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Using Your BlackBerry at NYU

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did you know?

  • To comply with NYU's security policy, you are required to change your NYU NetID password at least once every year. Because this affects the password you use to check your NYU email, you must remember to change the password setting in your BlackBerry web client if you want to continue using it to check your NYU email.
  • Only NYU-issued PDAs and handheld devices are eligible to sync with Meeting Maker.

This guide will help you set up your BlackBerry for use with a variety of NYU services. It begins with an introductory look at your BlackBerry's controls, then leads you through initial out-of-the-box setup. It also shows you how to check and send NYU email, synchronize your BlackBerry with your desktop address book, and browse the Web. Finally, it instructs you on basic troubleshooting and security features.

Because instructions can vary from device to device and among wireless carriers (AT&T, Nextel, Verizon, etc.), it's important that you rely on the product- and network-specific instructions that come with your device and are given to you by the carrier you chose.

Page Contents

Out of the Box
Activation
Use & Applications
Security
Troubleshooting & Resources

Out of the Box: Preparing Your BlackBerry
for Use

Before you can use your BlackBerry to check email, send/receive calls, etc., there are several steps you must complete to set up the device. This section will:

  • familiarize you with the essential controls;
  • help you complete the necessary "pre-use" setup; and
  • guide you through installing and charging the battery.

Step One: Acquaint Yourself with the Controls

The manufacturer's guide included with the BlackBerry provides the most comprehensive overview of the controls. The essential and most frequently used features are shown in Fig. 1 (items in italics are described later in these instructions).

Fig. 1: BlackBerry Front View: *

BlackBerry Front View

* Please note that this diagram is a general representation of the BlackBerry. Specific models may vary slightly. Please consult your manufacturer's guide for more specific information. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and registered trademarks of Research In Motion Limited — used by permission.

Step Two: Install and Charge the Battery

  1. Press the battery cover release button on the back of the BlackBerry (Fig. 2).
  2. Slide off the battery cover and insert the battery.
  3. Replace the battery cover. If the battery is charged, a dialog box appears.
  4. Click OK.

After initial installation, you should charge the battery to assure full power. You can use either the AC charger or a USB port on your computer.

Using the charger:
  1. Connect the smaller end of the USB cable to your BlackBerry.
  2. Connect the larger end of the USB cable to the power adapter.
  3. Plug the power adapter into a power outlet. The battery icon on the BlackBerry screen will alert you when charging is complete.
Using your computer:
  1. Connect the smaller end of the USB cable to your BlackBerry (Fig. 1, F).
  2. Connect the larger end of the USB cable to an available USB port on your computer. The battery icon will alert you when charging is complete.
    * Please note that some models of BlackBerry will not charge on our PC unless you install the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
BlackBerry

Fig. 2: BlackBerry rear view and battery cover release.

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Activation: Powering Up & Setting Up

Once the battery is charged, you can set up your BlackBerry. This process involves following a few easy steps to:

  • turn the device on;
  • acquaint yourself with the screen display;
  • activate your BlackBerry account; and
  • install the BlackBerry Desktop Software on your computer.

Step One: BlackBerry Power On option

The BlackBerry has two power-management modes:

  • If you use the Power button, or click Turn Power Off on the Home screen and select Turn Off, your BlackBerry will turn itself on again when the alarm activates it or when it is set to turn on automatically.
  • If you select Turn Power Off on the Home screen, then select Full Power Off, your BlackBerry will not turn on again until you press the Power button.

Step Two: Acquaint Yourself with the Screen Display

You can monitor the status of several functions using icons at the top of the screen. For a complete list of the icons, please consult the manufacturer's guide included with your device.

EDGE You can use the phone; send and receive email messages, PIN messages, SMS text messages, MMS messages; and use the browser.
GPRS You can use the phone; send and receive email messages, PIN messages, SMS text messages, MMS messages; and use the browser.
edge
gprs
GSM		 You can use the phone, and send and receive SMS text messages and MMS messages.
You can only make emergency calls.
Your connection to the wireless network is turned off.
You are not in a wireless coverage area.

