Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

I am now on my fourth visor deluxe. I don't know what to do next. I have had faulty memory chips, badly streaking screens, power problems, etc. etc. you name it. I decided to keep the last one to see if I could figure out what was happening. At first it seemed fine, but it seems to be getting progressivly worse. I have to hard reset once every couple days (thank gooness for the backup module), soft reset every time I use it for more than 5 minutes, etc.

I've tried everything. At first I thought it might be related to static electricity, so I kept it in a static protective sleeve (one of those ones hard drives come in), I took off the screen protector thinking MAYBE it was causing some type of interference, and I generaly kept it out of high static areas. No progress.

So then I thought maybe it was software. I deactivated hackmaster, deactivated handscape pro, deactivated my security programs, still no luck.

Sometimes I'll just look at the thing and there will be an error on the screen before I even turned it on. Sometimes it will freeze on the soft reset screen and sit there and refresh over and over. Oh yeah - and the batteries only last a few days at most.

Does ANYONE have any ideas what the problem is? The only thing I can think of is that visors are incompatible with some chemical in my body. I mean, does anyone else have any of these problems? Let me list them again: Streaking screen, short battery life, soft resets, hard resets, and fatal errors. Oh yeah, and I've tested it and it's running slower than a palm III (should be at %145, but is only at 95%). I have a backup module and I keep my mostly full.

So I think I mayb just sell this thing off on ebay and go buy a palm iv or something (although, I gotta tell you, I'm pretty stuborn, and I still think visors are better). Well - please, if you have any ideas let me know.

-Nilbog

p.s. sorry if this message was kinda sparatic and didnt make much sense, I havent slept in a long time.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

I just got my fourth one too...though my problems were a bit different.

#1) Just stopped working. Dead.

#2) Loose screen and squeaky case. And then I dropped it. It shattered (My fault) Out $80.

#3) The plastic lip near the springboard had been chipping off for months and I tolereted it. However, recently cracks started forming near the microphone and power switch.

#4) So far so good. (Though I do notice that there is a "MT7" painted in the battery compartment and on the battery lid...anyone know what that means?)

So...it may be just a run of bad luck. (Or it could be a certain software app or hack...anything unusual installed on your machine?)

It'd be interesting to hear who's gone through the most replacement visors so far!



[Edited by homer on 12-07-2000 at 09:58 PM]

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

hmm...mine has "MT9" printed inside. I wonder if these are codes for something internal - like the MT0's are flawless, and the MT9's have at least nine major problems.
Software I'm using:
Handscape pro 1.0.1 (registered)
Sign-on 2.0
hackmaster (with fonthack and afterburner)

Those are the only three that stay running.
I think I'm gonna give handspring a call.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

I would try setting up your VDX from scratch. Empty your backup folder in your palm desktop dir and do a hard reset and start over. Try not installing Hackmaster, Sign On or any kind of launcher program and see how your VDX behaves.

Whatever you do, don't restore from the backup module. There may be a program on it hosing your machine.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Since afterburner messes with the functions of the processor, I'd maybe guess that it may have something to do with the problems...get rid of that and see what happens for a while.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

Well, handspring was kind enough to send me a replacement. And yeah, I think it's a good idea starting from scratch. It'll suck but maybe it's a software thing (although I doubt it). Is there such thing as a virus on these things? I think I got that...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

There supposedly are viruses for the Palm platform. Look in the news here or over on http://www.palminfocenter.com . There's a free scanner you can d/l.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

AARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

I just got my FOURTH replacement this week. THE REPLACEMENT doesn't work!! (It wants to reset itself every three power cycles!)

So, within less than one year, I've had FIVE VISORS! (Granted, I broke one of them...)

I asked if I could upgrade to a new model with the new OS and case (I've had both bad cases and faulty 'guts' it appears). I asked if I could just have my money back.

I was told a supervisor would call back.

Let's see...

This may be the end of Visors for me...

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

let me know what they do...I may get my money back as well....and go buy a palm pilot (ACK!)

I got my 5th today. it has the worst streaking screen yet. I can't believe how crappy handspring's quality control is. Not only have I gotten 5 bad visors, but theyve all had different problems. Oh well...I guess we'll see.

[Edited by Nilbog on 12-09-2000 at 06:22 AM]

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 80

Just as a side note...

For all those people who read the forum thinking about getting a visor. My first visor had a slight problem with inserting and removing modules caused me to need to do a soft reset, I got it replaced and my second one doesnt have any problems, and works wonderfully.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Nilbog:

Well, as suspected, no call back from Handspring Tech Support.

I'm pissed. Ready to get a Palm.

I might have to email Donna again!

