BlackBerry Tips

Tips 'n' Tricks for BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Handheld devices.

 

The "Duress Notifuication Policy" rule specifies the e-mail address that is notified when users type their BlackBerry smartphone password under duress.

Users can indicate that they are unlocking their BlackBerry smartphone against their will by moving the first character of the password to the end.

For example, if a BlackBerry smartphone user's password is dpit, the duress password will be pitd.

If you configure this rule, the maximum number of password attempts is reduced by half. Each time a user types a password to unlock a BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry smartphone must confirm whether the password is either the correct password or the duress password.

Either way, the BlackBerry smartphone will unlock as normal without any indication that the normal password or the duress password was entered. If the duress password sequence was entered, then an email message will be sent to the Duress Notification Address specified in the Password Policy group. As a safety feature, the BlackBerry smartphone will not save a copy of the email message in the Sent Items folder on the BlackBerry smartphone, nor does it show the network communication arrows when sending.

The email message arrives at the specified address in the following format:

From: <user> [mailto:<user_name>@<domain_name>.com]
Sent: <Date and Time>
To: <email address from IT policy>
Subject: Unlocked
Body:
   Name: <BlackBerry smartphone Owner Information>
   Email: <BlackBerry smartphone user's email address>
   PIN: <BlackBerry smartphone Personal Identification Number (PIN)>
  Time: <Date and Time displayed on the BlackBerry smartphone>


To specify the email address of the recipient or distribution list that will receive duress notifications, complete one of the following procedures for your version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server:

BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 4.0 for Microsoft Exchange

  1. Open BlackBerry Manager.
  2. Click Server.
  3. Click IT Policy.
  4. Select the appropriate IT policy from the list.
  5. Click Edit.
  6. Click Duress Notification Address, which is located under the Password Policy Group.
  7. Save your settings and apply this policy to any number of BlackBerry smartphone users. For instructions on applying IT policies, see the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Administration Guide for your version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 4.1 for Microsoft Exchange and BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 4.0 and 4.1 for Novell GroupWise

 

  1. Open BlackBerry Manager.
  2. In the left pane, click BlackBerry Domain.
  3. Click Edit Properties.
  4. In the left pane of the Global Properties dialog box, click IT Policy.
  5. In the right pane, double-click IT Policies.
  6. Click the appropriate IT policy from the list.
  7. Click the Properties button.
  8. In the left pane, click Password Policy Group
  9. In the right pane, type the appropriate email address in the Duress Notification Address field.
  10. Save your settings and apply this policy to any number of BlackBerry smartphone users. For instructions on applying IT policies, see the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Administration Guide for your version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server

BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 5.0 for Microsoft Exchange and BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 5.0 for Lotus Domino

  1. Log in to the BlackBerry Administration Service.
  2. In the BlackBerry solution management section, expand the Policy menu.
  3. Click Manage IT Policies.
  4. Click an IT policy to modify.
  5. Click Edit IT policy.
  6. Click the Password policy group.
  7. Type the email address of the recipient or distribution list that will receive duress notifications in the Duress Notification Address field.
  8. lick the Device only policy group.
  9. Change the Password Required option to Yes.
  10. Click Save all.
  11. Apply this policy to any number of BlackBerry smartphone users. For instructions on applying IT policies, see the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Administration Guide for your version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server

When you attempt to access the BlackBerry Administration Service using the browser, you receive the error:

 There is a problem with this website's security certificate

The browser displays this error message when you try to navigate to the BlackBerry Administration Service or BlackBerry Monitoring Service using Windows Internet Explorer v7 or later.

Add the web address for the BlackBerry Administration Service or BlackBerry Monitoring Service to the list of trusted web sites in Windows Internet Explorer, and install the certificate for the BlackBerry Administration Service or BlackBerry Monitoring Service in the certificate store of your computer.

  1. In Windows Internet Explorer, navigate to the BlackBerry Administration Service console or BlackBerry Monitoring Service console.
  2. Click Continue to this website (not recommended).
  3. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  4. On the Security tab, click Local Intranet.
  5. Click Sites.
  6. Click Add to add the console to the list of trusted web sites.
  7. Click Close.
  8. Click OK.
  9. In the browser window, on the toolbar, click Certificate Error.
  10. Click View certificates.
  11. Click Install certificate. The Certificate Import Wizard opens.
  12. Complete the instructions in the Certificate Import Wizard.

