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MemorySafe: Portable Palm Backups

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Quite some time ago I wrote a review of the FlashPlug, an 8MB Flash module that snaps into any III-style serial port. The MemorySafe uses a similar Flash module with greatly simplified software, providing a one touch backup solution for devices without expansion slots.

The MemorySafe is available in two models, one that works with III-style devices and m10x and one that works with the Palm V. Each model comes in either 2MB or 8MB sizes.

I have an 8MB III-style MemorySafe that I tried with my PalmPilot Professional, Palm III, and HandEra 330. Because it was designed to work with the curved bottom of the m10x the plug does not sit flush against III-style devices when fully inserted. This took some getting used to, and made it slightly harder to tell whether the plug was fully inserted. That said, I can certainly understand why Northstar Mobile decided to make a single plug for both IIIs and the m10x.

I did find that I sometimes had to wiggle the MemorySafe or remove it and reinsert it to get it to work. If you have inserted a plug and get the "you must have a MemorySafe" message when you launch the MemorySafe application, try wiggling the plug or removing it and reinserting it.

If the plug is detected when you launch the application, you will get a very simple screen. The date and time of your last backup is listed at the top of the screen. Below it are two large buttons - Backup All and Backup Files. The Backup All button is a one touch full backup of the device. Backup Files lets you select one or more individual applications to backup. Below that is a normal button that switches to a view for restoring files. The restore view is very similar but with Restore All and Restore Files buttons.

There is also a set of common menus in both views. The Options|View Contents menu item that lets you view a list of current applications on your MemorySafe and their size. The Tools menu lets you reinitialize the plug, set passwords, and see how much free memory is on the plug.

The buttons are labelled Backup Files and Restore Files, but this is a bit misleading. The MemorySafe interface is application-based, not file based. These views let you copy an application and all of its associated databases between the plug and RAM. You cannot move the databases alone. If you are looking for extra storage for Doc files or other data files, this is not the solution for you. You really need a FlashPlug. If you are looking to store some infrequently used applications just so you have them when you need them, the MemorySafe will work for you. That said, where it really shines is in the one touch backup and restore. If all you want is an external backup module, definitely get a MemorySafe.