Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 25

One thing that made me unhappy with my visor, other than the easy to scratch screen, was the fact the screen was just streaky. I tried two nostreakhacks and some contrast adjusters. They were useless!

I installed the OS 3.1.1 update from Palm's site.

It makes a noticable improvement on streaking, especially in greyscale stuff and even in b&w mode the screen is more readable.

This does NOT slow down your Visor and isn't coming off mine.

I would consider it a mandantory upgrade and am surprised Handspring isn't offering it on their website.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 57

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Visor OS is NOT upgradeable due to the lack of Flash ROM on Visors.

The elimination of streaks may just be a coincidence....since you didn't actually upgrade to OS at all....

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 42

Just because the Visor does not have a flash ROM does not mean that it is not upgradable. The 3.1.1 upgrade is an OS patch and sits in the RAM, not the ROM (unlike the 3.3 upgrade which does require a flash ROM).

That said, I would be cautious about installing this patch on a Visor. The Visor version of the OS is slightly different than Palms and the patch is intended for Palm brand units, not Handsprings.

However if enough people try the patch and say it worked, maybe I'll give it a try too.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 151

I've had it on my Visor for 2 or 3 months w/ no problems.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 68

I removed the 3.1.1 update that I had on my Palm V when I upgraded to an IDX several months ago. When I did remove it, the problem of duplicate alarms after a hotsync went away. Do you have that problem since you installed the update?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 251

I've used the patch for 4-5 months with no issues.

Handspring's Tech Support says to use the patch, too.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

quote:

---

Originally posted by JJR:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Visor OS is NOT upgradeable due to the lack of Flash ROM on Visors.

The elimination of streaks may just be a coincidence....since you didn't actually upgrade to OS at all....

---

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 195

Isn't the essential issue whether or not the "patch" helps? Back when I was learning about these devices I was concerned about the non-gradeable OS on the Visor, but after reading many user comments decided that the OS upgrade isn't an important issue on PDAs. I became convinced that significant OS upgrades are tied to hardware upgrades so that the fixed OS of the Visor isn't a significant issue.

Is there an objective and noticeable improvement in performance with this patch? If so, is the improvement worth the "risk" of patching the OS and encountering incomptability issues?

It ain't broke - so is there any real reason to "fix" it?

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

I guess the big question is:

What DOES the 3.1.1 update fix?

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 26

I had the same problems as Bismark.

The StreakHacks didn't work, but the streaks are really annoying.

I'll watch this thread to see if someone with negative experiences comes up.

Trinitron

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 42

Well, I went ahead and installed the 3.1.1 patch last night. First off, the patch fixes the following three problems. I took these right off of Palm's website.
1. Reduced streaking
2. Disables scroll up button when alarm is active
3. Corrects 2 internal greyscale palette errors

I never really had a streaking problem, but could faintly see the streaks. The patch does make a visible improvement. As far as the other two problems, I have not tried to confirm them.

So, I guess I will leave the patch on. I have had no problems with it and everything still works.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 68

Fix #2 with the 3.1.1 patch is moot with DateBook+. On the Palm V's, with their case, if an alarm fired and if the up button was depressed (due to storage and pressure on the cover), it would go into application mode and bypass the alarm.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 49

I had the streaking and Handspring kept telling me is was a software issue.

NoStreak Hack finally solved my issue after checking the box "Enable in greyscale mode"

Frustrated with the lack of knowledgeable technical support on Handspring's side, I asked that they replace the Visor - which they did.

I can recreate the issue if I access any of the HackMaster hacks, the streaking returns. A reset clears the streaks.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 3

I installed the 3.1.1 patch and expected to see some improvement in greyscale. I upgraded to the latest version of Avant-go and expected to see the "Babe of the Week" in better grey-scale, but alas, no improvement. Am I doing anything wrong?