IIIx dead? Fails to turn on

[jkulp]

Sadly my 3 year old IIIx is showing its age. Over the last few weeks, it's failed to turn on despite fresh batteries. It will turn on if I perform what SHOULD be a SOFT reset, but then all my data is lost. Then I'll re-load all the data from my PC, it will be fine for a day or so, then it will fail to turn on again. Then I need to once again start from square one. Any ideas? Thanks!

[DrMud]

What OS is on your Palm? Are you sure the batteries you put in were good?
DrMud

[jkulp]

Hello, DrMud-

My IIIx is running v.3.5.2, and my power indicator is showing a full charge with fresh batteries. I'm stumped.

Thanks!

- Jack

[DrMud]

Sounds like it is time for a screwdriver; small, Phillips.
Take the Stylus out. Take the four screws out of the back and remove the back cover. The batteries can stay in. Looking inside you will see a ribbon cable on the left (assumes you have the serial connector at the bottom) it has a white plastic locking clip on it where it attaches to the mother board. gently push the cable onto the motherboard and make sure the clip stays in place. At this Point you may want to lay the back cover on your Palm, without the screws, and turn it over. Try the power on.
I suspect you have two problems the one we just addressed and one with the buttons. If you are having the same problem you will now need to take the front off to get a closer look at the buttons and any trash or breaks in the plastic. Clear out any trash and put it back together. If you found a defective button you can buy them at gethightech.com.
Best of luck.
DrMud

[jkulp]

A couple of days ago, I found your first suggestion somewhere else on the board. I took the back of the IIIx off, and re-seated the clip. This is the third day, and counting, without a failure. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed. Do I expect too much by hoping these things last more than three years :) ?

Thanks again!

[DrMud]

Not at all!
The life expectancy of the old Palms is up to the owner.

In the III series the stylus runs into the ribbon cable and makes for a bad connection. I found a one dose eye drop dispenser that has a very rigid plastic and the cylindrical portion of the dose dispenser is a perfect fit in the silo. I cut about a half inch section out of the cylinder and with the Palm back off wedged the cylinder into the silo putting continuous pressure on the cable/connector a couple drops of Crazy clue and on goes the back and away goes the problem. The Palm original stylus is a tight fit the LandsWare Stylus is at home.
Doc