    • In the Certificate Store dialog box, click Place all certificates in the following store.
    • Click Browse.
    • Click Trusted Root Certification Authorities.
    • Click OK.

  13. Close and reopen the browser.

 

A message on the BlackBerry smartphone displays a date and time to indicate when the message was received.

SMS or MMS

An SMS or MMS message only displays the time the message was received on the smartphone and not when the message was sent.


Email or PIN messages

The Sent field in an Email or PIN message contains the date and time the message was received in the inbox of the desktop email application.

To determine the Sent date in the message on the smartphone, the BlackBerry Device Software searches the message in the user's inbox for dates in the following order:

  • PostedDate
  • DeliveredDate
  • CreatedDate

The date that is found first is displayed as the Sent date in the message on the smartphone.

 

BlackBerry Enterprise Server supports reading messages encrypted with Native Notes Encryption (NNE) with following minimum requirements:
  • BlackBerry Device Software 4.1 or later

  • BlackBerry Desktop Manager 4.1 or later (only for importing Lotus Notes ID, see below)

  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1.2 or later

  • IBM Lotus Domino 7.0 or later for the computer hosting the BlackBerry Enterprise Server

  • IBM Lotus Domino 7.0 or later for the messaging and collaboration server that hosts the BlackBerry smartphone user's mail database

  • IBM Lotus Notes 7.0 or higher for the computer that has BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed

  • The Notes ID must be imported into the BlackBerry smartphone user's mail file.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server supports sending messages encrypted with NNE with the following additional requirements:
  • BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 or later

  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 or later

The following table outlines the information stored in databases on the BlackBerry smartphone:

 

Database

Functionality

Address Book - All

Reflects the total number of add up contact list entries for multiple contact lists on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Address Book - Last Used Hints

Provides information on what phone number or email address was last used to contact a specific contact.

Address Book Options

Stores contact list settings.

Alarm Options

Stores the settings for the alarm application.

Alarms

Customization for alarms sounds set by the BlackBerry smartphone user.

Application Permissions

Permissions configured under Options Security Options > Application Permissions.

Attachment Data

Stores attachments that have been viewed on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Attachment Data - Calendar

Stores attachments that have been viewed through the calendar application on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Attachment Options

Stores user-defined settings for the Attachment Viewer.

AutoText

Contains the dictionary for automatic substitution of commonly misspelled words while you type. For example, adn > and.

AutoText Data Version

Version of Auto Text Data application.

BBGroups

BlackBerry Groups created within the BlackBerry® Messenger application.

BIS Account Data

Stores BlackBerry Internet Service account information that might be used by the Thick Client application in the BlackBerry® Internet Service.

BlackBerry Messenger

Contacts in BlackBerry Messenger.

Bluetooth Options

Stores the Bluetooth® settings.

Browser Bookmarks

Contains bookmarks for web pages in the browser applications.

Browser Channels

Browser push service subscribed to by the BlackBerry smartphone user. For example, weather setup service. Browser channels lists the channels the browser is subscribed to. For example, weather updates.

Browser Data Cache

Holds cached data from the browser.

Browser Folders

Allows sorting bookmarks into various folders.

Browser Messages

Browser push service notifications.

Browser Options

Contains browser setting information.

Browser Push Options

Contains push content settings for the BlackBerry® Browser.

Browser web address

Contains a list of the web addresses that have been typed into the browser on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Calender - All

Total number of add up entries for all calendars (multiple CICAL service records).

Calendar Options

Stores calendar settings.

Camera Options

Database contains settings customization in OptionsCamera Camera Options.

Categories

Allows various addresses, appointments, tasks and memos to be sorted by category.

Certificate Options

Option list in certificates, whether a user had set a certificate to DistrustRevoke, or leave the default setting when no changes are made.

Certificate Summary Data

Contains a list of certificates stored on the BlackBerry smartphone (Options Security OptionsAdvanced Security Options > Certificates).

Clock Options

Customization for clock options found in Clock >Options.

Code Module Group Properties

System software properties for the core system modules.

Configuration Channel

Stores configuration information that an administrator may assign using the Configuration Channel feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.

Content Store

Contains pictures and other media content stored on the BlackBerry smartphone on-board device memory.

CustomWordsCollection

Customized words saved to custom word dictionary.

Default Service Selector

Defines the default message service.

Device Options

Stores setting changes made within Options on the BlackBerry smartphone.
Note: Some options have their own database.

Diagnostic App Options

Test configuration settings in Self Test Application, initiated in Options Status using key sequence T E S T.

