Hi guys, just wondering if it's possible for you to have BES without MDS support? I'm on a corporate BES v2.2.2.6 I think, OS4.0.0.185. I can't seem to get Blackchat to connect!

It would try and always come back with 2 errors (alternating between):

Cannot CONNECT to the IM Server (Bad DNS Address)
Cannot CONNECT to the IM Server (Malformed Address. Returning null connection)

I've tried resetting the device, turning off and on the radio, and activating the TCP settings according to my provider's specs (then after tested the connection by browsing the web), but nothing gives. I know Blackchat runs on MDS only, but I also read I think by Mark that with OS3.8 and later, so long as you configure TCP properly, you don't have to use the MDS?

Any suggestions what I can do?

Just checked with my BES admin that MDS is not available. Is my connection problem due to the lack of MDS or something else?

Correct. You can run BlackChat without MDS nowadays today. But you're on a BES, so that's the catch-22. See if you can ask your BES administrator if they can turn on MDS.

If not, then another hope might be had by configuring Options->TCP to the appropriate APN setting:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=20472

However, if this doesn't work even after rebooting your BlackBerry, you might be stuck: Unfortunately, there's a way for BES administrators to block you from running such software.

Thanks for the prompt reply Mark. I've tried the APN method, sad to say, no go. I'll get the 2 errors I posted in my first post. Prior to setting the APN, it wouldn't even connect, giving me either a timeout, or a "tunnel cannot be established error". Strange but true. Spoke to me BES admin, he says that they "have not implemented MDS", and "are looking to roll it out as a service in future". Man if there's an emoticon for collapsing in exasperation, I'd use it. Most likely, I think my carrier (Starhub, Singapore) does not have a true TCP/IP stack or open whatever to the net.