blackberry unlock
Unlocking the Blackberry.
First of all, this is not a guide on how to remove carrier information from a Blackberry. If you're unable to use a different SIM card than the one that was originally supplied with your device, look elsewhere. However if, like many others you have a Blackberry that is locked by a BES, meaning you're unable to change certain settings, or install Third Party Applications the read on. Essentially, the problem is that your Blackberry has at some point been connected to a BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server), and this BES has placed a restrictive Security Policy (or IT Policy) on your device. A quick check verify this is the case can be done by going to Options/Security on your Device. If you see any references to IT Policy whatsoever, then you have a potentially restrictive IT Policy that can be removed.
The Disclaimer/Intended Use.
This guide is intended for use by people that own their own Blackberry, and for whatever reason, have inherited a company's IT Policy on their Device. Really, there are two scenarios where this guide is useful.
You, like me, bought a Blackberry on EBay and are unable to make changes to the settings or install Third Party Applications.
You still have a Blackberry that was previously connected to your company's BES and, for whatever reason; the company's BES is not accessible rendering your Device useless.
If you're still connected to a Company BES, and simply want to install the latest and greatest Third Party Application I wouldn't recommend this approach. Go talk to your administrators and ask them to grant you the appropriate rights. There are two problems in using this guide to bypass your Company's Security Policy. Firstly, whenever you reconnect to the Company Server, your security settings will revert back to how they were. Secondly, and (perhaps) more importantly, you run the risk of getting fired.
Procedure
Step 1 Ensure the Blackberry Desktop Manager is installed using Blackberry Internet Service, and not Blackberry Enterprise Server. If you are unsure, it would probably be a good idea to uninstall the Desktop Manager and start again.
If you don't have the CD that came with your Blackberry, the Software can be downloaded here.
Step 2 Download the file policy.bin and save it in your Blackberry installation directory (C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry).
Step 3 Wipe your Blackberry, creating a backup if necessary. Select Options/Security/Wipe on the Device.
If this option is unavailable, you may have to install the latest software on your Blackberry. You need to Download and install the latest Desktop Manger Software, then the latest Handheld Software. Connect your device, open the Desktop Manager, select Application Loader, and follow the prompts.
Step 4 Close the Desktop Manager if it is open.
Step 5 From the Windows Start Menu select Run..., and at the prompt type regedit. In the tree on the left hand side, navigate to:
HKEY_Current_Users\Software\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\PolicyManager
Right-Click the Policy Manager Folder and select New/String Value. Name the value Path. Now, Double-Click the Path Subkey and set Value Data to:
C:\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\policy.bin
Step 6 Open the Desktop Manager.
Step 7 Connect the Device.
Verification
Once complete, the Options/Security screen on your Blackberry should not contain references to an IT Policy, you should now be able to change all settings (including password prompts), and install Third Party Applications.
About this Guide.
This guide was born from an amazing amount of frustration shortly after buying a Blackberry 7230 on EBay to test an Application I was working on. It addresses what I consider either a bug or an extremely poorly implemented feature of the Blackberry device, and a problem I'm sure 80 percent of people who buy a Blackberry on EBay face.
Kudos and thanks in particular to 7100simpleisbetter and barjohn of
http://www.blackberryforums.com/.
Questions, comments and corrections..
