It is commonly recommended to do a backup of your data before installing any application on your handheld. To do this, start the BlackBerry Desktop Manager (Figure 1), click on the Backup & Restore button, then following the instructions.

There are two ways to download and install Ascendo DataVault for BlackBerry. The first way is to download a file with a "zip" extension to your PC and use the BlackBerry Desktop Manager to install it from there. The second way is to download the BlackBerry component directly to your handset. To download Ascendo DataVault Desktop and User Guide you will need to use the first method.

If you encounter problems installing DataVault, please look for possible resolutions on the FAQ page http://www.ascendo-inc.com/DataVaultFAQ.html.

2.1 Installation from a Desktop

You can download Ascendo DataVault to your desktop from the links on the DataVault FAQ page: http://www.ascendo-inc.com/DataVaultFAQ.html. When you click on the link, a file with a "zip" extension will be copied to a directory that you choose. You can open this file using a free program called WinZip available at http://www.download.com.

To begin the installation process, start WinZip and open the Ascendo DataVault zip file. WinZip will display the following elements: 

• /BlackBerry/OS4.0/DataVault.alx
• /BlackBerry/OS4.0/DataVault.cod
• /BlackBerry/OS4.1/DataVault.alx
• /BlackBerry/OS4.1/DataVault.cod
• /BlackBerry/OS4.2 and above/DataVault.alx
• /BlackBerry/OS4.2 and above/DataVault.cod
• /Desktop/DataVaultSetup.exe
• /AscendoDataVaultV4BB_UserGuide.PDF

Click on the Extract button and select a directory to copy the files to. 

The version of DataVault that you should install on your BlackBerry depends on the version of the BlackBerry Operating System that you are running on your handset. 

To determine which version of the BlackBerry Operating System is running on your device, go to the  BlackBerry home screen, click on the Options icon and select About to display information about your device. The line starting with "v" refers to the BlackBerry Operating System. For example, "v4.2.79 (Platform 2.3.0.74)" indicates that you are running Version 4.2.79 of the BlackBerry Operating System and should install Ascendo DataVault from the  "/BlackBerry/OS4.2 and above" directory.

If you would like to use Ascendo DataVault on BlackBerry OS Version 3.9 or below, please write to info@ascendo-inc.com.

If you prefer to upgrade your BlackBerry OS in order to use the version of DataVault with the most features, go to your operator's website, then download & install the latest version available for your handset. An up-to-date list of links to operator's web sites can be found at: http://www.blackberryforums.com/rim-software/1871-blackberryos-4-x-download-faq-upgrade-downloads.html 

Now connect your Desktop to your BlackBerry and start the Blackberry Desktop Manager, see Figure 1. 

Click on "Application Loader". A Window will appear with the title "Welcome to the BlackBerry Application Loader". Click on the "Next" button at the bottom of this screen.

The BlackBerry Desktop Manager will retrieve the device configuration and then display a Window titled "Device Application Selection".

Now Click on the "Add" button and Browse to the directory in which you extracted the Ascendo DataVault files. Select the appropriate file with an ALX extension. The application will appear in the list and the word "Install" will appear in the column labeled "Action". Click on "Next" then "Finish" to complete the installation process. 

2.2 Over-the-air Installation

An alternative method to installing from your desktop is to use the "DataVault Loader" to install DataVault directly to your BlackBerry.

To install the DataVault Loader, start your BlackBerry browser, select "Go To..." from the screen menu, type the appropriate link found on our FAQ page http://www.ascendo-inc.com/DataVaultFAQ.html and click on the return key. You will be prompted to download DataVault Loader. If you click on the Ok button, DataVault Loader will download and install itself on your handset. You will then be prompted to run DataVault Loader. If you click on the Run button, DataVault Loader will determine the version of the BlackBerry OS running on your device, then download and install the best version of DataVault over-the-air (OTA).

On-device application catalogs such as Handango Inhand or Handmark Pocket Express also use OTA to install Ascendo DataVault.

Some online application catalogs will send you a text message (SMS) if you choose to install directly to your BlackBerry. After opening the message on your BlackBerry, use the track wheel to move the cursor to the link. When the cursor is over the link it should be highlighted. Now click on the track wheel or track ball and select "Get Link". The browser will download the software directly to your device and install it.

2.3 Upgrading from a Previous Version

You can upgrade from previous versions using the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

To upgrade, download the newer version to your Desktop, then copy the files with extensions ALX and COD to the same directory in which you stored the previous version. Choose "Yes" when asked if you want to overwrite the existing files.

Now start the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. You should see a pop-up window that says "Updated versions of the applications listed below are available for your handheld.", see Figure 2. Ascendo DataVault should appear in the list. Click on the Update Now button and you will see a list of applications with the word "Upgrade" appearing in the Action column next to DataVault. Click on the Next button to begin the upgrade process.

If you are not prompted to Update Now, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the new version of Ascendo DataVault. Please make a copy of your data using the Backup feature and then Restore your data after installing the new version.

2.4 Installing DataVault on your Desktop

To install Ascendo DataVault on your PC, download and extract the ZIP file as described above. Click on the file named "DataVault Setup.exe" and follow the directions.