Getting Started with Palm™ m500 Series Handhelds
Copyright Copyright © 2000 Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Graffiti, HotSync, PalmConnect, and Palm OS are registered trademarks, and the HotSync logo, Palm, and the Palm logo are trademarks of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability Palm, Inc. and its subsidiaries assume no responsibility for any damage or loss resulting from the use of this guide.
Contents Chapter 1: Get Started ....................................................1 Your Palm m500 series handheld .......................................................2 Upgrading from another Palm OS handheld....................................2 Preparing to use your handheld .........................................................3 Connecting the HotSync cradle....................................................... 3 Charging your handheld..............................................................
Deleting an event ............................................................................ 22 Using To Do List ................................................................................. 23 Creating a To Do List item ............................................................ 23 Changing a To Do List item .......................................................... 24 Marking a To Do List item complete ........................................... 25 Deleting a To Do List item........................
Chapter 4: Frequently Asked Questions ........................47 I don’t see anything on my handheld screen .............................. 47 I can’t complete a HotSync operation .......................................... 48 Troubleshooting communication problems................................ 48 Troubleshooting data synchronization problems ......................
Page vi Getting Started with Palm™ m500 Series Handhelds
Chapter 1 Get Started Palm™ m500 series handhelds will help you stay organized and on time, and keep up with daily tasks while you are away from your desk.
Your Palm m500 series handheld Expansion card slot IR port Insert expansion cards to add additional applications or memory, or to back up your data. Exchange data and applications with any infrared-enabled Palm OS handheld that’s nearby. Applications Launcher Tap the Applications icon to see all your applications. Power button/ Backlight control/ LED indicator Press here to turn your handheld on and off. Hold it down for a few seconds to turn on the backlight. Also blinks to indicate alarms.
Preparing to use your handheld Before you begin using your handheld and Palm Desktop software, you must complete a few easy installation tasks. Connecting the HotSync cradle Important: The HotSync cradle supplied with your handheld fits a USB connector. If your computer does not have a USB port, or if you are using Windows 95, Windows NT, or an older Macintosh, you can order a serial cradle and either a 25-pin or Macintosh serial adapter, if necessary, from http://www.palm.com.
handheld. Setting up your handheld 1. Press the power button to turn on your handheld. 2. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your handheld. Note: If your handheld does not turn on, see Chapter 4 in this guide for suggestions. Important: For users outside the United States, choose the same language for your handheld and Palm Desktop software. Choosing a language that does not match the Palm Desktop software is not recommended or supported, and may result in data loss.
Installing Palm Desktop software on a Windows computer 1. Turn on your computer. 2. Exit any open programs, including those that run automatically at startup (such as Microsoft Office) and virus-scanning software. 3. Insert the Palm Desktop CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. Note: If installation does not begin, click the Windows Start button, choose Run, enter D:\autorun.exe, and then click OK. If necessary, replace D: with the drive letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive. 4.
Installing Palm Desktop software on a Macintosh 1. Turn on your Macintosh. Note: If you are upgrading and your old Palm Desktop software is version 1.0, uninstall your old Palm Desktop software. 2. Insert the Palm Desktop CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. 3. Double-click the Palm Desktop CD icon. 4. Double-click the Palm Desktop Installer icon. 5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
Synchronizing data: Performing the first HotSync operation The HotSync process automatically synchronizes — that is, exchanges and updates — data between your handheld and Palm Desktop software. Changes you make on your handheld or Palm Desktop software appear in both places after a HotSync operation. 1. Place your handheld on the HotSync cradle. 2. Press the HotSync button on the cradle. 3. When the Users dialog box appears, select the user name you entered when you installed Palm Desktop software. 4.
Each handheld must have a unique name To prevent unexpected results during HotSync operations, possible data loss, and other complications, each handheld must have a unique name. If you have upgraded, your new handheld and your old handheld have the same user name after completing the upgrade process. We strongly recommend that you perform a hard reset on your old handheld to erase all data from the old handheld and assign it a new user name during the next HotSync operation with the old handheld.
