8900: My first Blackberry (uh-oh!), help getting started please
 

Hello,

After a long time of research and forum lurking, purchased my first Blackberry.
A used 8900, but with no CD or manual (uh-ohh).

No problem right? Can just download it.


Came with OS 5 already installed.
Put my SIM card into it and it seemed good to go.


As on the Blackberry.com site, performed the security wipe.

But, want a fresh start with the Blackberry OS and other software.

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Puzzle #1
-------------

- a computer with no internet connection to be used with the Blackberry 8900 USB cable
- from the Blackberry.com site, downloaded Blackberry Desktop Software ver 600_b047
- transferred it to a computer with no internet via a flash drive
- got stuck on installation where it tried to download Microsoft Framework 3.5 SP 1


so ...


- downloaded Microsoft Framework 3.5 SP1 on it's own from microsoft.com and installed it on the computer with no internet via a flash drive
- tried to fun Blackberry Desktop Software ver 600_b047 again, but it still tries to find an internet connection for Microoft Framework 3.5 SP1.


---- is there a work-a-round for this?



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Puzzle #2:
-------------

- wish to install the OS fresh and official and legit
- followed the link via Blackberry.com site to my carrier and downloaded Blackberry ver 4.6.1.378
- ok, will have to downgrade to OS 4.x, but that's ok.
- after selecting which Blackberry OS components are to be added/deleted/downgraded, the installation got stuck with the error message:


"Unable to complete the loading operation

A newer version of the Application Loader is required to load the system software on this device [A:0x0000000B]"



Would be happy with either OS 5 or OS 4.x as long as it's a fresh install.


---- is there a work-a-round for this?



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Please help with this if you can.
Excited about the new toy but want a fresh start.


Computer with no internet that is to be used with Blackberry USB OS: WinXP







Bless.

Since you are new to BB, why not just do the internal data wipe and clean all the old data. Then start using it. See what it can and cannot do. Find out how you can use it and make it work for you. You may find that i really isn't broken and doesn't need to be fixed with a new OS. The Forum is full of OS upgrades gone wrong.

Why are you so intent on a fresh install? IMHO, not really necessary if you just wipe all the data and start using it.

You really need to get an Internet connection. You will need it to use Desktop Manager for the first time as well as downloading all the bits and pieces you need. No work around that I am aware of.

Ditto to the above. All I would add is to not forget the help app on the device.

Play with the device and explore all the options and settings. When you are on a screen and don't understand something, open the menu and select help. More often than not, the help app will open to the section for the screen you are looking at.

And browse blackberryfaq.com.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

Dubdub,

Thanks for the quick reply.

The reason I want a fresh OS install (even if a downgrade must be made) is because i just do :-?

really? thank you for that bit of information.

Can't really see myself using it to sync emails and calendars etc. Just want to transfer mp3s and pictures.

Would the whole Blackberry Desktop Manager be needed for that? Is there any way to just use the Blackberry 8900 with standard drag-n-drop folders?

PS. checking blackberryfaq.com right now

Thanks again.

DM is the conduit for sync, not the repository. Email doesn't sync using BIS.

Perhaps you need to find the user guide and read through the 8900 section to see what the BB can and cannot do.

And all the more reason to use it as it is rather than trying to fix what might bot be broken.

If you are moving music, etc, make sure that you are using an SD card and put your music, pictures and ringtones on it. Otherwise you just may run out of memory. You can transfer those from the PC to the SD and then put the SD in the BB.

Dubdub
re: downgrading from OS 5 to OS 4.5
---- Thanks for staying with the thread. Might have to do just that, but hopefully will be able to find a way to downgrade. Just want that new car smell on this phone OS if you know what i'm saying.


Anybody That Can Answer
re: Internet connection needed for Desktop Manager
---- does the CD perhaps already contain Microsoft Framwork on it? Does a person still need an internet connection to install the Desktop Manager if the original packaged CD is used?

That error can be fixed, but its not easy.

basically, you're going to need to trick the bootrom into erasing parts of it's self. I can list many reasons why this is a risky and stupid idea.

Yes, you can keep the current software, but unless it is one of a few builds in the 5.0 line, you'll get better performance by upgrading.

see the .882 thread in the 8900 section (it should be stickied) for the link.

I used to have an 8900 and i ran .882 and a few derivations (hybrids - see link in sig). .882 was the best build since .686

cheers

Also, as for the first problem: the internet connection is being used to downlaod MSVC++ redist and a few other things you might not have on the computer - especially if it doesn't have an internet connection.

just hook the thing up to the internet for a few min; it wouldn't hurt to run windows update either!

Thank you for all the help or attempts @ peoples that replied or just read thread.

Problems solved.

1)
--- From the get go, if the microSD is inserted, you can use it on an offline computer as drag and drop Windows files. go figure.


2)
--- nothing but trial and error, can't repeat what i did. eventually thought i bricked the thing.
Lesson of the day: Just go to blackberry.com and let it update the OS for you with 1 click of a button.