Installing a second Palm on the same PC

G

Gherkinhead

New member
Finally, soon I'm getting my new Tungsten T3 and I'm very excited about it. In order to make sure that I'm set up for full functionality in case my PDA is sent out for repair, I want to install my T3 on the same PC where I've had my Sony Clie NR70 installed.

Having scanned the forums on this topic I've realize that this is possible provided two different usernames are used for the two Palms.

There are still two open issues:

1. Sony uses Hotsync Manager 4.01 and T3 uses version 4.1.
Can I install two different Palm SW (including the hotsync manager and the Palm Desktop) on the same PC? If not, which one should I use?
Sony's Palm Desktop is marked "for Clie".

2. Having a different username on the T3, would I be able to install apps from the other PDA by importing them from the original (first PDA) username\backup folder?

Waiting eagerly for good answers.
TIA
Mike
 
I'm not too familiar with the Sony Clie so cannot be of much help on your first question. However on question 2 - I would be careful moving files from the backup folder between the T3 and the Sony Clie since this directory also may contain OS/PDA specific files which could cause a ton of problems on either PDA. Unless you are sure which files are not OS or PDA specific located in the backup directory I would be cautious to move/copy files.
-KimH
 
1. Hot Sync manager versions should have no impact. Your Sony uses Intellisync lite and that might be a more of a problem. I have successfully run Sony's and other Palms on the same machine with no issues but never tried the T3. I'd go ahead and install the T3 and see what happens - I'd suspect no problems since the HotSync Manager is actually a PalmSource product it should be able to handle the upgrade. Your PC will only allow one version of Hotsync manager to run on it anyway.

2. Username issue - as long as the name is different "never the two shall meet". You can safely upload any program from a back up folder or another "user name" device. That program will run - in non-registered mode - on the new device it's installed in most cases. The software will not be registered to the new device and most software will run in a "demo" mode. Upon rare occassion it may not work and could cause conflicts or resets.....none of which should be a hard reset unless it's really cheap software.

Most software developers use a registration process that ties the registration to the device either by the Device ID or most often by the Saved_preferences file which contains the "info" of the device. So go ahead and load from the backup directory as long as you don't load repeat DO NOT LOAD the Saved_Preferences.prc file because it will definitely hard reset the device that it's installed to.

But you will have to "re-buy" the software for the new device.

Follow the installation instructions carefully when adding the T3...there should be an option to create a new user name which is what I'd suggest you do in order to keep the NR70 happy.

Post back if you encounter any problems and we'll be glad to help - if not help at least give more bad advice.


:D
 
Thanks, man.
I want to be clear on one thing, though. Should I install the new Palm Desktop folder in the same folder where I had installed my
Clie's Palm SW?
Obviously, I'll report everything in detail - a detailed report like this would be valueable - I haven't found one yet.
 
Speaking of bad advice...

I use a Mac so this may or may not help. I switched to a Clie from a T3. In order for the Clie to work with my Mac, I needed an application called The Missing Sync (Mac only). After installing TMS, my Clie, my son's TE and my wife's T2 all work fine with my old T3's PalmDesktop.

I'm not sure which approach you should take to get both working with your PC, but I'm sure it's possible.

Good luck.

ed
 
The file structure for the Sony is slightly different then the Palm's default structure so here's what I'd suggest before proceeding:

If your using WinXP then -
1. Make a copy (to the desktop would be fine) of your current backup directory for the Sony.
2. Then install the T3 and assign a new user name to it per your previous post. Allow the install software to select the file locations and choose the defaults. This is the best way to avoid a possible USB issue. But if you want to migrate the programs from the NR70 to the T3 then you'll have to use the same user name as the NR70 and hope for the best and allow the install program again to select the location. I would not attempt directing the folder locations.

If your using Win98 then - everything is the same as above but I'll pretty much guarantee problems with the registry and locations. These will be overcomeable but will take some effort.

One other question, Are both devices going to sync with the Palm Desktop or with Outlook? Or will one sync to Palm and one to Outlook?

The reason I ask, when I upgraded from a Garmin iQue 3600 Palm OS 5.1 device to the T3 - I had problems configuring and eventually just moved one to the laptop and one to my desktop to take the path of least resistance. My problems were unique and would have been able to be overcome but I simply just gave up and moved them to the two machines.

There have been other posts/threads regarding similar situations. You may want to search within the forum's "upgrading" and review some situations which might be nearly identical to yours.

The one thing I can't emphasize enough: Allow the Palm Desktop software to pick the file locations. You need to simply decide which user name your going to use with each device and or swap user names to the T3.

With regards to Egarc statement - he provides good advice if your a Mac user, Palm user so perhaps you want to migrate to a Mac before installing. :D

Egarc - couldn't pass on the opportunity to perhaps add a little Mac humor. ;)
 
From PalmOne's site about two Palms on one PC:

"Two different brands of Palm OS device, one computer:

palmOne only supports synchronization of palmOne handhelds, and you must use the palmOne version of Palm Desktop supplied with your device (or downloaded here). You may encounter synchronization problems with other vendors' software. palmOne Palm Desktop software will usually support serial port synchronization for other Palm OS devices but palmOne only provides support for synchronization with its own devices. "

Looks like I'll be walking on an unkown turf here.
:confused: What the heck. Someone's gotta do it for the first time.
 
I did it before but never with the Sony to a T3 so you may be walking on new ground. But that statement from their site is also designed to eliminate or support the lack of tech support for the device so that they get paid for helping solve a problem for the other device? Typical disclaimer.

I had two different machines running on a Win98 machine sometime back so I wouldn't worry too much. And I have had tow PalmOne (Palm devices actually) running at the same time on one PC.

If you are comfortable with editing the windows registry....we should be able to get you there but I don't think it will be necessary but again - caution alert - I've not done exactly what you are attempting to do.

edit: I'm going to bed and if you are on the East Coast - you should already be sawing logs. :D
 
Sorry EZP, its late and got off topic pretty fast.

I have a possible solution. It might be worst case scenario for you though.

If you're using XP, set up a new user in XP and use fast user switching between the two profiles; each with its own version of Palm Desktop.

ed
 
Damn, I hate it when a Mac guy reminds us PC users of perhaps a better fix........Good one egarc. I forgot all about that option and my excuse is that I only have one user set on my desktop. ;)
 
Was this Win 2K an upgrade or was it a clean install copy? If it was an upgrade say from Win 95 then you are probably in for a real treat. Clean copy....less of a an evil.....and I suspect clean copy unless you've added some USB slots via PCI.


W2K has always been more twitchy towards Palm then any OS I've seen. But since the Kernel file is close if not the same as WinXP then it may be related to upgrade copies rather then clean copies.

Just another worthless 2cents worth......that Mac is looking better? :D
 
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