December 29th in Desktop Software, News, OSBB Community, Playbook, PlayBook OS Update by .

How to downgrade your Playbook OS using a local copy

PLEASE NOTE! This method DOES NOT work to downgrade your PlayBook OS down from the Official OS2 2.0.0.7971!!!

People following the rooting of the Playbook probably know that the two latest OS releases block Dingleberry and prevent a root. Chris Wade (one of the creators of Dingleberry) gave instructions on how to setup an apache server and downgrade your Playbook (http://pastie.org/private/7nqzugk5odlf2qnxlxe4g). If my understanding is correct, the BBX Team from CrackBerry (made up of people like HaTaX and KermEd) are also working on another way to downgrade using a server. Unfortunately, many people don’t have an apache server set up on their PC (although I personally think everyone should lol). This tutorial will show you how to trick Desktop Manager into installing any Playbook OS you want.

Before explaining how to do this, I’ll explain quickly how it works. RIM seems to assume that anything in the temporary directory on your PC is beyond your reach. This instructional takes advantage of that false assumption and you swap out the main Playbook system file, and then Desktop Software installs it for you.

A word of caution: This procedure requires supervision and careful timing; the QCFM bar cannot be replaced until it has finished downloading, and must be replaced before Desktop Software begins installing it. As always, I seriously doubt this could cause any damage to your Playbook, but if it does it’s not my fault. Damaged or unwanted Playbooks can be disposed of free of charge by me by sending them to my home :D

Alright, on to the instructions.

Step 0: Ensure that you’re running the latest version of Desktop Software (http://opensourcebb.com/2011/11/leaked-blackberry-desktop-software-7-0-0-32-no-keycode-needed/) and you have a backup of your Playbook OS – this shouldn’t wipe your Playbook, but better safe than sorry.

Step 1: Download the QCFM bar of the OS you want to downgrade to, and extract it to your desktop. I’ve been backing up all the Playbook OSes for a rainy day, and it seems like it’s a good thing I did. Since most people aren’t crazy enough to keep a bunch of old 200+mb playbook bars on their PC, the OSBB team has upped these files to Multiupload.

Download 1.0.8.4985: http://www.multiupload.com/5H51PVL59F

Download 2.0.0.4869: http://www.multiupload.com/05PS1T8GEB (If you want to downgrade to OS2, register for the Playbook Beta).

You only need one of these files, which is good because they’re both over 200mb.

Step 2: Navigate to C:\Users\*Your User Name*\AppData\Roaming\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\Loader Cache. You might need to enable viewing hidden files/folders to get there. To enable viewing hidden folders/files, open Folder Options and enable it under the View tab. Once the folder is open, leave it alone.

Step 3: Launch Desktop Software, click the Device tab, and select “Update.” You’ll be told that there are no updates available. Click “View Other Versions” in the lower left corner. Select OS2 if you’re downgrading to 2.0.0.4869, or OS1 if you’re downgrading to 1.0.8.4985. Click “Install” and then start the installation process.

 

Step 4: Go back to the Loader Cache folder (step 2). There will be a folder with a funky name in there (if there’s more than one, the one you want is the most recent one). Open it. This is where BlackBerry Desktop Software is downloading the Playbook OS to.

Step 5: Wait for the QCFM bar to finish downloading. It’ll be somewhere around 200mb. Rename the QCFM bar you downloaded in step 1 to match the name of the QCFM bar downloaded by BlackBerry Desktop Software.

Step 6: Replace the QCFM bar downloaded with Desktop Software with the one you downloaded in step 1 – a simple drag and drop will work for this, although I personally use a copy/paste. If you get a duplicate files popup, you’re doing something right.

This is the step where timing is important. Again, the QCFM bar cannot be replaced until it has finished downloading, and must be replaced before Desktop Software begins installing it.

Step 7: Just wait for Desktop Software to downgrade your Playbook for you, you shouldn’t need to do anything else. When the install finishes, open options and check your OS version under the About tab – if you did everything right, you should now be downgraded!

Once you’re downgraded, you can root your Playbook using the Dingleberry tool and update back to the latest OS if you want to – your root will remain untouched.

Having problems? Join the discussion of this post in our forums!

BlackBerry Addict threat-level Midnight. Hybrid builder, App/Theme Developer, Law Student, OSBB Co-Founder. My thoughts are your own.

