Minnesota Star Tribune

When a sync fails with 1,800 contacts at risk

By Steve Alexander

July 13, 2010 at 10:07PM

Q My cell-phone provider says there's corrupted data in one of my BlackBerry contact list entries that is not allowing the phone to sync with my PC.

With more than 1,800 contact list entries that I need to sync between the two, I don't know where to start looking for a solution.

It started with an error message I got while attempting to sync my BlackBerry 8320 series phone with my PC, which runs the 64-bit version of Windows 7.

The error message says "unable to read application data" because the program is "processing device address book." The problem always occurs on file number 1783.

How can I fix this?

SAM FADEL, MIAMI

A BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion has agreed to help you by providing personal technical assistance.

RIM has determined that your problem is not a compatibility issue between the Blackberry software and Windows 7, said spokeswoman Rachel Colley. She suggested downloading the latest version of the Blackberry Desktop Manager software at tinyurl.com/y89xotk, because that "will solve issues with contact corruption for many people who are running older versions."

You did that, and said it didn't solve the problem.

Colley also suggested downloading some diagnostic software at tinyurl.com/23fwwpl, which you did. That software will create a log of your phone's activities so that a RIM technician can review it online to find a solution.

Colley will be in touch with you shortly to set up a free technical support call. Keep me posted on how it goes.

Q My Windows XP computer recently got a virus and crashed. After having it repaired, I discovered that a program I depended on, Print Shop Deluxe, wouldn't function because its "print wizard" didn't work.

Because I publish a newsletter and had a deadline approaching, I installed Print Shop on my wife's PC and manually entered all the names and addresses.

What can I do to get the "print wizard" in Print Shop Deluxe working on my computer again? Can I move the installed program from my wife's PC to mine?

BOB BUFFINGTON

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.

A You can't move an installed program from one computer to another. Instead, you should reinstall Print Shop Deluxe on your PC. That should make the program's "print wizard" work by replacing files accidentally deleted during your PC repairs. You'll need to enter the names and addresses again, and restore any customized settings.

E-mail tech questions to steve.j.alexander @gmail.com, or write to Tech Q&A, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488-0002. Include name, city and telephone number.