by Gail Seymour

Created on: October 31, 2009   Last Updated: February 02, 2010

In common with most modern BlackBerry devices, the BlackBerry Curve has a hidden "self-test" application. This is not to be confused with the diagnostic test found on the BlackBerry button menu, in the Mobile Network section of the Options, which tests the device's network connections.

To access the Self Test from the home screen, press the BlackBerry button to open the Applications menu, then scroll to the Options icon and select Status from the list. The hidden application can then be activated by typing in "test." If you're doing this on a BlackBerry Pearl the test is accessed using the multi tap input system, numerically 21?2.

To configure and start the tests, press the BlackBerry button and choose "Start." You can then select the test options you want to run from:

Keyboard and Trackball

Misc

Handset Audio

Headset Audio

Bluetooth Audio

RF Components

GPS

If you want to test Bluetooth or GPS options, ensure these are switched on, on your device first. Having chosen your options, click on the run button using the trackball. The screen will list the test to be performed, the user input required and the expected output for a successful test.

Keyboard and Trackball

Consists of Keyboard Test and Trackball Test. During the keyboard test, pressing any key will cause that key to display on the screen. When you have finished testing the keys, end the test by pressing the trackball, and you will be prompted to move onto the next test, and asked if the test was successful.

To test the trackball, slide your thumb over the square trackball button in all directions and press and release. Pressing any key during this test will prompt you to end the test and move on.

Misc

The miscellaneous section includes a Light Sensor Test which displays the light detected on screen. Although no user input is required, if you want to test this, hold your hand over the screen or move the device closer to a light source and watch the numbers change.

The keypad back light test turns the keypad back light on after a single key press. If you conduct this test in bright light, you may need to cover the keypad to verify this.

The LED Test cycles the LED light from red to green to blue then off again with successive key presses.

The LCD Backlight Test will toggle the LCD screen and keypad lights on and off, so don't panic when you press the key the first time and your screen goes black. A second key press will bring it back on again.

LCD Pixel Test allows you to check for damaged individual

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