BlackBerry Master Control Program 0.9.2.0 Beta 10

October 21, 2009

There have been some significant changes to MCP recently and this page will attempt to cover everything.

Over the last month or so several people have requested that I add the ability to build ALX/JAD files inside of MCP.  The first three sections below attempt to describe all of these new abilities.

The sections below that will show all of the other changes in Beta 10.



Notice:  Most of the images on this page can be enlarged by clicking them!

Notice:  Until this note is removed this page is still a WORK IN PROGRESS.

Notice:  If you have any problems with MCP try running it as an administrator or possibly disable Windows User Account Control (UAC).  Some users have reported problems with PIN detection and in those cases disabling UAC fixed the problem.  I am in the initial stages of testing UAC again under Windows Vista Home and for the first time with Windows 7.



Save Modules > Operations > Save (MCP Mesh 20091021)

MCP Mesh 20091013 was the first version to offer automatic ALX/JAD creation for all modules that were manually selected to be saved.  The popup requesting detailed information was mandatory but the user could opt out.  MCP Mesh 20091018a added the new "Create ALX/JAD" option so users could prevent the ALX/JAD popup if they knew they didn't want these files.



Saved modules and ALX/JAD files would go to your Modules folder (use the button higlighted in blue).

If you "opt out" and decide not to create ALX/JAD files, all modules (COD files) will be saved to the main MCP Modules folder, e.g.:

C:\Program Files\BlackBerry Master Control Program\modules

If you "opt-in" to create ALX/JAD files a subfolder will be created under your Modules folder using the same name you typed in for the ALX/JAD and all modules (COD files) and the ALX/JAD's will be placed in this subfolder, e.g.:

C:\Program Files\BlackBerry Master Control Program\modules\ImpConnector

Sample ALX/JAD files (as generated by MCP):  ALX / JAD

Notice:  If you load a JAD on your device all of the modules (COD files) will be lumped together into one package on your device.  If you later delete that package from your device it will remove all of the modules in that group.



Save Modules > Backup & Restore > Backup (MCP Mesh 20091021)

MCP Mesh 20091021 saw some more significant changes.  In 20091013 users had to manually select modules and then click "Save".  I wanted a way to reduce clicking and offer a way to easily backup all existing third party applications in just a few clicks.  So, connect the device, start MCP, click the "Save Modules" icon, click the retrieve button, click one more buttton, done!  Roughly 3 clicks after MCP is running.  This quickly turned into a new section called "Backup & Restore".  It seems a little odd to me that "Restore" is on the "Save Modules" tab, but since the major operation here is backup we want a restore nearby.  In any case, a full backup of all third party apps is created along with a dedicated set of ALX/JAD files for those modules.



Backups and ALX/JAD files would go here (use the button higlighted in blue):

C:\Program Files\BlackBerry Master Control Program\backup\

Inside the Backup folder will be subfolders named automatically by the year, month, day, hours, minutes, and seconds, e.g.:  20091021094708.  So, for example:

C:\Program Files\BlackBerry Master Control Program\backup\20091021094708

Sample ALX/JAD files (as generated by MCP):  ALX / JAD

Notice:  If you load a JAD on your device all of the modules (COD files) will be lumped together into one package on your device.  If you later delete that package from your device it will remove all of the modules in that group.



Save Modules > ALX/JAD Builder (MCP Mesh 20091021)

Additionally it only made sense to be able to have the ability to create ALX/JAD files easily but without actually touching the device.  For example, say you have 10 COD files and you want to make an ALX/JAD file for those COD's, but they aren't on a device and you don't want to actually send them to the device...  we need a builder of some sort to do just that.  This turned into an entirely new page inside MCP and is based on most of the informational prompts on the "Save (With ALX/JAD)" button popup.  I didn't want to make a new icon on the home screen and since all other ALX/JAD abilities are inside the Save page I decided to just add a new button "ALX/JAD Builder".  All you have to do is drag & drop your COD files into the large area at the top and then click the "Build" button.  During the creation process the COD files can be scattered all over your hard drive, it simply does not matter.  Just drag them in and drop them off.  However, if you ever decide to load the ALX/JAD back on to a device you must make sure all of the required COD files are in the same folder as the ALX/JAD files.



ALX/JAD Builder files would go here (use the button higlighted in blue):

C:\Program Files\BlackBerry Master Control Program\builder

Sample ALX/JAD files (as generated by MCP):  ALX / JAD

Notice:  If you load a JAD on your device all of the modules (COD files) will be lumped together into one package on your device.  If you later delete that package from your device it will remove all of the modules in that group.



