Will this backup 3rd party storage databases as well as the 'install/executable' part?
I think I noticed that some apps (BerryDialer, Viigo, Mobile Desktop, Google Maps etc.) will lost their saved data (BerryDialer loses the configured cards, Viigo loses all the read/unread/saved articles, Mobile Desktop loses all the configured hosts and registration key, Google Maps lost all the saved trips and favorites etc.).

Does anyone know of a proved way to backup everything including the above (and other) 3rd party storage databases?

On the PocketPC or PalmOS it is such a straight forward task (and can also be run locally on the device as backup-to-card because of how simple it is), I guess it is much more complicated on the blackberry (maybe due to the more strict security constraints).

John: I'm not sure if this is related, but I can't find an answer to this...I updated the Docs to Go 1.008 to 1.0020 (via OTA) and every time I runn DM/App Loader it downgrades Docs to go to the previous version. i then have to OTA the update again. Any way around this?

Delete or rename the DocumentsToGo.alx file (same location as Blackberry.alx.) That will prevent DM from downgrading and will pick up the current version as a 3rd party app and will backup/restore it.

Thanks John! You really know your stuff. I'm a BES admin for 90+ uers and I know a few things but your stuff is spot-on.

Well, I know only a few things on the BES Admin side....That's what makes it a great forum!

John,

This guide and your optimization guide are life savers. Thanks

so I have a Verizon OS 4.2.2.66 and when I plug in the BB and open Desktop Manager, I don't get a prompt to update. Do I have manually do it?? I can see it gets grey screen and checks for an update, but does not prompt me to update after it checks

Apparently, after manually clickong on Aupdate Applications, it says I have no need for an update? I thought therer was a newer update, the one that enables GPS, youtube, etc...

This thread is about backing up applications. Are you trying to upgrade your OS? See this thread here:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...ge-sprint.html

John,
Do you know if this still works with dm4.5 as I am unable to find the folder? It has worked fine in the past on previous versions?

This is so awesome. Thanks John for the tip!!!

I tried as well with DM 4.5 but cannot manage to find the switch device button...

wow....is that because it has been changed to the "device switch wizard"?

Hi John Clark,

Can one program in 'myPIN' folder, be loaded to the BB using JavaLoader?


PS: Nice Avatar, You look really fine...

FYI (and forgive me if this is already known or been said) -- after I hit cancel, the folder actually didnt clear itself like the guide said it would.

Not that it's a big deal or anything, I would still copy that file out, but the temp folder with my pin is still there

So far, both times I've tried this, the progam seems to get hung up backing up "Google Maps". Anyone else have this issue? I'm currently at 15 minutes of no progress on the bar. I'll keep waiting to see what happens, but I'm not hopeful.

The whole process shouldn't take more than a minute or two. Try rebooting the computer and the BB and try it again.

Thanks John. Reboot of computer did the trick. Up and running with a safety net "just in case". My OLD pc notebook just barely does what it needs to do these days. I sure wish they'd come up with something decent for us MAC folks.

I recently let MS do a system update with this really bad "search" program. The last one was so simple, even finding system/hidden files. Now I can't even use it to find %temp% directories or search by my pin #. It comes up with email messages containing my pin but not the new file. Can anyone point me more specifically to where the backup file is located.

Mine is located in:

C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\Local Settings\Temp

Thx again John !!!

(Now to find a Windows XP bulletin board to get rid of the new Windows Search program)

I am using Desktop Manager v. 4.6 and this procedure does not seem to work. It refuses to proceed without a New Device PIN. Since I am not actually changing to a new device, I do not have a PIN, other than the PIN of the Source, which it will not accept.

Has anyone figured out a way around this?

EDIT: I just figured it out. The screen where it wanted the new device pin is where you have to stop and go delete the folder named with your PIN. Then simply cancel.

Wirelessly posted (BB 11020)

It works ok for me. Can you select "none" for the other device pin? DM 4.5 and above are slightly different from my instructions but fundamentally the same.

I edited my post to say I figured it out. See above.

Will this also remove any IT policies that the new bb has on it? I have tried to wipe this thing time and time again but the old IT policy is still there! JL comn wipes the handset clean and I can put my programs back on but the IT policy says no txt so I can't txt or save pictures. When I went to switch devices the power at the house went out for just a second as it was loading the info on to the new device. I am switching from an unlocked tmoblie to an unlocked rogers both 8700s.

