Handspring Visor Pro Handheld User Guide

Chapter 1 Page 11
Chapter 1
Introduction to Your 
Visor™ Handheld
This chapter explains the physical buttons and controls on your 
Visor™ 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 handheld?
With your Visor handheld, you will no longer have trouble getting to 
meetings and appointments on time, remembering people’s names 
and personal details,...

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System requirements
To install and operate Palm Desktop software, your computer system 
must meet the following requirements:
Minimum requirements
nMac OS 8.5 or later (for USB cradle)
--or--
Mac OS 7.53 or later (for serial cradle)
nApple Macintosh or compatible computer 
with a PowerPC processor
n8 MB RAM (memory) minimum, 
16 MB recommended 
n25 
MB available hard disk space
nVGA monitor or better 
nCD-ROM drive 
nMouse
nUSB port (for USB cradle)
Serial...

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To upgrade:
1. Synchronize your old handheld with your old Palm Desktop 
software. This ensures that the latest information from your 
handheld is on your desktop computer.
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...

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Visor components
Locating front panel controls
 
Stylus
Serves as the writing instrument used to enter data in 
your handheld. To use the stylus, 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 letters and numbers using the 
Graffiti alphabet. See...

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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.
Scroll 
buttonsDisplays text and other information that extends beyond 
the area of the handheld screen. Pressing the bottom 
scroll button scrolls down to view...

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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 and...

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Locating back panel components
Springboard 
expansion slot 
protectorSlides in and out of the Springboard expansion 
slot. You can replace the slot protector with a 
Springboard expansion module to add features to 
your handheld.
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 can also use the IR port to 
update the information between your handheld 
and computer using...

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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 battery and to synchronize the information on your 
handheld using HotSync technology.
Note:
If your computer does not have a USB port, or it does not use 
Mac OS 8.5 or later,...

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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.
To charge the battery:
1. Connect the cradle as described in the previous steps.
2. Place your handheld in the cradle.
 
Note:
The LED blinks while your handheld charges. When the 
LED stays on, your handheld is charged. It takes about 90 
minutes to fully charge a drained battery.
Serial cradle...

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Tapping and typing
Tap with the stylus to get things done
Like using a mouse to click elements on a computer screen, using the 
stylus to tap elements on your handheld screen is the basic action to 
get things done on your handheld.
The first time you start your handheld, setup instructions appear on 
the screen. These instructions include a calibration screen, or digitizer. 
Calibration aligns the internal circuitry of your handheld with its 
touch-sensitive...