[grasshopper]

Anyone know what the two metal bands which are on the side of my BB 8830 are? The exact location is on the side next to the Q and A buttons. It is the first thing that mystified me about the phone.

Second thing that is bothering me is the intermittent message appearing on my phone screen that states "Please Insert SIM card" right above my number.

These are two things that are bothering me.

Thanks for the feedback,
Tom C.

[murpheous]

Those are contacts for a desktop cradle IIRC

Check your sim card, make sure it is seated and locked in properly.

[akg]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 9000: BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Yes, the contacts are for the Desktop Power Station. It charges the BB in the cradle without having to use the USB port. I have the Pearl and Curve which have the contacts on the back near the bottom, on either side of the release button for the back.

[greggebhardt]

Originally Posted by akg

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 9000: BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Yes, the contacts are for the Desktop Power Station. It charges the BB in the cradle without having to use the USB port. I have the Pearl and Curve which have the contacts on the back near the bottom, on either side of the release button for the back.

the desktop charger uses the "side" charging contacts on the 88xx series?

[juwaack68]

no, the 88xx doesn't have a desktop cradle yet, but that's what those contacts are supposedly for.....a "future" desktop cradle.

[jlbdca]

Doesn't this use the side contacts for charging? I know it's not OEM, but still an option. Wait nevermind it looks like it doesn't charge using the contacts.

Amazon.com: Blackberry 8800 8830 USB Twin Cradle Desktop Charger w/ Extra Battery Slot: Cell Phones & Service

[grasshopper]

Originally Posted by murpheous

Those are contacts for a desktop cradle IIRC

Check your sim card, make sure it is seated and locked in properly.

As far as I can tell my SIM card is empty. I should note that Itried reloading my OS several times (6) in order to get Chinese Display. I seem to now be able to use the GPS location in Google Maps and I get this weird Insert SIM card message. Could I have accidentally unlocked my phone?

I can see under my Mobile Network option that I have three choices Global, 1XEV and GSM. Not sure what this means if anything. I was poking around with multiple vendor OS' before so I am not sure how to replicate the current condiftion of my phone.

[akg]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 9000: BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I don't know why they used the side contacts on the 8800 series but it will be for some reason I'm sure .

Originally Posted by grasshopper

Could I have accidentally unlocked my phone?

No, you didn't do it accidentally. It has nothing at all to do with the vendor software. It requires a long code be entered in on the phone after finding a secret menu (at least on my GSM phone), so it can't be done accidentally.

[JRSCCivic98]

Originally Posted by grasshopper

I seem to now be able to use the GPS location in Google Maps.

What exactly does this mean? Does it actually show you the exact location you're standing when you hit "0"?

[ka7gzr]

I have the BB OEM charger, extra battery and BB 655 BT headset. It does use the side contacts for charging. It is a zero force insertion i.e. the 8800 goes into the cradle without any force. The desktop power station also (at the same time) charges my extra battery. It includes a dock for charging the 655 BT headset. Very nice device.
Jim