Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
(Before I start, remember that I'm a tech idiot, so be gentle.)

Here's the story:
1. About a week ago,as I was bending to empty the bathroom wastebasket, my cell phone fell out of my pocket into the toilet. So I need a new phone.
2. I'm thinking of switching my phone number number (and all the rest) from US Cellular to Verizon. (the only two options here)
3. Old phone is Blackberry 8830, new phone...haven't decided but if I go to Verizon am thinking of Droid 3. (Yes, I know, Kevin and others, Sprint has better phones, but I don't get to go Sprint with my zip code. Wahhh!)
4. I took the MicroSD card I had added to my 8830 out and copied all its files to my Mac. All of the copies (primarily Happy photos and nightwish ringtones essentially) transferred fine, so I'm okay there.
5. There's one file I transferred I can't open, so I don't know what it is. It's in a folder called "system" and is named info.mkf. Finder says it is a "Unix Executable file", but I have no idea how to execute it. (unless the water in the toilet bowl already has already managed to execute it in a different way, of course.) So I guess a second question is: can someone tell me what this might be, and is it relevant to my main question?

Which brings me to the main question?
Is there a way to get my address book from the old phone to my new phone (a) if I switch from US Cellular to Verizon; and (b) if I don't switch but just buy a new phone from US Cellular?

Thanks in advance.

Wade

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
13 years ago
If the experts around here can't give you a satisfactory answer you can try the help boards for Verizon and US Cell. Over the years I picked up a lot of info that way.
I always look for a board for my specific model of phone.
I think I google and end up on a Yahoo board.

(Blasphemy I know Kevin. I am saying IF he can't find the assistance he needs here.)

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Zero2Cool
13 years ago
When you get a good HTC android phone with Verizon, the guys there can transfer your information for you.
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Formo
13 years ago
What type of damage was done to the Blackberry? I ask because if it's just a display thing, then most likely the Verizon techs can transfer your address book no problem. But if it just doesn't turn on or something more serious like that.. You might have to start over with your contact list.
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Thanks to TheViking88 for the sig!!
zombieslayer
13 years ago

(Before I start, remember that I'm a tech idiot, so be gentle.)

Here's the story:
1. About a week ago,as I was bending to empty the bathroom wastebasket, my cell phone fell out of my pocket into the toilet. So I need a new phone.
2. I'm thinking of switching my phone number number (and all the rest) from US Cellular to Verizon. (the only two options here)
3. Old phone is Blackberry 8830, new phone...haven't decided but if I go to Verizon am thinking of Droid 3. (Yes, I know, Kevin and others, Sprint has better phones, but I don't get to go Sprint with my zip code. Wahhh!)
4. I took the MicroSD card I had added to my 8830 out and copied all its files to my Mac. All of the copies (primarily Happy photos and nightwish ringtones essentially) transferred fine, so I'm okay there.
5. There's one file I transferred I can't open, so I don't know what it is. It's in a folder called "system" and is named info.mkf. Finder says it is a "Unix Executable file", but I have no idea how to execute it. (unless the water in the toilet bowl already has already managed to execute it in a different way, of course.) So I guess a second question is: can someone tell me what this might be, and is it relevant to my main question?

Which brings me to the main question?
Is there a way to get my address book from the old phone to my new phone (a) if I switch from US Cellular to Verizon; and (b) if I don't switch but just buy a new phone from US Cellular?

Thanks in advance.

Wade

Originally Posted by: Wade 



Wade - I can't answer your question. However, I can tell you how to find out more about that file.

Transfer that file to your Mac. I'm assuming you don't know how to do the following so forgive me if I'm oversimplifying to the point of being condescending. Believe me, that's not my intention.

Put the file on your Desktop. Then open Finder and go to Applications. From Applications go to Utilities. (Most people don't know this but Macs are now Unix). From Utilities, double click Terminal.

You now have a Unix window open.

In that Unix window, type the following:
cd Desktop
file info.mkf

That will tell you exactly what kind of file it really is. It's a lot more accurate than Finder.

Now type the following:
less info.mkf

If it's a bunch of garbage, then it's in computer format, i.e., not human readable. If it's actually human readable, then you can take a guess what it the file really is. To get to the next page in the 'less' program, hit the space bar. To exit 'less', type q to quit.

Now, if the file is in computer format, you can type the following to see if it can give you any clues:
strings info.mkf | less

Once again, hit the space bar to get to the next page and type q to quit.

--

As for phones, I know nothing. I got a phone that's thousands of years old before smart phones existed.


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Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

What type of damage was done to the Blackberry? I ask because if it's just a display thing, then most likely the Verizon techs can transfer your address book no problem. But if it just doesn't turn on or something more serious like that.. You might have to start over with your contact list.

Originally Posted by: Formo 




All that happens is a little red light comes on and blinks three or four times real quick...pauses....then does the same thing over and over.

Will the current provider tech be able to do anything that the verizon tech cant? I guess what I mean is, do I have a tradeoff between (i) staying with USCellular and having better odds of getting the address book back and (ii) going to Verizon and getting a better new phone but more likely to lose the address book. (Also, don't know if this makes a difference or not, but there also is no Verizon store here, so if I go Verizon I either go to WalMart or buy it online and have it sent to me.)


And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

Wade - I can't answer your question. However, I can tell you how to find out more about that file.

Transfer that file to your Mac. I'm assuming you don't know how to do the following so forgive me if I'm oversimplifying to the point of being condescending. Believe me, that's not my intention.

Put the file on your Desktop. Then open Finder and go to Applications. From Applications go to Utilities. (Most people don't know this but Macs are now Unix). From Utilities, double click Terminal.

You now have a Unix window open.

In that Unix window, type the following:
cd Desktop
file info.mkf

That will tell you exactly what kind of file it really is. It's a lot more accurate than Finder.

Now type the following:
less info.mkf

If it's a bunch of garbage, then it's in computer format, i.e., not human readable. If it's actually human readable, then you can take a guess what it the file really is. To get to the next page in the 'less' program, hit the space bar. To exit 'less', type q to quit.

Now, if the file is in computer format, you can type the following to see if it can give you any clues:
strings info.mkf | less

Once again, hit the space bar to get to the next page and type q to quit.

--

As for phones, I know nothing. I got a phone that's thousands of years old before smart phones existed.

Originally Posted by: zombieslayer 



file gave me "data" (nothing else)
less gave me gibberish
entire output for strings info.mkf|less:
)^unn
k<`Q
_`@0ZW
(END)

I definitely gotta learn some of this computer stuff before I die. :)

If I were even a decade younger, I think I'd start over in a tech field. :(


And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Formo
13 years ago

All that happens is a little red light comes on and blinks three or four times real quick...pauses....then does the same thing over and over.

Will the current provider tech be able to do anything that the verizon tech cant? I guess what I mean is, do I have a tradeoff between (i) staying with USCellular and having better odds of getting the address book back and (ii) going to Verizon and getting a better new phone but more likely to lose the address book. (Also, don't know if this makes a difference or not, but there also is no Verizon store here, so if I go Verizon I either go to WalMart or buy it online and have it sent to me.)

Originally Posted by: Wade 



Ouch. How long ago did this happen? If you can, keep the phone near some heat/air flow. Maybe drying it out will help. If you can take the back off, remove the battery, etc. would probably help.

Otherwise it sounds like it may be unavoidable to loss your address book. Check with whomever you think would be able to arrange getting your contact list off the phone. Since you don't have a Verizon store, try your current provider. I haven't the slightest clue if the WalMart phone salespeople would have any idea to recover your address book. You could try talking with them.

But in all honesty, I think you are shafted my d00d.
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