Step Three: Activate Your BlackBerry Account

To set up your BlackBerry Internet Service, BlackBerry mail and messaging, or BlackBerry Mail account from your computer:

  1. Perform a Register Now operation on the BlackBerry smartphone. Click here for instructions.
  2. Navigate to your wireless service provider's BlackBerry Internet Service account page.
    To find your service provider's BlackBerry Internet Service website, go to the Support section on the BlackBerry website and click the link for your service provider in the Accessing the BlackBerry Internet Service Website section.
  3. Click Create New Account.
  4. Read the BlackBerry Internet Service End User Agreement, and put a check in the box labeled I have read and understand the Legal Terms and Conditions. Click I Agree.
  5. Type the personal information number (PIN) and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or electronic serial number (ESN) for your BlackBerry device and click Continue.
    Click here for instructions on how to locate the PIN, IMEI, or ESN on your BlackBerry device.
  6. Type a username and password, and click Next.
  7. If the username you choose has already been taken by another BlackBerry Internet Service subscriber, you must choose a different username. Suggestions will be provided. Once you have chosen an alternative, click Next.
  8. Your BlackBerry Internet Service account is now set up. You may begin adding email accounts or create a BlackBerry email address.

Step Four: Install the BlackBerry Desktop Software

BlackBerry provides software for both the Mac and PC that allows you to configure and manage your device. The software is either included on a CD with your BlackBerry or can be downloaded from: http://www.blackberry.com/products/software/desktop/index.shtml.

To install the desktop software on a PC:

  1. Start the installation from the CD or by double-clicking the downloaded software file.
  2. Click Next on the welcome screen.
  3. On the Language screen, use the drop-down menu to choose your language (English is default).
  4. On the License Agreement screen, click Next.
  5. On the Customer Information screen, enter your name and organization and click Next.
  6. When prompted, specify a directory in which you wish the software to be installed, or click Next to accept the default location.
  7. Choose Typical for your Setup Type.
  8. On Integration Options, choose whether you are using BlackBerry Enterprise or BlackBerry Internet Service (most common).
  9. In the Shortcut Installation options, choose whether you want shortcuts added to your desktop and Start Menu. Click Next.
  10. Click Install and the installation process will begin. When it is complete, click Finish.

You can now connect the BlackBerry to your computer. Depending on the model, it may use a docking cradle or a direct USB connection.

To install the desktop software on a Mac:

  1. Start the installation from the CD or by double-clicking the downloaded software file.
  2. Double-click to install PocketMac.
  3. Type password, if prompted.
  4. Click Continue on the Read Me.
  5. Click Continue on the License and then click Agree.
  6. Click Install, then Continue to allow the program to restart your computer after installation.
  7. During the installation you will need to select whether you want an alias on your desktop and if you want to install Lotus Notes support (if you are not sure what Lotus Notes is, click No).
  8. Click Restart to restart the computer.

You can now connect the BlackBerry to your computer. Depending on the model, it may use a docking cradle or a direct USB connection.

To associate the BlackBerry with your computer:

  1. Open the BlackBerry Desktop Manager and click Options, then Connection Settings.
  2. In the Connection Settings dialog box, click the Connection drop-down menu and choose the kind of connection you are using (docking cradle or USB cable).
  3. Click the Detect button.

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Use & Applications: Performing Tasks & Configuring Software

With your account set up and the BlackBerry desktop software installed, you can make phone calls, send and receive email, browse the Web, and sync with your desktop address book.

Make a Call

  1. Type in a phone number or select a contact.
  2. Press the Enter key.
  3. To end the call, hold the Escape button.

Check Your NYU Email

  1. Using your computer, connect to the BlackBerry Internet Service website and log into your account.
  2. On the navigation bar, click Profile.
  3. Under Email Accounts, click Other Email Accounts.
  4. Click Add Account.
  5. Fill in the required fields with the following information:
    1. Email Address: enter your NYU email address (yourNetID@nyu.edu).
    2. Username and Password: enter your NYU NetID and NetID password.
    3. Internet Service Provider Email: select I use an Email Client such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Eudora.
  6. Click Submit.

Sync with Your Outlook Address Book

The BlackBerry syncs with your address book through BlackBerry Desktop Manager v4.3. The following instructions are for Outlook. Please note that certain email clients, such as Eudora, do not offer the option to sync your address book.

