Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

I just purchased a new Blue Visor Deluxe at Best Buy about a week ago. I installed the newest Handspring update about 2 days after i got it. I do have the DRAM problem, and the update was installed. Since then, its seems like the batteries are draining faster than they did before the update, although i only used it for a few days before installing the update. I just recently installed RunTime, to find out that my batteries are currently at about 2.45 volts. This is after only about 5 days of usage. Is this normal? I'm kind of upset about the dram thing, thinking of calling and getting a new one without the problem, is that wise? Also, is it true that Hotsyncing draws more power than normal usage? I have been syncing my visor tons since i got it, installing programs and stuff. Overall, i love the thing but the rate the batteries are draining worries me. Any help greatly appreciated.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: birmingham, al
Posts: 41

quote:

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Originally posted by ejacobs:
I'm kind of upset about the dram thing, thinking of calling and getting a new one without the problem, is that wise?

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: New Palestine, Indiana
Posts: 70

I was experiencing the same problem after I installed the latest update. I was only getting about a week of use from my batteries. I contacted HS and they sounded like there might be aproblem but didn't give me a sufficient answer. I started removing apps. to see if maybe they might be causing the problem. I removed multiclock and that seemed to extend my power. I'm not a programmer or pretend to know much about these things but that seemed to work for me.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

Well, im taking a vacation on my boat this week, so no point i calling for a new one now. It will be a good time to check on my battery life. I just put in new Duracell Ultras a day ago, they are currently at 2.77 volts after 2 hours and 14 minutes of runtime, with only a little use of the backlite. This seems low. How low can the voltage be for the Visor to still operate? Ill see how things go, probably will wind up getting a new one. I really would rather have one without this bug. Thanks for your help.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

i called handspring, they are sending me a new one.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

I called Handspring the day after I got mine since it had the defective RAM. Got the run around from the Customer Service Rep. Told me about the patch. I already had that installed. I quized him about battery drain and was told that it wasn't an issue. Asked him if the patch would actually solve the RAM issue. Was told "Would fix it 100 percent" Yeah right. I do seem to be having heavy battery drain, but then I've been using it pretty heavy trying to get stuff on it and learning the system. I'll probably call back later and see about getting a replacement. I've got 30 days to return this thing, and I want to see if I'm really going to like it (So far I think it is great. Little anoyed about the DRAM issue).

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

I'd personally be very pissed if I got my visor and it had the DRAM problem and I had to use the patch. I'm almost positive that it runs the batteries down. If Handspring won't send you a new one, I'd start applying 19 volts from my laptop ac adapter to the springboard pins, until the Visor no longer functioned. Then I'd get my free replacement under warranty. Although, there is no telling if the replacement won't have the DRAM problem, but worth a shot.
I wouldn't however tell them something is wrong with the visor and send it back working, because then their just gonna send it out to some poor schmuck that has a broken Visor, and then he'll have the problem.

Both Handspring and Palm have really screwed the customers on this problem as far as I can tell.

-visorholic

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

I have to disagree with Visorholic on this one. I haven't had any experiences with Palm, but i think Handspring is doing a satisfactory job with this problem. When i called and said i had the DRAM problem and bad battery life, they immediatly offered to send me a new one. It somewhat understandable to not want to replace a Visor a day after you bought it, when your not really sure if battery drain is a problem on your Visor. I dont think they should be telling people over the phone that increased battery drain is not a problem with the patch though, they admit it is on their website. I would recommend to anyone with the DRAM issue to try installing the patch and seeing if battery life is a problem for you or not. If it is, and you have tested your battery life sufficiently (you should atleast go through one pair of batteries), give them a call. It is my experience they will be very helpful. They might not be perfect, but in my experience with electronics companies, they are about as good with support as you are going to find.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

Well my second set of batteries lasted 2 days 16 hours. Got like 2 hours of runtime out of them before I got a low battery warning. Haven't been using it heavly really. My first set of batteries lasted 4 days with 9 hours of runtime. I was doing ALOT of syncing and fiddling around. In fact this first set of batteries came out of my cordless mouse so they were slightly used.

It is possible that this second set of batteries were old (Expiration date was 2003), so I'm going to go to the store and get a new set and see how that goes. Right now I think I'm going to return the unit to Amazon and go to CompUSA to buy a new one. Probably drag my current Visor up so I can test the new units before I buy them.

Anyone know of any detailed information on the DRAM problem? From what little I can glean it is a refresh issue. Which sounds to me like low quality or defective memory was used. To fix this, Handspring (And Palm too it seems) issued a patch which up the rate at which the unit refreshes the memory. This would account for the decreased battery life since all the memory is being refreshed. This is just a guess however, and I would like to read more.

BTW anyone have any experiences with CompUSA and their extended warratee? Is it worth the $99? Does it cover screen damage?

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

from what i read about the DRAM issue is that a single batch of 8mb chips got through quality control at the memory manufacturer and were shipped to Palm and Handspring, where they were used in new handhelds. The error checking feature of these chips didnt work properly, which could cause fatal errors. I think the patch just bypasses the on-chip error checking and does it some other way.
I have never used CompUSA's warranty, but i have used Best Buys, and its great. It costs $60 for 3 years for the handspring. I havent had to return to return my Visor to best buy, but i have used warrantys on other stuff. I got a new, high end sony portable cd player, which after a little while was developing a buzzing noise. I think the headphone jack was loose. I didnt think they would replace it, because the problem was barely noticable, but they gave me a full credit and i got a new one.