Member Avatar for Big Max

Ok,

My Palm Zire syncs fine with my PC at work but with my Mac at home it does not. I keep getting "File Locked" errors. I've taken screen shots of them. I got some suggestions from Palm that did not work. Here is what they told me to do:

Search for "" files using Finder. Delete them.

Repair permissions. Reboot. Try to sync. Still got "File Locked" error.

Create new Admin account. Try to sync. "File Locked" error

Uninstall Palm Desktop. Search for all files with keyword "Palm". Delete them all. Re-install Palm Desktop. Try to Sync. "File Locked" error.

I consulted with at least 4 Palm support people who all sent me exactly the above suggestions, hinting to me that they were all reading from the same script, and likely have no idea why this is happening. Apparently there is a file locked but I have no idea what file that is. When I open, view, and exit Palm Desktop it gives me a "File Busy" error. No idea why. I refuse to believe that Palm Hotsync only works with PC, as I've heard others indicate that they have no problem. I don't no if it matters that I'm running a G3 B&W running OS 10.3.3 (now 10.3.4). There has to be an answer... a reason why this is happening and I'm confident that one of you knows why.

HEELLLLLLLLLLLLLP!!!! :eek:

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by hp/compaqdave

Dani AI

Generated

Thread context: the HotSync "File Locked" error usually means another process on the Mac is holding a Palm Desktop/HotSync file. noted antivirus interference (Virex), reported .Mac backup involvement, and found iSync+HotSync behaviour was relevant. The practical approach is to identify the actual locker, stop or exclude it, then repair any file-permission issues — the steps below are diagnostic and non-destructive.

Reproduce the error, then capture who holds the files. From Terminal run (immediately after the error):

sudo lsof | egrep -i 'palm|hotsync|PalmDesktop'
sudo lsof +D "/Library/Application Support/Palm"
sudo lsof +D "$HOME/Library/Application Support/Palm"
ls -ld "/Library/Application Support/Palm" "$HOME/Library/Application Support/Palm"

Interpretation: the lsof output shows the process name and PID in the second column and the full pathname in the last column. If the process is an antivirus/backup agent, Spotlight, or a third-party helper, that identifies the culprit. Use Activity Monitor (Applications -> Utilities) to quit the process cleanly; if needed, use sudo kill <PID> as a last resort. A successful sync after stopping the process confirms the source.

Common safe fixes and follow-ups:

  • Temporarily disable or add the Palm folders to that tool's exclusion list (antivirus, backup agents, .Mac/.Mac Backup).
  • Boot in Safe Mode (hold Shift during startup) — if sync works there, a third‑party extension or launch item is responsible.
  • Check LaunchAgents/LaunchDaemons and Login Items for scanner/backup services; unload or remove the offending item.
  • Verify ownership/permissions of the Palm application support folders; repair with Disk Utility or, if comfortable, correct ownership for the user account. Use caution when changing permissions or killing system processes.

Collecting the Console.app output and the lsof lines (process name + PID + pathname) gives concrete evidence to either fix the conflict or hand to support. These diagnostic steps find the real lock instead of relying on trial-and-error removals.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Do you have McAfee Virux installed? I tried out that software, and my palm blew up with file locked errors. I did the re-install thing, and then thought for a moment before it dawned on me that Virux was the problem.

My Palm is actually a Handspring Visor, and once the McAfee was removed from my OS X system, the Palm was happy.

Let us know.

Christian

Member Avatar for Big Max

Hello,

Do you have McAfee Virux installed? I tried out that software, and my palm blew up with file locked errors. I did the re-install thing, and then thought for a moment before it dawned on me that Virux was the problem.

My Palm is actually a Handspring Visor, and once the McAfee was removed from my OS X system, the Palm was happy.

Let us know.

Christian

Interesting..... I DO have Virex installed...

My job bought me a new Palm Tungsten E and I got the same "File Locked" errors when attempting to sync. I removed Virex and got one successful sync. Second one gave me the "File Locked" error. When activating both iSync and Hotsync, it syncs successfully every time. Will try a reboot and see what happens...

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hi,

Glad to hear you got a good Sync to start with! Makes you feel better!

I haven't used the iSync with my Visor. Stuck with Palm's software exclusively. I am so used to that interface that the new iCal seems clunky to me.

Piece of history: Apple used to have a child company called Claris, and they wrote, in the early 90's a software package called Claris Organizer. Palm purchased it in the mid-90's, and used it as their desktop software on the Mac, and later on the PC. Seems interesting that Apple wrote a second "organizer" style of program.

As Virex is running a set of background processes, after you kill it, you have to reboot the computer.

Christian

Member Avatar for GYULA

Thanks I've got problems with my Tungsten T5 - the locked error. I swept my virus scanner away. It didn't help. Than I disabled the .Mac back up facility, didn't help me either. Than I changed the settings of HotSync Manager (no more Hotsync options) and that works (I hope it will still do it tomorrow).

Gyula :D

Member Avatar for penz

im am looking for software for my palm zire so that i can use my hotsync

Member Avatar for hp/compaqdave

im am looking for software for my palm zire so that i can use my hotsync

go to palm.com and download appropriate drivers

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