Blackberry Tips and Tricks

The more savvy BlackBerry user will no doubt be very comfortable downloading and installing third party applications onto their device. For the ever growing group of novice BlackBerry users, there may be some confusion between the various file types involved and which methods are to be used to get that sweet new game/app into the palm of their hands. For this group of people, we have decided to produce a “How To” guide that will show you the ins and outs of downloading and installing third party software onto your BlackBerry.

The Various File Types You Will Encounter
.JAD files: An application descriptor that stores information about the application itself and the location of .COD files 
.JAR files: a JAR file (or Java ARchive) is used for aggregating many files into one. It is generally used to distribute Java classes and associated metadata.
.COD files: A COD file is a proprietary file format developed by RIM that contains compiled and packaged application code.
.ALX files: Similar to the .JAD file, in that it holds information about where the installation files for the application are located
Installing Third Party Software OTA (Over The Air)

Performing the OTA download and installation of a third party application is usually the easiest option. Most application developers will provide direct links to the .jad or .jar files required for internal installation on your BlackBerry. There is usually a second option for download to your desktop and installation via the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The Desktop Manager installation process is described in the next section. 

Downloading OTA is super easy. Simply navigate to the download page for the application you wish to install and find the direct (OTA) download link. From within the BlackBerry browser menu, select “Get Link” and then click OK for each step of the installation. Here are the steps you must perform in order to download a third party application OTA to your BlackBerry:
Navigate with the BlackBerry Browser to the desired application download page.
Example: Google Maps Mobile
Often you will be presented with a link to the download, or the option to enter your cellular phone number and have the link sent to your device via SMS.
Follow the supplied link (either direct or SMS) from within your BlackBerry Browser and follow all the instructions that appear on your screen.
The new application will be unpacked and installed by your BlackBerry Browser and your new software will be now be available in your applications list.

NOTE: If you are using your BlackBerry in a BES configuration which is overseen by your IT department, you may not have the ability to install your own third party applications to your device. If this is the case, you will have to contact your IT professional and request that they add the software and deploy it to your device. This may be against the policy that your employer has dictated so it is best to get approval before any such request.
Installing Third Party Software Via BlackBerry Desktop Manager

Most of the time when you find a third party application that you wish to install on your BlackBerry they will be available in multiple formats. The OTA download is usually the easiest and most convenient way to install software; however, for those who face technical issues or for those without an adequate data plan, there is a more desirable solution.

Installing third party software on your BlackBerry via the BlackBerry Desktop Manager is a simple process. In only a few steps you will have all the applications you like installed on your device and ready to go.

The first step you need to take is to ensure that you have the latest version of the BlackBerry desktop Manager installed on your computer. For instructions on how to accomplish this task, head over to our guide to installing BlackBerry Desktop Software.

Once you have downloaded and installed your BlackBerry Desktop Manager, you are ready to try out your first third party software installation. In order to complete the installation, simply follow the steps outlined below:
Navigate to a download link for any piece of third party software you like and download the required installation files to your desktop.
Example: BBSmart Email Viewer (use the free trial as a test and choose the full download option)
Once you have downloaded the desired application to your desktop, you may have to unzip/extract the contents to a new folder. Inside your newly created folder you will find a file that ends in .alx
Connect your BlackBerry via USB to your computer and launch the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
In the menu you will see an option for “Application Loader”. click this and you will see a screen appear that displays all the applications currently loaded on your BlackBerry.
Above the list of currently installed BlackBerry applications you will see a button that says “Add”. Click on this button to bring up the add application dialog box.
Navigate to the folder that you have saved on your desktop in the previous step and locate the .alx file contained within. Choose OK and this application will appear in the list with all of your other installed software.
If you have downloaded multiple pieces of software to install, you can go ahead and click the add button again and navigate to the next .alx file and click OK. Repeat this process for each additional third party application you wish to install.
Once all desired applications have been introduced into the application loader, verify that they each have a check mark next to them and click the button labeled “Next” which appears below the list of applications.
You will see the BlackBerry Desktop Manager run through a process and your BlackBerry may restart.
Upon reboot of your BlackBerry you will see all of your newly installed applications on the applications screen of your device.

UPDATE: 16Nov08 I have no idea what happened to the original links here, as I did not host them. Everything you need to install Plazmic 4.6 should be available here: Plazmic or HERE. The install process is the same. I installed 4.6 over 4.5 and it worked fine without changing anything else.

Big props goes out to those that helped compile this information, but especially to orangetx for hosting the required files on his site. 

So, you want to build a theme, eh? Tried to download the Plazmic Theme Creator but found yourself baffled by the install instructions? Well look no further! The following instructions spell out the process and even give links to download the proper versions of the required files. Follow these instructions and you'll be cranking out themes in no time! The files must be installed in order for the Plazmic install to work. 

Let's begin. The download links contain several versions of the software. You only need to install the EXACT version called for by the Installer, which in some cases is not the most current version. Install the ones listed here and you will be fine. These files are labeled in red.

1. jdk-1_5_0_15-nb-6_1-windows.exe
Download the jdk from here
This file is 90.6mb and contains the following:
jdk-1_5_0_15-nb-6_1-windows
GenuineCheck
GenuineCheck-1

2. BlackBerry_JDE_4.2.0.exe
Download the JDE from here
This file is 80.3mb.

3. BlackBerry_Email_MDS_4.1.0-4.exe
Download the Email MDS from here
This file is 79.8mb and contains:
BlackBerry_Email_MDS_4.1.0-4
BlackBerry_Email_MDS_4.1.4

4a. Plazmic_CDK_v4_2_2.exe for OS 4.2+
Download the Plazmic Installer 4.2 from here
This file is 122mb and contains:
Plazmic_CDK_v4_1 
Plazmic_CDK_v4_2_2

or

4b. Plazmic CDK v4.5 for OS 4.5+
Download the new Plazmic Theme Builder 4.5 here!

