Today the Windows Phone 7.8 software update for Windows Phone 7.5 devices was spotted on Navifirm for Nokia Lumia Windows Phones. This is a great indication that it won't be long before the update is publicly made available for these devices. Microsoft previously confirmed that the Windows Phone 7.8 update will be released in early 2013, and since we are less than a month away from the new year it makes sense that the Windows Phone 7.8 is ready for release. Windows Phone 7.8 attempts to make up for this by bringing the WP8 start screen experience along with 10 new theme and accent colors, Bing Picture of the Day on the lock screen, security updates and new apps. However it doesn’t offer some basic necessities like the ability to connect and sync with the Windows Phone syncing tool or access to Xbox Music.
If you are impatient to wait for the public release and want to try installing the update from Navifirm, you can follow our step-by-step guide on how to install Windows Phone 7.8 for your Nokia Lumia device.
[UPDATE] Nokia is now rolling out the Windows Phone 7.8 software update through Zune. This guide was meant for early adopters and is not meant to be used by general users. This isnt an official update method so PLEASE use Zune to update your Lumia device.
[UPDATE] Please download the original firmware for your device before you update to Windows Phone 7.8. Nokia is planning to close free access to their software repository and you may not be able to download your firmware files using the Navifirm tool in future.
[NOTE] The WP 7.8 update is available for the Nokia Lumia 900, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 610 and the Nokia Lumia 510
[NOTE] Please make sure you backup your information on the Zune Desktop client before you continue.
[NOTE] Please do not proceed with this guide unless you have advanced knowledge of Navifirm and have had previous experience with updating your device using unofficial methods.
[NOTE] Issues that can occur on your from following this guide will not be covered by your Nokia Warranty. Please know that you may void your device warranty if you proceed.
[NOTE] This may not be the final build of Windows Phone 7.8. While it may work without any issues during your day to day use, we advise it is best to wait for the final release.
[DISCLAIMER] DJ’s Mobiles will not be responsible for any loss of data or device malfunction which can occur from following this guide. Please proceed at your own risk.
Downloading the firmware file
- Download and install Nokia Care Suite (NCS). Once you have completed the installation go to Drivers folder where you installed NCS (eg:C:\Program Files (x86)\Nokia\Nokia Care Suite\Drivers) and install the WinUSB drivers for your system.
- - Download Navifirm Plus and extract its contents to a directory of your choice (no installation needed here)
- - Open Navifirm, Select your device from the list and choose to download the last firmware file which has been made available for your device. (eg: Lumia 800 – 1750.823.8858.12460)
- - Select the appropriate firmware file for your device from the third window and click the download button.
- - Once the download is complete, you can install the firmware file using Nokia Care Suite.
- Go to C:\ProgramData\Nokia\Packages and create a new folder and name it Products.
- - Make a new folder inside it and give it your device model name (e.g.: RM-801 for Lumia 800, RM-808 or RM-823 for Lumia 900, RM-803 or RM-809 for Lumia 710, etc).
[NOTE] The files placed in this folder will be detected by NCS when it searches for updates
-
- - Place the firmware file(s) you previously downloaded from Navifirm in this folder.
[NOTE] The files should be in “\ NaviFirm + 1.7 \ Fw \<product code>”.
[NOTE] You should copy the files inside your product code folder
-
- - Open Nokia Care Suite, go to Product Support Tool and select Programming > Refurbish.
- - Connect your Lumia device to your computer
- - NCS will detect the device and the new update from the folder you previously created in ‘C:\ProgramData\Nokia\Packages\Products‘ and will prompt you to install it.
- - Once completed you should be running Windows Phone 7.8 on your Nokia Lumia device
[NOTE] Please note that the device will be completely wiped at this point. Please make sure your data is backed up before you continue.
- - Once the update is complete be sure to restart the device for good measure. Some users have experienced the device not being detected by Zune after the software update. Restarting should fix the issue.
F.A.Q
We have put together a guide based on the frequently asked questions based on the feedback from our readers in the comments section.
Q) What do I do when I get installation errors when I flash the ROM to the device?
If you receive any errors when flashing WP7.8 to your device use the following steps.
- Download the firmware files for your device from Navifirm.
- - Once you have found a suitable variant for your device download it on Navifirm.
- - Once the download is complete, go to your Navifirm folder (eg:'..\ NaviFirm + 1.7 \ Fw \059L975') and copy all the files you just downloaded.
[NOTE] Here '059L975' refers to the different variant firmware which I downloaded.
- - Go to C:\ProgramData\Nokia\Packages\Products\RM-801 and paste the files inside the folder.
- - Now make sure your device is not connected to the computer and open Nokia Care Suite.
