Is there a virus about?

[jacques]

I just recieved my exchanged M500 from Palm this afternoon and after trying it out as it came, decided, that it seemed OK.
I then restored my applications and data using BackupBuddy VFS off my card, and almost immediately after this, trouble began!
I am now unable to activate the machine after repeated hard resets. If I tap the target, to go on with the country setup etc., nothing happens.
I fear, that a virus has entered the machine and located itself in the ROM, thereby making it immune to hard resets. Does anybody know of such a thing, or am I just unusually unlucky with the hardware??
I certainly need a solution, as I am dependent on the machine in my work, but another return to Palm seems the only solution unless somebody has an idea.
It seems, that the automatic shut off has been inactivated as well, so maybe a complete battery drain will help? I will know about this in the morning!

[DrMud]

Jacques,
Virus infections on Palms are very rare. Software conflicts can be just as bad. Sounds like that is the problem. You will need to resist putting all of your third party apps back on the Palm. Sync only the Palm basic application to begin with. Then if you have purchased third party apps I would go back to the source and down load new software to install.
Did you upgrade to the 500 from another Palm? Similar lock ups occur when software patches from Palm OS 3.5.3 are left in the backup folder and sync onto the new Palm. Some of the Serial drivers from 3.5.3 will cause this. Look in your back up file for any serial drivers and set them aside in another folder.
Doc

[jacques]

I have actually tried most of your advise already. Even without any second party applications, the machine intermittently locks up and becomes unresponsive to any input, screen or button.
As I had to perform three consecutive hard resets last time to get it working, and it then only became responsive after, I had left it alone until it turned itself off, I fear, that a hardware porblem is at hand, as I firmly belive, that all memory is effectively erased after a hard reset, when no applications affecting the ROM has been used?
Unless you can come up with a bright idea, I believe I must return the device once more for repair, but this time for a checkout at the factory to find out, if a software conflict or a hardware problem is at hand, instead of a simple replacement.

[DrMud]

It is very hard for me to see how this could start as a hardware issue. The same conflict as your previous Palm? The chances are too small! Clearly, you have no power to resolve the problem now that you have it again so a return is the only solution.

The bigger issue is how do you avoid a reoccurrence?
You must review all of the files you intend to install on the Palm.
I would suggest that you seek out a Palm Emulator for the unit you use and on the PC, using the emulator, reinstall the apps one at a time until you encounter the aberrant behavior.
I down loaded my Palm OS Emulator, the skins, and the OS ROM from Palm.com in the developer section. I believe that eurocool.com also lists the POSE or their site. I encourage you to do this lest the nightmare revisit your next palm.
DrMud

[jacques]

Sometimes one can have luck!
I found out, that when I used the Palm without the MMC-card, it worked beautifully; but the moment I introduced the card, it blocked; but it worked again after a soft reset without the card, so I finally had found the solution.
I formatted the card (in an independent card reader of course, as the Palm could not do the job now), reinstalled the necessary files, and - three loud cheers - everything is in order!
I now wonder - is it normal behavior, that a card used in one Palm can not be transferred to another, even when the machine has been given the same name? - or was it just bad luck, that some important file on my card was currupted? The question is highly relevant, as I plan to buy a Tungsten in USA next february, when I attend an orthopaedic meeting, and I would have loved to put it into action at once. Should'nt this normally be possible ???

[DrMud]

Jacques,
Glad to see success, congratulations!

I have swapped SD cards between my 515 and the wife's 505 on a couple of occasions without any problem. This was also the means I used to migrate from the 505 to the 515. When you load the new Palm in this manner you may encounter a problem with the HotSync name not being present on the new unit due to its never having been HotSync. So load a copy of the little app "changeName" on your card. When the card is in the new unit simply move execute change name and give the proper name to your palm so all of your third party "registered" software will work. You may need to have the reg codes with you also as some will lose track.
Doc
Have a safe an productive visit in February. Be careful, there is always danger present in a group of orthopods. They can find broken bones you never knew you had!