Syncing Outlook Contacts to BlackBerry:

  1. Connect your BlackBerry to your computer and open BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
  2. Click the Synchronize option.
  3. Click the Configuration tab.
  4. Click Configure synch . . .
  5. Check the Address Book box.
  6. Select Microsoft Outlook and click Next.
  7. Select Two-way sync.
  8. Select your Outlook profile and click Next, then Finish.
  9. Perform steps 5-8 for Calendar, Memo Pad, and Tasks, if desired.
  10. Click OK and return to Synchronize tab, check off Synchronize Organizer data and Automatic synchronization, then click Synchronize Now.
  11. Your BlackBerry is now set up to synchronize every time it is connected to the computer and BlackBerry Desktop Manager is running.

Browse the Web

The browser on your Blackberry device supports multiple browser configurations for optimizing your borwsing experience. The BlackBerry browser is optimized for viewing HTML web pages. The Internet Browser, available from some wireless carriers, is also optimized for viewing HTML web pages.

Web page navigation

  1. With your Trackwheel or Trackball, navigate to the browser and press the key.
  2. Press the key and select Go To.
  3. Perform one of the following actions:
    • Type in the web page and press the key.
    • To insert a period, press the Space key.
    • To insert a slash mark ( / ), press the Shift key and Space key at the same time.
    • To follow a link, first click that link, then select Get Link.
    • To close the browser, click the trackwheel or trackball, then select Close.

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Security: Protecting Your BlackBerry

The BlackBerry enables you to set a system password and activate keypad locking to protect you from unauthorized use of or access to your data.

Set a System Password

A system password protects your BlackBerry data and functionality from being accessed and used without your authorization. Please note that neither NYU nor your wireless carrier have access to this password.

  1. In the device options, click Security Options.
  2. Click General Settings.
  3. Set the Password field to Enabled.
  4. Press the Menu key.
  5. Click Save.

Change the device password

  1. In the device options, click Security Options.
  2. Click General Settings.
  3. Press the Menu key.
  4. Click Chagne Password.

Lock the device

Verify that you have set a BlackBerry device password. On the Home screen or in the application list, click Lock.

To unlock your device, on the Lock screen, click the trackball or trackwheel. Click Unlock. Type your device password. Press the Enter key.

If you do not want to password-lock your BlackBerry, you can perform a "soft lock."

  1. On the Home screen, click Keyboard Lock.
  2. To unlock the keyboard, double-click the trackwheel.

Lock the keyboard

If you do not set a BlackBerry device password, you can lock your keyboard to avoid making calls and pressing keys accidentally. On the Home screen or in the application list, click Keyboard Lock.

To unlock the keyboard, press the asterisk (*) key and the Send key.

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Troubleshooting & Resources

BlackBerry Manufacturer's Guides (PDF):

http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgecenterpublic/livelink.exe?func=ll&objId=788564&objAction= browse&sort=name

Reset

If your BlackBerry freezes at any point, the majority of problems can be fixed with a simple device reset by removing and reinserting the battery. You will not lose any data in this process.

Changing your NYU NetID Password

Instructions for changing the password on a BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) email account:

  1. Click here to go to the BlackBerry support page.
  2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
  3. Select your carrier.
  4. The BlackBerry account welcome screen will appear.
  5. Enter your NYU NetID in the username field.
    Note: If your NetID does not work as the username, the provider will need to be contacted. If the phone is owned by NYU, email its.mobile@nyu.edu.
  6. If you do not remember your password, click the "Forgot Password?" link. Click here for instructions on using the "Forgot Password?" function.
  7. The following page should appear once you've successfully logged in.
  8. Click the icon under Edit.
  9. In the dialogue box next to Password, delete your old NYU password and enter the new password. Click Save.

How to Request a Forgotten Password

  1. From the login screen, click Forgot Password?
  2. If you know your username, enter it in the User name field and click Request Password. (The username is typically your NYU NetID.)
  3. Your password will be sent to the messages folder on your BlackBerry. The icon may vary with different BlackBerry models.
  4. If you do not know your username, you will need the PIN from your BlackBerry.
    • Select Settings

    • Select Options

    • Select Status

    • Copy down the PIN
  5. Type PIN into PIN field and click Request Password.
  6. Your password will be sent to your messages folder on the phone.

Page last reviewed: September 15, 2009