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 15

I had the same problem with my Visor DX. Found out it was the bach of bad batteries I had. Now I use the Energizers and no more steaks or continuous reboot or any problems.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

bad batteries? Your kidding! What kind of batteries were you using? I'm using rayovac recharable alkalines. But I dont see how that could have any effect on the proccessing or anything like that...

Hey homer...any news on getting you money back?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 341

You need to hard reset. You need to wipe your backup folder entirely. You need to make sure you have nothing loaded other than the ROM apps. You need to make sure you have FRESH alkaline (NOT Rechargeable alkaline, a la Rayovacs) batteries. If you still have problems I would run to buy a lottery ticket as the probability of getting 5 bad Visors is the same as winning the lottery.

Mike

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Mike:

No, it's not. That's what bugs me. There should be no way people like Nilbog, me, and others should have to go through so many of these things.

And before you ask, yes, I tried new batteries, hard resets, clean installs, blank visor, etc...

So, I'm using my 5th Visor now. It's OK, though it has that annoying squeaky case problem. The supervisor never called back (no surprise there...)

When I get a spare hour at work this week, I'll call in and try to get my money back...this is getting a bit old.

And maybe I'll pick up a lottery ticket anyways...

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

Idea for Homer

Your standards are probably alittle higher than the typical user. I know that I'd never return a Visor if the only problem was a creaky case. For example, my VDX has been that way for a year now; it is a cosmetic deficiency that I can live with. However, since you demand near perfection (and it certainly is your right to do so!), I'd suggest getting your next PDA at a brick & mortar store. That way you can keep opening boxes until you find one that is acceptable. Alternately, if you must purchase via the web or mail order, I'd suggest going with a metal case PDA as these are more likely to meet your standards.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Yucca:

These aren't high standards. What if you bought a new car and the window's didn't quite go all the way up, or the trunk never quite latched, or the muffler always rattled. These are basic engineering issues. Simple to spot and fix before the consumer does.

I took a close look at my 5th replacement today when I noticed a 1/8" gap along the right seem...this visor was obviously opened and never properly put back together. I was able to snap it in place, though that didn't fix the squeaking. I'm living with it, of course (don't want ANOTHER replacement...). But cracks, broken insides, etc...that's uncalled for. What get's me is that a lot of this can be prevented by just having someone look at it and texst before they stick it in a box. My last two replacements had obvious deficiencies right out of the box. Simply quality control measures would prevent this, and, really, save everyone time and money.

And I agree, the next time I get a PDA, I will DEFINITELY get it at a store. I won't go into details on how it took me three months to order my original one through Handspring's web site! I finally had to email CEO Donna to take care of it, which, much to her credit, she did.

As for the metal case, I agree as well that that would take care of some of the problems. Unfortunately, Handspring doesn't seem to want to offer that as an option for those that keep needing to get replacements.

__________________
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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

I don't think it's wrong to expect a "perfect" product. Especially if your dropping $250 on it. I mean, I can understand all the problems if these things cost $50 (which they probably should). But constant crashes, memory problems, screen problems, or even just cosmetic issues should all be things that handspring is fixing. But they're not. Every time I send one back (I'm on my 5th as well) they just send me out the same one some other shmoe sent in last week because of screen problems. Do they even fix it? No, they don't.
Furthermore, when you buy something like this you sould NOT have to use specific battaries, do hard resets, etc. etc.
The whole reason I bought a visor instead of a palm was that it had the backup module, but if I need to be clearing my backup folder, reinstalling apps, etc. all the time, it's not even worth it.
I will give visor credit, though. I think their customer service is very understanding (they know these things are a rip off) and will send you replacements without a fuss.
-nilbog

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 341

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nilbog
I don't think it's wrong to expect a "perfect" product. Especially if your dropping $250 on it. I mean, I can understand all the problems if these things cost $50 (which they probably should). But constant crashes, memory problems, screen problems, or even just cosmetic issues should all be things that handspring is fixing. But they're not. Every time I send one back (I'm on my 5th as well) they just send me out the same one some other shmoe sent in last week because of screen problems. Do they even fix it? No, they don't.
Furthermore, when you buy something like this you sould NOT have to use specific battaries, do hard resets, etc. etc.
The whole reason I bought a visor instead of a palm was that it had the backup module, but if I need to be clearing my backup folder, reinstalling apps, etc. all the time, it's not even worth it.
I will give visor credit, though. I think their customer service is very understanding (they know these things are a rip off) and will send you replacements without a fuss.
-nilbog

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago,Illinois,USA
Posts: 6

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nilbog

Software I'm using:
Handscape pro 1.0.1 (registered)
Sign-on 2.0
hackmaster (with fonthack and afterburner)

Those are the only three that stay running.
I think I'm gonna give handspring a call.

---