[jpnelson35]

Unlike what most people think, sending MMS picture messages IS POSSIBLE on a Blackberry Pearl 8100 WITHOUT A DATA PLAN on Cingular / ATT. You have to have the right operating system (OS).

Many people, like myself are disappointed to find out that you need a data plan to send MMS on a BB with AT&T. Because MMS use data, it needs a data connection. It really confused me because I have an unlimited messaging plan and I was able to send pictures with my old phone. So obviously, it was something with my new Pearl that wasn’t letting me send and receive picture messages. It was the lack of service books. You need the data service books on your BB in order to use data.

On most operating systems, the service books are provisioned by the service provider. This means that once you add a BB data plan to your account, your phone will receive the service books. The service books will be taken away if you cancel the BB data plan. T-Mobile does not have this problem however; they offer a “feature enabler” for free. AT&T does not offer such a thing.

There is an operating system that has all the service books loaded in it. The Mobilkom Austria [A1] 4.2.1.101 OS will permanently load the service books on your phone. It will also permanently get rid of the “Data Connection Refused” prompt on the home screen. This operating system will make your Pearl work like any other phone. Therefore, it will not require a special data plan. When you use the internet on it, you will be charge a per kilobyte use (pay-per-use). Or you can use one of the MediaNet plans offered by AT&T.

I have a Blackberry Pearl 8100 with AT&T. I now have the 4.2.1.101 on Platform 2.3.0.80. I HAVE NO DATA PLAN. I do have unlimited messaging however. With this operating system, I am able to send pictures and surf the web (as pay-per-use). On my phone, I still have the lowercased “edge.” Sometimes when I’m on the phone, it will switch to “gprs.” Doesn’t matter though, I am now able to send pictures. That’s all that matters to me.

In other words, if you have the Mobilkom Austria [A1] 4.2.1.101 operating system, YOU CAN SEND MMS PICTURE MESSAGES ON AT&T WITOUT A BB DATA PLAN. Keep in mind that you will be charged for these services as if you were using any other non-smartphone. As an added bonus, with this OS, you are able to disable the automatic backlight feature (dimming). I don’t think you can do that with other OSs.

Here is a site with this OS (I believe this is where I downloaded it from): http://members.a1.net/updateservice/bb/
Also, you can check this thread out for more information: http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com...data_plan.html

I know a lot of people are frustrated by this whole issue so please link other applicable threads to this. I think a lot of people will find this to be useful. I hope this helps.

[XLiMBS]

Excellent find jpnelson35, major trust points for your valuable info!

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

[mgnewbb]

Hello I have tried to use the site that you provided to download the OS however when I went to my application loader in my desktop manager software it says "The Blackberry Deskstop Software does not have Blackberry Device Software for the device that you have connected to the computer." Do you know what the problem might be? I am using the blackberry pearl 8100 download.

Do I have to un-install my Blackberry Deskstop Software?

[Amigotek]

If your BB has a newer OS than the one installed on your computer it won't recognize the "new" OS you are trying to install. If you haven't removed the carrier lock file that lets DM know what carrier the OS is written for then it won't install it. I can't remember the name of the file you have to delete in order to make the OS carrier independent. In the case of "downgrading" your OS to install the new one, you will have to do a low level wipe on the phone to wipe out the OS and then let DM see the phone.

Zo

[brooke03]

^ trust to you! +++

Even though I have a data plan, I have friends with bb's who do NOT and would love to hear this bit of info!

[mgnewbb]

Thank you for the reply but i am a little confused on how to implement what you are referring too. It seems that I will need to downgrade my OS in order to re install this. Do you know how I do that? Or know of a forum that describes the steps?

[Amigotek]

You will need to run JLCommander to do a low level wipe of the OS to remove it completely. Then once it is removed you can go and install the new OS on the unit. Give me a few minutes and I will find the post that describes how to do this.

Zo

[mgnewbb]

Originally Posted by Amigotek

If your BB has a newer OS than the one installed on your computer it won't recognize the "new" OS you are trying to install. If you haven't removed the carrier lock file that lets DM know what carrier the OS is written for then it won't install it. I can't remember the name of the file you have to delete in order to make the OS carrier independent. In the case of "downgrading" your OS to install the new one, you will have to do a low level wipe on the phone to wipe out the OS and then let DM see the phone.

Zo

To clarify. Does any one know the file that I can delete in order to make the OS Carrier independent? Also if I choose to wipe my phone do you suggest using the JL_Cmdr program to remove?

[mgnewbb]

Sorry didn't realize you had posted a reply. So once I run the JL Cmdr on the phone, I will then try to rerun the Mobilkom Austria [A1] 4.2.1.101? Do i do this by going to my DM or to the install file?

[Amigotek]

You have to install the file on your computer first by running the exe it comes as and then launch DM and connect your phone after you have wiped it with JL.

http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com...d=5&linkid=452
http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com...lackberry.html

Zo

The file you have to remove is the vendor.xml file. It is what tells DM what carrier the software was written for.

[mgnewbb]

Please help! I ran the wipe but when I click on application loader my DM still does not recognize the Mobilkom Austria [A1] 4.2.1.101 file I downloaded. So all that showing up on my screen is a picture with 507 underneath. Do you knoe the exact file that I need to download from that site? I chose this from the website given in the first post.
Firmware für BlackBerry 8100 (Pearl) - Version 4.2.1.101
online seit 03-07-2007 - Download (75 MB | exe)

[Amigotek]

Did you run the file once you had it downloaded on your comp?
Did you remove the vendor.xml file after you installed it but before you connected your BB?

Zo

[mgnewbb]

Yes I ran it once it was downloaded to the desktop. I am not sure what you are talking about with the vendor.xml file I did not see anything about that... Is my phone going to work again?? I hope I didn't ruin it, I just got it.
-------
So i have already run the wipe. Does it make sense to now try and find that vendor file?

[Amigotek]

Do a search on your computer for "vendor.xml". It should show up in a Blackberry directory. Once you find it, delete it and then launch DM and connect your phone.

Zo

[mgnewbb]

Found the file and deleted. How do i connect to my phone? Do I hit synchronize?