2 Easy questions I think.... And a Pocket Mirror question...

[Alan Wil]

http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/downloads_prev.html


Gentlemen,

Just got a Palm III. (My First Palm)

Running version v.3.0.2 OS ROM

Went to http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/downloads_prev.html For the Palm III, v3.0 it shows a link to V3.5.3.... But when I read the req's it states it's only an update for the v.3.5 series.

1st question is... How can I update to a more current OS? Is there a workaround? Is v3.5.3 stable?


2nd Question... I would assume before flashing rom, a backup should be made. Is this a straight forward procedure? Anything to watch out for besides a "power failure during flash?".


3rd Question, Plan on adding more memory (upgrade to 8mb), Do I have to keep v3.0.2? Somewhere I read if you add more memory you cannot update the OS.



Look forward to hearing your ideas.

Alan

[vollie]

You can upgrade to OS 4.1 by flashing your rom (or any other os if you can find a suitable rom)

The flashing prcedure is very simple and will promt you to press hotsync button and therby make your backup before allowing you to proceed, just make sure nothin happens during the flashing part.

Adding more memory is usually a ratherexpensive procedur, so expensive that i would consider buying a cheap 2nd hand palm with 8mb already installed (the IIIc for instance)

[JohnKes]

You can upgrade to PalmOS 3.3 for free:
http://www.palm.com/support/33upgrade/33_legal_eng.html

You get better IR function after you do this. I did it on a PalmPro w/ III upgrade card. It works fine. Remember to use fairly new batteries. It used 15% of battery life to do it.

I don't know how much the OS 4.1 upgrade costs.

Yes, backup everything because everything gets wiped during the upgrade.

There should be no problem with 8MB. You have a source for the 8MB RAM card? It might have its own ROM, with OS higher than 3.0

[Alan Wil]

Thanks for the response guys!



I am familiar with flashing and such since I had some CE devices a few year ago.... (Phillips Velo... The hinges would break on them just "looking" at them ... Cheap hinge design.... Really cheap.)


The 2 to 8 mb upgrade I was / is planning to do is here: http://www.interlog.com/~tcharron/palm/III8M.html If I can find a chip that is priced "cheap enough". Otherwise I may just try to find a IIIc... As from what I've read it is a much nicer unit...


Here is an upgrade to 12mb.... But this requires a TRG card.... http://www.interlog.com/~tcharron/palm/12m.html So I probably wouldn't be doing that as it would be a waste of money I think.



I would think the money would be better spent on a more current model.... (515?)



If I do the chip upgrade I guess I will be needing is a "GOOD" soldering station....


Anyone got an extra one you could part with?


PS: If I do the 8mb upgrade does anyone know if there will be a problem upgrade the OS? (Unit currently has v3.0.2).

Somewhere I read that if an memory upgrade is done, only 3.1 and below will work with the extra memory.

[JohnKes]

I wouldn't think so, since most PalmOS devices have 8MB or more and run OS 3.5 and above.

And the III can run OS 3.5 and above, since Palm is offering those flash OS upgrades for a fee:
http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/downloads_prev.html

[Alan Wil]

Went to http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/update353.html

For the Palm III, v3.0 it shows a link to V3.5.3.... But when I read the req's it states it's only an update for the v.3.5 series.



http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/update353_req.html


This is on the update353_req page noted above:

"If you see anything else (example: 3.1), this patch is not intended for your handheld and should not be installed."


Check it out and let me know.

I'm new to this Palm stuff... Don't want to kill the unit right away!

[JohnKes]

My link above sends you to the free 3.3 upgrade site. This upgrades the flash ROM.

The 3.5 upgrade used to be available for a fee. The 3.5.3 update is a patch to 3.5, so if you don't have 3.5 it won't work.

Seems like only the 4.1 upgrade is available these days (for a fee).

Pick your poison. Since you are tinkering you should just go to 3.3 Don't spend too much money.

[Alan Wil]

JohnKes,

I'm new to this Palm stuff so please bear with me...


So 3.5 was available for download at one time?

(So this means "if" I can find 3.5 or 4.1 that those OS will run on the III? Minus a few features due to hardware not physically being able to provide certain features).


I figured something along those lines... That they want to "charge" for the updated OS.



I guess whomever made the marketing decision to "charge" for an OS upgrade was the same person who pulled Pocket Mirror from the Palm software download and now they want to charge you for that also.

Pulling Pocket Mirror knowing the only way you can sync up with MS Outlook is a pretty sorry way to run a company when your product is pretty much useless without such an application.


I guess this is their way to force you into buying a new PDA when you have hardware that is still sort-of capable... Abit not state of the art.


PS: To Palm, Inc... A color screen that is more readable would cause me to upgrade.... You not providing updates to older units that are still functional makes me think long and hard about buying a "new" Palm over a Windows CE device.



Thanks for the info guys... Please don't take offense it I seem a little down on Palm at this point...



Alan

[JohnKes]

Just kidding. If you can still use it, don't spend any more money. I used an upgraded PalmPersonal (2MB + IR) for 2 years, then went to a Visor Deluxe for the better screen and 8MB. Needed that for AvantGo and other useful apps. Used that for 2 years until prices came down for a Prism. Now I can store pictures, etc.

The 3.5 upgrade used to be $20 or $30 (I forget). The 4.1 upgrade is $30, and does more. Yeah, pretty lame to charge for an upgrade for old units, since the new units pay for the OS development.

PocketMirror is included with all recent Palms (except Palm IIIe and earlier):
http://www.palm.com/support/accessories/pocketmirror.html