Get weird letters for some keys

[kunalashar]

I'm using a BlackBerry 7100g.

All of a sudden, my keyboard seems to have gone wonky. When I press the delete key, it types (adds on) "sxvc" instead of deleting a character. Similar weird characters appear when I press the ',', '.' and enter keys (for example, it types "aad" when I press the "L" key.

I've tried changing the language to English, but it doesn't stay that way! It keeps changing it back to Afrikaans, I think.

Do I need to reinstall the OS?
It appears that the 4 rightmost keys (comma, period, delete and enter) behave as the 4 keys in the second column of the keypad.

That is, when I pres ".". it behaves like the "E R" key. When I press "," it behaves like "D F", etc.

Weird! Anyone seen this problem and know how to deal with it? I've tried resetting the blackberry by removing the battery and SIM card for a few minutes.

[GaryCutri]

It does sound like you need to reload the devices firmware. This is done by going to your service provider’s website and downloading the firmware to a machine running BlackBerry Desktop Manager. Once downloaded and installed open Desktop Manager and select Backup/Restore and backup the device, then double click Application Loader to load the firmware but select "Advanced" and erase all data. Once the devices firmware is updated restore your backup.

[kunalashar]

Thank you, that worked!

A caveat to others who may try this solution:

If the BlackBerry was used to connect to your corporate server (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) to send and receive corporate emails, it will no longer happen automatically after the firmware/OS reinstallation; the problem is that the firmware/OS reinstallation wipes out the credentials and connectivity used for Enterprise Activation but does not restore them.
You'll have to do that manually by contacting your BES administrator for a username and new password and reconfigure Enterprise Activation with those credentials.

[BESadmin]

You are correct kunalashar, when you are on BES you need to confirm with your IT Administrator before attempting any firmware upgrades. If you are on BES part of the firmware upgrade will be reactivation onto your BES (this is also dependant on how Desktop Manager was installed e.g. BES or BIS mode), so after the upgrade your device will perform an enterprise activation so insure this completes before unplugging the device. Unfortunately the activation back onto the BES doesn’t always work so manual enterprise activation may need to be arranged with you IT staff.

[kunalashar]

That was short-lived euphoria. The problem went away... briefly and came right back, as suddenly and abruptly as it did the first time, with no warning or provocation.
(this was after I reinstalled the firmware/OS).

[BESadmin]

If possible contact your IT Administrator and have them connect your device directly to the BES and perform a "Nuke" via "Device Management" (Also perform a backup if required). This nuke option will erase EVERYTHING from the device. Once nuked connect the device via Desktop Manager and reload the software again and then reactivate back on the BES. As the device performed correctly shortly after the first reload it may be possible to rule out a hardware issue, this nuke option will rule out a software fault.

[kunalashar]

I reinstalled the OS once again, and, naturally, it reappreared a while later.

I uninstalled all 3rd party apps (Yahoo messenger and Google Talk) and then reinstalled the OS, and it STILL reappeared.

We tear apart Microsoft and Bill Gates because of far less shakier OS and applications, and yet, for some infathomable reason, put up with untested, shaky software on the BlackBerry.

Food for thought huh?

[BESadmin]

Please check if your device is under warranty as RIM does an “advanced replacement” changeover. So you get a new device and you can send the old one back once it arrives.