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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Isync And Palm

momofjkg - Jun 15, 2005 - 5:29 pm

I have a Handspring Visor handheld and until recently it was great. I suddenly began getting dialog of "file busy" whenever I attempted to open or close the software. I downloaded their latest installer for Palm 4.2. It does the same thing. I tried total uninstall and started over with 4.0 which had been working until the dialog boxes began appearing. No luck.

I even took my G4 into the local Apple store and the only thing the Genius could come up with was that some other people were experiencing the same and to just wait until Palm comes up with a fix. That's fine but I cannot locate a version of iSync 1.1 which I understand does not require Palm Desktop to be installed. All newer versions seem to require the Palm desktop software in order to use the handheld to sync with iCal, etc.

If in fact iSync 1.1 does not require Palm desktop to be on the hard drive, does anyone know where I might get that version - until Palm fixes whatever is amiss with their current software? All I can seem to find on the Apple site is the newest which does require Palm to be installed also.

I'll appreciate suggestions.

baldprof - Jun 15, 2005 - 8:41 pm

I don't get it. If the software was functioning properly before, it should be functioning now unless you have changed something. What did you change? Some files may have gotten corrupted.

I use a Tungsten C. I recently upgraded my Powermac to 10.4 with a clean install. First I installed the Palm software from the original CD that came with the Palm. The Palm desktop software that you download does not include some libraries that are essential to getting the device to sync properly, regardless of wether you are using iSync or not, and regardless of which version of the Mac OS you have. You have to install from the software CD to get those. You can then upgrade to a newer version of the desktop software, but there has to be an initial install from the original CD.
Something has happened to those files in your case, I think. You will have to reinstall from the CD, after first removing the bad stuff.

I think the "genius" at the Apple store is mistaken. The version of iSync that ships with Tiger requires that you have the Palm Desktop software correctly installed, otherwise the iSync conduit will not install when you try to add your device.

But just to make sure nothing else is going on, boot from your Mac OS X disk. Then click Options and run the Disk Repair procedure that is part of the Disk Utility. Then after you have booted normally, reinstall the Palm software from the CD that came with your device. Then start up Disk Utility (it's in the Applications folder) and repair permissions. Then restart . Now do a sync for your device using the Palm software, and specify that your device overwrites the desktop to avoid losing any data.
Now start up iSync and add your device.

I hope this helps.

momofjkg - Jun 16, 2005 - 12:51 pm

Yes, well, I don't get it either...that's why I made my inquiry. The Apple genius didn't suggest iSync, he just said he found that other folks had experienced the same Palm problem and that no one had figured out why but that Palm is supposedly working on a fix.......

I had already done most of what you suggested, but just to make sure, I followed your instructions one step at a time. The only problem is that my original installation disk for Palm software is for OS 9x and I had to install it on that OS. I did that and went through the Palm installer bouncing ball. I'm still getting that dialog box that "File is busy" whenever I close the palm application.

I thought I'd give up on that and try to find iSync 1.1 which I understand does not require the Palm desktop software to be installed and working. I've had no luck locating that version. The Apple knowledge base has numerous links to version 1.1 but when you click on them, it takes you to the Tiger version 1.2 or 1.5 which definitely require installed and working Palm desktop.

I'm very frustrated. I think I might just have to give up since this whole issue is taking up way too much time.

The only thing I can think of is that not long before the Palm software began acting weird, I did do the automatic security software update. I have no clue how to go backward one version on that to see if that's what caused this.

baldprof - Jun 16, 2005 - 1:19 pm

I am sending this back to the Open Pool. The only thing that I can suggest is try to find someone who has a newer Palm and ask to borrow their CD.

momofjkg - Jun 16, 2005 - 10:40 pm

Thanks for your time and valiant attempts to assist. I fear this is an unsolvable one.

If I locate someone with a newer compatible with OSX CD, I'll definitely borrow it.

ocaptain - Jun 17, 2005 - 3:18 pm

Are you running Virex anti-virus program? I had that problem -- I installed Virex for Macintosh after signing up with .Mac and sync no longer worked, and a re-install did not fix anything either.

If you do have Virex installed, you will need to disable the backgrounding applications, perhaps even remove it. (Since Macs are pretty much virus-resistant you shouldn't have to worry about removing it if you have to.

Let me know if that helps.

-Anthony

momofjkg - Jun 17, 2005 - 11:14 pm

I hadn't thought of Virex as a culprit but will check it out...I do use Virex. I know Macs are almost immune but not completely so have used Virex just in case.