Member Avatar for fluke

OS X 10.3.5, PBG4/550, PalmDesktop 4.2.1.
1. each time on quit from PalmDesktop I get the Msg "File Busy"
cannot sync my Palm V pda anymore and by opening PalmDesktop it's recovering "unsaved data" (also with 10.2.8 - worked flawlessly for a long period and then suddenly the problem)
2. tried to install iSyn Palm Conduit 1.2, but it refuses to install saying
"cannot install on this computer"

I already repaired the permissions, repair disk thru Disk Repair

asked the question thru email at PALM ONE ---> NO reaction at all from them (talking of service to the customer ??)

Has somebody any idea to correct the situation svp? :-|

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Dani AI

Generated

Short summary: correctly flagged antivirus/background utilities as the likely cause, and ’s follow-up (removing Virex and re-running the OS tools) demonstrates that a background process was holding Palm Desktop files open and preventing sync or installer activity.

Practical diagnosis (non-destructive)

  • Use Activity Monitor (Applications → Utilities) and show All Processes to spot background scanners, indexing tools or “optimizer” apps running.
  • For a definitive view of which process has the Palm files open, run lsof from Terminal and filter the output. For example:
sudo lsof | grep -i palm

Replace or extend the command with the actual Palm data folder if known (use the real path on the Mac you’re troubleshooting).

How to fix and install cleanly

  • Boot into Safe Boot (restart while holding Shift) to suppress third‑party background utilities, then run the Palm Desktop and iSync conduit installers. Safe Boot often allows installers to finish that otherwise fail because a file was in use.
  • If the installer still refuses, check the Installer log (Installer → Window → Installer Log) or run the installer verbosely from Terminal to see the precise error:
sudo installer -pkg /path/to/Conduit.pkg -target / -verboseR

This will usually reveal whether the package rejects the OS version, a missing dependency, or a file-lock conflict.

Cautions and follow-up

  • Back up the Palm database before removing preferences or data files. Third‑party “system optimizers” and real‑time AV scanners are common culprits; run AV in manual/disabled mode when syncing, or use an AV version confirmed compatible with Palm Desktop/iSync. If a process is identified by lsof and won’t quit, note its PID and stop it gracefully rather than killing blindly.

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Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Are you by chance running Virex as a anti-virus program? I had that problem -- I installed the latest Virex for Macintosh (beta) and my Palm software just blew up. Not able to sync, and a re-install did not fix anything either. Just not a good thing.

IF youdo have Virex installed, you will need to disable the backgrounding applications, perhaps even remove it.

Christian

Member Avatar for fluke

Hello,

Are you by chance running Virex as a anti-virus program? I had that problem -- I installed the latest Virex for Macintosh (beta) and my Palm software just blew up. Not able to sync, and a re-install did not fix anything either. Just not a good thing.

IF youdo have Virex installed, you will need to disable the backgrounding applications, perhaps even remove it.

Christian

THX, I threw out the lot, and unleashed Disk utility and Sys Optimizer and... EVERYTHING worked OK as nothing had happened, idem for iSync and its conduit
I hope the people at Virex will fix the problem
Greetings

Bye

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