VIsit Shane (SCrid2000)'s website

  • Vm2904

    Scrid2000. Thank you for the great tutorial.  I have a suggestion – On the timing of the file swap, it would be great if you include clarification that the 
    QCFM bar file is the 30th one to finish downloading (for the 1.0.8.4869 to 1.0.8.6067 swap)  Therefore, the swap can be performed right after the BDM shows 30 modules out of 39 downloaded and before it downloads all 39 modules.  Without this instruction, one needs to keep watching the file size by refreshing the directory listing.

    • Lukieno1

      that isn’t entirely correct, i watched the file sizes and assumed it had completed after around module 39 however if you swap it out before it finishes all modules the desktop software throws up an error and stops the update, when all modules have finished downloading and it starts to install is when it should be copied over……….the qcfm bar isn’t installed till half way through the actual install so can be copied whilst it’s installing other modules

  • Anonymous

    Not only does mine not have the Loader Cache folder, it doesn’t allow me to select previous versions….any ideas?  The Playbook is a couple of days old, running 2.0.0.6149.

    • paul

      Same here, don’t have the loader chache folder also running 2.0.0.6149

    • Mbasile

      I’m in the same boat as you, no loader cache folder and it doesn’t allow me to select previous versions

      • Anonymous

        For me, once the 24 hour period had expired, I just shut it off and plugged it in…when it went to update, it went back to 1.0.8.6067….

        • http://twitter.com/pSupaNova Peter Edwards

          Confirmed works still only bought my PlayBook today 31/12/11. Make sure you download the desktop software from step 0:
          The Folder will be created when you start upgrading/downgrading. 
          Follow the steps.

      • Virus Loop

        press install go back to blackberry folder the Loader Cache folder will appear 
        cheers

    • rayzor495

      Same here, Windows 7 x64, BB Desktop 7, the folder appears if I select the old firmware but looks like it generates a key name for the folder. I tried putting the OS file in there but it doesn’t show up, only the old version appears.Any tips?
      Thanks,
      Ray

    • No

      Check in the Blackberry Desktop folder.  It should be there.

    • Michael S.

      you need to update your blackberry desktop software to version 7.0  but download it from this site only….other versions will not allow you to see older or previous versions….hope this helps….i had the same problem as well and re-read the forum and realized I missed this important step…

    • Hugobismuth

      Do u know what to do?
      i’m desperate

  • charles

    I did not find a way to downgrade to os2. The loader cache folder for those who cannot find it can be gotten during the downgrade process to any os1 firmware

  • Sean_noble4

    For People having trouble finding the Loader Cache folder. Once you begin updating your OS, it automatically is created in teh blackberry folder. I was in the same boat. I’m just finishing the install and I’ll update if it works. I was on os 1.xxxx something and I’m trying to get to 2.0.0.xxxxx the  one that you can dingleberry.

  • Bmp_11

    Install desktop beta and the folder will appear after you start installing!

  • Bmp_11

    Worked Pefectly!

  • Omega

    For me the Loader Cache folder was located under the Blackberry Desktop folder instead of the Blackberry folder as described above.

  • Bigaone22

    Tried that method like 10 times last night and this morning with no luck it, the installation hangs forever then returns a critical error message. 

    • Guestuser

      Same here. Followed the instructions replaced it on time, the installation starts and fails thereafter with the ”
      A fatal error has occurred when updating….”

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=655862914 Łukasz Orzechowski

    It’s easy when you know what to do. First thing is that Blackberry Desktop sometimes creates this folder only when it starts downloading firmware – so if the folder is missing, just start to download and then check again.

    The second key to the success is that you have to replace firmware *after ALL* files are downloaded and the BD already started to upgrating files on the playbook. If you do that before, you will get Network Error Message.

    That’s it :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/coltdwyer Colt Triton Dwyer

      Thanks for the 2nd Key to success. They should have pointed this out in the Tutorial. Done this twice now with 2 network errors. Will try again now with your advice. Thanks

    • wisehaker

      i did everything successfully but is there any fix for the browser because it doesnot seem to to work

    • Dssrocks

      I keep getting network error, even when I don’t try to copy over the QCFM> It willonly get to 39 of 57 and crash every time. WTF can I do to fix this.

