Troubleshooting & FAQs

Below is a list of commonly asked questions regarding the WriteHere™ Suite. If they fail to answer your question, you may email us. Please include information on how to reproduce the problem.

Q: I've configured everything according to the documentation, and my computer still doesn't recognize my Newton or my Palm. Help!
A: Trying switching the settings for the serial port in the WriteHere Server Preferences, even if the port that your handheld is plugged into is not one you've selected in Preferences.

Q: I have a Macintosh with USB ports. How can I get WriteHere to work?
A: You need to get a USB-to-Serial Port Adapter for your Macintosh. WriteHere has been tested successfully using the Keyspan USB-to-Serial Port Adapter. Additionally, in your WriteHere Preferences, you may need to "flip" the settings for your serial port. So, if your handheld is plugged into the modem USB/serial port, select the printer USB/serial port. This bug will be fixed in the next version of WriteHere.

Q: My computer says that the serial port is busy. What can I do?
A: Another application is likely using the serial port when you try to run the WriteHere Server. Your handheld connection software such as Newton Connection Utilities or Palm Desktop may already have control of that port. The solution is to quit the offending applications and try running the WriteHere Server software again.

Q: Will using WriteHere drain the batteries on my handheld any faster?
A: Because you are using the serial port, your handheld has to devote more power to running the serial port chips. Heavy use of the WriteHere may lead to some loss in battery life. The Palm OS version of WriteHere turns off the serial port after 15 seconds of inactivity. It powers back up when the user enters a character or presses a button in Game Mode.

Q: Arhgh! My screen is frozen on my Palm organizer!
A: Make sure you are not in Game Mode with the screen disabled. Press each hardware button to find which one will exit out of Game Mode. If that fails, reset your device with a paperclip to the back of the handheld.

Q: Commands don't seem to be working on my computer. Why?
A: Make sure that you have installed the Sigma's Additions Scription Addition in the Scripting Additions Folder of your System Folder. Restart your computer and try again.

Q: Sending files and text to my Palm does nothing!
A: WriteHere for Palm OS doesn't sending receiving text data yet.

Q: I'm trying to send files to my Newton and keep getting data buffer overrun errors!
A: WriteHere doesn't not properly handle large text files being sent through the serial port. We are looking into solving this problem in a future version of WriteHere for the Newton OS.

Q: My hands hurt after using my Palm organizer in Game Mode. What's happening?
A: The Palm button layout wasn't ergonomically designed for game input, although many games have been written taking advantage of the hardware buttons for gaming. Foundation Systems is not responsible for any physical damage you may make to yourself while using WriteHere Suite.