Scary situation when updating software

[Robbo_Clie]

I noticed in one of the posts that there was an update for Clie Viewer so I went to the Sony site and downloaded it.

After installing it I had a message which said "You now have to reset your machine" (on the Clie) so I said "OK". It then restarted having wiped Agendus, Avantgo, Zlauncher etc (paid for and registered). I was distraught!

I did another Hotsync and then it said something about backup databases and everything looked like it was coming back (where from???). But then again it said about resetting but I just tapped the Home icon in the bottom left and all was back to normal.

Hotsync is fine now and it doesn't give the message about resetting.

My question is, did I do something wrong? I was petrified that I was going to lose my diary data on both Clie and laptop by syncing to a wiped out Clie.

I won't be upgrading any Sony software in the near future if it causes these sorts of panics. Did I do something wrong?

:confused:

[yOyOYoo]

I don't know what you did wrong, but when I downloaded the update, I had no problems whatsoever.

Do you do backups normally? If not, I suggest you get Backupman.

I had to do a hard reset today, due to SCUMMVM, but did I sweat it? Nah, I do a backup every single day. WIthin 5 minutes after all my data was wiped out, I was fully restored, all icons, programs, short cuts, journal entries... everything.

[Eddy]

again another case with Backup! :D

[Robbo_Clie]

Thanks for the replies.

It's a bit weird that it restored everything on the second Hotsync but the main thing is that it's ok.

I've just downloaded Backupman on the free trial and it seems easy enough to use.

One small, probably obvious question - I assume Backupman backs up ALL DATA such as my contacts, diary entries etc as well as the actual applications?

Thanks

[yOyOYoo]

yes it does

Backupman backs up my daily journal entries in Wordsmith, even while the document is a protected document. It backs up all contacts, addresses, memos, todos, EVERYTHING - oh yeah Powerrun shortcuts also

[Robbo_Clie]

Thanks yOyOYoo, it's great to know that I've got regular backups set up now. Looks like they create a single 5mb file on my Mem Stick. Looks like I'll be buying more software this week then...

Cheers,

[jaydisc]

Originally posted by Robbo_Clie
After installing it I had a message which said "You now have to reset your machine" (on the Clie) so I said "OK". It then restarted having wiped Agendus, Avantgo, Zlauncher etc (paid for and registered). I was distraught!

I did another Hotsync and then it said something about backup databases and everything looked like it was coming back (where from???). But then again it said about resetting but I just tapped the Home icon in the bottom left and all was back to normal.

Sounds to me like you had a hard reset that wiped everything out (hence the missing app you mention) and then a restore (hence looking like everything was backing up/coming back). Most of the time after a full restore via HotSync, you have to reset your Clie (the last reset message you mention) and then everything would be "back to normal"

Just a theory...

[Robbo_Clie]

That would make sense, but where did all of the deleted applications and data come from when the 'restore' took place on the next Hotsync? I hadn't made any backups anywhere (I have now!). Are all apps stored on my PC somewhere then?

[jaydisc]

Yes, every HotSync, your apps and data are backed up to your PC.

[Robbo_Clie]

I see.

So what's the point of Backupman then? If I know in the event of my Clie failing and needing a hard reset I can just Sync and get my apps & data back from my PC?

[jaydisc]

Exactly. I use BackupBuddy to backup to my memory stick in a daily automated fashion just as an extra measure in case I'm out when it dies, I can restore it on the spot.

[Robbo_Clie]

Thanks, yeah, I see the benefit of automated backups but I don't think I'll bother investing in another piece of software. I've just had a go at using MS Backup and it was easy. My main worry is losing my diary but with regualr Syncs and say weekly backups I don't think I'll have a problem.

Off topic but I'm still amazed (owned Clie for about a month) at the amount of software you have to pay for. It's so unlike the PC world where so much is free. So far it's been agendus and zlauncher and the other half wants me to pay for Breakout as well!

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Robbo_Clie
Thanks, yeah, I see the benefit of automated backups but I don't think I'll bother investing in another piece of software. I've just had a go at using MS Backup and it was easy. My main worry is losing my diary but with regualr Syncs and say weekly backups I don't think I'll have a problem.

Off topic but I'm still amazed (owned Clie for about a month) at the amount of software you have to pay for. It's so unlike the PC world where so much is free. So far it's been agendus and zlauncher and the other half wants me to pay for Breakout as well!

The desktop backup is all too easily contaminated, that's way you need to have multiple rolling backups, plus make backup copies of the memory stick to your hard drive. If you haven't installed the system update patch, there was a nasty bug that would cause a hard reset instead of a soft reset and wipe all of your data.

