Handspring Visor Edge Handheld User Guide

Chapter 1 Page 3
Chapter 1
Introduction to Your 
Visor™ Edge Handheld
This chapter explains the physical buttons and controls on your 
Visor™ Edge handheld computer, how to use your handheld for the 
first time, and how to use HotSync
® technology to synchronize your 
handheld and Palm™ Desktop software.
Getting to know your handheld
What is a Visor Edge handheld?
With your Visor Edge handheld, you will no longer have trouble 
getting to meetings and appointments on time, remembering people’s 
names and...

Page 4  Introduction to Your Visor™ Edge Handheld
System requirements
To install and operate Palm Desktop software, your computer system 
must meet the following requirements:
Minimum requirements
nWindows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, (for USB cradle)
--or--
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or 
Windows NT 4.0 (for serial cradle)
n8 MB RAM (memory) minimum, 
16 MB recommended
n25 
MB available hard disk space
nVGA monitor or better 
nCD-ROM drive (you can also download Palm Desktop...

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2. (Optional) To ensure against any data loss, go to the folder that 
stores Palm Desktop software, copy your user name folder, and 
store the copy outside the Palm Desktop software folder.
3. Follow the installation instructions in “Installing Palm Desktop 
software” later in this chapter. Be sure to install the new software 
in the same folder as the old software.
4. Place your new handheld in the cradle and press the HotSync 
button. If the Select User dialog box appears, select your...

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Visor Edge components
Locating front panel controls
Stylus and 
Stylus 
releaseServes as the writing instrument used to enter data in 
your handheld. To use the stylus, press the stylus 
release, slide the stylus out of the slot, and hold it as you 
would a pen or pencil.
Handheld 
screenDisplays the applications and information stored in your 
handheld. It is touch-sensitive and responds to the 
stylus.
Graffiti
 
writing 
areaThe area where you write...

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LED 
indicatorIndicates the status of the battery as it charges. When 
your handheld is in the cradle, the LED blinks while the 
battery charges and stays on after the battery is charged.
When the silent alarm setting is active, the LED blinks as 
an alarm notification. See “Date Book Plus menus” in 
Chapter 6 for details.
IR port
Uses infrared technology to transmit data to and receive 
data from other Palm OS handhelds. See “Beaming 
information” in Chapter 7 for more information. You...

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Using the backlight
If you have difficulty seeing the information on your handheld, you 
can use the backlight to illuminate your screen. 
To activate the backlight:
nPress the power button and hold it down for about two seconds. 
Release the button when the backlight turns on.
Tip:
In addition, you can assign the full-screen pen stroke to 
activate the backlight. See “Pen preferences” in Chapter 9 for 
more information.
To turn off the backlight:
nPress...

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Locating back panel components
Protective flip cover
The flip cover protects the handheld screen when it is not in use. Your 
handheld comes with the flip cover already attached, but if you prefer, 
you can remove the flip cover and attach the edge connector door.
To remove the flip cover:
1. Open the flip cover.
2. Gently pull the flip cover out of the edge connector port.Edge connector 
portEnables you to connect the detachable 
Springboard slot. To install the detachable 
Springboard...

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To attach the flip cover:
1. Gently press the top of the flip cover onto your handheld until it 
clicks into place.
Tip:
The flip cover opens at two angles (it does not flip all the way 
back). Find the one that works best for the current lighting 
conditions. 
Open from 
this end 

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To attach the edge connector port door:
1. Remove the flip cover as described earlier in this section.
2. Insert the tab on the top edge of the edge connector port door into 
the edge connector port.
Charging the battery
To use your handheld, you must connect the cradle and charge the 
battery. See “Battery considerations” in Appendix A for tips on 
extending the life of the battery.
Connecting the cradle
The cradle that comes with your handheld enables you to charge your 
handheld...

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Note:
If you are unsure about the exact location of the USB port or 
serial port on your computer, refer to the manual supplied 
with the computer.
3. Plug the AC adapter into a wall outlet.
USB cradle and port
Serial cradle and port