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Updated Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 at 8:20pm

How to install Palm Desktop on Windows XP 64

If you use the 64 bit version of Windows, and have a Palm handheld, you probably already know that Palm does not support this setup. Palm has no immediate plans to support the 64 bit version of Windows, and there are no drivers that will work for the devices. The good news is that you can still use your device by hotsyncing with WiFi or Bluetooth. The bad news is that you cannot install the Palm Desktop software. At least not without a simple work-around.

There is another method for this floating around the internet, but I (and several others) have had very limited success.

After trying quite a few different things, I came up with the method below. It works perfect for me every time, unlike the other method out there.

UPDATE #1:

The newer versions of the Palm Desktop software seem to install properly on XP 64 with no issues, so try that first before you follow the steps below.

UPDATE #2:

I no longer use the Palm Desktop software, and while I will keep this article up for reference, I will no longer be updating it.

Instructions

1) Start > Run > msiexec /unregister

2) In regedit, find the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer

3) Change MsiExecCA64
From this: C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
To this: C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\msiexec.exe

(This assumes a default Windows directory.
Change to reflect your configuration if needed.)

4) Restart the Windows Installer service
(Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services)

5) Install Palm Desktop!

To go back to the previous settings, just reverse the change made in the registry, and stop/start the service again.

You can also set it back to normal by re-registering the installer:
Start > Run > msiexec /unregister
Start > Run > msiexec /register

Conclusion

I cannot claim any responsibility if you make a mistake and corrupt your system. To play it safe, make sure you have system restore enabled, so you can easily go back if there is a problem.

Let me know how it works for you!

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37 Comments on “How to install Palm Desktop on Windows XP 64”

37

Loretta

4-12-10 12:30PM

Well, after several conversations with Palm, Sprint, CompanionLink (which I use to connect ACT! and PalmDesktop) and HP for Windows 7 tech support, I am now pleased that I can synch my Palm device using Bluetooth!

The first thing I did with Sprint was set up the phone for Bluetooth (not wireless) file sharing. We then had to set up a COM port for the synch.

Ultimately the thing that worked was using Bluetooth to synch and initiating the synch command directly from the HotSynch button on the home page of the phone ignoring the physical button on the cable (which has yet to be recognized by Win 7)

With Windows 7, the process went much faster than previously. I feel like I’m finally back in business again!
36

Scott Curtis

10-20-09 8:13AM

So I really have to wonder how much resource it would have taken Palm to write the XP-64 bit driver so that ALL their customers could continue to use their devices without all this hassle!
BTW, I went and spent the $25 on a irDA wireless bridge, and my Palm T3 will still not sync through it! I keep getting an error message stating that the com port is in use by another application, yet the irDA device diagnostics say everything is A-OK.

And Palm wonders why they’ve lost so much market share…
35

Nariman

7-31-09 2:33PM

What a pain. Finally got everything hotsynced by installing VMWare with USB support. Seems the only way to get anything done is just to (at least figuratively) bite the bullet and install 32 bit OS. To my knowledge, there are no free virtualization programs that have USB support except for Virtual PC for Windows 7. Good luck!
34

Admin

7-15-09 8:32PM

David: I believe Palm has drivers for Vista 64 – just not XP 64.

And bluetooth works well, even in XP 64, since it does not have to reply on USB drivers (lack of USB drivers is the main issue with Palms on XP 64)
33

David Johnson

7-11-09 11:43AM

Have you tried this fix (Install Palm Desktop on Windows XP 64) on a 64 bit Vista machine? I’m a little reluctant to hack the registry on a new machine without news of a successful precedent. I’ve also heard that a bluetooth dongle may work, as well.

