Just about every question we get asked is here, with the answer (of course).
You can can also try help from fellow Peeksters at the Peek Discussion Boards. No question is off limits!
Of course, you can always email us at feedback@getpeek.com or call at 1-877-677-PEEK (7335) between the hours of 9 AM to 7 PM ET, Monday-Friday. We're more than happy to help you out!
| Here is an overview on upgrading your Peek. It’s pretty easy! |
Easy. If you have a Peek, you want to be sure it is on the latest released version. Right now — that is version 1.10.00. More about it here.
Hard. If you are advanced or adventurous, you may want to try an even later test version before it is released for everyone. More about it here.
| This process is pretty easy. Most people get through it in 20 minutes. |
 |
Peeksters, we have released a new version of the Peek software with an updated upgrader tool.
It is version of 1.10.00 – a new major release. We have now fully tested this version and encourage you to install it. You can always go back to the previous version if you don’t like it. And you can ignore it if you want too — it is optional.
The installer software has been updated June 28th, 2010 — this should eradicate folks having SIM Error at all.
Step 1 is fully charge your Peek. Step 2 is do a Reset Peek from Peek Manager / Device Info. Then Step 3…download:
Download Windows Installer tool “c” for Peek software version 1.10.00 build 192b — June 28, 2010
For Advanced users, here is the Download Firmware Only for Version 1.10.00 build 192b — June 15, 2010
Features of 1.10.00
- Incredibly robust network connection – never lose it, so faster email delivery
- Complete redo of the UI look
- Improved email view screen
Help and common questions:
- discussed here on the FAQ and also see this
- guide on the Discussion Boards
Date: June 28, 2010
| Some easy troubleshooting tips. |
I think I destroyed my Peek! It won’t turn on. This is pretty much impossible. The worst thing you can do is start upgrading without enough battery (or repeatedly try upgrading without charging) and have the charge run out mid-download of firmware. The Peek won’t start or acknowledge your attempt; and it won’t charge either. What you need to fix this is a charged battery. If you only have one Peek, you’re probably going to end up sending your Peek to us. Let us know and mail it to Peek, 419 Lafayette St, 2nd floor, NY NY 10003.
I did charge my battery, but I still think it’s dead! If your Peek won’t start, it probably failed mid-download of the firmware. The Upgrader tool for version 1.10.00 does two major steps: loads firmware (which is like downloading a program onto the hard drive), and updates settings (which is like checking some boxes and turning some knobs on that software).
If it failed to download the software, then it won’t seem to power on. It will likely light up the keys when it is plugged into your machine.
Do this: Pull out the battery, put it back in, and then restart the Upgrader. When it asks you to “power on” the Peek, pressing that button tells the Peek to do the one thing it can still do — accept a new download. It won’t seem anything is happening (your Peek won’t buzz or light up right away), but soon the Upgrader will start showing progress. When it finishes, pull out the battery, restart and now you have working software.
But I tried loading the firmware and it didn’t work. 
Simply retry. This sounds silly but the connection is sometimes unreliable. The Windows software, the data cable, etc can let you down. So just retry. Sometimes we have to retry 10 times on some Peeks!
I got the firmware and it boots. But it says “SIM error” or has a “Red X” or is acting weird in another way. This is because the update settings part failed. The advice is similar to the above: retry. But since you got the firmware loaded, you should make sure you charge up your Peek before retrying. If the installer doesn’t get it going after a few tries, you can force it to work manually. Take a look at this post from our customer support team. We have released a new version of the installer that removes this problem. Get it here
I’m not even getting that far. It doesn’t ever ever ever “see” my Peek. This is a data cable issue with Windows. The cable could be genuinely damaged — is anything loose? But 95% chance that the cable is just loose and needs to be jiggled, or Windows restarted, or worst case try another PC. We know that our Upgrader works well on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. (Sorry Mac and Unix folks.)
That’s it! If you are worried – just email us to feedback@getpeek.com and by all means read the boards! People are helpful there.
There are a few vendors of Peek’s upgrade data cables.
Newegg carries it (currently under $15 and under $5 shipping)
And PC Connection also carries it
| This is kind of advanced. But it could save the day. |
If you have attempted an upgrade per http://upgrade.getpeek.com and run into trouble, there is an advanced method you can try. Once you have downloaded the upgrader software, there are some other tools that get installed. See the video.
This process can take a Peek with bad firmware and revive it — they only thing you need is a battery with some charge and the data cable.
Hard Core Advanced Upgrade Tool Process from Amol Sarva peek on Vimeo.
| This is pretty advanced |
You can trace your Peek’s output and learn all kinds of stuff about what may be working incorrectly on your Peek if you are having trouble. It’s not for the faint of heart. But it will show you battery strength, network connection, etc etc.
And you can use the free Hyperterminal program that comes with Windows.
You just need a data cable.
A video walkthrough:
http://vimeo.com/13623349/
Advanced Hardcore: Tracing the output on your Peek for debugging from Amol Sarva peek on Vimeo.
| This is pretty advanced |
We put some dodgy stuff out there as we test new features.
