Indiana University
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At IU, how do I activate a BlackBerry on the BES?

Note: Some of the features described in this document require an Indiana University BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) account. Before you request an IU BES account, you need to have a BES data plan from your cellular provider. For details, see Getting started with a BlackBerry at IU.

Before following either procedure below, be sure to read the instructions that came with your BlackBerry; for a new device, you may need to follow some registration steps with your provider (e.g., AT&T, Verizon) before proceeding.

Note: These instructions assume you have requested an account on the Indiana University BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES).

Wireless activation from the BlackBerry device

You can activate your BlackBerry wirelessly from the device itself. This is called Wireless Enterprise Activation, and is the simplest way to set up your device.

If you successfully requested a BES account as noted above, a message containing a randomly generated five-character password was sent to your IU Exchange mailbox. If you already have a BES account and are replacing your device or otherwise don't have the password to use, call your campus Support Center and request that one be sent to you. Then:

  1. Power on your BlackBerry and navigate to Enterprise Activation. Depending on which device you have, this may be in the main menu, or under Options, or in Options and then Advanced Options.

  2. Enter your email address and the password in the appropriate fields of the welcome message.

  3. After entering this password, click the trackwheel and select Activate. Click the trackwheel again to start the Enterprise Activation process, which will take several minutes. Do not turn the device off or use it until you see a message confirming a successful activation.

If activation fails and you need to try again, you can request a new Enterprise Activation password and/or further help by contacting the Support Center. Alternatively, you can try the procedure below.

Activation using BlackBerry Desktop software

Note: The following instructions assume that you have the desktop software installed and properly configured. See For a BlackBerry at IU, what software do I need and where do I get it?

Cradle the device you wish to activate on the BES while the BlackBerry Desktop software is running.

When you cradle the BlackBerry, it will prompt you that the mailbox has been configured with PIN <XXX> and that this device is PIN <ZZZ> (with the letters replaced by the appropriate numbers). You will be prompted to accept the change. Once you do so, the new PIN will be passed to the BES server and messages will start being delivered to the new device. If you had an old BlackBerry, it will no longer have BES or MDS service.