700p MR Temporarily Unavailable

Updated Post (June 14, 2007)

We continue to investigate the Sprint Treo 700p MR installation issue reported by some customers and have been collecting phones from customers for analysis, as well as rerunning our suite of update tests on another large sample of phones to try to reproduce the issue. We would like to provide an exact date for when the MR will be reposted, but we aren't able to at this time. Also, we still aren't able to estimate when the Verizon Wireless Treo 700p MR will be available for download.

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We're sorry, but the Sprint Treo 700p maintenance release (MR) is temporarily unavailable. We have received isolated reports of an installation issue that causes the device to continuously reset when applying the software update, so we've removed the update from our site. We're investigating the issue and will make the Sprint Treo 700p update available again as soon as possible. We know this has been a frustrating process for customers and apologize for the inconvenience it may have caused.

If you have experienced difficulty with the maintenance release installation, please contact us so we can work with you to resolve the issue: 866-750-7256.

We don't have a target date for when we can make the Treo 700p MR available for Verizon Wireless users.

Also, we currently don't have plans to issue a MR for other carriers because the ROM software already contains many of the features that are included in the Sprint and Verizon Wireless updates (e.g. many of the Bluetooth improvements and MP3 playback).

Paul Loeffler - Palm, Inc.

Updated Post

This is an installation issue and it is evident immediately during the installation of the MR to your device. If you have already loaded the MR successfuly to your device, you are good to go.

Comments

[Andrew]

I've waited to long for this fix so I dont even care anymore. iPhone comes out on the 29th and treo get put somewhere in a draw.

[Rob Gates]

I successfully updated with the MR on my 700p. However, whenever I try to access Google Maps, the device always goes into a system reset. Has anyone else experienced this? I am also experiencing a significant lag at times when starting up Blazer. Other than these two problems, I have been pleased with the MR.

However, I will throw my two-cents worth in here in wishing that PALM would have done a more thorough job of testing this MR before the release. There is only one thing worse than waiting for an MR, and that is waiting for an MR to be re-released! My heart goes out to each of you who have sought to apply this MR to your phones, only to discover you now own a $600.00 brick! Hopefully PALM will make good for all of you!

Rob

[Jim F.]

Palm,

I don't agree that a successful update means you're good to go. While the update seems to have fixed a good number of issues it has created a few new ones.

The biggest being system alert tones now create a (dial tone) beep in the earpiece even with the phone in silent mode. This issue is making alerts less audible and makes using the phone during quiet moments impossible. This is very problematic.

The 700p is a great device even better with the update, but this one bug makes me regret applying the update.

Regards,

Jim F.

[Jeff]

My last four phones have been smartphones. I have never had the hassles I've had so far with my 700p. This is ridiculous. I agree: unless palm cares enough to make things right (and i mean RIGHT, as in a very good upgrade deal), I see another brand in my future.

[John Santos]

Digg the problem.

http://digg.com/gadgets/Palm_fails_to_fix_Treo_700P_Again

[DannyTech]

I'm floored, Palm.

This is a slap to the face. I would get fired for this kind of mistake. Who is responsible?

You're not going to advise Verizon that we are offered free new phones, You're not going to inform your support personell at the lowest levels so you won't offer us new phones. You won't fix the broken phones. What recourse do we have?

I am totally disapointed.

[Nadi]

Before the MR was pulled the it was indicated that BT headsets would be given priority even if a wired headset was plugged in. I had installed the MR and this did not happen. In fact, BT headset will not connect while anything is plugged into the headphone jack.

This is terrible!!!

[2smart4phone]

I like Palms. They're kewl. From the dozen or so I've had, only 1 left a bitter taste....Treo650. Who ever OK'd that design for consumer release was well....a bad decision maker. I have a feeling this individual is still at Palm.Don't really have much more to add. I'm happy with the 700P. Don't really need the MR as badly as some....got Uncache working nicely.Looking forward to the 800P. Oh hummm....guess I'm just ranting on now....beautiful day...eh?

[Frank]

I think a majority of the problems users are having are either:
1. They did not do a hard reset before applying the MR. Of course this requires backing up your existing files. I recommend an SD backup program.
2. If they hotsynced to install the MR, they had processes hidden in the background of their PC (antiVir, screen saver, etc).
3. No one did a hard reset (pull the battery, not push the reset button while holding onto the power button) as Palm suggested.
4. Restore your SD Backup.

I tried the update without doing all of these things, and I experienced all of the problems documented here.
I then did a hard reset, where I removed the battery. and then replaced it. The Treo then worked fine. I use NVBackup daily, so I restored that mornings backup, and my Treo has not reset once since.
Thanks Paul. I really think you should encourage an SDCard install for all programs. Also, everyone should use destaller, and NVBackup. Since I started using these programs, and only hotsync to bring my Treo up to date with my Outlook app, I stopped having the daily resets even before the update.

Remember, everyone has a different PC, so you need to eliminate the variables, such as background programs, different levels of software installed on your Palm, USB problems, etc. This was like asking everyone to flash their BIOS on their PC. How many of us would not end up with A PC "Brick" also! Maybe, some of us should have taken our Treos to Sprint, and let them install the MR? Of course that would mean training. I would suggest that maybe next time, Palm do a beta release to a few thousand users of all stripes, with feedback on what problems they had?

[Jeremy Mogensen]

I guess I am one of the "few" lucky ones with this ROM upgrade. I installed the ROM upgrade via SD card without any problems. I few rests and about 30-45 mins to install works great. I hope the people that have issue Palm will do everything they can to correct this issue or they will have quite a lawsuite on there hands.