Thanks. I enjoy your site.
32

Steve

3-19-09 8:29AM

For the record, it is possible on WinXP-64 to sync Palm Desktop v4.1 with a Palm m500 via this infrared (IrDA) USB dongle:

http://www.cablesunlimited.com/products/Prod_Individual3.aspx?groupcode=I3278

Not all IrDA devices are equal though, WinXP-64 could not use the driver supplied with the first model I tried. In fact, most do not specifically support WinXP-64 like this one above. Worked for me!
31

palm IIIc

2-24-09 7:28PM

man, I need the setup software for win xp, if someone can email it to me I will be so happy, so if someone can please help me out,
I need this to be installed onto my computer…….. thank you
and god bless, jeff
30

Denielle

2-6-09 10:55PM

Okay I have a question. I downloaded the 4.1.4 version of palm desktop and hotsync. that installed fine on my Dell windows vista 64 bit. Then I got the adapter usb to serial indstalled the driver. That after a little playing around was successful. The hotsync window pops up when I go to sync and the palm says sync complete but I have NO INFO on my PC why? I have the correct user name the port is working properly the conduits are set to syncrinize data, my hotsync manager is set properly…… I can not figure out why everything lookd like it is working but I get no information on my pc. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
29

Star

1-17-09 4:52PM

Hi. I can install the palm desktop but how do I hotsyn through wifi with a palm centro?
28

Teros

10-6-08 6:59AM

What about an infrared dongle for the older palms?
27

Ton

7-27-08 7:27AM

I’ve documented a procedure to get Palm synchronisation on 64 bit Vista with Bluetooth:

http://www.vanderliet.eu/2008/07/palm-hotsync-on-vista-x64.html
26

Rocky

1-18-08 5:29AM

I recently discovered a perfect solution for me. Perhaps, it will help others. I create a “virtual computer” that run the 32-bit edition Windows XP (“guest”) and has a USB port. This virtual computer runs within an actual computer that operates either a 64-bit edition of Windows XP or Vista (“host”). The host and guest run simultaneously.

I install the PalmOS desktop and connect the device to the USB port. Thereafter, I synchronize and view my calender and appointments from the 32-bit system that resides in the 64-bit operating system.

For more information about virtualization software, go to VMware website and find the Workstation 6 software. You can try a 30-evaluation copy. You will also need a copy of Windows XP (32-bit edition) to install on your 64 bit edition of the OS.

Both will cost you $$$$. But it is a perfect solution. Furthermore, this solution will fix any incompatiability you acquired when you switched from 32- to 64-bit operating system.
25

Garlic

11-7-07 4:16AM

Raymond, my machine doesn’t have any serial ports.. But they make a cheap $10 device that you can plug into a USB port (please tell me you have at least one available!) and will give you a serial port on the other end. That’s what I used to perform my serial sync on a palm with no Wifi or bluetooth. (something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156003)

If you haven’t any free USB ports, you’d do well to invest in a USB hub.

HTH

- Garlic
24

Raymond L. Kipping

8-20-07 11:57AM

Re: Garlic’s comment about the serial cable – I’d try it, but I need the serial port (the only one) for my Smart UPS 1000 (no usb).
23

Raymond L. Kipping

8-20-07 11:53AM

Ok – here’s an update – XP64. I used “Run” msiexec /regserver, then went into system tools, found Windows Installer and started it.
Palm Desktop 4.1.4E installed just fine, however, it won’t hot sync w/the Treo 650 cradle/usb cable. I sync it on my old computer, then transfer the data file and it works, but what a nuisance. Any updates on hot sync solutions for XP-64??
Thank you,
Ray
RKipping@aol.com
22

Raymond L. Kipping

8-20-07 10:36AM

9
I had the same problem as VeselaHouba
12-14-06 1:07PMI I can’t find value MsiExecCA64 in â€œHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installerâ€
thereâ€™s only MsiExecCA32 in my winxp 64bit editionâ€¦? What to do??
I should never have let Microsoft talk me into XP64 – Palm isn’t compatible w/Vista 64 either, and a Palm rep basically told me today the equivalent of ‘tough noogies’. They have no patch for 64 bit, and don’t plan to. My contract’s up next month, I guess I’ll kiss my Treo-650 and Palm goodbye. Blackberry, here I come
21

Admin

7-27-07 7:24PM

garlic: I found out as well that the latest install works with no problems, and I posted a comment about it, but I guess I never updated the article Interesting findings though with the connectivity issues!
20

garlic

7-13-07 3:54AM

So I have XP X64 also. I’m using SP2 fwiw. The most recent downloads from Palm (located here: http://www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/windesk414.html) installed just fine with no futzin. But of course, sync via USB failed horribly.

