help retaining old data to new username

P

pandaa

New member
Woe be unto me: I have to do a hard reset and create a new username, starting it from scratch (in OS 5). I want to retain as much from the old username files on the desktop as I can, such as:
- data from the Palm databases*, in their categories if possible
- Prefs data
- 3rd party programs' data
- and other good stuff running in "the background" of the Palm.

I'd be majorly obliged if anyone has any ideas on best way to try to grab this data and more--4 calls to Palmone support haven't helped.


[* when I looked in the old data's address (sub-)folder, for example (in Windows), there are a number of files:
address.001 DAT File
address BAK File
address DAT File
UiPrefs DAT File
Unfiled ABA File

How do I decide which of these old-username files would be useful and/or necessary in my newly-created new-username's folder?]
Many thanks in advance.
 
Ok,

What you can do is export all the data from the Palm Desktop to a CSV file or such and then setup the new user and import the data to the new user. This will preserve your Address book, calendar, notes and tasks provided that you export each database.

The 3rd party program data - are you talking about the registration/user names or just the programs themselves? The registration data - you'll have to have handy in some program. I use Mobile Database to keep track of my passwords and registration - it does have a desktop component so I can always retrieve it.

The bigger question: Why are you having to hard reset and initiate a new user name?

If your having conflicts - my suggestion is to delete the following file from the handheld: Saved_Preferences.prc

This will cause you to lose all of your stored registration numbers etc but it will also eliminate most software conflicts caused by a recent upgrade (to new hardware) that wasn't done correctly or had to be done several times because of conflicts.

Post back the reasons for the change of user name requirement and let's see what else we can clean up for you that the tech guys have goofed.
 
Wow! Forget all that stuff about my palm data. Now I just wanna know about the galloping moose.

OK, since you asked:
Was using OS 5.2.1. and Palm Security program v. 4.0.1 (I think I recall, right after buying the Palm, I downloaded some security-related software patch from Palm website.). Promptly made up and entered a Palm security password, making certain to etch an indelible mental note of the same password. Almost as promptly (trailing by just a whisker, timewise), forgot the password. Didn't do anything about it, as I didn't have cause to hide any records or set the security "on." Now I want to be able to lock the Palm, maybe get Teallock or a security program, and I gather from their on-line blurb that in certain circumstances they revert to the Palm security program. So I went to Palm website, read their knowledge-base which says you can tell your Palm you forgot password and follow outlined steps. Noop. Come to find out it only applies to older Security versions. To be rid of forgotten password in this version, you must first remember password and enter it to change or delete password. Only way around I'm aware of is a new handheld username, copying what I can from old username's workings.

So, if that's the case, I'm told my third-party programs only work with the original Palm username for which they were purchased (on-line purchase process involved giving Palm username when I bought the third-party programs). But I was wondering if I can get at the data I'd stored for them (Textmaster "shortcuts" user-generated, custom-type data, for instance).

Main concern is just the steps to getting as much Palm data and workings retained from old username for transporting into new. It would be great to be able to preserve Palm data categories while I'm at it. Third-party stuff a minor consideration. So, in attempt to retain Palm databases' data, I don't know which of the address files in the first post to copy. Also, any idea why in some Windows desktop folders for Palm databases, I have only some category-names listed as files. For instance, in todo folder, some category names appear as files, while other category names do not appear as files. The category filenames present there appear as files in the form categoryname.tda

Thanks for the generous offer to think this through.
 
What a predicament!

There is a program called "ChangeName" that might help you in your situation. I found out about it when my GF wanted to change her username. It seemed to do the job.

ChangeName says it doesn't support OS 5, but you never know.

Now all of this is moot if you cannot even HotSync your PDA. But, it's worth a shot if you can.

Sorry, no galloping lion.
POL9A
 
Thanks highly for the suggestion and the link, POL. That's amazing. I think I still want to find out what people know about the Palmistry of how to "restore" - actually, retain - as much old data as possible to a new username. I'm kind of committed to this quest now. Is it best to use the Import function for each of the main Palm databases from the old username, and that's it? Or is it better to do Windows-based copying of just the main database files in "My Computer" or Windows Explorer? Or is the best strategy to immerse yourself in regret and wish you had used a program like Backup, Buddy for Windows (punctuation, intended), in order to have access to "behind-the-scenes" stuff besides the databases, or would the Backup, Buddy not work in this situation anyway, where the need is to "restore" to a new username? Are there other program files or data files you can salvage from the old username some other way? I'm just curious as to what's what with these databases, and what backup software I should get for the future possibilities of mishaps.

