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Setup Guide - CompanionLink with BlackBerry

This section talks about issues specific to configuring a BlackBerry handheld to work with CompanionLink. For information about specific BlackBerry errors and issues, please see the BlackBerry section.

NOTE: ALWAYS back up your data before configuring CompanionLink.

Configuration and installation:

  1. How do I set up CompanionLink to sync with my BlackBerry?
    1. What to do first.
    2. Configuring CompanionLink.
    3. Configuring BlackBerry's Desktop Manager.
  2. How do I sync?
  3. Can I sync wirelessly?
  4. How do I sync multiple databases?

Configuration and installation

How do I configure CompanionLink to sync with my BlackBerry?

CompanionLink acts as an add-in in BlackBerry's Desktop Manager with this sync. You do NOT use CompanionLink Synchronize, but instead synchronize through the Desktop Manager program.


What to do first
Before configuring CompanionLink, you need to do two things. Back up your data and connect your handheld to the computer.
  1. Back up your contact manager data. Please see How To Back Up Your Data if you need help with this.
  2. Connect your BlackBerry to your computer with BlackBerry's Desktop Manager by following the steps below. If you have any problems with this part, please contact BlackBerry/RIM for assistance.
    1. Install the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. This software comes with your BlackBerry.
    2. Run BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
    3. Connect your BlackBerry to the computer. You should see "Connected" in the status window (Lower Middle). A PIN number should also appear (Lower Left).
Once your data is backed up and your handheld can connect to BlackBerry's Desktop Manager, you are ready to configure CompanionLink.


Configuring CompanionLink
  1. Install CompanionLink if it is not already installed on your computer.
  2. Run CompanionLink Setup.
    • If this is a first time installation, you will see the configuration wizard. Click Next.
    • If you have previously configured CompanionLink, you will see the main screen of CompanionLink. Click on Settings. (If you see the User Profile screen and you already have a profile for your BlackBerry, click Next. If you do not have a profile for your BlackBerry, click Create New Profile.)
  3. You will now be on the handheld selection screen. Select BlackBerry and click Next.
  4. On the PIM selection screen, choose your contact manager from the drop down list.
  5. Click the Configure button. This is where you choose how you want your data to transfer. We recommend, on a first sync, going to the Purge And Reload tab and checking the first three boxes here. This removes the data from your handheld and replaces it from your contact manager. The reason we recommend this is because otherwise, on a first sync, all of the data in the handheld will go into your contact manager as new records. This can cause duplicates.
  6. When you are finished configuring the settings, click OK. This will bring you back to the PIM selection page.
  7. Click Next and Finish.
  8. The main CompanionLink screen will appear. Click Exit.

Configuring BlackBerry's Desktop Manager
  1. Open Blackberry's Desktop Manager. In BlackBerry's Desktop Manager, you will have either an Intellisync or a Synchronize icon, depending on your version of Desktop Manager. Follow the appropriate instructions below.
    • Intellisync
      1. Double-click the Intellisync icon.
      2. This will bring up the Intellisync settings screen. In Intellisync, you want to make sure the following settings are selected:
        • In the checkboxes at the top of the screen:
          • Make sure that Synchronize PIM is NOT checked.
          • Check Execute Add-In Actions.
          • Check Update Handheld Date And Time.
        • Click on the Auto Start button.
          • Make sure that Synchronize PIM is NOT checked. (Note: If this was checked, you will need to restart your computer before trying to synchronize.)
          • Make sure that Execute Add-In Actions is NOT checked.
          • Check Update Handheld Date And Time.
        • Click on the Configure Add-Ins button.
          • Make sure that CompanionLink is listed and that there is a checkmark in the box. (Note: The version number here does NOT have to match CompanionLink's version.)
    • Synchronize
      1. Double-click the Synchronize icon.
      2. In the checkboxes at the top of the screen:
        • Make sure that Synchronize Organizer Data is NOT checked.
        • Check Execute Add-In Actions.
        • Check Update Handheld Date And Time.
      3. Make sure that the box for "Synchronize the items selected above automatically when your device is connected to the BBDM" is NOT checked.
      4. Click on Configure, then Add-ins. Make sure that CompanionLink is listed. If there is a checkbox, make sure there is a checkmark in this box. (Note: The version number here does NOT have to match CompanionLink's version.)
      5. Click OK, then click on the Synchronize tab.
  2. To synchronize, click Synchronize Now. (Note: If this button is grayed out, then your handheld is not connected. Reconnect your handheld.

  3. When the sync is complete, click OK.
  4. Your contact manager and your BlackBerry should now be in sync. You can exit out of any remaining windows.

How do I sync?
  1. Connect your handheld to the computer.
  2. Open the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
  3. Double-click on Intellisync/Synchronize.
  4. Click on the Synchronize Now button.

Can I sync wirelessly?
Wireless synchronization for the BlackBerry was added in version 3.0.


How do I sync multiple databases?
It is NOT possible to sync multiple databases of the same type to the BlackBerry for BlackBerry handhelds using an operating system prior to 4.0.2. This means that you can only sync one contact manager to the contacts area, only one contact manager to the calendar area, etc. This is because the BlackBerry does not support categorization, which is how our software manages multiple databases.

BlackBerry handhelds using an operating system of 4.0.2 or higher can synchronize multiple databases of the same type. You would need CompanionLink Professional to do this. You can find the instructions for setting this up on our website, How Do I Configure CompanionLink To Synchronize Multiple Databases?