[mpaquette]

I'm new to the BlackBerry environment and it has been very frustrating.

I'm trying to activate a BB 8830 but the screen just sits at the activating message. My BB Manager screen shows the device and the status is Running. I had to physically connect the BB to the BB server in order for the two to talk. It sure would be nice to do this over the air. I turned on OTA in the BB Server Configuration screen but had no luck.

How do I activate my 8830?

BlackBerry's documentation really stinks.

[jsconyers]

Welcome to the forums. Have you activated any other devices on the BES?
Is this device provisioned for BES access?

[mpaquette]

This is my first attempt at activating a device on the BES. I do not know what you mean by provisioning for BES access. Please advise.

[jsconyers]

The device has to be provisioned for BES access through your carrier. It shows your carrier as Nextel. I would start by calling them and verifying that it is provisioned for BES access.

Also, do you have any other devices to attempt an activation on?

[mpaquette]

We were supposed to be Nextel but went with Verizon. I will check with Verizon to see if these two 8830's are provisioned for BES access. I will post findings when I have more information.

Yes, I have two test devices to provision at this time. Once I get the hang of it there will be more.

[jsconyers]

I forgot you mentioned 8830s in the post. DUH!

Let us know your findings.

[jsconyers]

Also, do you know what version of BES you are running?

What mail platform (exchange, domino, groupwise)?

Mods, could you please move this to the BES Admin Corner, thanks!

[mpaquette]

Good question. Server Configuration shows 4.1.4.12 but Help>About shows 4.1.4.15.

I'm running in an Exchange 2000 AD environment.

[jsconyers]

Thanks for the info. Any luck with verizon??

Also, make sure your Blackberry services are running.

[mpaquette]

I spoke with Verizon tech support. They had me run diagnostics which showed no problems. They had me wipe the device clean but I am still unable to activate with BES. I am able to send PIN-PIN between the two 8830's. Verizon says I need to contact BB tech support for help on BES. Now I have to convince this company to pay for support.

[jsconyers]

Do you ever get the ETP.dat activation email?

[mpaquette]

No, I never receive any emails on the 8830 during the activation process.

[jsconyers]

Not on the device, in your mailbox. Check you inbox of any odd looking email, possibly in your trashcan too.

[mpaquette]

The only items in the Inbox for the user are two emails that contain the activation password and a test email I sent from BES. That's it.

[jsconyers]

Just for the sake of it, have you tried a wired activation?

[mpaquette]

I did plug the 8830 into the BES servers USB port. That is how I got BES to recognize the device. This seems foolish. I don't feel I should have to plug a device into the server each time I want to add one. I did try an activation while plugged into the BES server but got the same results.

[jsconyers]

You shouldn't have to. I Prefer wireless activations. I just was wondering if you had any success with a wired activation. Are all the blackberry services running?

[mpaquette]

All the BB services are running except BlackBerry Database Consistency Service; it is set to disabled.

I would love to know how to setup over-the-air installs. We used Treo's and GoodLink before BB and it worked great.

[mpaquette]

Update: I took the second 8830 that had never been connected before and added it to BES. I added the user then connected the 8830 to the server via USB cable. I then right-clicked on the user in BES and chose Assign Device from the list. The phone activated successfully.

I deleted the other problem user and re-added it using the same steps as above and it activated successfully.

Now I have to figure out why I can't send email from the devices.

[jsconyers]

Good to know you were able to get them activated. What happens when you send a message? Do you get a red X? If so, open the message and what does it say next to status?