Fix My Berry

If you are a new BlackBerry owner, or an old owner experiencing low battery issues, read through these tips:

First of all, modern BlackBerrys come with Lithium-Ion batteries, or Li-Ion for short. Some older models used Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, or NiMH for short.

MYTH: You do NOT need to break in the Li-Ion BlackBerry battery. Lithium-Ion battery do not require conditioning as you might have experienced with other cell phones and batteries.

• Don’t get in the habit of fully discharging the battery every time. Lithium batteries can be damaged with excessive deep discharges.
• When breaking in the battery, make sure you keep it plugged in long after the battery says it is fully charged (i.e. overnight).
• Lithium batteries LOVE to be topped-off. Plug it in whenever you have the opportunity and keep the battery life maxed out for those days you really need long battery life.
• Consider purchasing a car charger, or an office charger/cable. That way, you have more opportunities to top-off your BlackBerry battery.
• Searching for a signal will drain a battery quite quickly. If you must conserve the battery, turn the wireless or radio off.
• Keep your Bluetooth turned OFF when not in use.
• Keep your Wi-Fi turned OFF when not in use.
• Keep the backlight turned low or off whenever possible (rather than bright mode). A backlight setting of 60%-80% is wise.
• If you use instant messaging software, leaving it running in the background is a battery-killer. Sign off  and log yourself out when not in use.
• Big suprise, making a phone call made on your BlackBerry is the biggest consumer of battery life. If you make lots of phone calls for hours, then expect your battery life can be extremely short.
• Making phone calls in areas of weak reception will use up even more battery power.

What is running in the background of your BB? There are commonly 4-5 applications that will ALWAYS be running i.e. Messages, Phone, BBMessenger, Homescreen, and the Browser.

• Make certain that the browser is NOT on an active webpage (say with animated radar or a live webpage such as a news website that is constantly updating to the current news. Close it on the bookmarks page, which is static).
• Close any other applications that do not need to be running (like the camera or a game).

Not sure what going on behind the screen?

• Press Alt + Escape (the key to the right of the trackball) to bring up the Application Switcher and scroll through that list to see what is running in the background.  Close whatever is not neccessary.

This article was originally posted on BlackBerryForums.com and edited for content.

If you have deleted a number in your Call Logs that is not associated with your Address Book:

On your BlackBerry homescreen:

• Hold down the ALT key and type LGLG
• Press Menu and then Options
• Scroll down into the event list
• Press Menu and “Hide all Types“
• Scroll down and Highlight PhoneApp
• Press Menu and press Toggle Filter
• Menu > Save

Now, you will see a lot of what appears to be gibberish. This shows all calls and numbers to the phone.

You need to dig through to find the deleted number. When you find it, select the entry and it will show the full number.

Thanks to Thatzmister2u @ BlackBerryForums.com for this FAQ content.

Okay, lets imagine the image to left is your blackberry…

Now that you’ve stopped crying; read on:

Do NOT attempt to turn on your BlackBerry.

Remove the battery immediately!!

Leave the plastic casing covering the back on the BlackBerry OFF.

Let the device dry in a warm place for 3 to 5 days, open and with the battery out.

Place the BB in a sealed container with UNcooked rice, and then leave it to dry in some of these suggested areas:

• If the device is warm, let it cool to room temperature.
• On top of a TV cabinet or CRT, LCD or plasma monitor.
• On top of a cable TV/Satellite converter box.
• On the dashboard of your car on a sunny day.

Getting a device like a Blackberry wet is always risky business. The are no guarantees that drying the device out will bring it back to life.

Delete unused Languages

• Go to Options >> Advanced Options >> Applications
• Scroll to and highlight the unused languages
• Press the menu key and select Delete
  • Note: When prompted to restart select No until all of the unused languages are deleted.
• Once all languages are deleted, remove battery for 30 seconds and re-boot the device

 

 

Remove call logs

• Go into the Messages application and press the menu key
• Select View Folder, then select Phone Call Logs
• Scroll to the top date and highlight it
• Press the menu key and select Delete Prior

 

 

Delete sample video

• Go to Options >> Advanced Options >> Applications
• Highlight Blackberry Sample Video
• Press the menu key and select Delete

 

 

Clear Cache and Cookies in Browser

• Go into the Browser application and press the menu key
• Select Options >> Cache Operations
• Select Clear History
• You can also clear out Pushed Content and Cookie Cache from here

 

 

I’m going to attempt to consolidate into this one post as much basic troubleshooting tips as I possibly can. Some of these simple steps may save you much frustration and time on the phone waiting for your wireless service providers technical support department.

