Palm Profile Contacts Backup is now available... and it's easy, too!!!

Audemars02 · 11/13/2009, 05:21 PM

EDIT: The new version of the program is up and posted, and working better now!

While this is not a sync solution, user xybyre has made a nifty little program that will actually backup your Palm Profile Contacts, as well and any other contacts that you have linked on to your Pre (e.g. Gmail, EAS, LinkedIn, etc). Check out this thread ( http://forums.precentral.net/web-os-...ml#post2020224 ) and go to Post 57 to details on how to download the program (link here: http://forums.precentral.net/web-os-...ml#post2032355 ). (Make sure you do not download Version 1 on post 23)

Oh, and the best part is that you do not need a lot of technical help to do this. Here's how simple it is:
1. Using either Internalz or webOS Quick Install, extract the file var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3 ... If using Internalz, connect to USB mode and copy to your computer
2. Download and run the ExportPreContacts program and provide the location of the .db3 file
3. Open up the resulting .csv file in Excel (or some other program). Voila, you have a backup of all your contacts with most of the data for each of those people...

Note that each linked contacts are not linked in the file. Each contact from each account will appear on a separate line in the file, but there is a "Person id" that will be the same for each contact that is linked.

I would also like to thank user ronniebrasco for offering (and paying) the $100 reward to get this going! I have added $5 to that and would recommend anyone else give a donation to xybyre if this is a help for you until Palm creates a true sync or backup that you have access to!

Audemars02 · 11/15/2009, 10:08 AM

bump..

for people worried about losing their contacts, please please please refer to the links above.. this will allow you to back up all your contact in case something happens to them and even allows for importing into another program (e.g. gmail)

myblackz28 · 11/15/2009, 10:20 AM

I tried this but its not working right. The idea is great if it works. When I run the program and go intio the csv file, I notice the following: All of the first name, last name, id, and company name are in line 2. Its a loooong line. Its impossible to put it into a column and sort it to match the phone numbers

. Am I doing something wrong?

Audemars02 · 11/15/2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myblackz28

I tried this but its not working right. The idea is great if it works. When I run the program and go intio the csv file, I notice the following: All of the first name, last name, id, and company name are in line 2. Its a loooong line. Its impossible to put it into a column and sort it to match the phone numbers

. Am I doing something wrong?

Yea..i am seeing the same problem now...It was working fine in his v1.2, but he made some changes in v1.3 and its not working..i am about to report that bug to him, too

AlphaQ · 11/15/2009, 11:07 AM

doesn't work for me...

KingRican · 11/15/2009, 12:02 PM

I read this thread, but still...mean I lost my contacts, seriously, I am so gonna loose money over this BS...I always wondered why there wasn't a way to back up contacts like I used to w my Treo...I'm hurting right now!!!

Audemars02 · 11/15/2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRican

I read this thread, but still...mean I lost my contacts, seriously, I am so gonna loose money over this BS...I always wondered why there wasn't a way to back up contacts like I used to w my Treo...I'm hurting right now!!!

Yea, that sucks... I know this solution doesnt really help that, but at least it will help to have a backup in the future (well, once it's working again).. but do you still have your Treo or your old copy of Palm Desktop? At least you would have a copy of your contacts that is only a few months old, right?

guerillatwang · 11/15/2009, 05:07 PM

Patiently awaiting a fix from the developer

Gaurav · 11/15/2009, 05:14 PM

patiently waiting an update too....

Audemars02 · 11/15/2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaurav

patiently waiting an update too....

it's fixed. go to the other thread and you can link to the download link.

guerillatwang · 11/15/2009, 05:49 PM

@Audemars02

Downloaded it...got my database file and everything. Trouble is i'm running a mac and don't have to programs to handle these files. If I just hang on the the db3 file could I import that into my pre and have my contacts back?

kmax12 · 11/15/2009, 06:02 PM

there is also this back up solution in the works: Palm Pre True Backup Solution In the Works? | The Mx Web

Audemars02 · 11/15/2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guerillatwang

@Audemars02

Downloaded it...got my database file and everything. Trouble is i'm running a mac and don't have to programs to handle these files. If I just hang on the the db3 file could I import that into my pre and have my contacts back?

