Re: Software updates for Nokia phones?

Brian Morrison <scrapspam@fenrir.org.uk> wrote in news:L8-
dnW7bWcgPAoneRVnyuQ@eclipse.net.uk:

> DaveC wrote:
>> Are there updates available for Nokia phones? Or doesn't Nokia update
>> software?
>>
>> I've got a 6200 with v4.22. Is there a newer version than this?
>
> Not up to July 1st this year, but there might have been one since then.
>
> It looks like a fairly mature phone, they tend not to get many updates
> after a year or so.
>

Yes, Nokia does update software--but only for software related problems or
complaints unless they have changed policy since the first of the year.
Some software revisions require changes to components on the boards and
with nearly all large chips being BGA now, changing components is a little
risky as all of the major chips come with one of the allowable heat cycles
already used at manufacture--most only allow 3 heats. Heats are counted
so: component placed and heated to melt solder and form connection to
board contacts = 1 heat, board heated to remove component then adjacant
components get a "heat", this makes two; new component placed and heated
then adjacant components get another heat. Total for adjacant components:
3 heats. For all practical purposes the phone is now a walking casualty
and may or may not live out its full life. If the phone passes ops and RF
tests it is sent to the customer, but if it comes back in it is likely to
be replaced because of the number of heats it has already seen. Good techs
check the past history of the phone, bad or slopy ones don't so the
customer may get his now 5 heated phone back if the tech changed something
that required a BGA component. (BGA--ball-grid array, all contacts are on
the bottom of the component and are supplied with a little solder ball
attached to the contact. This requires the entire component to be heated
to about 450 F to melt the solder ball reliably and form the contact with
the board, thus the "heat" cycle count requirement)

A little long-winded and probably more tha you wanted to know but hope it
helps.

Ron
(Ex-Nokia tech)