DocsToGoCommonPrefs

Contains setting information for the Documents to Go® application suite.

Email Filters - All

Holds the settings for filters applied to incoming messages to the BlackBerry smartphone.

Email Settings - All

Defines the way messages are sent and received on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Enhanced Gmail Plug-in

Stores information used by the Enhanced Gmail™ plug-in for BlackBerry smartphones.

File Explorer Network Favorites

Stores a list of file shares that have been marked as Favorites from the BlackBerry smartphone.

File Explorer Network History

Stores a list of past network file shares that have been accessed from the BlackBerry smartphone.

File Explorer Options

Options configured in Explorer, for example, Show Hidden, or any new folders created.

Firewall Options

Enables or disables the firewall.

Folder ID

Determines which folder a message is filed into.

Folders

Lists the user-created folders in the message list.

Full-predictive options

Stores settings information pertaining to predictive text functionality.

Handheld Agent

Contains diagnostic information about the BlackBerry smartphone. This database contains information that is sent to the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for reporting.

Handeld Configuration

Incoming half of the device agent, used to send data from the BlackBerry Enterprise Server to the BlackBerry smartphone.

Handheld Key Store

Securely stores encryption keys for encrypted communication and signing.

Input Learning Data

Stores a list of text that the BlackBerry smartphone uses to automatically predict what the user is attempting to type.

Input Method Switcher Option

Selection of input language method when sequence key Alt+Enter is initiated.

Input System Properties

Stores text input and keyboard layout settings specified under Options Language and Text Input.

Key StoreManager

An application that manages the BlackBerry smartphone key store.

Key Store Options

Configures options for the BlackBerry smartphone key store.

LDAP Browser Options

Contains Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) browser setting information.

Location Based Services

Used mainly for corporate users in a BlackBerry Enterprise Server environment, either for Location Tracking or can be accessed by third-party applications that are developed by BlackBerry® MDS Studio.

Mailbox Icon Management Options

Stores information regarding inbox settings, and the delivery of email messages to certain message icons.

Map Locations

Locations added to Favorites in BlackBerry® Maps.

Map Settings

Configuration settings in BlackBerry Maps >Options.

MemoPad Options

Stores MemoPad settings.

Memory Cleaner Options

Configuration settings in Options > Security Options > Memory Options, set status to Enable.

Memos

Contains the memos stored on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Message List Options

Defines the way messages are displayed in the messages application.

Messages

Contains all the messages on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Messenger Options (GoogleTalk)

Contains setting information for the Google Talk™ instant messaging client.

Messenger Options (WLM)

Contains setting information for the Windows Live™ Messenger instant messaging client.

Messenger Options (ST) 

Contains setting information for the IBM Lotus Sametime instant messaging client.

 

Messenger Options (OC)

Contains setting information for the Microsoft Office Communicator instant messaging client.

 

Messenger Options (Yahoo!)

Contains setting information for the Yahoo! Messenger client.

 

MMS Messages

Database that contains a history of sent or receive Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Messages for existing and past.

MMS Options

Stores MMS settings.

Mobile Network Options

Contains information outlining current mobile network settings and configurations.

On-Board Device Memory

Database for the on-board device memory that allows the user to stores media files, this is normally in *.cab extension.

Options

Stores miscellaneous configuration options.

PasswordKeeper

An application that uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption technology to securely store password entries on BlackBerry smartphones. For more information, see KB19098 .

PasswordKeeper Options

Settings configured in Password Keeper > Options.

PGP Key Store

Contains the PGP private key and public keys.

Phone Call Logs

Logs phone calls made to and from the BlackBerry smartphone.

Phone History

Stores information pertaining to phone call history with specific participants (complete history of incoming and outgoing phone calls with selected recipients).

Phone Hotlist

Stores information on the last x# of calls placed from the BlackBerry smartphone.

Phone Options

Stores phone settings.

PIM Folder List - All

Outlines complete list of personal information management (PIM) folders within the associated mailbox. This can be set up like a filter; if there are multiple folders, you can filter contact lists based on specific folder.

PIN Messages

Personal Identification Number (PIN) messages that are sent or received.

Policy

Stores the IT policy for the BlackBerry smartphone.

Profiles

Contains the various smartphone alerts. For example, a vibration for a new calendar appointment, or a tone when a new message arrives on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Profiles Options

Selects the current profile for BlackBerry smartphone alerts.

Purged Messages

Contains a reference for messages deleted from the BlackBerry smartphone.

