it away or have it repaired for $30 – $50.
How does it work
First you have to register on iunlock.com. Log in to your account and find the model you own. Fill the form at the bottom you’ll be taken to the checkout page. After you make the payment you’ll receive an invoice. Send the invoice together with your phone to iUnlock. Your phone should be repaired in a couple of days (for more details check out their FAQ page). It goes without saying that by having your device flashed you lose your guarantee.
Do you have any experience with iUnlock? If so, please share them in the comments.
Comment [4]
Firmware 07.36.0.0 Available
Jaro 4. October 2007 :: firmware, software, update, upgrade
Lots of people reported that they updated their phones with the latest version of firmware – 07.36.0.0. It looks like two annoying bugs were fixed in this version – automatic loudspeaker activation and phone number/contacts recognition. Check out the complete list of changes (thanks to tmacher):
07.36.0.0 unofficial changelog
- Improvement of FDN and supplementary service co-operation
- SMS sending and receiving improvements
- Polish character encoding
- SMSC information reading from SIM
- Automatic (IHF) speaker phone activation
- Operator name list update
- Increasing of Datamover certificate expiration time
- China dictionary, visibility of last roll of the explanation
- Chinese character conversion
- BT related translation in Estonia
- Search application translation in Serbian
- Help translation or search application in Turkish
- Email notifications in active idle
- Calling line identification
For more information on firmware upgrade check out the following articles:
- How To Update Your Nokia Phone Software
- Nokia Firmware Update FAQ
- How To Check If The Update Is Available For Your Phone
- or simply check the firmware tag
Comment [3]
How To Check If The Update Is Available For Your Phone
Jaro 27. August 2007 :: firmware, software, update, upgrade
People are often wondering when the update will be available for their phone or why it’s not available yet. If your friend’s phone was successfully updated it doesn’t mean that the update is available for your phone too. Software updates depend on various factors such as country, operator (if the phone is branded) and others.
The most straightforward way to check for updates is simply connect your phone to pc and try to update it via software updater. However this might be quite time consuming. Instead I suggest you go to this Nokia page and enter the product code of your phone. You’ll find it under the battery.
There is also a great website (in French) which lists all the latest firmware updates for the Nokia phones. You can even enter your email address to the provided form and you should receive a notification when the update is available for your phone (based only on models, not product codes). However I have never received an email from them.
Comment [5]
Firmware 7.13.0.0 available
Jaro 11. June 2007 :: firmware, update, upgrade
Nokia developers are lately rolling out one firmware update after another. Martin sent me an email that he just successfully upgraded his Nokia E50 with camera (model RM – 170) to the version number 7.13.0.0. I checked if the update is available for me too and it indeed was. However I haven’t updated as I’m waiting for a new 2GB microSD to arrive. I prefer having my data backed up on both PC Suite and memory card. No changelog available yet. If you are not sure how to update your phone check out this short guide – How To Update Your Nokia Phone Software.
Previous updates: 7.05.0.0 and 6.41.3.0
Comment [42]
Another Nokia E50 firmware upgrade
Jaro 14. May 2007 :: firmware, update, upgrade
According to the post that appeared on the official Nokia forum a few days ago there is a new firmware available for Nokia E50. The post has been since removed. As of now I don’t know if this version will be available for all of us or it’s meant only for certain branded phones. The new firmware is numbered 07.05.0.0 (latest known version is 06.41.3.0 7.13.0.0) and here is the changelog:
Nokia E50 07.05.0.0 changelog:
Bluetooth
- BT Headset and SMS co-operation when SMS received
- Receiving a call when BT is connected
- BT volume setting (min)
Contacts
- Contact list order (China names)
Text to speech
- Left soft key in games
- Polish text to speech
- Mixed Chinese English
Voice aid
- Chinese name speak out
Dual SIM
- Fixed dialing list with dual sim
- Dual line when roaming
Voice mail
- Voice mail notifications in ALS1 and ALS2
- LED notification
WAP
- WAP push
Homezone/Cityzone
- HZ/CZ Incator updating
POC
- Callback request from Logs/Phonebook
- Side volume-keys
- Vibrate when ‘None’ is selected as PTT call alert tone or Callback request tone
- Cancellation when pressing Cancel
- Long press of PTT keys
- PTT key in headset
- TeamSuite or Contacts Improvement when make PTT call with invalid settings
- PoC speech icon when call disconnected
- Keypad lock
- Predefined settings are not working in NokiaPoC
- Audio improvements when receiving PoC callback request while connected to channel
- Log out from PTT service when 2G -> 3G isho
Diverses
- Operator name update
- Setting list update
- Music player and camera co-operation
- Call forwarding status/icon
- SMSC information reading from SIM
- Restore factory setting for TARM
- Modifying repeating meeting
- Calendar database corruption
Check here for the previous changelog and a short guide on how to update your Nokia phone. Let us know if you are able to upgrade to this version.
Comment [16]
Update Your Daylight Saving Time Settings
Jaro 12. March 2007 :: daylight saving, e50, nokia, update
Nokia has recently updated database containing the daylight saving time dates. In order for some applications to work properly (e.g. Calendar) you should download and install the application which will update the database on your device. From the Nokia E50 Support page:
The date of the “Daylight saving time” will be changing in certain countries during 2007. This application updates database in the device containing the daylight saving time dates. This will help e.g. in avoiding a conflict in calendar synchronisation if the device and PC are having a different time. Please restart your device after installation for the changes to take effect.
