When bad things happen to good phones

Ever lost your phone on a train or in a cab? Or simply had it come up missing, seemingly swallowed up by the cosmos? It can happen to anyone.

If you find yourself in this kind of unfortunate situation, you’ll thank yourself if you recently connected your phone to your computer to back up any music you’ve downloaded, photos you’ve taken, or videos you’ve captured. The files that are stored on the USB Drive of your phone are not backed up to your Palm profile, so it’s a good idea to put your phone in USB Drive mode now and again.

Here’s what you’ll see on your computer when it’s connected to your phone:

 
You’ll find your photos in the DCIM folder. The Downloads folder contains any attachments you’ve received or downloaded from email, while the Messaging folder has attachments you’ve received via MMS. What about music, you ask? Well, those files can exist anywhere. You can put the supported file types, such as MP3 files, in any folder. Or, create a folder called Music to keep all your tunes together and make them easier to back up. Your phone magically looks for supported file types and allows you to access them from applications on your device. To make sure your music files are backed up to your computer, just drag the files from your phone to a folder of your choice on your computer – piece of cake!

It’s also a good idea to know how to remotely erase your phone should you suddenly discover it missing from the handy case attached to your belt.

Parissa M., Customer Support

Comments

[Thomas]

What annoyed me when I had my pre stolen, was when I backed up there was no to get my text messages back or far as I am aware to back them up?

[Adam M]

In addition to the folders you show, I also have "hidden" folders for ".app-storage", ".developer", ".palm" and ".sysservice". Should I back those up, too?

[ibdribbles]

So, without spending any money on additional software for this backup feature you're recommending, and using a WIN7 system...would you be able to use the old briefcase program to back up the phone whenever you USB connected?

[Minceyfresh]

I, too, was wondering how to go about backing up SMS/IM conversations... If there's not a way to do it, I hope that the feature will somehow become implemented in a future firmware update! :)

[Sabrina]

I just purchased my Palm Pre Phone less than a year ago and I been having trouble with it ever since. I have taken it to the repair shop 5 time for them to send me a refurbirsh phone and it still not working. I talked to the customer service rep at Palm for them to send me a new phone, Because it is still under warranty but they said they could not send me a new phone that I have to send them my phone and they would fix it, but the bad part about it that the phone I have now is not my original phone I'm mad because I have not had my phone long enough to enjoy it and they are not doing anything to help solve my problem angry customer.

[John Roddy]

I purchased the Palm Pre within the first month of it's release. Love the phone. But....the speaker(s)are junk. I am on my fifth or sixth replacement (I lost count)and look forward to another 6 weeks to 2 months of being able to hear my alarm before it goes bad again. I am 51 yrs. old so there is no bump in my music, which by the way, I don't even listen to after the first pre. the only sound it makes is my alarm and it still only lasts for 2 months. The technology in the phone is amazing, but come on, a speaker? Speakers were first patented in 1877!!! 133 years ago!!! HTC's speakers work really well, something to think about, I am