Troubleshooting

"A sinking feeling" (i.e. Synchronizing is NOT working!!!)
"Beam me up isn't working, Scotty!"
"It's confused -- the stylus is not working."
"It's dead."
"It's fallen, and it can't get up."
"It's locked, and PDAs don't come with keys!"
Life after a hard reset
"Locked up" with nothing to do
 

"A sinking feeling" (i.e. Synchronizing is NOT working!!!)

• Turn your PDA off and then back on.
• Make sure your PDA is resting securely in its cradle.
• Check to see if the HotSync Manager software is running.  Look for the icon (red and blue circle with arrows) in the Windows system tray of your computer's taskbar.
• Check to makes sure the correct type of connection (USB, serial, etc.) is selected in HotSync Manager.
• Try quitting the HotSync Manager and then restarting it.
• Make sure the cradle's cable is properly connected to the computer.
• If you have a serial cradle, check to make sure the cradle is connected to a COM port that is available for its use.  If you have a USB cradle, try removing other USB devices, even if they are connected to other USB ports.

• Check to make sure the infrared ports are properly aligned.  Different types of PDAs have infrared ports in different places.
• Move the PDAs farther or closer to each other (12" - 36" inches seems to work best).
• Check to make sure no objects or other obstacles may be blocking the beam.
• Try to soft reset your PDA by using the tip of a paperclip to press the reset button on the back of the PDA.  (Don't panic -- a soft reset does not erase information.)

• Find the "Prefs" application software so you can re-calibrate the screen.
• Go to the drop-down menu at the top right of the screen and choose ""Digitizer."
• Follow the directions on the screen to re-calibrate the screen.

 category from the drop down menu at the top right of the screen. Then, tap
 inside each target shown on the screen. If you have problems accessing the
 "Prefs" application because of poor screen calibration, try a soft reset by
 inserting a paper clip in the reset hole on the back of the Palm device.

• Replace the batteries.
• Adjust the contrast control (Check your PDA manual for more specific instructions.)
• Try to soft reset your PDA by using the tip of a paperclip to press the reset button on the back of the PDA.  (Don't panic -- a soft reset does not erase information.)
• As a last resort, try a hard reset (This WILL erase all information on your PDA.)  Hold down the power button while pressing the reset button on the back of the PDA

• Check the batteries to make sure they did not get jarred out of place.
• Some PDAs have a removable memory card that can become loose.  If you have one of these memory cards, look for a door on the back of the PDA that can be easily opened.  (IMPORTANT:  If your PDA does not have this door, do not try to open the PDA case as it usually will void your warranty.)

• There is no happy ending to this forgotten password story.  Perform a hard reset (This WILL erase all information on your PDA.) by holding down the power button whiile pressing the reset button on the back of the PDA.

• Your PDA user manual is your friend.  Read it for instructions on how to properly restore software applications and data.  (Remember:  You will only be able to restore data that was backed up on your computer during your last synchronization.)

• Try to soft reset your PDA by using the tip of a paperclip to press the reset button on the back of the PDA.  (Don't panic -- a soft reset does not erase information.)
• Try a "warm reset" by holding in the "Up" button on the front of the PDA while at the same time pressing the tip of the paperclip into the reset button on the back of the PDA.
• As a last resort, try a hard reset (This WILL erase all information on your PDA.)  Hold down the power button whiile pressing the reset button on the back of the PDA