Palm M500 Handheld Instructions Manual

							Appendix B Page 241
I tried to do a local 
HotSync operation, 
but it did not 
complete 
successfully.
(continued)On a Windows computer, try each step in 
turn:
nMake sure HotSync Manager is running. 
If it is running, close it, and restart it. 
nMake sure you selected Local USB or 
Local Serial, as appropriate, from the 
HotSync Manager menu.
nIf you are using the serial cradle, make 
sure you selected the correct serial port 
on the Local tab in the Setup dialog. It 
should be set to the port where you 
connected the HotSync cradle.
nIf you are using the serial cradle, try a 
lower baud rate setting on the Local tab 
in the Setup dialog.
nIf you are using the serial cradle, make 
sure you aren’t running a program, such 
as America Online, CompuServe, or 
WinFax, that uses the serial port you 
selected in the Setup dialog box.
On a Macintosh, try each step in turn:
nMake sure HotSync Manager is enabled 
on the HotSync Controls tab in the 
HotSync Software Setup window. 
nIf you are using the optional serial 
cradle, make sure you selected Local on 
the Serial Port Settings tab in the 
HotSync software settings window, and 
that the Local Setup port matches the 
port where your HotSync cradle is 
connected.
nIf you are using the optional serial 
cradle, try a lower Speed setting on the 
Serial Port Settings tab. 
						

							Page 242  Frequently Asked Questions
I tried to do a local 
HotSync operation, 
but it did not 
complete 
successfully. 
(continued)nIf you are using the optional serial 
cradle, make sure you aren’t running a 
program, such as America Online, fax or 
telephony software, or AppleTalk 
networking that uses the serial port you 
selected in the Serial Port Settings tab.
I tried to do a modem 
HotSync operation, 
but it did not 
complete 
successfully.Check the following on your computer:
nMake sure your computer is turned on 
and that it does not shut down 
automatically as part of an energy-
saving feature.
nMake sure the modem connected to 
your computer is turned on and is 
connected to the outgoing phone line. 
nMake sure the modem you are using 
with your handheld has an on-off 
switch. Your handheld cannot “wake 
up” a modem that has an auto-off 
feature.
nMake sure the modem is connected 
properly to your computer and is 
connected to the incoming phone line.
On a Windows computer, check the 
following:
nMake sure Modem is checked in the 
HotSync Manager menu.
nConfirm that the Setup String in the 
Setup dialog box configures your 
modem correctly. You may need to 
select a different Modem Type or enter a 
custom Setup String. Most modems 
have a Setup String that causes them to 
send initial connection sounds to a 
speaker. You can use these sounds to 
check the modem connection.
nConfirm that the Speed setting in the 
Setup dialog box works for your 
modem. If you have problems using the 
As Fast As Possible option or a specific 
speed, try using a slower speed. 
						

							Appendix B Page 243
I tried to do a modem 
HotSync operation, 
but it did not 
complete 
successfully.
(continued)nMake sure you are not running another 
program, such as WinFax, CompuServe, 
or America Online that uses the serial 
port you selected in the Setup dialog box.
nMake sure your modem resets before you 
try again. (Turn off your modem, wait a 
minute, then turn it back on.) 
On a Macintosh, check the following:
nMake sure Modem is selected on the 
Serial Port Settings tab in the HotSync 
Software Setup window.
nYou may need to select a different 
Modem type or enter a Custom setup 
string on the Serial Port Settings tab. 
Most modems have a setup string that 
causes them to send initial connection 
sounds to a speaker. You can turn on the 
Modem Speaker option and use these 
sounds to check the modem connection.
nMake sure you are not running another 
program, such as America Online, fax or 
telephony software, or AppleTalk 
networking that uses the serial port you 
selected in the Serial Port Settings tab.
nMake sure your modem resets before 
you try again. (Turn off your modem, 
wait a minute, then turn it back on.)
Check the following on your handheld:
nConfirm that the telephone cable is 
securely attached to your modem.
nMake sure the dialing instruction dials 
the correct phone number. 
nIf you need to dial an outside line prefix, 
make sure you selected the Dial Prefix 
option on your handheld and entered 
the correct code. 
						

