Tech How-To: Upgrade Your Droid Eris
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Several months ago, before Verizon Wireless released the 2.1 software update, I took a risk.
I had just purchased a Droid Eris from Verizon. The Eris, which shipped with version 1.5, was out-of-date. A friend suggested upgrading the phone manually, by downloading a package and installing a leaked version of the software. The device, updated successfully, and I was on my way to enjoying spectacular new features like Google Navigation and a redesigned user interface.
The manual update, regretfully, disabled and deactivated my phone from receiving the common over-the-air bug fixes that Verizon "pushes" out to customers.
Over the passing months, I noticed several flaws in the leaked software. The clock was out of sync. The built-in radio that transmits information and sends and receives calls was malfunctioning. At times, when someone would call my phone, it wouldn't sound audibly until the very last ring, forcing a missed call.
I was stuck with the leaked version because, according to Verizon policy, updating or tweaking a phone invalidates the warranty - they really didn't know how to fix it. And, stepping up to 2.1 is a one-way street; you can't go back.
I had kept tabs on various changes Verizon Wireless had made to the software over the months. I saw over-the-air updates come and go. I was ready to give up and buy a new phone.
After waiting for so long, I took a chance at updating to the full version myself. The idea was simple. Move the software version from 2.1v1 to 2.1v3 -- version three is only a few numbers off from the official release, so I'd at least see a few improvements.
As it turns out, 2.1v3 was perfect. I updated the phone, and in turn, Verizon somehow noticed my device had never received the over-the-air update, and pushed it to me.
Here are my notes on how to get this done if you have a Droid Eris running 2.1v1 and wish to upgrade to MR4 (latest release).
Disclaimer: This guide is for advanced users only. This procedure has been tested to work. However, use at your own risk.
Download v3 ROM here (105MB):
http://download733.mediafire.com/km74ubkahuag/qymwuzug5gl/PB00IMG.zip
Connect phone and mount SD card - drop PB00IMG.zip in the root directory (the main dir, not in a folder) Make sure you have at least 50% charge. Unmount SD and shut off phone.
Start Eris by holding VOLUME DOWN and RED POWER buttons.
You'll see screen with 3 Droids on skateboards.
It will ask you if you want to update phone in red text - PRESS TRACKBALL
Then it'll do its thing.
It will then ask you if you want to reboot phone - PRESS TRACKBALL
Eris will reset - it should automatically program by using Verizon *228 (you don't have to do anything)
It will walk you through all the good stuff - don't sign in with Google, Facebook, wifi, etc. You may get an OTA update notice. Don't do it yet, just tell it "later" -
Once you get back into HTC Sense visit the Settings > About Phone and go check the software version - It should be 2.36.605.1 - this is the v3 leak - your patch is almost done!
Now, go to System Updates section in Settings > About Phone do the OTA update (it will show up there)
All done!
