Sync Problems After Installing Vista Service Pack 1

Question

I just installed Vista service pack 1. Hotsync ceased to work. So, after checking Palm online help, I downloaded and installed Desktop 6.2 and Hotsync 7. The instructions said not to uninstall my previous version of Desktop 4.2 and Hotsync 6.01. After completing the installation, I find that my data had not been moved to the new location and that some Hotsync items had changed such as Quick Intall to Install. And, I still can't Hotsync. So, here's a series of questions:
How can I get my data over to Desktop 6.2?
Do I want to move the data over or should I reinstall Desktop 4.2? (I use an XP machine to print my schedule and usually simply copy the user folder from the Vista system to the XP system. There's no Vista print driver available for my hp printer.)
Is Palm trying to become Microsoft by changing where they store information to the confusion of a power user?
Any and all help would be appreciated.
Post relates to: Palm Vx

Answer 1

The version 6.2 of Palm desktop does not support your Vx.
Click here for the support page for 6.2; http://www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/windesk62.html
The only handhelds supported are Palm TX, Z22; Tungsten E2.
You will need to install the version that is on the CD that came with the Vx. You will need to "clean" uninstall Palm desktop on the Vista PC in order to re-install the older version of Palm desktop.
First thing to consider is, where is the current data. On the device or in the PC?
If you have the data in Palm desktop 6.2, do an export of the data for backup. After the re-install of the older palm desktop, import the data for each category. Since you are still using the XP PC and has data on that system, you can export the data from that PC.
In Vista, the userfolder is in documents-palm os desktop. One caveat here, the data format in the 6.2 user folder is not compatible with the data format in earlier versions of Palm desktop so you cannot copy and paste the entire user folder into the older version of Palm desktop.
Here is a procedure for backing up your data.
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.
To do the "clean" uninstall on the Vista PC, here are the instructions.
You should first make a copy of your data to have just in case something
happens. You can find your data files by going to Start --> Documents -->
Palm OS Desktop. Highlight your Palm Desktop username and right click and
copy. Then go to your PC desktop right click on a blank spot and select paste.
Disregard the first step above because your data is on the XP PC and we are just going to import the data. 
Now you want to uninstall Palm Desktop and remove everything that has to do
with Palm Desktop from your computer.
Go to the following locations on the PC and delete the folders listed below.
C:\Program Files\Palm or Palm One
C:\Users\[Vista Login Name]\appdata\local\virtualstore\Program Files\Palm or
PalmOne
C:\Users\[Vista Login Name]\appdata
*Note you may need to view hidden folders to get to appdata. To do that go
into your control panel and open folder options. Go to view tab and uncheck
hide hidden files.
Once this is done you will need to delete some registry keys from your PC Operating System.
Word of warning, going here and deleting the wrong thing can cause your PC
from starting up, crashing and deletion of programs and data. If you feel
you are unsure of yourself, see if you have a friend that can help you or a
PC technician that you can pay to help you. This procedure will show them everything they need to delete. To make sure we have a good copy of the current registry, we need to do a backup of the Registry.
Go to start on the PC, in the search field type "regedit.exe" without quotes.
Highlight COMPUTER, go to File --> Export. Should pop up with a Save As box.
Current location is fine, should be in My Documents or save to a location you will remember. In the file name on the bottom type "backup[todaysdate]" i.e. backup07072008. Next, the hard part.
The easiest way to make sure your working with the correct key, highlight the key i.e. palm quick install, and press delete on your keyboard. It will ask you, are you sure. Say yes. Do the same thing for all keys below.
If you make a mistake, stop what you are doing. And call a PC technician.
BUT do not turn off your computer.
The reg keys are as follows (Note: some of theses reg keys will not be here
but if they are delete them)
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\U.S. Robotics\Palm Quick Install
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\U.S. Robotics\PalmOne File Transfer
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\U.S. Robotics\Pilot Desktop
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Palm
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Palm, Inc.
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PalmDesktopAutorun
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\palmOne
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PalmSource
* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\PalmSource or anything else that says palm
Next reboot your computer.
Then reinstall your palm desktop from the CD and do a hotsync. If it asks
you for a username and you synced your device before, put in 'test" if you
did not sync before create a hotsync name.
Post relates to: Palm i705