- - Open Product Support Tool for Store by double clicking on it.
- - Make sure that'automatic product selection is disabled, and you see the 'No connection' message.
- - Then click File > Open Product and type in the name of your device under Filter. When you find it, select it and click Open.
-
-
-
- - Next Select Programming > Recovery, and you will see the firmware files you previously downloaded from Navifirm and pasted to the folder in step 4.
-
-
-
- - Select the W7.8 update file (eg: 8858) and click Start.
- - When you see the following screen, perform the instructions it shows;
-
-
-
- - When you are ready, connect your device to your computer with the Volume Up button pressed.
-- - Now wait for NCS to finish flashing the ROM to your device and you should receive the Recovery Complete message when it is done.
Q) How to install the WP7.8 update from a different variant to your device ?
Nokia hasn't made the WP7.8 update available for all variants of the device on Navifirm, and it is likely that you may not find your variant available for your device. The following guide will tell you how to install a variant from a different device to your unit. The guide is based on the Nokia Lumia 800 (RM-801) but should work for other Lumia devices as long as you change the variant and model numbers accordingly.
-
[NOTE] We wouldn't recommend this as it may void your device warranty and you may loose files that your carrier deems necessary.
-
[NOTE] Please pay attention to all the warning on the top of Page 1 before you continue
- Open Navifirm, identify the RM model of your product and search for the correct software variant. -
- If the correct variant is not available identify the closest available variant from the list.
[NOTE] Different variants may not have the language you are looking for.
[NOTE] Carrier variants may not have all the new features from the update, you may also loose access to the Windows Phone Store.
- - Once you have found a suitable variant for your device download it on Navifirm.
- - Once the download is complete, go to your Navifirm folder (eg:'..\ NaviFirm + 1.7 \ Fw \059L975') and copy all the files you just downloaded.
[NOTE] Here '059L975' refers to the different variant firmware which I downloaded.
- - Go to C:\ProgramData\Nokia\Packages\Products\RM-801 and paste the files inside the folder.
- - Identify your unit's variant number (eg: 059J3G0)
[NOTE] Check the SIM tray or by connecting your device to the NCS.
- - Now change any reference to 059L975 in the RM-801 folder to 059J3G0 by renaming the files.
- - Once you make sure that all files have the name of your device, make sure your unit is disconnected from your computer and open the Nokia Care Suite.
- - Now connect your device to your computer and wait for NCS to detect it.
- - Once NCS detects your device it will also detect the update file from the C:\ProgramData\Nokia\Packages\Products\RM-801 folder.
-- - Click Start to install the WP7.8 update on your device.
Q) What if Nokia Care Suite doesn't detect my connected device ?
- This generally happens when you open NCS after connecting your device, so we recommend that you always Open NCS first.
- In the case that you opened NCS first, then connected your device and still don't see your device connected, use the following steps.
- Make sure your device is disconnected from your computer before you proceed. -
- Start NCS and double click on Product Support Tool For Store.
-- - In the new window which opens click File on the top left and select Open Product.
- - - Type RM-801 to filter your Nokia Lumia 800 or select it from the list.
- - Now click Programming and then Recovery.
-- - In the new window which opens you will be able to see the firmware you previously downloaded using Navifirm
- - Connect your device to your computer.
- - Hold the Volume Down + Power buttons, and click Retry on the Product Support Tools window on your computer.
- - When the device vibrates, immediately release the Volume Down button and the Power button and hold the Volume Up button instead.
- - Continue holding the Volume Up button until you see the NOKIA logo. At this point the firmware will be flashed to your device.
[NOTE] If you are installing a different variant, NCS will complain at this point. You can just confirm that message and continue with flashing the firmware file.
Q) Can I install a different product firmware on my device ?
- The easiest solution for users is to install a different variant, but there are occasions where the WP7.8 update inst available for an entire product.
- The best example for this is the Nokia Lumia 900, where the International RM-823 variant has the WP7.8 update, while the U.S. based RM-820 doesn't.
In the case of the Lumia 900, the main issue is the lack of LTE support on the International variant.
Q) What do I do if I device gets bricked ? If your device happens to get bricked check out our guide on how to unbrick your Nokia Lumia device
Q) What do I do if Zune doesn't detect my Windows Phone after installing Windows Phone 7.8 ?
Some users have experienced their Windows Phones not being detected by Zune after installing the Windows Phone 7.8 software update. The solution simply requires you to remove your device from your computer and restart it after the update. Now Zune should correctly detect your handset and install the necessary drivers.
Q) How do I Backup and Restore my Windows Phone ?
(Coming Soon)
No comments:
Post a Comment