Removing an expansion card 1. Hold your handheld securely. 2. Use your thumb to lightly push against the top of the card, following the direction indicated by the expansion card icon on the back panel of your handheld. The expansion card slot releases the card, and your handheld plays the system sound. 3. Lift the card from the expansion card slot. Note: Your handheld comes with a dummy card seated within the expansion card slot.
Congratulations! You’ve charged the battery in your handheld, connected your handheld to your computer, installed the Palm Desktop software, and performed your first HotSync operation. For more information about using your handheld, see the following: ■ This guide, Getting Started with Palm™ m500 Series Handhelds, provides instructions on performing basic tasks on your handheld. ■ The Basic Skills tutorial on your handheld.
Chapter 2 Enter Data There are several ways to enter data into your handheld: the onscreen keyboards, Graffiti® writing, Note Pad, Palm™ Desktop software, an external keyboard accessory, and importing data. You can also accept beamed data from another Palm OS handheld that is close by and has an infrared port. See “Beaming information” in Chapter 3 for details. Entering data with the onscreen keyboards 1. Open any application (such as Address Book). 2. Tap any record, or tap New. 3.
4. Tap the characters to enter text and numbers. Alphabetic Tab Backspace Caps lock Carriage return Caps shift Numeric Tap here to display alphabetic keyboard Tap here to display numeric keyboard International Tap here to display international keyboard 5. Tap Done to close the onscreen keyboard. Entering data with Graffiti writing Graffiti characters are similar to uppercase letters that are formed with a single-stroke.
4. Write Graffiti characters in the Graffiti writing area. Write letters here Write numbers here Graffiti Help screen Division marks Lift stylus here Start stroke at heavy dot Graffiti tips ■ To display Graffiti Help (shown above), tap the Menu icon Edit, and then tap Graffiti Help. , tap ■ Write big and press firmly. Draw strokes that nearly fill the Graffiti writing area to improve accuracy.
Entering data with Palm Desktop software Palm Desktop software enables you to use your computer keyboard to enter or import information. 1. Open Palm Desktop software: Windows. Launch the Palm Desktop icon on your desktop. Macintosh. Double-click the Palm Desktop icon in the Palm folder. 2. Enter the information in Palm Desktop software. 3. Perform a HotSync® operation. See “Synchronizing data: Performing the first HotSync operation” in Chapter 1 for details.
Chapter 3 Get to Work Adjusting the screen If lighting conditions make it difficult to see the information on your handheld, you can use the backlight to adjust your screen. On Palm™ m500 series handhelds that use contrast adjustment, you can also use the contrast control to adjust your screen. Using the backlight 1. Press the power button for about two seconds. Release the button when the backlight turns on. 2. Press the power button for about two seconds to turn off the backlight.
Using Address Book Address Book enables you to store names, addresses, phone numbers, and other information about your personal and business contacts. Creating an Address Book entry 1. Press the Address Book application button on your handheld. 2. Tap New. Tap a line to enter data Tap Done Tap New Tap scroll arrows to move between pages 3. Enter the information you want to add. Note: Your handheld automatically capitalizes the first letter of most fields.
Viewing and changing an Address Book entry 1. Tap the entry you want to view or change. 2. Tap Edit. 3. Tap Details. Tap OK Tap Details 4. Select any of these settings: Show in List Select which information appears in the Address list screen: Work, Home, Fax, Other, E-mail, Main, Pager, and Mobile. Category Assign the entry to a category. Private Hide or mask this entry when Security is turned on. 5. Tap OK. Deleting an Address Book entry 1. Select the entry you want to delete. 2.
Using Date Book Date Book lets you quickly and easily schedule appointments or any kind of “event” associated with a time and date. Creating an event 1. Press the Date Book application button on your handheld. 2. Select the date you want for the event. Previous week Next week Previous year Next year Tap a day in the current week Tap a month Tap a day Tap to select a date 3. Tap the line for the time the event begins and enter a description. 4.
