Registered: Jan 2003
Location: orlando
Posts: 2

Weird Visor deluxe problem

I am hoping someone can help me because I am going insane trying to figure out my problem.

My Visor Deluxe suddenly one day wouldn't turn on after having low batteries for a bit. So I replaced the batteries but the power button still wouldn't response. After numerous soft and hard resets I finally got the plam logo screen but thats all it would give me. Finally I left the batteries out for a day to try a hard hard reset...it seemed to work fine..data entered fine...apps worked. Then after 3 days I hotsynced it and the next day it was dead again. I tried this twice and both times after the sync it died. So then I tried doing the same thing and not doing a sync...I turned it on and messed with it a couple times a day and finally one day it again woudln't turn on. Any thoughts?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

I have no idea what is going on with your Visor, but a sort of 'general remedial plan' might be to try something like this...

1. Leave batteries out of the device for a couple days. While the batteries are out, double check all connections for the cradle, batteries, and connectors. (There might be some deposits on your battery connectors or springs- clean this off completely.)

2. Using new batteries (and I mean NEW- different brand and source than yours- you MIGHT have a bad batch of batteries), put them in, double and triple checking the polarity (Some people have reported terrible things after putting a battery in backwards).

3. Try turning the device on. If it responds, great. If not, try a cold reset, then a warm reset (using the up button), then- if needed- a hard reset. Try adjusting the brightness controls during this also- you'll feel terrible if the whole thing was just that the contrast was turned way low.

Note: It is possible that there is a problem with the software or programming glitching you out, so don't do a full restore! Rename your backup files and re-install things one by one. Also try 'dbScan' from Pilimco to clean up any stray alarms, etc.

Question: Is there anything else that might be wrong here? A dropped unit? Have you opened the case and a connection might have slipped? Extreme heat/cold exposure? It is possible that the real problem is only loosely associated with batteries.

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Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

Also make certain that you have not installed a program that adjusts the Automatic Turn Off option to Always On. Your Deluxe could be turning itself on after you are removing it from the cradle and then not turning off.

There is also a setting in DateBook that moves Floating Events at Midnight. If this option is checked, your PDA may be coming on everyone night at Midnight. It should turn off on it's own, provided you found nothing like I mentioned above. I would try and stay up one night until midnight and see what happens.

Oddly enough, a Hard Reset still seems to leave something behind. For instance, when a Hard Reset is performed the date and time are still good. The only way to completely clear the PDA is to remove the batteries and leave them out for half an hour or so. Since you have done this and the PDA seems to work I would suggest creating a new User ID and syncing the PDA to the new ID. Give it a few days and see if your problem exists. This could assist in narrowing down whether or not the problem is software or hardware related.

If the problem is software, then follow madkins advice and install apps one at a time until the problem is found. If hardware related, then your options may be a bit more limited.

Good Luck!

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Jan 2003
Location:
Posts: 1

Visor lock-up

I have the same problem with my Visor Deluxe. It initially started with the batteries going dead very quickly. Bought brand new fresh package of batts. Problem continued. After hard resets and leaving batteries out for a day, it would start-up. It will lock-up anywhere from a hour to a day. It does not seem to eat batteries any more.

I have not reloaded or sync'ed any software. So that eliminates bad/corrupt software. I gave it a good looking over but found no loose connections or dirty contacts.

It is possible that it falls in the catagory of reversed batteries or having been dropped. The kids thought it was a great game console.

I saw a website for cpu boards but don't know if I should go this route or throw it away and buy another.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 2

battery problem

i have had exactly the same problem since last month, my visor seems to be litterally eating batteries overnight, let's say i replace the batteries with fresh alkalines, i get the battery full indicator for 2 or 3 days, then suddenly the visor won't start and will only if i get fresh batteries and do a soft reset.
I am desperate and i have to consider buying a new one.
Hellllpppppp !!!

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 2

problem solved

look at earlier thread... gives info about it.
This problem seems to be affecting all kinds of visors after a certain amount of time. Alas it is hardware stuff...

The backup capacitor fails and eats battery power very fast.
2 solutions , 1 / change the capacitor yourself (see thread to order it)
2/ change the small board with buttons circuitry And capacitor
that should cost around 10 USD... be careful of the kind of visor you are using (you have to open it to know exactly ...)

See the thread...

Personally i will either try to use alternate capacitor or better... buy a new PDA but not handspring for sure....

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

I was having the same problem with my VDx. Bought a Neo on clearance and gave my daughter the Dx, after removing the Springboard Modem I had always kept in it. Strangest thing was without the Springboard cartridge, the batteries seemed to hold fine. Maybe something for you to try if you keep a Springboard card in it...

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 108

The Springport modem does suck down batteries like crazy even when it is not on. You should always keep it out of the unit when not in use.

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Registered: Jan 2003
Location: orlando
Posts: 2

Thanks for all the advice so far but here is the weird thing...when I remove the batteries and leave them out for a while things clear up. However the batteries are not drained because when I put them back in after a couple hours they show the same charge as the last time I looked before it died...says 3/4 or 1/2. So it doesn't appear to be sucking them dry.

When I hot synced last time I didn't reinstall ANYTHING other than addresses and appointments...NONE of software was put back on. The only items on the handheld were the ones that are automatically there when you turn it on the for the first time. It seemed to work like this for about a week including multiple hotsyncs. Then I didn't use it for about 3 days and now nothing. Is there any problem that could be caused my not using it for a while? I really can't afford to replace the visor at the moment nor can I really spend $50 for a repair...

Thanks!

Frank