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Windows Phone 7 update is 'bricking' some handsets

A minor software update for Windows Phone 7 is causing problems for owners of some handsets, according to posts made on Twitter.The software — which does little but get the Windows Phone 7 updater ready for future upgrades — started rolling out to users on Monday but some handset owners quickly started reporting problems with it on Twitter.
Written by Ben Woods, Contributor

A minor software update for Windows Phone 7 is causing problems for owners of some handsets, according to posts made on Twitter.

The software — which does little but get the Windows Phone 7 updater ready for future upgrades — started rolling out to users on Monday but some handset owners quickly started reporting problems with it on Twitter.

"My Samsung Omnia 7 is failing to update, it is hanging at 100% on step 7," wrote the user 'Benjamin_Gibbs'.

'Bricking' is the term used to describe when a phone is rendered useless by a change in software or firmware.

Other Samsung Omnia 7 owners also reported problems when attempting to upgrade their software, with several reporting that it has rendered their handsets useless.

"The WP7 update has bricked my Omnia 7. Error Code C101002E. Restoration Error. Please advise ASAP," wrote 'AlexRoebuck'.

"My [Windows Phone 7] phone is now completely unusable and can't be restored to previous version," wrote another Twitter user with the moniker of 'Qboid'.

ZDNet UK contacted Microsoft but had not received a response at the time of writing. The official Windows Phone support Twitter account has been suggesting that some users return their handsets to the point of purchase for further assistance.

Microsoft said in a blog post on Monday that it is phasing the roll-out in order to "ensure the process goes smoothly".

For people who do wish to install the update when the notification icon appears, the handset needs to be connected to a PC and updated using the Zune software. Mac users can update it when connected by running the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac.

Update: “We’re aware of this issue and are looking into these reports,” a Microsoft spokesman told ZDNet UK on Tuesday.

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