Z-71 battery drains -- loss of data?

[henkerman50]

As I wrote earlier my wife and I are new to handhelds, so please excuse if this is a dumb post.

Her Zire 71 wouldn't turn on last night; it frequently gets powered up in her purse when she or something accidentally hits the power button while it's in the standard, open-top case. My guess is it rested against something in her purse for several hours and the battery drained completely. She put it in the cradle to recharge but within a minute or two turned it on to see if was charging, then shut it off. When it was completely charged all data -- addresses, phone numbers, etc. -- was lost (she hadn't hotsync'd to her laptop, unfortunately.)

Questions: the .PDF handbook suggests even with the battery drained there should be no data loss ... that there's enough of a reserve to maintain data for a week. But is total data loss possible? Were her chances of data loss enhanced by turning it on within a minute or two of the new charge cycle?

[palmhiker]

First of all, you will want to install one of the free apps that prevents the joystick 5-way button from turning on the unit. I have used StayOff for months now and it works well.

You can download this at http://www.palmgear.com - search for StayOff

Secondly, this type of "turning on by itself" action should not result in data loss, as theoretically, the unit will refuse to turn on when the battery level reaches a critical level. At this point you should have a few days to get it to a charger before the battery level falls below the minimum level required to sustain the data. Maybe the unit was very low on juice and lost data more quickly?

Thirdly, you may want to purchase an external SD memory card, and purchase a backup utility. I use Botzam Backup ( http://www.botzam.com ) and like it, but there are other programs, some free for basic backup uses. I have mine set to automatically perform a backup at 5 AM each day. This is especially useful if you are on the road for a while and unable to synch.

Good luck, the Zire 71 is a fine PDA.

[ackmondual]

to further conserver batt power, go to pref and have the unit (most of these are availbe in prefs):

-turn off ater 1 or less min of use
-doN'T have it stay on in cradle
-lower the volume
-lower brightess to 1/2 the slider
-turn off beam receiver

[CWolf]

I personally find BackupMan simpler and quicker to use.

I would recommend a good all encasing hard case instead of the supplied flip lid as it will not only prevent switching on but physical damage too.


This one is quite good:

http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=106202 :D

[zire71man]

Hey,

I used to have a problem with my zire 71 going on in my pocket. I just put it in upside down in the case and it doesn't go on anymore.

[ackmondual]

right, the case. Personally, i don't use a case. I put it straight into my pocket as is. Upside down (so that when i reach in to take it out, it'll alr be oriented correctly), and screen facing towards myself, to minimize damage to the screen in case i hit the edge of a desk or something like that.

My screen is still VERY readable, but has smudges and prints. Ohwell, if not now, then eventually

[CWolf]

Hi there zire71man - good to see you here.

My other half is getting her z71 very soon and is very excited by it. The package she has had bought for her includes memory card and a case. Hardcases really do cust down the problems of screen marking and accidental switch-ons.

[jmbrock]

On the point of backup, I use Backup Buddy, which has a 30-day free trial, so you only get to keep it if you don't mind reinstalling it to your palm, but that isn't a problem for me. i think you can get it from Download.com, but i'm not sure.

[motionmind]

My wife had the same problem with her 71 when she got it. She would leave it in her purse for a couple of days and when she went to sync, it would be dead. There was a problem that PalmOne put out a patch for that was causing it and, since the patch was installed, she hasn't had it happen again. We recently replaced her leather case with a metal one, so it's just about bullet proof (which means less "honey, fix it").