(POL, do you have access to Sage Carlyle or his spirit? I'd be curious as to how does one stack up who knows jack about what he knows and more jack about what he don't.) Thanks, POL.
 
I'll go back to my original post:

Export and then import the data after you've created the new user name.

The original files you mentioned:

*.dat = extensions are all of the data files for each as named.
*. bak = is the back up file

You've got one with a *.001 dat extension. I beleive that to be corrupted but won't swear to it.


I suggest the following procedure to see if you can clear the security file:

Make a backup copy of your existing C:\programs files\Palm\User or SR\backup.

Hard reset the palm - this can either be accomplished by the proverbial method (reset and hold power button then press up) or simply allow the device to totally run out of power over a period of time after the last screen flash warning you of imminient danger of loss of data. I haven't seen a security program yet that flashes ROM to hold a password after total voltage loss.

OK, now if you can get past the password via the hard reset as you've indicated in the original post -

Do the following after you have safely made a backup of the previous file structure:

Import back into the Palm Desktop all of the previously exported core information.

Hot sync using the old user name:

Then one at a time reload your old programs from the backup.

Do not load anything with the name of security or preferences in the file name specifically: Saved_Preferences.prc or pdb or any UnSaved versions.

Continue to load these programs back in one at a time based upon their file names - similar names get lumped into the Add Programs listing by double clicking.


The Saved Preference file is the key - it holds all of the registration data and usually the security. If you don't reload it you'll probably be ok unless there is some other "hidden" file. And by hard resetting and loading one at a time - you'll discover the culprit file - if there is one and you've basically.

The Saved Preferences file is "zero'd" when hard reset. This is how a device can always be "recovered" to a like new state.


If this doesn't work - I'll be surprised, because you have cleaned the device of all data by the hard reset.


If it doesn't work - you can still read the data from most of your other programs because they will probably revert to a "unregistered" version. Then you can send off a note to the developer of each program - explain the situation and they may or may not require another payment to "unlock" the trial version of the software.

Give this a try and advise.
 
Wow. Thanks for all the steps and rationale. Sorry, but I didn't quite keep up with each step:
do I have these right?:

1) in windows on desktop, make a copy of Palm oldusername file folder into a backup folder

2) hard reset the palm with either of 2 ways

3) export from the old? username the main database info and import it into the new? username? on the desktop. (I was not sure how this is done. The first way I did it, importing the exported data into an "empty" new username on the desktop, I lost my user-created categories. So I deleted all the data in the new username on the desktop, thereby undoing the import. Then I went into the new username on the desktop, say in todo, created categories in the newusername's database identical to the old username's categories. Then I imported the data I had exported from the old, and voila, the items sleekly had their categories in the new username todo database. I assume that's what you meant by export/import.)

4) "Import back into the Palm Desktop all of the previously exported core information." I'm not sure if that's the same as number 3 above: on the desktop, import the oldusername data into the new desktop username?
Or:
am I supposed to delete the data from the desktop oldusername in some way (if so, how?), then: "Import back into the Palm Desktop all of the previously exported core information," meaning import the main database info back to the oldusername on the desktop.


5) "Hot sync using the old user name:" after which strategy in #4 and above?

6-...) "Then one at a time reload your old programs from the backup.

"Do not load anything with the name of security or preferences in the file name specifically: Saved_Preferences.prc or pdb or any UnSaved versions.

"Continue to load these programs back in one at a time based upon their file names - similar names get lumped into the Add Programs listing by double clicking."

I'm not sure where I'm looking for programs to load, and then where I go to load them. Do you mean to go file-or-folder by file-or-folder within the main oldusername folder within the main Palm folder? Or, had I deleted them in the second option of step 4 above, and so, I retrieve them to load from the backup folder I had created in step 1 above?

In any case, how exactly do I load them one at a time?

Sorry, Moose, for being so relentlessly green on this. Thanks for the careful thought you've put in.
 
Let's use the KISS principle here because this will also work.

1. Make a backup copy on the windows desktop of the following C:\program files\palm\SR or User Name\backup. I recommend just copying this to your desktop and not nested in the Palm main directory.

