Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

What is COM1, and how do I get it back for Hotsyncing?

Feb 28, 2005 9:43PM PST

I use a cradle to hot sync my zire 7l, and just recently it stopped working. the computer would acknowledge that I pressed the button onthe cradle with a 'beep', but nothing would happen, and eventually am essage on my handheld would say the connectin could not be establishe.d
When ichedked the hotsyn manager it said that COM1 was currently unavailable, so COM3 would have to do, until it regained access to com1.
What stole my COM1, and is that whats causing my problems?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
The stock Zire 71 doesn't use Com1 or 3.
Mar 1, 2005 12:15AM PST

It's an USB connection. It appears you need to configure HOTSYNC on the PC to use USB.

Bob

- Collapse -
There dont seem to be other options.
Mar 2, 2005 1:24PM PST

Where do I do that? When I open the Setup on my hotsync manager and try the port options, the only choice is COM3.

- Collapse -
Right click on the Hotsync in the tray...
Mar 2, 2005 9:59PM PST

And on mine I see Local USB. If yours doesn't show this then its likely you have USB issues. http://www.usbman.com has the usual words about this.

Be aware that Palm doesn't help you fix your machine. Only deal with your Palm issues.

Bob

- Collapse -
USB is checked off
Mar 3, 2005 1:32PM PST

???
My USBs are working, its checked off, the hotsync manager still insists that its going thru COM3 at the same time, and I'm pretty confused.

- Collapse -
The Local Serial item must be unchecked too.
Mar 3, 2005 9:09PM PST

As it stands, it sounds as if you may not be doing the old school exit the program and start it up again.

Palm (software and more) is very old school. That change may not be instant.

And your posts are less than descriptive. Since we have the PC Hotsync setup to deal with and the Palm Zire as well you have to write where "this message" shows up on.

For instance not only must the PC Hotsync be configured for USB, but the ZIRE 71 as well must be set to USB cradle. It could be set to serial.

If you can't do these configurations, then you'll end up on the support phone lines or a service shop.

Bob

- Collapse -
same problem
Apr 16, 2005 7:15AM PDT

I started having the same problem have you fixed yours . Mine does exactly as you described . Even the com1 no option for USB . Have been using it for over a year without any problems

- Collapse -
same problem
Apr 30, 2005 11:57AM PDT

Is it a common problem ?
Sad

Please Any one give a good answer.
thanks

- Collapse -
Almost always...
Apr 30, 2005 12:04PM PDT

Some user gaffe or the USB ports are disabled or dead.

I always test the PDA and cable in another machine.

Bob