 Some system updates and drivers are NOT restored by any backup applications due to technical reasons. Examples are the system update patch, NetFront, JackFlash, CF driver, and the MS Pro driver. I keep copies of the install files on my memory stick so I can copy them over before I start the restore.

[jaydisc]

Also worth noting is the fact that if you delete an app, it will still be restored after a reset. It pays to delete the backup folder to create a fresh one with only your current stuff every now and then to avoid it building up with unused software.

[tracker1]

" Some system updates and drivers are NOT restored by any backup applications due to technical reasons. Examples are the system update patch, NetFront, JackFlash, CF driver, and the MS Pro driver. I keep copies of the install files on my memory stick so I can copy them over before I start the restore."

Larry,

With these essential files (System update patch, NetFront, JackFlash, CF driver, and MS Pro driver), how do you go about getting coppies of them to your MS? If I use an external MS reader/writer to get these apps from my PC to the MS, will they still work when I need to restore them after a Hard reset? Or what is the best way going about getting these to the MS?

Thanks always for your help,
John

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by tracker1
" Some system updates and drivers are NOT restored by any backup applications due to technical reasons. Examples are the system update patch, NetFront, JackFlash, CF driver, and the MS Pro driver. I keep copies of the install files on my memory stick so I can copy them over before I start the restore."

Larry,

With these essential files (System update patch, NetFront, JackFlash, CF driver, and MS Pro driver), how do you go about getting coppies of them to your MS? If I use an external MS reader/writer to get these apps from my PC to the MS, will they still work when I need to restore them after a Hard reset? Or what is the best way going about getting these to the MS?

Thanks always for your help,
John

Hi John!

I just copy them, MS Import, card reader, built-in MS drive PCMCIA adapter for a note book, I have them all.

Do NOT copy the individual files, you need the install file as downloaded from Sony. The Palm Install tool does nothing more than copy a file to the Clie RAM or memory stick. You can do the same with clie files and copy it from the memory stick to RAM. Nothing exotic about it, just a simple file copy of the installation file.

[Alistar]

And you will have to do a reset after you copy them. This will extract the updates from the file. Think of it as a self-extracting zip file that happens upon system restart.
If you don't soft reset the device the updates won't be installed.

[n2ifp]

Very true, usually it prompts me and I usually soft reset on any app install, less fatal errors. I follow the same principals that I follow using a desktop PC and it works for me by being pretty much trouble free.

[Robbo_Clie]

Originally posted by n2ifp


If you haven't installed the system update patch, there was a nasty bug that would cause a hard reset instead of a soft reset and wipe all of your data.



I can't see any reference to this on the Sony Updates page?

Thanks,

[chryst]

Could you give me more information about 'delete the backup folder'? I had to do a hard reset on my Clie and when I Hotsynced it tried to put everything I'd ever had back into Internal memory and caused me lots of problems. If I do remove the backup folder from my Mac, do you mean that when I next Hotsync my Clie will simply make a new one? I'd like to know before I delete that folder,thanks!

[mouthdrummer]

I think we're missing the point here. Why the heck are you using Clie Viewer? Use Acid Image, it's WAY faster, saves the thumbnail view so you don't have to wait for the whole thing to load. It's a much better program.

[Eddy]

I haven't tried Acid Image yet, I just remove all the pictures to a different folder and use SplashPhoto to view them. anything goes for me. :D

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by chryst
Could you give me more information about 'delete the backup folder'? I had to do a hard reset on my Clie and when I Hotsynced it tried to put everything I'd ever had back into Internal memory and caused me lots of problems. If I do remove the backup folder from my Mac, do you mean that when I next Hotsync my Clie will simply make a new one? I'd like to know before I delete that folder,thanks!
Yes, it should create a new one and it's under your HotSync Name. Make a BACKUP COPY FIRST and store in on your PC's drive in an out of the way place, before deleting anything. Don't delete the folder, just the contents!

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Eddy
I haven't tried Acid Image yet, I just remove all the pictures to a different folder and use SplashPhoto to view them. anything goes for me. :D
Splash Photo is a good app, just some of us prefer Acid Image :)

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Robbo_Clie


I can't see any reference to this on the Sony Updates page?

Thanks,
For the USA model there is and it's called the system update patch. It fixes a few items with the memory stick, music formats (MP3 & ATRAC3), and some other stuff.

Go here and give a look see: http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/clie/

Please remember this is the USA model site!