You can find it at http://drop.io/peekupgrader or read about it on various threads on the boards.
For posterity, here is release version 1.09.20, known as Peek Pronto Final:
Peek Upgrader v1.09.20b Peek Pronto Final
This upgrader executable file is about 38 MB. It only runs on Windows. You need an upgrade cable for it (buy one at CDW). It works — this is the final version.
The single most important thing you can do before starting this process isfully charging your Peek. This is hugely important if you don’t have a second Peek around to save the day.
Features of 1.09.20
- Better contacts management and saving
- Better texting screens
- Better screen lock
- Speed improvements to the UI and data storage
Updated: June 25th, 2010
If you are using Peek from Spotnik in Europe or from Aircel in India — you have to get firmware versions that are made for your device.
In general, on the US Peek site, you will find US software builds. These won’t work on your Peek.
We will keep all markets up to date with full version releases. But if you are eager to get one please email feedback@getpeek.com and we’ll see if we can get you something rough-and-ready though not quite launched in your market to play with.
If you want to buy a Peek with the latest software, your best bet is to buy it off of our website, getpeek.com, or off Amazon.com under Peek Pronto. If you’re buying from other places like Target or Costco, then you may get a Classic with older software—no way to tell until you get it!
If you have a Peek Classic or a Peek you bought in 2008 sometimes, you may be interested in the features of Peek Pronto — including texting and faster mail delivery.
The cost to upgrade and how to upgrade depend on what software version you have. To find out your software version, just go to Peek Manager > Device Info > SW Version.
If you have SW 1.04, 1.06, 1.07, or 1.08:
Get an upgrade cable at CDW or New Egg or other resellers and upgrade to the latest software version at home, or send us an email to care at getpeek dot com and we’ll help you.
If you have SW 1.09 (or later), or get yourself upgraded to that version:
Log into your account on http://account.getpeek.com and you can see what type of Peek features you have. If you have a Peek Classic, you can call us to have us push out the change over the air that makes this a Peek Pronto. Email us or you can call 877 677 7335 (PEEK). We charge you the difference in price between Classic and Pronto — $40.
| We have released a new upgrader tool and written up some notes for how to stay current. The details are here. |
Everyone is eligible to update to the latest Peek software.
The latest version is Peek Pronto Final (software version 1.10.00, released July 18, 2010). If you bought a Peek Pronto in a store during 2009, you probably have 1.09.18 or 1.09.15 — so it’s time to upgrade.
How is Peek Pronto Final better? It’s more stable and reliable, it’s faster even when you get tons of mail, it has a better screen lock feature, and it’s got nicer support for texting.
There are 3 ways to upgrade:
1. Find a friendly Peekster near you who is willing to upgrade your Peek. Post on our Peekster community boards , to see if there’s a Peekster nearby.
2. If you are comfortable with computers and consider yourself a techie — or if you know someone willing to help you out for 30 minutes, order an upgrade cable from CDW or Newegg (better rates on shipping) and get the upgrade software for Peek version 1.10.00.
You plug the cable in and run the upgrade software. If you have trouble, try unplugging the cables and starting over. Or just try running the software again. Windows is a little funny in its support for the upgrade cable, but a few retries work.
If you are really getting nowhere, you could try a different computer. Or you can try installing the cable’s drivers directly; here are the versions for recent Windows operating systems: Windows XP,Windows Vista, or Windows 7.
The upgrade tool only works on Windows PCs at this time (sorry Mac/Linux users). If you are having trouble with the updater, check out this Peek board topic with some great tips to help get you started.
Since this is a process that takes about 30 minutes, and since our care reps on the phone are not PC experts, we can’t talk you through this on the care hotline. We can however get you help on the boards or via email. Thousands of people have done it an succeeded — so the boards probably include your situation and its solution already.
Archived, here is the upgrade software for Peek version 1.09.20 (in case you want to roll back). Note about the installer wizard for 1.09.20: there is a typo in one of the screens that says .18 – it’s only a typo. You are installing .20.
3. Only for folks who have a Peek Classic, which is software version “1.09 Classic”, upgrading to Peek Pronto costs $40. You can still upgrade the software per the above steps, but you’ll continue to be using it Classic mode (no texting, slower mail delivery, but you get the software improvements).
You can purchase the upgrade by calling us at 1-877-677-7335. You’ll need your IMEI, but you will not need to send in your Peek or reload any software simply to go from 1.09 Classic to 1.09 Pronto.
In the past, our busy bee Peeksters here at headquarters have upgraded Peeks for customers by hand. We have had folks mail them into New York or San Francisco, and upgraded them. Then mailed them back. We are not doing this right now — we highly encourage you to do option 2 above. It’s kind of tricky — like setting up a new printer — but you don’t have to be without your Peek and no pesky mail problems. (April 2010)
You pay to ship your Peek to our offices and we’ll pay for shipping back to you. We’ll use USPS Priority Mail to ship your Peek back. We recommend shipping just your Peek (no charger or packaging) in a small padded envelope or a standard FedEx or USPS envelope. If you send via Priority Mail it should cost less than $5.
