i bought a bb 8830 to use while i am in germany this summer. but ever since i got it i couldn't figure out how to send or reply to txt messages. my brother-in-law works for at&t and him and his friend couldn't figure it out and neither could the folks at my local verizon store (my carrier). they tell me the option should be there to "compose sms" but it is not. there is nothing that shows i have the ability to txt. i can, however, recieve txt messages. verizon told me to update the phones software and that should do it. i have updated everything and the problem persists? can anyone help me with this problem? thanks

Where did the phone come from? Sounds like it has an IT Policy on it from a previous BlackBerry Enterprise Server setup.

Go into Options > Security Options > General Settings and scroll down to see if you find an entry for IT Policy Name: blahblah

Where did you get the phone? Was it on a BES at any point? go to options > security options> general settings and what is listed next to IT Policy?

When you open "Messages" and hit the menu key it doesn't have an option "Compose SMS Text"?

Welcome to the BBForums.

Confirming with VZW that SMS is activated on your account would be a first step.

Another first step in a BB is always simply pull the battery (while the device is still powered ON), hold it 30 seconds and replace, reboot and check again.

my dad bought it from someone, so maybe they had something setup on it?

under IT policy name is say "LFG"

yes, there is no option to compose a sms text message

i talked to verizon, and i sms is activated on my account.

thanks for the quick replys!

You need to remove the IT Policy.
Remove IT Policy - BlackBerryFAQ

So you bought it used.

Do this.
Remove IT Policy - BlackBerryFAQ

thanks very much. sorry if this was something stupid and simple, i can't believe people from at&t and verizon couldn't think of this. thanks again

It wasn't really a simple or stupid issue. There a more common issues out there. You'd be surprised how many friendly, knowledgeable people frequent this site. You go help from 2 of the best.

Also, for future reference on buying used devices, read over this: Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ

The remove IT Policy post really works. Yeah!!! I thought I would have to buy another blackberry again. I wish I had read this before. Woo hoo!!!!!! Thank you.

The only thing that I noticed is when the Desktop Manager opens, you get a pop-up saying there was an error or something with the IT policy? Not sure how to make it go away. I guess it is not a big deal as long as compose sms has re-appeared.

I have an 8830. and I am having a similar problem recieving but not being able to send sms text messages. I recently upgraded to 4.5 OS. When I go to messages and bring up the menu, I do have an option to compose an sms. I get the red x and the message (SMS error 5, message ID 153). Do you have any Idea if this is an IT policy problem as well. I don't find any IT policy on my Blackberry. And yes I have sms on my account and I have removed the battery and rebooted.

Thanks

Jwwtprice

I would suggest calling your carrier to ask that they remove the SMS provision to your account and then re-enable it.

Thanks. I'll try that.