BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

I finally got my ATT BlackBerry Pearl 8100 to reliably tether with N810. The connection works every single time, and I get ~20KB/sec transfer speeds.

The trick, as has already been mentioned on this site, is to downgrade Pearl's firmware to version 4.2.1.66. Even though this is an older version, it works fine. I can't tell any difference between 4.2.1.66 and the version that came preinstalled on my Pearl.

Here is how to downgrade:

1) Download the firmware installer here

https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads...87676E90D45F84

(Never mind that the page says v4.2.1.102 and is for Italy, it actually installs 4.2.1.66 on your phone and preserves the US ATT theme).

2) Run the installer

3) Go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader and delete the Vendor.xml file.

3) In the same folder, run the Loader binary. Follow the prompts. The upgrade takes 30-45 minutes. Don't be alarmed if the phone takes a very long time to reboot.

4) Only problem for me was that the browser icon disappeared after the downgrade. To restore it, go to Settings -> Options -> Advanced Options -> Host Routing Table. Find the highlighted entry, bring up the menu (button to the left of the scrollwheel) and click "Register Now".

5) To pair with your internet tablet in OS2008, just use the phone wizard. No need to enter WAP, usernames, or passwords.

Hope this helps.

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

great work ag2, i just got my n800 and have had my pearl for a few months, and now they'll play together. i wonder why the n800 doesn't like the newer os...

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

Anyone know if this works for BB8830 and verizon? If not, how would we get the similiar version for this device?

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

I am a bit confused I downloaded the program, ran the installer on my desktop, went and deleted the file. I dont see a loader binary file. The loader.exe file, I ran and it only asked about installing things on my device? By the way my version is cureently 4.2.2.66

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

hmm 20 kbps isnt alot .... its capable of much more ...

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

I said 20KB/s (kilobytes / second), not 20 kbps.

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

loader.exe is the right binary to run.

What do you mean 'it only asked about installing'?

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

there was no opportunity to upgrade the software. All it did was allow me to reinstall programs I had on the blackberry. Nothing about upgrade or downgrade

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

Did it again...No opportunity to downgrade, it just says do you want yahoo.go on your BB or remove. Seems like this is the destop manager but does nothing for the device? AM I doing anything wrong

Re: BB Pearl 8100 tethering FINALLY WORKS
 

What blackberry do you have? 4.2.2.66 firmware doesn't sound right for a Pearl 8100. If you have 4.2.1.66, that's already the correct version.