Palm has made a software patch available to address a faulty 8MB DRAM component identified in a limited run of Palm IIIc, IIIxe, and Vx products. Palm uses multiple sources for these DRAMs in the manufacturing process. One of the suppliers of DRAM components provided Palm with a faulty component that can cause random data to be written on the Palm device. If a unit is determined to have the faulty chip, the software patch will provide a complete fix.

To confirm that this issue does not affect your handheld, please download and install the software test. This test will explicitly determine if your handheld contains the faulty DRAM chip.

If you are a Windows user and have downloaded the DRAMTest.zip (7 KB ZIP File) file:

1. Extract the file using a standard unzip utility. When saving the DRAMTest.prc file, use the following path: C:\Palm\Update\DRAMTest
   NOTE: Typing this path will create the DRAMTest folder if it does not already exist. Also, this path may not be correct if you have changed the location of the Palm directory.
2. Launch the Palm Desktop application. Select the "Install Tool" icon.
3. Select the correct user name from the User list.
4. Select the "Add" button.
5. Locate DRAMTest.prc file in the DRAMTest folder in the UPDATE directory and double-click on it.
6. Select Done.
7. Select OK.

During the next HotSync operation, the new system software automatically downloads to your handheld.

If you are a Macintosh user and have downloaded the DRAMTest.sit (7 KB SIT File) file:

1. Your web browser should decode the file and you will see DRAMTest.sit appear on the desktop (or in your default download folder). If your web browser does not decode the file automatically, you will need to use a decoding utility (such as Aladdin Stuffit Expander) in order to decode the DRAMTest.sit file.
2. Find the Instant Palm Desktop icon in the top right corner of your screen. From the Instant Palm Desktop menu, launch the HotSync Manager.
3. From the HotSync menu of the Instant Palm Desktop, select "Install."
4. Select Add to List. Locate the DRAMTest.prc file and double-click on it.
5. Quit HotSync Manager.

During the next HotSync operation, the new system software automatically downloads to your handheld.

WARNING: This test may corrupt data on your handheld. Please make sure you perform a HotSync Operation to back up your data before running the test.

1. In preparation, make sure your handheld's battery is either fully charged or running on new batteries.
2. After the DRAMTest.prc file has been installed on your handheld, launch the "DRAMTest" application on your handheld.
3. If you have not performed a HotSync operation at this point, select the "HotSync" button to initiate one. Otherwise, select "Next" to proceed with the test.
4. Read the information on these screens and tap "Next" to proceed. If you have not performed a HotSync operation, tap "Hotsync" to initiate one.
5. Tap "Begin Test" to start the test. Starting the test causes your screen to go blank.
6. In a few minutes, your handheld will begin to emit beep sounds. This indicates that the test is running normally.
7. The test takes between 20-35 minutes to complete.

No Problems Found

If the test application discovers no errors on the handheld, a "No Problems Found!" message will be displayed. This means that your handheld is NOT AFFECTED by the 8MB DRAM issue.

You no longer need the 8MB DRAM Test application installed on your handheld. To delete this application, select "Restart" to end the test application and follow this procedure:

1. Once your handheld has completed the reset, tap the "Applications" button in the lower-left corner of your screen. The applications launcher appears.
2. Tap the "Menu" button in the lower-left corner of your screen.
3. Select "Delete" from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Delete screen, select the DRAMTest application.
5. Tap "Delete." The Delete Application screen appears and asks you if you want to delete the application.
6. Tap "Yes." The application is now deleted.
7. Select "Done."

Problems Found

If the "No Problems Found!" message is not displayed on your handheld screen, click here.

If the test application discovers errors on the handheld, the test will end and you will see the screen presented above. This indicates that your handheld is affected by the 8MB DRAM issue and that you need to download and install a software patch for your handheld.

Press the "up" scroll button on your handheld. This will cause a "Hard Reset." All of your data will be erased.

If the software test indicated that your handheld is affected by this issue, please proceed to the 8MB DRAM software patch download page.