[ildorne]

JhheromeFor Me is the same error, do you have news?

I'm wainting... but I dont understund!

[technoflare]

is there a step by step on how to unbrand my n97?  i want the update now, whats the chances of a brick?

[psychomania]

Use google or an unofficial forum.

It is against the rules of this forum to discuss warranty voiding topics like debranding.

[technoflare]

ok fair enough. anyone heared from nokia uk when any updates might be released here?

[psychomania]

No, nokia UK never comment on things like that so it is just a case of waiting.

I too am waiting for nokia UK to pull their fingers out and release it.  I just hope they act quicker than they did for the v20 update on the 5800.  That took them nearly two months!

As to why nokia UK is always so behind is a mystery.  It's a waste of time contacting nokia care as all they give is a typical scripted non-answer that helps no one.

[darrendonald]

I got my N97 on the 20th June in the UK (a week before the official release date) on a contract. It has no branding on the handset and when you switch it on there is no Vodafone branding either. It was said that the phone shop (which wasn't Vodafone) had a partnership with Nokia which is why the could get the phones a week early. With these points in mind I'd guess that I have a vanilla phone but I can't update it from anywhere.

My phone code is 0587240 and on the Nokia Software Updater I can't update from v10.0.012 and neither can I do it from SW update. Aparently Vodafone are notoriously bad at providing updates but if mine is a vanilla phone then should I be able to do this through Nokia and has it not come out in the UK yet.

Any info would be really useful on how I can get this upgrade without bricking my phone

[grimreaper]

0587240 is the same product code as the vanilla one i got direct from the nokia online shop on pre-order. unfortunately we're all in the same boat mate. we just have to wait on nokia uk to "extract a digit" & release the firmware

[grschinon]

That's right. Nokia UK seem to be dropping the ball a bit lately. For example, the update to V20 for UK 5800s took nearly 2 months to come out, but V21 was released promptly.

[grimreaper]

I just spoke to David on the dedicated N97 UK support line & he assured me that the software updates for all uk variant handsets will be out "by the end of the week"

I'll not hold my breath but hopefully this is true.

rather than give me an exact date, i got the usual "check the product code online"

[psychomania]

Lets hope this is true and not some script reading call centre muppet spouting BS just to avoid the earache.

[grimreaper]

i should have said earlier that david was speaking about generic handsets. not network branded versions

[daprodukt]

Well I am in the same boat as you and hope David is telling the truth. Have been fine up until yesterday when I had to turn phone off caus the Screen lock went mental and couldnt unlock.

Still love the N97 but always want the newest firmware lol, N-gage support would be nice aswell!!

[technoflare]

you just got my hopes up for my 3 brand N97 only to crush them!  god knows when the brands will get them..

[psychomania]

On the 3 network the likelihood of ever seeing the update are pretty slim.

They are one of the worst offenders in the UK for never releasing updates. On the rare occasions that they do it is usually 6 to 9 months late.

Good luck!

[technoflare]

well thats a damn shame as i consider this phone to be faulty until the bugs are fixed and do not live up to the ad, nor what one would expect from a top of the range phone.  with both 3 and nokia being terrible for customer service the hope of getting any help are slim.  this phone comes with a 2 yr warrenty from Nokia, what are the chances a firmware upgrade could be considered a repair for the faults with this phone?

Not sure where to go about these issues, ofcom?  the asa regarding the misleading ads? 

[gunglewack]

Got this from the FAQs:

"Please note that your mobile service provider, operator, or carrier may not have approved the latest Nokia device firmware available. Nokia produces many different variants of each product (for different countries and languages) and not all variants have the latest Nokia device firmware. It is our priority to update all variants as quickly as possible, and we apologize for any delay. New software may become available at a later date, however, so please check back soon."

Hassle 3 to find out why they're not approving the new SW, because until they have, then nobody in a repair centre will be able to upgrade you either, so you might as well hang on to it.

[psychomania]

Personally i've had barely any trouble with my N97, but it's unbranded not a network customised version.

Because of 3 you cannot get a firmware update from nokia.  Nokia can only give you updates if 3 allows them too. This policy sucks but it's the networks that are to blame for it.  Sadly the networks control the market in Europe and the manufacturers, like nokia, have to follow the networks rules.

The only way to get around this policy is to speak to someone fairly high up at 3 and get written permission to get generic firmware installed on your phone.  Once you have that permission you can visit a nokia care point and they will carry out the procedure for you leaving your warranty intact.

Getting the permission from 3 could be an impossible task due to their very poor customer services.

This is just one of the many pitfalls of buying network branded phones that most people are unaware of until a problem happens.

Hopefully 3 will allow approve the update in time but there is no way of knowing when or if it will ever happen.

Message Edited by psychomania on 08-Jul-2009 01:59 PM

[technoflare]

is there any precident for getting permission to get generic firmware? if so, anyone know how to get that high up?

[psychomania]

Sadly it's a case of calling 3 and trying to get past the initial script jockeys and their useless supervisors until you get a person with a shred of authority. Classically you'll probably be offered a call back from someone that never happens.  It's also better to call during business hours, not evenings or weekends.

You have to convince them that you have an issue that is solved by nokia's latest update.  They will try to lie to you and blame nokia so be prepared for that. Shifting the blame is common practice for all of the networks.

You could also try to take the "not fit for purpose" approach but thats more likely to lead to you being released from contract and having to return the phone after a long battle. That may actually be an ideal situation as you could then get a new contract from a place that sells unbranded phones like many online retailers and CPW.

If that happens you'll be waiting for the generic UK firmware like the rest of us! 

[technoflare]

hmm....doesnt sound promising.  i tried the faulty stance on the N97 and they would only offer me an alternative phone but would not cancel the contract.  the sad thing is i was i did go for a generic phone with tmobile initially via mobile phones direct but the 3 deal was better so stayed with them. stuck now....17.5 months to go......