2. Delete everything in the original backup file from above.

3. Hard Reset the handheld.

4. Hot Sync the device and choose the same user name as before - your old name - that has the security issue.

At this time check the handheld for your address, datebook, memos and todo list - it should be restored with categories etc. And no other programs.

5. Then from the copied backup folder on your desktop - start adding the programs back in one at a time. Programs are with extensions PRC and there corresponding data are listed as PDB's. Occassionaly you'll see a

6. You will need your registration numbers for all of your "old" programs because most of them will be lost as part of the hard reset.

Don't add back anything, without checking here, that has a saved preferences reference or similar security setting "look" to it. To add a program back into the Palm - find the files in the desktop backup directory - double click on it and your Windows app should already be associcated with the various Palm extensions - it will then launch the Palm Installer and you'll be given the option to install to the handheld or SD. Once it's in this "que" then simply hotsync and the program will be restored after the next hot sync.

You'll do a lot of hot syncs but the reason I'm recommending one at time is if the security file is still in the backup somehow - you'll be able to tell and then repeat the hard reset process being certain not to load that security program.

If you want - list all of the contents in this backup directory and I'll advise one by one as to it's validity.


If when you get to #4 and the core data is not there - never fret - it will still be intact in the backup directory on the desktop with the categories as you want them.

If you have added any programs that set up their own conduit such as Bonsai or DayNotez then you'll have to go into each of their windows components and reinstall them as if they were new - hopefully you have your registration numbers.

Documents to Go may also have to be reinstalled in the same manner.
 
Thanks, Moose. I appreciate the use of K-I-S-S ... I'm just not sure you realize how heavily "S" we're dealing with here.

re your first two KISS steps:
"1. Make a backup copy on the windows desktop of the following C:\program files\palm\SR or User Name\backup. I recommend just copying this to your desktop and not nested in the Palm main directory."
This copy is from the main oldusername directory, to be copied into a new backup directory, right?

"2. Delete everything in the original backup file from above"
Does this mean go into the original main oldusername directory (the one I just copied from ), and do a Windows delete of the files contained within it? Delete all files and sub-folders or just certain files within it?

Then, in your #5:
"5. Then from the copied backup folder on your desktop - start adding the programs back in one at a time. Programs are with extensions PRC and there corresponding data are listed as PDB's. Occassionaly you'll see a"

When you say to add the programs back, does this mean do a windows copy from the PRC and PDB files in the new backup folder into main file folder of oldusername? Or does this mean take the PRC and PDB files from the new backup folder and bring them to the palm install program for transfer to the palm at the next hotsync?
(Also, point #5 got truncated.)

Sorry this is so new to me. Thanks again for all your time and attention.
 
# 1. Yes - as I noted copy it to your desktop.

#2. Yes delete everything from the original backup directory - not this newly created one that's on your desktop. There should be no subfolder's nested below this backup directory unless manually added by you.

#5 - One by one based upon the file name - double left mouse click on a file from within this backup copy that's on your desktop. This will launch the Palm installer tool and will automatically load the programs into the Palm installer. You will see a pop up window after the first file that states the this file will be loaded into your Palm upon the next hotsync. Go ahead and load similar programs based upon their name. Once this window has popped up - you can drag and drop additional files of similar name into the Palm Installer.

Be certain to load only similar ones at a time based upon their name......and again if you want to post the contents of this backup folder I can advise - however, I really think that the saved preference. prc file is the culprit causing all of your issues.


The double clicking as noted - will do this as well. Either way is acceptable.

I've got to be gone for about an hour so....this should be good to keep you busy for awhile.
 
...that I don't have this problem. But I'm glad that you do. (In the sense that if I ever did need solution, it's so well diagrammed above.)

Best wishes on the fix. I have the SplashWallet suite (from SplashData) and use SplashID for my password keeping utility (it, too, has the desktop conduit.) Now, I'd be in real trouble if I ever forgot the password to unlock that app.

Palmreader: You stack up well, Jack, dontcha know?
POL9A
 
Moose Man,
Thanks very much for the post.
I tried to send you a message (actually two) directly. I've never used messaging, and am working on a screwed up email program, so I don't know if it has worked. It's about such detail that I didn't want to take up the forum's space. So, if you did not hear from me in response to your last post, please post again here. (Though I may not reply until Tues., US, not GMT) Thanks.
 
You should have a PM now. I'm off for a couple of days of running up I-5 to Seattle so follow the stuff outlined in the thread and PM"s and you should be able to get the old username back to speed.
 
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