Deb's Palm™ Handheld Pages

This section of my site is the start of a series of pages on how to use your Palm™ Handheld with Mac OS X. I've created several tutorials and I also point you to other tutorials and info.

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Manually installing files on your Palm Handheld or its SecureDigital (SD) media card

Discussion: Some applications, such as Adobe Acrobat, have installers. With those programs, you double-click the installer just like with any Mac application, and follow the directions. The installer will place the necessary files in the Install Handheld Files window for you, so you don't need to follow any of the steps shown on this page.

In fact, if there is not an installer, you can simply double-click Palm program files such as .prc files or .pdb files and they'll do all the work here for you. Thus, you don't really ever have to follow the steps listed here. This process tends to be the old way of working, but I wanted to share it with you anyway.

On one of the other pages here, I show you how to use the Applet the PalmSource team has kindly provided so we can most easily install images. However, if you're so-inclined, you can use this install interface instead.

Step 1:

Launch the HotSync Manager application. This brings you to the HotSync Software Setup window. If HotSync is not enabled, click the Enabled radio button. This will enable you to sync when you press the HotSync button on your cradle.

Note: I show the window directly under the menus so you can see that the menus appear. Your window will really open in the center of your screen.

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Step 2:

Chooose Install Handheld Files from the HotSync menu.
(This opens the Install Handheld Files window, shown below.)

I captured and show you this window in actual size so you can read the buttons and tips within it. Notice the tips and buttons tell the story well. The PalmSource programmers have given you all the basic information very clearly there.

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Step 3:

Most Mac users prefer to locate their files and drag them into place. You can do that here, or you can browse to your files to add them. I show dragging here.

Open the folder that contains the files to be installed.
If you've just downloaded a self-mounting image (.smi) when you double-click it, it becomes a virtual disk on your desktop. Opening it, you'll see your install directions and the files you need to drag over.

Drag the files and drop them anywhere in the list area within the Install Handheld Files window.
Your highlight color appears around the list area when you're within the area to release the mouse.

To browse to your files instead:
Click the Add To List button, then use the Open dialog sheet to locate and choose your files.
(I don't show this method.)

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Step 4:

Notice the info in the Destination column. It will say Handheld or SecureDigital (SD) card. If it's landing where you want it, proceed to the HotSync. If not, you can easily switch the destination. Learn how to switch destinations.

Note: if you're installing a multimedia file, it will automatically go to the SecureDigital (SD) card as it is not possible to put these files on the Handheld itself.

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This information is provided to you as a courtesy by me, Deborah Shadovitz, www.shadovitz.com. It may not be copied, reused, or reprinted without my express written permission. However, you're welcome to pass out the URL, www.shadovitz.com/palm, to anyone it may help. I am not responsible for anything that may result from following the advice given here.