First step to take if device is having problems?

• The first step is to pull the battery out of the device and leave it out for about 30 seconds. This will clear the internal memory and will solve many, many issues.
  • Leave the BB powered ON.
  • Pull the battery
  • Leave it out for 30 seconds
  • Replace battery and let device boot
  • See if the problem has been resolved

How do I reset my BlackBerry?

Differences between hard, soft, and master resets

Resetting the BlackBerry device is a useful way to resolve issues and is usually the first step in troubleshooting the BlackBerry device. Knowing the differences between a hard, soft, double-soft, and master reset ensures that the correct troubleshooting method has been chosen.

Note: Backup all applications before resetting the BlackBerry device using the Backup and Restore tool on the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

Performing a SOFT reset on the BlackBerry device

• Performing a soft reset stops all applications on the BlackBerry device by pressing the ALT+RIGHT SHIFT(CAP)+DELETE keys. A soft reset re-establishes communication between the BlackBerry device and the computer.

Note: This does not apply to the BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphone.

Performing a DOUBLE-SOFT reset on the BlackBerry device

• Performing a double-soft reset stops all applications on the BlackBerry device and is nearly the equivalent of a hard reset. Timing however is critical. Perform a soft reset by pressing the ALT+RIGHT SHIFT(CAP)+DELETE keys. The screen will go blank. When the screen is no longer black, press the ALT+RIGHT SHIFT(CAP)+DELETE keys again. You should then see another blank screen followed by an hour glass.

Note: This does not apply to the BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphone.

Performing a HARD reset on the BlackBerry device

• The first step in troubleshooting a network, software or hardware error is often to perform a hard reset. With Java® based devices, this is accomplished by removing the battery, while the BlackBerry device is powered on. Hold the battery out for about 30 seconds, and replace. The BlackBerry device will reboot.

Note: A hard reset on a C++ based device is accomplished by pressing the Reset button.

Note: To perform a hard reset on a RIM models 850, 857, 950, or 957 device, insert the end of a paperclip inside the small hole on the back of the handheld.

Reasons to perform a hard reset

The following shows the possible reasons for performing a hard reset on a BlackBerry device.

Network Issues

• Handheld displays an X beside the coverage indicator.
• Handheld displays GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) or lower case gprs (General Packet Radio Service) as the network status indicator.
• User is unable to send or receive messages on the handheld.

Software Issues

• User receives an error code on the handheld.
• Applications do not appear to be functioning correctly.
• Desktop Manager is stuck at “working” status when the handheld is connected.
• Bluetooth is not detected.

Hardware Issues

• Handheld display is hard to read. For example, the display shows lines obscuring text.
• Keypad is not functioning correctly. For example, keys do not work, the trackwheel is not functioning correctly, or the handheld does not turn on.

Performing a MASTER reset

• The master reset feature is not available on the BlackBerry device and is only applicable to selected manufacturer devices.
• A master reset removes all user-installed applications and data, including BlackBerry Connect software. For more about master resets, contact your service provider.

How to wipe ALL personal data from a BlackBerry device?

NOTE: This does NOT delete the Operating System from your BlackBerry.

• This wipe will remove ALL personal data (contacts, memos, calendar appointments, settings, preferences, etc.) from the device.
• The device will still work for you or your next user.
• This wipe will NOT delete most Third Party Applications. (unless the option is selected when processing the wipe).

90xx series, 87xx series, 81xx series, 83xx series, and 88xx series:

Go to Options

 

 

 

 

Select Security Options

 

 

 

 

Select General Settings

 

 

 

 

Hit menu key and select Wipe Handheld

 

 

 

 

Click on Continue

(Optional: enable checkbox to remove all third party applications)

 

 

 

Type in the word “blackberry” to complete process

 

 

 

71xx series, 72xx series, 75xx series, and 77xx series: (sorry, no pics)

Option 1

• Go to Options
• Select Security Options
• Select Content Protection
• Hit menu key and select Wipe Handheld

Option 2

• Set a password under Options >> Security >> Password and save it
• Enter that password incorrectly 10 times….
• After you enter it wrong 10 times it will wipe out all the data.

How do I wipe the BlackBerry using Jl Cmder(JavaLoader Commander)?