Creating an untimed event You can also schedule events in your Date Book that occur on a particular date but have no specific start or end times, such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. These are referred to as “untimed events.” Untimed events appear at the top of the list of times, marked with a diamond. You can have more than one untimed event on a particular date. 1. Select the date that you want for the event. 2. Tap New. 3. Tap No Time, so that no start or end times are defined for the event.
Creating a repeating or continuous event The Repeat function lets you schedule events that recur at regular intervals or extend over a period of consecutive days. A birthday is a good example of an event that repeats annually. Another example is a weekly guitar lesson that falls on the same day of the week and the same time of day. A business trip or a vacation is an example of a continuous event. 1. Tap the event. 2. Tap Details. 3. Tap the Repeat box. Tap Repeat box 4.
Changing the Date Book view In addition to displaying the time list for a specific day, you can also display a whole week, a month, or an agenda. ■ Tap a view icon to display another view.
Deleting an event 1. Select the event you want to delete. 2. Tap the Menu icon . 3. Tap Record, and then tap Delete Event. 4. If you’re deleting a repeating event, tap one of the following: Current Deletes only the current event item. Future Deletes the current and all future event items and resets the end date of the repeating event to the last shown date. All Deletes all occurrences of the repeating event.
Using To Do List To Do List is a convenient place to create reminders and prioritize the things that you have to do. A record in To Do List is called an “item.” Creating a To Do List item 1. Press the To Do List application button on your handheld. 2. Tap New. Enter description Tap to select priority Tap New 3. Enter a description. The text can be longer than one line. 4. (Optional) Tap the Priority number on the left side of the item and set the Priority number (1 is most important).
Changing a To Do List item 1. Tap the text of the item you want to change. 2. Tap Details. Tap here 3. Tap the Due Date pick list and select a date for the item: Today Assigns the current date. Tomorrow Assigns tomorrow’s date. One week later Assigns the date exactly one week from today. No Date Removes the due date from the item. Choose date Opens the date selector, where you can choose any date that you want for the item. 4. Tap OK.
Marking a To Do List item complete ■ Tap the check box on the left side of the item. Completed To Do item Tip: You can set the To Do List Show Options to record the date you complete an item, and you can choose to show or hide completed items. Deleting a To Do List item 1. Select the item you want to delete. 2. Tap the Menu icon . 3. Tap Record, and then tap Delete Item.
Using Note Pad Note Pad provides a place to take notes directly on the screen in your own handwriting. You can assign each “note” a title and store up to 999 notes on your handheld. Creating a note 1. Press the Note Pad application button Note: on your handheld. If Note Pad is already running, tap New. Enter Graffiti title here Write information here Pen selector 2. Write the information directly on the handheld screen.
1. Perform a HotSync operation. See “Synchronizing data: Performing the first HotSync operation” in Chapter 1 for details. 2. Open Palm Desktop software: Windows. Launch the Palm Desktop icon on your desktop. Macintosh. Double-click the Palm Desktop icon in the Palm folder. 3. Open the Note Pad window: Windows. Click the Note Pad icon in the Palm Desktop window. Macintosh. Double-click the Note Pad icon in the Palm folder. 4.
4. Use Graffiti characters to enter the text you want to appear in the memo. Use the carriage return stroke to move down to new lines in the memo. Note: The first letter is automatically capitalized. 5. Tap Done. You can also create a new memo by writing in the Graffiti writing area from the Memo list screen. Tip: Reviewing and changing a memo 1. In the Memo list, tap the text of the memo. Tap a memo to review its contents 2. Review or edit the text in the memo. 3. Tap Done. Deleting a memo 1.
Using Clock Clock enables you to quickly view the time and date, and to set an alarm to sound during the next 24-hour period. Viewing the time and date Do one of the following: ■ Tap the Clock icon writing area. in the upper-left corner of the Graffiti ■ Tap the Applications icon , and then tap the Clock icon . Tap here Note: Chapter 3 You can also set your handheld to display the time in different formats. See “Changing Formats preferences” later in this chapter for details.
