Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

I have a GVD on order with the 8MB Flash module. (I am upgrading from my Palm Pro with the Pager/memory upgrade.) I have two questions about the 8MB flash springboard module. First, will it work well with my favorite mega-app DateBk3/DateBk4? DateBk4 (I am beta testing it) is close to 380k I think. The second question has to do with flash memory in general. Does the Visor have "extra" flash memory like the Palms do that can be utilized via third-party app mover programs?

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 26

The 8 mb flash module has a mover application built in. Once you plug it into the spring board, the mover app. pops up automatically, and it is very easy to use. It either transfers or copies files back and forth from the ram on to the handheld unit to the module.

The flash module is not effective at storing data that must be edited or modified. Consequently, it is not useful for storing your datebook databases, since presumably, you will constantly be adding or editing entries. It does give you a place to hold large files that are read only. I have stored the Peanut Press' King James Version of the New Testiment on it, for example. I have also stored a few game apps there. I have not tried storing avantgo data on it because each time you sync it it rewrites the data and I suspect that this would cause it to crash. Hope this helps.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

I wouldn't want to put my datebook database there (unless it was just a backup). I was primarily interested in feedback from someone that has DateBk3.prc running from the module.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

With your GVD (8 MB by itself) the 380K will be less than 5% of your base memory. I don't think you have to worry about space for prc's!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 239

I have done a lor of testing with my 8MB module, and with different apps that work and don't work with it.

Programs that write to databases cannot write to the Flash module, and subsequently crash when they try. In the AvantGo example, you can sucessfully move the actual AvantGo .prc to the Flash module, but not any of the channel data. When you do, it either crashes or treats you like you just installed for the first time.

THis goes for any other apps. TealDoc itself is quite happy running from the module, but since it writes to the DOC to keep a little bookmark, if you try to read a DOC on the module, it will crash. CSpotRun doesn't write the bookmark, so it reads any DOC, anywhere. MobiBook does not even recognize the module at all, or anything on it.

As to the last question of Daniel's original post, it is my understanding that the Visor does not have the additional Flash memory internally. 8MB is what you get. This has led to the whole OS upgradeability update, but I haven't been a part of that, so you will have to look it up yerself. :P

------------------
Soul Raven - "Sm� hjerne, stor gl�de"
Wherever you go, there you are.

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

I have some additional questions:
<OL TYPE=1>
<LI>If you do a hard reset, is the flash module erased as well?
<LI>If you remove the module, is the memory erased or will it still be there when the module is re-inserted?
<LI>If the answers to the two above questions are "Yes", is there a program like BackupBuddy which will make a backup of the flash module? (I tried the "Backup data and programs in Flash ROM" option, but that only back up the built in apps)
</OL>
Thanks in advance!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 105

1. As I understand a Hard reset will not erase the data since its not part of the actual Visor. If your worried about it why not just remove the module before sticking the pin in?

2. All the data will remain, the only problem I've heard is that when you organize programs that are on the Module under categories in the launche when you take the module out and put it back in all the programs go back to the default main directory.

3. As far as I know nothing will back it up.

------------------
-Matthew Nichols
[email protected]
http://www.extremebleem.cjb.net

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 239

Winchell--

I haven't had to do a hard reset yet (knock on wood), but I can't imagine that it would erase the Springboard. As Matt pointed out, just remove the module first.

No, the data stays there when you pull the module out. Since it is Flash ROM, I would even assume that the data would remain for some time, not being dependant on a constant power source, but I am not all that technical (dang, I KNEW I should have picked up the EE degree). As far as the categories go, the default launcher that comes with the OS works great. If you have an app and categorize it under "Games" or something, pull the Springboard out and re-insert it, the app will still be in the "Games" category. I have tried other launchers (Launcher III, GoBar, and Home), and they do not remember categories. If you move an app to "Games", pull and insert the card, the app is moved back to "Unfiled". Of course, these apps were written before Springboards were even talked about, so maybe in a future version.

I don't know of any programs that will back up the data on the Springboard, but I haven't needed it. The 8MB Flash module had proven very stable (as well as my Backup module, the only other Springboard I have).

------------------
Soul Raven - "Sm� hjerne, stor gl�de"
Wherever you go, there you are.

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Soul Raven:

I don't know of any programs that will back up the data on the Springboard, but I haven't needed it.

---

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: St. Peters, MO, USA
Posts: 11

I just received my 8MB Flash module. (2 days after ordering) I've found that one of my hacks causes the Visor to lock up when moving an item from the module to the Visor. A soft reset caused the module to format. This happens whether the module is in the Visor or out. I tried removing the module when it locked up. When I reinserted the module after the Visor rebooted, it automatically formated the module. Thank goodness for the Backup Module!

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Flash:
I've found that one of my hacks causes the Visor to lock up when moving an item from the module to the Visor. A soft reset caused the module to format. This happens whether the module is in the Visor or out. I tried removing the module when it locked up. When I reinserted the module after the Visor rebooted, it automatically formated the module.

---

Yikes! Which hack was it!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: St. Peters, MO, USA
Posts: 11

I don't know which hack yet. I haven't really wanted to experiment that much!