m515 keeps crashing

[Scott_h]

Hi

i have a major problem with my m515, basically whenever i switch it on, it crashes with the 'Fatal Alert : Fatal Exception' error message with the only option to reset. I've tried many soft resets and a number of hard resets and nothing seems to work. This started when i tried to beam a file to my brothers IBM Workpad C3, it have me this error and just stopped working after that.

A little note : when i do a hard reset it comes up with the whole stylus thing to make sure its aimed properly but as soon as thats finished it crashes again.

Software used : TealTools, Hackmaster (for TealTools shortcuts), Waba (Wireless Java), some games, OmniRemote and a couple of utilties (Image viewing, etc).

Running Windows XP with Palm Desktop 4.1

Any ideas highly appriciated.

Thanks.
Scott.

[rleo151]

I encountered the same problem with my M515 but its nothing to do with software or beaming with other PDA. I found that when button below the display was accidentally or randomly or continuosly pressed when M515 was Power Off will cause all crashing or hangup problem upon Power On Palm M515.
I've solved my problem by buying a HARD CASE for my M515. So far I didn't encounter crashing problem since last Aug. 22, 2002.

Try it.

[DrMud]

Scott,
If I am reading your post correctly your Palm 515 is locking up after a hard reset and after the Welcome app (digitizer etc.) has been attended to. IF that is correct then there would seem to have been a corruption of your OS. If that is so then it sounds like you need to talk to Palm Tech about a replacement.

On the other hand if I have miss read, I would suspect your Hacks if it were not for the Hard Reset. After the Hard Reset there are no applications on your Palm other than the basic Palm apps in ROM. Do you use JackFlash or FlashPro to install apps in Flash ROM? If so you need to move those apps back into RAM before the Hard Reset.

DrMud
PS: If I have not read your post correctly and you are hotsyncing your Palm after the reset and then the problem occurs you will need to remove some apps from the backup and install them one at a time until the problem repeats itself.

[Scott_h]

thanks to all of you for your suggestions, and yes DrMud you did read it correctly, i didnt use anything to put apps in my rom and i cant even hotsync anything my palm just simply doesnt work.

I guess i'll have to talk to palm about this.
Thanks again.

Scott

[DrMud]

Keep us posted. We want to see you back with a smile on your post.
Doc

[thejell]

I noticed on another post a M505 owner with the same problem. If anyone has successfully resolved this, either through Palm or otherwise, please let everyone here know. Seems that this problem isn't just with the 515, but with other 500 series as well.

Ken

[mhamann]

If indeed your core OS has been corrupted, I suggest you try to put your handheld into debug mode, and "upgrade" the OS to version 4.1. This would re-write the OS, and hopefully fix your problem. This would be cheaper than calling Palm which will cost you a $25 fee for the call. You can put your handheld in debug mode by holding down both the up and down buttons simultaneously while resetting. If you need more information, find my post named: "Upgrading to PalmOS 4.1 the "easy" way." Good luck!

[DrMud]

Palm.com did have the Palm 4.1OS Upgrade CD on sale.
Doc

[Scott_h]

Hi everyone.

Well, I hade to send the thing to Palm anyway, but everything is all good now.

Thanks again for all your help, it was actually more helpful than the e-mail support Palm provided.

Cheers

[DrMud]

DO you know anybody at Palm? Tell them to hire PalmBlvd!
Doc

[BOB-O]

I am having similar problems with both my M515 and M505. I received the M515 at the Comdex show as a giveaway from Palm. It seemed a great improvement to my Handspring. But the first time I tried to open a map with Mapopolis it crashed. After several soft and hard resets, the Fatal Alerts disappeared, but battery life has been reduced to less than 2 days.

Because the system is so flaky, I have not reinstalled any software. But even if I don't use the machine the battery drains. I don't synch to my desktop, I backup every day to a card. Then I switch the card to my M505. This way I always have a functioning machine with up to date data.

It is interesting to note that the battery life is just as short with the M505 - about 2 days if I don't use it other than to restore from the SD card. The M505 hasn't crashed yet, but the battery just doesn't last.

[DrMud]

I must say that even thought there are problems posted on this board I would not call the Palm OS "Flaky." It may be that you were referring to your personal 515 in which case I would agree that a particular unit might have a problem that seems unfixable.

My 515 has over 50 apps now. Many run from the card and are small. Many are large and run from the card.
I am a very aggressive user. I use two applications, one EasyLaunch a hack, and one non hack CoLauncher to move quickly from one app to another. I also use MegaWiki to link data in a manner that looks and acts like a hyper link.

I suspect that if anyone was in a position to get a demonstration of a "Flakey" OS it would be me.

Overall, I believe the Palm OS is much more robust than the MS products that have been developed over the years for handheld computers.
Doc

[thejell]

:D :D :D :D :D
Hey all. I posted several months ago about these same types of problems. My M-515 gave me fatal exceptions upon resetting (hard, soft, etc.) I tried to contact Palm support (I had bought the unit used since I am a struggling developer) and had it for three months. Suddenly started getting these errors. I used to repair cell phones for a living, so cracked it open to check it out. After struggling for awhile to get a working microscope, I noticed copper pads around several of the IC's. I resoldered these under the microscope, and am now sitting at my PC reloading software. Good point Dr. Mud about the QC percentage, however shoddy soldering either from hand work or surface mount machines will ALWAYS bite you later. Plus it sucks when you are one of the 110,000 or so who got stuck in a bad way. Thankfully I could get it going. My real beef was with Palm support's total avoidance of this problem. The tech seemed like he hadn't even read my message before responding. But I am, for now, placated!

The Jell

[macmetal666]

if only palm.com used this board, might get faster results to our problems.....but then again palmblvd.com is a hell of a lot cheaper!!!