M505 problem recognizing card

[mooreman]

I recently upgraded my M505 to the new and allegedly "improved" 4.1 OS from the old and trusted 4.0. Don't ask me why, other than I'm a sucker for upgrades. Anyway, I have successfully used a 28mb sd card and a smaller 16mb sd card. However, since the upgrade, the handheld gives an error when I insert the card saying "the handheld cannot reconize this card". Does anyone out there in web-land know if there's a direct correlation? That's the only thing that has changed on the handheld and the smaller card currently has MP3's that I use in my MP3 player now (so I know it works). Am I most likely going to have to finger out how, and go back to the old 4.0 OS? Thanks in advance, you guys rock!

[mhamann]

Unless you want to risk damaging your Palm further, don't try to get back to OS4.0. You would have to re-flash it which is a highly risky process. Try a hard reset and see if that makes the cards readable. Also, if you can spare, try formatting the cards. It may be that the new OS can't read them for some odd reason. If all else fails, CALL Palm Inc, and ask them. If your device is still under warranty, you may be able to get a new one, then just install the updates, not the upgrade. Hope you get everything working!

[DrMud]

As a preface to the answer to your question let me warn you that once 4.1 is on your Palm the bridge is burnt. I had a friend try to go back and after much unrewarded effort on his part Palm told him it was a nonrevertable situation.
Before you upgraded to 4.1 did you install any helpful files such as the Palm upgrade to FATFS? If you may have, take a look with a good file manager, if you find it, remove it. Generally the problem exhibits itself as a crash when the card is added. If you never added FATFS then try a soft reset.
DrMud

[mooreman]

Yeah, I just got a reply from Palm and their story now is that you CAN'T revert to the old OS, even though when you read the instructions, it says in plain English that you CAN revert. In fact, here's a direct quote from 4.1's readme file..... "Should you experience any problems with the new version of the operating system for any reason, you may return to the earlier 4.0 version of the operating system." Now... maybe I'm retarded, and I don't THINK that I am, but that sounds an awful lot like you should be able to change it back. I just wish Palm would get all of their people on the same page and quit selling a line of useless B.S. to their customers. Know whut ah main Vern?
I think maybe I DID download the updated FATFS thingy before the upgrade to 4.1 , but I wouldn't know how to get it off of there now, particularly since that same readme file states that the new OS includes updated Fatfs thingys for recognition of larger expansion cards. That, combined with the fact that I've had my Palm now for over 90 days, translates to the fact that I'm pretty much hosed unless I want to invest a little more money and maybe buy a larger expansion card. Oh well.... I wonder if Sony has any good deals on their Clie's ? :o)

[DrMud]

You need to remove the offending FAFTS file from your Palm. You will need a file manager such as McFile ofr myWorkBench. Use the TRIAL version.
Once McFile is loaded to your Palm and launched tap the Palm (RAM) Icon far lower left. You will now see the complete file listing of RAM. Write a Grafitti "F" and you should now be moved to the Fs near to FATFS. If you have two such files then their is the problem. Now to find the Bad Boy. Highlight one of the FAFTS files and then tap properties. In properties tap OK if you are in the properties for the New one it will tell you on leaving that you were viewing info on a ROM based file. That is the new one! Tap the other FATFS and tap delete. Do a soft reset after the delete and try your card again.
DrMud

McFile (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&jid=421AA2E6DE9FF4FB1EE2B33B68BCAD4A&zsortParams=true&productId=22921&optionId=1_1_2&productType=2&catalog=1&txtSearch=McFile&sectionId=0&platformId=1)

[mooreman]

I did as you said, and under McFile, there only appears to be one Fatfs file. I almost got excited there for a minute, but I don't know what to do with it now. The thing driving all of this is that I recently bought a new MP3 player that accepts sd cards as expansion. I had stopped using my 16mb card in lieu of using the larger 28mb card I have. Since my recent purchase however, I have scaled back to what I actually NEED on my Palm to use the 16mb card with it and then start using the 28mb card with my MP3 player. A good plan, until I actually tried it and the Palm won't recognize the 16mb card anymore since the update.
So, I'm thinking my only option after actually speaking with Palm's tech support, is either to buy another (larger) expansion card, or basically do nothing and try to figure out a way to make this work as I have it set up now. All in all though, this is the 5th Palm I've owned, and so far has been reliable. My recommendation to anyone (based on my own experience) is to research the available updates to determine if in fact they are really necessary for your application. In other words, if it's not broken, then don't fix it. Just because there's an update/upgrade, doesn't mean it'll noticeably improve your equipment.

[mhamann]

You found the FATFS file, so delete it. The updated FATFS file that got installed with PalmOS 4.1 is in ROM! Meaning you can safely delete the one on your device, and that should work. Like I said before, if all else fails, do a hard reset. But I think that deleting the FATFS file should work. Just make sure you soft reset your palm before trying to load a card after the FATFS deletion. If you've got anymore problems after that, email me or post on the boards and we'll all be glad to help you out!

[DrMud]

If you try to delete the file and it is in ROM it will not delete so your safe. Did you check the Properties on the FATFS file? Did it warn you that it was a ROM File? If it did not then McFile may be set to not show ROM files and you should try to delete the FATFS file you can find.
DrMud

[mooreman]

In a flash of inspiration (actually desparation), I put the card back in and got the same error, however this time I went to System, Card Info and in that menu it showed no card was actually inserted, BUT it let me format and rename the card and NOW it's working..... I didn't think to try that before, but it worked. Now, on the Fatfs issue, I guess I misunderstood your instructions using McFile, I thought there had to be 2 Fatfs files that McFile showed. As there is only one, you're saying that I can delete it, soft-rest and should have no problems? I'm almost leaning towards NOT doing anything else to it since I think it's working now. (those of you reading/following this post will realize the bulk of these messages are from throughout the day today.... yes, I DO have a life and I DO have better things I ought to be doing, but this issue has been like a nagging.... THING for the last couple of weeks... By the way DrMud, thank you for YOUR time and advice with this, it's obvious you have quite alot of experience with these sort of issues, I may just seek you out from now on instead of posting in public forum!! (Just kidding). Anyway, were you me, would you go ahead and delete that Fatfs file anyway now?

[DrMud]

At this point stop and Smile! You did gooood!
DrMud

PS: Deleteing files is for another day, maybe never.

[mhamann]

I agree with Dr. Mud. Don't worry about the file now, unless you continue to experience problems. Then you will need to check the FATFS file to see if it is the ROM one or not. otherwise, good luck to you in all of your continued Palm experiences!

[Sparticus Caine]

*throws waves of confetti for mooreman*

You overcame a tough problem... kudos! :) We got lots of great people on here willing to lend a hand.

[mooreman]

Once again, thanks to all who responded with their advice! This is just a testament to what one can do when one has finally "gone over the edge" and sticks with the problem until it's fixed, disregarding any and all of his day-to-day responsibilities. Sort of unusual however, since usually these escapades end in tragedy for me. :(
However, I'm going to heed everyone's advice and leave the blasted thing alone now, no more file deletions, no more file upgrades or patches. I don't care if the next upgrade promises to increase my wealth or make me a better-looking guy. The thing's working for the now, so all's right with the world... kindof.... unless you read the newspapers... or watch tv..... or talk to people... or have political aspirations in Iraq.