Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

Ok, this may be a dumb question, but I'm a little confused. When the Visor/Visor DLX reports available memory in the Info screen, that's DRAM we're talking about, i.e. volatile.

How does the Visor (or Palm for that matter) shut down? I'm thinking that the hard key power button doesn't actually shut the unit off, or you'd lose all your apps and data, right? Same with soft and hard resets too, I guess.

So the question is, how long does one have when you remove the AAA batteries during replacement before the unit loses everything? Also, it would be unwise to short the battery terminal leads during replacement.

Am I wrong?

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Ruprect
So the question is, how long does one have when you remove the AAA batteries during replacement before the unit loses everything? Also, it would be unwise to short the battery terminal leads during replacement.

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The Visor doesn't really shut off completely.. it basically goes to sleep when it's powered off manually or by the auto-off feature. I believe the OS refreshes the RAM approximately once per minute to keep the data safe.

According to Handspring, the official answer is on time for battery changes is approximately one minute. In reality, it all depends... there's a capacitor that stores residual power to keep the memory "alive" during a battery change. The length of time this supplies power is completely variable from one unit to another. As for shorting the terminals, it would be just like any other electronic gizmo... probably not a good idea .

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 99

I heard someware that you could leave your Palm batt-less for up to 15 min before its totaly dead.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

The most I went for without betteries in my Visor was about 20 minutes while I ran around the house frantically looking for AAA battereies. All of my data was there, but I decided that it was time to get a back-up module before I did that again.

BEN

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

quote:

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Originally posted by chrisfoster
I heard someware that you could leave your Palm batt-less for up to 15 min before its totaly dead.

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 41

battery change time and backup module

I always have two batteries out of the package ready to install before opening the battery compartment. BUT, I came across a backup module at Staples for $19.00 and bought it on the spot. It is amazing the piece of mind that affords me! That is the true difference between the palm and visor.

Go Visor!

mattr

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Streamwood, IL USA
Posts: 118

FYI

FYI -- "Dead" batteries can be left in the Visor for quite a while as you search frantically for a replacement set. You can get a few hours of "stand-by" with batteries that do not have enough juice left to power the unit fully. Just don;t turn it on until you replace the batteries.

Also remember that the capacitor that stores the power until the batteries is replaced can be "indercharged" if you do this technique. Change'em quick! :-)