Setting an alarm 1. Tap the Alarm box to open the Set Alarm dialog box. Note: If you do not see the Alarm box, tap the Settings button. Tap to set hours Tap to set minutes 2. When the Alarm reminder message appears, tap OK, Snooze, or Go To. Tap to open Clock Tap to dismiss alarm Tap to be reminded in 5 minutes Note: If you tap Snooze, an asterisk blinks in the upper-left corner of the screen until you dismiss the alarm.
Using Mail Mail lets you manage the e-mail that you send and receive through the E-Mail application on your desktop computer. You can read, reply to, compose, and delete e-mail on your handheld; but to send or receive e-mail, you must perform a HotSync® operation. Note: Before using Mail, you must set up Palm™ Desktop software for use with your Windows desktop E-Mail application. See the online Handbook for Palm™ m500 Series Handhelds for details.
Opening an e-mail item ■ Tap an e-mail item to open it. Header mode icons Recipient Sender Subject Time and date sent E-mail body ■ Tap Done to close the e-mail item. Creating e-mail items You create e-mail items with your handheld the same way you create e-mail with your desktop E-mail application: you identify the recipient(s) of the e-mail item, define a subject, and create the body of the e-mail item. 1. Tap New.
2. Enter the e-mail address of the recipient. Note: Enter the address as if you were entering it from your desktop E-Mail application. For example, network users sending an e-mail item to a user on the same network do not need to add Internet information, such as @mycorp.com. 3. To send a copy of this e-mail item to additional recipients, tap the CC: field, and then enter the e-mail addresses of the additional recipients, separating the addresses with a comma followed by a space. 4.
Tip: If the address, CC, subject, or body exceeds the capacity of the screen display, tap the name of the field (for example, tap “To:”) to expand that field. Tap the Done button to return to the New Message screen. Tap the name of the field to open Tap to return to New Message screen Replying to an e-mail item 1. Tap an e-mail item in the Message list to display it onscreen. 2. Tap Reply. 3.
perform the next HotSync operation. If you delete an e-mail item from the handheld, it is also deleted from your desktop E-Mail application when you perform the next HotSync operation. 1. Open the e-mail item you want to delete. 2. Tap Delete. Purging deleted e-mail Because your handheld stores deleted e-mail in the Deleted folder until you perform a HotSync operation, deleted e-mail can monopolize storage space. To avoid or correct this problem, purge the contents of your Deleted folder.
Using Preferences and other settings Changing the Applications Launcher display By default, the Applications Launcher displays each application as an icon. You can change the settings to show a list of applications. 1. Tap the Applications icon 2. Tap the Menu icon . . 3. Tap Options, and then tap Preferences. 4. Tap the View By pick list and select List.
Setting Date and Time preferences Use the Date and Time Preferences screen to set the date, time, time zone, and Daylight Saving option on your handheld. 1. Tap the Applications icon 2. Tap the Preferences icon . . 3. Tap the pick list in the upper-right corner and select Date and Time. To set the date: 1. Tap the Set Date box. 2. Tap the arrows to select the current year. Tap arrows to select year Tap to select month Tap to set date Tap to select date 3. Tap a month. 4. Tap the current date.
See “Changing Formats preferences” later in this section. 4. Tap OK. To set the time zone: 1. Tap the Set Time Zone box. 2. Tap a time zone. Tip: When you travel, changing the current time zone setting to a new time zone setting automatically resets the date and time on your handheld. 3. Tap OK. To set the daylight saving switch: ■ Tap the Daylight Saving pick list, and then tap Off or On.
3. Tap the pick list in the upper-right corner and select General. Tap arrow to select General Tap to set delay time Tap to keep handheld on while charging Tap to set alarm options Tap to set sound level Tap to bar incoming beams Note: You can set alarms to notify you of entries in your Clock, Date Book and Note Pad applications. See the online Handbook for Palm™ m500 Series Handhelds for details.
and also has an IR port: ■ The record currently displayed in Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Note Pad (if installed on the other handheld), or Memo Pad ■ All records of the category currently displayed in Address Book, To Do List, Note Pad (if installed on the other handheld), or Memo Pad ■ A special Address Book record you designate as your business card that contains information to exchange with business contacts ■ An application installed in RAM memory or on an expansion card Note: You can a
Receiving beamed information 1. Turn on your handheld. 2. Point the IR port on the top of your handheld at the IR port of the transmitting handheld. Tap arrow to assign incoming information to a category 3. Tap Yes. Beaming your business card 1. Create an Address Book entry with your business card information. 2. Tap the Menu icon . 3. Tap Record, and then tap Select Business Card. 4. Tap Yes. 5. Press the Address Book application button seconds to beam your business card.