This is wrong thread - there's a faq site that shows you how to replace policy on your blackberry with a blank one.

If your company policy still is current, keep in mind is that company policy usually states that bypassing policies is grounds for termination.

Hey John,

Question?

I did exactly as posted with saving the third party apps. I wiped my 8330. I installed the 4.3 (downgrade). I modified a few things, deleting some voice-dial apps and adding some of the other vendors themes, etc. I installed the OS to my 8330. I restored my personal data. When I go back into AppLoader from the DM 4.6, I browse locating the mypin.axl file, once it recognizes it, I get an error "No additional applications designed for device were found". What would cause this?

Thanks in advance and to this forum, it has helped me in many ways!

UPDATE: I have no idea what happen but, after a few battery pulls and a restart of the PC I went back into DM attempting to load my third party apps manaully and there was all of my third party apps that I was attempting prior to my initial post, I checked the boxes and let it roll. I obviously happy but puzzled. Any idea how that happen?

Thanks again!

I am using DM 4.7 and Vista and can not find the folder with my pin#

I found my temp and set it to show everything and it is not there...I am leaving the device connection for the new device up then going to windows explorer to find and I am searching hidden folders as well....my TEMP has only 2 folders in it and neither are helpful

Any help?

Well never mind it seems that now the apps are available in the APP Loader after doin first part of Switch Device Wizard automatically seems RIM now does it on its own...sweet! Now my device and desktop are sync'd up!

On Vista, the PIN folder is located here:

C:\Users\*username*\AppData\Local\Temp\*PIN*

that is it! thanks and it seems to stay instead of go away but good to know in case I need it

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Now playing: The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
via FoxyTunes

When I first got my BB Bold this procedure worked flawlessly. Now (I've been updating the BETA OS's regularly) only 3 of the 9 apps I have loaded are found in the "temp" PIN folder. It seems they may have killed this process off in recent OS updates.

Edit: And the "temp" PIN folder doesn't go away when I exit the Desktop utility.

If any one out there know
1. How to import and read the standard MS Word, Excel, PPT and PDF file into BB Storm.
2. How to read them (make it readable) on BB STORM.
3. Editting them on BB STORM.
4. How to install the mobile application software like flaskcard, Garmin GPS into BB STORM. Please help help help.
Thanks in advance.

It's really a very very cool way to backup all the 3rd party apps. Thanks, John

Is that required when OS upgrading? I think not...

Wirelessly posted (BB 11020)

Then don't use it. But it will save you time downloading all your apps again when an OS upgrade goes wrong. It will happen.

I am not 100% sure but after you do firmware upgrade and then backup restoration, isn't your phone at excatly the same state as b4?

Yes, if the backup runs smooth. However, if you run into an issue, then you will lose all of your data. That is why it is best to backup your data as well as your 3rd party apps using the steps John outlined above.

Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for this... because if you are using Vista there is also a folder with your pin on it in:

Username\Appdata\Roaming\RIM\Blackberry\Intellisyn c\Your Pin - which was my problem. I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working until I saw this post. So again, a big thanks!

Sandy

I did this for one Curve and it went fine. The other Curve I only get a few 3rd Party Apps backed up. Lots of them are missing. I am using the same computer (Vista) and the same DM (4.7) that worked perfectly for the first Curve. Any suggestions why it’s not backing everything up on the second Curve? Both Curves have 4.5 OS.

Thanks,
Sandy

I backed up all the apps from the other Curve on another computer and it worked fine. Not sure what that ultimately means... why one computer did fine on one Curve but not the other. I have ceased a long time ago to try and figure out why software and/or computers do what they do.

Just glad it's done and if I have to do one Curve from one computer and the other Curve from another one - that's okay. Gratefully moving along now...

Thanks for these instructions...

Sandy

I have DM 4.7 with the latest update and now backing up the 3rd party apps no longer works. I get a fatal error and then Windows says, "Handheld Application Loader Wizard has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you when a solution is found." This same error happened on all 3 Vista computers in the home. I had to use the XP to backup my apps. The XP is old so I don't want to rely on that computer to get this done.

Hoping someone here can figure out why this happened and a workaround for backing up the apps as this is a HUGE plus saving LOADS of time when going to a new device - or for restoring.

Please let us know if you find some kind of solution - me, and everybody else with Vista would be very grateful...

Sandy