So this should be a quickie. On the site of a recent customer I found an error that occurred when I tried to update his BlackBerry Storm for the first time in a long time. It was the dreaded “Reload Software 507” error… or just “507” that shows up on others.

Here’s the setup so that if I did the exact same thing, the solution would be fully applicable. The solution, however, works for all other BlackBerrys… (or are they blackberries? Does anyone know the plural version of a BlackBerry?):

  • Desktop Manager installed from the BlackBerry website
  • After installation, innocently connected to the BlackBerry
  • I casually talked to the customer while connecting and he asked me to update apps, firmware and OS
  • LUCKILY, when I was asked to backup BlackBerry first, I said that was fine. (Never deny backups!)
  • BlackBerry makes a backup
  • New BB software downloads from the web
  • Two thirds of the way through the backup, for some unexplained reason, it crashes
  • The error “Reload software 507” appears and the BlackBerry has become an expensive brick.

Oh no! To do! The first thing you should NEVER do in any situation IN LIFE is PANIC. I don’t remember a situation where panicking was a good thing. (Think about surviving car accidents…)

Ok, here’s 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.]

  • Disconnect the BB in the form of a current brick
  • Go to Desktop Manager settings and make sure it’s not set to back up when syncing. (Why? Because if you don’t, by the time your BB is back online, it can potentially copy all of your backed up data…then you are really USCWAP)
  • Your BB should still show that annoying error on the screen. Get rid of it by taking out the battery.
  • Now…with the battery still out of your BB, connect it to your computer.
  • Depending on your OS, it will recognize it right away and restore the apps, or (as it was in my case) it won’t do anything because it was on a Mac.
  • Let it “sleep” for a bit if you’re on a Mac and check out the lovely no-battery icon that appears when you’ve got it plugged in.
  • Once you are sure enough that nothing else is going to 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 which operating system you want to install. I think the last recommended.
  • The BB OS reinstallation should occur at this point. If that is not the case? Do this whole process again. I’d say after 3 or 4 times, if it STILL doesn’t work then your BB is pretty screwed up and you should probably get a new one…

Epilogue:

Once you are done restoring the operating system or restoring the upgraded operating system, you will notice that you have NOTHING in terms of settings and data. AGAIN, DON’T PANIC! What did we say about it?

Instead, plug the BB back in (hopefully you haven’t reconfigured it to auto-backup yet… if so, turn it off and stop rushing) and once the BB is recognized, click the Restore icon. You will then be prompted to choose which file to use to restore and it should be the file 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!