PK & Friends Tips, Tricks & Help Thread

pkcable · Thread Author #1 03-12-2009, 04:48 PM

Folks,

I am going to use this thread to provide Storm, Tips, Tricks, and Help. You may ask us questions and we will try our best to answer, or find you the answer. I am aware that much of this info exists elsewhere in CB, but I wanted to have a thread that I can refer and link to in posts and in my signature.

I will post our tips next and keep this first post updated as I find other tips and help. Remember direct help can be provide in this thread, just ask a question or present a problem and we will try to help. Primary thread helpers are myself and michaelwpg, BUT anyone is welcome to help and answer questions. PLEASE no suggestions to just use search.

Tip 1 Deleting Phone Logs (as if they were messages)

Open messages, press the blackberry button then select view folders and then open the phone log folder, then you can click on a date and press the blackberry button and select delete prior, or touch two place at the same time to select all that whole range.

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Tip 2 Fixing Data Problems such as Email not arriving or Missing Browser (Doing and HRT & Re-send of Service Books)

Method 1 (Provide by michaelwpg) The Quick way!

I have found that rather than going through the longer process for Registering and sending service books, Go through
Options>Mobile Network>BB Key>Diagnostics Test>BB key> Run

This pretty much puts the Storm through it's paces, data wise, and registers, sends service books, all at the same time. Quicker process I found by accident. Seems to work very well.

Method 2 (Mine) The LONNNNG way!

Step 1 Doing an HRT, or Registering your Device. Open Options, then Advanced, then Host Routing, then press the blackberry button and select Register Device.

Step 2 Doing the Service Books. Open the Setup Folder, then Open Email Setup, sign on, then press the blackberry button, and select Service Books, then Send Service Books.

Step 3 Pull the battery which will reboot your Storm, often this is a good first thing to try when having any BB problem. You can use a program to simulate a pull and reboot your Storm, they are Softreset & Quick Pull. (found in the OTA Apps thread http://forums.crackberry.com/f134/bl...-thread-107305 ).

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Tip 3 (TRICK!!!!) Reading/Browsing the Storm in Bed!

As you know the accelerometer changes the orientation of your Storm when you hold it upright, or on it's side. HOWEVER it does not change orientation when you hold it upside down. If you are laying down, and you wish to browse but you DON'T want your Storm to leave landscape mode, just start with your Storm in landscape, and then you can lean it, UPSIDE down and it will stay in landscape. The trick is to just make sure to lean it top (where it says Blackberry) side down.

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Tip 4 Finding Other Email (and other interactions) from the same contact (From Stav)

Something I found by accident is that if you touch and hold on any message or sms in your message list (don't click) then the message will highlight and bring up all the interactions you have had with that person - email sms and calls.

or

If you highlight the sender / message, then BB>Search Sender, it does the same thing (from pi_admin)

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Tip 5 Memory Clean up!

Step 1 Clear Browser Caches (this helps when the BB won't do backups sometimes). Open the BB Browser, Press the BB button, select Options, then Cache Operations, then clear out all 4 areas.
Step2 Enable & Use Memory Cleaning (You only need to enable once, or after an update of the OS). Click Options, then Security Options, then Memory Cleaning, first set it to enable, then when you do my clean up routine, just press the BB button and select Clean Now (After Clicking on Memory Cleanup).
Step 3 Clear the Java log. From the homescreen, press the BB button, and select show keyboard (in landscape) hold the !?123 button to lock in then press "/"/ (or if in portrait ,5,5), then press the BB button and select clear log.
Step 4 Battery Pull (optional) for max effect.

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Tip 6 (From Collin16)
The importance of a Battery Pull...
A battery pull is a way of resetting the device to regain lost memory and to start fresh. Doing a battery pull will usually fix most minor issues.

A battery pull consists of:
removing the battery cover
removing the battery while the device is still on
waiting 15 seconds
and re-inserting the battery
The phone will take anywhere between 2 and 6 minutes to reboot itself.
Once rebooted the device will run clean and fresh. It is recommended to do a battery pull once a day or more (depending on your memory loss)
A helpful program that can do this for you can be found here
QuickPull | Personal Productivity BlackBerry Software

Run the app and it will ask you if you would like to reset your device. select yes and then select reboot now. Its the same thing as a battery pull without having to take out the actual battery

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Tip 7 What to do when your PIN is locked to another account or carrier! (provided by flashman03 & me)

Don't Panic! Easiest thing to do is contact the seller and have them call their provider to release the PIN. Next try your provider, if it's a BB they don't support they MAY be reluctant to help, but they should be able to get the PIN released by RIM, you just need to get your call escalated. It's always best to be nice about it, and stress how much you need their help.

