How do I wipe the BlackBerry

BBSAK alternative

Many users have found success using the PC application called BBSAK (BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife) for wiping and controlled loading of the operating system.

Pre-Wipe Tasks

• Note: If you are connecting via a USB HUB then these instructions may not work. Try connecting via USB on a PC that is not using a HUB.

1. Download and install Jl_Cmder to your PC 

2. Make sure ALL your data (i.e. contacts, appointments, memos and etc) are backed up or synced before proceeding! This will wipe everything off of the device

3. Make sure you have the latest version of both Desktop Manager and the Handheld OS installed on your PC. If you need them then download them from here:

Desktop Manager and Handheld OS List

4. From the PC navigate to c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader and delete the file vendor.xml

If you have never installed the Handheld OS before then the vendor.xml file will not be on the PC and you can skip this step 

5. Plug the device into the PC using the USB cord and make sure Desktop Manager is closed

6. Remove the battery from the device

Wipe The Device

1. Wipe the device using Jl_Cmder

This may take several attempts to connect to the device, so keep trying until it connects and wipes

2. The device will reboot to a white screen with a '507' error

If the device will not connect and wipe after several attempts then please follow the instructions here: 
 
 What to do next if Jl_Cmder will not connect and wipe

Install OS and Restore

1. Open Desktop Manager

and select Application Loader

2. Install the OS by following the prompts and selections

3. The device will reboot. It can take up to 15 minutes for the 1st boot.

4. Restore the previously made backup or re-sync

5. Install the battery back into the device and unplug from the PC

Images:

Keep the latest DocsToGo version after an OS upgrade

From BlackBerryFAQ

If you want to upgrade your BlackBerry OS after you have a newer version of DocsToGo installed, you have to do the following steps:

1. Install the new OS on the PC

2. Navigate to C:\Program files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files\New OS Folder

3. Delete the "DocumentsToGo.alx" file, or rename it to "DocumentsToGo.old". Moving that file to a different folder is another option.

4. Perform the OS upgrade

When AppLoader is run, the loader will pick up DocsToGo as a 3rd-party app. It'll then back it up and restore it normally. If you don't delete the DocumentsToGo.alx file the loading process will downgrade the DocsToGo to the version included in the OS.

How do I downgrade the OS on my BlackBerry?

From BlackBerryFAQ

1. Delete the newer OS from your PC by going to Control Panel >Add/Remove Programs.

2. Then download and install the older version of the OS. BlackBerry Operating System Downloads

3. Install the older OS to the PC by running (double clicking) the file you downloaded.

4. Go to c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader and delete the file named "vendor.xml."

5. Plug in BB and double click on "Loader.exe." It's located in the same place as the above vendor.xml file.