locked out!!

[mightyone3013]

hey guys, my friend was messing around w/ his girlfriends TX which I recommended he get her and he somehow ended up locking it. She doesn't remember the password and is between computers so retrieving personal info via hotsync is out. And naturally came to me to b*tch about it. All I can think of is performing a hard reset but surely there is another way? Please, any comments and information will be greatly appreciated,

[FerdFerd]

Take a look at this application (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodid=112673&PartnerREF=&siteid=1). Although I'm not sure what use this will be if you don't have access to a computer to load it.

[mightyone3013]

Thanks I will give it a try. But will it install on a locked device? doesn't the device ask for password when you try to sinc w/ it to access anything on it or install to it?

[cambrihonne]

Im pretty sure youll have to hard reset it.. you cant do anything with a locked palm...

[Zano2004]

Take a look at this application (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodid=112673&PartnerREF=&siteid=1). Although I'm not sure what use this will be if you don't have access to a computer to load it.Well the "application" (CrkPwd) works like a charm in removing passwords. So much for security :eek:

[FerdFerd]

The password security for Palm has been known to be notoriously weak since at least my first Palm. Longer no doubt, I just didn't know.

[mightyone3013]

Ok so I tried to sync and quick install the said TX so I can use the application (CrkPwd) but it wont even sync. BTW she failed to enter the quick lock combination 3 x so it is asking for the password directly. Zano2004 how did you get around the sync problem? Did you install the app on the card or something like to run it? If the device is locked how can you install the app? Or do you have to run the app from a third device or a computer?

[tk_421]

Just perform a warm reset. Press the reset pin while holding up on the 5-way navigator. It should beat the security.

[mightyone3013]

tried it, didn't work, thanks though, I still want to find out how people got to install the app on a locked device, but I think I should just inform the person hard reset is the only way and their personal info is gone.

[dmitrygr]

If you have access to the last backup of the device on the pc it was on, you can easily recover the MD5 of the password from this backup, and then a simple brute force attack will be enough to get a working password

[mightyone3013]

No the owner of the device is between computers so there is no computer back up. Since I was the one who recommended the device, she basically threw the responsibility to me to find the solution. Thanks all

[Zano2004]

Ok so I tried to sync and quick install the said TX so I can use the application (CrkPwd) but it wont even sync. BTW she failed to enter the quick lock combination 3 x so it is asking for the password directly. Zano2004 how did you get around the sync problem? Did you install the app on the card or something like to run it? If the device is locked how can you install the app? Or do you have to run the app from a third device or a computer?No sync problem. I've never tried installing anything when a device is locked. Hard reset and start over is likely what needs to happen.

[technical1]

At least let it be a lesson for future reference. Prices on SD cards are getting lower & I just scored a great price ~ $50.00 + shipping for a Transcend 150X 4Gb card on eBay. There are many paid & free backup apps; so no more probs w/no computer to restore.

Free is NVBackup fm Dr. Alex Pruss, no need to speak on behalf of his programming chops. I use the shareware Resco Backup, which has all sorts of safety features i.e. locking dangerous apps & a lot more (it works nicely together w/Resco Locker & Explorer).

So backup regularly & make sure you save one backup set that will be the designated baseline b/u & be sure to have no password yet when doing this baseline backup, & then all contacts, apptmts, & memos can be restored on a file by file basis fm latest backup that would have a password for system. You can password protect RB as well, so be careful.... use something easily remembered, but not obvious.

Like the name of your favorite teacher in HS, or something like that i.e. aellis
no- I don't use that on mine... just a 'tip of my hat to my fave teacher'.
Good luck.

[Zano2004]

I have to endorse what technical1 says about SD cards and backup software. This combination has allowed me to extract myself from many a dead condition of my Palm devices. I'm currently using NVBackup, which doews the best job of back-up and restore I've experiencec yet.

[Heather Cullen]

If she forget her password, she should use the password hint to help to remember the password. If this does not help, or if she does not have a password hint, she will have to perform a hard reset to continue using the handheld.

Heather

[pruss]

tried it, didn't work, thanks though, I still want to find out how people got to install the app on a locked device, but I think I should just inform the person hard reset is the only way and their personal info is gone.

I don't actually know of a way to install an app on a locked device. (And even if I did, I wouldn't post it on a public forum.) My feeling is that security has been improved on recent Palm devices. For instance, recent Palm devices don't let you enter either debugger if there is a password set. There probably still are some security holes that would let you overcome the locking, but I haven't figured them out yet.

Alex