New in Beta 10

Updated system tray right-click context menu

Removed "Languages" button from MCP Settings

Updated MCP Welcome screen

By default MCP minimizes to taskbar now, not the system tray (clean installs only)

F-Keys Updated:

http://mcpfx.com/page.php?22 

This is a list of all MCP Function Keys (based on MCP 0.9.2.0 Beta 10):

MCP Main Pages/Functions

F1 = Java Loader
F2 = Information
F3 = Screen Capture Page
F4 = Load Modules
F5 = Erase Modules
F6 = Save Modules :: Backup & Restore :: ALX/JAD Builder
F7 = ALX/JAD Builder
F8 = Operating System Management
F9 = Java Loader CLI (Area 51)
F10 = Command Line Programmer CLI (Area 52)
F11 = Downloads
F12 = Instant Screen Capture

MCP Help Pages

Ctrl+F1 = Welcome
Ctrl+F2 = Settings
Ctrl+F3 = External Applications
Ctrl+F4 = About
Ctrl+F5 = Languages

External Applications

Shift+F1 = RIM Desktop Manager
Shift+F2 = RIM Application Loader
Shift+F3 = RIM Media Sync
Shift+F4 = Roxio Media Manager
Shift+F5 = Pete6's CrackMem
Shift+F6 = Pete6's CrackUtil
Shift+F7 = RIM MFI MultiLoader
Shift+F8 = RIM Radio Lab Tool
Shift+F9 = JL_Cmder

Other Functions

Ctrl+Shift+F12 = Direct OS Installation

This combination loads the OS Management page, automatically clicks the "Confirm" option and then automatically clicks the "Install OS" button for you.  You will have to manually click the new "Continue" button.  This only works if your PIN is selected or if you are using the /nopin switch.

Alt+F4 = Close MCP

MCP Mesh 20091021

See the first three sections on this page (above).

MCP Mesh 20091018b

In 20091013 I added ALX/COD auto-saving and asked everyone to test it.  SGT-D (me) reported that this was NOT working correctly (after 4 or 5 builds in the MCP Mesh :P!~).  MCP wasn't adding the .cod extension to the module names.  Ewps!.  Fixed!  :)

Java Loader / Save Modules

  Added new checkbox:  Create ALX/JAD

  Hint:  If checked, automatically builds ALX/JAD files for the currently selected modules (COD files).  ALX files can later be used by BlackBerry Application Loader.  JAD files can be hosted online or used by MCP.

  If not checked, COD's are saved to the main modules folder.

  Added: Open modules folder buttton (long overdue)...  click this button to explore your saved modules.Sometimes you see "popups" in MCP during long operations, examples:  Depending on the number of modules, this operation may take some time.
  Loading and erasing modules requires the device to be rebooted.  And:

  This operation may take a few seconds to complete.

  In the past these popups would appear and stay on screen (on top) until the operation completed; however you could still navigate the main window.  Not any more...  you now have to wait for the popup to go away before you can click icons in the main window.

  Found a small problem, if "Group" is checked it didn't act the same as the "Erase Modules" page.  Not a huge big deal, I've never used "group" and nobody has ever reported if it works or not.  At least now it acts the same on both pages!  *Whew!*  Dodged a bullet right there!

MCP Mesh 20091018a

layout change, added back the 3 icons removed from previous builds (media sync, roxio, jl_cmdr)

  this change forced me to make some vertical changes, i'm not a huge fan but oh well

pin check default changed to 3

internal apps icons redefined

  hints updated heavily to show what the pages can do
 
external apps icons redefined

  hints updated to acknowledge ability to middle click.  the middle click has been there, it just wasn't obvious.

  added intelligence to left click...  if app exists, execute it, if not, go to website.

MCP Mesh 20091017b

Operating System Management Page

Renamed "Destroy JVM" to "Delete JVM" (formerly "No JVM").

Delete JVM hint updated:  If this option is checked Application Loader will start with the /nojvm parameter which will destroy JVM on the device.  A new JVM will be loaded during OS installation.  Check only if you are having problems.

Added "Full Wipe" checkbox to OS page.

Full Wipe hint:  If this option is checked the Java Loader "Wipe" command will be sent to the device which will destroy any existing IT Policies prior to the OS installation.  Only check this option if you are having problems.

These are more explanitory now and keeps everything separated.  Now BES admins can install operating systems and optionally preserve existing JVM's and existing IT Policies.

