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The following is a lesson in why you should back up your BlackBerry as frequently as possible. At some point you’re going to run into a problem — and I’ve run into my share — where the only feasible option is to wipe the device and start over. If that happens you want to have a recent backup so that you don’t have to start over and send out text messages asking for people’s numbers and new BBM requests. Now that I’ve gotten the idea of backing up your Berry into your head, onto today’s issue. A reader wrote in yesterday to ask about an error message, Reload Software: 552.” This is a serious issue, one that could cost you all of your BlackBerry data. Hopefully you never see it, but if you do, here’s the recovery process.
Most likely, you’ll have to completely wipe your device using JL_Cmder. Yes, it’s sad, but if you backed up your BlackBerry recently it shouldn’t be a huge issue. You’ll just have to restore it once you’re done. If you haven’t backed it up, well, it’s a teachable moment. I had mine when my BlackBerry completely fried back in October. Hopefully you can learn from my mistake.
On your PC — and yes, you’ll need a PC — you’ll need the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager and, for good measure, the latest operating system for your device, which you can find at this link. Plus, of course, JL_Cmder.
But, before you go wipe your BlackBerry, you might want to try a basic USB connection first. Plug in your Berry and instead of running Desktop Manager, run App Loader. There’s a chance the device will connect, and at that point you can root around in the device’s files. I’d recommend deleting any recently installed applications, plus any unused theme files — even your current theme, just to be sure. For some reason, third party themes can cause problems. Also, if you can upgrade your OS through App Loader, try that too. Once you do that, disconnect the device and see what’s up. If it still doesn’t work, onto the device wipe.
To do the full wipe, you can follow the written instructions here, or you can watch the following video.
Again, I hope it doesn’t come to this. But if you’re dealing with an error like 552, which completely cripples your device. Anyone with any first-hand war stories with this error? Did you find an easier way to fix it?
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Filed under : Quick Tips 8 Comments
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8 Comments ↓
I went through 3 tours where this happened frequently. As you said sometimes you can uninstall via DM the last app you installed and that will fix it. Other times you have to wipe. Also the restore from backup never worked on the tours as it resulted in the same 552.
I just got my 9630 replaced by Verizon because of a 552 error. When I tried to reinstall the the OS from the desktop, it would always throw some kind of write error and stop. Eventually I gave up and took it to Verizon. I didn’t know about JL Commander at the time. And Verizon doesn’t even know about reloading from the desktop.
I would try BBSAK before trying JL or Loader.
Also, if you are at all up to date on BlackBerry Messenger it can back itself up both wirelessly and on your SD card. And there are several wireless device backup apps in App World now.
Thank you for posting useful information like this!!
Funny you post this! This happened to me exactly one week ago. I connected my phone to my computer and it would not respond. I ended up going into the Verizon store and they sent me a replacement. They just looked at it and said, “It’s dead”.
[...] you may want to subscribe to my feed or subscribe to us on Twitter!Yesterday, in discussing the Reload Software: 552 error, I pleaded with readers to backup their devices. I myself fell victim when I got an application [...]
[...] of the week: Fixing your BlackBerry after a Reload Software: 522 error. It can be deadly, which is why you should [...]
[...] perform this fix, you’ll need to download JL_Cmder. We discussed this PC application when we went over error code 552. You can find the app at blackberryfreaks.com. Once you have it installed, connect your device to [...]
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