PocketPractitioner Power Tip: Upgrading the Palm OS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do I Need to Upgrade?
Palm upgraded to OS 5.0 in the fall of 2002. This added speed and functionality to the Palm Handheld, but also it created some incompatabiliites. When we upgraded PocketPractitioner to version 3.1, we found that we needed the functionality that Palm included in the operating system with version 3.5.
Summary:
· PocketPractitioner 3.0.4 and below requires Palm OS 3.1 to 4.1.
· PocketPractitioner 3.1 and above requires Palm OS 3.5 and above.
Therefore those users with versions < 3.5 need to upgrade the Palm OS.
Devices with the Palm OS in flash memory can be upgraded.
For a list of Palm devices as of 12/31/02, go to the following web site:
http://www.palmos.com/dev/tech/hardware/compare.html
If you see the flash icon next to your handheld model, then you can upgrade your operating system. The most notable exceptions are the Palm IIIe and the Handspring Visor and Visor Delux.
If you do not see your handheld model listed, it is probably newer and has OS 3.5 or greater. To check your version, press the Home icon next to the Graffiti area, then press the Menu icon, then Info, and then Version.
The Solution:
Palm
The Palm OS 3.5 is no longer available for sale, so users will need to upgrade to the latest version of the Palm OS 4.1. The cost is $29.95.
The following Palm handhelds can have the Palm OS upgraded to Palm OS upgrade 4.1:
Palm III handhelds
Palm IIIx handhelds
Palm IIIxe handhelds
Palm IIIc handhelds
Palm V handhelds
Palm Vx handhelds
Visit the following URL for further details and Purchase information:
http://www.palm.com/software/palmosupgrade_4-1/
Some of the new features of the Palm OS® upgrade 4.1 are:
1. Note Pad application: Write "sticky notes" directly on your Palm(TM)
handheld screen and schedule your notes to pop up when you need
reminders.
2. Easier Data Entry: Quickly enter data using Graffiti® writing and the on-screen keyboard simultaneously.
3. Increased Security: Lock your Palm handheld and hide private records
for extra security.
For more features, please visit the Palm Web site at:
http://www.palm.com/software/palmosupgrade_4-1/details.html
Other Companies
The upgrade process should be similar to above. You will need to contact your company for specific information.
Jon Blackman, MD, MS
www.pocketinformatics.com
Revised 3/8/03