Hello! I'm sorry to hear about your friend's BlackBerry. Yes, there are other ways to reinstall the BlackBerry OS without using the official BlackBerry Link software. Here are some options:
1. BlackBerry Desktop Manager - This is an older software from BlackBerry that can be used to manage and update BlackBerry devices. It can also be used to reload the device's OS. You can download it from the BlackBerry website.
2. BlackBerry Autoloader - This is a tool provided by BlackBerry to reload the OS on the device. You'll need to download the appropriate autoloader for your friend's specific BlackBerry model and follow the instructions provided by BlackBerry.
3. BlackBerry Recovery Tool - This is another tool provided by BlackBerry that can be used to recover a bricked or non-responsive BlackBerry device. It will wipe all data from the device, so make sure to backup any important data before using this tool.
It's important to note that reloading the OS on a BlackBerry device can be a complex process and should only be attempted by someone with experience or under the guidance of a technician. If your friend is not comfortable doing this on their own, I would recommend taking the device to a qualified technician for assistance.