■ You can use the Graffiti Command stroke /B to beam the current entry. Installing add-on applications You can install a variety of third-party applications on your handheld or on an expansion card that is seated in the expansion card slot during a HotSync operation. To find the bonus add-on applications that come with your handheld, go to the Add-on folder on the Palm Desktop software CD-ROM. To learn about thousands of other addon applications, go to the web site: http://www.palm.com.
4. When the Open dialog box appears, select the application(s) you want to install on your handheld or an expansion card and then click Open. Click to move applications between your handheld and an expansion card 5. If you need to change the destination of the application you are installing, click Change Destination on the Install Tool window, and then use the arrows to move applications between your handheld and an expansion card. 6. Click OK to close the Change Destination window. 7.
Installing applications using a Macintosh 1. Copy or download the application you want to install into the Add-on folder in your Palm folder on your Macintosh. Note: If the software is compressed, expand it into this folder. 2. Double-click the Hotsync Manager icon in the Palm folder. 3. From the HotSync menu, choose Install Handheld Files. User pop-up menu Click Add to List to select applications to install Click to move applications between your handheld and an expansion card 4.
9. If you need to change the destination of the application you are installing, click Change Destination on the Install Handheld Files window, and then use the arrows to move applications between your handheld and an expansion card. Click to move applications between your handheld and an expansion card 10. Click OK to close the Change Destination window. 11. Close the Install Handheld Files window. 12. Perform a HotSync operation to install the selected application(s) on your handheld.
Reset button Tip: The stylus that comes with your handheld has a reset tip inside. To use it, unscrew the metal barrel from the stylus quill. Performing a hard reset Important: With a hard reset, all records and entries stored in your handheld are erased. Never perform a hard reset unless a soft reset does not solve your problem. You can restore any data previously synchronized with your computer during the next HotSync operation. 1. Hold down the power button on the front panel of your handheld. 2.
Chapter 4 Frequently Asked Questions If you encounter a problem with your handheld, try the suggestions in this section, and the suggestions in the “Frequently Asked Questions” chapter in the online Handbook before contacting Technical Support. If you are still having problems, contact Technical Support. For US and International telephone numbers, see the Worldwide Customer Support card that comes with your handheld or go to http://www.palm.com.
I can’t complete a HotSync operation The first step in diagnosing HotSync problems is to determine if your handheld and computer are able to communicate with each other. 1. Connect your handheld to the HotSync cradle. 2. Confirm that HotSync Manager is running and enabled. Windows. On the Windows desktop, double-click the Palm Desktop icon, click the HotSync icon on the taskbar and make sure Local USB (or Local Serial if you are using a serial cradle) is checked on the menu.
Check your handheld settings: 1. Turn on your handheld and tap the Applications icon 2. Tap the HotSync icon . . 3. Tap Local above the HotSync icon and select Cradle Connection from the pick list below the HotSync icon. 4. Tap the HotSync icon to perform a HotSync operation. Continue if you’re still having problems. Check your Windows computer settings: 1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your Desktop and select Properties. 2. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. 3. Click Ports.
Windows. Click the HotSync icon on the taskbar and select View Log from the menu. Macintosh. Double-click the HotSync Manager in the Palm fold- er and choose View Log from the HotSync menu. 2. Ensure that all applications are marked OK. If not, continue to the next section to check your conduit settings. Check your conduit settings on a Windows computer: 1. Click the HotSync icon on the taskbar and select Custom. 2. Select the user name that matches the handheld you are attempting to synchronize. 3.