NOTE: IMPORTANT, before buying a used BB, you should ask the seller for the ESN and then check it with their provider, before you buy to make sure it's not reported as bad (either stolen or money owed). If they won't give you the ESN don't buy from them!

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Tip 8 OS updates on my Megaupload site! INSTALL AT YOUR OWN RISK!

9530 OS Downloads 75, .114, .113, 122, 132 (Rapidshare from ausch), 141 (from ausch) & 148, & 151 & 5.0.0.154 & 4.7.0.167 & 5.0.0.191. Delete the Vendor.xml file! CX's How to Upgrade your OS 101

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Tip 9 (from Edrallis) Starting up in Safe Mode Advanced Topic!!!

A good trick if a 3rd part application bugs such as Patternlock or Stormslider and they keep your phone locked is running your storm in safe mode to bypass the applications.
To run your storm in safe mode you initiate a battery pull and when the led light stops shining red hold down the escape key until the storm is done rebooting. Than a message will appear saying that you are in safe mode. Click "Ok" and continue use with your Storm. To exit Safe Mode initiate another battery pull and this time do not hold onto the escape key.

Added by PK - This is especially useful when a start up App is causing problems on your Device!

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Tip 10 (from tflax) Home Screen Wallpaper Trick!

PK - I found a neat trick the other day concerning your "Home Screen Wallpaper".

What I found is that if you change the wallpaper in the theme that you are using and want to change it back.

All you have to do is the following:

Click on "Media"
Click on "Pictures"
Click on "All Pictures"
Click on any picture to open it
Click on BlackBerry button
Go to "Reset Home Screen Image"
Now picture is back to the original picture in the theme you are using

This was a pretty cool find as sometimes I want to see what a different wallpaper might look like with a specific theme, but sometimes you want to set it back to the original because it works better and you don't have the original wallpaper.

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Tip 11 (From BrianW2007) Accessing the Programing Screen & Editing My Number! ADVANCED TOPIC!

As you know I'm selling my storm. As I deactivated it from our Verizon account, It still had shown my mobile number. Now, some (like myself) do not like to give out my number to complete strangers.

In order to change this, (this may also help those who have unlocked storms running on a GSM network. Sometimes they have the last owners number) you go into your call screen and press ##000000

This takes you to the CDMA programing screen, where you can change your number to A.) All zeros
Or B) Your actual number.

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Tip 12 (from talltubatom) Access the Advanced Stats Screen!

You can check on all your phone stats like Free memory, PIN, and OS version by holding the back button and tapping (not pressing) top left, top right, top left, top right.

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More to come, PLUS feel free to post your questions or to suggest other Tips. AND also use CrackBerry's Storm How Too Forum here....

http://forums.crackberry.com/f135/

stav · #2 03-12-2009, 05:39 PM

Something I found by accident is that if you touch and hold on any message or sms in your message list (don't click) then the message will highlight and bring up all the interactions you have had with that person - email sms and calls.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Maximaniac · #3 03-12-2009, 05:44 PM

there's an actual forum called "tips, how to & FAQ." this thread should probably go in there.

pkcable · Thread Author #4 03-12-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximaniac

there's an actual forum called "tips, how to & FAQ." this thread should probably go in there.

And perhaps it will if a moderator deems it worthy, but members can not initiate threads in the How Too Forums.

A mod will have to move it over. I have been answering other member's questions via PM & email, but one of them suggested I make the info I provided him public (that's tip 1) and it sounded good to me.

EDIT: If a mod DOES move it can you PM me so I can change my sig link?

Thanks!

Michael Hepples · #5 03-12-2009, 06:18 PM

I have found that rather than going through the longer process for Registering and sending service books, Go through
Options>Mobile Network>BB Key>Diagnostics Test>BB key> Run

This pretty much puts the Storm through it's paces, data wise, and registers, sends service books, all at the same time. Quicker process I found by accident. Seems to work very well.

Pharaoh45 · #6 03-12-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelwpg

I have found that rather than going through the longer process for Registering and sending service books, Go through
Options>Mobile Network>BB Key>Diagnostics Test>BB key> Run

This pretty much puts the Storm through it's paces, data wise, and registers, sends service books, all at the same time. Quicker process I found by accident. Seems to work very well.

