How does a program know it's been installed before?

[jsp91470]

First of all, no, I'm not trying to cheat. I believe in supporting shareware as much as anyone here. However, I'm trying to figure out how Palm OS knows that a particular app has been installed before. In particular, I installed MegaCalc a while ago and then deleted it. Now that I've looked at a bunch of other calculators, I want to take another look at Megacalc, but it's already expired.

Where does Palm OS store this data?

[Anita]

I once long ago had that problem with Fitaly Stamp, which I kept trying, rejecting, then trying again. .. .Been too long and I can't remember which little pdb file they told me to delete.. .

But, point is, I e-mailed them and explained my dilemma, that I was still trying to decide on it, and they were very nice about letting me have another shot at it. . . Perhaps MegaCalc folks would be equally cooperative?

Anita

[Sideway]

In most cases the registration information is stored in the Saved Preferences or Unsaved Preferences. Sometimes removing an application doesn't remove its associated preferences in these two databases (whether intentional or unintentional).

[Willber-Force]

When a trial program is first run it will write a file that is usually in one of your preferences files that records the date. This remains even after the program is deleted.

[MacClie]

Originally posted by Sideway
Sometimes removing an application doesn't remove its associated preferences in these two databases (whether intentional or unintentional). My money is on "intentional" ;)

- MacClie

[Unregistered]

i would say that you need to get into the install directory on the pc and remove all traces of this orginal install..perhaps in the "archive"

[gfunkmagic]

You need an app like Uninstall Manager from northglide.com. It will remove all traces including saved prefs when you delete an app. Also try cleanup for already installed apps...

[AlbertLu]

Some applications likes to keep their saved / unsaved prefs secret even when its still on your PDA (eg. PalmReader Pro, SmartList, CityTime and most apps from Megasoft2000 and SplashData), so be careful when you are removing those -unknown- prefs.

[NJL!2016]

Also, applications that are installed in your /Palm/Launcher/ folder show up as unknowns in the prefrences