Palm 64-bit Sync'ing info

This page provides info on sync'ing a Palm device with a Windows 64-bit operating system.

Some Notes:

• one person mentions using the older “Palm Desktop 4.1.4” instead of the newer “Palm Desktop by ACCESS 6.2” - if you have Palm Desktop installed already, and are just trying to get the drivers working, just try the wireless sync method and don't worry about the version of Palm Desktop you have installed (unless the steps below don't work) - from what I'm reading, it does sound like only Palm Desktop 4.1 will be able to install…

“Strange as this may sound, I actually had been able to sync via WiFi with greater success in Vista (Ultimate and Home) than my XP. Since I had been upgraded to Vista and read all the nightmares about the lack of USB Hotsync (in 64 bit Vista Ultimate), I was determined to see if I can WiFi Sync.

To my surprise, I was able to sync both my TX and my Sony CLIE TH-55 via Wifi (installing the 4.1.4 Palm Desktop, NOT the 6.2 beta) w/o much hassle.

With the TX, I actually was able to sync to both the Palm 4.1.4 and 6.2 beta, while the Clie would sync in 6.2 but not have anything to show up in the actual contents (I imagine the file format must be incompatible).

I dont' think I did anythign “special” to sync.. My 64bit Vista Ultimate has the firewall on (the one that comes with it), and I run NOD32 as well. I just bascially install the 4.1.4 version of Palm Deskstop and make sure the NETWORK choice in hoysync is highlighted.” ¹⁾

If there is a wireless network, try doing a WiFi sync (tell the hotsync application to sync via WiFi).

This method should be faster than the bluetooth method.

Palm's wifi sync configuration info

WiFi configuration info

Info copied from: bluetooth sync configuration

Short answer: Bluetooth Hotsync works with Vista 64

If your computer has built-in Bluetooth support and working 64-bit drivers, then you're all set. If not, continue reading….

Someone on these boards tipped me off that Bluetooth worked. My laptop does not have built-in bluetooth, so I began hunting for a suitable Bluetooth USB adapter. As of now I found an adapter that I have been able to get working, but it is a bit of a hack. Broadcom has released Vista drivers for USB adapters that use their Bluetooth chipset, and they have included 64 bit drivers, but here's the catch: The drivers are unsigned, so Vista will install them, but prevent them from loading because they are “unknown”. Here's what I did:

1. Buy a Kensington or other major brand name USB Bluetooth adapter. I bought this one, but there are others. Whatever you do, do NOT try and save a few bucks by buying a cheap-o off brand adapter, because chances are it is using an unlicensed chipset and the drivers won't load. I know, I bought one and could not get it to work. Long story…
2. Go here and download the latest Bluetooth drivers from Broadcom. This is the release that has preliminary Vista support.
   
   UPDATE! The Broadcom drivers no longer seem to work properly as I found when I recently had to reinstall vista 64, so I found newer drivers released by Anycom that work with the generic Kensington adapter. Go to Anycom Support here and download the version 6.0.xx drivers for the Anycom Blue USB-200/250. You MUST have the 6.0+ version of the drivers. The site defaults to German, just click the USA flag in the top right to get English.
   
   I believe that Anycom is actually the true manufacturer of the Kensington adapter since when you look at the pictures, the two adapters are identical, only difference being the color of the plastic. The Anycom drivers may also work with other USB adapters, but I'm not sure.
3. Install the drivers above. You will get MANY warning messages that the driver publisher is unverifiable. Just select continue anyway to install the drivers anyway. After installation it may tell you to reboot. If not, reboot anyway once the drivers have installed.
4. Here's the tricky part. When the system post screen comes up before the system boots, hit F8 to bring up the boot options (same method you use to boot into safe mode). Then select the last option, “Disable digital driver signature enforcement”. This will make Vista ignore the fact that those Broadcom drivers are unsigned and load them anyway.
   
   Once the system comes up, proceed with setting up Bluetooth Hotsync as per the normal method. It works! I was even able to sync with Outlook 2007 after installing the Office 2007 update.

Info copied from: additional bluetooth sync info

You have to “pair” the Palm and the Bluetooth adapter on (or in) the computer . . . and set up the computer end with an “incoming serial port” – the Palm will be looking for a virtual serial port through the Bluetooth link. IMPORTANT: Make note of the COM port number that is assigned to the Bluetooth device for its incoming virtual serial port (you will need this later). Follow the directions for your Bluetooth device in (or on) your computer for setting this up. There are a couple different Bluetooth management utilities included with computer Bluetooth adapters and exact method for doing this is slightly different between them.

It is strongly recommended that you use a “passkey” when pairing the two – for a secure (encrypted and authenticated link). Have both the computer and your Palm “remember” the passkey so you don't have to type it in every time you pair the Palm with the computer to sync it as it's a PITA to type in the passkey on the Palm every time. You will have to enter the passkey in on both the computer and the Palm, and you only have about 10 seconds to respond with the Palm, so have it ready for typing in the passkey and be prepared to attempt it several times. Remember that the security of your pairing the two will only be as strong as the passkey – so make it a “strong” one that cannot be easily guessed by someone or compromised by a “dictionary” attack (this “attack” tries commonly used passwords to see if one works and you'd be shocked at how often it succeeds).

Ensure you have the Palm Desktop HotSync set up properly:

1. Right click on the HotSync icon in the system tray and ensure that “Local” is checked.
2. Right click on the HotSync icon again and select “Setup” – this should bring up a dialog box.
3. Select the Local tab at the top of the dialog box.
4. Ensure the COM port number selected in the HotSync Setup is the same as was assigned for the incoming virtual COM port for the Bluetooth device.

Your Palm should now be able to sync with the computer through the Bluetooth. If it ever fails to (Serial port cannot be found or is in use by something else) then check to ensure the Palm, the Bluetooth setup and the HotSync on the computer are all using the same COM port. If they are, try syncing again. Occasionally (not very often) I get this message and simply attempting to sync again works.

Don't worry about Bluetooth interfering with WiFi connections. Even though they're on the same band, Bluetooth uses “Spread Spectrum” (802.11 WiFi doesn't – it is channelized). I have a Bluetooth network access point right next to a WiFi router with zero problems – not even a slowdown or hiccup in the data rates on either, even when both are in heavy use at the same time.

hotsync via bluetooth