This is a very good one. Plus, it tests the entire Storm. Good trick after updating the OS.

pkcable · Thread Author #7 03-12-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharaoh45

This is a very good one. Plus, it tests the entire Storm. Good trick after updating the OS.

Yea I thought so too, I added it!

Some may still prefer the other way so I listed both.

ashjamarch · #8 03-17-2009, 11:38 AM

Hey I am pretty new to using the blackberry storm but not to blackberry's per say I had the pearl for about 2 years. I think your forum is great and those tips you gave were easy to follow thanks. I do have a question though and you seemed like a great source. I have a Storm 9530 Unlocked on T-Mobile netwk would it effect my phone if I was to do the upgrade??

pkcable · Thread Author #9 03-17-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashjamarch

Hey I am pretty new to using the blackberry storm but not to blackberry's per say I had the pearl for about 2 years. I think your forum is great and those tips you gave were easy to follow thanks. I do have a question though and you seemed like a great source. I have a Storm 9530 Unlocked on T-Mobile netwk would it effect my phone if I was to do the upgrade??

It shouldn't, BUT if it does resending your service books should fix it. Also in the Storm How Too Forum, there is a thread about getting full data to work on TMobile, and the guy who wrote it pltaylor can help, BUT you should be fine.

Make SURE you follow the instructions to backup your data and 3rd Party Apps before you try the upgrade. You will find full instructions on that in the Storm Beta OS Forum. It should all go smoothly, BUT if it don't the backups will save your ***! I recommend you go with version .109 it is the most stable and functional of the stuff out there. The hybrids are NOT for the faint of heart.

caramel000101 · #10 03-24-2009, 09:14 AM

This is really helpful. I'm running .99 (I haven't been too quick with updates) and I'm about to make that huge jump to .114. I try to read through as many threads as I can so that I don't make any mistakes, and I'm noticing that most people completely wipe their phone with Jl_Cmder. I didn't do that with my last update...Is this the appropriate route to take?

lyoko37 · #11 03-24-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramel000101

This is really helpful. I'm running .99 (I haven't been too quick with updates) and I'm about to make that huge jump to .114. I try to read through as many threads as I can so that I don't make any mistakes, and I'm noticing that most people completely wipe their phone with Jl_Cmder. I didn't do that with my last update...Is this the appropriate route to take?

I wouldn't recommend it unless it is necessary (like you brick your phone). I have wiped before and it just takes longer / you have to reload your backup and applications manually. I found no significant increase in speed or stability either.

caramel000101 · #12 03-24-2009, 09:21 AM

Thanks..I'm off to upgrade my phone!

pkcable · Thread Author #13 03-24-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramel000101

This is really helpful. I'm running .99 (I haven't been too quick with updates) and I'm about to make that huge jump to .114. I try to read through as many threads as I can so that I don't make any mistakes, and I'm noticing that most people completely wipe their phone with Jl_Cmder. I didn't do that with my last update...Is this the appropriate route to take?

A wipe is not necesary. Make SURE you do full backups and that includes a 3rd party app backup before you upgrade. The process should be smooth and you probably won't need your backups, BUT it's a good idea to have them. Please note version .114 has a critical bug, when in a call you can not easily bring up the keypad to dial numbers and responds to voice mail prompts and menus. There ARE serveral work arounds and fixes, BUT you may be better off just using version .113. I have links to both version in my signature.

pi_admin · #14 03-24-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stav

Something I found by accident is that if you touch and hold on any message or sms in your message list (don't click) then the message will highlight and bring up all the interactions you have had with that person - email sms and calls.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

If you highlight the sender / message, then BB>Search Sender, it does the same thing

(sometimes the hold doesn't work for me...)

caramel000101 · #15 03-24-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkcable

A wipe is not necesary. Make SURE you do full backups and that includes a 3rd party app backup before you upgrade. The process should be smooth and you probably won't need your backups, BUT it's a good idea to have them. Please note version .114 has a critical bug, when in a call you can not easily bring up the keypad to dial numbers and responds to voice mail prompts and menus. There ARE serveral work arounds and fixes, BUT you may be better off just using version .113. I have links to both version in my signature.

I just finished updating it, and when I dialed *228, I did notice that the keyboard would not let me access numbers.

I'm going to do .113 now.
Thanks!