(Tech Tip: Blackberry) How to change the name of your Mailbox from 'Desktop'

One legacy thing that always bugged me was how the word ‘Desktop’ shows up all over the Blackberry.

- Name of your mailbox icon: Desktop (when you have more than one account)

- When sending mail you choose ‘Send using Desktop

- Your service books include  a bunch of things including the famous ‘Desktop [CMIME]’

Here’s how to change Desktop to something more meaningful like ‘Exchange’.

In Blackberry Desktop click Device Options… Enterprise Email and change the Service name.

Keep in mind that all the mail will appear ‘mixed together’ on the message list even though they are kept in separate folders in Outlook.

 To change Folder Redirection:

1. On the Blackberry, open up Messages so you are looking at your mail
2.  Click Menu (the button with the ‘berry’ on it)
   select Options -> Email Settings
3. Under Message Services highlight Desktop
    (Skip this step if you don’t see Message Services)
4. Click Menu
   select Folder Redirection
5. Then put checks next to folders you want
6. Press Esc (the curly arrow) and save

 The desktop manager software is software that you can install on your computer to manage your Blackberry via USB cable.

This software is optional and is not recommended unless you have a specific function in mind.

With Blackberry Desktop Manager you can:

-          Do a wired (as opposed to wireless) activation of your device.  As long as you have an existing BES server account you can activate the device without an activation password or other server-side setup.  In addition, since the activation happens over the USB cable it’s somewhat faster.

-          Move media (pictures / music) to and from your device.

-          Upgrade your device operating system (see below)

 Installing Blackberry Desktop Manager

Desktop Manager Download locations

Current Version 4.7 (with or without Media Manager)

Direct from Blackberry http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/desktop/

From Tmobile  http://www.t-mobile.com/bbupgrade/

Installation Screens for Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) client install

Finally, it will install and then prompt you for a computer reboot.   

Using Desktop Manger

 When you start up Desktop Manager it will ask you to connect to an Outlook profile.  The safest non-activation route is to choose ‘Cancel’.

This allows you to backup and upgrade the blackberry in ‘guest’ mode without activation.

If you WANT to do a wired activation or otherwise sync your Blackberry then press OK.

Caution: The Outlook profile’s mailbox will be used to do a wired activation of the Blackberry (no BES Server involvement or activation password is required if the BES account exists).

You will get this screen if you have an Outlook profile configured and then you connect someone else’s or an otherwise new Blackberry.

YES begins the activation so be careful.  Existing Blackberry data would get (optionally) ‘merged’ into the mailbox (it asks you about this).

Normally you would start with a new or ‘wiped’ Blackberry before going down this route.

NO will allow you to backup and upgrade the blackberry in ‘guest’ mode without activation (as if you had not connected to an Outlook profile) 

Once you choose an Outlook profile it will be automatically chosen every time you launch Desktop Manager.  Use Options… Profile Options… to change it later.

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Upgrading the Blackberry OS

 

The operating system (OS) of the Blackberry controls the look-and-feel and all basic functionality of the device.  New features and fixes are introduced with each OS.

Upgrading the OS is a simple but lengthy process (up to 60 mins) that is not recommended without discussing with support.  Each OS is specific to service provider (e.g. T-Mobile) and Model (e.g. 8300 Curve).

 

The steps to upgrading the OS are

1.       Determine your service provider, model, and current OS (Options -> About)

2.       Install Desktop Manager (see above) on your computer.

3.       Locate, download, and install the OS ‘program’ on your computer. (see below)

When you next plug in your Blackberry, Desktop Manager will prompt you to do the upgrade and guide you.
-or-
If you are not prompted, you can still use the ‘Application Loader’ -> ‘Update Software’ feature to do the upgrade

 

 

5.       Optional : To add / remove certain OS features (languages, games) use the ‘Device software options’

 

List of BlackBerry Handheld OS Download Locations

http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.php/BlackBerry_Operating_System_Downloads

 

Blackberry Handheld OS

Current Version 4.5

Note: Upgrade to 4.5 requires re-activation to resume mail flow.  Also the ‘Connecting to device’ stage takes forever but progress bar does move slowly.

Direct from Blackberry http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/devices/#tab_tab_upgrade

From Tmobile  http://www.t-mobile.com/bbupgrade/

 

 

Is your Blackberry not getting email?  See this list of the most common problems that get in the way of your Blackberry talking to your BES server.

1. Are you subscribed to data service? Are you in a data-capable location?

You must have proper signal for data service on your phone.  If you can’t get a proper signal you must contact your provider (see below)
If you can use the Browser icon on the main screen to get to any public web page (like www.yahoo.com) then you probably have proper data signal.

On the Blackberry home page, make sure you see the letters in all CAPS (GPRS,EDGE,EVDO, 1XEV) indicating a data connection specific to the local provider.

Even capital GSM is not good enough.  Also a voice-capable signal is not necessarily good enough

2. Have you tried 'rebooting' your Blackberry?

Just turning your Blackberry off and then on is not the same as rebooting.

You must take the battery out of the Blackberry, count to 5, then re-insert the battery.

3. Is wireless sync on?

Inside Email, show the menu and choose Options... Email Reconciliation... Wireless Reconcile should be ON.

Also, you can sync right away by choosing Email... Reconcile Now.

Inside Contacts, show the menu and choose Options... Wireless Sync should say YES.

Inside Calendar, show the menu and choose Options... Wireless Sync should say YES.

4. Is the date / time correct?

For some reason if the date / time is not correct, your Blackberry will not update your mail.

Go into Options... Date Time. 

Make sure the Date/Time Source says 'Network'. 

Also you can click and choose 'Update' to update the time right now.

Click and choose 'Save' to save your changes.

5. Manually choosing a local provider (for travelers)

The Blackberry normally chooses a local provider automatically.  If it’s not working you can do these steps.

On the blackberry look for the ‘Options’ icon (a wrench) and open it.

Then choose Mobile Network… Network Selection Mode… (Manual or Automatic)

When you switch to Manual you can click ‘Scan for Available Networks’ and will see providers that have a signal in your area and can choose them.

Make sure you switch back to Automatic when you return.

Options > Advanced Options > Sim Card > Phone Number
Click menu on the number area and choose "Edit SIM Phone Number" and enter your phone number

If you still don’t see it you may need this too:
At Phone Dialer Screen > Options > General Options > Show My Number = YES.

on newer (trackball) models:
the ESC button is the curly arrow to the right of the pearl
the 'menu' button is the berry button to the left of the pearl

on classic (wheel) models

ESC is the button next to the trackwheel on the right edge of the device
Click the wheel to show a menu or activate something

From the main screen*
K Lock phone

M Mail
A Address Book
L Calendar
D Notes
T Tasks
O Options

Other tips

T Go to the Top of your inbox
B Go to the Bottom of your inbox
Space/Shift-Space: Move up/down a page (works in most areas of the Blackberry)

When typing E-Mail addresses: Use the space key instead of typing @ and . (it will figure out what you mean)
When typing web sites: You can use a space instead of a .

To select multiple msgs (for deletion): Shift + Wheel

Select Text: Shift + Wheel
Copy Text: Alt + Click
Paste Text: Shift + Click

To use your blackberry while you are on the phone (e.g. to look up a phone number) press ESC and choose "Continue call"

*If the main screen keys don't work try this:
Green button... Click wheel... Options... General Options... Dial from Home Screen=No