A system permits trail capabilities of upgrade features for a wireless client, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), without intervention of a remote service provider. The software for running a plurality of advanced features is preloaded, in a disabled state, onto the client prior to sale. The first time the user attempts to access the advanced feature a fault condition is triggered since this feature does not theretofore exist. The fault management system initiates a fault recovery routine in attempt to recover from the fault. This routine actually comprises the code that places the preloaded software in an enabled state thus beginning the trial period and allowing the user an opportunity to use and evaluate the advanced feature. Managed objects (MOs) associated with the feature monitors usage of the feature and such that the feature can be disabled when a threshold usage has been reached and the trial period is over.