Freeing Up Memory for Palm VIIx

[jmichene]

I'm looking to free up some memory on my Palm VIIx.
I want to know what is the minimum of programs/applications I need on my Palm to do/have the following tasks:
-Address Book
-Calculator
-Date Book
-Expense
-Mail
-Memo Pad
-To Do List
-Sync to MS Outlook
-Beam Info
(plus the basis system stuff)

I know the Palm VIIx originally were intended to connect wirelessly to the special Palm website which is no longer active. Since I can't use this feature, I'd especially like to delete all the programs associated with it. However, I don't want to delete something critical to the OS or that affects the performance of any of the above task.

Here is what is currently listed under 'Info' for my Palm:
-68EZ328 Serial Dri...
-Activate
-Address
-Buttons
-Calc
-Cmd-nettrace
-Cmd-ping
-Connection
-Date Book
-Diagnostics
-Digitizer
-Expense
-Formats
-General
-Giraffe
-Graffiti
-HotSync
-iMessenger
-INet Library
-IrDA Library
-Keyboard
-Mail
-Memo Pad
-Net Library
-Net Sync
-Network
-Owner
-Palm Inc
-Palm Reader
-Palm VIIx Update 3...(v.3.5.3)
-Prefs
-RadioMgr
-RMP NetPlugin
-Security
-Security Library
-SerialLib
-Setup
-ShortCuts
-System
-To Do List
-Transfer
-Update 3.5.3
-Web Clipping
-Web Library
-Wireless

Thanks for your help!

[headcronie]

Silly question, but just how much memory do you have free?

The information under Info is not so useful, the information under Delete is much more useful.

If I remember right, almost all of the files that you have listed under Info, are in ROM, which you can't get rid of, and which don't take up any RAM.

[holvoetn]

Hello jmichene, welcome to BrightHand

My take on this would be to use a tool like FileZ (it should work on OS3 as well) and sort files in RAM based on size.
Then start with the biggest and see if it is still needed or not, deleting as appropriate, working your way down until you have reached, let's say, 80% of the volume (no need to check each and every file under 1kb unless there are hundredths of them).

[Streaky]

Welcome to Brighthand, jmichene. I would strongly advise against just deleting anything to make more room (although wot headcronie sez). If you must do it, buy something like Uninstall Manager and use it to remove apps in a more controlled manner.

However, most of the apps you list as being the ones to keep are built-in apps. If you don't mind losing data (or, first, do a back-up) why not just do a hard reset to set your Palm back to factory state with any non-inbuilt rubbish automatically removed?

Edit: Also wot holvy sez. That's how I "prune" data content (but I use File Insider Pro as my weapon of choice, not FileZ).

[BAB2000]

Actually all three previous replies are correct.

The VIIx is a dragonball processor, and the stock OS and required software included with the unit for full function is located in ROM.

The RAM is for storage of data, system setting files, preference files, and all third party applications. An d when power is drained from your battery or aHARD reset is performed, this memory is erased.

Starting over is best option, HARD reset the handheld. If presently have data in the PIM apps on the desktop, before restore hotsync, rename the \Palm\[user name]\backup folder to OLDbackup and set any conduits that may be present that is not wanted, to DO NOTHING and set the Default button. Leave those the other conduits for Synchronize or Enabled.

Then install FILEZ. when working with this file manager type app, there is a box in the upper right corner, ROM. If checked it will include in your listing the ROM applications as well as the other contents of memory. If unchecked it will list only your actual memory (RAM) loaded files.

You then can begin pruning, yet unsure the amount of spaced gained, maybe 200K (?)

There was an application that allowed you to alter the contents of the ROM, but since Palm moved to ARM processors and NVFS tpye meory, they are no longer in business and product no longer available.

The bigest issue with the VIIx is battery life, if your internal radio is connected and searching for a Palm net signal, the battery will drain quicker than if disconnected. But, yet there is internal apps that are required to identify the internal circuits and keep functional balance, so no sure you will gain more by altering, other than creating a brick if not wise with your choices.

Best of luck.

PS: Search Ebay, a IIIxe would be a good replacemnt unit, and you will notice much lighter and slighlty smaller than your present classic.

[jmichene]

Thanks for all the input!

I've now been able to free up enough space to use some apps from Olivetree on my palm (they provide bibles for palm OS)

One question remains for the experts though...

What are these programs that appeared after my first HotSync (I had the Delete menu list blank before the HotSync) and can I delete them w/o creating a 'brick', as BAB2000 so eloquently put it.

-68EZ328 Serial Dri...
-Cmd-nettrace
-Cmd-ping
-Net Sync
-Palm Inc
-Palm Reader
-Transfer

Thanks for the help again

[headcronie]

What are these programs that appeared after my first HotSync (I had the Delete menu list blank before the HotSync) and can I delete them w/o creating a 'brick', as BAB2000 so eloquently put it.

-68EZ328 Serial Dri... Palm update to the serial port for your processor. You need this.
-Cmd-nettrace Part of the Palm.net infrastructure that is now obsolete.
-Cmd-ping Part of the Palm.net infrastructure that is now obsolete.
-Net Sync Part of hotsync and network configuration, don't remove.
-Palm Inc I don't remember.
-Palm Reader Believe this may be the former name of eReader, don't remember.
-Transfer Believe it to be part of hotsync. Don't remove.

[jmichene]

Thanks!!!

That was all great info headcronie

F.y.i.
I did a little follow up on the last three (just curious) and found out that:
-Palm Inc I don't remember. I accessed this app. and it looks like it is a web clipping of sorts for the old Palm Inc. website, which is useless w/o the Palm.net infastructure. (I deleted it)
-Palm Reader Believe this may be the former name of eReader, don't remember. You were right! Per the Palm.com 'Glossary of Mobile Device Terminology', Palm Reader is "the application that enables you to read eBooks on your Palm device."
-Transfer Believe it to be part of hotsync. Don't remove. Correct again!

[headcronie]

You stretched my memory. It's been a while since I've powered on my VIIx. Glad I could be of help.

[dmccunney]

-Palm Reader Believe this may be the former name of eReader, don't remember.

PalmReader is indeed the former name of eReader. It was originally Peanut Press reader, till Palm bought Peanut and made them the Palm Digital Media division. I believe it became eReader when Palm sold off the operation to Motricity.

The differences between the old PalmReader and the current eReader are cosmetic. Any of the readers back to the original Peanut Press release will read Palm doc files and PML files.
______
Dennis