[SOLVED] pilot-link in Debian

mark_alfred · 05-17-2011, 04:20 PM

I'm using jpilot with an old palm pilot. But, I can't get it to regularly sync. I read the README files from the pilot-link package, and did once get it to sync, but I can't seem to do it again.

The stuff I did was something along the lines of running the following commands:

Code:

/sbin/modprobe uhci_hcd
/sbin/modprobe ehci_hcd
/bin/mknod /dev/ttyUSB1 c 188 1
/bin/chmod 0666 /dev/ttyUSB?

I'm not sure exactly if this is what I did to get it to sync the one time, but those commands are from the README.usb file of the Debian package pilot-link, which I used.

It doesn't work now, and I'd hate to have to keep entering some variation of the above commands each time. There is another file, called README.Debian, that presumably tells users how to set it up to work once and for all. The problem is I don't really understand what the file is instructing (and the question is, "why didn't the developers just set it up to actually work without making me do a bunch of extra shit?" -- but I digress).

Anyway, some of what the README.Debian says is:

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilot-link README.Debian file

/dev/pilot is no more used by pilot-link. You shall indicate the port to use either with --port <port> or by the environment variable $PILOTPORT.

I haven't a clue what they're talking about here. Where is this "environment variable $PILOTPORT"? Why replace something that's concrete like /dev/pilot with something vague like whatever this "$PILOTPORT" is (again, another digression)?

Anyway, all answers are appreciated.

mark_alfred · 05-19-2011, 09:16 PM

Well, I figured it out. It seems that I was just complicating things. I wrongly thought that I needed a specific setting under "preferences -- settings" for the port (IE, like /dev/ttyUSB1). But, it turns out udev will just automatically create the correct setting from the generic entry of "usb:" So, after using this generic entry, it now works each time.

galen · 10-26-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_alfred

Well, I figured it out. It seems that I was just complicating things. I wrongly thought that I needed a specific setting under "preferences -- settings" for the port (IE, like /dev/ttyUSB1). But, it turns out udev will just automatically create the correct setting from the generic entry of "usb:" So, after using this generic entry, it now works each time.

I'm running LinuxMint Debian Edition and my jpilot will not sync. Tung C via USB
I've used jpilot a long time and I'm stumped.
Glad your's is working.

What do you get when you run the command?
groups
I wonder if my user needs to be in a group

mark_alfred · 10-29-2011, 02:28 AM

Code:

mark@debian:~$ groups
mark adm lp dialout fax cdrom floppy tape audio dip www-data video plugdev staff powerdev netdev scanner shutdown burning
mark@debian:~$

You may need to switch the serial rate (under jpilot/file/preferences/settings). Mine is set at 115200. Try a few different ones. And if Mint is like Debian Squeeze, then just keep port setting at "usb:"

galen · 10-29-2011, 07:42 AM

thanks Marks,
I had already tried the bit rate, it's trick I found before and posted about. It didn't work this time.

sgosnell · 10-29-2011, 05:49 PM

If you have Evolution installed, try having it find the Palm, then use the settings it gives you. It's been awhile since I ran j-pilot, since I abandoned my Palm some time ago, so I can't remember everything I did, but it was reliable for me. Most of the time I used wifi sync, since it's about as fast as USB and much easier to do, since no cable is needed.

galen · 10-30-2011, 11:32 AM

No thanks on Evolution (while I know it is fact)
I don't use on my tux.

I solved sync issue by adding my user to the following groups:
dip
dialout
I don't know why this works or why someone chose those groups