Palm Support

This guide is for people who have previously owned a handheld (Treo, Zire, Tungsten, etc.) and are now upgrading to a Palm TX handheld. You'll learn the best way to transfer your personal information from your old device to your new handheld, and how to avoid common pitfalls in the process.

With this method, you'll transfer all PIM¹ data from your existing user name to your new Palm TX handheld with the same user name. This procedure removes third-party applications and data from the Backup folder. These third-party items are stored in a renamed folder, and re-installed manually, if desired. This minimizes the risk of software conflicts.

Never used a Palm OS device before? If you're starting out fresh, this article is not for you. Instead, see Knowledge Library article 40475, our general-purpose Setup Guide for the Palm TX handheld.

• Have you done the very first setup steps?
• Items that will not be migrated to your new Palm TX handheld
• Installing the Palm TX software
• Re-install third-party applications
• Add software to view PowerPoint files
• Set up VersaMail
• Install additional software
• Do you want to remove PDB wrappers from photos?
• Learn More

Have you done the very first setup steps?

This article assumes you have already:

• Learned about the new features of the Palm TX handheld
• Charged your handheld
• Completed the initial device setup when you first turned it on (set Date & Time, tapped on the targets to calibrate the digitizer, etc.)

Confused? Haven't done these things? See Knowledge Library article 40475, which takes you through these first steps. Article 40475 will send you back here when you're ready.

Items that will not be migrated to your new Palm TX handheld

Because some applications, features or databases are incompatible with the Palm TX handheld, they will not be transferred from your old device. If you want to move these items to your new handheld, you'll need to do it manually (some suggestions below).

Keep this in mind before performing a hard reset on your previous device; once you perform the hard reset, these items will disappear from your previous device.

Previous devices		Issue
Treo 600 Treo 650		Photos from Treo 600 or 650 camera Any pictures in the Camera application on a previous Treo 600 smartphone will not be moved to the new Palm TX handheld. Note: If you have a Tungsten or Zire handheld with a Photos or Media application, these photos will be transferred to your LifeDrive device when you upgrade.
Treo 600 Treo 300 Treo 270 Treo 180		Web bookmarks, saved pages, cache The new LifeDrive device does not absorb the web browser information from your previous device. If you have any valuable bookmarks or saved pages on your previous device, you'll need to set up new versions in the LifeDrive device web browser. See your user guide to learn how.
Treo 600		Treo 600 Mail application & data The Treo 600 included a Mail application that worked with POP3 accounts. Your emails and settings are not transferred from this Mail application to the VersaMail application on your LifeDrive device. Note: If your previous device included VersaMail, your VersaMail emails and other information will be transferred to your LifeDrive device.
Treo 600		SplashID, SplashShopper, SplashMoney (from Treo 600 CD) These third-party applications were provided as part of the Treo 600 package, under the condition that they would be for that device only. The applications may be moved to your new LifeDrive device when you upgrade, but they will revert to "trial version" status. If you want to continue using the full versions on your LifeDrive device, you'll need to purchase a registration key from SplashData.

Installing the Palm TX software

You must install the version of Palm Desktop and HotSync Manager included on the CD-ROM with your new Palm TX handheld, even if you already have an earlier installation, and even if you will synchronize with Microsoft Outlook. There are special features added in the Palm TX installation that you don't have yet.

1. On your desktop computer, locate your old handheld's user folder.
2. In the user folder, locate the Backup folder. Your handheld's third-party applications and data are stored in this folder. If you ever performed a hard reset or lost your data and applications, they are restored from the Backup folder.
3. Rename the Backup folder to BackupOld.
4. Put the Palm TX CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
   
5. Follow the installation instructions that appear.
6. When prompted, select the existing username of your old smartphone or handheld.
7. During installation, you will be asked to perform a HotSync operation. Use the same older username as above.
8. Once installation is complete, your PIM¹ data will be transferred to your new handheld, but no third-party applications will be transferred. We deal with third-party applications in the next section.
9. Delete or change the user name on your old device. You don't want two devices with the same user name synchronizing with the same desktop computer.

Re-install third-party applications

Because you renamed your old device's Backup folder, none of the applications in it were transferred to your new Palm TX handheld. At this point, you can begin installing these applications. Note: Some applications may not be compatible with your Palm TX handheld. We recommend installing your applications one at a time, and then launching the application on your handheld, to make sure it doesn't cause freezes, errors or other issues. Here's how to do that.

