Alternatives to Floppy DiskesComputer Upgrade Cycle FAQComputer Replacement Cycle: Overview Accessing Personal Folder on File Server for WindowsWindows: Backing up Address BookWindows: Backing up Browser Bookmarks/FavoritesMacintosh: Backing Up Your Address BookMacintosh: Backing Up Your BookmarksWindows: Backing Up Your EmailMacintosh: Backing Up Your EmailBacking up your handheldReplacement Cycle: My Computer is Going to be Replaced SoonReplacement Cycle: What Should I Figure Out Now?

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Backing up your handheld

For the safety of your data, you should treat your handheld device as though it were disposable: if you lose it, or, as has happened, you run over it with your car, you won't lose the data on it if you synchronize regularly with a computer. Follow the instructions that came with the software you use with your Palm, Blackberry, smart phone, etc. to make sure you create a good backup at least once a week. If you synchronize with Meeting Maker, all of your calendar information is safely stored on the central server.

Palm OS handhelds

To make sure you have a complete backup of all of your Palm data, make sure that you use the "Backup" conduit, and then make a backup copy of the folder on your hard drive that contains your synchronized data. Copy this folder to the file server regularly, or to some form of removable media.

Windows
Your Palmuser folder is located in your palmOne, Palm or Handspring folder, which is stored by default in one of these locations:
  • C:\Program Files\palmOne\
  • C:\Program Files\Palm\
  • C:\Program Files\Handspring\
Within one of these directories, look for a folder with a name similar to your Palm HotSync user name; if your Palm user name is longer than 6 characters, it will be a truncated to 6 characters.

For instructions for restoring Palm data to a handheld, check the Palm Knowledge Library off their Support site. Overview: if you are starting out with a new installation of Palm Desktop (because, for example, your computer's hard drive died), in addition to copying the folder you backed up (above) back into the directory it was in, you must create a new user in the Palm Desktop software with the identical name you used before.

Macintosh
By default, your user folder is located in:
  • [Mac hard drive name] : Users : [Your Mac login name] : Documents : Palm : Users
Within this directory, look for a folder that matches your Palm HotSync user name.

Handhelds and SmartPhones that use ActiveSync software

Because doing so will increase the time it takes to synchronize your device, by default the backup feature in ActiveSync is not turned on. To create a full backup, you must enable this feature. For instructions on enabling a backup, and on how to restore from a backup, see this Microsoft solution center article. Check the Microsoft Support site for additional information and potentially updated instructions.

Once you have created a backup, for additional safety copy the file to the file server, or to some form of removable media.

Blackberry handhelds

To back up your Blackberry handheld, you must use the "Backup and Restore" function in your Blackberry software to create a backup file (.ipd file). When you create the backup file, you tell the Blackberry software where to store the file. Go to the folder location and copy that .ipd file to the file server, or to some form of removable media.

McMaster University has step-by-step instructions for creating a backup. See this this knowledge center article from Blackberry for instructions for restoring backed up data back to a Blackberry. Check the Blackberry Technical Knowledge Center off of their Support site for additional information and potentially updated instructions.