BlackBerry® Pearl™

[brooketini]

I have a BB Pearl 8130 that I got in April 2009. Lately I will just check my status every week or so and notice that it goes down almost 75%. Now I have had to put a task in my phone that is reoccurring because if I don't go thru and purge messages, check for MMS, clear cache, memory cleaning etc it goes below 3(mb or kb--can't remember which one...). The only 3rd party apps I run are Yahoo Messenger (archive of messages are stored on memory card), Twitterberry, and Facebook. I have removed a lot of the stuff I don't use. I barely have any of the preloaded stuff on except for email, address book, calendar, password keeper, tasks, memo, and a couple more. I also have a 4gig card in my phone too. Is there something I am missing. I was reading in that article about cleaning the memory with all these different steps, about something you could do with your address book but I didn't understand it. So if someone can help, let me know.

[jmrmb80]

Do you also reset the device after the free space goes down? If you remove the battery for 30 seconds and replace it what number does your File Free say? Also check and see which applications are running in the background. You can check this by holding down your ALT key and hitting the Esc key. This will bring up a screen that shows the apps running in the background. Normally only a few apps should be running

(i.e. Messages, BlackBerry Messenger, Phone, Browser). If other apps are running they could cause the memory problem.

[brooketini]

I did the battery pull and am up to 12 or so now. But I checked with programs are running and not many. Messages, Phone, Home, and Call Log. I do scroll to close every time I finish with an application. If not I do it before I go to bed. I have been as low as 2 and that was last night. I do not save MMS messages, I save the video or picture onto my memory card. I even deleted out some of the saved messages I had. Could there be something wrong with the phone or should I just keep purging and all that other grand stuff until I can get an upgrade in December of 2010 or wait til I get a tax refund and buy a different one at MSRP through Verizon. 

 

[jmrmb80]

Check under Options | Status again. In this screen, hit the menu button and choose Database Sizes. What's the total size at the top?

Also what version of the OS do you have on your device. Check under Options | About.

[brooketini]

The total database size is 4405.0 kb

My version is 4.5.0.77

I still have the manufacturer's warranty for the year but for some screwy reason I didn't get insurance but that is only "if I backed over my phone"

[brooketini]

I also have a MAC computer so doing any reinstalling of OS would be difficult. I have a Dell that I can't get configured to connect to the internet. DM would not connect to the internet even though I could surf. I have a Wi-Fi card that I need to install. 

[sdgardne]

Hi there!

To add...There are three types of potential memory on a BB: 1) Application Memory, 2) Device Memory, and 3) Media/SD Card Memory

Application Memory -- This is the most crucial; it is the protected (not user accessible), dedicated, and fixed (in size) space that is available as the destination for the installation of applications (plus some application storage, overhead and such). You cannot touch AppMemory. You cannot improve the maximum AppMemory that your BB has. It is what it is. Applications can only install here...there is no option.

Device Memory -- This is space on your BB that you can touch to store files, pictures, media, etc. Typically, it is not terribly large, but it is available to you.

SD/Media Card Memory -- This is what it says...your SD card, for you to store files, media, pictures, etc. It can be as large as your BB OS can support...see this KB:
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB05461

On some devices/OS levels, Device Memory and Application Memory are combined into "File Free"...these are, IMO, a little harder to administer as you really can't see well just how much AppMemory you have. Nevertheless, here are some guidelines to use:
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB15345
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB14320
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB14213

Lastly, it is always important to properly close applications when you are done with them. Using the Back or the Red key will not do this -- those leave it to the app to decide what to do...and some will leave themselves resident in memory, consuming resources on your BB, slowing the overall performance. Rather, to close an app, press the BBKey and select "Close" or "Exit"...that will force the application to be closed, freeing up for your new use the resources it was consuming. Some apps will always remain running (typically -- BBMessenger, Browser, Homescreen, Phone, and Messages)...but, you should still close them properly - especially the Browser...if it is left on an active web page, it will not only consume extra resources but battery power as well.

Good luck!

[brooketini]

I go thru and close everything before I go to bed and I have it set for auto off/on anyways. I have done everything in those articles and have a 4gig card in my phone. There are no videos, pics, music or ringtones that I have made on my phone. Can I delete the standard ringtones since I make all mine.

[sdgardne]

I think that the SD card on your BB is irrelevant to your problem (except that you should use it to store things rather than Device Memory -- see above for the difference). Something installed on your BB is consuming resources at an unusual rate. You need to dig through and find out what it is. My suggestion would be to start un-installing add-ons one at a time, waiting a few days between, until you find the symptom relieved. Then you've found your culprit, and can install the other add-ons again.

[brooketini]

I had a program I forgot that was even on my BB, deleted it and up'd my free memory.