ScoutPalDB CompatibilityTest

(does not look up items, used only to assure program compatibility with your hardware)

NOTE: If you are already a paid ScoutPal subscriber, you might as well "test" by following the full setup procedure.  Otherwise, you will be repeating these steps.

If you have an older PDA with questionable compatibility, you may wish to use the following procedure for assurance that you will be able to install and run ScoutPalDB once you begin a paid subscription to ScoutPal.

Before proceeding, you will need to know the fundamentals of operating your Windows Mobile Pocket PC PDA and computer.  Refer to the user guide that came with your PDA to learn its basic operation. For example, you need to know how to turn it off and on, how to tap the screen to make choices, how to use the PDA's on-screen keyboard to enter and edit text and numbers, and how to start and close programs.  You will also need to know the fundamentals of how to operate your computer to browse to a web page, how to download a file and where to find the file on your computer after the download completes, and how to copy and paste files and folders from one location to another.

If you do not know how to do internet downloads, or where to find downloaded files, or how to copy and paste files and folders, please click here to learn more.

Print this page (show all the details first), then check off each step as you proceed so that you don't miss a step. (Show/hide all details)

 
1. Set up a way to put files and folders into the PDA's storage card:
   1. The easiest and fastest way to do this is with a storage card reader attached to your computer.  See details...
      • A card reader is highly recommended for the initial setup, as well as subsequent database updates, because copying to the memory card with a card reader is much faster and easier than using PDA sync cables and synchronization software. (A card reader is required for Mac users.)
      • A card reader is simply a gadget that let's you stick the PDA's little memory card into your computer so that you can read and write to it , just like a CD-ROM or floppy disk.
        (Mac users can watch this YouTube if they need to learn how to work with an SD card reader. )
      • With a card reader, the memory card will appear to the computer as a "removable storage device", and you can drag/drop and copy/paste files into or out of it, just like it was a disk drive.  (In fact, an SD card looks very similar to the nearly obsolete 3.5" diskette )
      • Some newer computers have a card reader already built-in.
      • If you don't have a card reader, they are very inexpensive (some models are under $15) and you can buy them at most computer supply stores, including Radio Shack .
   2. If you don't have a card reader, you will need to use Windows PDA sync software. (Apple Mac users will need to use a card reader.)  The sync software provides a way to copy files and folders to the PDA's storage card, while the card is in the PDA.  Once you have the PDA connected, you "explore" the PDA to open its storage card (named "SD Card" or "Storage Card" or similar), and then you can paste in files.  How you explore the PDA depends on your computer operating system:
      • Windows Vista/7:  explore the PDA with Mobile Device Center.  See details... --  Watch Video
        
        1. Plug your Pocket PC PDA in to your computer, then click Start > Computer to view a list of the devices attached to your computer.
        2. You should find your Pocket PC listed there as a "portable device."
        3. If you don't see your PDA listed, you may need to first install Windows Mobile Device Center, then go back to Step i.
        4. Double-click "Pocket PC" and navigate to its storage card. .
        5. You can now paste files directly into the storage card, just like any other disk or storage device on your computer.
           
            
      • Windows XP: explore the PDA with Active Sync.  See details... -- Watch Video
        1. Download and install Active Sync if you don't already have it installed on your computer.
        2. Start/Open Active Sync, and connect your PDA to the computer.
        3. Click on "Explore Device" in the Active Sync window.
        4. Double-click "My Windows Mobile Based Device" to see a list of files and folders that are on the PDA.
        5. Look for the storage card folder and open it.
        6. You can now paste files directly into the storage card, just like any other disk or storage device on your computer.
           
            
   
    
2. Download the SPTestCabs zip file to your computer, then unzip (extract) it.  See details...
   (Click here if you are new to unzipping downloads.)

   1. Browse to http://www.scoutpal.com/db/spdbtest and download "SPTestCabs" to your computer desktop, or some other convenient and easily accessible location.
   2. Go to where you downloaded, and look for "SPTestCabs", its icon will look like a folder that has a zipper on its left side,  like this: 
   3. Right-click the zip folder icon, then choose "Extract All".  This will start an Extract Wizard.  Click through all of the wizard's defaults, and it will finish with a new window opened to a new extracted version of the zipped folder.  (Click here if you are new to unzipping downloads.)
   