Pre-Wipe Tasks

• Download and install Jl_Cmder to your PC ( Click here to download Jl_Cmder )
• Make sure ALL your data (contacts, appointments, memos, etc) are backed up or synced before proceeding! This will wipe everything off of the device.
• Make sure you have the latest version of both Desktop Manager and the Handheld OS installed on your PC.
• From the PC navigate to c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader and delete the file vendor.xml.
  • Note: If you have never installed the Handheld OS before then the vendor.xml file will not be on the PC and you can skip this step.
• Plug the device into the PC using the USB cord and make sure Desktop Manager is closed.
• Remove the battery from the device

Wipe The Device

• Wipe the device using Jl_Cmder (JavaLoader Commander).
  • Note: This may take several attempts to connect to the device, so keep trying until it connects and wipes.
• The device will reboot to a white screen with a ‘507′ error. 

If the device will not connect and wipe after several attempts ,then follow next steps:

• Disconnect the device from the PC, begin Command Line Tasks process.
• Start a Command Prompt in DOS from the PC (Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> Command Prompt)
• Change the directory to: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader
  • To navigate to this directory follow instructions below:
    • From C:\ prompt type:
    • cd Program Files <hit enter>
    • cd Common Files <hit enter>
    • cd Research In Motion <hit enter>
    • cd AppLoader <hit enter>
• Make sure Desktop Manager is not running
• Connect BlackBerry to the PC
• Enter the following command in the Command Prompt window: loader.exe /nojvm

Installation

• The Application Loader Wizard window will open
• Click on Next
• You will get a drop down list with the COM ports and one USB port entry
• Select the one which says USB:UNKNOWN. If you do not see USB:UNKNOWN or USB:BBPIN, then follow instructions listed below:
  • Disconnect the device from the PC.
  • Keep the Application Loader Wizard window open
  • Remove the battery and put it back
  • While the red led is on, reconnect the device to the PC. The led will only stay on for a few seconds
  • When USB:UNKNOWN appears in the drop down list, you need to immediately select Next
  • The loader should now connect to your device and you will be able to reinstall the OS

Install OS and Restore

• Open Desktop Manager and select Application Loader
• Install the OS by following the prompts and selections
• The device will reboot. It can take up to 15 minutes for the 1st boot
• Restore the previously made backup or re-sync
• Install the battery back into the device and unplug from the PC.

 

 

Follow the quick steps given below to learn how to schedule an appointment in Day View easily.   Make sure that Enable Quick Entry is set to Yes in the calendar options Beside the start time, type in the subject of the appointment in the Day view. In Parentheses type a location. Hold the Shift key and roll the track ball to change the Start and the end times. Click the trackball. Now check out these steps to know how to schedule an appointment: In the calendar options, set the Enable Quick Entry field to No for the shortcuts to work in Day view. Press the period (.) key to create an appointment. Press 6 to move to the next day. Press 4 to move the previous day. Roll the track ball, to change the end time only. Press 8 to move down an hour in the calender.

Listed below are the keypad options which will help you navigate….

Press 2 to move up a message. Press 8 to move down a message. Press the question mark (?) to reply to all. Press period (.) to forward a message. Press the exclamation point (!) key to reply to a message. Press the comma (,) key to compose a message from the message list.

Check the following too:

1. Press the Alt key and 3, to view received message.
2. Press the Alt key and period (.) to view phone call logs.
3. Press Alt Key and 7 to view voice mail message.
4. Press the Alt key and question mark key (?) to view SMS text messages.
5. Press the back key to view all your message again.

Below are the features available. Here’s what the navigation pad can do:

Roll the trackball to move the cursor. Press 1 to move to the top of the screen. Press 3 to move up a screen. Press 4 to move to the previous item. Press 6 to move to the next item. Press 7 to move to the bottom of the screen. Press 9 to move down a screen.

Following are some Browser tips available on your Blackberry Pearl:

1. Press X to view the thumbnail version of a web page. And if you want to return back to the normal page, just click on any key.
2. You might find some banner in some webpage. Press the exclamation point (!) key to hide the banners.
3. Press 3 to move up a screen.
4. Press 9 to move down the screen.
5. Press 1 to move down.
6. Press the back key  to close the browser.
7. To insert a period(.) in the Go To box, press space.
8. To insert a slash mark (/) in the Go To box, press the shift key and the space key.
9. Press the back key, to stop loading a webpage.
10. Press 5 to open the bookmark saved on the webpage.
11. Press the question mark (?) to add a bookmark.
12. Press the period(.) key to go to a particular web page.
13. If you want to go the bottom of the screen, press 7. 

1. Press the Right Convenience key to take a picture.

   

2. If you want to set the auto flash, press 0/space to set Auto/On/Off.

   

3. Press the +/- buttons, which is on the right hand side, to zoom on a particular object.