Registered: Jan 2003
Location:
Posts: 4

help - get me off this thing!

my VDX with OS 3.1H w/ can synch on neither Palm Desktop 4.0.1 on XP @ work nor (previous?) Desktop version on 98 @ home. I am not sure if it is a software problem, or the small fracture in the face casing, or the Seiko ThumBoard I've been using.

at any rate, my short foray w/in this excellent forum has shown me that I cannot try to sync/backup via IR, since I didn't install BeamSync beforehand; and now my batteries are running low!

I know I can replace them w/o probable loss of data, but until I figure out the next step: whether to buy a new Visor, switch to Palm, dump this whole PDA thing altogether (this will be my third in as many years), what should I do?!

any/every suggestion welcome; e.g./esp. does anyone know of service providers in the metro NYC area?
read further if you like - thx!

timeline/background:

� May 2002 bought reconditioned VDx from Handspring.

� 8 mos. ago started to use a gray neoprene armor knockoff case, off and on with my black/blue ThumBoard nylon cushy. the rubber case flexs and the VDx must be squeezed into the corners of it to install (has no hole for sync cable & IR window is in Palm location, plus I remove it when using the ThmBd)

� 3 wks. ago saw a small screw loose inside the case. it was 1 of the 2 screws at the back of the bottom holding the case together. in my attempt to screw it back together, I found what could be a stress fracture (or an impact fracture gone worse) in the face of the casing running from the back of the ribbing to the power button.

� last week it wouldn't sync @ work, thought it was an XP thing (we just started using it Jan 2); went home & it wouldn't sync there either.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

Depends

If money affordability isn't a problem, I would recommend the Palm Tungsten TT. I got one (huge spending splurge took over my body) in December and I love it.

However, the easiest thing to do would most likely be to try to find a used VDX and use the same User Name.

Also, are you sure it's not the Hot Sync software?

Good luck,
Kelley

P.S. Your last option is no option at all!!

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

Hmm, three PDAs in as many years seems pretty normal to me.

The Sony's are nice. Still have & use my T615. However, I just picked up a Zaurus 5500, and must admit I'm liking it. It's got dual card slots (SD/MMC and CF), built-in mic and headphone jack, and a built-in keyboard. The Linux core means that not only can you multitask programs, but you can pop in an 802.11b CF card and start start surfing the net (or download/check email, or install new software packages without synching).

There's all kinds of software out there for the Zaurus, including an entirely new OS/Windowing system called OpenZaurus (which I'm now playing with ) depending on how adventurous you're willing to get. Beyond that, anything you can find for the Palm you can probably find for the Zaurus.

Just another opinion/option.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Sounds like you've got a bad button board. The hotsync connector is part of it, and if your Seiko thumbboard was as tight a fit as my wife's (formerly my) Stowaway was, it probably came loose over time. Considering that your case is cracking as well (fairly common with the translucent cases), you may want to consider the option of getting a graphite case and a button board from gethightech.com. That's what I did with hers since it was a cheaper option than any PDA at that time (and it was still adequate for her use).

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

If you don't have anything invested in Springboards, there shoudln't be much point in another Visor at this late date... but...

The Palm m1xx are coyote ugly.

The Sony Clies are like the anti-energiser-bunny.

The m500 or the Visor Pro look like the pick of the crop.

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Registered: Jan 2003
Location:
Posts: 4

thanx for all the ideas, but...

...I guess I'm s.o.l. on downloading info off this one, huh?
no IR/cable sync between Visors, eh? since I've got one w/ a broken glass face and lots of parts to sync to / fix others with
(thx K. and Toby for reminding me to go find them)

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: thanx for all the ideas, but...

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrownEyes
...I guess I'm s.o.l. on downloading info off this one, huh?
no IR/cable sync between Visors, eh? since I've got one w/ a broken glass face and lots of parts to sync to / fix others with
(thx K. and Toby for reminding me to go find them)

---

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

Yep, I would definitely avoid trying to beam everything...


of course, I now have my own tale of woe, as my beloved Tungsten TT wouldn't turn on this morning and after much soft/double soft resetting, it finally came on and said the battery was low, which is a lie...

I'm still trying to get it working, but am about to give up and call Palm. I have looked on other sites for info about this occurring with TT's, but haven't found anything

Sorry, BrownEyes, to kidnap your thread. You can have it back now...

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

Well, you actually have a TON of options here!

1. Try to make sure it is not a software issue by reinstalling the Palm Desktop on one computer. Use an older version off the install CD if possible.

2. You can try to rebuild your PDA with parts (button board and case) from Gethightech.com, but you will end up with a device that you have sank money into that could have another failure any second.

3. If you have a lot of modules and accessories, you can try a Neo or Pro- newer/faster OS and more current build dates, so you should be able to get a few years service out of them. Heck, you can even use some parts of your Deluxe as spare parts for it! These are available new, used, and refurbed on the 'Net. Try www.consumerdepot.com for example.

4. If you feel like abandoning Handspring altogether but need to keep it cheap, some of Palms and Sony's low-end stuff is remarkably good. I am partial to Sony myself.

5. If you want to invest in a 'this is IT for a while' device that will fit your needs for a few years, I suggest the Sony T-665 or Palm Tungsten types of devices. A bit more costly, but small and powerful enough to be easy to carry and able to handle a wide variety fo jobs!

Suggestion: dump the thumbboard and try MessageEase or a similar 'on-screen' board. I found that after using them, I really hated thumbboards and their clumsy size. now I use MessageEaseand the Stow-a-way and am very happy.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 75

similar problem

Just yesterday I was unable to hotsync my VDx with my Win2K machine. It was unable to detect the computer. Tried swapping the cable between USB ports, etc to no avail. Hit the reset button on the back, and what do you know? Worked like a charm.