Palm M105 won't synch

[clongwor]

I've been using my Palm M105 with my Windows ME for years. The other day, I replaced the batteries in the Palm and tried to HotSync it like I've done dozens of times. It wouldn't finish and this is the log:

HotSync operation started 09/13/04 22:16:37
-- Date Book
- Could not save the Desktop file.
Your disk on your PC may be full. Check the disk space and perform a HotSync operation again.
Date Book synchronization failed
-- Address Book
- Could not save the Desktop file.
Your disk on your PC may be full. Check the disk space and perform a HotSync operation again.
Address Book synchronization failed
-- To Do List
- Could not save the Desktop file.
Your disk on your PC may be full. Check the disk space and perform a HotSync operation again.
To Do List synchronization failed
-- Memo Pad
- Could not save the Desktop file.
Your disk on your PC may be full. Check the disk space and perform a HotSync operation again.
Memo Pad synchronization failed
OK Note Pad
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\NetworkDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\Giraffe_High_Score.PRC
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\Giraffe.PRC
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\BigClock_data.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\BigClock.PRC
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\System_MIDI_Sounds.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\Saved_Preferences.PRC
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\LauncherDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\Keyboard.PRC
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\Graffiti_ShortCuts__.PRC
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\WrdS_FontDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\ConnectionDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\AddressCitiesDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\AddressCompaniesDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\AddressCountriesDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\psysLaunchDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\AddressStatesDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\AddressTitlesDB.PDB
- Installed file: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\Scrabble.PRC
- Install failed: C:\Palm\Caroly\Backup\ScrabbleLTHDB.PDB
Install synchronization failed
HotSync Error: Unknown error. (FFFF)
HotSync operation complete 09/13/04 22:17:24

Does anyone have any ideas what could be the matter?
Thanks!
Carolyn

[Jim Cooke]

It appears you had a partial hard reset. I suspect the your capacitor is failing and it only holding power for about 10 seconds. If you get the batteries in less than that, you only lose part of your files. If it takes longer, you lose all your files.

To restore things the way they were, change the four PIM conduits to "Desktop overwrited handheld". This should restore the sync tasks that were lost in the partial hard reset.

For the future, you have two choices. Do a backup before changing batteries and assume you'll have a hard reset. You can then restore from backup. The option would be to get another M105 or move up to a later Palm. The capacitors in these older Palms all seem to dry out at about the same rate so getting a used M105 wouldn't mean you're not buying another machine with the same problem. The M105 is worth so little now that it's not economic to repair it. I'd be looking for a new model to replace the 105 if I was in your shoes.

[clongwor]

Thanks, Jim,
I'll try it tonight. Now if I were to buy a new model, could I synch my old desktop files to it?

Carolyn

[Jim Cooke]

Carolyn,

Yes, with some cautions. All the Palm desktop data will sync to a new Palm with no problem. If you buy a new Palm with OS 5.x, you may have some software on your 105 that's not compatible with OS 5.x. This can be a big issue if you have a lot of third party programs. If you use hacks, these generally won't work with OS 5.x so you need to make sure any hacks are disabled before you do a final hotsync when you get a new machine.

The best thing to do is to move everything out of your C:\Program Files\Palm\YourUserName\backup folder to a temporary folder and then reinstall the third party programs one by one to make sure you don't run into a problem.