BlackBerry® PlayBook™

[bandb125]

Hi - sound advice need to follow later this afternoon. Doesn't identify any network anywhere - just keeps seeking one. BSA

[JSanders Resident Expert]

When you get to that new location, where you expect a hotspot to be (a free hotspot not requiring a login or password, preferably) first off, do a restart on the Playbook. Touch the battery icon at the top right and then RESTART. After the restart, try the WiFi connection.

[bandb125]

Have returned from day in parents' home, I know their SSID and password, still no joy. I like the idea of trying to reload the OS - have downloaded BB desktop software, can't see how to reload from this. Options and tasks seem quite limited. PC World doing a deal on a 64GB, feel like offering mine to the nearest ebay seller and starting again, except I have diminishing confidence in any of them. Can you help me to reload the OS please? Thanks! BSA

[JSanders Resident Expert]

You need to follow these instructions to "debrick" your PlayBook:
1. Do a backup of your PlayBook using your computer and BlackBerry Desktop Software version 7 installed. It can be downloaded from http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/desktop/
2. After the backup is finished, unplug the PlayBook and on the PlayBook press and hold down the power button until the unit forces the device off.
3. With the Desktop Software still open on your computer and the PlayBook powered off, connect the PlayBook to your computer once again.
4. You should see an error screen from Desktop Software popup with the options to Retry, Update, or Cancel.
Very quickly choose the Update option.
5. All information will on your PlayBook will be erased and a reload of the Software will commence to install on the PlayBook.
6. Once this is complete your PlayBook will go back through the initial (as if new) setup wizard (entering the BlackBerryID, etc., and then you can perform a restore using Desktop Software to return your personal data from the backup. Applications which you downloaded from AppWorld won't restore, but they can be easily reinstalled using AppWorld > MyWorld section of AppWorld.