Updating Mobile Phone Firmware

Salu · 05-10-2009, 15:53

I'm hoping there are some mobile phone geeks on here..long story but I'll summarize it.

I've got a Nokia N85 and I am 7 months into the contract. I want to update my firmware due to some bugs/issue with the original firmware.

Orange say phone Nokia and guess what, Nokia say phone Orange.

Orange only provide 6 months warranty and I am now in month 7. Nokia provide a 2 year warranty.

Using Nokia's software updater it says that the phone is not supported. The reason is that it is an Orange branded one. I say branded but it's hardly branded at all with just the odd Orange shortcut to support etc. No logo etc.

The over the air update insists its up to date. It's not according to Nokia's website. The newest version of the firmware is August 26th 2009. Mine is dated 19th Nov 2008.

Orange say that they do not support firmware upgrades. Which is an odd decision considering that several faults have been fixed in these updates.

How do I upgrade to the latest firmware - I suppose "debrand" it now it's out of Orange's warranty?
Will this affect the Nokia Warranty?
Is this the same as "unlocking"? Or is that just for using a different SIM from another network?

Any ideas?

**Russ** · 05-10-2009, 15:59

If you update the firmware via Nokia or Orange then it won't invalidate the warranty. You can change the region code (certain networks in certain countries get updates before others) but that will invalidate the warranty and it's a bit of a potch if you're not sure of how to do it however you will then get the most up to date version.

It's different to unlocking it though. Using the Nokia Software Suite you should be able to see what's available for the phone - have you done that? If you have then it's likely that Orange aren't interested in making the update available to you. As I said you can get around it by changing the region code (let me know if you want to do that and I'll show you) but the warranty will be affected.

Turkey Machine · 05-10-2009, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salu

I'm hoping there are some mobile phone geeks on here..long story but I'll summarize it.

I've got a Nokia N85 and I am 7 months into the contract. I want to update my firmware due to some bugs/issue with the original firmware.

Orange say phone Nokia and guess what, Nokia say phone Orange.

Orange only provide 6 months warranty and I am now in month 7. Nokia provide a 2 year warranty.

Using Nokia's software updater it says that the phone is not supported. The reason is that it is an Orange branded one. I say branded but it's hardly branded at all with just the odd Orange shortcut to support etc. No logo etc.

The over the air update insists its up to date. It's not according to Nokia's website. The newest version of the firmware is August 26th 2009. Mine is dated 19th Nov 2008.

Orange say that they do not support firmware upgrades. Which is an odd decision considering that several faults have been fixed in these updates.

How do I upgrade to the latest firmware - I suppose "debrand" it now it's out of Orange's warranty?
Will this affect the Nokia Warranty?
Is this the same as "unlocking"? Or is that just for using a different SIM from another network?

Any ideas?

If the phone's got confirmed bugs and the update fixes them, then Orange are obliged to update the firmware on it regardless of the warranty since you are still in contract with them and you bought the phone from them.

**Russ** · 05-10-2009, 16:14

It depends though - if the bugs don't affect the ability to call and text the networks can be awkward about getting them fixed.

**Stuart** · 05-10-2009, 16:25

Indeed, I was told the same by O2 when Nokia issued a major new version of the N95 firmware, and O2 dragged their heels about releasing it (indeed, I don't think they had when I got rid of the n95). They pointed out that as long as I could make/receive calls and send/receive data, they considered their obligations to be met.

05-10-2009, 16:37

There is a lot of info on the web about debranding that may be the way to go but its not without risk if you break it and its insured report it lost or stolen

Flyboy · 05-10-2009, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salu

I'm hoping there are some mobile phone geeks on here..long story but I'll summarize it.

I've got a Nokia N85 and I am 7 months into the contract. I want to update my firmware due to some bugs/issue with the original firmware.

Orange say phone Nokia and guess what, Nokia say phone Orange.

Orange only provide 6 months warranty and I am now in month 7. Nokia provide a 2 year warranty.

Using Nokia's software updater it says that the phone is not supported. The reason is that it is an Orange branded one. I say branded but it's hardly branded at all with just the odd Orange shortcut to support etc. No logo etc.

The over the air update insists its up to date. It's not according to Nokia's website. The newest version of the firmware is August 26th 2009. Mine is dated 19th Nov 2008.

Orange say that they do not support firmware upgrades. Which is an odd decision considering that several faults have been fixed in these updates.

How do I upgrade to the latest firmware - I suppose "debrand" it now it's out of Orange's warranty?
Will this affect the Nokia Warranty?
Is this the same as "unlocking"? Or is that just for using a different SIM from another network?

Any ideas?

I think this is more a trading standards issue to be honest. Even though Orange say they only warrant the equipment for six moths, they have a duty of care for far longer. I would suggest you contact your local trading standards office and consult them for advice. That said, surely you have proof that the latest version is only dated Nov 2008 and not up to date, therefore I can't see how they can deny it; have you been to an Orange shop?

**Kymmy** · 05-10-2009, 20:59

BTW..Nokia has an online update feature, it will though only update to a released version of your operators firmware (unless you bought it as a generic)

Most small mobile phone shops/repairers will update an operators firmware to Generic for a small fee (about 10-20 quid) which won't unlock the phone but will get passed a not only a lot of bugs but also annoying non-standard logos. I did this years ago with an N70 that had the bluetooth GPS fault that the generic firmware cured

NoKnowledge · 05-10-2009, 21:05

As far as I know Orange use their own firmware hence Orange are not releasing Nokia N97 because it "failed software testing".

You cannot update OTA Nokia firmware like other "normal" Nokias.

Edit> ABout the debranding, you can do it but it MIGHT cause problems - own risk

**Kymmy** · 05-10-2009, 21:07

http://www.nokia.co.uk/get-support-a...oftware-update

Turkey Machine · 05-10-2009, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy

I think this is more a trading standards issue to be honest. Even though Orange say they only warrant the equipment for six moths, they have a duty of care for far longer. I would suggest you contact your local trading standards office and consult them for advice. That said, surely you have proof that the latest version is only dated Nov 2008 and not up to date, therefore I can't see how they can deny it; have you been to an Orange shop?

Flyboy's right. Your contract covers Orange's duty of care, warranty or no warranty. I'd say to them "if o2 can do it for the iPhone and other phones without any hassle, why can't you?"

Bob · 05-10-2009, 21:35

I have the N85 Salu, and assuming it has this option you can do an 'over the air' firmware update. There may be an option in Applications > SW checker and if there is an update available it will update.

I have used it a few times without problem

**Matt D** · 05-10-2009, 22:05

I debranded my old O2-supplied Nokia N95 using the Nemesis Service Suite (NSS).

I was then able to use the Nokia software to update the phone with the nice new generic N95 firmware, instead of staying stuck on O2's out of date branded firmware.

**Stuart** · 05-10-2009, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

I debranded my old O2-supplied Nokia N95 using the Nemesis Service Suite (NSS).

I was then able to use the Nokia software to update the phone with the nice new generic N95 firmware, instead of staying stuck on O2's out of date branded firmware.

Same with me, although when I entered the product code of my (apparently) t mobile branded n95, it came up as an O2 UK branded n95..