  • Guest

    I got everything downloaded, I wiped my Playbook back to 1.xxx and now that I try to choose a different version, I don’t get the 2.xxx option. I guess I’ll have to try these steps with the 1.xxx option from the list.

    • Theradish

      Same thing happened to me. You have to sign up for the 2.0 beta online first and then the 2.xxx version becomes available.

  • Vm2904

    Lukieno – Thank you for your comment. However – I watched the file sizes. The file size for the qcfm bar did not change after the BDM said 30 modules downloaded. I did the swap for  qcfm right after it said 30 modules downloaded and had no issues in performing the swap. The installation went through smoothly and I had 1.8.0.4869 on my PB!

  • Drewm_65

    Hey there, cool info, much appreciated !

    Can’t wait to try some android apps on my recently purchased Playbook.

    Having a little trouble though, I took the advice given at Crackberry to to a factory reset to version 1.08..

    I’ve already updated to 2.0.0.69 sucessfully but want to downgrade to 2.0.0.4869

    Followed the Instructions..used The beta version of desktop software v7 and selected version 1 .08..it downloaded and seems to be stuck halfway?Just says ‘Loading System Software, don’t unplug..etc, green progress par at half way..for like over 4 hrs now..

    Is this normal? Should I unplug the play book and start again?

    Seems like its hung..in task manager (Windows) it barely shows any activity from the process..

    Any help would be much appreciated

    Drew

  • Rich

    I spent hours on this til i realized you HAVE TO DO IT OVER USB. I was trying wifi. Please point that out in the article.

  • ColtD

    I get an error at “Downloaded modules 45 of 61″. The QCFM Bar stopped downloading at Module 39, and the next file started downloading which was Module 40. I replaced the QCFM Bar at Module 42 just to be sure. How can I fix this? This is the 2nd time I have done it and this has happened. Look at the picture for error message.

    [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/443/error2nt.jpg/][IMG]http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4837/error2nt.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

    Uploaded with [URL=http://imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]

    • Diego

      I got the same error:
      “An error has occurred while downloading software for your device. Please verify your Internet connection or try again later, if the problem persists.”

      Did you find a solution for it? 
      thanks in advance

  • http://www.facebook.com/coltdwyer Colt Triton Dwyer

    NOTE:

    When updating to OS 2 Beta 2.0.0.4869.
    The downloaded QCFM Bar File (2.0.0.6149) downloaded from BB Desktop Software is 215,194 KB. It is Module 39 of 61.

    When updating to OS 1 1.0.8.4985.
    The downloaded QCFM Bar File (1.0.0.6067) downloaded from BB Desktop Software is ***,*** KB. It is Module 30.

    Also note that the time to replace the QCFM Bar File is when BB Desktop Software has finished downloading all the Modules and is busy installing the modules.
    This is a must for the installation of OS 2 Beta. There is plenty of time to replace the QCFM Bar Files when BB Desktop Software is installing them, so don’t stress.

    People have reported that the QCFM Bar File for OS 1 (Module 30) can be replaced as soon as it has downloaded and before the installation starts.

    Would be Great if they can add this to the Tutorial to shed some light on problems people are having.

    This information was gathered from me and others.

    • Theradish

      As of Jan. 3  the QCFM Bar File (2.0.0.6149) is Module 43(or fortysomething) of 63 and appears to be only 5536 kb. Looks like RIM may have closed this hole already.

      • Theradish

        Oops, my mistake, the QCFM Bar File eventually reached the proper size and I was able to successfully install Beta  2.0.0.4869.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-Cardenas/1323482410 Jason Cardenas

    what if we did it wrong? how do we restart the process?

  • wisehacker

    i did it successfully but at the end you will f*** up the browser. the browser will load but for some reason the shortcuts do not appear and when you type at the address bar and search it doesnot do s***. i was happy that i found a way to root but then slip in the face.
    [Edited for profanity by administrator]

    • help is here

      sideload the browser and bridge apps from the 4869 bars. it’s floating around crackberry somewhere.

  • Hugobismuth

    I don’t succeed too

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=46104257 Todd Maddox

    Totally worked! Thank you! 

  • Anthony

    I keep getting the error message “An error has occured while downloading software for your device. Please verify your Internet connection or try again later, if the problem persists.” This error keeps occuring around modules 38 to like 48 for os 2. I’ve tried doing this a couple times and this error keeps occuring. Anyone know how to fix this, help please??

