Windows Vista on Palm Desktop Beta

Windows Vista users, a beta release of the Palm Desktop is available for installation. Make sure to follow the installation instructions provided in the KB article.

We plan to make additional updates in the future to the beta release and would appreciate your feedback on the software, so please feel free to share your experiences/thoughts with us here.

-Palm Desktop Team

Comments

[Tom]

We are now in 2008 and no Vista 64 drivers or Palm Desktop? Sad indeed.

[Sam]

First of all, I am not a ocmputer programmer or technician. I have no idea why this trick works, so do not email me. No promises. If you have trouble importing old Palm OS dat files to Vista Beta format, go to the type of data you want to import from within Palm Desktop, by clicking the radio button on the left pane. Then, scroll down to import from the drop down file menu on the menu bar, find your USER folder from the previous Palm Desktop version and locate the folder of the type of data you want, in "file name" type exactly this *.* for all files, then click on the dat file you want to import. I hope this works for everyone. No promises.

[John Nelson]

Although the new final 6.2.2 Palm Desktop for Vista works well for me, I was disappointed that it still has no themes (I find the calendar hard to read across, all the lines faint and the same thickness).

[J]

I think Microsoft should be blamed for making an OS that is so incompatible with other brand applications. It seems like tough competition is underway to drive people away from Palm.

[J]

I think Microsoft should be blamed for making an OS that is so incompatible with other brand applications. It seems like tough competition is underway to drive people away from Palm.

[Kunsch Robert]

Palm Desktop 6.2.1 and HotSync work fine on Windows Vista Family Premium edition, with Sony Clié NR70V, but the file formats for Address, Date, Memo and ToDo need to be renamed manually from ".db" to ".mdb" to be correctly handled by Palm Desktop. This looks like a small bug in the program.

[Alain Veys (BELGIUM)]

I am like most of you very angry that palm (or ACCESS) haven’t and probably won’t ever release 64bit USB driver for their PDA devices under PalmOS. But being stubborn I have decided to find a workaround.
First know that the solution exists under Vista64 using BlueTooth communication and that it works fine. (for outlook2007 there is a special conduits update to install in addition to the palmdesktop program. Here is the link to the conduits update http://palmone.r3h.net/downloads.palm.com/
palmoutlook2007conduits.zip)
I have tested it and works all fine, but as we all know, Bluetooth communication is soooo slow that synchronization takes ages and that you can completely forget transferring large files (like GPS maps, pictures, …)
So, here is the solution I am using right now to synchronize my Palm Tungsten using the USB cradle with Outlook2007 under Vista64:
Install Vmware workstation 6 (Workstation virtualization). Install a virtual windows XP machine in vmware. In the XP virtual machine, install Outlook2007. Install The palmdesktop and the palmoutlook conduit update I mentioned earlier. Never connect the palm cradle as long as you are not running the virtual xp machine (not even during the palmdesktop installation: just ignore that step)
Create a read-only share in vmware workstation to the directory containing your outlook.pst file(s) in vista. (you can do an advanced search for *.pst files if you don’t know exactly where the pst files are located). Starup your outlook in the virtual XP machine to create the local pst file (no need to create mail accounts). Now you can import your shared pst file from vista into your outlook in xp)
Close outlook in xp and connect your cradle. Once you press you synchronize button on the cradle (or cable), the virtual xp machine will detect it and start the synchronization.
Voila! But I confess it is a complicated process to achieve what palm should normally take care of by delivering THEIR 64 BIT VISTA DRIVERS!!!!
I still love my palm companion which I also use as traveling aid using a Bluetooth gps device with it, but love can wear out… So , palm guys, WORK ON IT!!

[siyer]

Access 6.2.2 and Outlook 2007 both do not work well with Palm 680. Outlook has good search capabilities, which 6.2.2 lacks, whilst 6.2.2 maps addresses well for Treo, the Outlook does not show everything! Search on both platforms do not include the Notes! Can someone at Access look at these and improve the software? An Email capability to palm desk top can be an effective replacement for Outlook as well.

[Jesiah]

Here's another voice, hoping that Palm (or someone) releases something so that I can HotSync my Centro with my Windows Vista 64 system.
I run a business and this is extremely frustrating. I shouldn't have to spend an hour every morning manually moving data from my computer to my device for the day's work.. but that is what I am being forced to do for now.

[JohnSuhr]

This is retarded
I was pissed about my iphone with no notes , lack of to do lists sync with Vista 64, I decide to drag out the lifedrive and find it isnt compatable. The iphone is compatable with Vista64, my iphone is looking a LOT better now.

[Trisha]

I've had palms forever but now I'm forced to the other side. I just got a new vista machine, 64bit and now I can't synch my tx with my usb wire. It takes away the whole purpose of having a pda. I was about to buy a centro too - thank goodness I haven't. I'll have to buy a windows based machine. It's very disappointing.

[Ed Neleski]

Just adding another voice to all those who feel they have been taken in by PALM - I own a Lifedrive and love its capabilities, storage capacity and ease of use. Alas, like all you others, I upgraded my computer and now have a Vista based laptop. Why doesn't PALM support its products and update its Desktop? I know that I will end up having to go to a Windows Mobile PDA when I finally upgrade again. PALM - are you listening - your loyal customer base continues to shrink each day that you don't at least address the issue of your OS and Vista. Or does anyone there even care?

[HatePallm]

OK, so the Palm Desktop Team has died. I hope they suffered appropriately. There's no place to send flowers, or even comments, all the links are as dead as the Team and the OS. The prices of palm items are plummeting, so unless you hang on to it as long as you hung on to your Amiga or TRS-80, it's worthless until it becomes a collector's item. All the members of the team are buried now, and Palm no longer needs its customers. Don't hold your breath for Linux, Mac or even Vista 64 programs, nor even for updates any more.

[Fermín]

Sir, good evening. I have tried to download the "documents to go" app. to no avail, using my Installation CD. Dont think it's fair, having paid for and being a legit owner of the product..

Thank you