Screen Calibration Problem

[Jerry Falletta]

During the past month or so, I have had to recalibrate (with the "Welcome" function) the screen on my Palm Vx. It can be annoying and time-consuming, but has worked so far for me.

What causes the calibration to shift at least once/day? Can it be fixed easily (without spending at least half the cost of a new m515)?

Thanks in advance.

Jerry

[Supachai_Hadyai]

Ummmm Program DigiFix from www.palmgear.com
may be help you.

Just install and softreset

this is freeware.

[DrMud]

DigiFix and SureTap both address the problem of the aberrant digitizer but only one app really is designed to remove the need to realign daily. That app is AutDigi2.
DrMud


AutoDigi2 (http://www.eurocool.com/search/?search=AutoDigi)

[aki]

Seems like a good program but just found it annoying that the site lists it as FREEWARE when actually, it closes down after 12 hours of use. Should have been upfront from the beginning that it was shareware.:(

[DrMud]

That is a common problem with Shareware / freeware. I'm with you regading being clear.
Doc

[DWBrown]

Jerry,
Have you solved your screen calibration problem yet? Possibly using AutoDigi2 ? I too have had this problem for almost 1 year on my Palm V. It seems to be getting worse. Sometimes it is offset so much I can barely select the Welcome icon. I contacted Palm and they suggested I had some corrupted files. I was instructed to reset my Palm (after Hot sync-ing) which was supposed to have erased everything, but it did not. I located this list to specifically see if someone has solved this problem without buying a new system.
Dave

[Jerry Falletta]

I have been using DigiFix and the problem seems to occur less often than before. The reset procedure does not clear up the problem as some say Palm has recommended. An earlier post referred to a 12-hour period before it shuts down, but I have not experienced that during the past few weeks of using the program.

Obviously, the permanent solution would be a new m515, but the cost of that precludes my following that path at this time. The most recent pricing of less than $280.00 does make it somewhat appealing.

One thing that I noticed is that the Vx usually needs recalibration after being carried around in my pocket (left pants pocket or lab jacket pocket); not that it gets bounced around much or experiences external impact, but maybe the Palm Vx is just sufficiently unstable (mechanically and/or structurally) that it loses calibration.

By the way, I just downloaded AutoDigi2; it comes as a Zip file named "demoad2"; I assume that this is the demo program that shuts down after 12 hours.

[itsnothere]

Usually this is due to poor contact in the digitizer ribbon cable. I repair them for $25 including shipping with a warrantee but if you are daring you can disassemble it and attempt to fix it yourself.

Good luck
Chris Short
itsnothere

[FranM30]

I´M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY PALM VX ( SPANISH ). IT APPEARED WHEN I WAS HOTSYNCING IT AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROCESS MY COMPUTER AND OF COURSE MY PDA HANGED.

AFTER THAT I MADE A SOFT RESET AND AT THAT MOMENTS MY PROBLEMS STARTED ( * ), I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CALIBRATION MENU, THEN I MADE A HARD RESET AND VOILÁ EVERYTHING IS OK AND REINSTALLED ALL THE APPLICATIONS, BUT IF FOR ANY REASON I NEED TO MAKE A SOFT RESET AGAIN ( LIKE WHEN INSTALING SOME NEW APPLICATIONS ) I HAVE TO STEP BACK TO * .

AT THIS POINT I´M LIMITED TO USE ONLY FEW APPLICATIONS AND MAKING A HOTSYNC ALL DAYS TO MAKE SURE I´M NOT LOSING ANYTHING. I'M PLANNING TO BUY A PALM M515 BUT FEW MINUTES AGO I HAVE READ THAT THE SAME PROBLEM IS STILL APPEARING ON IT !!! ( ACCORDING TO A PERSON IN THE FORUM ).

PD. I THINK I´M NOT GOOD IN ENGLISH SO IF SOMEONE CAN HELP ME IN SPANISH I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANKS

[DrMud]

Try using AutoDigi2 (PalmGear.com) for the 12 hour demo to see if it is a benefit.

If you have times when the digitizer is so out of alignment that you cannot reach the Welcome screen then there is a work around you might wan to consider.

Change the Category of your Welcome app from System to "Unfiled." Work on that category so that you have only Welcome and one other app. When you beam and app to a Palm the new app goes to Unfiled and brings up the Unfiled Category on your Palm. Now Welcome will be near the top and you will be able to tap around the screen until you launch Welcome. It can be a big help when you can't input in the Graffiti area.

DrMud
Sorry no Spanish! I am not as good at Spanish as you are at English.

[FranM30]

Well, I just downloaded Autodigi2 and my Palm Vx Spanish is brand new again, thanks to persons like you guys that are helping people every day, special thanks ( gracias en especial ) to Dr.Mud. You helped me to save $$$$$ and you know something, here in Venezuela is very hard to save $500 to buy a new one Palm. Thanks, many thanks again...:)

[DrMud]

De nada. ¡Salve su dinero para mejores cosas!
DrMud

[rhlb]

I have had digitizer problems with my Palm Vx for a long time. I tried the freeware fixes and they weren't bad but in the end I purchased Autodigi2 and it works by far the best. The main reason for its superiority is that it automatically runs the digitizer every time you soft reset and then you can set an interval where it will check and update the digitizer should it be drifting again.
Yesterday my daughter dropped by Palm Vx on concrete and the digitizer was completely out of wack. A quick soft reset and the problem was fixed and all continued on as before.
A good product that does what it is supposed to do. Should be a standard product that Palm includes on all its Palms

[DrMud]

I appreciate your review of AutoDigi2. My experience is similar to your own. In fact even though I could get DigiFix to work every so often, I found SureTap better, but still not a preventative.
DrMud

[Gomez]

I've tried AutoDigi2 - and paying for this little utility beyond twelve hours is simply inappropriate. I found a link to its predecessor ReDigi (same author, works basically the same - after soft reset, digitizer screen pops up) and it's really freeware. I haven't determined whether or not the frequency of "drift" of the calibration has changed, but it's really immaterial to me. I don't mind re-digitizing occassionally. It was just a pain when I couldn't access the digitizer after a BIG drfift. This fixes it.

Be aware that the page tries to lure you to the AutoDigi2 version, but the download for the freeware is still there.

Try this link or the attached file.

http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=10539820020101081103&prodID=8998