Hello all. I just recently picked up a used but in good condition Pearl off eBay. The phone is a T-Mobile branded, but the previous owner did not wipe the phone. I want to completly start the phone from scratch, like it was to come directly from the factory. I read on the FAQ's on how to wipe the phone, did that but everything is still there, including their g-mail. I tried the hard reset, didn't do anything either. Is there any way to do this?
Another thing. When I'm outside T-Mobile's towers, its suppost to pick up other networks, like Cingular and SunCom. It does not pick anything up except T-Mobile, and if I manually select it, it tells me its for emergency use only. Any way around this too?
I downloaded the newest desktop manager, and tried to load the app for the colorball. It tells me "No additional applications designed for your device were found."
Can you guys help me out?

the standard way is to go to options> security settings > general > blackberry menu > wipe device. this will completely wipe it and bring it back to "factory new". after that, you'll want to redoanload your service books just in case.

if that doesnt work, wipe the device using Jl_cmder. it's the best way to completely clean it, then upload your handheld OS. you can get further guidance from the faq here: How do I wipe the BlackBerry using Jl Cmder? - BlackBerryFAQ

just make sure you have desktop manager installed at a copy of your handheld OS.

as for picking up other towers, it should auto select those towers only if there's no signal from your primary service provider.

perley, if you use these methods, it will be clean:

1. How to wipe the OS from a BlackBerry device? - BlackBerryFAQ

2. How do I wipe the BlackBerry using Jl Cmder? - BlackBerryFAQ

Routinely, a TMo device such as your BB will not roam to Cingular due to their local roaming agreements. Ask locally of your carrier.

To install the third party applications without the error you are getting, install your handheld OS to the PC: Application Loader Error - BlackBerryFAQ

Not always. I had this issue as well, where TMo had not roaming agreements with Cingular/AT&T. Sometimes the roaming agreements are for ONLY out of your home coverage footprint, however they define that.

Thank you for your replies. I downloaded the OS software from TMo and installed it. However I don't know where the installed program went. I checked on the phone and it has the newest version software. But it still won't let me add any apps.
Is it a computer thing (my laptop?) or the phone? I was thinking about taking it up to TMobile and have them mess with it.
By the way I wiped the phone. Seems to be back to original.

perley, after you downloaded the OS software to your PC, did you click on the downloaded EXE file and install it? If you didl, good. If not, you need to do so. Either download the file again, this time observing WHERE you download the file to, and install it.

Good luck.

Yes I did install it. When I connect the BB to my laptop, AppLoader comes up, says there are updates for my BB. I install these updates, turn off my phone, reboot and try to install colorpearl.alx and it says the same thing.
These are the versions of software:
BB v4.2.1.107 (Platform 2.3.0.83)
AppLoader v4.3.0.13
This seems so frustrating . I read the FAQ's you posted, followed those instructions (the best I could) and it seems I'm not getting anywhere.