    • sebastiaan dielen

      i’m having the same problem to.
      please help?!!

      thnx

      • Anthony

        Hey, I fixed the problem by using BBDM 6.1.0.36 and when I connected my playbook it just prompted an update to 6149. Then just follow the instructions from here. Also downgrade your playbook to 1.0.8.6067 with BBDM 7 before uninstalling it and downloading BBDM 6.1.0.36.

  • Chronoxros

    The above guidelines are missing an initial step.

    In order for OS 2 to show on Blackberry Desktop 7, you need to re-register your Playbook PIN at https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/beta/bbtablet20/register

    after your registration, you can click UPDATE again on Blackberry Desktop and it will show you OS1 & OS2

    Loader Cache Folder
    ************************
    As for Loader Cache Folder, initially its not there, but after click Install Updates, go to
    C:Users*Your User Name*AppDataRoamingResearch In MotionBlackBerry
    the folder will begin to appear.

  • Pharaoh Moe

    hi does anyone have a restore file when they were on 2.0.0.4869 that way i can just “restore” to .4869 instead of downgrading to it.

  • Guest

    ”
     update back to the latest OS if you want to – your root will remain untouched.” is that really the case? 

  • was here

    TIMING:

    - have the downloaded file in step 1 ready & at hand
    - soon as it starts: open the cache folder and highlight the qcfmxxxxxxxxxxxxx file (it is about 30th file and biggest over 200mb)
    - its size is zero while downloading
    - copy its name and rename the other fie in waiting to that name
    - when it reaches 216mb (or so) from zero: start trying to copy and replace the waiting file you renamed
    - for a few minutes it will say not possible: DONT PANIC YOU ARE NOT TOO LATE
    - Keep trying, once it starts downloading files31 to 40 it will alow you to replace the big qcfmxxxx file
    - keep trying until you are alowed to copy and replace
    - after success & once all 40 files are downloaded it only THEN starts installing them & the big file is in the middle of the order

    SO: HAVE THE OTHER FILE READY AND BOTH FODERS OPEN AND QUICKLY RENAME AND KEEP TRYING TO REPLACE IT WHEN IT SIZE GOES FROM 0 TO 216MB

    Good luck

    also: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21162705&postcount=55

  • Dev Shaju

    I was able to successfully downgrade the OS to 2.0.0.4869, thanks for your article. Cheers

  • Adilson Almeida

    I have downloaded 1.0.8.4985 and installed  desktop software 7, but I cannot find the loadercache, can someo help me.

  • Jessica MELO

    I can not use the multiupload link, why??? what can I do?

  • Aleix8

    Hi,
    Thanks for your post.
    Seems that the OS downloads are not available, Do you know any alternative place?
    Aleix

  • MicroBuntu

    multiupload seems to be inaccessible.

  • Doug Nichols

    Can someone point out a different location for the files as multiupload is gone.

    • http://www.scrapps.tk Shane (SCrid2000)

      The OSBB Playbook OS Page.

  • Chintal

    will this method work for downgrading from 2.0.0.7971
    or any other method ? if so please help me out i need to downgrade to a rootable os because i am working on bbm port to any device
    you can mail me on :- chintal@me.com

  • william lee

    is there a way to downgrade from 2.0.0.7971? 

  • Hotboglenn_1214

    hmm the links are dead

  • Jamie

    when i click on update and it tells me there is no other updates available well it doesn’t have the option to choose ” View other versions” whys this ?? im runing on the latest desktop software

  • Waleosh

    I need help, I just bought playbook and on power it says it need to update the os. Problem is where i live there is no strong WIFI to download a 200md file without it breakoff.
    Will this method work for me?
    Pls help. thanks

  • http://www.facebook.com/willie.labuschagne.33 Willie Labuschagne

    im on OS 2.1.0.1088… any advice on getting the deskop software to give the option of other versions???

  • http://www.facebook.com/ario.gaviore Ario Gaviore

    Guys, help me…
    i’m stucked here: Click “View Other Versions” in the lower left corner, because there isn’t any “View Other Versions” button.. Any ideas? I can’t power on my playbook, red light for about then second, and after yellow blink light..

  • http://www.facebook.com/harsh.p.waghela Harsh P Waghela

    sir, im nt getting the option for view other updates in my bb desktop manager.. it only says no updates available

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