Hi,

I've had the desktop software V.2.2 for a while now running just fine on my XP pc.

While doing data backup a couple of days ago, the pc hung up. It was just stuck and I couldn't get it out of whatever it was stuck on. Screen was frozen, mouse was too, and I could get the Task Manager to come up so I could see what was causing the freeze.

Hesistantly, I had no choice but to shut off and reboot the pc.

Everything came up fine after the reboot except for the BB desktop software. It just wouldn't come up. I figured the ungraceful shut off hammered the software.

So, I tried reloading the software. After each install and reboot, a Windows installer window would come up with a message saying it is looking for filename "Blackberry 8310.msi". I looked in the installer directory (unzipped) but couldn't find that file.

I looked through the tips here and also at the RIM forum. I followed the procedure for the clean deinstall that involves removal of the software, then going into the registry and removing specific RIM entries, then removing the RIM folders in the c:\Program Files folder, then reboot, then activating the atl.ddl, and then reboot again.

I've tried this with V4.2.2., V4.3, V.4.5, and V5.0. They all return the same result. They all look for that file Blackberry 8310.msi.

Would like to get other suggestions. Anything else I might have missed or should try?

Would it be wise to do a global registry search and delete for Blackberry or Research in Motion?

Or is there a place where I can simply download the Blackberry 8310.msi so I can reference it when the Windows installer window ask for it?

Would appreciate your help.

r,
eagle

I would try using the Windows Installer CleanUp utility. Instructions and download link here:

Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

PROBLEM SOLVED!

It took two days and a couple of additional suggestions but I was able to get it fixed. Whew!

For two days, I repeated the suggested clean reinstall multiple times with different versions of the DESKTOP software. I tried V2.2.2 through V5.0 to no avail.

Note that I've been concentrating on the DESKTOP software all this time because I couldn't get the installation completed. The missing "Blackberry 8310.msi" message kept popping up.

A suggestion was made at the RIM forum that I should also replace the Blackberry DEVICE OS.

So on the next iteration, I tried deinstalling the BB 8310 DEVICE software from the Control Panel. While doing this, an error message popped up saying "The configuration data for this file is corrupt." The Device software disappeared from the list of installed software in the Control Panel though.

I tried to install the DEVICE OS a few times but I kept getting the "The configuration data for this file is corrupt." error message. Using Daphne's suggestion above, I downloaded the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.

After removing the Blackberry device OS with the Windows Utility, I tried installing the Device OS again. This time it completed the installation without the error message.

I launched the Desktop Manager software (V5) and voila!!!! It works. Hallelujah.

So, it was the DEVICE software all along that was hammered by the ungraceful shutdown and not the DESKTOP software.

A few things I learned during this process:

- Blackberry 8310.msi is part of the Device software. During installation, a message flashed on the screen saying it is exporting Blackberry 8310.msi.

- If the Desktop software doesn't connect to or have the connection port show up for the blackberry, it is likely that the Device software is corrupted.

- Got to learn how to use the registry.

Thanks. I hope the account of my experience above helps.

r,
eagle