can Storm 2 replace my memory stick

I'm a new owner of my first BB, a Storm 2.

I carry around a 16GB memory stick daily for files (mostly Excel files) that I frequently update at work and at home. I was hoping that I could use the BB's memory storage to replace the stick. I'm running into a few problems though.

At home I have the BB desktop software installed, but at work all that I have installed is the USB driver I downloaded from BB's site.

At home, I was able to transfer the contents of my memory stick to a new directory I created on the BB's media card called "stick".

The only problem is that in order for my computer at work to show these files in a file manager I have to DISABLE mass storage option on the BB. When I see the files in file manager I can only copy them to my work desktop...in other words I cannot open them directly from the BB. Furthermore, once I edit the file with my PC at work, I cannot copy the file back to the BB, overwriting the existing file.

Is there anyway to accomplish this? I don't want to edit the files using BB software...I just want to be able to open, read and write to them using the host PC its connect to at the time.

I replaced my sticks with my S2. I do not however use the BDM to do this. At work I use My Computer and on my Hackintosh it just mounts automatically, which is great. My sticks need to be carefully dismounted from my Mac if I want to go to a windows box and back but the storm can handle the errors from unplugging and still work.
If you want to edit copy and paste docs,movies,apes or anything I wouldn't use BBDM to dp it just use the box OS.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Have you checked Options>Memory>Mass Storage Mode=on? This make the Blackberry appear just like a Thumb Drive to the computer. I believe it is disabled by default.

Originally Posted by Robert Calhoun

Have you checked Options>Memory>Mass Storage Mode=on? This make the Blackberry appear just like a Thumb Drive to the computer. I believe it is disabled by default.

When I do that, my PC at work does not give me access to the file system on the BB. However, when I try to "safely remove hardware" it lists "RIM Blackberry USB Device" in the list of connected devices. When I select it, and press OK, it says that the device can now be disconnected.

Is this a PC issue?

Your work PC misses the driver for Mass Storage Mode to work. RIM's USB driver alone is not enough for the functionality you are looking for. It's called "RIM Blackberry SD USB Device".

to the OP, keep this in mind.

in order to use your blackberry as a memory stick you will have to carry around a 30 inch cable with you.

to use a memory stick you have to carry around a 1 inch wide by 2 to 3 inch long memory stick that fits in your pocket.

Originally Posted by wdfly

to the OP, keep this in mind.

in order to use your blackberry as a memory stick you will have to carry around a 30 inch cable with you.

to use a memory stick you have to carry around a 1 inch wide by 2 to 3 inch long memory stick that fits in your pocket.

I have a USB cable that I leave at work, besides syncing at work it also keeps me charged during the day. Extra USB cords are fairly in expensive, and while I ALWAYS recommend you get the more expensive OEM power charger, any USB cord is fine, including those cheapies found on ebay. :) I have a USB cord at work, at home, down the shore and in the laptop bag. :)

Originally Posted by pkcable

I have a USB cable that I leave at work, besides syncing at work it also keeps me charged during the day. Extra USB cords are fairly in expensive, and while I ALWAYS recommend you get the more expensive OEM power charger, any USB cord is fine, including those cheapies found on ebay. :) I have a USB cord at work, at home, down the shore and in the laptop bag. :)

Ditto. Have cable at work and home.

I too have a cable at work and at home.
Don't carry around a stick anymore.
My S2 is used to do transfers.

Yes. You should be able to "see" the microSD card from any computer that you plug your Storm into. You'll need to enable mass storage mode on the BBS2, and the OS should recognize it. If not, try updating the driver. It's always best to have 1 less thing to lug around!

Originally Posted by pkcable

I have a USB cable that I leave at work, besides syncing at work it also keeps me charged during the day. Extra USB cords are fairly in expensive, and while I ALWAYS recommend you get the more expensive OEM power charger, any USB cord is fine, including those cheapies found on ebay. :) I have a USB cord at work, at home, down the shore and in the laptop bag. :)

You left out one spot: the car. They are very handy for quick charges. You can get OEM cables at cheap rates in some discount stores like TJMaxx (yes, look for accessories there for cheap)

Originally Posted by wdfly

to the OP, keep this in mind.

in order to use your blackberry as a memory stick you will have to carry around a 30 inch cable with you.

to use a memory stick you have to carry around a 1 inch wide by 2 to 3 inch long memory stick that fits in your pocket.

Or you could spend $0.85 and buy a 1.5' USB cable. I bought several and have them everywhere I mihgt ever need one.

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Originally Posted by afropoika

Your work PC misses the driver for Mass Storage Mode to work. RIM's USB driver alone is not enough for the functionality you are looking for. It's called "RIM Blackberry SD USB Device".

Where is this driver located? I googled it with no success. I even installed BB Desktop Manager and still didn't work. Well, the BBDM sees it but no letter drive is assigned to it in Windows file manager view.

Are you sure your work PC has enabled the permission to assign a new driver letter for external devices?

Originally Posted by afropoika

Are you sure your work PC has enabled the permission to assign a new driver letter for external devices?

Yes. I have a WD Passport drive hooked up to my other USB port and it works just fine through a lettered drive.

When I de-select AUTO ENABLE MASS STORAGE MODE on the BB, I get two MTP devices listed under Audio Devices.

Even tried this fix with no success.

Figured it out. I had recently remapped some network drives that were using the same letter drives as those assigned to the BB drives. I changed the BB drive letters under Disk Managment and now I can see them (and open/edit files like a normal USB drive).

Originally Posted by njitgrad

Figured it out. I had recently remapped some network drives that were using the same letter drives as those assigned to the BB drives. I changed the BB drive letters under Disk Managment and now I can see them (and open/edit files like a normal USB drive).

OK, back to square one. For some very strange reason I can no longer access my Storm 2 via Windows Explorer using my PC at work. I know that letter drives were assigned to it (O and P) but I see neither in Windows Explorer. When I use a DOS prompt and type "O:" or "P:" I am able to see those drives and their subsequently their contents by typing in "dir". I can navigate between folders using "cd" command.

So why is Windows Explorer not showing me them anymore? When I go to Disk Management (under Control Panel options) it has them both listed along with my System Drive.

I know its not the BB because I have no issue at home.

At work I am using Windows XP Profession 2002 SP2.
At home I have Windows XP Home SP3.

EDIT: Just noticed that when attempting to open a file within a Windows Application (e.g. Excel), I can see the drive letters O and P and open files on my BB. Its just that I can't explore the BB directly from Windows Explorer.