T3 Hotsynch problem

[ks1963]

I can't hotsynch my T3. Using XP Home, Hotsynch cradle, Hotsynch Manager. Nothing has changed or been added to PC or T3. It worked one day and then stopped. I'd appreciate suggestions.
Thanks

[Dick Tracy]

Try cleaning the connectors.

[VincentChon]

Hello!

Try to hold the sync cable when hot sync.

[ks1963]

Do you have a suggested protocol for cleaning the connectors? I tried just a dry cotton swab and holding the hot synch cable. It still hangs when synchronizing calendar. (It's been trying to hot synch for about 10 minutes now). Oh yes, I put the anti-virus software on "snooze" in case that's interfering with the hot synch.
Thanks for your advice.

[Josser]

Any clues in the Hotsync log?

Does it start then hang?

Try HotSyncCheck (http://www.palmone.com/us/support/downloads/hotsynccheck.html)

Palm® Support Knowledge Library article 2630 (http://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=2630) HotSync troubleshooting

[potter]

It still hangs when synchronizing calendar. (It's been trying to hot synch for about 10 minutes now).I recall reading others having a similar problem where the Hotsync would hang at the Calendar. The diagnosis was the it was caused by a corrupt record int the Calendar database. The prescription was to use dbScan (http://www.pimlicosoftware.com/utilities.htm#dbScan) to try to clean up any errors in the calendar. I do not recall any more details than that. The main point would be which functions to use in dbScan (http://www.pimlicosoftware.com/utilities.htm#dbScan). I would assume it was just be main scan, but it might have also involved removing deleted records. I do not recall. Try searching to see if you can find any of these past discussions.

[ks1963]

The hotsynch process starts (Hotsynch Calendar) and then processes forever (at least 5 - 10 minutes) with no further progress.
I tried HotSynch Check and the message was "Your system scan is complete and no errors were found".

Any other suggestions?

[ks1963]

I downloaded dbscan, and was able to hotsynch that program to my handheld. (The hotsynch process again "hung" on the calendar function.
I ran the dbscan on the handheld and it found several recordxs that I deleted, and then I got a Fatal Alert:
DataMgr.C, Line7399,
DMwrite: Dmwritecheckfailed

This is a puzzle

[ks1963]

I tried hotsync using a zip link cable, and the program started, recognized me, started syncing the calendar and then I got the following:
"Runtime Error! Program:\C:\Program Files\Palm\Hotsync.exe R 6025 Pure virtual function call"

Is it time to give up my T3 and get a new phone/palm device?

[potter]

I ran the dbscan on the handheld and it found several recordxs that I deleted, and then I got a Fatal Alert:
DataMgr.C, Line7399,
DMwrite: Dmwritecheckfailed
Try performing a firm-reset (a.k.a. warm-reset), that is a soft-reset while holding the up button. Since you have a T3, continue holding the up until the Palm splash screen appears. Then while in firm-reset mode, run dbscan.
Is it time to give up my T3 and get a new phone/palm device?
No I do not think so. At this point everything to me is pointing to a software or data problem. When we have exhausted everything else there is always the more radical hard-reset of the device and/or complete removal and reinstall of the desktop software. The first of which would be some what equivalent to buying a new device and syncing against your old data. The first and second together would be equivalent to buying a new device and starting from scratch.

Thinking down those lines, since it looks like we may have to resort to such soon. Which do you think has the better data, your desktop or you hand-held?

[ks1963]

Try performing a firm-reset (a.k.a. warm-reset), that is a soft-reset while holding the up button. Since you have a T3, continue holding the up until the Palm splash screen appears. Then while in firm-reset mode, run dbscan.

No I do not think so. At this point everything to me is pointing to a software or data problem. When we have exhausted everything else there is always the more radical hard-reset of the device and/or complete removal and reinstall of the desktop software. The first of which would be some what equivalent to buying a new device and syncing against your old data. The first and second together would be equivalent to buying a new device and starting from scratch.

Thinking down those lines, since it looks like we may have to resort to such soon. Which do you think has the better data, your desktop or you hand-held?