[Alan Grassia]

Paul,

I saw your update regarding the "all clear" for Sprint customers who had successfully installed the MR. I appreciate you posting that note.

Alan Grassia

[Lou]

Negativity is catchy and being silent speaks loud of Guilt. I dont have much in the words of comfort for everyone. I like palm but the Palm love is really fading away. If Palm showed one OUNCE of care and would sit down and talk to the public interactively listen to them that would be great. I know thats what blog.palm.com for. Its a first step or a step to buffer the public to the PR people inside. I use to live in Silicon valley and heck I use to drive by the Palm HQ once in awhile. I cant imagine with all the talent out there they cant iron out an iron clad product. Why not hold a special 'town meeting' maybe at BayLisa or somewhere on neutral grond and really listen to what people have to say or what. Or better yet.. hire some apple people because they've really turned things around. Something has failed at palm. You have to find out internally what failed. The only winner is the managers who continue to make fat paychecks who only care about the bottom line.

Palm.. Time to wake up before you guys are out of jobs.

[Mike H]

Palm,

This is definitely not a successful update and I am not good to go. Yes it did fix some issues but created new ones. I can no longer take my phone into a meeting because everytime I get a new message, even in silent mode, there is a dial tone beep. A crappy update for a crappy phone. Hello RIM!

[alltel]

Alltel users still having problems. Don't forget about us.

We have no 755 to go to.

[Steve]

The MR has a problem with VersaMail. It does not show the Subject and From information. I wish this information would be helpful to Palm. By the way, I went to a local Sprint store and they replaced my "reset-loop" phone (for $35 plus tax). I was brave enough to upgrade the new one.

[John]

My updated went reasonably smooth, but now I have worse issues with vanishing dbcache, more random resets, and still a lag.

This is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back.

I've wearied of struggling with this phone since May '06, having paid full retail at one of your stores since I was locked in a Sprint contract. You've lost a customer of 8 years. Whether it's the iphone or some other non-Palm device, I'm done with Palm and PalmOS devices.

[Kyle]

I applied the upgrade to my phone and it took me 2 hours! I kept getting error messages about my phone not being connected when it was connected. Finally, after an hour of errors, I decided to do a hard reset and tried again. This time it worked, but took close to an hour for the upgrade.

Now, the sounds on the phone are all screwed up! Everytime the phone makes a sound, it plays a little dull beeping sound first before playing the actual sound. And the volume on the sounds goes from quiet to louder.

Uggh! It's VERY annoying!!

Can you please get your act together and release a solid working update? No more excuses!

[Merbil Gonzalez, MD]

After the MR the 700p is where it should have been (in terms of speed and stability) a year ago when I bought it. Unfortunately, the MR also broke the bluetooth conection to my 2006 Lexus GS430. Will this fall under Palm's 'isolated problem' category that doesn't seem to need a fix from their part?

Cordially,

Merbil G.

[Andrew Mitry]

I was able to get the update working on the second try. First time around I did not format the SD card, I just put the update on a card that had other apps. After doing a soft reset to get out of the loop, I wiped the card, downloaded the enterprise update and placed it on the card, worked great. I haven't seen any issues since performing the update and the phone has better response times and bluetooth works without a hitch.

[SunspotWendy]

In addition to the weird key touch beeps that now accompany every text message and system alert, I have also lost functionality of the volume buttons on the side of my phone.

[Dave]

Well, I must be one of the very few who made it through the upgrade process unscathed. I went the SD card route. The only problem I had was that the 700P wouldn't recognize the update app the first couple of times. I reformatted the card and it took off. My GoogleMaps and Bluetooth work, I don't hear strange tones or see yellow text or lines. I'm finally relatively satisfied.

[Andrew]

I too have the "new & improved" double system tone sound now.
This is really quite annoying and turning all sounds off does not help (using the switch at the top).
When you contact Palm at myPalm they just give you the run around.
I guess I'll hold on for a few days and see if there is a patch or new fix and then I'll start shopping around too.
A silent phone in a meeting is a requirement and it no longer is silent.....

[Randy Vander Veer]

Hey Everyone.

Yes, I agree: install after a hard reset (mine did go into an infinite loop after it had installed) but a hard reset brings it back, and the update takes still - still 1.10-SPNT, and the rom reads build 44, build date 4/17/2007. if anyone wants the update, email me doyphoto, gmail. Ciao

Oh ps ( don't mean to make anyone upset but I'm posting this on my treo 700p

[mpoppy]

I like many are begining to loose my faith and patience with Palm/Sprint on this as well. I have had Treo's since the 600 and this may be the last unfortunately. While the OS has been easy to use it is no longer stable and we as consumers are starting to suffer for it....

The first time I uploaded the MR it bricked my 700p, the replacement 700p now has it loaded but I do suffer from the random DTMF dial tone sounds even in silent mode.

I am glad to see competitors like MS and Apple elevating the competition in this market and hopefully this will cause Palm to react to the consumer's benefit not the carriers or their own whims.

[Al in SF]

Thanks for (a) this blog and (b) your admission of problems in this MR.

But this update shows a staggering lack of quality control! It took six months to release this patch, it barely cures the original bugs, it introduces fun new bugs (like weird phone tones all the time), and the installer is incredibly broken (endless attempts to install itself). Did you put the summer interns in charge of this MR?

Palm, I've been a loyal customer since the first Palm Pilot device, this is my THIRD Treo, but now this marks the end of the road.

You can't ship a product like the 700p with so many bugs from the start and then have such mediocre efforts to fix it post-sale. Class-action, anyone?