Re: Occasional Missed Appt Alarms

Mark Teegarden (teega001@yoda.mc.duke.edu)
Mon, 19 Aug 96 12:21:45 EDT

In our last episode Jeff Hinman ust941@edcca4.bgl.ca.boeing.com wrote:
> > Has anyone here had problems with their OmniGo occasionally not
> > ringing the alarm on a scheduled appointment. I thought it was just
> > me, but I've noted that a dialog is supposed to come up to make sure
> > you have recognized the alarm and present you options to "clear" and
> > "Snooze". If you miss the alarm, you will at least be greeted by this
> > dialogue next time you turn on the unit.
> >
>
> I used to have that problem. It only seemed to occur when I had the SRAM card
> plugged in. I am not an expert, but I do know that if the card is in, if the
> alarm goes off, it first has to wake up the card. This may take longer than the
> process and the alarm is missed.

Well, I don't have an SRAM card so that can't be the problem.

>
> It may also be due to closing the appointment application and deleting its state
> file (such as in a soft boot). The Geos OS has to restart the app when the
> alarm goes off, or maybe it misses the alarm completely because of the deleted
> state file. This is just a guess, but the alarm problem has not re-occured
> since I made a practice of always taking the SRAM card out and I never soft boot
> the Ogo unless I absolutely have to.

I also don't boot unless I have to. But... my time spent with HP
product support on this problem suggests that booting the unit (hard or
soft) is the way to clear up a variety of ills. I don't believe in
booting every day, though. I'd consider that a hack. I don't have a
serial cable to backup my files, or otherwise I'd try a hard-boot. They
finally suggested I exchange the unit and were willing to drop-ship me
one then and there. Since I was within my 30-days I opted to exchange my
unit at the place I purchased it. The problem happened again a week
later. I still couldn't isolate it, so I've returned the unit and am
anxiously awaiting the release of the 120 to see if it will solve this
small, but glaring problem.

Overall, I was impressed with the speed and courtesy of the HP tech support
folks. I like the unit a lot despite the shortcomings that seem to be flooding
the notes here lately. I bought it to help organize my thoughts and keep
track of what I'm currently working on. It does that quite well.
If I wanted more, I'd have bought a laptop.

Mark Teegarden teega001@mc.duke.edu