Blackberry Desktop Manager Overview
The desktop manager software is software that you can install on your computer to manage your Blackberry via USB cable.
This software is optional and is not recommended unless you have a specific function in mind.
With Blackberry Desktop Manager you can:
- Do a wired (as opposed to wireless) activation of your device. As long as you have an existing BES server account you can activate the device without an activation password or other server-side setup. In addition, since the activation happens over the USB cable it’s somewhat faster.
- Move media (pictures / music) to and from your device.
- Upgrade your device operating system (see below)
Installing Blackberry Desktop Manager
Desktop Manager Download locations
Current Version 4.7 (with or without Media Manager)
Direct from Blackberry http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/desktop/
From Tmobile http://www.t-mobile.com/bbupgrade/
Installation Screens for Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) client install
Finally, it will install and then prompt you for a computer reboot.
Using Desktop Manger
When you start up Desktop Manager it will ask you to connect to an Outlook profile. The safest non-activation route is to choose ‘Cancel’.
This allows you to backup and upgrade the blackberry in ‘guest’ mode without activation.
If you WANT to do a wired activation or otherwise sync your Blackberry then press OK.
Caution: The Outlook profile’s mailbox will be used to do a wired activation of the Blackberry (no BES Server involvement or activation password is required if the BES account exists).
You will get this screen if you have an Outlook profile configured and then you connect someone else’s or an otherwise new Blackberry.
YES begins the activation so be careful. Existing Blackberry data would get (optionally) ‘merged’ into the mailbox (it asks you about this).
Normally you would start with a new or ‘wiped’ Blackberry before going down this route.
NO will allow you to backup and upgrade the blackberry in ‘guest’ mode without activation (as if you had not connected to an Outlook profile)
Once you choose an Outlook profile it will be automatically chosen every time you launch Desktop Manager. Use Options… Profile Options… to change it later.
Upgrading the Blackberry OS
The operating system (OS) of the Blackberry controls the look-and-feel and all basic functionality of the device. New features and fixes are introduced with each OS.
Upgrading the OS is a simple but lengthy process (up to 60 mins) that is not recommended without discussing with support. Each OS is specific to service provider (e.g. T-Mobile) and Model (e.g. 8300 Curve).
The steps to upgrading the OS are
1. Determine your service provider, model, and current OS (Options -> About)
2. Install Desktop Manager (see above) on your computer.
3. Locate, download, and install the OS ‘program’ on your computer. (see below)
-or-
If you are not prompted, you can still use the ‘Application Loader’ -> ‘Update Software’ feature to do the upgrade
5. Optional : To add / remove certain OS features (languages, games) use the ‘Device software options’
List of BlackBerry Handheld OS Download Locations
http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.php/BlackBerry_Operating_System_Downloads
Blackberry Handheld OS
Current Version 4.5
Note: Upgrade to 4.5 requires re-activation to resume mail flow. Also the ‘Connecting to device’ stage takes forever but progress bar does move slowly.
Direct from Blackberry http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/devices/#tab_tab_upgrade
From Tmobile http://www.t-mobile.com/bbupgrade/
Filed under: Blackberry
