Blackberry 9320 Curve

I have recently been handed a Blackberry Curve 9320 (just released), I had asked our Orange sales rep to provide a 9300 in line with our other devices.

The good rep advised all would work, and the support would be in place!

I have been unable to get BES and Blackberry desktop software to recognize the new device (BES and the desktop software will manage the device but don't what it is), it appears as unknown.

I am currently waiting on Orange to advise where I can get the vendor specific device software to install on a pc alongside Blackberry desktop.

I have checked on the blackberry site for the up to date “device.xml” file, the one on the blackberry site does not include the 9320 curve!

I am now waiting for Orange to get back, the phone looks and feels like it will do the job it is possibly more for the domestic market with a low contract price.

Do you have any suggestions?

A quote from an Orange Sales Rep "Apologies about the delay on the updates but apparently this quite normal from Rim the manufacturers"   So I have a phone they can't support! 

Device about to be exchanged for a supported model.

Have arranged a return, guess what you can now download the device software to the PC and the latest device.xml file has the 9320 in it! Never mind such is life.

I AVG free doing your head in?

AVG has started to try and get folks to use thier latest products,this has caused a few users to uninstall all security software and not bother!
 I am starting to move away from AVG free to other free Antivirus products. I have been using Microsoft Security essentials on some client PC's and laptops. MSE seems to be doing the job.

I havee had to sort out a few Home pc's that have been using nortons Home security products, if you want to remove Nortons, first uninstall then run their Removal tool to tidy up. The tool is available on Nortons own site, would be best to download prior to removal. I have seen Nortons unistalls leave the internet unavailable.

As always don't just remove security software without then replacing it.

Where is my laptop License key sticker for windows 7

Have just reconfigured a Dell E650 laptop with windows 7, then could not find the license sticker on the bottom of the case! Dell have started to attach the Windows Licence key to the inside of the Dell Battery compartment. Just pop the battery out and there is the key!

A Good deal on SIM only paymonthly

I have finally have a smart phone!

My existing unsmart phone SIM on contract could not easily update to have data with O2. O2 would have been happy for to get a new SIM only Contract which was going to cost me a lot more on my monthly payments.

My solution was to move to GiffGaff!, owned by O2 but run as a seperate company. They have some very good SIM Only phone Tariffs.

They have some good links for free to fairly cheap phone unlocking. I paid £3.99 and phone unlocked within minutes.

Good deal on Blackberry SIM's and Blackberry Internet Services.

Using your own router with BT Broadband - BT Router settings

Used to configure a belkin Router to use BT Broadband. I used the following Router settings.

BT Settings

PP0A

bthomehub@btbroadband.com

bt

0/38

VCMUX

1454

ip provided by ISP

DNS set automatically

The belkin router needed a password so I used bt as the password, according the BT forums the Password isn't needed but can be used and the user name can be anything@btbroadband.com.

You will have problems getting support from BT if using your Router / Hub so it will be worth keeping the BT Home Hub in case you have a problem so you can put it back on the line.

Asking for Support from BT

Asking for Support from BT, I recently had to reconfigure a router for a client (their own) not a BT Hub, The router had been working for a good few months. The BT line looked hopeful (uploads and Download speed shown) but the router would not connect.
I asked the support representative to confirm the correct ADSL Parameters and whether I needed a login name and Password.
The Support rep was based in an offshore call center and was working of a script and was polite. She could not understand me and I could not understand her I asked to speak to a supervisor without success, but she would disappear and return with and answer to a question. Even after an hour I was no wiser but more frustrated, I asked for a test on the Broadband to make sure it was ok at the exchange, but she did not understand. I left frustrated and no closer to solving the BT Broadband issue.

I swapped to Plusnet a few years ago and there support is UK Based and they have been very helpful.
I guess until BT Broadband brings their support back into the UK or have the option of a UK call center for call escalation the situation will not improve for BT customers.
My advice if you just want to use broadband out of the Box BT Broadband should be ok, no configuration just connect and go. If you need to be able to use your own router use a different provider Plusnet worked for me and they have been helpful. Plusnet is Part of BT.
 A work colleague has an issue with her new BT Home Broadband, this a new broadband setup out in a remote area. BT has sent the router but the broadband it has worked briefly. They have spent a good few hours with BT Home Broad band support at last an engineer is visiting to check the line. (Which may be too far from the exchange for Broadband)?

I have had to assist clients in proving that it is the BT installation that is faulty, this will normally involve connecting your broadband router directly to the BT line via the BT Master Socket, you need to carefully remove the front plate 2 Screws, this section should unplug, you need to be careful if there are extensions socket wired of the rear of this plate.

You can now plug into the exposed BT socket. This socket to the exchange is BT’s the cables from the unplugged face plate are normally your responsibility.
By unplugging face plate you are disconnecting all extensions and wired alarms systems!!

Why not give antivirus software a go!

I have recently found a few clients with out up to date Antivirus software or none at all. Some have been very fortunate and have escaped without a major issue.

The most recent had bought a laptop from the High street and got straight down to using the laptop. McAfee was still there waiting for you to buy and activate. There is no reason now not to have basic Antivirus protection for free with the likes of AVG, Microsoft and others. I have always installed an antivirus product on all pc and laptop builds so the owner does not have to. It is easy to remove and add your own at a later stage.

Microsoft Security Essentials is easy to install and recently has found things that the well-known paid antivirus software products failed to find.

So install security software, keep up to date and allow scanning the system also apply windows updates when prompted.

How to stop a service in XP CMD Line

Disable XP Service from XP Command Line
 The service name is the name with out any spaces
sc config "browser" start= disabled
sc config "messenger" start= disabled
sc config "upnphost" start= disabled

Stop/ Start Service

NET STOP "my service"

close