So this should be quick. In the place of a recent customer, I ran into an error that happened when I tried to update their BlackBerry Storm for the first time in a long time. It was the dreaded “Reload Software 507” error … or just “507” that appears in others.
Here is the setup so that if you did the exact same thing, the solution would be fully applicable. The solution, however, works for all other BlackBerry … (or is it blackberry? Does anyone know the plural version of a BlackBerry?):
- Desktop Manager installed from the BlackBerry website
- After installation, you innocently plugged in the BlackBerry
- I casually chatted with the customer while connecting and he asked me to update the apps, firmware, and operating system
- Fortunately, when I was asked to back up my BlackBerry first, I said it was fine. (Never deny backups!)
- BlackBerry supports
- New BB software downloads from the web
- Two-thirds of the way through the backup, for some inexplicable reason, it hangs
- I get the “Reload Software 507” error and the BlackBerry has become an expensive brick.
Oh no! To do! The number one thing you should NEVER do in any situation IN LIFE is PANIC. I don’t recall a situation where panic was a good thing. (Think of survived car accidents …)
Ok, here is the solution (Why beat around the bush? You just want your BB back, right?): [NOTE: It’s essential that the solution is performed in the order listed…why? Because it won’t work otherwise…trust me.]
- Unplug the current brick shaped BB
- Go to the Desktop Manager settings and make sure it is not set to backup when syncing. (Why? Because if you don’t, the moment your BB is back online, it can potentially copy all of your backed up data … then it really is USCWAP)
- Your BB should still show that annoying error on the screen. Get rid of it by removing the battery.
- Now … with the battery still out of your BB, plug it into your computer.
- Depending on your operating system, it will immediately recognize it and restore applications, or (as it was in my case) it will do nothing because it was on a Mac.
- Leave it “steep” a bit if you’re on a Mac and stare at the beautiful battery-free icon that appears when you have it plugged in.
- Once you are satisfied enough that nothing else will happen, insert the battery without disconnecting the connection.
- Now watch the magic happen … the software will state the obvious and tell you that there is no operating system present and ask you to choose the operating system you want to install. I chose the last one recommended.
- The reinstallation of BB OS should occur at this point. If that is not the case? Do this whole process all over again. I’d say after 3-4 times if it STILL doesn’t work then your BB is pretty broken and you should probably buy a new one …
Epilogue:
After you are done restoring the operating system or restoring the updated operating system, you will notice that you have NOTHING in terms of settings and data. AGAIN, DON’T PANIC! What did we say about that?
Instead, plug the BB back in (hopefully you haven’t reconfigured it to auto backup yet … if so, turn it off and stop jumping the gun!) And once the BB is recognized, click the Restore icon. You will then be asked to choose which file to use to restore and there should be one that you just backed up everything to. Do it and enjoy your BB again!
So hopefully you were able to restore your BlackBerry from the dreaded “Reload Software 507” error. Good luck!