I lost My Data from Plam Desktop applicatio​n while updating the software Plzz HELP

Question

Hello
I Lost all my Data that was in Palm Desktop applicaton on my PC. I no Longer have my Palm device BUT data was in desktop application. Today I tried to upgrade my Palm Desktop version from 4.2 to 6 and I lost all my files is there a way to recover them.
Thanks,
Sat
Post relates to: Palm V

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. You can 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://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=26674
Here is another link regarding data loss;
http://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=39503
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://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=28751
If you can find your missing files, you will need to install the version of PD you previously had installed and paste the files in that version. Any palm files previous to 6.2 will not work in 6.2. The files in 6.2 are in a different file format.
One caveat here, since you do not sync a device, the files are not rotated as they would be during the sync process. The only option you may have avail. is the data in the .dat files.
The best way to preserve your data is to export the data in each category in Palm Desktop to a seperate folder on your PC.
Create a new folder on your PC somewhere that is convenient. Name it something like Palm Desktop Data. Click on the link below and follow the instructions on that page for the export procedure.
http://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=28734
Make sure you select all for the range in the export window.
With the data saved in the folder you created, make a copy of that folder and save to a flash drive, cd-rw or external hard drive.
Anytime you make a change in Palm Desktop, export the data that was changed to that folder and save again to the external media.
With this process you can always import the data back into Palm Desktop anytime you have a problem with the data in Palm Desktop or if your computer/hard drive/device crashes.