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Old Visor, New CLIE: how to move data?

Hi folks,

I've just picked up a CLIE (615C), to replace my Visor. I'd like to get all my Visor data onto my new CLIE -- not just the exportable apps like databooks, etc., but everything: all apps, data, and hacks. Any advice? My first attempt was going to be:

1. Install the CLIE palm desktop on top of the handspring desktop
2. Name the CLIE the same as the Visor
3. Set all conduits to "desktop overrides handheld", although I'm not quite sure what to do about the "System" conduit
4. Hotsync

I have a feeling it can't be this easy. Any way to do this that really works? The CLIE manual says specifically that this method doesn't work, and I read somewhere of someone having trouble doing this specifically when Hackmaster is loaded.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

Im considering buying a CLIE myself to replace my still working, but aging VdX and have been looking into this same matter.

Im not sure, but this is what I plan to do to accomplish the task:

Use BackUpBuddy to copy "Everything" off my VdX onto my desktop (it does a damn good job...takes awhile) -- if u dont have it yet, grab the demo from palmgear.

Then, copy the backup folder somewhere else on my harddrive and uninstall the PalmDesktop for my Vdx and then install the Palm Desktop for the CLIE.

Then move the backup folder into the new directory for th CLIE palmdesktop, and install the backupbuddy pc client again for the CLIE palm desktop.

Then set the backupbuddy conduit to "restore" (desktop over-writes handheld) the CLIE.

I "think" that might work...let me know if you try.

Before the final Visor backup, I would disable all Hacks. This way they won't already be "active" on the new handheld, possibly causing problems with the reset that happens after the restore.

I would also delete any HS patches and/or HS specific files that might be in the backup directory. The new PDA might not appreciate them.

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Okay, here's where I am so far. I did the procedure outlined above. I've spent a few hours trying to get things going, and here's what's happened so far:

I replaced the backup folder as we discussed, re-installed backup buddy, changed all the settings, etc., and sync'ed.

So, I had some small problems, and a couple of big problems.

Small problems: Things like wordsmith files didn't come over -- I didn't configure backup buddy to backup. Some things, like my diddlebug drawings, were all screwed up, although I can create a new drawing no problem. Also, the apps like datebook, todo, etc., are not backed up in the "backup" directory -- they're backed up in their own directories. I haven't quite gotten these to load up properly yet (I get an error at hotsync time when I move the files over by hand), but I think I'll crack this one eventually.

Big Problem #1 Now, the first big problem: After I did this, every time I hit the power button, there was an error and I had to do a soft reset. AFter the reset, everything was "fine". But it got old real quick doing a soft reset every time I wanted to turn the machine on, as you might imagine.

Big Problem #2 No problem, right? I'll just do a hard reset to get back to a pristine state, then re-install the Sony Palm desktop and refine the procedure until I get it to work the way I want. But, hard reset doesn't work! It will only do a soft reset!!! I've seen someone else mention this problem, and I'll have to hunt down to see if he ever got an answer. If the thing had replaceable batteries, I could just pull 'em and wait 15 minutes. But with a recharageable, I'm fairly hosed. I sent an email to Sony, I'm waiting to see what they suggest.

Solution to #1 So I spent a couple hours -- I'm sure someone a little more knowledgeable could've knocked this down more quickly -- but I found the problem. AFter countless new installs, I finally went through the backup files very carefully, looking to see if any applications were tied into the handspring hardware. Finally, I spotted "keyboard" -- the Stowaway driver. I removed that, and now I can turn the machine on and off without any problems.

Another minor problem, before I forget, is that some file or other had underscores after it with Handspring, but Sony had no underscores. I kept with the Sony one, and I'll re-create whatever I need to do by hand.

One last note: When you uninstall the handspring palm desktop, it does not remove the directory that's named after your PDA's user name, that contains all the backup directories. This is good, it means you don't have to save the backup directories off to another place. Of course, I suggest throwing a snapshot off onto CD-RW, just in case.


Joe
[email protected] <-- zeroes, not o's, in "heelh00k"

Another, although crude, way of transferring data to a new handheld is to beam it. My wife got a new M125 from work and wanted copies of most of the stuff on my Edge. This included the datebook and address databases.

I couldn't think of a way to hotsync them cleanly so I got a copy of BeamBox. I beamed all the applications and DB she wanted over with no problems. It took a little longer than a hotsunc method, but it worked.

I'll probably do the same thing when I eventually upgrade to a T615 since Handsopring's bailing on us (I've been holding out for a color Edge).

Mike

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To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is
research.

Sheesh, I totally forgot about beaming! Thanks for suggesting it. It's especially good timing because I've about given up on getting the built-in app data over to the CLIE. Simply moving the handspring's backups for the built-ins over to the CLIE directory does not work! Everything else is pretty much working fine now, except for Diddlebug, which it turns out was a known problem. Looks like I'll have to buy BugMe

So, with beambox, is there a way to completely synchronize the calendars, phone list, memos, and todo list? Thanks!

[edit: Oops, re-reading your post, it sounds like you did just that]

Joe

beambox works great. I got all my remaining apps and data over, including the databases for the built-in apps. In fact, if I were to do it over again, I'd do it strictly through beaming, without playing the games with backup buddy. The CLIE now seems to be about ready for prime time. I've been still using my handspring at work, while I've worked on getting things working with the CLIE at home. Next stop, moving to the CLIE at work, too.