by Anthony Roberts

Created on: September 19, 2009

If you're in the market for a used Blackberry mobile device, or perhaps you are experiencing some issues with your existing one, there is a useful hidden feature included in your Blackberry Options menu called the "Self-Test Diagnostics."

To arrive at this hidden feature, follow these easy steps:

- Enter the Options Menu; Go to "Status"; Type the word 'test' (Without the single quotes)

If completed successfully, the Self-Test Diagnostics screen will appear for your review. To begin testing, press the Blackberry button (The button immediately left of the Trackball) and choose "Start".

Select which features of your Blackberry mobile device you wish to test. You can easily 'Select All' by pressing the Blackberry button and choosing the option of the same name. Begin by navigating to 'Run' and submitting.

You will be walked through a series of screens to determine if everything is working as it should.

Keyboard Test:

- Pressing a key will cause it to display on the screen. This includes special keys, and they will display in {} parenthesis. As this is a keyboard test, you will need to push the Trackball in to receive the menu to proceed.

Trackball Test:

- Moving the Trackball in any direction, or pushing it in will display information on your screen confirming its use. As this is a Trackball test, you will need to use the Blackberry button to receive the menu to proceed.

Light Sensor Test:

- The light sensor is located behind or around the LED indicator light on the top-right of your device. Moving your phone around, having the front of it face away or towards light sources, or simply using your finger on top of the LED will show the screen change as it detects light. The light sensor is used on your device to dim or brighten the screen depending on the light in the room to eliminate eye strain.

Keypad Backlight Test:

- Pressing a key will cause the back light behind the QWERTY keyboard to light up.

LED Test:

- Pressing any key will cause the LED indicator light to cycle through three colours: Red, Green, Blue.

LCD Backlight Test:

- Pressing Space will have the screen & keyboard lights toggle on and off.

LCD Pixel Test:

- A good way to determine any dead pixels. Pressing any key will cause the LCD screen to show a solid colour, and another key press will bring you back to the information screen. Eight key presses will cycle you through Red, Blue, Green, and White screens including the menu screens between them.

Vibrator Test:

- Pressing any key will

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