Palm M500 Won't Sync

[andrew123s]

My Palm M500 synced fine with my computer, for about a week. Suddenly, when I try to sync it now, it says in a little bubble from the system tray:

One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it.

It doens't sync and the Palm just gives the generic message about not being able to sync.

I just recently got a cable to connect it to my cell phone, and thought originally that could be a cause. But then I remembered that it did have a successful sync after I used the cable but before the syncing broke.

Any ideas?

[djmangen]

As odd as this might sound, try a simple reboot of the PC and a soft reset of the handheld. It may very well fix everything.

[andrew123s]

I tried a soft reset, many reboots, a hard reset, 2 other computers, and a battery drain. Now there is a different problem: nothing happens when I want to sync. The computer just acts like the palm/cradle are not plugged into the computer.

[djmangen]

When you tried the other computers, did you connect your cradle to their computer and attempt to sync at that point -- or were you using a cradle that was known to function on their machine?


You might also go into System on the Control Panel, and see if the USB ports and/or the Palm is installed. If it is not seeing it there, you can do a manual install. See if it works then.

If it does not, then if you have a friend with a functioning Palm and a functioning cradle, see if you can borrow their cradle and attempt a sync.

My guess is that the System/Control Panel approach will fix it; I had a similar problem with my M515 one time, and that worked for me. Otherwise, you may have a faulty cradle -- which is why a friend would be very helpful.

Good Luck!

P.S. Another thing to check is whether your connectors on the cradle have become misaligned, and thus you have a flawed connection with the Palm. The silver connectors that hold the Palm onto the cradle and produce the "snapping" sound should be even with or even slightly forward of the gold connectors.

P.P.S. When you go into the Palm desktop software and click on HotSync, can you access any of the conduits or are these greyed out? If greyed out, the System/Control Panel approach may be your solution.

[DrMud]

The fact that you had this problem with a total of three compuuters leads me to two conclusions:
1) You are making some error in the install. Which is not likley since it had been syncing. So....
2). The Palm's HotSyn settings are off.
Turn on your Palm, tap the HotSYnc Icon check to make sure the "LOCAL" box is dark background light letters and that the drop down list is set on "Cradle/Cable."
If this is not it go back to djmangen's idea on the Control Panel.
You may also want to d a complete uninstall of the Palm Desktop using the instructions found at the link below.
DrMud

PS: To check for the Palm being installed: Right click my computer, go to properties, go to device manager. Start a hotsync while looking at this screen. Is there anything listed there as Palm OS Handheld device? If so are there any exclamation or questions marks with it?

[lgs]

Dear Dr. Mud,

Just a huge THANK YOU to the board. Upgraded to Windows XP, my m500 wouldn't hotsync - still worked on my Gateway with ME. Talked to Palm support, HP support, downloaded patches, reinstalled software, switched ports, ....

finally, in desperation went thru all posts on syncing problems and found the answer!! (Cradle not selected on drop down menu)Seemed so simple, you think the Palm people would've asked me about it when we waited forever to talk to them!

Thank you, thank you. You solved hours of frustration! LGS:)

[DrMud]

It is always most rewarding to solve the problem for yourself. Congratulations on your success; I applaud your initiative.
DrMud

[robotech]

Dear andrew123s,

I have a similar problem with my m500. The PDA was not able to be synced on both my work PC or home PC. I have exchanged the USB cradle to a H version, free from Palm, but with no luck.
Finally a managed to sync with a Palms original serial sync cabel. It takes longer time but it works. I suspect that an ESD damage can the reson to the error.
I am still waiting for an answer from Palm support, what I shall do with my m500.

[DrMud]

It is possible that you have experienced the electro static disaster, SUDS. Many people have had successful outcomes using the method posted below.
Best of luck,
DrMud

SUDS (http://discussion.brighthand.com/palmhandhelds/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9858)