Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Hello,

I have a visor prism. I purchased the HS 8 meg Flashmodule for it. Here is what I noticed:

If I move stuff to it when it's low on space (not exceeding the space) it tends to go into a 'compacting memory' mode. Every time this has happened, it has either hung up or fatal errored. Every time I have had total dataloss of the flash ram. This is a problem.

I currently use backupbuddy and now have a method to get everything back in about 45 minutes with my USB connection and about 1 1/2 hour on a serial. The fact that I now have a method suggests how much this problem has affected me.

I do use hacks, but this has happend with NO HACKS ACTIVE. I now disable all hacks before moving anything onto the card.

I have contacted Handspring, but I have only received 'stock' answers and shoddy support.

I'm using 3.5.2H1.2 of the OS, and 1.2 of the FileMover.

It seems the 'problem' or compacting stems from limitations build in Filemover, either due to hardware limits or other limits unknown. Either case, when you add files to the unit it's fine. when you start moving stuff in and out of the module, it get's slightly fragmented. The programs(db) are written in whole, but there will be a bunch of small unsed areas where things like a 60k prc was placed in a 63k area. When you move files to it, it will place a file in an area it will fit in. Problem is that if you move a 400k prc to flash and the largest chunk if 300k but there is 500k free it will start 'compacting'.

Now that I identified the 'why', we need to see the 'how'. From what I have seen, it writes sections of the flash to ram and then moves that back to flash in a more suitable place. Problem is that there is no real fault tollerance. Any program that does similar stuff to your disk (now a days) keeps track of what it's doing so that in the event of an error, it can recover or undo the last function. Or maybe continue where it left off. This was not build into the module. For this, I fault Handspring. This needs to be fixed as more people use more things on the unit these problems will happen.

Now, that said, can anyone help? Has anyone found out other information that may be useful for me?

Thanks in advance.

--Wes

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 24

me too

saw the same thing this morning. Had to wipe the flash module. I believe there is a thread on this in the modules discussion.


This sucks. Why in gods name would I want a flash module that crashes all the time?

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Why?

I have no Idea. This could all be solved with intelligent software. But as of yet, I have heard nothing in the area of improving the FileMover. I even went to palmgear to check for another app to replace the FileMover, but I only found 1.1 of the Filemover software. Sigh.

--Wes

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: NJ,US
Posts: 94

My module has yet to compact, but the version on
my filemover is 1.2. I thought i read someplace
that the problem was fixed in version 1.2 of the filemover?

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Version

Well, I do have Version 1.2 and I have either 'the' problem or another one. I loose my data more from that than I ever did from battery changes.

The method I use to finally recover the data is to allow it to format the module, copy my BackupBuddy backup of the flash module. Copy my backup directory. Wipe my Backup directory. Copy contents of my flash module backup into my backup directory.. Hard reset the device. Install only Sync. Use FileMover to move almost everything into the Flashram. Hard Reset again. Wipe the backup directory. Restore the original contents of my Backup directory. Full Sync.

Whew... Ain't that just pretty...

--Wes

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Posts: 173

Recycle or Victor?

Anyone think that the "defrag" programs can be tweaked to defrag the RAM module? That way, we could maybe defrag whenever we delete or move files around BEFORE we try to add a new file.

Anyone have the requisite skills?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 14

Try thinmodem.com - - go to support - - DOWNLOAD USB FILEMOVER 1.1. It allows you to back up your card onto your hard drive in just a few seconds via USB!!!

WOOHOOO!! and it's FREEEEEEE!!!!!

Works like a charm! I can't take credit for this hint, though . . . saw it on usenet . . . I think . .

__________________
leslie
Prism Addict

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 19

Visor Prism and 8 Meg Flash Module

WOW!

You're right, jomoco5, this tool is great!!!!

I just copied the entire contents of my 16MB card to my computer with no problem at all!

It sure makes me feel better about it. I was also wondering how I was going to transfer all of the data to another card once the capacity get larger. I have 17 different medical reference books stored on that module (5mcc, Merck Manual, PDR 2001, etc. This is great!

