Palm to Mac OS X synchronization: Microsoft Entourage

Palm Applications and specifics:

REQUIREMENTS

Palm Desktop:

To synchronize a Palm OS 4 or Palm OS 5 handheld device with a computer running Mac OS X, to any Personal Information Management application, the Palm Desktop software must be installed to ensure that the necessary elements are in place to perform a HotSync operation. The Palm HotSync software is necessary for synchronization to any Mac OS application, (Palm Desktop, Microsoft Entourage, Apple iCal), since all products rely on the Palm HotSync conduit structure.

OVERVIEW

During a HotSync, information is synchronized between the handheld device and your computer. In a HotSync operation information is compared on both your computer and your handheld device, and any information that has been changed in one location and not the other is copied from one place to the other. One of the other functions that can be enabled is the creation of a backup of all of the applications and documents on your handheld so that you can restore your handheld if you need to erase it, or you must replace your handheld for any reason.

NOTE: Many Palm OS based devices lose all data if the batteries are completely drained, so frequent synchronization, with backup enabled, is recommended, especially for devices with internal, rechargeable batteries. In the event that your Palm device loses power, you will at least have data back to your last synchronization or backup.

INSTALLATION

Installing Palm Desktop:

1. Download the software from palmOne, and run the installer according to the instructions from palmOne.
2. The download page also includes links to the Palm Desktop Support, HotSync Issues Help, and the HotSync Support Guide for future reference.
3. Once you have Palm Desktop installed, you can connect your Palm device to your Mac (using the USB cradle or USB cable) to synchronize data in any of the modules in the Palm Desktop application. Additionally, you can Install files, upload pictures, and back up the files on your Palm handheld.

Installing the Microsoft Entourage conduit:

Microsoft Handheld Synchronization for Office X

NOTE: While, reading through pages 1 through 5 of this How-to Article, “Synchronizing Entourage data with Palm handheld data” you will find links to the software download and details on basic configuration. Some of the information in the Microsoft How-to Article will be paralleled in these instructions.

1. Download the Entourage conduit from Microsoft by clicking here.
2. Run the installer according to the instructions from Microsoft.
3. Once you have the Entourage conduit installed, you can select the Entourage conduit in the HotSync Manager. To open the HotSync Manager, open the Applications folder. Then open the Palm folder. Open the HotSync Manager.
4. Once you run the HotSync Manager application, select Conduit Settings from the HotSync menu.
5. In the Conduit Settings window, double-click the Entourage conduit to customize the settings. You will see the window below:

INSTALLATION and BACKUP

Installation of handheld applications and backing up handheld files happens independently of the Microsoft Entourage conduits, so for each function, you will need to use the conduits included with the Palm Desktop software, detailed below:

Installing Palm OS applications:
By selecting Install Handheld Files from the HotSync menu in the HotSync Manager application, you can install Palm application (.prc) and database (.pdb) files for use on your Palm handheld.

You can add files by dragging them to the empty file list window, or by clicking Add To List and selecting the files from the navigation window. When you perform a HotSync operation, any applications or files listed in the Install Handheld Files list will be added to your Palm handheld device.

Backing up your Palm device

One of the most useful Palm conduits is the Backup conduit, which provides the ability to back up files and user-added applications from your Palm device so that they can be restored in the case that your Palm loses all power (which will erase the flash memory) or your Palm device is damaged and has to be reset or replaced.

1. From the Conduit Settings list, select the Backup Conduit.
2. Click on the Conduit Settings button to edit the configuration:
   
   


3. The default setting is to Backup files on the handheld. You can disable this setting if you do not want files backed up (changing the setting to Do nothing), or specify that you would like to Restore from backup if you are performing a HotSync to a new or reset Palm device.

Setup complete

Once you have made any desired changes, initiate a HotSync from the Palm device, and information will be synchronized between devices, any specified applications will be installed, and, if specified, your data will be backed up to your computer.

Getting Help
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