Please note that this is an unsupported configuration by RIM. There are known issues and conditions that can potentially cause your messaging (Exchange) server to crash. This is not a recommended solution for large BlackBerry deployments. If you do not have OS 4.5 (currently in beta) on your devices, don't apply this patch. If you do not know what you're doing, don't apply this patch!

I hope that's enough disclaimers and warnings, but if not, I have included a method to disable this feature in the package as well. By applying this patch, you agree that BlackBerryForums.com or Jibi (me) or Research In Motion are not responsible for any damage that may be caused by applying the patch in your environment.

Logical Overview
The logic behind the SQL queries being applied is a two-fold approach - a) enables the feature at the server level, and b) enables the feature at the user level for ALL users.

Pre-Requisite: BlackBerry devices must have OS 4.5 in order to take advantage of the HTML feature found deep within BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1 SP5. Please do not request this OS in order to test the BES features, as you may be banned from BlackBerryForums.com for asking. Thanks.

<db name> = BESMgmt by default

To enable HTML email processing:
- Login to your BES as the BES service account
- Extract files to a folder
- Bring up a command prompt and navigate to your folder
- Run the following command:
BBDBUpdate.exe -db <db name> -n <sql server name> -input EnableRichContent.sql

To disable HTML email processing:
- Login to your BES as the BES service account
- Extract files to a folder
- Bring up a command prompt and navigate to your folder
- Run the following command:
BBDBUpdate.exe -db <db name> -n <sql server name> -input DisableRichContent.sql

Is this feature only accessible to Exchange environments? Can I enable this in my Domino environment with SP5 and OS4.5?

I would assume yes but I couldn't help you.

Just to elaborate slightly on J's point, the reason it was pulled was due to processor load on the Exchange Server in large environments where companies were sending out distribution wide HTML emails at once. I can't see how they're going to get around this in future releases as all roads lead to the Exchange Server, but I suspect they will figure something out.

...nor why such an issue wasn't found by RIM in the 6-8 prior months of testing, but whatever

This feature should be the same for Domino. I will download the package here shortly to verify the registry change would be the same.

Jibi, what are you saying? What do you mean I can't hold you responsible? It's how I get myself out of trouble here at work.

Me (to my bosses): Well, this guy, Jibi, on the BB forums said apply this patch. It's not my fault.

Bosses: Well, then, if it's not your fault, everything's OK. But that guy Jibi is fired.

LOL

In reality html email means little to me in my environment, since we have to disable it. (why Oh why, does MS make you disable it at the client only).

Jibi, I have followed your instruction and applied it on BES 4.1.5 with no success. I got the error message:
C:\>BBDBUpdate.exe -db BESTESTDB -input EnableRichContent.sql
BlackBerry Configuration Database Update tool Version 4.1.4.8
Copyright (c) Research In Motion, Ltd. 2000-2007. All rights reserved.
Modification date: Aug 8 2007

[20000] (17:30:08.218):{0x1124} Connect to database server: localhost
[20000] (17:30:08.218):{0x1124} Database name: BESTESTDB
[10000] (17:30:25.000):{0x1124} Failed to open database connection


What did I do wrong?
Thanks!

EDIT:
from BBDBUpate Log

[20000] (04/19 17:30:08.218):{0x1124} Connect to database server: localhost
[20000] (04/19 17:30:08.218):{0x1124} Database name: BESTESTDB
[40000] (04/19 17:30:08.218):{0x1124} Authentication Type: Windows Authentication
[40000] (04/19 17:30:25.000):{0x1124} ...connection failed (ADOConnectionItem::ConnectToDB(): COM Error 0x80004005 - Cannot connect to database: Cannot open database).
[10000] (04/19 17:30:25.000):{0x1124} Failed to open database connection

I forgot to mention that I dont have SQL Server, but rather SQL Server Express or MSDE that comes with BES 4.1.5 installer if that makes the difference. Thanks again.

SQL Express shouldn't matter at all here.

Have you logged into the server with an account that is a part of the Administrators group on the server?

Found the solution to this problem. I had to add this command line:

BBDBUpdate.exe -db <db name> -n <server name> -input EnableRichContent.sql
and it worked! I was able to receive html emails now. Hope that helps for anyone who has the same issue as I did.

Were you not running this on the BES / SQL Server?

I used SQL Express edition or MSDE that comes with the BES 4.1.5 installer on the same machine. I dont have full blown MS SQL server.

hmn ... and it was installed as the Default instance?

Yes, thats correct.

I have modified the command-line example to include server name. I don't think SQL 2005 Express changed anything to not process localhost queries, but perhaps it may have. I forgot to take into account remote SQL databases anyhow (I used an 'all under the hood' environment for test, as well).

Really good job, Jibi! Thanks for that. I have it on my test server and i'm keeping it quiet in our company
At least i know what to expect - user's are asking me when SP6 or BES 5 will be released ...

I'm confused as to why the exch server cpu would get hit and not the bes server? Isn't the bes getting the emails the same as any outlook client? It gets html emails now its just the client doesn't display them as such. I would think the client (BB) just needs to know how to translate html...

Hey, I was able to get HTML content working ok on 8310 with 4.5.0.18 beta. I was able to see html content when i receive it, however, if I request for more or more all, I get an error message: HTML Content is not enabled. Would you like to switch to plain text?

What did I do wrong?

Thanks for the help!

