Hotsync Failure (IR OK USB Broken)

[djc_slip]

Have hotsynced PLENTY of times in the years i have owned my m515, but it will no longer USB sync on either cradle nor my usb
cable, on my home PC nor my laptop. As i recall - it just stopped doing working.

It will however connect using IR - but it is PAINFULLY slow.

Have tried Hard Resets, reinstallation of all software on both PC's (though i know that it shouldn't really be them at fault)

Whats next? Can you restore the rom (i have a good rom that i took when i first bought the unit) Do you reinstall the OS?

If so - how do you restore either of these things?

TIA and very much appreciated

[JohnKes]

Your Palm probably has SUDS (Suddenly USB Doesn't Sync). This is caused by static. You can either open the unit up and pull the battery connector off for 5 minutes, then reassemble; or keep the unit powered on until the battery is totally dead. I prefer the connector method because it causes much less wear on the battery. You will need a Torx #5 screwdriver.

[djc_slip]

Thankyou,

Shall try and let you know.

[djc_slip]

Did as suggested, Left battery off for 20min or so - USB hotsync is fine now..

Thankyou!:D :D :D

[JohnKes]

Awesome! Glad it was a simple fix.

I wish there was a permanent fix because SUDS will happen again the next time it gets zapped (usually in the winter). I asked my PalmBlvd buddy (DrMud, very wise) to use copper tape or wire to electrically join the front and back shells together, but he never got around to it. We use that concept to shield satellites (my real job ;) ) from static.

[abid786]

Do you personally know Dr Mud?

Abid

[JohnKes]

No, just thru PalmBlvd (including PM's). He has a lot of hands on practical experience with Palms, and he has done some hobbyist electronics like listening to the Sputnik beeps. Yes, he's a bit older than the average Palmist. (Maybe I am too.) Haven't seen him around in a while. Hope he is doing ok.

[rwenzler]

Guten Tag! I'd just like to say thank you for this information. It helped me out as well. :D I'd be interested in trying the fix with copper tape or wiring the shells together. Any advice on how to do that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Rick

[JohnKes]

At work we have copper tape that has conductive adhesive on the back. I don't know where to buy this. As for the wire, you might be able to use tape over it to hold it in place, and some foam for added contact pressure.

[DrMud]

I am not convinced the discarge needs to make its way beyond the connection of the USB circuit and the Universal connector. What ever the ture nature of the event is that sets the USB in a failed mode seems to have been fixed by the engineers at PalmOne. The relationship between the powered on USB circuit and the discharge is..... well, way over my head. Like John I am happy that the cure was so painless.

Thanks for asking. I am still viable. Still walking around with two or three palms bulging in my pockets; about the only way to get bulges at my age. The current list is as follows: T3 paired to a SONY T661, Jabra Free Speak head set (just like the folks on Alias use) and also paired to my Tungsten T, an M515, one Vx, and one IMB c3. My wife of 41 years now has a T-E and loves it.
Best wishes to you all.
Doc

[JohnKes]

Doc,
Glad to hear from you again.

I read somewhere that the USB chip on m5xx has the reset pin permanently connected to the main power line. There is thus no way to reset it without removing power!

JK

[DrMud]

That sounds like a big mistake. Which seems to have been fixed.
Doc