Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 120

Now this is TRUELY wrong. Had my Prism two weeks, during which it has performed flawlessly. Eventually went to Handspring site to register and determine if I really even NEEDED the update. Like I said Grafitti ws flawless. Perfect. It's the first thing I checked with some anxiety (since there have been early complaints that Prisms had problems.) Anyway, without update, my Grafitti worked perfectly. So, I wondered if the update was necessary? Apparently, it was; guess there's more than just a fix for Grafitti problems. So, I upgraded and confirmed the update. And Graffiti has fellen to pure hell. It is absolutely abysmal now! I have tried soft and hard resets, digitizer, etc. (Have owned Palm units for three years. I can SMOKE using Graffiti.) So, to the group: Does this make sense?? Any idea what to do??

[Edited by sanchan on 01-19-2001 at 04:21 PM]

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I too believe my Grafiti suffered more after the patch while before it worked 100%. I don't blieve it suffered as much as yours though. Perhaps Handspring solved the problem on newer models already?

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

If a hard reset didn't fix it it can't be software related. Send it in, I haven't heard any complaints of poor replacements recently.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 120

Dick, quick question:
If I perform a hard reset, but then use my backup module to restore data, won't that have the effect of reinstalling the upgrade as well? I realize it's just an assumption (that the upgrade is the source of the problem, but, man it showed up almost immediately after the upgrade.) Well, just asking, but, my concern is that the upgrade is well established on both my backup module and, of course, my desktop. (Now, remember, I'm a bit illiterate about backing up data. I mean, is the update part of the hotsync process? Maybe not?) Thanks for your help. As I work with it I'll post results here.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 52

1.1 and the backup module

Hi Sanchan.

If you are using the backup module, because the patch is loaded into RAM, not flash, you are backing it up. So, everytime you restore, you're restoring the patch.

What you need to do is delete the patch on the Visor, then backup, then wipe the memory, then restore from the module.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 120

Okay, huge moment here, folks. And, Handspring YOU NEED TO READ! I followed Dsarov's and Dick's advice: Performed total hard reset. (Dsarov (sp?) I was lucky enough to have avoided performing a backup on the module after installing the update, so, I followed Dick's recommendation: Total hard reset. THEN I used the backup module to restore everything RIGHT up to almost the moment in installed the updater. Result: I now have a restored Prism, works PERFECTLY, and WITHOUT the update (I checked the version; I'm back to V3.5.2 sans update. And, yep, Grafitti is back to near perfect!
Thank you both. But, Handspring, this is a glitch that needs looking into. Bottom line (unless mine is the only one) your V1.1 update screwed my Grafitti recognition to hell. Restoring the handheld returned it to near perfect Grafitt recognition.
Now, when you consider that the V1.1's purpose was to upgrade Grafitti recogtnition on earlier Prism's, we gotta ask: huh?

Side note: Inside my module compartment I note a small felt-tip indellible ink blotch. This is a brand new Prism. Did I get a refurbish? Is that what the ink blot is?
Anyway, Prism owners take note, for what it's worth, there is at least one brand new Prism, without the V1.1 update that (sorry to report) performed TERRIBLY, AFTER the update was installed. Update removed, works perfectly.)

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

All of my Prism's I have had had that black "ink-blotch". Two are from Amazon & two are from Handspring (So presumably refurbished, I know at least one is).

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Glad you got it figured out sanchan, although I'd call handspring directly to let them know. Mine has the ink blot as well, and I know it was brand-slappin' new. I think the marks are part of the Handspring lottery. If your visor has a mark there's a large denomination bill tucked away inside. Just a way for Handspring to say, "Thanks for supporting us from the beginning." Nice gesture, really.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 120

Gee thanks, Dick. I tore my Prism apart and guess what? NO LARGE DENOMINATION BILLS. Heh heh. No that was funny! I'm going to follow your advice and call handspring and advise. We are now about 20+ hours having REMOVED the update and Prism still receives Grafitti input like a dream. Weird.

Interesting side note (I seem to do this a lot, don't I...) The actual problem after the update (patch?) was this: Any kind of stroke, either to make a space or, in my case, vertical to turn off and lokc the Prism, was interpreted as a single tap, for punctuation. Stroke up, from writing area past screen area, I get the punctuation signal. Or nothing at all. In fact, it usually nothing at all. Open a lengthy memo and stroke horizontally (to get to the end of the memo page) and, again, nothing or the punctuation designator. VERY FRUSTRATING. Is it possible, that in Handspring's attempt to "fix" Graffiti problems on earlier Prisms they designed the update to make the Graffiti area more "sensitive" such that even a stroke horizontal or vertical reads the initial contact and immediately assigns the punctuation instead of the intended stroke? This make sense? I mean, I stroke and got either nothing or a punctuation indicator. Seems the update is perfect for Prisms which lack the sensitivity to read strokes (whatever the character may be) but DESTROYS the Grafitti ability on Prisms in which handwriting recognition is already perfect.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

It was just speculation. I sure didn't want to void my warranty to find out!

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Posts: 50

Updater Helped Me!

I got my Prism a week ago and noticed right away that the Graffiti didn't work as well as it had on my Visor Deluxe. It just seemed to not notice my input at times. When I did the update it worked perfectly.
I did notice that after I did the upgrade, Graffiti was more sensitive. So I don't have to apply anywhere near as much pressure to get it to work.
I wonder if this increase sensitivity of the Graffiti area is what is giving you guys problems.

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Richard Grogan
Email: <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]?subject=VisorCentral">[email protected]</A>
Homepage: <A HREF="http://www.azstarnet.com/~rgrogan/official.htm">http://www.azstarnet.com/~rgrogan/official.htm</A>