Question

Why won't MCP recognize my device or display the PIN properly?

Answer

Make sure you are running MCP 0.9.2.0 Beta 10 or higher.  If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7 make sure you try running MCP as an administrator.  If that doesn't help try turning User Account Control (UAC) completely off (this option is under Control Panel > User Accounts).  If you aren't hearing the Windows "USB Jingle" when you connect your device, reboot.  Try again.  If all else fails make sure you are running BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.1 (or higher):

BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.1.18 B30 (With Roxio Media Manager 940B67E) (English)
BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.1.18 B30 (Without Roxio Media Manager) (English)
BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.1.18 B30 (With Roxio Media Manager 940B67E) (Multilanguage)
BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.1.18 B30 (Without Roxio Media Manager) (Multilanguage)

Notes:  Java Loader 5.0.0 Beta 3 and Beta 4 (and possibly higher) no longer work with serial connections.  Older versions of Java Loader work with serial connections but I don't think MCP will display your PIN using the old methods.  You can easily switch Java Loader versions in MCP > Settings.

Question

Some controls in MCP are disabled and I can't use them even if I check the "confirm" option.

Answer

This is a feature, not a flaw.  Some controls in MCP can damage your device.  For seasoned professionals these results are expected.  For newbies a 507 icon can cause a mild heart attack.  MCP won't let you use any of these damaging controls by accident.  You have to enable these controls by entering a passphrase (BrickBerry) on the MCP > Settings page in the "Enable Protected Controls".  Even after this you still have to manually confirm these operations each time.  This is done even to protect the professionals out there...  I can't tell you how many times I accidentally installed an OS when I really didn't mean to.  So...  this is done for your protection and to prevent me having to explain things later in support emails for new users.

Question

What versions of Windows are supported?  Can I run this on my Mac?

Answer

Please visit the Requirements & Supported Windows OS's page.

Question

Can you explain here what the differences are in the versions Standalone, Portable and Standard?

Answer

The Standard version of MCP is a normal "Windows installer" format that most people will probably use.  All required files are self-contained in the installer.  When it's done installing you will get a Start Menu folder, one Desktop icon and the application will be listed in Add/Remove Programs for easy removal later if needed.

The Portable version is designed to work with PortableApps (http://portableapps.com/).  So, if you need MCP to run on your thumb drive you can easily take it with you wherever you go.

Stand Alone is one EXE.  You can download it and put it in its own folder.  When you run it it will download a few necessary files and then it will launch the main window.  The idea here is kinda simple:  no need to actually install it on your hard drive.  This is almost a "no fuss" way to test MCP.  No entries on the Start Menu, nothing added to the Add/Remove Programs list, etc.  If you don't like it, delete the folder and all traces of MCP are gone.  I plan on rebuilding this soon so the EXE contains all of the required files and extracts them if they are missing instead of using the download method I mentioned.

For more details please visit the MCP Versions & Releases page.

Question

Why shouldn't I stick with "old school" solutions like BlackBerry 101 articles and JL_Cmder and other recommendations by John Clark?

Answer

There is nothing wrong with old school, ever.  This doesn't rule out other schools or trains of thought though.  John Clark actually messaged me and aside from saying "Wow!  This is really something!" he also said that having the ability to install a selected OS (without having to uninstall all other first) is a great idea and that he hated never having that ability before.  MCP is the only application out there that allows you to have an unlimited number of OS's installed on your pc --- but at the time you actually install the OS to your device it only lets RIM's Application Loader see the one you had selected in MCP.  No other tool does that and most BB101 articles and classes tell you to uninstall all other OS's from your pc before you begin the process.  This is time consuming to say the least.  MCP lets you keep your OS's in a "persistent state" meaning that you install it to your PC, optimize it, leave it and forget it - and use any of them later at will.

Question

I'm new to MCP.  What does it do?

Answer

Briefly, you can use MCP to take screenshots (including auto-capture and auto-save), set the device time, turn the radio/on off, recover memory, handheld wipe (all 3 types), factory reset, gather information, view/clear event logs, display modules, gather module information, load, save and erase modules, create ALX/JAD files, and backup and restore third party applications.  The operating system management page allows you to completely manage and optimize any OS you want to install to your device.  The Java Loader CLI page is a 1:1 GUI for javaloader.exe.

For details, please visit the What is MCP? page.

Question

Does MCP have any restrictions if you don't donate to the project?

Answer

None.  MCP is 100% unrestricted.  Donations are always welcome.  Registration simply means that you get a code to remove the PayPal/Donate button.  I might switch to a commercial model later for businesses and site licenses, but right now it's just a thought.  Personal use will always be 100% unrestricted donationware (free unless you want to donate).

Question

I'm a newbie.  Is MCP too advanced for new users?

Answer

Absolutely not.  It can do very basic fuctions such as freeing memory, clearing the event log and taking screenshots.  It has the ability to do very advanced functions as well so over time you can grow into it.  Any controls that can potentially harm your device are blocked from use until you enter a passphrase on the Settings page...  so even new users can't do any harm using it until they know what they are doing.

Question

Is MCP a front end?

Answer

As for the Java Loader commands (for the time being only) yes, in that regard MCP is a "front end".  MCP is the only graphical user interface (GUI) that is capable of performing 100% of ALL of the JavaLoader.exe (JL) commands - including all possible combinations of JL options.  Not only does it give you this power via intuitive and easy to understand controls, you also get this power a complete second time via the "Java Loader CLI" (aka: Area 51) page.  This one page allows you to "build" a javaloader command line and then execute it --- graphically.  Minimal typing, no DOS prompt.  Additionally you can view the output of all commands by checking the "Messages" option or you can show the real javaloader execution screens (see things as they progress in real time) by checking the "Debug" option.  Finally, if you aren't comfortable you can use "Simulation Mode" to see what command lines will be sent (Messages) but without actually executing them.

As for everything else MCP can do, in that regard it is not a front end (Operating System Management, etc.).

Question

What versions of RIM Java Loader and RIM BlackBerry Desktop Manager are used or needed?

Answer

MCP is designed for Java Loader 5.0.0 Beta 4 but you can use older Java Loader "engines" easily by selecting them inside MCP.  BlackBerry Desktop Manager (DM) 5.0.1 (or higher) is recommended but MCP also works with DM 5.0, 4.7 and 4.5 as well.  I'm not sure about older versions of DM.  MCP doesn't affect DM and doesn't use DM in any way other than to utilize bbdevmgr.exe which is normally always running at windows startup.  MCP doesn't affect DM in any other way, shape or form.

Question

What can MCP do that other tools can't do?

Answer

The Feature Matrix page compares MCP with other available tools.

Question

Why did you make MCP?

Answer

MCP got it's start because I wasn't happy with any of the tools that were available at the time and I was tired of using multiple tools to work on my devices.  Now i only need two tools:  DM and MCP.  MCP is a stand alone application...  it doesn't require any other technologies (like .Net) to run correctly.

For more information, please visit the MCP History page.

More to come...