Really frozen

[Nicolaas]

Hi
I just started using my palm Vx a week ago... everything worked fine, installed the "gsmtool" and played around with it, not really knowing exactly what I was doing, I pressed on the "receive/download SMS" option - Only to find my palm frozen - with message: "Status: Reading SMS..." With a flash every few second saying something about error #773 (Flashes very fast can't read the rest).

I've tried the soft and hard reset options a few times with no response, waited for the batery to go flat and charged again only to find the same message...

So if the Hard reset does not work - What else is there to do?

nic

[DrMud]

My apologies in advance for suggesting that the hard reset may not have been done properly but did you recieve the message offering to delete all of your data? And did you press the scroll up button to make all data disappear? If you say yes to both then you are in a hard spot and reflashing the OS is the only road out of the valley of dispair. You will need the Palm OS upgrade CD and some luck. It will probably require using the debug mode to reflash.
Doc

The Hard Reset is as follows: Hold down the Power On button. At the same time poke the reset pin in the Reset hole on the back of your Palm. The reset pin is built into the top of your stylus, unscrew the top. Pull the pin back out the reset hold but continue to hold down the Power Button for 10 to 15 seconds or until you see the Palm Logo on your screen. Now let the power button go. You should see a Statement on your screen offering to remove all of your data if you push the Scroll Up button.

[Nicolaas]

Hi DrMud

thank you for your reply. I have tried the hard reset procedure to my mind correctly... Just as you described it. Nothing happens, it doesn't give the messages you described and remains on a clear screen with the words "Satus: reading SMSs ..."

If I cannot get any response.. should I open the thing.. take it in for repairs? Anything else?

[DrMud]

THe OS ROM has been corrupted. The breach is to my knowledge not correctable without reflashing the OS.
Doc

[Nicolaas]

DrMud, thanks again...

But, excuse my lack of knowledge here, but what does it exaclty mean to reflash the OS?

[little-man]

It means, in short, to clear out every single little piece of data in the Palm, including the operating system, and the reinstall the OS.

[PalmTT]

DrMud,

How do you reflash the memory?

[little-man]

You will need to get a hold of a flash tool. I believe there is one available from the Palm web site. If not, you will need to buy OS 4.1, assuming that it works with the Vx. I am fairly sure it does.

[DrMud]

Little-Man has said it all. Best bet is to get the real thing from Palm.com. They offer a CD with the Palm OS 4.1 Update. It has been $20. When you need to do this operation it isd best done with the OS straight from Palm on the CD. It is very straight forward.
Doc

[henryl]

I'm not sure getting the software from Palm will do any good, in order to flash it, I think it needs to download a little program onto the palm and you would need to do a hotsync in order to get it on the palm. As the machine is locked up, that doesn't sound like it's going to happen. You could also open up the back using the old hair dryer (aim directly at the back and stay away from the buttons on the top and bottom, they can melt if it gets too hot.) and discconect the battery and reattach. That may set it back to normal.

[jpf22467]

You are correct, if the thing is locked up, you wont be able to hotsync, thus not able to flash.

I would open it up. It is really not hard and you can find step by step instructions here:
http://********hightech.com/generic.html?pid=113

good luck.

If you are unsure, I would be willing to take a look at it for you.

Jim

[DrMud]

The commercial OS INstall tool does not require the installation by hotsync of the loader stub.
TRy stnecorp.com for reflashing.
Doc