Frequently asked questions about PDAs. If you have any suggestions on adding an item to this list, please contact Student Computing Support Desk by filling out an online form.

Mobile / PDA
• What version of the Palm OS does AvantGo Enterprise require?
• Everything is properly installed/configured but when I sync, I get the message successfully connected but no data comes down to my device. What do I try next?
• Why am I am getting an "invalid user name and password" message when I try to sync to AvantGo?
• What happens to my data if I am a current AvantGo user and already have AvantGo installed on my device?
• Why is this sync taking so long on the Clarinet?
• Can I sync AvantGo on my Pocket PC device in the MEC?
• Does AvantGo software work on the new Palm Tungsten devices?
• Does AvantGo work on Palm OS 5 devices?
• I upgraded to Mac OS X and the new Palm 4.0/5.0 and can no longer get my AvantGo data, does AvantGo work on the Palm 4.0/5.0 software for Mac?
• Do the medical applications offered through MyCourses work on PDAs that are not Palm-based operating systems?
• Does the HMS Network provide Exchange 2007 services for wireless mobile technology?
• I don't want to upgrade to the Blackberry Enterprise Data plan through Verizon. Can I still send/receive emails from HMS to my Blackberry?
• Are there any applications for my Blackberry?

Mobile / PDA FAQ

What version of the Palm OS does AvantGo Enterprise require?

AvantGo Enterprise requires Palm OS 3.x or later, at least 750KB of free memory for the software, and an additional 100KB for the MyCourses data. The following devices have been approved by AvantGo as being compatible with their software: Palm III, Palm IIIx, Palm IIIc, Palm V, Palm Vx, Palm VII; Handspring Visor; Symbol SPT 1500, 1700; TRG Pro.
(See the AvantGo 4.0 user guide for more specific details on regarding support on the Pocket PC devices)

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Everything is properly installed/configured but when I sync, I get the message successfully connected but no data comes down to my device. What do I try next?

We have only seen this happen once but our work around solution is as follows:
1) Remove the Server Settings on your PDA: server address, username and password, etc. from AGConnect.
2) Enter the information into AG Connect for syncing to the public AvantGo channels.
3) Run the IR HotSync.
4) Add a new server to AG Connect and configure it with the necessary MyCourses information.
5) Run the HotSync again.

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Why am I getting an "invalid user name and password" message when I try to sync to AvantGo?

You may be using the wrong user name and case-sensitive password. Be sure that you are using your eCommons username and case-sensitive password because this is the only user name and password that will work on the MyCourses mobile site.

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What happens to my data if I am a current AvantGo user and already have AvantGo installed on my device?

You will still need to upgrade to the Enterprise version of AvantGo that HMS is providing. The consumer version of AvantGo does not support all of the functionality supported by the Enterprise client. We recommend that you write down your current AvantGo Server Settings information before you install the Enterprise client. Once installed, you can add an additional server to AG Connect that points to the consumer site.

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Why is this sync taking so long on the Clarinet?

If you are synchronizing for the first time in TMEC, all of your device data gets backed-up to your private student network folder in a folder named Palm on our student network server. You may have as much as 8MB of data that gets backed up and may take as long as 15 minutes. This is a one time process. Future syncs will only take a fraction of that time.

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Can I sync AvantGo on my Pocket PC device in the MEC?

Currently Pocket PC synchronization is not supported in the MEC. Instructions to synchronize AvantGo on the Pocket PC from your home computer are available on the MyCourses web site.

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Does AvantGo software work on the new Palm Tungsten devices?

Yes, the AvantGo client software is available for these devices. To use software, go through the normal registration process and select "Palm OS 5" for your device or if you have an existing AvantGo account, follow the software download here: https://my.avantgo.com/register/choose_device.html

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Does AvantGo work on Palm OS 5 devices?

Yes, the AvantGo client software is available for these devices. To use software, go through the normal registration process and select "Palm OS 5" for your device or if you have an existing AvantGo account, follow the software download here: https://my.avantgo.com/register/choose_device.html

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I upgraded to Mac OS X and the new Palm 4.0/5.0 and can no longer get my AvantGo data, does AvantGo work on the Palm 4.0/5.0 software for Mac?

The answer is No. The problem is that our installer is not able to build a conduit in the Palm Hot Sync Manager with the new Palm 4.0/5.0 software for Mac. AvantGo has contacted both Palm and Apple regarding this issue. AvantGo hopes to support this platform in the future but do not know for sure if/when they will.

In the meantime, their customers have said they found unsupported software (3rd party) that allows AvantGo to work on Mac OS X at the following locations:

http://homepage.mac.com/s_d/Menu20.html
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21202
http://pocketmac.net
http://www.markspace.com/missingsyncinternet.html

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Do the medical applications offered through MyCourses work on PDAs that are not Palm-based operating systems?

Unless otherwise stated, the answer is no.

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Does the HMS Network provide Exchange 2007 services for wireless mobile technology?

Currently, the HMS Network provides email service using MS Exchange 2007 for the Blackberry to only HMS, HSDM, and HST students. (DMS students must speak with the FAS IT Help Desk to see what type of service they can get with their Blackberry.)

Interested students must buy/upgrade to the "Blackberry Enterprise Service Data plan" with Verizon to receive the following services: Synchronization of your emails, contacts, and the calendar. Call Verizon regarding this data plan. Then, after you have the Enterprise Data plan, follow the instructions below:

NOTE: You cannot use this service if you are forwarding your emails from your HMS email account to another email account. e.g., @gmail

1. Request an HMS email service for your Blackberry by emailing the Student Computing Support Desk at support@student.hms.harvard.edu. Please include your HUID, eCommons username, and your official HMS email address (firstname_lastname@[school].harvard.edu)
2. You will receive a password that will expire in 4 days from the HMS Messaging Team.
3. Make sure that your Blackberry is fully charged.
4. Turn your Wireless Icon on on your Blackberry interface. You should receive email notifications through your service carrier (Verizon, Cingular, etc.).
5. Verify the Options settings:
• Date/Time: Eastern Time
• Owner: Your eCommons username
6. Select Enterprise Activation on the menu and enter: • Your official HMS email address (firstname_lastname@[school].harvard.edu)
• The password - sent to you by the HMS Messaging Team
• Select Activate.
NOTE: Synchronization may take a while depending on how much information is stored in your HMS email account on the Exchange mailserver.

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I don't want to upgrade to the Blackberry Enterprise Data plan through Verizon. Can I still send/receive emails from HMS to my Blackberry?

If you do not upgrade your Verizon data plan, you can still send and receive emails from your HMS email account. Configure your Blackberry settings through the Verizon website using the HMS email configuration settings for sPOP or sIMAP.

See our HMS email settings by reading Configuring Desktop Email Clients.

Note: You can retrieve your Verizon Blackberry account by using your PIN and ESN numbers. Navigate through your Blackberry settings: Settings>Options>Status>. Enter the decimal ESN number instead of the hexidecimal ESN number.

If you want to set up your Blackberry native email client by using your Blackberry instead of going through Verizon's website, do the following:
• Navigate to Email Settings on your Blackberry interface.
• Check the EULA by saying yes to the agreements.
• Then, just follow our HMS online email configuration settings as you enter the information into the provided text fields on your Blackberry. Go to the link, Configuring Desktop Email Clients.
• You should be good-to-go with your Blackberry email client.

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Are there any applications for my Blackberry?

The only mobile application currently available for the Blackberry is the ePocrates "lite" version. Please check each product's website to see if any of them become compatible for the Blackberry.

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