Palm Pilot Professional

[Factor1]

I recieved a Palm Pilot Professional from a friend online because he did not need it anymore. It came with the cradle, batteries, and the ram as well. I put new batteries in so they were fresh and I went to turn on the power (green button) but nothing happens. I let it sit for a day and I take out and put back the batteries and the screen lights up for one second and thats it. No os, no indication, nothing. I tried reseating the ram as well but still nothing. I e-mailed Palm, Inc. for help and they told me to call them (so they get tons of money from poor people like me) but I can't afford the damn $20+ service charge. What do I do? What kind of internal battery does it have as well? PLEASE reply to this as soon as you can before I go nuts.

[Ben S]

Once you re-seat the RAM card, you'll probably have to do a hard-reset on the device. See here for instructions on doing a hard reset.

[Factor1]

No dice. Whats next?

[Ben S]

The ROM card could be bad, or the screen.

To diagnose the screen, try opening up the unit and locating the white (sometimes orange or yellow) ribbon cable that connects the motherboard to the screen. It's held in at either end by two small clips. Carefully unhinge the clips and clean & reseat the cable, then reattach it. Also while you're at it, inspect the cable for damage.

As for the ROM card, if that's bad, you can probably pick one up cheap from eBay or http://www.gethightech.com/

[Factor1]

I am unable to find this so card 'ROM Card'

[AlanG]

There should be a blg sliding door on the back of the Palm. Slide it upwards to remove it. Once removed, a memory module will be exposed. That memory module is the ROM card.

For a picture of how to open the Palm, check out this link.

Alan G

[Factor1]

I don't think thats the problem though. I'll explain in detail:

1) I insert new batteries (correct way of course)

2) Screen glows green for a split-second then goes out

3) I go to hit the green power button and wahla, nothing. No gui, no indication, not even a pixel.

4) Reseating the ROM card doesn't help as well.

What's left?

[Ben S]

That sounds like a bad ROM card or the ROM card isn't making good contact. It was a very common ailment for Palms before the IIIx.

[Factor1]

I can't find a new ROM card or anything... I checked both links you posted.

[Ben S]

You might try e-mailing the folks at GetHighTech to see if they know where you could find one.

One other thought just occurred to me... did you check the screen ribbon cable? Open the unit and look for a white ribbon cable connecting the screen to the motherboard. It runs along the left side of the unit (with the screen facing down). Check to make sure it's seated correctly, clean, and not damaged.