Syncing a LifeDrive with Outlook on Windows
===========================================

Yeah. I know. I should be using Free/GPL software for everything. Move 
along, critics!


Introduction
============

I bought a Palm LifeDrive in December 2018. My work laptop has 64-bit 
Windows 10, and my workplace uses a lot of proprietary software that I 
cannot escape. Even the printing system only works with their specific 
machines and their system images. 

I wanted to use my Palm as a work PDA and wondered if syncing to MS 
Outlook on Windows 10 was still possible.

I knew about CompanionLink. They provide a number of synchronization 
products, so I considered purchasing CompanionLink to sync Outlook 2016 
with the LifeDrive. However, a bit of searching around at Brighthand and 
webOS Nation revealed that I could find everything I needed for free. 


STEPS
=====

To sync a Palm device with a recent version of Outlook on Windows 10 
requires three pieces of software. Note that this only works with 32-bit 
versions of Outlook.

1. Chances are you're running a 64-bit version of Windows 10. Amazingly, 
there is a 32-bit version of Win10, but you don't have it. You'll need 
to install the 64-bit drivers for Palm OS. You can get those from 
Aceeca:

http://aceeca.com/images/downloads/DVR_WINX64_USB_GN4-GN5_20110322.zip

If for some reason you DO have a 32-bit version of Windows 10, the 
drivers are here:

http://aceeca.com/images/downloads/DVR_WINX32_USB_GN4-GN5_20110322.zip

2. Then you need to install Palm Desktop. You can get it from 
companionlink's website:

http://companionlink.com/downloads/pdt/PalmDesktopWin62.exe

3. Finally, you'll need Pizzaboy192's Palm Hotsync Patch:

http://pizzaboy192.com/download/

The patch works works with 32-bit versions of Outlook up to Outlook 
2016. It may work on subsequent versions too, but I haven't tested 
those.

Once you've installed them all and done any necessary configuration of 
Outlook and Palm Desktop, plug in your Palm and hit the hotsync button. 

If you can't get a 32-bit version of Outlook, you could still sync your 
Palm with Palm Desktop, but leaving the Outlook ecosystem might be 
problematic for many people. 

If you find yourself in that situation, syncing Palm Desktop and Outlook 
using CompanionLink's software might be your best option.