[aiharkness]

Sounds to me like the computer sees the device. I don't have an explanation for why Blend can connect but Link cannot. There are many, many threads on this at the support forums at BlackBerry.com. If you haven't been searching there, that's what I would do, and look at solved threads first.

The only other thing I know to do is take a close look at your firewall and any security software.

As far as other solutions, there are various apps on BlackBerry World. I don't have anything to recommend. But pay attention to what the app backs up (or doesn't back up). There may be an app that backs up everything, but some do not.