Using RIM's Yahoo! Messenger Client on Cingular Wireless BlackBerry Handsets
 

Research in Motion's Yahoo! Messenger client (located at http://www.blackberry.com/go/yahoo) requires a specific Y!M service book to be able to function on any given handset. Now, as I'm sure some of you are well-aware, AT&T sadly does and will not currently provision the Y!M service book ("BBFS2[YHO]") when downloading/installing Y!M. However, other service providers will, and I have taken the liberty of separating into a Backup/Restore file the service book for Y!M into a nice, easy Backup/Restore File, which can be loaded up right into the device via the Desktop Manager Backup/Restore (I'm sorry, no desktop solutions for Mac users yet, but stay tuned!). Just make sure that you remember that this is going to delete all your current service books, so you'll need to manually register via the Host Routing Table editor in Settings/Options > Advanced Options to get your books back. Also, you'll need to log into your BIS account and resend the service books from there, as well as regenerate any encryption keys if you're using the Desktop Redirector or are on a BES (don't forget to have your friendly neighborhood BES administrator create an IT policy enabling Y!M traffic, too).

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Now, another way this can be done involves inserting another GSM carrier SIM card (such as T-Mobile, for example) and downloading/installing Y!M from http://www.blackberry.com/go/yahoo from there. At that point, you should check your service books and make sure that you've got "BBFS2 [YHO]" listed, then switch back the SIM card to your AT&T SIM (your handset must be unlocked to proceed, though).

Basically, there are just a few steps to go through here:

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#1: Download the .ipd backup file for your appropriate handheld software version here (check Settings > Options > About if you're unsure):
OS 4.0.x: http://www.boomspeed.com/setzer/Blac...k_OS_4.0.x.ipd
OS 4.1.x and 4.2.x: http://www.boomspeed.com/setzer/Blac..._and_4.2.x.ipd
*Now, for Y!M 2.0! (Special thanks to the amazing Ophidian): BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

*Note: the .ipd file provided by Ophidian actually contains the service books for all of RIM's IM clients. However, it appears that only Y!M and Google Talk will work if you're using AT&T Mobility, but some of you folks on other wireless carriers may have better fortune.*

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#2: Restore the file to your handset using Desktop Manager (see https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB4717.html for instructions).

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#3: Manually register your handset with the RIM network via the HRT editor (see https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB49643.html for instructions).

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#4: Log into your BIS account and re-send BIS service books:
BIS 1.8 (from PC) - https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB2355.html
BIS 2.3 (from PC) - https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB64052.html
BIS 2.3 (from handset) - https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB64276.html

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#5: If applicable, regenerate encryption keys for Desktop Manager or BES. If you're on a BES, again, make sure your BES administrator can create a policy allowing Y!M traffic.

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#6: One more thing: if you find that the service does not work right from the install, try doing a hard reset (pulling/reinserting battery).

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I've noticed that some users are having issues restoring the service books to their handset, stating that they "cannot restore read-only databases." This issue has been researched and is addressed in the following article: BlackBerry Technical Knowledge Center Article: KB-04461. Check that out for further information.

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I know it's not very organized, but I hope you all find this useful. Good luck, and happy messaging. =)

Another possibility, btw ... I'm definitely thinking that this should work with any other carrier that Y!M will work with; in addition, when the AIM, MSN, etc. clients are available right from RIM's website, anyone who is able to achieve those service books should be able to get them to everyone else in the same manner when the time comes around

*UPDATE (11/3/07): It seems that, with AT&T Mobility, Y!M and Google Talk will be the only ones to work; however, I have heard reports that this will work with some other carriers using AIM/MSN/ICQ.

If I do the download thru the SIM card, do I have to complete the other steps?

No, but you'll just probably want to make sure that you delete the other unnecessary service books (T-Zones, etc.) from your handset after you switch the SIM card back. Just make sure to keep the BBFS2 [YHO] service book, and you should be good to go, my friend. =)

And by all means, please let me know how it turns out, if it works, how well it functions for you, etc.

I followed your instructions and it worked like a charm (after I removed my battery).

THANKS!!!!!!

No problem, Cody. =) Glad it worked for ya!

Just another confirmation that this worked for anyone reluctant to try it.

Thanks!

Great to hear, DiRN. =) Enjoy!

Works like a charm, Thanks Cuz

Good to know, and think nothing of it. Glad I can be of assistance! =)

Spencer You are the man. I followed your instructions and I got my sprint bb 8703e yahoo im working. Thank you very much!!

I assume if you do a full backup and this blows up, you can recover.

Hi Spencer, thanks a ton for the info.

I'm a complete noob (getting my 7130c in tomorrow!) and needless to say, I was rather disdraught when I heard I couldnt use YIM.

I have one question for you- at what step do you actually do the YIM install?

thanks!

-ilsie

ilsie: follow all of his instructions..then the last step, install YIM on ur blackberry. that's what i did and it work for me.

awesome, thanks. this is the first thing i'm gonna do when i get the bb tomorrow. :)

Great! It finally works. Thanks alot for the tips.

In Desktop Manager, I am unable to "restore" the Service Books from the downloaded .ipd file....button is grayed out. I'm assuming this is controlled by my corporate BES?

When I try to "restore" via Desktop Manager it bombs out and says "Cannot restore read-only database(s) on device." Is there a work-around for this? Cingular 8700c.
-c

Read-only database problem
 

Guys:
When I attempt to restore the service book -- Device Manager returns "Cannot restore read-only database(s) on device". What does this mean? Is this an IT policy problem? I already have yahoo client installed.
-c

Does OS version matter?
 

Does it matter what BlackberryOS is running? I have 4.0.2.93 running on my 7290. (I had loaded 4.1.0.314, but reverted back to 4.0.2 due to the inability to dial by name in phone mode). When I try to restore the service book I get the following error message:

"Cannot backup or restore the following database: service book. The data was not recognized by the device."

Any thoughts here? Do I have to go back to 4.1?

Thanks!
J