How to Reset a Palm OS PDA

The Palm OS, which is what runs the popular Palm Pilot and Handspring personal digital assistants (PDAs), is pretty robust--but that doesn't mean it never crashes or freezes. If your PDA suddenly stops working, it's time to deliver a wake-up call in the form of a reset.

Things You'll Need

• New Batteries
• Paper Clip

Instructions

1. If you're sure your unit is frozen, turn it over so that the screen faces down.

2. Locate the reset hole, which is just large enough for you to insert the end of an unwound paper clip, and press gently for a "soft" reset. You don't have to use a paper clip if you've got something else that fits, but don't use anything sharp, such as a safety pin.

3. If the soft reset doesn't snap your PDA back to attention (you'll see a Welcome screen), the next step is a "warm" reset, which bypasses potentially troublesome system extensions. Repeat the reset procedure in step 2, but hold down the Page Up button on the front of your PDA while doing so.

4. If the warm reset doesn't result in a welcome screen, then your only recourse is a "hard" reset. The hard part about this is that you'll lose all the data and preferences in your PDA.

5. Before proceeding with the hard reset, replace the batteries in your PDA to make sure the old ones aren't just spent. Check also that the contrast isn't turned down.

6. Repeat the reset procedure in step 2, but this time hold down the power button while you reset. This should return your PDA to the way it came from the box.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a metal stylus for your PDA, check to see if the top unscrews to reveal a probe that you can use instead of a paper clip.

• Even if you don't use your PDA data on a PC, it's a good idea to synchronize with one frequently so that you can restore your data in the event that you're forced to do a hard reset.