Click any image to enlarge it.

There are many different methods you can use to install software to your Palm device. What you choose ends up being a personal preference, or sometimes a matter of convenience. In this article, I will cover the various methods of installing software and the relative pros and cons of each.

Before you install any software, it is a good idea to do a backup. That way if anything goes wrong, you have a restore point to go back to. This is particularly true if the application you are about to install is a Beta.

Next, you need to decide whether you want to install the software to the device or to your SD card. Many applications can run just fine from the card, and keeping them on your card saves valuable space on your device. Applications that can run from the card include, but are not limited to, e-readers, some multi-media applications (like TCPMP), and most games. Keep in mind that any application that needs to access the system time (for alarms) cannot run from the card (even if the application can be launched from the card). Also, keep in mind that while the application (.prc) file may reside on the card, the data files (.pdb) files associated with it usually need to be on the device.

Some applications require the device be reset after they install. Typically, any application that interacts directly with the OS, such as 3rd-Party launchers and security applications, will need to have the device reset.

If you installed it to the card (assuming you are not running a 3rd-Party launcher), you will find the application under the "Card" category. My card is named "PROG", so I find mine there. If you installed the application to the device, often it will be in the "Unfiled" category, unless the developer wrote the application such that it goes to a specific category. Mundu applications, for example, create a category called Mundu. LightWave creates a category called ToySoft.

Palm Installation Tool
The first and most common method uses Palm's installation tool. I've addressed the current versions for XP/2000/2003, the new Vista version, and the Mac version. In all cases, you start by downloading the application to your computer. If the file (or files) is zipped, extract them to a folder on your computer.

Quick Install (Non-Vista machines)

Open the Palm Quick Install application, and drag the file(s) to either the top box (installs to the device) or the bottom box (installs to the SD card). Note that in the upper right-hand corner, you can select which user's device to install to. Then HotSync your device.

Installation Tool (Vista machines, Palm Desktop Beta 6.2)
Right click on the HotSync Manager icon in the System tray, then choose "Install". The install tool will display. Long-time users will recognize it as the install tool from early versions of the desktop application. At the top, you can select which user's device to install to.

You can either browse to the file location or drag/drop the files onto the window. To install the application to the card, click the "Change Destination" button.

HotSync your device.

Mac computers

Drag and drop the file(s) to the Send To Handheld application. You will be prompted with the following box, which will allow you to select what user's device, and whether to send the application to the device or the SD card.

Install from Email
You can e-mail yourself the .prc/.pdb file(s). First, you will have to load the attachment.

Then you will be prompted whether to open (which really means save to device), save to the card, or delete.

Last, you will be asked whether to accept the application.

Direct download

Many applications can be downloaded directly to your device. When you browse to the download link, you may be prompted as to whether or not you wish to download the file:

You will be asked where you wish to save the file

The file will download, and you will be prompted whether to accept the application.

SD Card method

You can copy the file(s) to the card using a card reader or card reader software. If you know the application will run from the card, you can put it directly in the \Palm\Launcher\ folder. If you want to run it from the device, you can put it anywhere. Then you can use FileZ or a similar file management tool to move or copy the file to your computer. If you place the file in the \Palm\Launcher\ folder, you can use the Copy menu in the built-in Palm launcher to put the application on the device.

A note about zip files
Zip files can be handled the same as .prc/.pdb files. However, they must be saved to the card and not the device. Then you will need an application like HandZipper to extract and install the contents.

Related Links

Read Diana's article on hotsyncing

Join the Treo Discount Club and save up to 60% on all your store purchases!

Attract beautiful women using "smartphone game" - Feb 06, 2008

HotSync problems? We have answers! - Sep 01, 2007

How & Why To Hotsync - Aug 25, 2007

Movies On Your Treo - Easy Method #1 - Nov 15, 2006

Movies On Your Treo - Easy Method #2 - Nov 15, 2006