How I Fixed The Invalid Pointer Issue For A User

25 replies [Last post]

Wed, 03/11/2009 - 17:13

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

This morning/afternoon I contacted one of our customers that was having the Invalid Pointer issue and asked if I could connect remotely to his Desktop.

He allowed me access. Once I was in I ran a few tests to find out exactly where in the code the issue was happening. The exception was thrown after trying to create an instance of the BlackBerry Device Manager COM object which lets me enumerate all attached BlackBerry devices attached over USB. This told me that the COM object was not registered in the system properly.

To fix it I did the following:

1. Disconnect your phone from the PC.

2. Download the BlackBerry USB and Modem Drivers from http://www.tetherberry.com/downloads/Drivers.msi

3. Run that installer and choose remove. If it asks you to reboot, do so.

4. Uninstall TetherBerry on your PC.

5. Delete the folder at C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\USB Drivers.

6. Delete the folder at C:\Program Files\TetherBerry if it exists

7. Run the installer downloaded in 2 to install the USB drivers.

8. Install TetherBerry.

9. Start TetherBerry.

10. You should now see the message to connect your phone to the PC which means it is no longer getting the Invalid Pointer Error.

11. Plug your phone in and start the TetherBerry application on the phone.

12. If your APN settings are correct, you should now be able to surf the web.

Hope this helps

Wed, 03/11/2009 - 20:32

gadgetgurl

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 20 weeks ago

Joined: 03/09/2009

Thank you for this post. I have a Curve 8330 and Storm 9530 I may switch back too (that keyboard is killing me). I can't seem to get the Curve/tetherberry to play nicely together. I will try this when I get home and come back with the results.

It's quite frustrating but I'm geeky so I'll try a few more things.

~GG

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 16:44

pointman0418

Offline

Last seen: 3 years 28 weeks ago

Joined: 03/12/2009

I've followed every step here and still have the pointer problem. Anyone know how to resolve this?

Thanks

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:32

WalterCullop

Offline

Last seen: 2 years 31 weeks ago

Joined: 03/09/2009

It was my computer he took over for hours to get this procedure and it did work for me. I will copy this to somewhere that I can find later if need be. I had done most of that except I didn't run the driver and click remove nor did I delete the Tetherberry folder. It is always possible with an open Architecture like windows that what fixes it on one doesn't on the other. The amount of time he was willing to spend to help one person was well appreciated. I will rank him as a top Canadian gift to America along with IMAX and Shania Twain (we won't talk about Dan Rather, you can have him back).

Thanks again for the work.

Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:12

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

I did try a couple repairs and reboots before doing the remove with the USB and Modem Drivers installer. Could you give that a shot and then restart the above steps?

Thankls

Fri, 03/13/2009 - 13:06

pointman0418

Offline

Last seen: 3 years 28 weeks ago

Joined: 03/12/2009

Yea, I've been restarting and retrying this procedure for hours now...Still can't seem to get it...I can't figure out whats wrong, maybe you can see something I'm doing wrong with remote desktop or something.

Thank You, Mike

Fri, 03/13/2009 - 14:46

gadgetgurl

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 20 weeks ago

Joined: 03/09/2009

I'm sad (and glad) to see I'm not the only having this problem. I was starting to think there was something with me!

Following up to my original post in this thread...no luck. I've tried EVERYTHING I can think of.

I'm preparing to try it on desktop computer instead of my laptop and still no dice.

I did notice something on my Curve 8330, there is no option to change the TCPIP info, not that I need to with Verizon but it just simply isn't there. But it is on my Storm so I will try that phone and see if it works. =(

~GG

Sun, 03/15/2009 - 11:48

gadgetgurl

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 20 weeks ago

Joined: 03/09/2009

Following up:

I switched to the Storm (9530 running .109 on Verizon), fun phone but not practical for my work, it's my weekend phone! Was able to connect on my desktop computer (Windows XP,SP2) no problem at all.

