PalmPVT Questions
- How can I get the PalmPVT Software?
- Does PalmPVT work with all Palm-compatible computers?
- How much memory does PalmPVT use on my PDA?
- HotSync Error: "Multi-step operation generated errors. Check each status value."
- How can I get PalmPVT to work on my 2-button device? (e.g. Palm Zire)
- PalmPVT Error: "Can't locate Window=WinMain", followed by "memory mgr.c,line:3637 NULL handle".
- The PalmPVT program does not get transferred to the device even though the conduit is installed.
- Installation Error: "Failed to start because CONDMGR.dll was not found."
1. How can I get the PalmPVT Software?
You must register on this website to download the software. After
you register, access to the site will normally be granted--typically within
one business day.
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2. Does PalmPVT work with all Palm-compatible
computers?
We don't know. However, the PalmPVT handheld application was built
against a "bottom-of-the-line" Handspring Visor which sports 2MB of memory.
It is a black & white program, so a color device display is not a plus
unless the screen rendering time is better than the old Visor.
Originally written for PalmOS version 4.0, the software has been upgraded to
run in PalmOS 5.0. The program is known to run on Handspring, Palm Co.
(which bought Handspring), and Sony models. To our knowledge there has
not been a report of a device on which PalmPVT won't run.
As noted above, the software was written to operate with a minimal device
with a relatively low processing speed and memory requirements. This was
done to keep hardware costs low for experimenters while ensuring that the
system would operate with higher-powered devices.
Generally speaking, battery power is a major concern. So a device with
a color display and lots of "bells and whistles" is not necessarily better.
(e.g. camera, music, video, wireless capability, etc.). The
exceptions are that a color display will generally have better resolution,
and a faster processor will speed up the program's operations. (e.g.
Reduced program startup time, initialization, post-session calculations,
speed of setup screen operations, etc.) These may be important
considerations vis-à-vis subject acceptance, cooperation, motivation, and
therefore results.
[Note: Stimulus and response
timing are independent of CPU clock speed.]
As a rule of thumb, less is more when choosing a Palm-compatible device
for use with the PalmPVT Software.
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3. How much memory does PalmPVT use on my PDA?
If your concern is that you'll run out of memory space before your study
is complete, stop worrying. The PalmPVT handheld application was built
against a "bottom-of-the-line" Handspring Visor which sports 2MB of memory.
A normal 5 minute PalmPVT session stores about 3KB of space. Even with
the footprint of the application and supporting files, you could easily
store 500 such sessions.
Base Application Footprint
| PalmPVT Application |
259k |
| NSB System Library |
23k |
| MathLib (if not in
ROM) |
50k |
| 5 min. PalmPVT Session |
3k |
| Installation Total |
335k |
Although the program does not take up
substantial memory space on the PDA, it does make liberal use of memory
during operations. Therefore, if a device is loaded with other
programs that take up too much memory, an out-of-memory error can result.
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4. HotSync Error: "Multi-step operation
generated errors. Check each status value."
This error occurs upon data import when the
program attempts to store data in a field that exceeds the field size.
We have found and fixed a number of instances of this problem in version 3.0.0. One known cause is having more than 9 subjects on the device.
If possible, try deleting subjects through the Data screen of the
device program until there are only 9 subjects.
Although we've been unable to trace all
the causes of this error, it is possible that your data might be recovered by sending us the
raw Palm Database files, or
even the device, along with the necessary cables & software. If all your data is
critical, then use the following procedure:
There is a fee charged for this service of $100.00 US per hour, plus any expenses
incurred. Please include your billing information when requesting this service.
Your data file will be sent to you upon payment.
Navigate to ...\<Abbreviated HotSync User Name>\Backup\‡ where you will find 5 files with a .pdb
extension: PVT-Main, PVT-Users, PVT-Sessions, PVT-Trials, and PVT-Stats.
Add these files to a zip file and send the zip file to
support@corware.com. (You may
need to manually change the .zip extension to .piz to allow the file to get
through email virus filters.) If your data is recoverable, we'll send you the
resultant .XDB file which you can open with the PalmPVT Windows Companion
Program.
‡ Note: The .pdb files will be located in the directory where the Palm Desktop Software was installed. In most
cases this is:
...\Program Files\Palm\<HotSyncUserName>\Backup\...
...but may be different!
Later versions store the files in:
...\My Documents\Palm OS Desktop\<HotSyncUserName>\Backup\...
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5. How can I get PalmPVT to work on my 2-button
device? (e.g. Palm Zire)
We have found that this question breaks down into two basic issues.
First, the hardcase buttons at the bottom of the device do not work properly
with the default settings. Second, that the documented Graffiti pen
strokes have no effect.
For proper operation on a 2-button device, the Key Mask option must be
set to "Up/Down/Off". The other Key Mask settings will prevent
PalmPVT from working on the device.
See: PalmPVT Help > Program Operation > Handheld Device Operation > Data
- Device & Subject Screen.
Palm has updated the Graffiti to a newer version called Graffiti2.
The Graffiti2 pen strokes are different than the original version of
Graffiti. So check your device and use the new pen stroke patterns.
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6. PalmPVT Error: "Can't locate Window=winMain",
followed by "memory mgr.c,line:3637 NULL handle".
This error occurs on some of the new Palm devices upon session exit and
has been fixed in PalmPVT version 2.0.1.
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7. The PalmPVT program
does not get transferred to the device even though the conduit is installed.
Navigate to and double-click C:\Program
Files\PalmPVT\PalmPVT.prc to invoke the Palm Quick Install utility which
will queue PalmPVT.prc for install on the next HotSync.
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8. Installation Error:
"Failed to start because CONDMGR.dll was not found."
This error has been known to occur when
installing PalmPVT v1.1.6 to a computer with later version of the Palm
Desktop Software. (CONDMGR.DLL is not supplied by PalmPVT.) The
PalmPVT v2.0.1 installation program does a better job of locating the
HotSync software, so it is recommended for solving this problem.
One of the prerequisites is to install the Palm Desktop software that comes
with the device. You must first be able to sync the device with the desktop
without PalmPVT.
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