1. Locate the BackupOld folder you renamed in the section above. Open this folder.
2. Note which third-party applications are in this folder.
   • At this point, it's probably a good idea to check for updates: go to the third-party website from which you originally obtained the application, and see if a more recent version is available.
3. If a later version is not available, click on the first file in the BackupOld folder.
4. Drag and drop this file to the QuickInstall icon (Windows) or Send to Handheld droplet (Mac). The Install Tool window will open. Select your Palm TX username from the list, if requested. Close the Install Tool and perform a HotSync operation.
5. On your Palm TX handheld, launch the new application and use it for a bit.
   • Does the new application cause problems? If so, it is probably incompatible with your new Palm TX handheld. Follow our steps for troubleshooting problems caused by third party applications. If you want to keep using this application, check with the third-party application's developer or vendor to see if an updated version, compatible with Palm TX handheld, is available.
   • Are you asked for a registration code? If you need help retrieving registration codes², please contact the third-party developer, who will usually email the code to you.
   • Can't install? Missing data? Some third-party applications require a special installer wrapped in an "executable" file. Simply installing the application on your device using the Install Tool may not be enough. If an application claims to be missing data or behaves strangely when you try to install, go back to the application's developer or vendor and download the complete installation package.
   • Does the new application seem to work fine? Proceed below. Keep in mind, software incompatibilities may take strange forms. If, in the future, problems arise, follow our steps for troubleshooting problems caused by third party applications.
6. Continue with the next item in the BackupOld folder (drag and drop to QuickInstall or Send to Handheld, synchronize, and use the application on your handheld).
7. Proceed until you've gone through all applications in the BackupOld folder.

Add software to view PowerPoint files

In its factory state, the Documents application on your Palm TX handheld can handle Microsoft Word and Excel files. In order to handle PowerPoint files, you'll need to install software from the Palm TX CD-ROM that came with your device.

If you'll never need PowerPoint files on your mobile manager, you can skip this.

1. Insert the Palm TX CD-ROM in your PC. A "Discover your device" AutoPlay menu should appear.

2. Click on "Add software to your device," then click on Documents To Go.

3. Click on Install.

4. The software will be installed on your PC.

5. Perform a HotSync operation to add the software to your LifeDrive device.

Learn how to work with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents: click here

Set up VersaMail

Your Palm TX handheld includes the VersaMail email application. There are different ways you can use it:

• On a Windows computer, if the email account is already set up on your computer — for example, if you use Outlook Express on your computer to access an Earthlink account — you can transfer the account settings to your device in just a few steps.
  1. Insert the Palm TX CD-ROM into your PC.
  2. A "Discover your device" screen will automatically appear. Select Set up your email.
  3. The "VersaMail(TM) Account Setup Wizard" appears.
  4. Select your Palm TX user name from the first drop-down list, and then select the option to create a new VersaMail email account.

     

  5. The wizard will search your PC for email accounts already set up. On the next screen, select an existing account that VersaMail detected. Click Next.

     

  7. Continue with the VersaMail Setup. When instructed, synchronize to transfer all account information to your device.

• (Mac option, also works for Windows) For either a new or an existing account, you can set up the account directly on your device.
  1. On your handheld, launch the VersaMail application.
  2. The first time you launch VersaMail, you'll be taken through the setup process. Or, launch VersaMail and tap Menu ; from the Accounts menu, select Account Setup. Then select New.
  3. Continue with the VersaMail setup.

More info
Your user guide contains an in-depth look at personal email, corporate email, Exchange ActiveSync, VPN and other important topics for email. See Chapter 16: Sending and Receiving Email Messages.

Install additional software

Your Palm TX CD-ROM includes other valuable software which you may wish to install:

• Adobe Reader for Palm OS: Convert PDF files to a format your device can understand, and view converted PDF files on the go
• Audible Media Player (Windows only, download required): This subscription service lets you listen to audiobooks, audio magazines, newspapers, radio programs, and more. Info at www.audible.com.
• Documents To Go: Your handheld includes support for Word and Excel documents. Install this software to add PowerPoint support, synchronize files through Documents To Go, and view embedded graphics in Word files.
• Enterprise Software: This is a web link to VPN (Virtual Private Network) and file encryption software for your handheld. Download required.
• eReader: Read eBooks from the Palm eBook store
• Getting Started Guide: Install this guide directly on your handheld for quick reference about using the features of your Palm TX handheld
• Handmark Pocket Express: Fast, easy, wireless access to news, weather, sports, stocks, 411 directory lookups, maps and directions. To learn more, see Pocket Express from Handmark.
• Pocket Tunes Windows Media Player Integration (Windows only): Pocket Tunes Windows Media Player integration allows MP3 files to be quickly and easily copied to your handheld from Windows Media Player on a PC. For more info, visit www.pocket-tunes.com.
• Rhapsody (U.S. only): Install Rhapsody to manage your music library. For more information, see Rhapsody from RealNetworks.
• Upgrade to Pocket Tunes Deluxe (download required): Your handheld includes Pocket Tunes Basic. The Deluxe version, which you can purchase separately, adds support for WMA files and Internet radio streams.
• WiFile LT: This solution makes it easier to access your wireless network (open pictures, music files, and documents in shared folders on a networked computer).
• Windows Media Player/DirectX (Windows only, download required): This lets you view videos optimized for your LifeDrive device. Most PCs already include this software, but we recommend you install the latest version from the link.

