How do you upgrade to 4.2.1, not 4.3.1?

[idkanymore]

I'm interested in upgrading my phone to 4.2.1 instead of 4.3.1 while the jailbreakers work all the kinks out of the 4.3.1 and release a rock solid release with no problems (thats why I'm opting for 4.2.1 for now).

So how would I go about updating to 4.2.1? I don't care so much about preserving the baseband or anything. What exactly does upgrading the baseband even do, does it provide better connection, stability or anything like that?

Yes I have the SHSH blobs.

Thanks for your help.

[Orby]

I'm interested in upgrading my phone to 4.2.1 instead of 4.3.1 while the jailbreakers work all the kinks out of the 4.3.1 and release a rock solid release with no problems (thats why I'm opting for 4.2.1 for now).

So how would I go about updating to 4.2.1? I don't care so much about preserving the baseband or anything. What exactly does upgrading the baseband even do, does it provide better connection, stability or anything like that?

Yes I have the SHSH blobs.

Thanks for your help.

Baseband updates occasionally contain things that improve Wi-Fi or UMTS performance, call clarity, etc. but to the best of my knowledge, there hasn't been a major BB improvement in a while. I personally wouldn't update the BB if you can avoid it, but that's my opinion.

To go to 4.2.1, download TinyUmbrella, start the TSS Server after saving your SHSH blobs locally, and click Shift (or Option on OS X) in iTunes, and navigate to your downloaded 4.2.1 IPSW (or custom-made IPSW from sn0wbreeze or PwnageTool). Click Restore, and let the fireworks begin.

Please note you'll need to be in Pwned DFU mode if you're going the custom firmware route. It's not necessary for a stock restore, but it can't hurt.

[idkanymore]

Thats the best answer I could have hoped for! Thank you for such a concise answer.

Just one more question. When I upgrade to 4.2.1, do I have to do a restore of my current version then upgrade (because of cydia) or can I just upgrade and it will take care of everything? The only thing I dread is downloading and setting up all my cydia apps again.

[goofball2k]

use aptbackup or pkgbackup to back up your cydia. aptbackup just backs up/restores the info on what you had installed, you end up having to redownload/install them again, from my experiences.

[idkanymore]

I see. I looked those apps up and one is 7.99 which is already a deal breaker and the other just basically creates a list of whats installed and doesnt back up any settings. Kinda sucks but ill just reinstall everything manually and set them up again. I might just use aptbackup just for the list so I have it later.

Thanks for the info

I've decided to upgrade to 4.3.1 after all due to the recent update in the redsnow and it seems stable. I always trust those dev guys and it seems like a solid jailbreak release.