Honestly, I have no idea..you may want to ask the guys at webOS Internals... I am not the techie, but the happy receipient of the backup program and wanted to spread the word to everyone!

BlazerDogs · 11/18/2009, 09:40 AM

re: Download and run the ExportPreContacts program

Where do I get this program???

rkkeller · 11/18/2009, 10:48 AM

Seems easier to create a free Google account to sync with.

PreMium · 11/18/2009, 02:52 PM

Hi guys, I'm on a Mac. While I'd like to have it syncing properly with my Mac's Address Book and iCal I wondered for now if I could simply extract the file (I think I correctly did it with WebOSQuickInstall) and then if I have to do a hard reset (like I want to do now) replace that file on the Pre and have all my data back. Thanks!

Spader · 11/18/2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PreMium

Hi guys, I'm on a Mac. While I'd like to have it syncing properly with my Mac's Address Book and iCal I wondered for now if I could simply extract the file (I think I correctly did it with WebOSQuickInstall) and then if I have to do a hard reset (like I want to do now) replace that file on the Pre and have all my data back. Thanks!

That's exactly what I did, it worked perfectly. Contacts and SMS/Messaging history

PreMium · 11/18/2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spader

That's exactly what I did, it worked perfectly. Contacts and SMS/Messaging history

Interesting. Did you just use the get file and send file from WebOS Quick Install? Also, I wonder if I can use the file that running on 1.3.1 and restore it on 1.2.1 OS

Spader · 11/18/2009, 04:12 PM

Yes, I used WebOSQuickInstall, I used the "receive file" option to get the file before going to the Doctor, and then the "delete file/directory" & "send file" options to restore after the Dr. visit.

I started with 1.2.1 and Doctored to 1.2.1. I didn't run the 1.3.1 upgrade until after recovoring the file. I honestly don't know if it would work going from one WebOS version to another.

PreMium · 11/18/2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spader

Yes, I used WebOSQuickInstall, I used the "receive file" option to get the file before going to the Doctor, and then the "delete file/directory" & "send file" options to restore after the Dr. visit.

I started with 1.2.1 and Doctored to 1.2.1. I didn't run the 1.3.1 upgrade until after recovoring the file. I honestly don't know if it would work going from one WebOS version to another.

Cool. Thank you all so much for the information. I'm glad to know that at least there's some reliable way to backup my Palm Pre's database info! Getting it to sync properly with my Mac (not using a cloud) will be the final frontier!

Update: I Doctored back to 1.2.1 and the 1.3.1 backup file didn't work, so after hours of screwing around with it I had to upgrade back to 1.3.1. And Palm Backup... What a joke!

I ended up using Spanning Sync to sync with google which works. I'm sticking with 1.2.1 for now to keep MyTether alive.

PS: Is there an easy way like this to backup and restore all our other custom settings such as patches, themes, and homebrew apps?

11/13/2009, 05:21 PM	Thread Author #1 (permalink)
Audemars02 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,476 Likes: 13 Thanks: 247 Thanked 402 Times in 235 Posts	Palm Profile Contacts Backup is now available... and it's easy, too!!! EDIT: The new version of the program is up and posted, and working better now! While this is not a sync solution, user xybyre has made a nifty little program that will actually backup your Palm Profile Contacts, as well and any other contacts that you have linked on to your Pre (e.g. Gmail, EAS, LinkedIn, etc). Check out this thread ( http://forums.precentral.net/web-os-...ml#post2020224 ) and go to Post 57 to details on how to download the program (link here: http://forums.precentral.net/web-os-...ml#post2032355 ). (Make sure you do not download Version 1 on post 23) Oh, and the best part is that you do not need a lot of technical help to do this. Here's how simple it is: 1. Using either Internalz or webOS Quick Install, extract the file var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3 ... If using Internalz, connect to USB mode and copy to your computer 2. Download and run the ExportPreContacts program and provide the location of the .db3 file 3. Open up the resulting .csv file in Excel (or some other program). Voila, you have a backup of all your contacts with most of the data for each of those people... Note that each linked contacts are not linked in the file. Each contact from each account will appear on a separate line in the file, but there is a "Person id" that will be the same for each contact that is linked. I would also like to thank user ronniebrasco for offering (and paying) the $100 reward to get this going! I have added $5 to that and would recommend anyone else give a donation to xybyre if this is a help for you until Palm creates a true sync or backup that you have access to! Last edited by Audemars02; 11/15/2009 at 05:16 PM.
	Liked by Thanked By: Denny56

