Win95 and USB

[edinlausa]

I am a new owner of a 515 and am trying to set up the hot sync. Since my computer did not have a USB port, I bought and installed one. The hot sync does not work. It does not seem to see my Palm. I run Win98. It seems in the instructions that Win98 is not supposed to work with the hot sync cradle that came with my Palm. I hope I don't have to spend $45 to buy a new cradle to work on a serial port. Is there a driver that can be downloaded that will enable Win98 to see and hot sync with my Palm with the nice new USB port I installed? Would upgrading to WinXT fix the problem if nothing else will work?

[DrMud]

Ed,
Win98 will sync with the Palm USB Cradle if your port is functional.
Have you tested the USB port with any other USB device? If not please do so. Did you install the Palm Desktop prior to reconfiguring the PC by adding the USB port. If the Port is functional and the Desktop was connected before the USB came along you need to remove the Desktop using the directions below. Make sure you have the latest from the Palm.com website and reinstall the Desktop.
Doc

PS: Here is the driver if you want to try that first.
Win98 USB Driver (http://www.palm.com/support/accessories/usb/win98_USB.html)

Palm Desktop Uninstall (http://205.141.210.148/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?%20%20St=12,E=0000000000146484133,K=6403,Sxi=6,Ca se=o<br%20/>bj(<br%20/>10109))

[edinlausa]

Thank you for the info. I do not have any other USB devices, so I am not able to test the port in that fashion. I can only go by the device manager that says everything is OK.

I downloaded and unzipped the Win98 USB driver and attempted to follow instructions when I set it up. I not sure if my computer is picking it up when it boots. It's all in a "Win98" folder in the root directory.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the Palm Desktop.

After all of that, I still am not getting connected when I push the "hot sync" buttom on the cradle.

[OldBlue]

edinlausa

Another thing to check is is your motherboard's BIOS to make sure that the USB is "enabled". As an example, my motherboard runs the AMI BIOS. I press "Delete" during boot up to get to the BIOS SetUp screen. Menu options include "Standard CMOS Setup", "Advanced Setup", and "Features Setup", as well as several other menu options. When I navigate to the "Features Setup" and press "Enter", the screen shows several options including "USB Function Support" (which I have enabled) and "USB Function For DOS" (which I have disabled.) After checking and enabling USB, make sure to save the settings as you exit out of BIOS SetUp and reboot.

Hope this helps.

OldBlue

[DrMud]

BIG OOOOPS!
Just noted that the original post HEADER said Win95. Is it 95 or 98?
There is NO USB Support from 95 even when there is a USB port. If you have 95 then you will need to upgrade to 98 or XP Home.
Doc

[edinlausa]

I have Win 98. I goofed on the header. Still no luck getting this thing going. I've tried all of the instructions above. I'll try to find something to test the port with.

[OldBlue]

Win95 OSR2 does support USB, but in addition to having OS Release 2, you also have to install the Service Pack. Here is an informative link that also contains the necessary downloads:

http://www.usbman.com/Win95%20USB%20Guide.htm

OldBlue

[edinlausa]

Thanx Old Blue,

I made an error on my original header. I actually run Win98.

I just don't think my computer is seeing the cradle even though the device manger says the USB is OK. I don't own any other USB devices to test the port so I'm going to try and borrow something.:confused:

[DrMud]

If all is working well the device manager will only see the Palm Device when the hotsync is operational.
Doc

[edinlausa]

The device manager does not see the Palm device at all, it only sees the USB ports. When I try to HotSync I get the following message on the Palm (attached to the cradle): "The connection between you handheld computer and the desktop could not be established. Please check your setup and try again."

[DrMud]

Back to your original post.
If the PC did not recognize the new device, did not look for the best driver and install the drivers, then it has yet to see the cradle/Palm.
YOu ask if going to WinXP would help and it might, but there are other consideration such as the CPU and memory of your PC.

My gut feeling is that you need to do the following:
1). Prove to your self the USB port is functional. See if your PC can find and install a printer or other device.
2). Assuming the port and the PC are ready, uninstall the Palm Desktop.
3). Remove the cradle.
4). Install the latest version of the desktop from Palm.com.
5). Shut Down the PC.
6). Connect the Cradle / Palm to the USB and reboot.
Doc

Proper Uninstall of the Desktop (http://205.141.210.148/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?%20%20St=12,E=0000000000146484133,K=6403,Sxi=6,Ca se=o<br%20/>bj(<br%20/>10109))

[edinlausa]

It was a bad USB card. Put in a new one and all is working well now. Thanx for all of the help.

[OldBlue]

edinlausa

I'm glad to see that you've resolved your problem. Happy Palming and syncing!

OldBlue

[edinlausa]

Yes, it has been fun. Thank you for your help and your participation on the board. I have been checking it in other areas and appreciate your advice. I'll probably have more questions soon.

[metaphysician]

I've got that version of Win95 at work. I tried getting it to work with my camera and found out it doesn't work with all USB devices. In fact, it seems to work with very few. I didn't even try my M500. I made work buy me a serial cradle.

[edinlausa]

Thanx for the tip. I've got everything running OK now and am having the time of my life.

Best wishes.:)