Themes built using CDK 4.2 will work on all OS's from OS 4.2 up. Themes built using CDK 4.5 will not work on OS's prior to OS 4.5 unless you follow the instructions below.

Again, thank you to everyone that contributed and hopefully this will help many aspiring theme builders get their feet on the ground. As always, any issues/problems with this guide, please point them out so that we can get them corrected ASAP. All information and links taken from this original thread: Struggling with Plazmic

Thanks to StevenInSTL, here is Modify Plazmic ThemeBuilder 4.5 to Export Custom Themes in OS 4.2.2 

you need to edit some files..but its REAL easy. Do it at your OWN RISK….

1) make sure Themebuilder is CLOSED

2) locate the Plazmic CDK 4.5 directory in Program files.

3) go to the directory RESOURCES

4) select the file THEMES

5) look for 2 folders. 1 is dimension240×260, the other dimension 320×240.

6) within the dimension 240×260 there is a file called 8100Custom. Open with Wordpad or Notepad.

7) Edit the following lines to look like this:
The files are located in the Resource/Theme directories, then the 240×260 directory (will have the 8100 files) the 320×240 (will have the 8300, 8800 files) I’d suggest not changing the 7100 or 8700 (is there an os 4.5 for 8700?) files:

these are the lines you edit:

theme.supportedHandheldOs = 4.2.2,4.5
theme.preferredHandheldOs = 4.5
theme.importOs = 4.2.2,4.3.1

Go to the dimension320×240 file and do the same for the 8300Custom, 8800Custom.

I don’t think you will find it necessary to edit the 7100 or the 8700 (are the 8700’s going to be using OS 4.5?)

ENJOY!

When your device fails to start, it show one of these symptoms:

1. Totally dead.

2. Trying to restart, LED activity only.

3. Failed to start, a white screen with an error message.

__________________________________________________ ________

1. Physical damage, water is the worst enemy of delicate electronic device. Try drying it with a desiccant and replacing the battery. If there is no activity, you can still try the last ditch technique, nothing to loose anyway. 

2. Your device is not able to start, something has gone wrong and the OS is corrupt.

Failed Upgrade suggestions. 
Link failed, Post #384 of this thread.

3. Geeks call this an "Uncaught exception error". That is a polite way of saying, the last thread has terminated, the OS has halted because it is corrupt.

In many cases, the Application Loader can be used from Desktop Manager or Windows, see Ref #1 for the CrackBerry 101 discussion. 

If that fails to connect, there is one final solution. Go Old Skool ...

__________________________________________________ ________

The good news, starting from scratch, you will be back in service in a couple of hours. 

Note: Windows 7 beta is not compatible with these instructions.

1. In order to restore the device, you need to have BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed. The original, as supplied on the BlackBerry CD is adaquite. Tip: If you choose to download the newest v4.3, you can save a lot of time by choosing custom install and disabling Roxio Media Manager. At start-up, it really slows things down until it has built up it index of media. Ref #2 links to BlackBerry's download site.

2. After it is installed, you need to install a BlackBerry OS file that is specific to your device. The original version, as supplied by the carrier, is the safe choice, but you can use any model specific version. This is not supplied on your BlackBerry CD, Ref: 3 links to BlackBerry's download pages.

3. Once the OS has been installed, you have to prepare it for the device.

Select Start / Computer and select the Drive C: Icon. 

Open Program Files / Common Files / Research in Motion / AppLoader.

Navigate to the bottom and delete the file Vendor.XML file.

4. You are now ready to restore your device. Verify that BlackBerry Desktop Manager is NOT running. Plug the device directly into the computer's USB port.

We are about to venture into the bowls of the beast. Windows is not suitable for this job, we are going to invoke the Command line interface with an option switch. This was the way all 'puters worked prior to Mcintosh and Windows.

Windows XP: Start / Run... / Command

Windows Vista: Start / Command (type this into 'start search')



You will see a black window similar to this. I have used UPPERCASE to highlight the typed commands. 

Windows Vista
CD \
CD PROGRAM FILES 
CD COMMON FILES
CD RESEARCH IN MOTION
CD APPLOADER
LOADER /NOJVM 

Windows XP
CD \
CD PROGRA~1
CD COMMON~1
CD RESEAR~1
CD APPLOA~1
LOADER /NOJVM 

When using Vista 64 bit operating systems the command should look like this...

CD \
CD PROGRAM FILES (x86)
CD COMMON FILES
CD RESEARCH IN MOTION
CD APPLOADER
LOADER /NOJVM 


When you hit enter at the last command a forced rebuild will start. No data or setting will be saved, however, they can be recovered from a previous backup.

5. Wait for it to finish.Thirty minutes is typical, do not interrupt it.

Once it has recovered, you can use Desktop Manager's Application Loader to customize it and restore from your backup files, if you have saved them previously.

Ref:
BlackBerry 101: How to Reload the Operating System on a Nuked BlackBerry | CrackBerry.com
BlackBerry Desk Top Manager
BlackBerry OS Source list

Version 1.1 Corrected EXE file name.
Version 1.2 Expanded troubleshooting and installation instructions.
Version 1.3 Detail command line instructions.
Version 1.4 XP specific command line.
Version 1.5 Vista 64 command line.

Thanks to acnst @ BlackBerry Forums
Credit to cmedeir for the XP command line.
Credit to Afterfreeze for the Vista 64 command line.
Last edited by Reed McLay : 01-30-2009 at 01:39 PM.