11/15/2009, 10:08 AM	Thread Author #2 (permalink)
Audemars02 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,476 Likes: 13 Thanks: 247 Thanked 402 Times in 235 Posts	bump.. for people worried about losing their contacts, please please please refer to the links above.. this will allow you to back up all your contact in case something happens to them and even allows for importing into another program (e.g. gmail)
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
myblackz28 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 385 Likes: 0 Thanks: 75 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	I tried this but its not working right. The idea is great if it works. When I run the program and go intio the csv file, I notice the following: All of the first name, last name, id, and company name are in line 2. Its a loooong line. Its impossible to put it into a column and sort it to match the phone numbers . Am I doing something wrong?
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 11:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
AlphaQ Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	doesn't work for me...
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 12:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
KingRican Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dirty Jrzy Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Thanks: 20 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I read this thread, but still...mean I lost my contacts, seriously, I am so gonna loose money over this BS...I always wondered why there wasn't a way to back up contacts like I used to w my Treo...I'm hurting right now!!!
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 05:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
guerillatwang Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 340 Likes: 0 Thanks: 97 Thanked 50 Times in 35 Posts	Patiently awaiting a fix from the developer __________________
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 05:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gaurav Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: All over the place Posts: 8,302 Likes: 7 Thanks: 216 Thanked 266 Times in 145 Posts	patiently waiting an update too....
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 05:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
guerillatwang Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 340 Likes: 0 Thanks: 97 Thanked 50 Times in 35 Posts	@Audemars02 Downloaded it...got my database file and everything. Trouble is i'm running a mac and don't have to programs to handle these files. If I just hang on the the db3 file could I import that into my pre and have my contacts back? __________________
	Liked by

11/15/2009, 06:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
kmax12 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 316 Likes: 0 Thanks: 32 Thanked 166 Times in 26 Posts	there is also this back up solution in the works: Palm Pre True Backup Solution In the Works? \| The Mx Web __________________ The Mx Web
	Liked by Thanked By: guerillatwang

11/18/2009, 09:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
BlazerDogs Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 24 Likes: 0 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	re: Download and run the ExportPreContacts program Where do I get this program???
	Liked by

11/18/2009, 10:48 AM	#15 (permalink)
rkkeller Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 129 Likes: 0 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Seems easier to create a free Google account to sync with.
	Liked by

11/18/2009, 02:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
PreMium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 242 Likes: 0 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Hi guys, I'm on a Mac. While I'd like to have it syncing properly with my Mac's Address Book and iCal I wondered for now if I could simply extract the file (I think I correctly did it with WebOSQuickInstall) and then if I have to do a hard reset (like I want to do now) replace that file on the Pre and have all my data back. Thanks!
	Liked by

11/18/2009, 04:12 PM	#19 (permalink)
Spader Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arizona, US Posts: 1,450 Likes: 1 Thanks: 144 Thanked 362 Times in 241 Posts	Yes, I used WebOSQuickInstall, I used the "receive file" option to get the file before going to the Doctor, and then the "delete file/directory" & "send file" options to restore after the Dr. visit. I started with 1.2.1 and Doctored to 1.2.1. I didn't run the 1.3.1 upgrade until after recovoring the file. I honestly don't know if it would work going from one WebOS version to another.
	Liked by

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