Hi Jonathan,

Yes, like we thought...you are running into the issues listed below due to the

version(s) of your existing Firmware;

Check out what 7.1(5) is trying to load

Table 20 Default Loads for Cisco Unified Communications Manager Release 7.x

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/compat/ccmcompmatr.html#wp43813

For the 7940's

Note You cannot upgrade to firmware release 8.1(2) directly from firmware release 8.0(10) or an earlier release. You have to upgrade to firmware release 8.1(1) first, then upgrade from release 8.1(1) to release 8.1(2).

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/voice_ip_comm/cuipph/7960g_7940g/firmware/8_1_2/english/release/notes/796040_812.html

For the 7970's

Firmware Upgrade Issues for SCCP

Note For all SCCP firmware upgrades from firmware release versions earlier than 8.3(3) to version 8.5(3) or greater, you must first upgrade your firmware to version 8.5(2). Once you have upgraded to version 8.5(2), you can upgrade your IP Phone to version 8.5(3) or later.

Note This section applies to the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7971G-GE, 7970G, 7961G-GE, 7961G, 7941G-GE, 7941G, 7911G, and 7906G.

The following upgrade issues apply:

•If you are currently running firmware earlier than 6.0(2) on a Cisco Unified IP Phone and want to upgrade to 8.x(x), you must first install an intervening 7.0(x) load to prevent upgrade failure. Cisco recommends using the most recent 7.0(3) load as the intervening load to avoid lengthy upgrade times.

•If you are currently running firmware 6.0(2) to 7.0(2) on a Cisco Unified IP Phone and want to upgrade to 8.x(x), you can do so directly. However, expect the upgrade to take twice as long as usual.

•Device packs are required to enable IP Phones in the Cisco Unified Communications Manager database. For Cisco Unified CallManager 4.2 and earlier, these device packs are required. For Cisco Unified CallManager 4.3 and Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.0 and later, you must run the device pack and reboot the Cisco Unified Communications Manager server.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/voice_ip_comm/cuipph/firmware/8_5_3/english/release/notes/7900_853.html

Cheers!

Rob