I'm gonna go a bit further with the experiment: I have a couple of modules that I purchased from Franklin (Webster's Dictionary, Washington Manual, Guide to Adverse Drug Reactions), and I'm going to see if I can copy the contents of these modules to my desktop.

I'll post here in the morning to let everyone know how it went.

Cheers!

__________________
Richard T. Bell, MD, PhD
Associate Medical Director
Lowe McAdams Healthcare
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 698-1662

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

quote:

---

Originally posted by jomoco5
Try thinmodem.com - - go to support - - DOWNLOAD USB FILEMOVER 1.1. ...

---

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 14

I haven't tried that . . . I just use it for backup purposes mostly. I still use the file mover for deletions. I'm sure we'd all be interested in knowing how well it works, if you'd post your results here. . .

__________________
leslie
Prism Addict

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Feel a little better if...

I'd feel a little better if we could actually USB install to the flash card. I have been backing up the flash with Backup buddy. It's the re-install that takes time and sucks. Thats only if you disregard the blatent problem of Filemover app not being crash proof. Or the module not being fault tolerant.

That's where the problems are. I'm still awaiting a response from Handspring support. I'm on my third day now, no answer.

--Wes

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 19

USB File Mover

well, here's the deal:

I was able to copy the data out of those modules I mentioned earlier, but I can't write to them. They must be read-only modules. A pity, because I know that --at least in the case of the PDR 2001-- some of the medical reference modules have to be large enough to hold all the data, and it is (16MB, to be precise), but they can't be written to.

To answer your question, kalahari, yes, I can delete files from the USB File Mover on my desktop.

All in all, a great tool to have! Good catch, jomoco5!

Cheers!

__________________
Richard T. Bell, MD, PhD
Associate Medical Director
Lowe McAdams Healthcare
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 698-1662

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

Re: USB File Mover

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dr. Richard T. Bell
... To answer your question, kalahari, yes, I can delete files from the USB File Mover on my desktop. ...

---

Actually, I asked if you could delete files on the Flash Memory card -- not the desktop. Can you?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 19

USB File Mover

Kalahari,

That's just what I meant: I was able to delete files from my flash card using the USB File Mover on the desktop.

If you meant could I delete files on the Visor itself using this utility, then the answer is no; the app doesn't work that way. But connecting through the desktop, I was able to move, copy, and delete files.

__________________
Richard T. Bell, MD, PhD
Associate Medical Director
Lowe McAdams Healthcare
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 698-1662

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Does it work with...

Does that work with the Standard Flash 8 meg cards?

--Wes

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 19

USB File Mover

Wes,

Yes, that's what I was using for this experiment, as well as with my 16MB card.

__________________
Richard T. Bell, MD, PhD
Associate Medical Director
Lowe McAdams Healthcare
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 698-1662

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Argh!!!

I just lost my data again! G-d D-mn Filemover!

>>Deep Breath<<

Ok. I just downloaded the USB Filemover. Problem, it only downloads files from the module, it won't upload. It looks like it opens a window, but it only flashes for a fraction of a second then dissapears.

I am having no luck here. This application looked like a savior for the moment, but... Again I'm having problems.

Any ideas?

--Wes

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Handspring's answer...

Well, the ever intelligent answer I got was that it must be a 3rd party software..

I mean first I was asked if I used 3rd party software... I mean c'mon.. I have 8 meg ram and 8 meg flash.. The memory only compresses if I fill the flash up most of the way. What would I put in it? Datebook entries?!? Sheesh.

Anyway, they want me to remove all my 3rd party software.
Then they want me to fill the memory of the flash with non-3rd party software?!? Then see if the problem exists still.. Well, I have a huge collection of doc files. I think that should be safe enough. I'll do that this weekend and get back to everyone.

Do I use 3rd party software... Geez..

--Wes

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Inglewood, CA, USA
Posts: 390

Re: Argh!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by wesmason
Ok. I just downloaded the USB Filemover. Problem, it only downloads files from the module, it won't upload. It looks like it opens a window, but it only flashes for a fraction of a second then dissapears.

---

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

USB Filemover...

Ok, how much do they want to make it work for the others...

--Wes