Ok, hope someone can help a novice admin here.. I have an old tmob 7290 from a friend who isnt using any more and I downloaded the 4.1 BES express from rim to test it out/learn etc.. I've built the server+exchange etc but I have yet to get myself setup with a grps sim card.. I've got one coming in a week or two but Id like to play around before then.. is there any way I can get it to replicate mail etc via the USB and desktop sw instead of using the GPRS? maybe Im looking in the wrong places...

Yes, plug it in to the server or to a desktop that has the handheld manager running and you can test out everything except Enterprise Activation.

That was my thinking, but without my GPRS it seems that the host routing table is empty (im assuming I need something in here to route my mail, even if its via the USB?)

Nope it will do it over the wire. I use that for testing here myself.

The serial by-pass feature works without hrt data because the service books on the HH tell the desktop manager or handheld manager where to route data trafic when connected to desktop. Its all in the service books. So cradle activate and then keep the HH cradled to get full functionality.