Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 26

Background: Today, I realized that you don't need a modem (or money)to subscribe to AvantGo. Great!! So, I usubscribed. While trying to synch with the new software, I got all messed up because I did not have enough memory on my puny (and I regret the purchase) 2MB Visor. After deleting a number of applications that I decided I could live without, I still didn't have enough memory. So, while still on line, I went running out to the store and finally took the dive and bought the 8MB flash module. Then, after moving a number of files and databases to the module, the
synch with AvantGo went fine.

Now that I have some stuff on the module, some programs no longer run without crashing. Fireviewer and Diddlebug are hopelessly non-functional on the module. But, I don't have space on the internal memory to reload them back. 4T Medical runs perfectly from the module. It was my
understanding that programs could run from the module. Sooooooo......

Questions: What am I doing wrong? What can I do to make this right? What's the point of the module if it doesn't fully act as an additional memory-resident add-on? What's the point of of having a 10MB Visor, when only 2MB are available? This is making me really angry. I just spent
$80+ (overprices, IMO) and I'm a tad pissed.

And, as an aside, why does TealPad keep crashing, when the rest of TealTools works great?

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Di
http://loveyourmother.homestead.com
http://www.pbase.com/di

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

Basically, you can't write to a database in Flash memory, so the only things that run comfortably in Flash are applications which write to databases resident in RAM, or static databases like dictionaries.

Or, in other words, some applications will work, while others will not.

It is a problem, and it's probably the biggest reason that most people around here recommend getting an 8-meg Visor.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Di
It was my understanding that programs could run from the module. Sooooooo......

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 26

So, if I understand what you guys are saying is that I should move the apps to the module, leaving the databases in the the 2mb unit, for the most part. Also, if I move AvantGo to the module, I won't have any problems synching and viewing the channels I selected? I suppose this is a good thing because it's the data that needs the backing up, with the backup module, and not the applications.

I still feel cheated. I feel that Handspring didn't fully disclose the limitations of the 2mb with the flash module. I actually chose the 2mb "knowing" that it could be upgraded to a 10mb unit when I needed it. But in reality, that's only partially true. In reality, it's a limited functioning 10mb unit. And, I didn't go into the purchase totally blind. I really thought I did my research. I guess only a fully knowledgable computer tech would have known that. Most users are not tekkies. I'm fairly knowledgabe, but I ain't no tekkie.

So MarkEngle, do you think that I, as a dissatified consumer, could send my unit back and trade it in, at full value, for the 8mb deluxe model? I would think that that is the least that Handspring should offer me. I've only had the thing for about one month. It's still perfect.

Damned, I feel cheated........

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Di
http://loveyourmother.homestead.com
http://www.pbase.com/di

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

quote:

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Originally posted by Di
do you think that I, as a dissatified consumer, could send my unit back and trade it in, at full value, for the 8mb deluxe model? I would think that that is the least that Handspring should offer me. I've only had the thing for about one month. It's still perfect.

Damned, I feel cheated........

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__________________
Jeff

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by PDAENVY

quote:

---

Originally posted by Di
do you think that I, as a dissatified consumer, could send my unit back and trade it in, at full value, for the 8mb deluxe model? I would think that that is the least that Handspring should offer me. I've only had the thing for about one month. It's still perfect.

Damned, I feel cheated........

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From the Handspring website:

quote:

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Return Policy
We offer a full credit policy for products bought directly from Handspring -- as long
as it's within 30 days from shipment and the product is in good condition. Please
don't send the unit back until you've contacted our CustomerCare Center at 1 (888)
565-9393 anytime. If you are requesting a credit, please have your credit card
available.

---

If you're within 30 days, you should be fine. Also where did you buy the flash module? Most of the superstores have no-questions-asked returns for 30 days. Try that too.

Good luck.

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Do files get embarrassed when they get unzipped?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 26

Thanks, all. I am going to try and exchange the Visor for a deluxe. I may just keep the module and pay them the difference, if they are willing to accept that. I bought the Visor at amazon.com, so I hope that won't be a problem. Also, I bought the module at the local Staple's. I don't think this is either of those stores' problem. It's clearly a Handspring problem. Not to mention, my problem as well. I just don't have the disposable income to be screwing around with this stuff, and just writing it all off as a loss.

I just wish that Handspring would have been upfront about the limitations of the module when they sing their praises about their product. It doesn't seem fair to me, and it really borders (if not crossing the line) on deceptive advertising. I felt that Handspring was better than that. I still hope they are. I think I'm more disappointed, than anything else.

