Upgrading Palm OS - Which files to save?

[alpha_female]

Hello,
I've tried searching for this topic and I can't seem to find it...
Im upgrading from Palm OS 4.0.1 to Palm OS 5.2 for my Sony Clie. I will just make it easy on myself and uninstall the whole Sony Clie Application Bundle including Palm Desktop, and reinstall the new ones; however, I don't want to lose my PIM info such as addresses, calendar, ToDo, etc.
Which files do I save so I can just drop it in my Palm folder for the new OS?

[alpha_female]

Do I just salvage the folder that is labeled my user name? Or are there additional ones besides that?

[belangermtl]

PalmOS under 5 used Dragonball processor running at a maximum of 66 MHz.

PalmOS 5 (Garnet) use newer processors (PXA or Sony Handheld Engine)
running from 133 MHz to 400 MHz and this PalmOS is made for these
processors only.

PalmOS 6 (Cobalt) will also use these newer processor but faster ones.

That's why programs run on an abstracted software layer that make the old
programs compatible to the newer processor architecture.

Be sure that you don't render your device inoperant installing something it
will not be able to run.

[Sid]

It would be a good idea to back up to a Memory Stick (assuming you have one) first.
Is there an option to update the existing version of Palm Desktop, thus saving your user data?
And save the user folder you mentioned. I'm sorry I don't have any further tips, but I use a Mac with my Palm.

Hopefully a more knowledgeable member will have a more complete answer.

[tanker_bob]

As has been said, you cannot upgrade an OS 4.x device to OS 5.x. These operating systems are compiled for different CPUs and OS 5 will not run on any earlier devices. If you try, you'll wind up with a useless paperweight.

BTW, what's the OC?

[golalmo]

I think she ment upgrading her palm os DEVICE (like most of us) :p

1. backup your username folder (under \program files\sony handheld\)
2. uninstall palm desktop (manually delete the ...\sony handheld\ folder)
3. install palm desktop from the new CD.
4. restore the files you need from your backup to the installation folder (address, datebook, memopad etc.
5. from the backup folder you can restore apps and database the were on your palm - take caution !! don't restore hacks and apps that are os4 specific.

[madmaxmedia]

golalmo's directions are good. The basic PIM databases have easy names (AddressesDB, MemoDB, DatebookDB, ToDoDB) and should be easy to find and transfer.

Most 3rd party applications also have databases with logical names (if you have any).

[alpha_female]

Thanks golalmo, that's what I meant... sorry I didn't clarify it more hehe..

[tanker_bob]

I have a page on considerations for migrating to new devices on my website. Things that won't work under OS 5 include all hacks and some DAs. You may also find OS 5 versions of some of your OS 4 programs, so look for those before migrating.

[alpha_female]

Just for reference sake:

In order to transfer your Addressbook, Datebook, Memo, ToDo data from an old clie to a new clie, you can't just simply overwrite database files found in the backup folder. First you have to unistall the old Palm Desktop and intall the newer version Palm Desktop. Perform a Hotsync with your old Clie so that your information is stored. Then follow these instructions:

1) Open Palm Desktop
2) Click on Datebook Icon on the left of the screen so that my appointments are showing.
3) Go to File > Export and a popup Export window will show prompting for a name. Enter a name ie. "datebook" for that file and click Export. The *.archive file will be saved wherever you designated.
4) Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other applications.

Then create a new User in Palm Desktop for your new Clie. It is important that both Clies have different User names.

1) Now click on one of the icons.
2) Go to File > Import and find those files you Exported.

[Vidge]

Only one problem: many software registrations are tied to your user name so changing it will render them unregistered. golalmo's instructions are pretty good. The Palm website also has instructions.

[kennyd]

Hello,
I've tried searching for this topic and I can't seem to find it...
Im upgrading from Palm OS 4.0.1 to Palm OS 5.2 for my Sony Clie. I will just make it easy on myself and uninstall the whole Sony Clie Application Bundle including Palm Desktop, and reinstall the new ones; however, I don't want to lose my PIM info such as addresses, calendar, ToDo, etc.
Which files do I save so I can just drop it in my Palm folder for the new OS?

In order to specifically load your old PIM info you will need to do the following.

1. Go to C/Program Files/Palm/User Name/
2. Cut this entire directory to another location on your hard drive. This removes the old directory out of place. If you do not do this the old directory will still be in place even after uninstalling the palmdesktop software.
3. Uninstall the PalmDesktop software.
4. Install the new PalmDesktop software.
5. Enter the previous user name that you used on your last Palm.
6. Hotsync your new palm innitiating the new user name on your new device. there is nothing on the device at this point.
7. Go to the location of the old /User Name/ directory that you have previously moved and copy /User Name/Address/. Only copy this single directory from this location.
8. Go to C/Program Files/Palm/User Name/ and paste this directory into this location. Your computer will ask you to overwrite the existing "Address" directory. Say yes.
9. Hotsync your device and you will get all of your address info onto your new device.
10. Repeat the same steps to load your Memo, ToDo, and Datebook. I would recomend doing these one at a time only because I had issues with my catagories transferring when I tried to do them all at once.

This is a related thread HERE (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60635) where I was trying to troubleshoot the catagory issue.

I think you are wise by loading your new device from a clean slate and reinstalling your apps and prefs. It is worth the time and you will have a more stable unit. And like other posts have mentioned you can get all of your old apps and databases from the "backup" directory that you had cut previously.

Hope this helps