WIP330

Upgrading to the latest version or to the Skype enabled version is an important step and should not be undertaken lightly. Many users have contacted me with damaged firmware which is difficult if not impossible to repair. I would advise everyone to carefully upgrade to the version which gives them the features they need and then leave it there. Avoid changing firmware versions without good reason.

Why should I upgrade the firmware?

As new features and bug fixes are developed by linksys for addition to the WIP330 they are released as firmware upgrades to the phone. The file is downloaded from the internet, the WIP330 adddresses it and applies the changes and reboots itself. The new features and changes can then accessed. You can tell which firmware version you have installed on your own phone by checking the Information screen on the WIP330. Press the Menu button, navigate to the Information icon and select it and then scroll through the list to find the firmware version.

However, if a thing ain't broke then don't mend it. If your phone is working well and doing everything you want then there is a good case for not upgrading it. Sometimes the upgrade process can go wrong and - very occasionally - it can render the phone unusuable and unrepairable. If the upgrade process is done correctly and not interuptted midway then it will not go wrong.
UPdate - I have just bricked a WIP330 and had to return it to Linksys (after much effort). How? I was careless and did not wait until the firmware had rebooted fully. If in doubt just wait five more minutes and don't touch the phone.


Why should I downgrade the firmware?

Just as new features are added sometimes other ones are removed. The main features lost in recent upgrades are the Skype and MSN applications and the ability to access the inner workings and operating system of the WIP330 with Microsoft's Active Sync application.

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The firmware can be upgraded two ways, either directly from the phone itself or via your computer's web browser.

Download a step by step upgrade guide in pdf format here.

You can find a list of available firmware on the Archives page of this website.

Important - If your phone firmware version is earlier than V1.00.06A then you first need to install this file:

http://rapidshare.com/files/86972277/wip330_sbe.bin

before you install the upgrade itself. See here for detailed upgrade instructions.

The GUI firmware upgrade screen of firmware version wip330_v1_03_18S.bin.

The WIP330 firmware upgrade screen of firmware version wip330_v1_03_18S.bin.