Okay, so having had no difficulties taking apart phones before, I joined the crowd in taking apart my tracball to clean (after an ink pen opened up on it). Unfortunately, not only did the ink stain the pearl (although it is no longer sticky), I can't get the assembly back together. (think there's not enough of a protusion from the white plastic to go into the metal slots). So hunting for a replacement. In the meantime, I can use the phone, but not anything else (right now there are 287 messages waiting!). I've tried to find keypad shortcuts, but although I can bring up my menu, whenever I try to use the keypad to get around it switches to phone as if I'm trying to dial a number. Is there a way to get to my messages via keypad only? if so, I would GREATLY appreciate the assistance.
Thanks in advance.

that would be nice to know

I have not found any way to navigate the home screen without the trackball. I can do everything else without ever touching it. That's the one thing you need the trackball for.

Here is a suggestion for getting your messages: Put the phone in a holster with a sleeper magnet. When you get an email just remove it from the holster. The BB should open into the message that just came. Once there you can navigate the messages with the menu key and the keyboard. Use the menu key to open the menu then use the first letter of the menu item you want. If there are two menu items with the same letter just hit the letter again to move to the next menu item. Then click the enter key. In the messages list use the 8 key to move down one line and the 2 key to move up one line. Use the 3 key to move up one page and the 9 key to move down one page. Then use the 1 key to go to the top of the list and the 7 key to go to the bottom of the list.

This should let you read your messages.

Just get a new one!lol.. 287 messages??? That's insane!lol.. Do you have insurance of the phone?