A BlackBerry Smartphone which sits in a constant reboot or displays a 507 error is not something that any experienced or inexperienced BlackBerry user likes to see.
There are a few reasons why a BlackBerry device may be bricked, such as an operating system update didn’t load correctly, or a 3rd party app is in conflict with the operating system. It could also mean that there is a memory leak, or some other compatibility issue. When this occurs, the device is considered nuked or bricked, but if these steps are followed, it is simple to fix the device, and reload the operating system back to it’s original factory settings.
As long as regular backups have been made of personal settings, emails, etc., it is possible to reload all information back onto the device after this repair has been made. If backups have not been done, after this repair, the device will be reset to factory conditions, but will remember the carrier identification.
The first step is to go to a cell carriers site and download the current operating system for the device. A quick Google search, such as Telus BlackBerry Operating System, will lead to the download site. Download the device software, follow the instructions to install on the PC. It is not required to use BlackBerry Desktop Software for any of this process, in fact, it’s best if it is not running at all.
Must Haves:
- Latest Carrier OS for your device
- USB cord
- PC
- Quick Fingers
Optional :
- Full Backup of your device saved via BlackBerry Desktop Manager
- Pen and Paper to document your steps
Follow these easy steps to reload and fix a bricked BlackBerry device, make sure your phone is not plugged in at this stage, and the battery is pulled.
Goto C: Drive using File Explorer
Double Click on Program Files
Double Click on Common Files
Double Click on Research In Motion
Double Click on AppLoader
Here you will see the Operating System files that will be loaded onto the device. Normally, if upgrading to a leaked or official Operating System from a different carrier, the Vendor.xml file would be deleted. In this case, it is not deleted because the OS that is going to be loaded on is for the carrier of the phone.
NB: It was attempted to load another carriers OS on the device used for demonstrating this, by removing the Vendor.xml file, but the OS refused to load, and the 507 Error Screen continued to be displayed. It is highly recommended that when fixing a bricked BlackBerry to use the original carriers OS. After the OS is loaded, these same steps can be used to load onto the phone if wanting to upgrade to a leaked or official OS from a different carrier, but the Vendor.xml file must be deleted.
Double Click on Loader.exe
This will start the Application Loader Wizard, do NOT plug the phone in. Click Next.
The Communication Port Selection screen will be displayed and the connection will be blank. This is a very important step where speed is essential. Plug in the phone, (do not insert the battery) and the sound indication from the PC will indicate the driver being installed from the BlackBerry device.
This screen will stay up, but the connection will change to unknown, and the next button will be made available.
The connection box will now change to USB-PIN:UNKNOWN. This is where the NEXT button must be clicked quickly.
If the BlackBerry device has been displaying the 507 screen, urgency isn’t required, but if the phone has been caught in a constant reboot stage, it is imperative that the next button is clicked before the Application Loader reads and identifies the PIN of the device.
If the PIN displays, cancel the whole process, unplug the phone, and restart the whole process again, ensuring that the next button is clicked before the PIN shows. This is what stops the phone from rebooting from the damaged Operating System.
The Application Loader will now retrieve the device configuration connect to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Let it run it’s course, and eventually the Device Application Screen will load. It is now time to plug the battery in while this process is occurring.
The device application screen will display clickable boxes with applications such as Language and Input Support, Supplemental Word Lists, and some native BlackBerry Applications that can be loaded onto the device at this time. After selections have been made, click Next.
The Application Software will display the updates and applications that will be uploaded to the device, click Finish and allow the Application Software to go through the process of loading the OS and the applications onto the device.
This process could take anywhere between 10-15 minutes, and the phone will reboot itself.
The operating system is now reloaded, the BlackBerry device is debricked and made a lot less radioactive.
Click Here to Print PDF with no Screenshots for How to Fix a Nuked or Bricked BlackBerry on a PC
It is possible to do your own repairs of your BlackBerry Device, you may want to also check out How to Fix a Bricked PlayBook and How to Shrink Your BlackBerry OS
If there are any comments, questions or ideas, leave them in the comments below or post in the forums. BlackBerry Empire is here to help!