I hate to admit but I think the hardware is failing. My battery life is quite diminished. I bought a new battery and 3 of us tried to replace it - We couldn't unglue the old battery, but in the process, I've lost the 4 screws for the slider, and now the scroll/up/down buttons don't work. :o

The data on the handheld is the most current and I do use the secure backup so I won't loose everything. Although I hate to spend the money, I'm thinking it's time to buy a Treo and get down to 1 device (vice 2). I'm using Cingular/ATT for my cellphone and I currently have a GSM device, so I guess I have to look at the Treo650 to get the palm operating system, documents to go and have a phone. Ah Technology, it drives me crazy sometimes.
Anyway, Thanks to all who have tried to help with this problem. I was hoping for a simple solution that didn't cost $$$ ks1963

[potter]

I hate to admit but I think the hardware is failing.It sound's like you may be right.
I bought a new battery and 3 of us tried to replace it [...] and now the scroll/up/down buttons don't work.Hmm. If I remember correctly there is a ribbon cable the runs from the motherboard to a daughter board that handles the buttons and the hotsync connector. It might be that this cable is loose, or has become damaged. You might want to double check.
The data on the handheld is the most current and I do use the secure backup so I won't loose everything.Note, that if you do go to a new device, that Palm has posted some special instructions on how to migrate the data and programs to the newer devices. These instructions however assume one has Hotsynced. Basically the instructions are to restore just the PIM data to the new device, and then to reinstall all of the other applications.

[ks1963]

It sound's like you may be right.
Hmm. If I remember correctly there is a ribbon cable the runs from the motherboard to a daughter board that handles the buttons and the hotsync connector. It might be that this cable is loose, or has become damaged. You might want to double check.
Note, that if you do go to a new device, that Palm has posted some special instructions on how to migrate the data and programs to the newer devices. These instructions however assume one has Hotsynced. Basically the instructions are to restore just the PIM data to the new device, and then to reinstall all of the other applications.

I hope the sd card will work in the Treo so I can get all the data correct on the PC and the new device. Hope the palm will limp through 3 weeks of vacation as I don't have time to change devices before I go.

Anyway. Thanks to all who have given advice and help on this forum. Much appreciated.
ks

[potter]

Note, that if you do go to a new device, that Palm has posted some special instructions on how to migrate the data and programs to the newer devices. These instructions however assume one has Hotsynced. Basically the instructions are to restore just the PIM data to the new device, and then to reinstall all of the other applications.
I hope the sd card will work in the Treo so I can get all the data correct on the PC and the new device. Hope the palm will limp through 3 weeks of vacation as I don't have time to change devices before I go.
Well when you get around to it, you might try first to just restore just the PIM databases from the SD card to the new device. Play with the PIMs on the device for a while to see that it appears to work; then Hotsync with Hand-held overwrites desktop. This should, in effect, do what Palm's upgrade instructions are doing.

Continuing with Palm's instructions, one should then reinstall any application that was on you T3 to your new device, one at a time, testing to see if they work before moving on to the next. If needed, you might attempt to restore individual data files from your SD backup for these third party programs.

Reference:
Palm KB 12926: Upgrading from a previous Palm OS handheld. (http://kb.palm.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=PalmSupportKB,ts=Palm_External2001,Case=obj(12926)).
Lets see if I can recall all the PIM database names:
Calendar:
CalendarDB-PDat: Main Calendar database.
CalendarLocationsDB-PDat: Used to auto fill the location field.
BGCache-PDat: Hmm, do not know what this one is.
DatebookDB: Compatibility database. Do not restore this one.
Contacts:
ContactsDB-PAdd: Main database.
ContactsBDIndex-PAdd: Do not know what this one is.
AddressCityDB: Used to auto fill the city field.
AddressCompanies: Used to auto fill the company field.
AddressCountries: Used to auto fill the country field.
AddressDB: Compatibility database. Do not restore this one.
AddresStatesDB: Used to auto fill the state field.
AddressTitltesDB: Used to auto fill the title field.
Memos:
MemosDB-PMem: Main database.
MemoDB: Compatibility database. Do not restore this one.
Tasks:
TasksDB-PTod: Main database.
ToDoDB: Compatibility database. Do not restore this one.
Note Pad:
npadDB: Main database.