Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

Does anyone use the SoundsGood Springboard and a Mac w/ Virtual PC? Are there any problems or does it work well? I'd like to use an iMac (400MHz, 256MB RAM) and have decided on the SoundsGood over the MiniJam for the flush fit and the fast transfer rate.

TIA

p

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

I guess I'll let everyone know how it works

I'm going to be the guinea pig on this one. Win2000/Virtual PC 3.0 and the SoundsGood software are the test subjects. Wish me luck!

p

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 48

Thanks for venturing into unknown territory for the rest of us!! Keep us posted.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Virtual PC/Win 98

Any luck from anyone trying this? I have VPC and Win98 but am reluctant to open the box to the SoundsGood if there is no success with the mac.

I got one as a gift from my wife yesterday and I would really like to keep this (even using VPC) if possible - the small size beats out the MiniJam in that realm to me. Not to mention the transfer rate...

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

This is a reply I just got from Good customer support regarding VPC and the Macs... He seems to think it might work with VPC/98 but not Win2K. Enjoy!

A couple of users have gotten Virtual PC to work with Win 98 and i've tried it with Win 2000 with unfavorable results. If you've got a friend with Win 98 for Virtual PC then you can certainly try it....If you find that Virtual PC with Win 98 works we are unable to support it (FYI...) since it's too hard to debug issues having a nonsupported operating system, an emulator and then Windows and our custom application on top of it.... i tried Win 2000 with Virtual PC and didn't find it to be a great solution as it errored but a couple of users do use Win 98 and Virtual PC.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Instructions for VPC/SoundsGood

OK, here's the deal. Virtual PC works fine provided you are using Windows 98 (NOT Win2K) and VPC 3.0 or later (haven't tried 4 yet but I assume it works fine also...)

Here's how to do it.

1) Install the Handspring Desktop software on the Mac if you haven't already - I think it needs the usb shims and drivers for VPC to be able to recognize the cradle. Test hotsyncing to the Mac to make sure it works. Then, disable USB hotsync for the time being on the Mac side.

2) Unplug the visor cradle from the USB port. (IMPORTANT)

3) Install the Windows Handspring Desktop software in Virtual PC.

4) Now, plug in the visor cradle, then put the visor in it and turn it on. Win98 should then install Handspring drivers. If it doesn't still see the visor, hit the hotsync button and then it should take care of the driver installation. The important part of this is that the cradle needs to be unplugged when Windows boots, then can be plugged in once you are at the desktop.

That's all it takes - I do know from tech support at Good Technology (awesome folks, even if they don't support the Mac) that VPC/Win2K definitely has problems, so avoid it and stick with VPC/Win98.

*** The best part about this workaround is that the file transfer to the Visor is still tons quicker than the Minijam. I sent 61MB to my player through VPC in about 5 minutes on a Mac! ***