I have a user that came to me this morning with an 8110 that no longer works. It will not power on and when the battery is inserted all it will do is blink the red light every 5 seconds (5 on 5 off). When it is connected to a PC via USB it keeps picking up and dropping the connection in sync with the lights. In device manager Blackberry Smartphone appears and disappears every 5 seconds.

I have tried using jl_cmder to wipe the handheld, but it doesnt seem to be connecting to the device as I am not getting error 507. Other than the red light the device looks completely dead.

I have also tried using apploader via BBDM and loader with the /nojvm option, both of which produce the same result - when they are launched I am able to connect the device when I see USB UNKNOWN, at which point the BB seems to have a solid connection to the PC via USB (checking device manager shows Blackberry Smartphone). It remains connected like this as "Load JVM and system software" is running, but as soon as it changes to the next menu item of "Wait for device initialization" the connection keeps dropping every 5 seconds again.

Can anyone help with this device as I am pretty much at my wits end with it now??

Any idea what happened? Was it dropped? Did it get wet? What was the user doing just before it died?

With JL_Commander you often have to re-try it 20 or 30 times. Use option 5 to restore to factory condition.

Also try connecting the dead BB to your computer (direct - no USB hub) with the battery out, then pop the battery back in while connected. Immediately try JL_Commander then.

It powered off during a software upgrade.

Thanks for the fast replies

I am not sure how many times I have tried it today exactly, but I would definitely say it exceeds 20-30.

Is the behaviour I am seeing with it dropping/picking up the USB connection normal?

Have you tried the Blackberry Swiss Army Knife app?
My big boss removed his Blackberry Curve from the cable as the upgrade was in progress. Used the BBSAK app, wiped it, and then reloaded the OS.
Worked like a charm.

Time to hunt new toys.

Have just downloaded and installed BBSAK, but unfortunately, like jl_cmder it cannot connect to the device. I think the problem is with it constantly dropping the connection. I have tried starting apploader, as that maintains a connection to the BB, but it seems to do so exclusively as still no other apps can see it.

Time for a replacement it seems.

It does look that way. I will pass it to our telecoms guys and get them to contact RIM.

Thanks to all who made suggestions.