Quick Contacts

Stores telephone numbers in the Speed Dial list.

Random Pool

Stores numbers to securely generate random numbers for encryption.

Recent Contacts

Stores a list of contacts that have recently been contacted (phone or email), such as a quick contact reference tool-tip when creating an email.

Recipient Cache

Contains encryption profiles for the people you communicate with.

RMS Databases

Stores information about registered applications.

S/MIME Options

Stores configuration information for Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) settings.

Saved Email Messages

Contains all saved messages that are stored on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Searches

Settings configured in search application.

Secure Email Decision Maker

Automatically selects secure email sending method (determined by whether the original sender sent a signed/encrypted email - the BlackBerry smartphone determines whether to send a signed/encrypted/plain text email back).

Service Book

Stores all of the service records that allow the BlackBerry smartphone to access various services.

Setup Wizard Options

Options configured for personal settings, learn about typing and other personalization for the BlackBerry smartphone.

SheetToGoPrefs

Contains setting information for the Sheet To Go application.

SlideshowToGoPrefs

Contains setting information for the Slideshow To Go application.

Smart Card Options

Save settings configured for the BlackBerry® Smart Card reader

SMS Messages

Contains Short Message Service (SMS) text messages sent to and from the BlackBerry smartphone.

Sounds

Contains the various notification sounds, for example, a vibration for a new calendar appointment, or a tone when a new message arrives on the BlackBerry smartphone. This is for BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0.

Spell Check Options

Settings configured in Options > Spell Check.

SureType options

SureType® keyboard settings specified underOptions > Language.

Tasks

Lists the task items on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Tasks Options

Save settings in Task > Options.

Text Messages

Combines total number of SMS text messages received (This database is found in BlackBerry Device Software 6.0)

TCP/IP Options

Stores TCP/IP configuration settings.

Theme Settings

Icon arrangement on the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone.

Time Zones

Stores the time zone table.

TLS Options

Configures Transport Layer Security settings.

Trusted Key Store

Contains the trusted keys for the BlackBerry smartphone.

VideoRecorder Options

Save settings in Video Camera > Options.

Voice Activated Dialing Options

Settings configured in Options Voice Dialing.

WAP Push Messages

Contains information from Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) push services.

WLAN Profiles

Saved Wi-Fi® profiles created in Wi-Fi settings.

WordToGoPrefs

Contains setting information for the Word To Go application.

WTLS Options

Contains settings for Wireless Transport Layer Security.

 

 

 

 

Battery power can be maximized by following these simple suggestions:

 

1.  Use BlackBerry smartphone shortcuts to access common system features quickly. For instructions, see the Getting Started Guide for your BlackBerry smartphone. Using shortcuts allows you to do the same things on your BlackBerry smartphone more quickly and efficiently, while saving battery power.

  • Some common shortcuts include the following:

    • To delete a highlighted item, press the Delete key.
    • To select or clear a check box, press the Space key.
    • To view available values in a field, press the Alt key.
    • To switch applications:
      1. Hold the Alt key and press the Escape key.
      2. Continue to hold the Alt key and highlight an application.
      3. Release the Alt key.
    • Set the Auto On/Off option to turn off the BlackBerry smartphone at a time of day when you are not using it (such as at night), and turn on again at a time of day that you are ready to use it (such as in the morning just before you wake up). Battery power is saved by turning the power off at times when the BlackBerry smartphone is not being used.

      To set the Auto On/Off option on the BlackBerry smartphone, complete the following steps:

      1. On the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone, open Options.
      2. Select Auto On/Off. For BlackBerry Device Software 6.0, select Device then Auto On/Off.
      3. Specify the on and off times.

      Tip: Set the BlackBerry smartphone to turn on just before you need to use it, (such as a few minutes before you wake up in the morning) so that the BlackBerry smartphone has a chance to receive the email messages sent to you during the time that the BlackBerry smartphone was turned off. This way, the email messages have already been received when you are ready to read them.

2. When a particular wireless connection is not needed, use the Manage Connections application on the BlackBerry smartphone to turn off the connection. For example, if you do not need to use Bluetooth® technology, you can use Manage Connections to turn the Bluetooth connection off.

  • To turn the Bluetooth connection off on the BlackBerry smartphone, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone, open Manage Connections. For BlackBerry Device Software 6.0, tap the Network Indicator area of the screen in top right corner.
  2. Click Bluetooth.
  • Note: Using Manage Connections, turn the mobile wireless transceiver off when you know you are out of range of the mobile network. Turning the mobile wireless transceiver off prevents the BlackBerry smartphone from continually attempting to locate the mobile network, which uses a lot of battery power.