							Page 244  Frequently Asked Questions
I tried to do a modem 
HotSync operation, 
but it did not 
complete 
successfully.
(continued)nIf the telephone line you are using has 
Call Waiting, make sure you selected the 
Disable call waiting option under 
Modem Sync Phone Setup on your 
handheld and entered the correct code.
nMake sure the telephone line you are 
using is not noisy, which can interrupt 
communications.
nCheck the batteries in your modem and 
replace them if necessary.
I can’t perform an IR 
HotSync operation.nOn a Windows computer, be sure the 
HotSync Manager is running and the 
Serial Port for local operations is set to 
the simulated port for infrared 
communication. See “IR HotSync 
operations” in Chapter 7 for details.
nOn a Macintosh, make sure the infrared 
communications extensions have been 
installed in the Extensions folder inside 
the System Folder. Next, open the 
HotSync Software Setup window and be 
sure HotSync Manager is enabled and 
that the Local Setup Port is set to 
Infrared Port. See “IR HotSync 
operations” in Chapter 7 for more 
information.
nOn your handheld, be sure the HotSync 
application is set to Local, with the 
option IR to PC/Handheld.
nBe sure the IR port of your handheld is 
aligned directly opposite to, and within 
a few inches of, the infrared device of 
your computer.
nIR HotSync operations do not work after 
you receive a low battery warning. 
Check the battery power of your 
handheld. Recharge the internal battery. 
						

							Appendix B Page 245
My handheld 
appears to freeze 
when I place it near 
my computer.Move your handheld away from the 
computer’s infrared port.
When I press the 
HotSync button on 
the cradle, nothing 
happens on Palm 
Desktop software 
and my handheld 
times out.n  Make a copy of your Palm folder. 
Uninstall, then reinstall Palm Desktop 
software.
nTurn on your handheld and tap the 
Applications icon. Tap the HotSync 
icon, then tap Local. 
When I perform a 
HotSync operation, 
my information does 
not transfer to Palm 
Desktop software.nIf you have performed a HotSync 
operation successfully, but you cannot 
find the data from your handheld on 
Palm Desktop software, check to see 
you have the correct user name selected 
for viewing data.
nOn a Windows computer, click the 
HotSync Manager and choose Custom. 
Check that all conduits are set to 
synchronize files.
nOn a Macintosh, double-click the 
HotSync Manager icon. From the 
HotSync menu, choose Conduit 
Settings. Select your user name from the 
User pop-up menu, and check that the 
correct conduit is active. 
My handheld 
displays the message 
“Waiting for sender” 
when it’s near my 
computer’s infrared 
port.nYour computer’s infrared port may be 
set to search automatically for the 
presence of other infrared devices. 
Consult the documentation for your 
operating system for information about 
turning off this option.
nIn some cases, simply moving your 
handheld away from the computer’s 
infrared port solves the problem. 
						

							Page 246  Frequently Asked Questions
Beaming problems
I want to 
synchronize my 
computer with more 
than one handheld.nIf the computer running Palm Desktop 
software synchronizes with more than 
one handheld, each handheld must have 
a unique name. Assign a user name to 
your handheld the first time you 
perform a HotSync operation.
nPlease be aware that synchronizing 
more than one handheld with the same 
user name causes unpredictable results 
and, potentially, loss of your personal 
information.
ProblemSolution
I cannot beam data to 
another Palm OS 
handheld.nConfirm that your handheld and the 
other Palm OS handheld are between 
ten centimeters (approximately 4) and 
one meter (approximately 39) apart, 
and that the path between the two 
handhelds is clear of obstacles. Beaming 
distance to other Palm OS handhelds 
may be different.
n  Move your handheld closer to the 
receiving handheld.
When someone 
beams data to my 
handheld, I get a 
message telling me it 
is out of memory.n  Your handheld requires at least twice 
the amount of memory available as the 
data you are receiving. For example, if 
you are receiving a 30K application, you 
must have at least 60K free.
nPerform a soft reset. See “Performing a 
soft reset” in Appendix A for more 
information. 
						

							Appendix B Page 247
Recharging problems
Password problems
ProblemSolution
When I place my 
handheld in the 
cradle, the LED 
indicator does not go 
on.nConfirm that your handheld is well 
seated in the cradle.
nConfirm that your recharger cable is 
properly connected to the back of the 
cradle’s USB or serial port connector 
that plugs into your computer.
nConfirm that your recharger is plugged 
into an AC outlet that has power.
ProblemSolution
I forgot the 
password, and my 
handheld is not 
locked.nFirst, use the password hint to try and 
remember the password. If this does not 
help, or if you do not have a password 
hint, you can use Security to delete the 
password, but your handheld deletes all 
entries marked as private. However, if 
you perform a HotSync operation before 
you delete the password: the HotSync 
process backs up all entries, whether or 
not they are marked private. Then, you 
can follow these steps to restore your 
private entries:
1.Use the Palm Desktop software 
and the cradle or infrared communi-
cation to synchronize your data.
2.Tap Forgotten Password in Securi-
ty to remove the password and de-
lete all private records.
3.Perform a HotSync operation to 
synchronize your data and restore 
the private records by transferring 
them from your computer to your 
handheld. 
						

