Help for recoveray of Palm data

Question

I have a Palm m515 with all my contacts info. The Palm stopped syn after I installed the new Desktop software (v6.2) sometimes ago. Recently, all the info in my Palm was gone, because I failed to recharge it for a period of time. Now, only data I have is the one in my Documents (/Documents/Palm OS Desktop/[Palm user name]/address/). There are three files in this directory: address.bak; address.db; UiPrefs.dat. Similar files are found in directories of [datebook], [memopad], and [todo], under coresponding file names.
My question is: how to recover/read the data from these files, if these files contain the actual data I syn'ed at the last time. Really appreciate any suggestion and help. Many thanks!
Post relates to: Palm m515

Answer 1

You can recover the data from your user folder provided you have only sync'ed once with the PC when you discovered the data missing. When you sync to the PC there are files created for each PIM category in your user folder. For Example; datebook.dat or datebook (Depending on the version of Palm Desktop) and datebook.bak. Using 6.2 the file names are .mdb and mdb.bak. For 6.2, the files are located in the username folder in PalmOSdesktop in my documents.
The files are named .dat and .bak. When you sync, the current data is stored in .dat. The next time you sync the data in the .dat file is copied to the .bak file. To recover the data, close Palm Desktop. Rename the .dat to .old. then rename the .bak to .dat. If the data in the .bak file is intact, it will now be in palm desktop when you reopen Palm desktop. I have included a link to show you how to find the userfolder on the PC.
http://kb.hpwebos.com/wps/portal/kb2/common/article/26674_en.html
Here is another link regarding data loss;
http://kb.hpwebos.com/wps/portal/kb2/common/article/39503_en.html
The best way to backup your data is to use the export feature in Palm Desktop. Make a new folder on the PC desktop named Palm Desktop Backup data. Next, select the category you want to export. You will get a window that asks where you want to save the file, save in the folder created on the desktop. There is a button that allows you to select currently selected record or all, select all. If you don't select all, then only the record highlighted is exported. You will then need to name the file for export, I suggest the name of the category, eg: datebook (With current date). Do this for all critical data in each category. With the data exported to the folder on the PC desktop, you can save this data to a flash drive, external hard drive or a CD-RW. With this method you will have your data in a seperate place than Palm desktop and the device. If you "Lose" data again, you can import the data back into palm desktop.
Make sure that when you make changes in palm desktop or the device to export the data to the folder created for the backup.
Here is a link for other options for backing up your data;
http://kb.hpwebos.com/wps/portal/kb2/common/article/28751_en.html
If you are using Win7 64 bit, you will need the USB drivers from Acceca, here is the link;
http://forums.hpwebos.com/t5/Windows-HotSync/64-Bit-Palm-Desktop-Drivers-are-HERE/m-p/337516
For reference purposes, click on the following link for the support page for your device on the kb.hpwebos.com webpage.
http://kb.hpwebos.com/wps/portal/kb/common/article/47831_en.html#m515
There are links on the page to the user guide, troubleshooting, how to's, downloads, etc.