    
3. Put copies of the unzipped setup files into your PDA's storage card:
   IMPORTANT:  You absolutely must first unzip the download (step 2) in order to get its contents properly copied over to the PDA!
   1. Open a window into the storage card. See details...
      • If you have a card reader:
        1. Remove the SD card from the PDA (watch this ), and insert it into your SD card reader.
        2. Plug the reader into your computer.
        3. On most computers, a window into the storage card will automatically open.
        4. If a window is not automatically opened, go to "My Computer", and you will see the card listed as a "Removable Disk" drive letter.  Double-click it to open.  If your card reader has more than one slot, you may have to try multiple letters.
      • If you don't have a card reader:
        Windows Vista/7 users:
        1. Plug the PDA into the computer, then click Start > Computer.
        2. You will find the PDA listed as a "portable device."  (If you don't see your PDA listed, you may need to first install Windows Mobile Device Center, then go back to Step i.)
        3. Double-click "Pocket PC" and navigate to its storage card.
        4. You can now copy a file directly into the card, just like any other disk or storage device on your computer.
        Windows XP users :
        1. Connect the PDA to the computer, and wait for Active Sync to make its connection.
        2. Click "Explore Device" in the Active Sync window.
        3. Open "My Windows Mobile Based Device", and you will see a list of files and folders that reside inside the PDA.
        4. Look for the memory card folder and open it.
   2. Once you have a window opened into the storage card, copy and paste everything that's inside the unzipped SPTestCabs folder into the storage card.
   3. Put the storage card back in the PDA if you used a card reader, and/or disconnect the PDA from the computer.
      
      
4. On your PDA, navigate to the storage card, then run (tap on) the .NET CF and ScoutPal DB installation CAB files. See details...
   1. You will need to know the version of your PDA's Windows Mobile operating system.  (see how...)
   2. Start the File Explorer program on the PDA (tap Start -- Programs -- File Explorer), and navigate to the storage card. (see how...)
   3. You will see a list of various CAB setup files, with icons that look like this:
      
   4. Install the Windows Mobile (WM) Microsoft .NET Compact Framework version 2. (CF2):
      • Tap on WM2003.NETC... or WM5-6.NETCF..., depending on your PDA's version of Windows Mobile.  (As was noted when you did step 4-a above.) If in doubt, try installing WM5-6.NETCF, if that doesn't work, try WM2003.NETCF, or vice-versa.
      • Your PDA might tell you in what looks like an "error" message, that it already has the CF2 or a newer version installed, that's OK, you did nothing wrong!  No worries, just close the error/message window(s) and move on to step 4.e, "Install the SPTest program" (look below)
      • Carefully read and follow ALL of the installation prompts to insure that the CF2 gets installed.
      • When/if the PDA asks you where to install, choose "Device".
      • After the installation process is finished, reboot (soft-reset) the PDA:  Look for a small reset button or hole on the bottom, back or side of your PDA, and press it in with the stylus tip.  For general information on how to operate your PDA, including fundamentals such as how to do a soft-reset, refer to the manufacturer's documentation, and/or search the web for help.  For example, if you have a Dell Axim model X5, you could try a Google search for "soft-reset dell axim x5"
      • Confirm that the CF2 has indeed been installed: Tap Start/Settings/System/Remove Programs/.
      • If you don't see .NET CF2 in the "Remove Programs" list, it just hasn't been installed correctly and you will need to repeat the steps starting at step 4-a.
      • If, no matter what you do, your PDA cannot accept a CF2 installation, it is because your hardware is simply too outmoded or otherwise not compatible with ScoutPalDB, sorry.
   5. Install the SPTest program:
      • Navigate back to the storage card in the File Explorer.
      • Tap on the "InstallSPTest" cab, then carefully read and follow ALL of the installation prompts to insure that it gets installed.
      • When/if the PDA asks you where to install, choose "Device".
      • Confirm that the SPTest has indeed been installed: Tap /Start/Settings/System/Remove Programs/.
        If you don't see SPTest in the "Remove Programs" list, it hasn't been installed correctly and you will need to repeat the installation.

    

5. Start the SPTest on the PDA, and see if it runs and displays that your PDA is compatible. See details...
   Tap Start -- Programs -- SPTest.  (The programs are listed in alphabetical order, you may need to scroll up or down in the list.)

   When you first start SPTest on the PDA, it may take a while to come up.  Be patient.  When the SPTest program screen finally appears, it will tell you whether or not your PDA is compatible, it's really that simple.

   1. If you get an error that the program needs the .NET Compact Framework, you have somehow not properly installed it during step 4, above.
   2. If you get some other error, your hardware is simply too outmoded or otherwise not compatible with ScoutPalDB, sorry.