slow sync times...

[zeens]

Any tips on reducing my sync time?

I've just looked into backup programs because of the long sync time and getting crazed - have cancelled syncs and therefore lost some data. But these long sync times are annoying when you really have to run.

I've got a T2 and loads of programs. Mainly I'm a Skyscape user and that on its own updates my programs regularly. But there are other programs like Supermemo, Worldmate Pro, and so on that take a long time. Especially supermemo. Any tips for how to avoid these long syncs?

Thanks!


Zeens.

Also can someone give me their recs for a backup program? I'm trying out backup man today.

[abid786]

Try and disable some conduits to lower your sync times. There is nothing else that comes to mind right now (I'm just coming from work;))

Abid

[Moose Man]

If you have a keyboard - disable the driver and be sure to update to the latest version from PalmOne which is v2.2P.

You don't need a backup program unless your going to backup to the SD card or you have some odd ball programs that don't backup within the Palm Hotsync conduits.

You can check these by looking at the hotsync conduit setup on the handheld and see if all of your programs have a corresponding conduit for backup - the hotsync on the PC won't tell you.

Also, if your syncing to Outlook, I'd suggest upgrading to Pocket Mirror Pro. It allows you to perform certain operations such as: load new programs only, backup to Palm Desktop, and others that will sometimes speed up hotsyncs.

If you have data on an SD card or are transferring loads to the SD card such as pics or large databases - invest in a card reader/writer for $30. Transfer of 485MB via SD card might take 13 minutes, via hotsync 1 hour 15 minutes depending upon the SD card speed.


And it might be helpful if you define long time?
:)

[zeens]

Thanks for the replies.

I have a palm wireless keyboard, so I'll do the driver update. Thanks again.

As for long sync time, I synced today and it took 5 minutes. I know that months ago it was only 30 seconds when I had very few programs, but still 5 minutes felt extremely long today.

I'll check out the conduits sync thing on the handheld. I didn't even know it was on the handheld. Obviously I am still getting used to my palm. I'm coming off a long term relationship with a pocket pc.

[Moose Man]

Turn that keyboard driver off before syncing and see the difference in speed.

To be a little more clear since your somewhat of a newbie: find the hotsync icon on the Palm and then tap menu, tap conduit setup - you'll see check mark's by all of the programs that are scheduled for backup upon normal hotsync.

Certain developers don't encode their programs correctly (I'm not a software developer so I can't remember the setting) and therefore a few might not be in this list. If they aren't then you need a backup program. If all of your programs are on this list, most are, then you don't need a seperate PC based backup program.

[zeens]

Thanks soo much for the conduits bit. It took me about 1 minute to sync now. And I only unchecked half of my programs.

I couldn't figure out why my games needed to sync themselves. But they aren't anymore :)

[Moose Man]

Your welcome.

Don't forget that on the PC the Palm programs are all stored in the following directory:

C:\program files\palm\sr\backup


This is the default directory and each time you sync that's where they typically go. The path might be slightly different instead of the SR it might be under your user name.

Anytime you delete a program from the Palm: It's stored in the same basic path just substitue "archive" for backup. This way you don't have to keep looking for programs that you've used in the past and want to try again etc. :)

[abid786]

[SPELLING EDIT]
BackupBitster is one that allows you to back up everything without a conduit. It saved my life when I was going to hard reset (I had a corrupt file that caused Fatal Exceptions all the time, and I couldn't delete it using Filez or the default launcher). I simply launched BackupBitster and selected "All files for backup", and went and unchecked the corrupt file. Then, recovering from a hard reset was very simple.

Abid

[SoS]

Originally posted by Moose Man
Your welcome.



Hi Moose Man, since you are on a crusade about spelling and grammar, shouldn't the above be

You're welcome. ?

sorry!!:)

[PalmTealLover]

First of all - I don't use a keyboard. I had NO IDEA that unhooking that driver on the conduit would speed things up so much. I'm wondering why on Earth that is, MooseMan - because some information in MemoPad, Address or WordSmith (for example) was ENTERED on akeyboard? Or just because it's a massive "bottleneck" at time of hytsync? Either way it's bad and thanks for teaching us all something there.

I have a couple of things I do that REALLY helped, also:

1. Go into MyComputer/C:/. Don't hit "programs," but instead hit "folders." THEN go in to either "Palm" or Programs on the left side menu, (depending where you loaded it - I notice it used to make its own folder OUTSIDE programs in C: called "Palm;" now it places by default in "Programs."

