PDA and Palm Pilot FAQs
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) such as the Palm Pilot are popular among PeopleSoft Employees. This document answers frequently asked questions about their use in the PeopleSoft environment.
How do I start with a brand new Palm? For initial set-up of the Palm, see document 39051 — Starting with a never used Palm. Use this same document if your Palm has been reset to factory settings.
How do I change from EasySync to IntelliSync? See document 39045 — How to install the Palm organizer.
How do I install the HotSync software? See document 39045 — How to install the Palm organizer.
How do I install the software to synchronize with Lotus Notes? You can use the IntelliSync software from the Software Library. 39049 — How to install IntelliSync for the Palm organizer. Note: Be sure to check with your manager before downloading the software as there is a departmental charge. You can also check what is available on http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/
What about errors in first setting up the Palm? See document 29023 — Port error installing Palm software.
Can I connect the Palm Pilot or other PDA directly to the network or via RAS to retrieve my e-mail?
What do I need to know about maintaining and caring for my Palm?
What are the most common Palm problems and resolutions? See document 39052 — Common Palm problems.
How do I install or uninstall Palm applications? See document 39054 — How to install and uninstall Palm applications.
What are the differences between the Palm V and the Palm III?
At this time the only PDA supported at all is the Palm, other PDAs are not supported because they are not standard PeopleSoft hardware. The Palm is supported on a very limited basis. Still, we try to be helpful. You can get the software to synchronise your Palm with Lotus Notes from the Software Library. See document 39049 — How to install IntelliSync for the Palm organizer. Only the Palm is supported, and only to provide Calendar synchronization. Synchronization must be done by connection to your computer, not with a direct network connection.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
PDAs other than the Palm are not supported. It may be possible that the same solutions that work for the Palm will work for other PDAs but that is entirely at your own risk and efforts.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
The Date and Time are set from the General Preferences screen.
Tap the Applications soft button on the bottom portion of the touch screen.
Tap Prefs on the touch screen
Tap the down arrow in the upper right-hand corner. Select General.
Tap the Set Time box, A Set Time Dialog box should open.
Tap the up or down arrows to change the hour.
Tap the minutes box, then tap the up or down arrows to set the minutes.
Tap the AM or PM box to select the time of day.
Use your stylus to tap the Set Date box, A Set Date Dialog box should open.
Tap the left or right arrows to select the current year.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Set your preferences from the Prefs application
Tap the Applications soft button on the bottom portion of the touch screen.
Tap Prefs on the touch screen
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Standard Palm applications include:
Date Book is roughly the equivalent of your Lotus Notes calendar. There is a daily, weekly and monthly view. You can set alarms and attach notes to events.
Address Book
Memo Pad works much like "Note Pad" in Windows. There is a 4K file size limit.
To Do List
Calculator
Expense
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Can I connect the Palm Pilot or other PDA directly to the network or via RAS to retrieve my e-mail?
No, and please don't try. Only PeopleSoft authorized machines are permitted on the network.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
What do I need to know about maintaining and caring for my Palm?
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
No, you cannot make the alarm louder. Putting the Palm on a hard, flat surface may help. You can also try changing the sound to something that may be more noticeable. You might also want to look for 3rd party applications that allow you to change the alarm sounds and duration. Even if it isn't louder the different sounds may be easier to hear.
The voltage regulator may make a hiss or hum. It will normally be loudest when the CPU is busy.
If you have System Sounds enabled you will hear a tick whenever the battery watchdog timer routine checks the sound circuit.
When the unit is off keeping the clock and memory powered results in a slight hum.
The backlight (in newer models) may make a slight whining sound.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Your databases are stored on your PC in the c:\palm\<username>\backups directory. Check the date/time on the files to ensure that they are being backed up during HotSync.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
What are the differences between the Palm V and the Palm III?
The changes are primarily cosmetic, with some performance enhancements.
The Palm V has a sealed rechargeable battery. It is recharged in the HotSync cradle. A green LED will show that it is properly seated, it does not turn off when the battery is charged. The battery will need to be charged for about four hours before the first use. The Palm V, at normal daily usage, will remain charged for up to a month. The Palm V can be left in the cradle. The Palm III, in contrast, uses AAA replaceable batteries. The Palm III should not be left in the cradle for long periods because that will drain the batteries. With normal usage the batteries in the Palm III should last one to two months, sometimes even longer.
The Palm V is slightly smaller, slimmer and with a metal instead of plastic case used for the Palm III. The cover that comes with the Palm V is leather, the cover for the Palm III is plastic.The screen cover for the Palm V flips open to the side, while the Palm III cover flips up. In the Palm V there are hinge receptacles for the cover on both the right and left sides. Whichever receptacles aren't being used to hold the screen cover can be used to hold the stylus. In the Palm III the stylus slides into a grove on the back of the device.
The on-off switch for the Palm V is on the top edge of the case near the right corner, while for the Palm III it is on the left edge of the case near the bottom.
The HotSync cradles for the Palm V and Palm II are different and not interchangeable.
New to the Palm V is the onscreen contrast adjustment. When you press the button on the top of the Palm V, it will display an onscreen slider that you can tap on to change the contrast. The Palm III has a physical contrast wheel tucked into the edge of the case near the power button.
The Palm V also has a graffiti trainer. It helps teach graffiti by showing the strokes being written on the display.
Both the Palm III and Palm V come with 2MB RAM. Memory on the Palm V cannot be upgraded easily, unlike the Palm III. The Palm Vx comes with 8MB RAM.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2000-2002
All rights reserved.
Created: db 04/26/2000
Revised: db 11/06/2002