How Do I Put Music On My BB?

[stevetaz]

How Do I Transfer Music To My BlackBerry From My PC?

There are actually several ways to accomplish the same thing. I will try to hit on each. Keep a few things in mind:
1) I use a PC, not a Mac. I will be mentioning several instructions that I believe apply to Macs and PCs, but I would appreciate it if Mac users would correct me so the instructions will be proper.
2) You must have an SD Micro card installed/available to follow the guidelines. I do not try to store music in device memory as my BB (8830) couldn’t handle it.
3) iTunes DRM music will not play on your BB. I believe the same is true of any MP3 Player. However, you can get around this in several legal ways. The most common is to burn to a back-up CD in the MP3 format and move them back into iTunes keeping the MP3 format. You can easily research several other methods available through the web. DO NOT VIOLATE Copyright LAWS.
4) These instructions can also apply to moving other media files such as pictures, videos, ringtones, etc. You just have to place them in the appropriate subfolder for the BB to find them.

I am a creature of habit and I prefer using methods I have used previously that work. That doesn’t mean there aren’t better ways. It just means I am a stubborn old fool who takes time to adapt….

Direct Transfer To The Media Card
This method is a fast way to move large amounts of files (songs). The instructions also assume the Media Card has already been installed to your BB and has the appropriate subfolders in place: Music, Video, Ringtones, Pictures, System, etc. You will need a Media Card, a Card Reader installed on the PC, (or a built-in one), an adapter to fit your Media Card to the Card Reader and your tunes on the PC…
1) Insert the Media Card into the Card Reader that is connected to your PC (or Mac?)
2) Open either My Computer or Windows Explorer and navigate to the Media Card. (not sure about Mac, but there must be something similar)
3) Open a second instance of My Computer or Windows Explorer and navigate to the music (or whatever) you want to transfer.
4) Highlight the file(s) you want to transfer and Drag and Drop into the Media Card MUSIC subfolder (or the appropriate subfolder for the media you are transferring).
5) When finished, pop the Media Card into your BB and you should be able to rock…..

Transfer To The Media Card While Installed In The BB Device
This is another pretty easy way to transfer multiple files. The BB Media Card will be “seen” by the PC (and Mac) as a Removable Drive and you can essentially follow the same Drag and Drop instructions above, steps 2-4.

For this method you will need the USB cable that should have come with your BB. You also have to make sure that the card is set for Mass Storage Mode Support ON, which should be a prompt that you see when you plug in the device using the USB cable for the first time. You can turn it on if it is not by going to Options > Media Card > Mass Storage Mode Support > ON. Also check to be sure Media Card Support is set to ON and Auto Enable Mass Storage Mode When Connected is set to YES. Then you won’t have to think about it the next time you plug it in. Bold and Storm Only: Media Transfer Protocol set to ON.

Special Note: Make sure that when you plug in the USB cable to the PC that you use a USB port on the back or the front of the PC (close to the motherboard). BBs generally don’t like keyboard or monitor USB ports and they definitely don’t like USB Hub connections.

Transfer To The Media Card Using BB Media Manager
Yet another method that requires you to use the USB cable. You must also have a recent copy of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed on your PC (NOT for Mac….Yet).

Open the Blackberry Desktop Manager software, choose the Media Manager option, and you'll see a Windows Explorer-ish interface, which will show your computer and the BB in the same interface, one on the top and one on the bottom allowing you to select the files you want to transfer and drop into the BB (or vice-versa).

Sending and Receiving Songs (or files) Via BlueTooth or by EMail
This can be done, but you are limited to individual songs (or files) so I won’t be covering these.

I hope this is of help to fellow EB members. Please let me know if you find errors or if anything needs updating.