"Just Ask"—About BlackBerry Handheld Devices

The NIH Help Desk receives many calls each day from customers who are experiencing similar problems. "Just Ask" articles present frequently asked questions, along with answers and helpful tips. We hope you find this information useful. "Just Ask" replaces "Ask TASC."

Q	Where can I find information on purchasing BlackBerries here at NIH?
A	The iSDP Webpage contains an excellent FAQ site that answers many common questions about the BlackBerry, including acquisition inquiries. You will find it on the iSDP web page under "Hardware."

Q

I get a lot of e-mail on my BlackBerry and don’t want to be notified each time by a buzz or a beep. Can I set it up to notify me only for urgent messages?

A

Yes, you can set up filters in the BlackBerry software to use different criteria to determine if a message notifies you when it arrives on your BlackBerry handheld device. Go to the Filter tab on the Redirector settings in the BlackBerry Desktop Manager on your computer to set up filters. • 7200 and 7700 Series (Recommended) You can use a filter to distinguish your urgent e-mail (based on who is the sender or keywords in the Subject, for example) for the Redirector to "forward with Level 1 Notification." Then go to your device and edit your Profile so that only Level 1 Notification messages alert you. Do this by editing the Message Options in the Profile to Mute and the Level 1 Messages to alert in whatever fashion (Vibrate, Tone, or both) you choose.   • Model 957 You can use a filter to designate that all e-mail marked with the Importance "High" be forwarded with Level 1 Notification. Then go to your device and edit your Profile so that only Level 1 Notification messages alert you. Do this by selecting “Notify” under Options. When you set "Level 1 Notify Only" to "Yes," you can chose how you want to be alerted (vibrate, tone, or both).

Q

My BlackBerry doesn't receive any e-mail. Is there anything I can do to resolve the issue myself?

A

There certainly is. Before calling the NIH Help Desk, you can perform a little troubleshooting yourself without risking any loss of data or other complications. BlackBerry has compiled a wonderful on-line document outlining these steps. Go to the BlackBerry web site [http://www.blackberry.com/], under the "Popular Links" click on "Technical Knowledge Center," and select "Top 10 BlackBerry Troubleshooting Tips." Of course, if you are still experiencing difficulty after attempting these steps, please call the NIH Help Desk and a consultant will assist you.

Q

I have seen people carrying around BlackBerry devices that are blue, not black. Are they Blueberries? Is there a difference between the devices?

A

Though we have heard some people affectionately refer to the blue devices as "Blueberries," the answer is no, they are still referred to as BlackBerry devices. The basic difference between those models used to be that the displays on the blue devices were in color and the black devices were monochrome. This is no longer true, as some carriers (e.g., 7700 series) have introduced color displays on black devices.

Q	Who can I call for assistance, if I need help using my BlackBerry?
A	If you have any questions regarding BlackBerry devices, please call the NIH Help Desk at 301-496-4357 and a consultant will be happy to help you.

We welcome your ideas about topics to cover in future editions of "Just Ask." Please send suggestions to helpdesk@nih.gov.