It only gets 2KB of the message. This was fine for Plain Text, but obviously much different for HTML (in some cases).

it would be amusing to get the first 2kb of an email in HTML. it would be like old dialup modems on a content rich page, loading line by line.

do we know how much of the email is sent via HTML? Plain text is 2kb

Sith, I believe it depends on your options that are set on the BES and device (auto-download of images/rich content), but I could be wrong.

well yeah for auto more and auto download, but the bare bones i would assume would be several times the 2kbs of the plain text version.

Hm, this could be quite important as my users travels a LOT. I'm gonna install MiniMonitor to figure out how much HTML takes and then compare it to plain text.

HTML is going to consume more 'ones and zeros' but that of course depends on how much HTML you got coming in.

I have yet to get this feature enabled.

D:\>BBDBUpdate.exe -db BESMgmt -n SQL1 -input EnableRichContent.sql

Below is part of my log ouput.

[20000] (04/28 09:50:59.469):{0x1F64} Connect to database server: SQL1
[20000] (04/28 09:50:59.469):{0x1F64} Database name: BESMgmt
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.469):{0x1F64} Authentication Type: Windows Authentication
[20000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} Database connection opened!
[20000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} Reading input file: EnableRichContent.sql
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} -- EnableRichContent.sql
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} --
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} -- This will turn on the Rich Content options for all
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} -- BlackBerry Enterprise Servers managed in the target database.
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} --
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} -- (C) 2008 Research In Motion Limited.
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} UPDATE ServerConfig SET RichContentEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentEnabled = 0
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} UPDATE ServerConfig SET RichContentInlineEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentInlineEnabled = 0
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} UPDATE UserConfig SET RichContentEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentEnabled = 0
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} UPDATE UserConfig SET RichContentInlineEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentInlineEnabled = 0
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} ExecuteStatement: Unable to run the statement:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- EnableRichContent.sql
--
-- This will turn on the Rich Content options for all
-- BlackBerry Enterprise Servers managed in the target database.
--
-- (C) 2008 Research In Motion Limited.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE ServerConfig SET RichContentEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentEnabled = 0
UPDATE ServerConfig SET RichContentInlineEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentInlineEnabled = 0
UPDATE UserConfig SET RichContentEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentEnabled = 0
UPDATE UserConfig SET RichContentInlineEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentInlineEnabled = 0
[40000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} ExecuteStatement: Error: [ADOConnectionItem::ExecuteUpdateSQL(): Could not execute SQL Command "----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- EnableRichContent.sql
--
-- This will turn on the Rich Content options for all
-- BlackBerry Enterprise Servers managed in the target database.
--
-- (C) 2008 Research In Motion Limited.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE ServerConfig SET RichContentEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentEnabled = 0
UPDATE ServerConfig SET RichContentInlineEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentInlineEnabled = 0
UPDATE UserConfig SET RichContentEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentEnabled = 0
UPDATE UserConfig SET RichContentInlineEnabled = 1 WHERE RichContentInlineEnabled = 0".]
[10000] (04/28 09:50:59.579):{0x1F64} Problem occured while executing SQL commands.

@cschrage, is this database on SQL (2000 or 2005) or MSDE (2000 or 2005)?

Sql 2005

- Open the Management Studio
- Navigate to your BESMgmt database and to the ServerConfig table
- Right-click on it and choose Open Table

See if you have the column names RichContentEnabled and RichContentInlineEnabled. Repeat for the UserConfig table.

The columns are present in each table

Try this:

1) Open SQL Management Studio
2) Create a new query
3) Open the file EnableRichContent.sql in notepad
4) Copy / Paste the contents from notepad into the query window
5) Make sure you have your BESMgmt database selected
6) Execute the query

Provide a screenshot back or a screenshot of at least your ServerConfig table, obfuscating any private information

I updated the tables manually....bingo...html works now.

Thanks for all the assistance

Hrm, I wonder if BBDBUpdate is not compatible with SQL 2005. I will test later today.

Thanks for the info! Works great.
I get the following when I try to download more on my BB.
Any idea why??

This may be a no-brainer but you say "on your devices" Do you mean all of them or at least one device? I have a beta of 4.5.18 and I would like to test it...but none of my users have it. Will this have much impact if it's only me?

@KeNNethX, it won't have much of an impact. I would suggest updating the tables manually to account for your User ID only, though.

@BekNazar, it hasn't been updated for your user account. Re-run the SQL above. If that doesn't work, go into the UserConfig table and update manually for your User ID.

Any tip for how to manually to that? SQL 2000 sp4.

Jibi,

Funny thing is that I am receiving emails in html...
Just can't do "Get more"

Todd

Never mind, I figured it out from the above...cool...I am the only one enabled and viola...I can read my emails from NewEgg...yay!

I just ran this on my brand new Unite installation and the command completed sucessfully. I am going to test it out and see if i get html email now.

Although the command worked, i don't see the email coming in with rich or html... I am thinking i need a reboot.


I didn't see it working... however I have manually opened up the tables and there is another field under user... it is called "RichContentTrainingField". I have hit 1 on that one...

Also here, I believe you can rename the service book from Unite to Whatever you want.

I had to reboot...
Then I saw that it wasn't running because I was using Domino 7.0 which doesn't support html emails. I upgraded to 7.0.2 and it worked like a charm.

Todd

Is that out? Or just a beta?