Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

I just plugged in my brand-spankin'-new 64G Playbook to my computer for the first time... My BB Desktop software sees it fine...but I can't see an option to download/upgrade the OS and etc.

Do I _have_ to use wi-fi for the initial connection? I don't have a wi-fi connection at home...WTF??

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

It is a WiFi unit...Software upgrades are done OTA via WiFi (or slowly by the Bridge maybe). I think you need WiFi for the setup.

I don't think there is any Internet connectivity via the BB DM, but if I am wrong I am sure corrections will be posted....

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

That's just nuts... Well, off to Starbucks.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

I don't know that it is nuts since it is a WiFi device. Here is a KB Article link that confirms a WiFi connection is required to set up the device and it also includes some information and another link about using WiFi in a public location....

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

I can update my 9700 software with Desktop software...why not the Playbook? In fact, what better way to do it? Wi-fi is fine as an alternate method...BUT I DON'T HAVE WI-FI AT HOME! Am I the only person in the Blackberry universe in this situation? By that logic, I should only be able to access phone updates OTA.

In any case, after sitting for an hour at the Starbucks hotspot, my PB downloaded the software [after some glitches], rebooted....and now nothing. I have the PB splashscreen [the one with the floating dots] and it's otherwise unactive and unreactive. The power button doesn't seem to work. There doesn't seem to be any kind of manual in the PB packaging...

EXTREMELY not impressed right now.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

You can update your phone OTA. The only caveat is you have to have the carriers most current release installed, and the carrier has to have a newer release available.

If you upgraded to a version your carrier didn't provide, then you won't be able to upgrade OTA.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Mr. Conyers, your response suggests to me that you haven't read this thread. I'm talking about the senselessness of being unable to update my Playbook by desktop connection.

I discovered how to do a hard reset on my PB in another thread [push Power and Vol_up and Vol_down buttons for several seconds simultaneously]. My PB tells me there was a problem with my software download, try again. I have no time left today to play with this...maybe tomorrow.

Still VERY not impressed...:-x

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

I have read the thread, and I understand your frustration, I was just commenting on a portion of your last post.

The PB is a WiFi only device, a 3G/4G device will be released in the summer (rumored). I suppose as a BlackBerry user, you'd think you should be able to update the PB via DM.

After doing a quick Google search, it appears it is possible.

How To Force The Latest OS Update on Your BlackBerry PlayBook using Desktop Manager - BerryReview

BlackBerry PlayBook OS version 1.0.1.1690 now available via Desktop Manager! | CrackBerry.com

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Return it. Get something else. Probably best, as I expect a whirlwind of disappointment coming your way if you are already "VERY not impressed" and you haven't even completed registration.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Dave, you indicated you had "some glitches", but you downloaded the software update. Now it looks like there is a problem with the download so I suppose you are going to have to head to a public WiFi location.

What kind of glitches did you experience the first time? Maybe your download got corrupted.

Here is a link to the PB Manual.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

[sigh] I apologize for my earlier thinly-veiled snarkiness. Thank you for the very helpful links. It appears I still have to do the initial setup by Wi-Fi however. It still seems dumb.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

An excellently helpful link...thanks! The glitches I mentioned were connection dropouts...no surprise that the public wi-fi hotspot at Starbucks is low-quality. Also, when the downloads resumed after the connection restored, the percent of download was all over the place. The likelihood of corruption is good, although it surprises me a little that the PB would accept and try to reboot after a bad download. Or maybe not...:?

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

If I gave up after a few problems managing tech devices, I would never have built my first computer 20 years ago. The fact that lots of people here have managed the setup tells me that it's do-able, and I feel quite confident that the Playbook will work just fine for me once I get it done. Of course, I suppose I shouldn't brag about my technical 'expertise' when I don't have home wi-fi system...

I still fail to understand why RIM wouldn't make the initial setup possible via desktop as well as wi-fi..

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

I have a feeling that RIM was so focused on OTA updates as a selling point that they never really considered updating via the desktop. Maybe they did and it's coming later? No idea, but it is what it is.

There are plenty of problems with the PlayBook. I just hope that the issues aren't ones you consider critical, otherwise you are in for a world of hurt. For me, the issues are ones I feel like I can get over in the short term because I am interested to see where this thing goes... and I have WiFi at home.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Because EVERYONE ELSE has WiFi at home...

Just kidding.....

As Ian suggested (hoped?) perhaps the DM based PlayBook startup will follow. You might want to drop a suggestion to RIM and who knows, maybe if they hear from enough users they will consider that ability necessary....

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

The wi-fi at Starbucks is very slow and unstable. I think I read they still are using wireless b which is ancient history now. McDonalds has free wi-fi but I don't know if it's better.

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Librarys also have free WiFi (at least where I am they do) and it is generally a pretty good connection.....

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Went to the public library... Discovered the PB needs to be at a certain charge level to download updates, whether it's plugged in or not. Went home, plugged it in to charge.

Went back to library with fully charged PB. Tried to download update a dozen times but could not connect to update server. I suspect that library wi-fi settings disallow downloads of this kind.

Went to Best Buy where GeekSquad guy helpfully logged me into the Best Buy wi-fi net. Downloaded and installed update. Installed Bridge and connected 9700 to Playbook. Drove home feeling good.

At home I discover that the PB is stuck on the 'Connect to Wi-Fi' screen. Power cycles and resets do not change this.

I am not going to have a chance to screw around with this until after the weekend. By that time I will have had my Playbook for a solid week without being able to use it. I WANT, very much, to use this gadget. I do not want to return it merely out of spite. But I have to say I have never experienced this level of trouble with a working device. What in the bleeding hell was RIM thinking of when it released a device that simply will not work out of the box, and requires such a ridiculously elaborate and problem-filled setup??

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

What are routers nowadays? Gotta be inexpensive. Get one and you (maybe) will be so very happy.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

Re: Initial startup by wi-fi only??
 

Don't know what to tell you. I had zero issues setting up the PlayBook, so I would not call the setup ridiculously elaborate or problem-filled. What do you mean the device is stuck on the connect to WiFi screen?

Do you have WiFi profiles saved on your 9700? If so, they transferred to the PlayBook when you bridged. Possible that there is a WiFi profile causing issues on the PlayBook, although I have not yet heard of such an issue.