Help a newb understand the blackberry...
 

Did a few searches on the forums here, couldn't come up with much for an overview of the Blackberry, so I'll start a thread. Maybe some of you can throw me some links.

This is actually my nieces phone. I have an Android, and know absolutely nothing about the Blackberry.

She has a Blackberry 9550, v5.0.0.1015, Bundle 1656, Platform 4.2.0.442, through Verizon.

Is this a storm or storm 2?
What's the difference?
Is it normal to take well over 5 minutes to reboot?
She's done almost nothing in the way of keeping her phone "in tune" for the past year since she's had it. Are there generally preferred apps or anything that can get this thing into shape?
When she's lacking a phone signal, her phone locks up. Is this a common, fixable issue?

ANY info or links you guys can give me will be much appreciated. :)

Re: Help a newb understand the blackberry...
 

Wow. Over a hundred views, and not one person even offers so much as a link to a beginners guide to the blackberry, or a single piece of advice. I guess I'm just used to my friendly droid forums. I'll just find an advanced user somewhere around, I'm sure I must know at least one.

Re: Help a newb understand the blackberry...
 

You need to have patience. This is a friendly forum but no one is sitting around waiting to provide instant answers.

The 9550 is the Storm 2 (which a simple Google search would turn up).

Yes its normal for the device to take that long to boot up.

Listing what specific problem she is having with the device probably will result in more specific assistance. What's the File Free on the device? Go to Options > Status and read the third line

Re: Help a newb understand the blackberry...
 

Also to keep apps and software in its latest stage please install Blackberry App World from blackberry.com ad it will alert you if there is an updated version of the apps installed on your BB.
Also installed the latest version of BB Desktop Mgr on your dektop/laptop and connect the BB to it and it will prompt you to down load the latest version of device software.

VERY IMPORTANT: Take backup of the device data before you do anything with it.

Re: Help a newb understand the blackberry...
 

So make sure she has Blackberry App World, grab BB Desktop Mgr, and make sure everything's updated. Can I backup everything from BB Desktop Mgr?

Re: Help a newb understand the blackberry...
 

I know, sorry. Like I said, I'm used to my own forums.

Google search turned up both.

That's crazy lol.
I told her I read one guy on here would have freezing problems, and he did a battery pull each morning to help him through the day. She wasn't happy about trying that (bet she rolls over in bed and starts texting first thing in the morning,) but we'll see if she does and if it helps.

I'll have to get my hands on it again tonight and get more info.