Is there a way to "format" a blackberry (The device itself, not the desktop software)? i.e. restore it to the way it was right out of the box?

Yes; search here for a program called JL_CMDER.
Running that will wipe out everything (including the OS and all programs) on the BlackBerry.

You will then need to reload the OS onto the BB using Desktop Manager.

If you don't want to do anything that severe you can go to options -> security and choose wipe in the menu, that will get rid of most things but not as complete as the previous post.

The reason I didn't mention that is that it doesn't put it into "right from the box" condition. A Security Wipe leaves third party applications and service books on the device... So I suggested JL_CMDER.

You are right - if you want to erase customer data, then you can do a security wipe - much faster that way, also.

I want to wipe out all e-mail in the inbox but leave third party apps and calendar, tasks, etc. installed. For some reason I can not delete any e-mails from my BB before March 16 but the other apps are fine. Is there a way to do this?

If need be I am willing to wipe all email, calendar, tasks etc as long as I leave all 3rd party apps intact- (TeleNAV, Cryptmagic, etc.). Since I am wireless reconcilliation, all e-mail and calendar etc. should automatically come back- right?

thanks
steve

Your e-mail will NOT come back. E-Mail is not synchronized - it is pushed.

Do the security wipe as described above; all PIM data will be deleted, but the programs will remain.

Go into desktop manager and use the backup/restore function and click on the e-mails database and delete it.

NJBlackberry- OK- if I use Desktop Sync, if memory serves, it will restore some amount of e-mail, I believe back a week or so- right?

Stonent- sorry to be dense, but I think you are saying with the BB connected to my Desktop Manager (DTM), by clicking on the e-mail database and deleting it in DTM, it will wipe all e-mails from the BB- right? Will it wipe the "Saved" e-mails as well?

thanks

If you have a backup, you can restore the e-mail. Desktop Sync does not touch e-mail. Calendar, notes, tasks and contacts only.

I think you may be mistaken, unless I am misunderstanding. I have my DTM set up to allow a folder on my BB where I can "File" e-mails into and when I hook up my BB to the DTM and sync, the messages that I have filed on the BB to this folder get moved from my Outlook inbox to this folder on my computer. Also, vice versa- if I have moved e-mails from the Outlook inbox to this folder on the computer, they are moved on the BB after a sync.

Thanks all for the replies

I got all the info I need

With a dedicated computer / mail server you can sync whatever you want. As long as it's supported. I think NJ was referring to a BIS setup or using hotmail/gmail/etc. accounts. You cant SYNC the messages in those inboxes. They are just pushed from when you activate.

That is reconciliation and not syncing.

Ok- thanks. I've read the definitions a million times and still can't get it straight.