Upgrading Vx OS and Desktop

[SteveC]

I have a Vx w/Palm OS v. 3.3 and I'm using Palm Desktop v. 3.0.1 (from the disk that came with my Vx) and my questions are....
1. Should I upgrade the OS?
2. Should I upgrade to a newer desktop version ?
3. If so, what's the best way to do the upgrades ?

I tried to do both today from the Palm site and ended up wasting 2 hours and reinstalling my old Palm Desktop software back. The OS upgrade got hung up after the "reset" function so I cancelled the install.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[JohnKes]

You tried to put in the 3.5 upgrade? :
http://www.palm.com/support/35upgrade/palmvx_upgrade.html
OS3.5 has some neat features that you might like, along with compatibility to some newer apps:
http://www.palm.com/support/35upgrade/why-engl.html#whats

One would think the Desktop software would install properly over a previous version. It has always worked for me. I think DrMud always recommends uninstalling first.

The latest Desktop software has some neat features too, like password protection (new!).

See if you can get the Desktop software updated, then try the OS upgrade again. Remember to have the battery well charged.

[SteveC]

Thanks for the input and links.

First I installed the upgraded desktop and then tried to install the 3.5 OS. When I tried the 3.5 upgrade it automatically installed an older version of the desktop (3.something) over my new 4.something desktop and then hung up after the "reset" step.

Perhaps I should try the OS upgrade first and then the desktop?

[JohnKes]

Might as well. Upgrading to 3.5 was supposed to be trouble free!

[SteveC]

I just got it right!

I uninstalled Desktop upgrade and reinstalled Desktop from cd. OS upgrade then went trouble free.

Then I uninstalled old Desktop, reinstalled old Desktop from cd(hotsync & mail only - to keep Outlook mail conduit). Then I installed new Desktop overwriting files to keep Outlook mail conduit. It seemed to be the only way to keep Outlook mail conduit as when I first tried a clean install after uninstalling old desktop...no mail!

Now I can have some fun with my good ole Vx. What "must have" utilities/apps does anyone recommend? I'm in the construction business without (unfortunately) any time for games, etc. but have lots of clients, suppliers, projects and "to-do's" to keep track of.

[JohnKes]

There are programs to manage contacts (better that AddressBook). A spreadsheet would be useful - try DocumentsToGo (DTG) or QuickSheet. DTG is a package that will Sync and read Word, Excel, Powerpoint files. WordSmith is the best for just word processing. There are several database programs, but I don't know which are best. There are even a few scheduling programs like MS Project.

Try searching in:
www.palmblvd.com - since you're here
www.palmgear.com - best selection
www.handango.com - software bundles
www.eurocool.com - ratings
www.freewarepalm.com - freeware

[SteveC]

Thanks JohnKes!

[DrMud]

John is really getting good at this stuff!
My only comment would be that the big byte gobbling apps like Docs to Go and Word Smith really require that you need them.
I do a lot of note taking on my Palm and a lot of spread sheet work. For Word docs I almost always start with the Memo pad. If the file gets too big I'll cut and paste it into Quick Word (on my 515). But I find Memo pad faster to open and get to work in than any of the other true Palm Word Processors. The memo you write will sync to your desktop and you can cut and paste it into Word or what ever you use on the PC, spell check it and use it or correct it and return it to the Palm.
On my Vx I don't even carry a Word Processor app sincc I have other needs for the memory.
DrMud

[JohnKes]

Thanks Doc!

I had DTG on my Prism for about 10 minutes, then realized it wasn't worth the megabytes it was taking up. Notepad is plenty good for me 99% of the time.