Download Nokia Time Zone Upgrader for Nokia E50. [via E-Series]
Comment [1]
Nokia E50 Firmware Upgrade Changelog
Jaro 16. January 2007 :: changelog, e50, firmware, nokia, software, update, upgrade
I just received (thanks Steve!) an unofficial changelog (list of changes) that were made in the last firmware upgrade of the Nokia E50.
General
- 1.5 MB of additional RAM memory freed for the applications
- Improvement to allow variant version check from the device
- Improvement to using lock code In SAP mode
- Silent mode power down improvement
- ALS line swapping improvement
- UI fluency improvement
Bearers
- Half Rate speech codec introduced
- Improvement to handover procedure
- Improvement to Home zone indicator with GPRS attached
Messaging
- SMS accelerator and other improvements
- Thai and Bahasa Indonesia language support for the SMS message reader
- Improvement to Polish Message reader application
- Improvement to SMS status with the Message reader application
- Possibility to activate MMS post card in operator variants
- Improvement to xxixx the Intellisync plug in to Active Standby
- Improvement to Email message pulling
- Improvement to voice mail box received message
- Improvement to New e-mail banner
JAVA
- Improvement to SATSA-PKI usage
SIM ATK
- Improvement to achieve GCF #28 certification
Telephony
- Improvement to Send DTMF settings
- Improvement to handling call divert flags
- Improvement to busy tone in some networks
- Improvement to conference call stability in some networks
- Improvement to voice mailbox icon in some variants
- Improvement to read voicemail number from SIM
- Improvement to Home Screen to reflect the active line Device Management
- Altexia Secure ID for TARM
Security
- Certificate database and operator list updated
Voice AID
- Improvement to Hebrew Voice Aid application
- Accessory support
- CA-55 support introduced to enable usage of old carkits (e.g. 6310 carkit with E50).
Personalisation
- New enterprise themes (Dark stripes and Steel) will become available via Web site
3rd party application support
- Improvement to font matching with some 3rd party applications
- Received Visto email symbol displayed in the screen saver
Comment [14]
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.
Comment [10]
How To Update Your Nokia Phone Software
Jaro 6. January 2007 :: e50, firmware, nokia, software, update, upgrade
A few hours ago I did a seamless software update on my Nokia E50 (RM-170; with camera) and I thought it might be useful to document the process. Many of us have never done the update before and it might be a little bit difficult if you are not very tech savvy. The following process can be applied to any Nokia phone which supports the software update. Check out the list here.
1. Backup your data – this is crucial; before you start doing anything you need to backup your phone; there are two ways:
- memory card – if you have a memory card then the process is simple; go to the Tools – Memory select Options – Backup phone memory; take out the memory card from the phone
- Nokia PC Suite – if you don’t have a memory card you can use the Nokia PC Suite software to do the backup; the software comes on a CD with your phone but if you don’t have it you can download it from the Nokia website (you’ll need USB cable to connect your phone and pc)
2. Charge your battery – this is very important; charge your battery to the full power before starting the update process; if you run out of battery in the middle of updating you can seriously harm your phone (it probably won’t even start up)
3. Download Nokia Software Updater – install the updater; this piece of software will guide you through the whole update process; you might need to unblock it in your firewall
4. Launch the Nokia Sofware Updater – from now on it’s really simple, just follow the guide and you’ll be fine; the whole updating process takes several minutes to complete, don’t try to cancel it in the middle in any case, your risk damaging your phone; in my case it took about 15 minutes to complete; USB cable needed again
5. Restore your data – if you used a memory card for backup then you simply go to the Tools – Memory select Options – Restore from card; if you used Nokia PC Suite you have to connect your phone to the pc via USB cable, select Backup and Restore
Now you have your phone loaded with the newest software. If you experienced some problems with your phone performance before the update process should fix it. So go on and check it out. To make sure your phone is really updated type *#0000# when in idle screen and check the software version. Hope it helped :)
Check out the Nokia Software Update FAQ!
Comment [6]
Nokia E50 Software Update Available
Jaro 6. January 2007 :: e50, firmware, nokia, software, update, upgrade
A long awaited software update (or firmware update/upgrade as some prefer to call it) for the Nokia E50 is now available. The new software version is V 06.41.3.0 24-10-2006 RM 170 Nokia E50 and you can download it through the Nokia Software Updater. A quick warning before you do anything – do backup your phone! During the software update all your data such as contacts, messages, media files etc. will be deleted.
Why should you update your phone?
A software update usually delivers fixes for the little bugs which couldn’t be fixed before releasing the phone to the market due to time constrains or simply because a bug appeared only after heavy usage.
Is it safe?
Here comes the dilemma. As long as you follow all the instructions you should be fine but there are already cases that people lost all their contacts. I did the update myself and everything went smoothly. I will repeat myself but this is very important – do not ignore the instructions and follow them closely. Backing up the phone is crucial here.
How to do the software update?
If you have never done it before or you don’t feel very comfortable with techy stuff I will soon publish a write up of how I did the update. The instructions on the Nokia Software Updater are very clear but I can imagine it can be bit difficult if you never did it before. So watch here for a follow up article including the step by step guide and the screenshots.
UPDATE:
Step by step tutorial on how to update your Nokia phone software
Nokia Software Update FAQ
Comment [11]
