Palm OS/WinMo Software

[#1]

WesleyG,

Do you synchronize a Palm handheld or smartphone with your PC? If you do you can try the following procedure. If you don't sync., there may be no way to recover the data.

You can recover the data from your user folder provided you have only sync'ed once with the PC when you discovered the data missing. When you sync to the PC there are files created for each PIM category in your user folder. For Example; datebook.dat or datebook (Depending on the version of Palm Desktop) and datebook.bak. Using 6.2 the file names are .mdb and mdb.bak. For 6.2, the files are located in the username folder in PalmOSdesktop in my documents.

The files are named .dat and .bak. When you sync, the current data is stored in .dat. The next time you sync the data in the .dat file is copied to the .bak file. You can rename the .dat to .old. then rename the .bak to .dat. If the data in the .bak file is intact, it will now be in palm desktop when you reopen Palm desktop. I have included a link to show you how to find the userfolder on the PC.

http://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=26674


Here is another link regarding data loss;

http://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=39503



The best way to backup your data is to use the export feature in Palm Desktop. Make a new folder on the PC desktop named Palm Desktop Backup data. Next, select the category you want to export. You will get a window that asks where you want to save the file, save in the folder created on the desktop. There is a button that allows you to select currently selected record or all, select all. If you don't select all, then only the record highlighted is exported. You will then need to name the file for export, I suggest the name of the category, eg: datebook (With current date). Do this for all critical data in each category. With the data exported to the folder on the PC desktop, you can save this data to a flash drive, external hard drive or a CD-RW. With this method you will have your data in a seperate place than Palm desktop and the device. If you "Lose" data again, you can import the data back into palm desktop.

Make sure that when you make changes in palm desktop or the device to export the data to the folder created for the backup.

Here is a link for other options for backing up your data;

http://www.palm.com/cgi-bin/cso_kbURL.cgi?ID=28751

[#2]

If you want to speak with tech support, call the following numbers based on your device.

Handheld support - 866-935-7256

Smartphone support - 877-426-3777

[#3]

I agree that Palm or whoever supports the desktop product does not get the problem.  You leave your application running, windows applies a fix and reboots your system - then when you access  your contacts they are gone.  Their "fix" of backing up and then restoring is terrible.  Many "good" applications can be left running and when the system reboots, you do not lose your data.  I think they are not getting a lot of complaints because people are saying "why should I, it will not get fixed".

[#4]

Good luck.  I am in the habbit of backing my contacts up every time I make a change.  Great product (sarcasm inserted here).

[#5]

Wesley, Your last backup or the previous one to that in the Palm folder on your PC shuold contain your data. If the Palm Desktop on your PC still contains your records, check the HotSync dialogue carefully to enforce eth PC data to overwrite the handheld. - Hope this helps. - Dale