Still could not connect on my laptop (Vaio, Vista 32-bit). I use VZAccess Manager to connect to the web as I have no other options where I live save a 3 year contract for wireless for my desktop only).

Yesterday I had an error with VZAccess Manager and hand to do an uninstall/reinstall. This morning I started TetherBerry out of sheer curiosity and it fired up NO PROBLEM.

The speeds are good and connectivity is not a problem. Not sure if the Verizone software had something to do with it but maybe this will help someone else. I was sooo ready to throw in the towel and request a refund as I didn't try the beta but merel jumped in with both feet on this.

Thanks to the tech support too! The correspondence (didn't solve my issue but I appreciate the responsiveness) was very timely.

Best of luck to those who aren't able to connect yet, it DOES work!

~GG

Sun, 03/15/2009 - 14:28

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

I think your the second one I've heard of solving it this way. Basically uninstalling and re-installing the verizon software.

I did a remote desktop to another machine with the issue and fixed it by uninstalling the BlackBerry Desktop Manager and checking the checkbox question. Once removed I ran the BlackBerry USB and Modem Drivers installer and it worked after that. Just mentioning it in case it helps someone else.

Thu, 03/19/2009 - 20:57

saw8414

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 7 weeks ago

Joined: 03/18/2009

Any advice on trying to fix this error on an HP tx2z with 64-bit Vista?

I've tried this and still can not get it to work.

Fri, 03/20/2009 - 07:21

#10

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

Can you try completely removing your BlackBerry Desktop Manager completely and then only installing the USB and Modem drivers and then try launching the TetherBerry application? It should start up fine after that. However if you re-install the desktop manager the issue seems to come back. I believe there is one version of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager that doesn't properly register the USB COM Object for the BlackBerry devices. You may need to find an older version of the desktop manager if you need it.

Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:01

#11

tray7nj1

Offline

Last seen: 4 years 7 weeks ago

Joined: 03/12/2009

I am unable to open the link for the drivers on my PC. Is there a specific application needed to open it on a 64 bit vista OS.

Wed, 03/25/2009 - 18:59

#12

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

Do you mean your not able to download from the link or you can't run the software that you downloaded from the link?

Thu, 03/26/2009 - 14:42

#13

tray7nj1

Offline

Last seen: 4 years 7 weeks ago

Joined: 03/12/2009

I was able to download the software from the link. I was unable to install the software onto the computer.

Thu, 03/26/2009 - 17:45

#14

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

You tried the setup-x64.exe version?

What error is it reporting?

Thu, 03/26/2009 - 18:11

#15

tray7nj1

Offline

Last seen: 4 years 7 weeks ago

Joined: 03/12/2009

It was the download http://www.tetherberry.com/downloads/Drivers.msi that is the second step in the fix it solution. I was able to download and install the setup-64exe version. When I tried to run the program I received "The invalid pointer" message. I then downloaded the drivers.msi file, and that is what I cannot open.

Tue, 03/31/2009 - 07:24

#16

shankinson

Offline

Last seen: 10 weeks 1 day ago

Joined: 03/01/2009

Can you clear your browser's cache and try downloading it again, or use a different browser to download it. It sounds like your original download was corrupted.

Fri, 05/01/2009 - 21:34

#17

cdkent

Offline

Last seen: 2 years 26 weeks ago

Joined: 04/30/2009

For anyone who may still be getting this error:

I was having the same issue but was able to find a resolution that worked for my PC. I'm using Vista and a Storm 9530. I tried the steps above several times and had no luck. I did the following and TetherBerry is now working fine...give it a shot, may work for you:

1. Uninstall both desktop mgr and tetherberry (check to see if the files mentioned above are in your common files folder, if so delete)

2. Download and install desktop mgr 4.6 from blackberry.com (make sure it is version 4.6 because with every install of 4.7 I would get the dreaded "invalid pointer")

3. After installation I synced my Storm to make sure it and my laptop were playing nice.

4. Install TetherBerry.

5. I tried to connect at this point but TetherBerry could not see the BlackBerry.

6. Run the driver file that you downloaded from the link above. Make sure your BlackBerry is disconnected during the intall/update.

