Updating the M600i

Finally updated the firmware of my Sony Ericsson M600i. Since it’s end-of-life for updates regarding this phone’s firmware, I took the plunge before Sony Ericsson totally stops hosting the latest firmware.

I had to use a friend’s computer and broadband connection for the update (yes, a broadband connection is necessary for the update). You also need the Update Service software.

Here are the prerequisites for the update:

1. Download the Update Service software.
2. Have the USB cable ready.
3. Make sure you have broadband connection.
4. Make sure that the battery is fully charged .
5. Back up your phone’s contents (Contacts, calendar entries, messages, files, everything). The update will wipe out the contents of your phone (including the content of the M2 card).

Run the Update Service app; it will check and download new files. After that, it will ask you to select a language, and then select your phone model. It will flash the instructions on how to proceed. Here, I had to redo everything since the app couldn’t seem to recognize the phone.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Connect the USB cable to the computer.
3. Remove and reinsert the battery.
4. Press and hold the C key (number 7, right; X is on the left) and connect the USB cable. Watch the computer monitor carefully; it will tell you when to release the C key.
5. The app will now try to identify the phone. (This was where I had to start redoing things.) After identification, it will download the firmware.
6. After downloading, the app overwrites the firmware of your phone. Make sure not to disconnect the phone from the computer until the transfer is complete; otherwise you’ll get an expensive paperweight.
7. The phone restarts after the transfer. Restore the latest back up.

If successful, you should get the following (by going to Main Menu>More>System Information):

Phone: CXC162037 R9F011
Bluetooth: CXC162058 R3A01
Organizer: CXC162071 R6A16
CDA: CDA162011/2 R6A13

One caveat regarding this update: the Opera Web browser is totally screwed up by this update. On some Web sites, you will get the XML parsing error that Robin Lim of Mobility Philippines had encountered with P990i. If this unfortunate event happens, Opera Mini is one good alternative (though it is annoying that the phone always asks you whether to allow the Java app to connect to the Internet every time you visit a Web site).

5 thoughts on “Updating the M600i

  1. damn, thats bad news. where did you hear that SE are stopping firmware upgrades. am stuck with the screwed up browser as well

  2. yes, came across the link to the developer forums sad really

    am having the xml parse bug after the recent update and was looking for fixes

  3. Hi, ravin, no update is forthcoming from Sony Ericsson as of this moment.

    You might have to stick with Opera Mini in the meantime. Just get ready to be annoyed by the phone asking you whether to allow the app to access the Internet.

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