BlackBerry® Pearl™

[PatrickDaly]

Hey Guys!!

BB Pearl 8130 I cant get any of my buttons to work and my phone doesnt even recieve calls...All it can do it turn on...Do I need to buy a new phone or is there still hope?

Thanks 

[Krypto]

This sounds like a possible hardware problem, but to rule out any potential software issue, try reloading the OS for your phone.

Here are two different set of instructions you can try (one is a set of instructions I wrote up before, and the other is a set of instructions that RIM has provided).  Before you do anything with the software though, be sure to backup the data on your phone using the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

Here are the instructions I wrote up: http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/BlackBerry-Device-Software/How-To-Reload-Your-Operating-Syste...

Here are RIM's instructions: http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/microsites/microsite.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=KB11320&s...

Try one of those methods and see if that helps.  If it does, great.   If it doesn't, you might be looking at a new phone.

[PatrickDaly]

Hey

Thanks for taking the time to help! 

I cant even connect my device properly and it says fatal error when I try to run App Loader So it must be a hardware thing eh? 

[Krypto]

Unfortunately I think you're probably right... it's almost guaranteed to be a hardware issue. 

Check with your carrier.  Even if your phone is no longer covered by warranty, they may be able to help out with the replacement cost for a new one. 

[PatrickDaly]

Hey Man!!

I had an interesting Development today!! I think it could be the battery connection that is causing the phone to freeze up.....I was able to get the phone working again but it shuts down every time after about three minutes of use...So that would lead me to believe that its not a hardware issue...When I got it working and plug it into my computer I was able to back it up! Thank God! and the phone doesnt die and continues to work when plugged into my computer/desktop manager!

I will try your original solution and let you know how things work out!! Thanks again for your help! And yes they said they could get me $200 off a new phone if a sign a new contract...an alright deal I suppose?

[Krypto]

$200 off?  That sounds like Telus!

Hopefully the original solution works, but if not, then see if you can get any more from your carrier.  If you are with Telus by some chance, ask to speak with their loyalty and retention department.  If you've been with them for a while, they may be able to give you an even better deal (maybe $300 off if you'd like to upgrade your BB model or something like that).  If you're with other carriers, you can try, but no guarantees.  Verizon may be willing to do more as well if you're with them.

Good luck!