Blackberry 8900 Issues

June 3, 2010 11:37 AM

I was given a Blackberry 8900 that the person could not get to work correctly. I am just wondering if it is worth my time to get running or if it is even a possibility.

Basically it does not want to sync with the BB desktop software. I also want to possibly use it with my cell carrier, VirginMobile - it was originally a T-Mobile phone.

Is there a way to blank out the phone memory and start from scratch? Even if i cannot get to work with Virgin, if I could get it working I know of a few TM people who might be interested in it.

Thanks!

posted by lampshade to technology (11 answers total)

settings, advanced settings, security, press the blackberry button, wipe handheld.

or something similar. might be different on newer models. but wiping it resets to factory.
posted by sio42 at 11:44 AM on June 3, 2010 [1 favorite]

It'll cost you $20-$30 to unlock the phone so you can use your Virgin SIM. Most phone repair places will do it for you, or there are online unlocking services.

To perform a factory reset, use the following: Options menu -> Security Options -> General Settings. Then press the menu key, and choose 'Wipe handheld' from the menu. You might have ti enter a password - I think the default is 'Blackberry'.

As for the desktop software, you might want to try reinstalling it. And then give some more details about how far it works - does it detect the handset, for example?
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 11:49 AM on June 3, 2010

I checked online and saw that "wipe button" instruction, but for the life of me cannot find it. I have looked thru all the menus and it is just not on my phone, or so hidden that I am not seeing it.

Regarding the BB sw re-install, I have done that a couple of times for good measure to no avail.

I did see one thing that concerned me though - in one of the screens, it lists the phone as being refurbished this year. Could be that this phone is just a clunker altogether.

Well, thanks for the input. I guess this one is going into the junk drawer.

J-
posted by lampshade at 12:44 PM on June 3, 2010

I was my firm's resident Blackberry Bitch for a number of years. MeMail me if you want to pursue it further - unless they're physically destroyed, there is almost always a way to make a Blackberry behave.
posted by julthumbscrew at 1:13 PM on June 3, 2010

The wipe is hidden on purpose. You have to push the button with the BlackBerry logo to open the menu inside of the settings area to see the option. I suspect a factory reset will do the trick.
If it doesn't, you can download the newest BlackBerry Operating System from TMobile (linky) that is a bit more in depth than just a wipe handheld. This will put your phone on the newest OS available from TMo and then you should be able to work with it there.
posted by msbutah at 1:55 PM on June 3, 2010

Both good ideas....working on it now. Thanks!
posted by lampshade at 2:03 PM on June 3, 2010

I got the device to reset using the TMobile BB software. Well at least the memory is wiped. Now I just have to get VirginMobile to accept it as a valid device. They said earlier that they needed the previous number to activate it.
posted by lampshade at 3:03 PM on June 3, 2010

You can't use this phone with Virgin Mobile USA. The 8900 is a GSM phone and requires a SIM card. Virgin Mobile is a subsidiary of Sprint and used Sprint's CDMA network.

There is no such thing as a Virgin Mobile USA SIM card.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 3:32 PM on June 3, 2010

...of course this is assuming you meant T-Mobile USA and Virgin Mobile USA. Your profile lists your location as "IL" which I take is "Illinois."
posted by ethnomethodologist at 3:40 PM on June 3, 2010

ethnomethodologist: That was an answer I was looking for. Thanks.

There is a BB that VMUSA offers, but it is not this model. Shame...thought I had a cheapee, quick fix!
posted by lampshade at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2010

(well not the answer I *wanted*, but good to know and not waste time with the BB)
posted by lampshade at 3:47 PM on June 3, 2010