A. There was no software release for the 8830 when this article was written that addressed anything. In my many years of experience as “the picture perfect tech retard” that I am, I have installed beta software on many things (from computers to cell phones, to synaptic pointing devices), and really haven’t ever had any major problems. But then again that might be because I actually know what I am doing.

and,

B. Glad you have an opinion, next time though I would like to see you put just a wee bit of though into it before commenting (and maybe prevent coming off as a total dick in the process).

Backup your 8830 first!

NOTE:
I did not include instructions for a reason, this is NOT a safe procedure! If you are not 100% comfortable with possibly bricking your phone, DO NOT DO THIS!!!
I am not responsible if you brick your phone! (and neither is anyone connected with this site, so don’t get any ideas)

Before you go any further, make a note of these two links (you are going to want to read the second one in it’s entirety before you start this!):
http://www.blackberryforums.com/beta-you-than-me/

http://www.blackberryforums.com/beta-you-than-me/146196-4-5-0-77-8830-a.html

First, update the BlackBerry Desktop Software to the latest version (I think it’s v4.6) from this site: https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=A8BAA56554F96369AB93E4F3BB068C22

After that is done, you are going to want to download two versions of the 4.5 OS. The names of the torrents you are looking for are:

BlackBerry.8830.World.Edition.OS.4.5.0.51.beta.zip.torrent

8830_4[1].5r74.exe.torrent

Once Google has given you links to the torrent files, and you’ve downloaded them, here are the basic steps:

1. Disconnect your BlackBerry from your computer.
2. Install OS Beta v4.5.0.51 (be careful here, the file names can be confusing) on your computer (you are going to use the Desktop Software to load this to the BlackBerry).
3. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files\8830-v4.5.0.51_P3.2.0.41\Java, and locate the file “net_rim_bb_medialoader_qualcomm.cod”
4. Copy this file to a safe location (this is your volume corrected ringers, which RIM left out of the final beta for whatever reason).

Now at this point I loaded the v4.5.0.51 OS Beta to my phone, but you should not have to do this (though it certainly won’t hurt).

To load an updated OS to your phone, connect your phone to the computer, and select AppLoader from the BlackBerry desktop Software. The OS update detection should be automatic. If not, you might want to try deleting the vendor.xml file located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader.

Now, once you have decided how you are going to handle the first beta, you can proceed to the final beta (v4.5.0.77 currently).

If you installed v4.5.0.51 make sure you disconnect your BlackBerry from the computer before proceeding.

Following the same procedure as before, install the v4.5.0.77 beta OS to your computer, but do not connect the BlackBerry just yet.

First, rename the “net_rim_bb_medialoader_qualcomm.cod” file you copied earlier to “net_rim_bb_medialoader_8830.cod” and drop it into the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files\8830-v4.5.0.77_P3.2.0.51\Java\ folder on your computer.

Once this is done, you may want to delete the vendor.xml file located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader.

Once that is done, connect the BlackBerry, and select AppLoader from the BlackBerry Desktop Software. The installation of the 4.5.0.77 beta OS should now begin.

Again, if you brick your phone you have no one to blame but yourself.

Seriously though, I love hacking phones and modding them. There was a vendor at Toorcon: ( http://www.bauer-power.net/2008/09/bauer-power-will-be-at-toorcon-no.html ) that was all about hacking cellphones. The site was http://cellphonehacks.com