Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade Troubleshooting Tips
Over the past week or so I’ve been seeing some comments come in from people that are having problems upgrading their Blackjack II smartphones to Windows Mobile 6.1 (WM 6.1 for short). This post is going to try to describe potential problems in the upgrade process and provide possible solutions.
If anyone has better solutions or any other troubleshooting tips, please leave them in the comments and i’ll try to add them to the post.
Thanks to everyone that posted in the Forums and commented on this post (there’s a ton of great troubleshooting info the forums and comments, its just a lot of info to wade through).
In order to run the Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade Software you should be running Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista. If you try upgrading using Windows XP SP3 or you MAY run into the “Evil Beep” problem described below! Samsung claims the upgrade will not work if you are running Windows XP SP3, however we do have numerous reports of it working (although we have several reports of the Evil Beep problem as well). Click here for instructions on how to find out what Service Pack you are using.
Disable all Anti-virus/Firewall software before performing the update
- There are numerous reports that Anti-virus software/Firewall software you may have running on your computer may cause the WM6.1 update process to fail. Try turning all anti-virus and firewall software off before performing the update. After the update is complete, feel free to turn the anti-virus and firewall software back on.
I forgot to remove my SIM card before performing the upgrade
- You will probably be OK (I forgot to do this when I upgraded my Blackjack II) – But I highly recommend that you remove your SIM card as instructed before performing the upgrade.
The upgrader won’t detect my Blackjack II after installing the modem drivers
- Backup the contents of your SIM Card (Contacts, etc.) – Nothing should happen to this data, but there is no guarantee.
Keep your SIM Card in so ActiveSync can recognize device.
Change Settings > Connection > USB back to ActiveSync right after modem drivers have been installed so you can establish an activesync connection when the uploader program asks you to establish an activesync connection in Step 4, Number 8 of Samsung’s instructions.
My upgrade process is taking a long time and seems to be hanging
- After you’ve connected your Blackjack II to your computer and have begun the upgrade process, the “upgrade” should take around 10 – 15 mins to complete. If the upgrade’s progress bar seems to stop and and the elapsed time is at least 30 mins your installation has hung and you will need to start the upgrade process over. This usually occurs because you running Windows Mobile XP SP3. If you can uninstall SP3 and go back to SP2, do that, reinstall the Modem drivers and run the installer again. Note: If this happens you will probably not be able to boot into your phone, and will have to follow the next troubleshooting tip to continue with the upgrade. You may have to send your Blackjack II to Samsung (under their warranty service) and have your phone reset.
WM 6.1 upgrade software asks me to put phone into “Downloader Mode”
- To put your Blackjack II into “Downloader Mode” he phone powered off hold down Volume Up + Back Key while powering on the Blackjack II. After you’ve put your phone into Downloader Mode, connect it to your computer via USB and run the WM 6.1 upgrade software again.If your upgrade fails again (hangs/freezes) try going throught he upgrade process several more time. Users have reported they’ve had to go through the upgrade process 4-5 times before a complete and successful upgrade occurs.
The “Evil Beep” after I boot my Blackjack II into Windows Mobile 6.1
- Several users have reported that the upgrade process froze near the end, but they disconnected their phones and were able to boot into Windows Mobile 6.1 — HOWEVER, every 20-30 seconds their Blackjack II would make the beeping noise that we normally associate with unplugging the power adapter from the Blackjack II.This usually occurs because you running Windows Mobile XP SP3. If you can uninstall SP3 and go back to SP2, do that, reinstall the Modem drivers and run the installer again. Users that have fixed this have kept re-running the WM 6.1 update software until they get a complete upgrade without any freezes. Users have reported this may take 4-5 tries. If you run into the upgrade software asking you to put the Blackjack II into “Downloader Mode”, see the above trouble shooting tip.
Nothing works! I tried to upgrade my phone and I can’t get it to start anymore. It just displays a Samsung Logo.
- If your upgrade process failed and you’ve been unable to boot into your phone using the troubleshooting tips outline in this post, you will have to contact Samsung Support, mail them your Blackjack II, have them re-flash it to Windows Mobilr 6.0 and have them send the phone back to you.Samsung Mobile Phone Support
1-888-987-HELP (4357)
Mon-Fri: 8am-7pm (CST)
Sat: 9am-6pm (CST)
Mac and OS X users
- The WM 6.1 upgrade software is a Windows application and must be run on a Windows computer. If you are a Mac user I suggest: 1) finding a friend that has a Windows machine and borrow it for 30 mins (the upgrader will in no way hard the computer) or 2) Bootcamp/VM Fusion/Parrallel into a Win XP/Vista install and perform the upgrade from there.
Canadian users
- If you are a Canadian user, make sure to check out the Blackjack 2 Forums’ Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade for Canadian users thread.
