Switching from Clie T615 to TJ-27 Please Help!!

[Medic1210]

I have recently acquired a brand new Clie TJ-27. I have been using a T-615 for well over a year now and plan on giving the T615 to my wife after switching (hopefully this will get her out of the dark ages of paper planners). Anyway, I have several questions that I hope somebody here can answer for me before I make the switch.

First, a little bit about what I'm using. I myself had to get out of the dark ages and install Windows XP pro in place of my Windows 98 just so I could even think of using the new Clie. Also, I use Pimlico's Datebk 5 and have all my categories and Icons and custom views set like I like them. I use MegaLauncher and also have programs like Crypt Info and Backup Buddy VFS on my PC as well as my Clie. I also use Epocrates.

Ok, onto the questions.

1. Will I be able to transfer all my Datebk 5 info to the new clie, keeping all my categories and Icons and such, or will I have to go in and redo all these tasks? If so, How do I make the switch? This is my absolute main concern. If I can't make a smoothe transition here, then my wife just might inherit the new Clie while I keep the 615.

2. I have A LOT of information stored in my Crypt Info program (Ie: credit card info, passwords, account numbers etc.). Will I be able to make an easy transition of my info from one Clie to the other?

3. I mentioned I use Backup Buddy VFS. Do I need to download another version of Backup Buddy to run with OS 5? Will Backup Buddy be an easy transition from one clie to the other? Also, since I have BB VFS on my card with a complete backup of everything on my Clie on my card, do I need to make another complete backup once everything is on the new clie since it runs under OS 5?

4. Lastly (at least for now) Will I be able to keep both Clies on the same computer since one is OS 4 and the new one is OS 5? Will the Palm Desktop program that came with the TJ-27 be OK to use with the older Clie 615? If so, what do I do with the older version of Palm Desktop when I go to install the new version? I plan on making the User name different on the 615 after I have made the switch.

Please, any and all help is greatly appreciated. If I didn't have so many programs that I'm so dependent on on the T-615, I wouldn't be sweating the switch so much, but I have put a whole lot of time putting all my important info into Crypt Info program, and spent many hours customizing Datebk 5. I would hate to have to do all this again when I switch.

Tanker Bob, I hope you can give some input also, as you were instrumental in helping me switch from my Handspring Visor Edge over to the T-615 last year.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[DataMouse]

Wow, big question. Your not forgotten here. Maybe someone can figure it all out. I have some ideas, but no time right now. I'll get back to this later...

[scottw03]

Well, the older version of palm desktop should work find for the Clie. Just use your cd to install the drivers when the computer ask you for the drivers for the TJ27. I used the same palm desktop from my SJ22 (OS 4) that I used for my TJ37 (OS 5). So that part should be a problem. Now for the transfering data you should be able to beam the program and files in it over to the new clie. Don't quote me since I did do that. I just hotsync'd mine from one clie to the other (ran into a small problem when I forgot to switch the data direction on the options, thats what backups are for). Also, if your program on you desktop as the option of exporting info to csv or vcard formats the new program on you desktop can import them. I do it when I transfer info from Outlook ot Palm Desktop 4.1.4. Works well for me except I have to sometimes reformat the data in palm desktop since some of the fields don' match up exactly.

As far as the other question about multiple users, good question. I don't have an answer really for that. it should work if you are using to sync names but then again I only have one PDA on my laptop so I don't have to worry about two syncing with palm desktop. Good luck and post a reply if that works.

[nausicaa]

I think i saw this last question discussed in other threads. I'm sure it's do-able because I remember someone saying that he or whe syncs a whole line-up of pdas ot the same computer (but I think that person deleted the "backup" file under the *username* file in the desktop computer Sony Handheld folder, but that person also synced one desktop schedule to all those pdas of differing OS's). Seems to me like there are a few things those folks said :
1. Make sure the two clies have different user names.
2. Make a new identity on windows XP
3. Install one palm desktop for Clie and one (the latest version of) Palm One's Palm desktop . (here, folks said that the newer palm desktops worked with older clies fine)
4. When hotsyncing on one identity, make absolutely sure that the other identity's hot sync program is turned off and that identity logged out (windows xp can shift between identities without closing hot sync) so keep the hotsync on manual (where you open the hotsync program on your computer from the menu instead of having it in your system tray on the lower right)

Unfortunately, I haven't done this myself so the above is just the advice I remember having reading somewhere here... when you have a big chunk of time you might want to do a supra-forum search and sort through the different types of (imperfect) solutions folks have found.
Wow, wishing you best of luck.