Palm Hot Sync Using BlueTooth Not Working Anymore

Well, Palm says…

'Unable to initiate HotSync operation because the port is in use by another application.'

This error can occur on the Palm™ Zire™ 72 handheld after setting up a Bluetooth® HotSync® connection. When you configure the Bluetooth application on the handheld for synchronization (or when you set up a Bluetooth connection in the Connections preference screen), the HotSync button in the Writing Area may try to launch a Bluetooth connection, regardless of the connection selected in the HotSync application on your handheld. The HotSync icon in the Writing Area will always try to connect using whatever method was last used. When you set up Bluetooth HotSync, it used Bluetooth, and now tapping the icon in the Writing Area will result in a Bluetooth connection.

The issue arises if you launch the HotSync application on your handheld, and select the "Cradle/Cable" option from the pulldown menu, and then tap on the HotSync icon in the Writing Area. Your handheld will still try to perform a Bluetooth HotSync operation, because that was the method last used. You will see an error message, and won't be able to synchronize.

Unable to initiate HotSync operation because the port is in use by another application.

Why does this happen?
Because your handheld was set up for Bluetooth, tapping the HotSync icon in the Writing Area should launch a Bluetooth HotSync. But if you select a different method in the HotSync application, your handheld will try to connect using that method as well. The HotSync application is unsure which method to use, and you will see the error message.

What should I do?
If you see this error, here's how to correct the issue:

1. Launch the HotSync application on your handheld.

2. In the pulldown menu at the center of the screen, choose the connection method by which you wish to synchronize.

3.Then, instead of tapping the HotSync icon in the Writing Area, tap the large onscreen HotSync icon in the middle of the HotSync application screen.

4. Do this every time you wish to synchronize using Cable/Cradle.

5. Whenever you want to synchronize using Bluetooth, exit the HotSync application and tap the HotSync icon in the Writing Area.

6. This will allow you to keep multiple connection methods for synchronization, and the flexibility of alternating between them.

same here: upgraded to 10.4.4 and Palm Syncing does not work anymore. I never used the cradle button, but always the method decribed. Still no success. I also experienced the idling of the firmware update others are reporting.
I suspect the 10.4.4. upgrade is the cause here. Any other hints?

PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Still broken here with my Palm650. Can you post what is in your serial port config?

Same problem here with my Treo 650.

After many hours of researching and trial/error, here's what I found:

I'm using Missing Sync instead of the Palm Sync, but this may be helpful nonetheless.

1. Uninstall and reinstall Missing Sync.
2. Trash bluetooth preferences.
3. Repair permissions.
4. Attempt to sync - may or may not work.
5. While attempting to sync, open the bluetooth preferences
6. Toggle the services on and off in the preferences and you may be surprised when your device begins syncing.

Let us know if you find anything else out.

Michael

More information:
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20060112083536144

Holy moly, am I glad I finally found you! I've been up all night trying to solve this problem. None of my usual fixes helped. Finally I came across this thread and your post. You said:

6. Toggle the services on and off in the preferences and you may be surprised when your device begins syncing.

Well, I just toggled bluetooth on and off at the menu bar while trying to connect & it worked!!!!!! Hoo-raaaaay! Let's just hope it works again tomorrow. Whew.

Thanks!

This is real *****. I have done everything everyone has posted (iBook, 10.4.4, DBT-120, MissingSync 5.x, Treo 650). The only thing that works is turning Bluetooth off and on each time before syncing. Apple, this is a bug! Please fix it!

Thanks!


iBook Mac OS X (10.4.4)

try deleting your com.apple.Bluetooth.plist and then re-pair.

Fixed issues with my palm after the 10.4.4 upgrade.

Still very frustrated because this HotSync method worked so well for a year or so. Problems did not start upon install of 10.4.4. Seems to be related to activating wireless on my DSL modem for use with my wireless-capable Windows laptop. Don't seem to be able to undo it -- turning off modem wireless didn't help. The ONLY way I can use Blutooth HotSync is to have Bluetooth off in Mac System Prefs, then tap the HotSync icon on the Treo 650, and then turn Bluetooth on again in Mac System Prefs. It will then connect & successfully sync. If i don't do the Bluetooth off/on thing I get a message from the Treo, "…port is in use by another application." Makes me craaaaaazy cuz usually I can fix probs. Any new discoveries on this problem?

Yes, 10.4.4 is defective and causes failed bluetooth pairing (pairing and Hotsyncing that worked fine in 10.4.3 and prior releases).

After spending a couple of hours on the phone with Applecare specialists without any success, I went back and installed 10.4.3 from the original disk and bluetooth pairing with my Tungsten T2 worked fine once again. I then installed 10.4.4 and, once again, no bluetooth pairing. Right now, reverting to 10.4.3 is the only fix I know.

I'm going to try resetting the PMU as I read somewhere, but resetting PRAM deleting preferences, and resetting the whole bluetooth software via Terminal were a waste of time. I'm very disappointed.

i have the same problem. since i updated to 10.4.4 the hotsync via bluetooth does not work any more (the port is used by a other application). i am trying to sync with my treo 650.
i read in the german macworld yesterday that the problem apears when you first update to 10.4.4 and afterwards update too the bluetooth firmware 1.2
this update is only for 10.4.3 and makes yout bluetoothmodul useless under 10.4.4
in the mean time apple took the updade from there website...

but how can i make the sync work again?

Michael,

Thank you for the information on MacFixit. After resetting the PMU on my Powerbook, I was able to "discover" my Palm Tungsten T5 again.

However, the Hot Synch via BlueTooth still fails because a "connection between your device and the desktop could not be established". There must be some other problem that still needs to be resolved.