These are heavily untested.  I will say this...  the original "No JVM" option has been checked for many months now and once it was working correctly I decided to hide it from normal view in an effort to keep the UI simpler for most users.  Truthfully /nojvm is normally only recommended for people who have problems with installing OS's...  I wanted things to work every time with MCP and I wanted to keep the UI simple.

So now what happens if "Delete JVM" is unchecked during an OS install?  I know it does what it says if it is checked because that's how MCP has worked for months.  But what if it isn't checked?  When Application Loader starts installing...  does it say it is loading the new JVM?  I don't think it will say anything about installing a JVM because "/nojvm" wasn't sent.  Please let me know ASAP.

What about the new "Full Wipe" option?  I have never even considered attempting to install an OS on a device without wiping it first.  Does this even work???  And if it is unchecked and you install an OS, does it actually preserve your IT Policy???  I don't have BES so I need someone with BES to test this option thoroughly.  And since it is NEW I also need it tested when checked to make sure it DOES delete the IT Policy.  This is a huge black hole and I need feedback!

Both options remember how they were set from previous sessions.

MCP Mesh 20091017a

Turned the "Destroy JVM" (formerly "No JVM") checkbox back on.  Now defaults to unchecked.  If this is off when you install an os on the device is the it policy (bes) preserved or not?  Need info.

MCP Mesh 20091013

this build offers a pretty decent layout change...  i decided to move the load/save/erase icons out of the java loader page; each has their own dedicated page and each page is accessible directly from the main screen.  implications...  easier to access each page, drawback: i had to remove the bb media sync, roxio and jl_cmdr icons.changed paypal donate button, much nicer

gif pas file hacked, got it working with delphi 2010, gif animations work again

MCP Mesh 20091011

first released build after upgrading delphi from codegear rad studio 2009 to embarcadero rad studio 2010.  implications: initial hit: gif images on about screen fubar'd.

java loader > load modules > locate files

  cod/jad button now defaults to show cod & jad, can still select cod only, jad only and all files

java loader > save modules > retrieve > save  hmm, what's this new dialog? :)  ALX/JAD file creation!!!

I found the BIN folder was contantly getting obliterated and every time I went to show off MCP it would fsk up.  FIXED!!!

New default engine is Java Loader 5.0.0 Beta 4.

Java Loader > load modules > locate files > cod/jad button now defaults to show cod & jad, can still select cod only, jad only and all files

Java Loader > save modules > retrieve > save > ALX/JAD!!!  BUT...  DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK???

Installers sport new graphics.New layouts coming soon, some sanity I think everyone will like.

I have had ZERO time to test all of the new stuff, that's why it's only in MCP Mesh for now.

MCP Mesh 20090911

updated ALL download on the downloads page!!!



MCP 0.9.2.0 Beta 9b was released on 9/7/09...  the remaining sections show what changes took place.



MCP Mesh 20090907

MCP 20090907 has been released on the MCP Live Mesh.  This is the first release completely built on Window 7.  The primary focus was that everything would work good when I migrate to W7 in October; otherwise no real changes.

MCP Mesh 20090830

MCP 20090830 (Development Snapshot) has been released on the Live Mesh.  This build corrects all application messagebox events so they display nicely for all versions of Windows.  Windows Vista/7 users will see a nicer layout instead of "chopped" sentences.  Earlier versions of Windows won't notice any change.  The newer versions of Windows automagically adjust/wrap longer sentences. Examples:

This is how Windows XP (and previous Windows versions) looked in older MCP builds, and it still looks this way in the new builds:



Without specific Windows OS detection, the Windows XP (and all older versions of Windows) dialogs would have looked like this:



This is how Windows Vista/7 looked previously (choppy):



And this is how dialogs look now in Windows Vista/7 (MCP 20090830+):



MCP Mesh 20090821

MCP 20090821 released (Live Mesh only). This build is designed for Java Loader 5.0.0 Beta 3 and removes all foreign languages since all translators bailed.

There are some changes from JL 5.0 Beta 3 and older versions, for details, click here:

http://mcpfx.com/diff/jl500b1b3.htm

Beta 1 was identical to JL 4.7 and RIM pulled 5.0 B2 so we will never know. Anyway, I've found no major impact with MCP and the features they removed don't matter much, Area 51/52 stuffs.



BlackBerry Master Control Program 0.9.2.0 Beta 10 Downloads

Standard / Portable / Stand Alone



Previous Versions

Information about BlackBerry Master Control Program 0.9.2.0 Beta 9b and previous versions is available HERE.

/sgt

8.0 - 1 vote