RIM is once again doing their rolling updates with the BlackBerry PlayBook OS updates. Some of you may have noticed your device is not getting notified with the latest update and I can kind of understand RIM trying to stagger out the 300mb downloads. Scott over at BBSync got a bit creative and found a way to get his PlayBook to perform an OS update to the latest release using a bit of trickery with BlackBerry Desktop Manager. It is not as simply as hitting check for updates and you MUST perform a backup of your PlayBook to not lose your information!
Here are the instructions for the trick:
- Open BlackBerry Desktop Software on your PC
- Do full backup on your tablet
- Go to Device > Update
- You will get a message “No Update Available”
- Press ok, leave your PlayBook connected via USB
- Press the Power Off app then select Restart
- Once the PlayBook boots up, you will be prompted to do the update
- Make sure to finish the whole upgrade process before doing a restore of your information!
Let us know how it works for you!
kameleon ( View Profile) - Posts: 126
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 2:08 PM EST
yeah I have been trying to do this on my playbook for the past hour and a half. It is painfully slow! Although it may be worth it… I hope at least.
Sage Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 2:46 PM EST
When you do this you will see it is downloading com.qnx.coreos.qcfm.os.debrick
The last word is the key. when you reboot your playbook and it is connected to desktop manager. DM senses the playbook and thinks it has been bricked since it can’t talk to it. so you are downloading an os to debrick your playbook.
Good to know for the time we actually DO brick our playbook.
sprat Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 3:46 PM EST
if you have to go through these steps to get this OS perhaps this means you shouldn’t be upgrading to it yet?
Mike Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 3:55 PM EST
It didn’t prompt me for an update.
David Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 5:50 PM EST
I just tried it at 4:49 Pm Central and it did not prompt me for an update either. I think they may have caught on up there in Canada, eh.
BooGz ( View Profile) - Posts: 50
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 5:46 PM EST
I was only able to get the update once i did a HARD RESET vs. the power app + restart button which got me no where. just an FYI for anyone having issues getting Desktop Software to see the update
Mike Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 5:49 PM EST
I got it to work…
David Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 5:55 PM EST
BooGz, was that a hard reset by pressing the itty bitty power button or selcting power off on the app button?
BooGz ( View Profile) - Posts: 50
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 6:07 PM EST
power button + volume buttons (instead of the software reset)
see link: http://www.berryreview.com/2011/04/21/how-to-perform-a-hard-reset-on-the-blackberry-playbook/
David Not Registered
Posted: April 21, 2011 at 6:12 PM EST
Ah yes, now I remember. I will start it later when time allows. Thanks for the help.