Fatal Exception every time

[PaulDuke]

I've got an SJ22 I'm having trouble with.

Every time I start it I get a 'Fatal Exception' just after startup.

If I do a hard reset, all is well, the unit works.

But once I sync and restore all my data and software, I get the 'Fatal Exception' again.

I think the problem is that one of the programs I'm using is corrupted in some way, possibly WorldMate (because I've had problems with that one before) or my Pleco Chinese dictionary (because that's what I was running when the problems started).

What I'd like to do is, starting from the hard reset, add my data back piece by piece; first the phone numbers, then Worldmate, then the Chinese Dictionary. That way I can try to figure out which item is causing the problem.

But how do I do that? After a hard reset, when I sync, it asks for my username and simply restores all the software -- then I get the darned 'Fatal Exception' again.

Is there any way for me to restore the data and software to the unit piece by piece?

Thanks for any advice.

Paul D.

[kjbad]

You need to find your backup file on your computer and remove any programs that you suspect are causing your problem. If you are using Windows, usually this is named

C:\Program Files\Sony Handheld\name of your clie\backup.

Then do your hard reset and when you sync, only the programs you left in the backup file will be loaded onto your SJ. After that, you can add what you want piece by piece and test your theory.

Good luck!!

[PaulDuke]

Thanks very much for the tip.

I'm using Windows XP Home.

In the folder you mention there is no folder with my user name.

Could it be that under XP this folder is in my XP user folder somewhere?

[rcxAsh]

Originally posted by PaulDuke
Could it be that under XP this folder is in my XP user folder somewhere?
Just a guess, because I don't have Windows XP, but it may be somewhere in your X:\Documents and Settings\[username]\something folder.

If I'm not mistaken, Windows XP stores most of the users stuff in their own separate folders?

If in doubt, use Windows' find tool and search for "*.prc" provided that you had a lot of programs backed up, it should come up with something. Look where they are and see if they match a similar ending subdirectory as described by kjbad above.

Good luck with it!

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by rcxAsh

Just a guess, because I don't have Windows XP, but it may be somewhere in your X:\Documents and Settings\[username]\something folder.


Maybe not, cause I had to move it there manually, the default directory is \Program Files\Sony Handheld\[User Name]\.

Which is, IMO, not a very good design. : )


If in doubt, use Windows' find tool and search for "*.prc" provided that you had a lot of programs backed up, it should come up with something. Look where they are and see if they match a similar ending subdirectory as described by kjbad above.

Good luck with it!

Second that.

[PaulDuke]

Okay thanks, I found it. Actually it was in Program Files>Sony Handheld but the folder with my user name had the user name scrambled around to something I didn't recognize for a while.

Your suggestion worked and I was able to get my Clie up and running again by restoring the backup piece by piece.

Every couple of months my Chinese dictionary (it seems) brings the PDA crashing down, so I'm really grateful to know this tip about the backup folder.

Very appreciative of the help,

Paul D.

[Unregistered]

Asking out of curiosity, which Chinese dictionary program are you using?

[PaulDuke]

Oxford English & Chinese Dictionary for Palm from www.pleco.com. It's the little red dictionary which every student of Chinese has, transferred to the Palm. The software company is in the midst of writing a major upgrade which will be available later in the year. In the meantime it's great and I use it all day long. The only problem I've run into is that it has a flashcard self-test function which crashes my PDA fairly regularly, and every couple of months pretty seriously, as noted above. If I didn't use the flashcard thing, my guess is it wouldn't crash.

[Unregistered]

Thanks PaulDuke, that program seems pretty good but a little bit pricey at $50. But with handwriting recognition and built-in Chinese support, it seems quite useful and is a good solution for non-CJK enabled Palms. Bookmarked for further evaluation.

[Unregistered]

BTW, this is the one I currently use:

http://home.comcast.net/~abstractrd/