Technically Inclined

As of today the latest OS for the BlackBerry Bold is 5.0.0.860/5.0.0.509. This can be downloaded by selecting the Blackberry Bold 9000 from this link and proceeding through the gauntlet of hoops to get your download.

Before you install the latest OS onto your Windows machine you should have Blackberry Desktop Software downloaded and installed because we are going to do a backup. Also BlackBerry Messenger has a email based backup service. you access this in the options of BlackBerry Messenger and you should sync your contacts with your email (I only sync to one email although it defaults to all active emails on your device.)

The process takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have to backup and restore during the process. Once it’s done loading the new OS it will reboot (it may do this twice during the entire process.) You will see a white screen with an hourglass for up to 20 minutes at a time while the AppLoader says “waiting for initialization.”
If, for some reason, you end up with a white screen with small icons and the number 507, simply connect to the PC again and run Loader.exe again and it should load the OS to the device.

Preforming the Backup

• Connect you BlackBerry to your computer via USB
• Run BlackBerry Desktop Software and preform a backup on your phone (If you are prompted to update anything when booting the desktop software cancel and just preform the backup)
• Shutdown the desktop software

Installing the OS to your Windows machine and deleting the necessary file to preform an OS update from another carrier

• Install the OS (.exe) you downloaded at the start of this tutorial (If prompted to launch BlackBerry Desktop Software, select cancel)
• Now open Windows Explorer and navigate to the following folder (C:/Program Files/Common Files/Research In Motion/AppLoader) This folder entitled “AppLoader” has a file at the bottom called “Vendor.xml” Delete this file now.
• After it’s deleted, navigate to the top of this same folder and run “Loader.exe” or “Loader” which will open App Loader and prompt you to update your phone.

Installing the update to your phone

In the next few windows of the App loader wizard you will be prompted with a list of everything installed on your phone, make sure to browse this list and ensure the status of the apps you want installed says install or that it will be left untouched. If an app you want on your phone is listed as “Remove” change it.

In the future since you will understand the steps you can reference the following as a reminder

1. Download the above OS file to the PC then install it to the PC by running (double clicking) the file you downloaded.
2. Go to c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader and delete the file named “vendor.xml.”
3. Plug in BB and double click on “Loader.exe.” It’s located in the same place as the above vendor.xml file.

I recently started using Google Apps for my domain and in the process I needed to move all my mail from 2005 – Today. So for anyone else in such a situation or if you are just moving from one Gmail to another, here are the steps.
Step 1: Log in to your Gmail account which holds all your mail
Step 2: Select Settings then Forwarding POP/IMAP
Step 3: Select the radio button beside Enable POP for all mail (even mail that’s already been downloaded)
Step 4: Log in to your new Google Apps email or new Gmail account
Step 5: Select Settings then Accounts and Import
Step 6: In Google Apps select Add a mail account you own, Gmail select Get your mail from other accounts in Gmail using POP3
Now just fill in your POP info into Gmail and your Emails will slowly move on over.
I recently started using Google Apps for my domain and in the process I needed to move all my mail from 2005 – Today. So for anyone else in such a situation or if you are just moving from one Gmail to another, here are the steps.
Step 1: Log in to your Gmail account which holds all your mailStep 2: Select Settings then Forwarding POP/IMAPStep 3: Select the radio button beside Enable POP for all mail (even mail that’s already been downloaded)Step 4: Log in to your new Google Apps email or new Gmail accountStep 5: Select Settings then Accounts and ImportStep 6: In Google Apps select Add a mail account you own, Gmail select Get your mail from other accounts in Gmail using POP3
Now just fill in your POP info into Gmail and your Emails will slowly move on over.

To start lets address what tethering is in the cellular world, simply put it is the connection of a computer to a mobile device like your BlackBerry or Iphone to use as a gateway to the Internet. It is important to know the possible charges that you may receive well preforming this task, I won’t get into details as every carrier seems to be different. Golden rule is have a data plan that allows for at least 1 GB of data. For my tethering needs I have a 6 GB data plan on my BlackBerry 9000 Smartphone with Rogers.
Let’s begin.

Step #1
First off we need to have the two devices paired. To do this on the BlackBerry side simply access the Bluetooth settings for the phone ensuring the phone is visible to searching devices such as your computer. Also, ensuring your computer is set to allow Bluetooth devices to connect is a required setting.
Step #2
Hit your windows key to open the start menu, type “add a bluetooth device” Select the option that appears in the start menu matching that search. Selecting this will bring you to a window that is searching for Bluetooth devices that are set to discoverable. Proceed to add your BlackBerry as a trusted device on your computer.
Step #3
Hit your windows key once more and type the search phrase “set up a dial-up connection” after selecting the appropriate search result you will see a window with two options, for our purposes we will be selecting “Standard Modem over Bluetooth link”. On the next screen in the field asking for a dial-up phone number enter “*99#” (Rogers) without quotations. This number can be different from carrier to carrier please check with yours for the appropriate number. Name your connection something to indicate what it is. You can now select “connect” to attempt this new dial up connection.
*Note that you do not need to enter a user name or password for rogers wireless but other carriers may require it.

If anyone is interested in the steps for Linux or Apple computers please leave me a comment indicating your interest