							Page 248  Frequently Asked Questions
Technical support
If, after reviewing the sources listed at the beginning of this appendix, 
you cannot solve your problem, contact your regional technical 
support office by e-mail, phone, or fax. 
Before requesting support, please experiment a bit to reproduce and 
isolate the problem. When you do contact support, please be ready to 
provide the following information:
nThe name and version of the operating system you are using
nThe actual error message or state you are experiencing
nThe steps you take to reproduce the problem
nThe version of handheld software you are using and available 
memory
To find version and memory information:
1. Tap the Applications icon  . 
2. Tap the Menu icon  . 
3. Tap App, and then tap Info.
Note:Thousands of third-party add-on applications have been 
written for the Palm OS handhelds. Unfortunately, we are not 
able to support such a large number of third-party 
applications. If you are having a problem with a third-party 
application, please contact the developer or publisher of that 
software.
4. Tap Version to see version numbers, and tap Size to see the amount 
of free memory in kilobytes.
I forgot the password 
and my handheld is 
locked.nFirst, use the password hint to try and 
remember the password. If this does not 
help, or if you do not have a password 
hint, you must perform a hard reset to 
continue using your handheld. See 
“Performing a hard reset” in Appendix 
A for more information. 
						

							Appendix C Page 249
Appendix C
Creating a Custom 
Expense Report
This section explains how to modify existing Expense application 
templates and how to create your own custom expense report 
templates for use with the Expense application.
Note:This section assumes that you are familiar with Microsoft 
Excel or a similar spreadsheet application. If you are not 
familiar with Microsoft Excel, consult your company’s 
Information Services department or another experienced user.
About mapping tables
Before creating or modifying an Expense template, it’s important to 
understand the function of the Palm™ Desktop software Expense 
application. In simple terms, the Expense application is designed to 
move Expense data from your handheld into a Microsoft Excel 
spreadsheet. Each Expense item stored in your handheld represents a 
group of related data. You can associate the following data with an 
expense item:
nCategorynPayment Currency
nDatenVendor
nExpense TypenCity
nAmountnAttendees
nPayment MethodnNote
When you perform a HotSync
® operation between your handheld and 
Palm Desktop software on your computer, the Expense data is stored 
on your computer (in a file named Expense.txt). When you open the 
Expense application in Palm Desktop software, an Excel macro starts, 
and populates an expense template with your data based on the rules 
specified in a spreadsheet file named Maptable.xls. 
The Maptable.xls file is an editable spreadsheet that functions as a 
“mapping table.” The function of the mapping table is to guide the 
Excel macro in extracting the Expense data. The mapping table tells 
the Excel macro how large the spreadsheet is and provides the data-
cell layout of the Excel template used for the Expense Report. 
						

							Page 250  Creating a Custom Expense Report
Customizing existing sample templates
Four sample Expense Report templates come with Palm Desktop 
software. These templates are stored in the Template folder (which is 
in the same folder as the Palm Desktop software application). 
If the layout of one (or more) of these templates is appropriate for your 
reporting needs, you can easily customize the templates with your 
company name and other information.
To customize a sample Expense Report template:
1. Make a backup copy of the contents of the Template folder.
2. Double-click the name of the sample template you want to modify 
to open it in Microsoft Excel.
3. Make any changes that you want to the names (or other 
information) in the sample template.
Important:Do not insert rows or columns in the sample template. 
Doing so changes the way your Expense data maps to the 
template and causes errors. If you want to move the cells 
to a different location or add or delete rows or columns, 
you have to make changes to the Maptable.xls file.
Note:You can insert your own company logo without changing 
the Maptable.xls file. If you change the file name, 
however, you need to make a corresponding change in 
the Maptable.xls file.
You can also rename cells without changing the 
Maptable.xls file, provided that the expense type 
corresponds to your handheld data. For example, you can 
change “Snack” to “Munchies,” and then all items 
entered on your handheld as “Snack” map to the cell(s) 
labeled “Munchies.”
4. From the File menu, choose Save As.