[dn69141]

I need to know if I can even use my phone for the next week without my trackball. It currently fell out and became lost last night and now I'm stuck until mid next week without it. Can anyone tell me if there is a way to navigate and check messages without it? I have yet to figure it out. Thanks!

[akosnitzky]

Wirelessly posted (Its All About the U!)

M for messages is a start.

[luc-mobile]

Pearl models don't allow Home screen shortcuts. Perhaps the worst flaw of the Pearl line.

[zingZACH]

If you hit the menu button, you can then go to the home screen... hit menu again and then select "switch application" by typing the "S" key. Hit the enter key. You can select some of you common tasks like messages. Type "M" to go to messages. Hit enter. Click "U" to view unread messages. Just keep playing around until you figure it out... My trackball just shit the bed the other day and I have been suffering doing it this way. I haven't figured out how to view my facebook alerts though. I am going to US Cellular today hoping they have a junk blackberry out back that I can have the trackball off of.

Best of luck!

PS. I am using the world edition, so I am not sure if this will work the same way on a pearl.

[luc-mobile]

No, that won't work on a Pearl because when you get to the application switcher, you can't press M to select Messages. In fact, no key has any effect whatsoever except Enter. The only way to select an application in the switcher is by rolling the trackball.

I advise every BlackBerry owner to buy a couple of spare trackball assemblies. The one you have may break, and if it doesn't, it surely will get filthy and disgusting after a few months.

[The_conductor]

The trackball was the worst executed idea RIM has ever done in my mind

[luc-mobile]

How so? What would you do to improve it if you had the chance?

[jsconyers]

Originally Posted by The_conductor

The trackball was the worst executed idea RIM has ever done in my mind

This is a pretty bold statement. I prefer the trackball over the trackwheel.

[borkus]

I had lost my trackball just a little bit ago. I can't remember what they all were, but you can use some of the keys to do just about all of your most basic needs. I could send emails, sms messages, and use the regular phone. Granted, it was hell for sure. But, it can be done. If you have the standard configuration, the message folder should be the one that it falls on when you press the menu button. I wish I could be of more help in telling you which keys did which, but I can't remember. But, I will just say that it is possible. Just trying typing different keys while in different menus. I don't think that there is anything you can do to screw up the phone this way. I was without a trackball for almost 9 days... Was SOOOOO glad when it arrived...

[Boosted9603]

And you can't clean it? I've had to take my trackball apart many times and clean it with good results.

[raja_3012]

Originally Posted by Boosted9603

And you can't clean it? I've had to take my trackball apart many times and clean it with good results.

If you are a little careful with the device and not use it with oily hands, the frequency of cleaning the trackball will be pretty less.