  • Adjust the backlight settings to conserve power


For BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 and earlier

  1. On the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone, open Options.
  2. Select Screen/Keyboard.
  3. Change the Backlight Brightness to a lower number.

A reply sent from the BlackBerry smartphone has a blank message body when viewed by the recipient.

Cause(s)

This issue has more than one cause.

  1. The message reply was received in the mail file in a format that the BlackBerry smartphone cannot convert.

  2. The message reply left the BlackBerry messaging environment in an incorrect format, or its format was changed outside of the BlackBerry messaging environment.

Resolution(s)

Perform the appropriate resolution for the cause.

Cause 1

The message reply was received in the mail file in a format that the BlackBerry smartphone cannot convert.

This cause applies when the message to which the reply was made originates from a source external to the BlackBerry messaging environment, such as webmail and other email clients, and the message recipient is a BlackBerry smartphone user.

Resolution

In the IBM Lotus Domino directory, edit the message reply recipient's Person document and change the Format preference for incoming mail to Prefers Notes Rich Text.

Cause 2

The message reply left the BlackBerry messaging environment in an incorrect format, or its format was changed outside of the BlackBerry messaging environment.

This cause applies when the message reply recipient uses a webmail client or other email client, not a BlackBerry smartphone.

Resolution

First, determine if the message format is being changed in the BlackBerry messaging environment.

  1. Type tell router quit in the IBM Lotus Domino console on the computer that hosts the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. This stops the IBM Lotus Domino router.

  2. Instruct the BlackBerry smartphone user to send a new message or reply to the original message.

  3. Open the mail.box of the IBM Lotus Domino server that hosts the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and locate the message that was sent in step 2. The message body should be viewable. Note: Manager access to the mail.box is required to perform this step. Once the message is deposited into the mail.box successfully, it leaves the BlackBerry messaging environment and the IBM Lotus Domino server routes the message to its destination.

  4. Type load router in the Domino console to start the Domino router.

Second, ascertain how the message appears to the recipient. If the message body was viewable at step 3 but appears blank to the recipient, the message format was changed outside of the BlackBerry messaging environment, e.g., IBM Lotus Domino, the SMTP gateway or server, or recipient's messaging environment.

 

Since BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1 SP5, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for IBM Lotus Domino was designed to automatically populate these values with a BlackBerry smartphone user's mail file information when a supported mail file configuration is present for that BlackBerry smartphone user.

The PrepopulatePIMForiNotesUsers registry key allows an administrator to control whether or not organizer data synchronization settings are automatically applied to new BlackBerry smartphone users who are using the IBM iNotes or IBM Lotus Domino Web Access template. This registry key may be added to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server so that this behavior can be controlled.

Warning: System/database changes could potentially result in irreparable damage. Prior to making any system/database changes it is recommended that you perform a system/database backup.

Registry Location for a 32-bit Windows operating system:

Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Agent
Key name: PrepopulatePIMForiNotesUsers
Type: DWORD
Value:
   0 - Disables pre-population of relative path to the BlackBerry smartphone user's mail file for address book and journal
   1 - Allows pre-population of relative path to the BlackBerry smartphone user's mail file for address book and journal
   Not present - Allows pre-population of relative path to the BlackBerry smartphone user's mail file for address book and journal

 

Registry Location for a 64-bit Windows operating system

Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Agents


If the above registry changes are made, complete the following steps to restart the NBES.exe task in the Domino console:


Type tell bes quit in the Lotus Domino console.
Verify that the NBES.exe task has ended.
Type load bes in the Domino console to restart the NBES.exe task.

Important: Restarting the BlackBerry Enterprise Server or its services delays message delivery to BlackBerry smartphones.

If the BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 is configured for high availability, this registry setting must be configured on both the active and the secondary BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Additional Information

If using Lotus Domino 8 or 8.5, the Standard template has the same properties as a Lotus Domino Web Access template.

Before upgrading the BlackBerry Enterprise Server from 4.1 SP5 to 5.0, the administrator must set the PrepopulatePIMForiNotesUsers registry key to 1 for the pre-population of organizer data. This change to the registry key avoids having to manually update each non-roaming IBM iNotes user setting.

System administrators can use this registry modification when the Location - Relative Path field of the address book that is specified on the BlackBerry smartphone user's PIM Sync settings is not editable.

 

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.