Find your user folder.
RIGHT CLICK "Archive" and send a shortcut to desktop. Do the same with "Backup." Now open up those windows on the desktop and SIZE THEM, checking "show details" under view, so their side by side and split the screen. Alter to taste. Now by clicking on both, quickly, at same time, you get side by side of exactly WHAT'S where. Something in backup will transfer to Archive if you delete it on the handheld, provided the backup-bit is set to "on." I don't wait for that. I drag that bad boy over to Archive ANYWAY, then set the backup bit on the palm to "Force." This can be done with any utility that allows alteration of the backupbit setting like SuperUtility. I personally use (naturally) TealFiles, because it does more than turn on or off. It allows you to do a one time "FORCE" of little "b" to Big "B" for just this type of thing. It also allows for disabling and showing "orphans." When you force to on, it will copy to backup folder AGAIN so you now have 2 copies.

Everyone's Desktop View on their PC is of course their business, so I won't espouse on "layout," but I personally put EVERYTHING to do with Palm in the top right corner -- shortcuts for all stuff like QuickInstall, HotSync Activation, and external programs like are all up there for quick access.

Next, BURN A CD OF THOSE FOLDERS. If nuclear war broke out, you'd have two copies on CD of everything you had x 2.

Now go back in to the palm and TURN OFF anything you don't need to regularly backup up. DISABLE the backup bit - not just set to lower b. It will take 1 hotsync to "catch up" with the changes, but then "backup up databases" will be much shorter. If your apps are backed up as explained above, and hopefully with cardbackup as well, then you don't need even the little "b" unless you overwrite with newer version of the app.

My original hotsync time was around a minute. After "cleaning up backup bits," it dropped to 30 seconds.

After loading most apps in JackFlash, it now doesn't back the apps up at all - they're in ROM. My Hotsync time is now 11 seconds without Documents to Go.

Most dramatic, however, seems to be that darn keyboard driver -- whew, that's a lot of wasted time. Thanks again MM, even though I don't have a keyboard. If I decide to get one, you can bet that will be the first thing off!! Also, Documents to Go doesn't need to sync constantly in my case - once a week is fine. That's also unhooked until I decide I want to "update the desktop." Little tweaks like that will help you shorten things up so you can "Hotysnc as you're headed out the door," and not miss the flight!!!

[wghandorf]

Originally posted by Moose Man
Turn that keyboard driver off before syncing and see the difference in speed.

To be a little more clear since your somewhat of a newbie: find the hotsync icon on the Palm and then tap menu, tap conduit setup - you'll see check mark's by all of the programs that are scheduled for backup upon normal hotsync.

Certain developers don't encode their programs correctly (I'm not a software developer so I can't remember the setting) and therefore a few might not be in this list. If they aren't then you need a backup program. If all of your programs are on this list, most are, then you don't need a seperate PC based backup program.
Moose

Will unchecking some/many of the conduits in the "Conduit Setup" increase the speed of the hotsynching process since it refers to MODEM hotsynch, not a regular old non-modem synch?
Thanks!

[abid786]

Originally posted by SoS
Hi Moose Man, since you are on a crusade about spelling and grammar, shouldn't the above be

You're welcome. ?

sorry!!:)

I think that was only for Scott;)

[scottoldford13]

Very funny Abid, I'm downloading a plugin for windows right now that is a spell checker so hopefully my english will imporve then.

[zeens]

Thanks again for those good tips.

I have one more question - a bit off topic. But does anyone use Outlook AND another desktop program.

I like Outlook ...its sufficient. But I love Agendus. And I just d/l Agendus for Windows too. It apparently works with Outlook too. So I've got my Agendus on Palm synching with Outlook and Agendus desktop version. I contemplate removing the middleman here - Outlook, but thats just tough - I relied on Outlook for a long time.

So, what do you all use in terms of a calendar. And what desktop do you use? I am hesistant upon Palm Desktop...just not quite sure about it yet.

[PalmTealLover]

If you've got Outlook up and running with anything you're a smarter person than most.

I also love Agendus, LOVE the Palm Desktop and won't "get into" using Outlook to sync with, but may be missing something. I do not use the Agendus desktop Version - only on handheld - so can't help you with an opinion there.

I really like the PalmDesktop but again, if you've got Outlook as "middleman" and AGendus syncs okay, it sounds like you're rocking. I imagine the Agendus desktop will carry over the same "month view icon view" as on the handheld -- that certainly seems like it would be sufficient.

ISN'T AGENDUS GREAT???!!!