Migrating Your PDA

Move data, apps, and other stuff from an old PDA to a new one.

James A. Martin

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Feature: Migrating Your PDA

Last week's column focused on moving data, applications, Internet favorites, and other stuff from an old notebook to a new one.

For most of us, though, Moving Day isn't over until we've connected our PDA or smart phone to the new notebook. In my case, migrating my year-old Palm Tungsten T3 to my new Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Dv1000 went smoothly. Nonetheless, there are some pitfalls to avoid. The following tips should help you introduce your Palm OS or Windows Mobile PDA to your new notebook successfully.

By the way, next week I'll give you ideas on what to do with your old notebook.

1. Back Up Your PDA Data

Start by synchronizing your PDA with your old computer. (You haven't disposed of it yet, right?) This will back up any recently entered items on your handheld to your old notebook.

Next, back up the PDA's files on your old notebook to an external hard drive, a CD, or a DVD. Typically, your Palm OS data files are located in C:\Program Files\Palm. In that folder, look for a subfolder with a name similar to the ID you've given your Palm. There you'll find your contacts, appointments, and other data files. Copy that subfolder onto an external drive or disc to back it up.

If you use a Windows Mobile PDA, or a Palm with Microsoft Outlook, you can find your data files by selecting File, Data File Management in Outlook. This shows you the location of your.pst Outlook data files, which contain your contact information, e-mail messages, and more. Once you've located the files, back them up onto an external drive or disc.

2. Install PDA Software on the New Notebook

Now, install the Palm Desktop or Microsoft ActiveSync applications on your new notebook. Once that's done, it's time to synchronize your PDA with your new notebook for the first time. But before you do that, some advice:

Be sure to connect your PDA's USB cable directly to your notebook's USB port, at least for the first synchronization. Sometimes a computer won't recognize a new device properly if the device's USB cable is connected to a USB hub, a USB port on a docking station, or another external device. After the first synchronization has been completed, you should be able to connect the PDA's USB cable to a hub or docking station without trouble.

During setup, Palm OS users should select the same Palm user ID they've been using. If you create a new Palm user ID instead, the data on your Palm won't be copied over to the Palm Desktop application on your new notebook. Change your Palm user ID name only after you've successfully HotSynced the device with your new notebook.

Most third-party PDA applications, such as DataViz's Documents To Go, should automatically be installed on your new notebook when you synchronize it with your PDA for the first time. But third-party PDA apps with a desktop component (Zagat To Go, for example) or that require an active Internet connection (as Vindigo does) may need to be manually installed on your new notebook. Before installing them, check to see if a newer version is available for downloading. And make sure you've got on hand any serial numbers required to install the programs.

3. In the Mood for Change? Make It Now

For months, I'd been toying with switching from the Palm Desktop application to Outlook 2003. With my new notebook, the time seemed right, so I took the plunge. Given how much more robust Outlook 2003 is compared to the Palm Desktop, I'm glad I did.

Thankfully, switching from Palm Desktop to Outlook is fairly easy. Palm OS devices come with conduit software on the installation CD that lets you sync the PDA with Outlook. When you first install the Palm software on your new notebook, you should select the Palm Desktop as your synchronization option. Once you've successfully HotSynced, go through the Palm installation process again; but this time choose Outlook as your preferred program to sync with. Restart the HotSync Manager and HotSync your Palm to import your Palm application data into Outlook.

Another option that makes switching easy: Chapura Software's PocketCopy ($20). This great little utility quickly copied my Palm Desktop data directly into Outlook. You'll need to HotSync your Palm with your new notebook before running PocketCopy, though.

What About You?

Have any tips or advice about moving PDA data to a new notebook? If so, e-mail me.

Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips

First Look: Flexible Online Backup

Acpana Business Systems' new Data Deposit Box service is a Web-based backup service offering a simple interface and a flexible pricing structure, says PC World reviewer Rex Farrance. Unlike most online backup services, Acpana charges a penny per megabyte each month for just the storage you use. For example, 900MB of backed-up data costs about $9 a month at Data Deposit Box but would cost $15 or more on other services.

For more about online backup, read "Online Backup Services" and "Online Backup, the Sequel."

Portable Entertainment News: TiVoToGo Here at Last

Nearly one year after it was first announced, the TiVoToGo feature--which lets you transfer programs directly from your TiVo machine to your notebook or desktop PC--is finally available.

TiVoToGo is part of the regular TiVo service, which costs $13 per month or $300 for the life of the TiVo box. To use the feature, you must have a TiVo Series 2 machine connected to your home network. Also, you'll need to have the latest TiVo operating system update downloaded to your box, which happens automatically as the update is rolled out. And you must download the latest version of the free TiVo Desktop onto your computer. Finally, to burn your TiVo programs onto DVD, you'll need Sonic MyDVD Studio 6.1 ($50 for TiVo subscribers).

The allure here, of course, is that you can load up your laptop with prerecorded TV programs for a long plane flight. Also, you can edit the TiVo-recorded programs in Sonic MyDVD before burning them to disc--which you can't do if you use a TiVo with a built-in DVD burner. (TiVo systems don't offer any content editing tools.)

Gadget News: Apple's IPod Shuffle

Apple recently introduced a low-priced, flash-memory-based MP3 player, the IPod Shuffle. The Shuffle is a thin white gadget with a USB connector, a 12-hour rechargeable battery, and no LCD. It's available in two capacities: 512MB ($99) and 1GB ($149). Accessories, such as a dock and sports band, are expected soon.

Wireless Gadgets: The Top Mobile Data Devices

What are the best portable devices for grabbing e-mail and Googling on the go? Read "Going Mobile" for PC World editors' picks of the best PDA phones, smart phones, handheld computers, and mobile IM devices.

Wireless News: Say Bye-Bye to Pocket PC

Microsoft will be phasing out its Pocket PC and Smartphone names in favor of the Windows Mobile brand, the company announced.

With the Pocket PC and Smartphone names retired, Microsoft hopes to eliminate the confusion between Pocket PCs, which have tended to be traditional PDAs, and Smartphones, which are cell phones with some Pocket PC features, such as the ability to sync with Outlook on a PC. In the future, retailers will sell Windows Mobile devices, not Pocket PCs or Smartphones, and most of these devices will have phone capabilities, the company says.

Gadget News: Shake Up Your Presentations

Do you tend to go on and on when giving a presentation? Hint: If your audience is BlackBerrying like crazy, sneaking out the door, or surveying the inside of their eyelids, chances are the answer is yes.

If so, help is on the way: Logitech's new Cordless 2.4-GHz Presenter ($80) is a wireless presentation controller with an integrated timer and a small LCD. When the timer is activated, the LCD displays the time left on a presentation. If that's not enough of a hint, the controller briefly vibrates 5 minutes before your time runs out, then when you have 2 minutes to go.

For more details on this and other gadgets introduced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, read "Logitech Cuts the Cord."

Suggestion Box

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.