7. During the installation it will say one or more files needs to be updated, just say ok and let it do its thing. (There may be at least one reboot required after the driver install/update...I can't remember).

8. Start TetherBerry. With any luck you will see "BlackBerry not found Please connect it to PC with USB cable"

9. Connect your BB and start TetherBerry.

I hope this helps.
Good luck!! :)

Sun, 10/11/2009 - 19:34

#18

sheapes

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 49 weeks ago

Joined: 10/11/2009

Thanks for this info above.

I accidently installed the DM 4.7 version but for some reason it will not unistall from my pc completely!! I have also downloaded the DM 4.6 version and the pointer issue goes away and when my pc connects it rocks with the software! Only thing is when I reboot my pc the dreaded DM4.7 version shows up again and when I try to uninstall the dam thing it gets about 99% through the uninstall but then locks up and I have to manually shut the pc down. Do you know anyway of getting the dreaded 4.7 version of my system?

Wouild really appreciate your help on that one,
Cheers.

Wed, 06/24/2009 - 20:28

#19

tonya_tko

Offline

Last seen: 3 years 9 weeks ago

Joined: 06/24/2009

I don't know how or WHY it worked... but I followed these instructions and the problem got fixed and I'm IN!

Thnx!

<333

-Tko

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 09:11

#20

zuqadri

Offline

Last seen: 3 years 43 weeks ago

Joined: 07/24/2009

Hi All,

I have followed the instructions but it did not work for me initially.

However it worked when I did the following:

(I am using a BB Bold and I am on the 02 network of Ireland and I have a DELL XPS on Windows 32 Bit)

1. Take the usb cable out of the laptop
2. Uninstall both Blackberry Manager and Tetherberry
3. Restart the laptop 2 times
4. Install ONLY Tetherberry (Blackberry usb drivers will be installed automatically)
5. now start tetherberry on laptop and it should ask you to connect the Blackberry.

Hope it will work for you as it did for me.

Regards,

Qadri

Tue, 07/28/2009 - 18:11

#21

malayola

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 47 weeks ago

Joined: 07/28/2009

well what do you know, Qadri's procedure works, it's hauling a$$.

I'll run test it and if everything a-ok, I'll buy it. it's a shame a missed Crackberry's 50% discount offer... oh boy.

Mauricio

Tue, 07/28/2009 - 17:33

#22

malayola

Offline

Last seen: 1 year 47 weeks ago

Joined: 07/28/2009

whenever I try to install Tetherberry's software, It'll try to re-install DM 4.7 but I'm trying zuqadri's way.

Mauricio

Fri, 10/30/2009 - 21:08

#23

newjackjailer

Offline

Last seen: 3 years 29 weeks ago

Joined: 10/27/2009

I am on the Alltel network with an 8330m (Curve) & 32bit Vista laptop. I was doing great when all the sudden I got the Invalid Pointer error. On the previous fix it wants you to download the drivers. However, if you have not internet connection because you get the error you can't download them. I opened BB Desktop Manager and noticed that it didn't recognize my BB plugged in via USB. Here is how I fixed without an internet connection. Go to My Computer\C:\Users\(your user account)\appdata\roaming\Research In Motion\Blackberry\Desktopinstallerfiles\BlackBerry Desktop Software. When the installer opens chose to repair the installation. When it is done open the BB Desktop Manager, plug your BB back in and bang there it is without having to wait til you get internet again to download the drivers. Hope this helps everyone. Took awhile for me to find it, but it is very simple.

How I Fixed The Invalid Pointer Issue For A User

Product

Our Company

Select your Smartphone

Select your Smartphone

How I Fixed The Invalid Pointer Issue For A User

Product

Our Company

Tether Community

Select your Smartphone

Select your Smartphone