To install this software:

Windows:

1. Insert the Palm TX CD-ROM into your PC.
2. A "Discover your device" screen will automatically appear. Select Add software to your device.
3. Select the item you want to install.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the software.

Mac:

1. Insert the Palm TX CD-ROM into your Mac.
2. On your desktop, click Palm CD icon.
3. Open the following sequence of folders:
   Palm CD : English : Essential Software
4. Open the folder for the software you want to install.
5. Double-click any files in the folder.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the software.

Do you want to remove PDB wrappers from photos?
Windows only

Skip this part if you're happy with your photos as they are.

Since your Palm TX handheld now reads native JPG files, you can remove the Palm Database wrappers from the pictures (PDB) that may have been on your old device. This is a relatively simple process, once you locate the folder containing your previous handheld's photos on a Windows PC.

1. Navigate to your Palm Photos directory, which is usually in one of these locations:

   C:\Program Files\palmOne\<handheld user name>\Photos -or-
   C:\Program Files\Palm\<handheld user name>\Photos

2. Locate files in this directory with .PDB extension

3. Drag these files with the .PDB extension to QuickInstall icon on your Windows desktop.

4. When asked, select Format for Device.

5. Perform a HotSync operation with your Palm TX handheld.

6. The .PDB files will get converted to .JPG format. Then they will be copied to the Media application on your handheld.

Tip: The resulting JPG contained in the PDB is not transcoded (i.e. scaled, rotated, etc.) in any way before being copied.

Learn More

Learn the basics

• Start with a tour. If you haven't done it already, take the Quick Tour of your device:
1. Tap Home .
2. Tap on Quick Tour (at the top of the Applications screen).
• Take the interactive tutorial on the CD. Learn how to create an appointment, set up your device's multimedia features, synchronize your info, and much more.
  1. Insert the Palm TX CD-ROM into your PC.
  2. A "Discover your device" screen will automatically appear. Select Get Organized. Have Fun.
  3. Follow the instructions to learn about your Palm TX device.

Get more detail

• Get more with Getting Started. This guide gives you step-by-step info, tips, and links to more info on the web.
  1. Launch Palm Desktop software on your computer (even if you sync with Outlook).
  2. Then click the Help menu and select Getting Started.
• Take Getting Started with you on your Palm TX handheld.
  1. Insert the Palm TX CD-ROM into your PC.
  2. A "Discover your device" screen will automatically appear. Select Add software to your device.
  3. Select Getting Started Guide: A digest of how-to information.
  4. Select Install. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the guide on your handheld.

Master your device

• Explore the User Guide. This guide has everything from Getting Started, and more: all the steps, all the details, all the tips. Follow the links in Getting Started on your computer to the User Guide on the web. Or go directly to our downloadable user guides.

Troubleshooting: problems caused by third party applications

Your Palm TX handheld includes flash memory, which preserves your data even if you're on the go and don't have time to recharge. Previous devices did not use this type of memory (including Tungsten E, T, T2, T3; Zire 21, 31, 71, 72; and Treo 600).

The new flash memory uses a new file system. Some third-party applications may not work properly or they may cause problems on your mobile manager. Backup utilities, alternate Date Books, and some applications that use large databases (such as medical, real estate or scholarly references) are common culprits.

If your device ...

• Frequently resets
• Shows a Fatal Error or Fatal Alert
• Freezes or locks up

... it may be due to third-party software that doesn't know how to work with the new file system. Third-party developers are working diligently to update their software, but these fixes may take some time.

You can restore your device to working order by deleting the application causing the problem.

1. Tap the Home icon .
2. Tap the Menu icon .
3. From the App menu choose Delete.
4. Tap the name of the application(s) you just installed.
5. Tap on the Delete button. Tap on the Yes button to confirm that you wish to delete the chosen application.
6. Continue re-installing third-party applications from the BackupOld folder.

Contact the developer
After deleting the application that causes the trouble, contact the third-party developer to see if they're working on a version for the Palm TX handheld.

If you can't find an update, jot down exactly what happens and send the information to the developer. Be specific and fully describe the conditions needed to reproduce the issue. This will help them develop a Palm TX-compatible version.

1 - What is PIM data? PIM (Personal Information Management) data includes the built-in organizer functions of your handheld: Calendar/Date Book, Contacts/Address Book, Tasks/To Do List and Memos. It does not include third-party applications or data.

2 - Want a convenient way to store registration codes and other info? Don't waste time searching for emails and slips of paper with this info — keep them right on your handheld and desktop computer. Many users store their registration codes in Memo Pad notes organized by category (Software Registration, Serial Numbers, Web Logins, etc.). For a more secure and organized method, check out a third-party password keeper such as SplashID from SplashData, Passwords Plus from DataViz, or TopSecret from ClickLite.