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Di
http://loveyourmother.homestead.com
http://www.pbase.com/di

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 26

As a follow-up to my last post, I just contacted amazon.com. The woman was wonderful, very helpful. She is going to contact their electronics department in Seattle, explain the problem, and she said that even though I have gone beyond their 30-day policy (the Visor was shipped to me on Aug.28th), they will most likely extend that and allow me to exchange it for the deluxe.

I am still disappointed. And, I still believe Handspring was not forthcoming in the limitations of the 2mb unit. And, I think that sucks.

Thumbs UP: Amazon.com
Thumbs DOWN: Handspring

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Di
http://loveyourmother.homestead.com
http://www.pbase.com/di

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

Good for you. I hope you can get the exchange.

I bought my Visor 2MB in January and 8MB flash module in March. This combination was OK for a few months until I got tired of spliting documents. The problem is that I can not put any document larger than 2MB to the flash module. I had to split big documents (such as Bible or novels) into small documents to sync to my Visor and then move to the flash module. I was hoping HandSpring will provide a direct sync solution to the flash module.

Anyway, I upgraded my Visor 2MB to 8MB last week ($89.95 from STNE). Now I have 16MB in total, I can put anything (almost) I want to my Visor.

If you can't get the exchange, upgrade maybe an option for you.

Luke

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 26

*WARNING* - PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS TO BE A FLAME. IT IS NOT. THANK YOU.

Not to sound like a bastard, but how much did you research the Visor and the 8mb Module before deciding on the 2mb Visor?

I have at best a rudimentary understanding of how ROM, RAM, Flash ROM, Flash RAM, et al. work, but I still understood enough to figure out what could reside on the Module and what couldn't.

Data which is modified cannot be modified while on the Module; that's pretty easy to understand, right?

I will be the first to agree that not every program runs properly while on the Module: Why does iSilo run fine with documents on both the Visor and the module, but Fireviewer does not? That's not a Handspring problem; it's a problem with the software programmers. FileMover is incompatible with TrapWeaver. PeanutReader likes to run from the Visor, with its bookmarks and extraneous files on the Visor, but the documents can go on the Module. Same with iSilo. AvantGo channels must stay on the Visor, as they are modified every time you sync with AvantGo. Many apps have no database to write to; they'll usually run fine on the Module. Some (like FireViewer) simply refuse.

It sounds to me that you want Handspring to pay for your mistake, and rarely do I side with a big business rather than a consumer, but I don't think it's Handspring's fault you bought something which doesn't meet your expectations. I did most of my research on Handspring's web site and found enough information to deduce what I needed to do to get the most out of my Visor, and later, the 8mb Module.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

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Originally posted by JEBaldwin
{...}Data which is modified cannot be modified while on the Module; that's pretty easy to understand, right?

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

I would also recomend http://www.STNEcorp.com for the upgrade. Quick turn around and a good price. A problem I had was when I damaged my Visor, Handspring would not send me a 8 meg replacement. (as I wouldnt expect them to) I had to swap memory boards when they sent a 2 Meg. Good luck with the exchange. John

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My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 26

Well, hell's bells!!!! I guess I didn't do my research into the limitations of the module deep enough, did I? Thank you guys for pointing that out to me. But, having said that, I reiterate my disappointment in, yes, Handspring. The fact that they tout the Visor as "infinitely" upgrade-able, yet leave out the minor detail that such upgrade is limited, and mention it in the small print is, as I have already stated, very close to deceptive advertising. Admittedly, I am no tekkie, and this was a lesson from the school of hard knocks, so to speak.

But, moving right along...... I called amazon.com and they are granting me the minor extension beyond the 30-day return policy to return the Visor for a full refund. Actually, all I wanted was to exchange the item. But that's ok by me. I will purchase the deluxe model. I still like the Visor over the Palm for a number of reasons (USB, backup module, etc.). And, in the 40, give or take, days that I've had the PDA, I have become hopelessly hooked. Oh no!!!!! Another addiction..........
Waaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

As others have pointed out to me, there is no such thing as too much memory. Thank you all for your replies to my irate posts. I think I'll stick around here. I like it here, and obviously I've got a lot to learn.

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Di
http://loveyourmother.homestead.com
http://www.pbase.com/di

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

quote:

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Originally posted by Di
Well, hell's bells!!!! I guess I didn't do my research into the limitations of the module deep enough, did I?

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 26

Like I said in my original post, I didn't intend to sound rude. I got my Visor Deluxe in December (my first PDA), and the learning curve isn't exactly a gentle slope. Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 26

Well, you did step a bit hard, but nothing's broken. :-) Time to move on. And yes, the learning curve is a lot steeper than what you get upon first impression. Thanks for your input.

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Di
http://loveyourmother.homestead.com
http://www.pbase.com/di