Now my m515 doesn’t have either wifi or bluetooth, so I’m pretty well assed out right? WRONG!! After digging around, I actually found a palm cable that has both USB AND RS232.

Granted, RS232 is slightly slower than USB sync. But it’s worth a shot right? So I installed the driver (took a while to find!) for the USB to Serial converter I had, installed palm desktop, rebooted, set up the hotsync app to use local serial and set the settings to “fast as possible”.

I touched the hotsync button on my palm’s screen, and voila! Pure, unadulteraed hotsync action in XP x64 edition (sp2).

The cable I used claims to be a Belkin M500 cable replacement, Belkin P/N F8P3101. (available here: http://www.oninocomputing.co.uk/pda_accessories/belkin_f8p3101.html )

HTH,

– Garlic
19

Chimuelo

7-3-07 10:44AM

Thank you, I finally got it to install.

Now, any idea on how to remove this from my computer?
18

Vlasta

7-2-07 4:18AM

Hi, I am getting error so many “Internal Error 2908″ during installation. When I ignored, the installation had finished, but Desktop is not working, I have up2dated Windows XP 64 Professional. Any help, did Jonathan get over? I do not want to reinstall bloody windows ..
Thanks
17

Admin

6-10-07 6:56PM

Steve: It has been a while since I have updated this article, but I recently reinstalled x64, and was able to use the software from the Palm website without having to do anything special. Perhaps they updated it (even though they still do not claim x64 support).
16

Steve

6-9-07 2:54PM

No joy with WinXP Pro 64. Getting error 1719 The Windows installer service could not be accessed. Tried changing all occurrences in registry but still no luck!
15

Admin

2-20-07 7:42PM

Jonathan: Last time I reinstalled x64, and downloaded the new version of the Palm software, I did not have to do this, so the workaround may no longer be needed.
14

Jonathan Snodgrass

2-18-07 12:24AM

Hey. I tried the above method and it gave me this error
“Internal Error 2908″

Any Help?
13

Leo

1-5-07 7:21AM

John, I just tried this and XP64 SP1 Evaluation Version wanted to recognize my Treo 700p as a mobile device to sync with Windows Media Player!

You should note, for the registry edits that I had to make all keys for the installer point to SysWOW64 in order to install Palm Desktop and related software.

I guess I have to buy a bluetooth adaptor now to sync the files.

Anybody have a reccomendation for a USB Bluetooth Adaptor Dongle that works with Windows XP Pro x64 (SP1)???

Best,
Leo
12

VeselaHouba

12-17-06 3:20PM

…and after installation of latest (3.1) windows installer still no change.
11

VeselaHouba

12-17-06 1:31PM

It says: “1607: Unable to install InstallShield Scripting Runtime”
10

Admin

12-14-06 7:42PM

VeselaHouba: You might try re-downloading the latest version of the Microsoft installer. What kind of error message did you get when you tried to install the Palm software? If it is other software you are trying to install, results may vary.
9

VeselaHouba

12-14-06 1:07PM

I cant find value MsiExecCA64 in “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer”
there’s only MsiExecCA32 in my winxp 64bit edition…? help please
8

TSaj

12-1-06 10:26PM

Instead of typing “msiexec /register” type “msiexec /regserver” and you won’t get more error messages.
7

rob

11-29-06 3:21PM

i tried this, and i still seem to get an install error when the cd tries to install (1607: Unable to install InstallShield Scripting Runtime.)
6

dave

11-2-06 2:52PM

Which bluetooth stick did you use. I bought a vastech and could not install that. I did get the palm software installed with the method above
though.
5

'Nonny Mouse

8-27-06 12:27AM

Actually, I just adjusted the properties of each of the executables to run the basic XP compatibility mode – just to run the desktop and get hotsync to sit in the tray. the x64 USB is still a beatch tho. BT/WiFi are cool.
4

Admin

8-8-06 12:26PM

Cabal: Good catch
3

Cabal

8-8-06 8:40AM

Nice – worked for the palm desktop install…. *except* that the ‘msiexec /register’ command only gives errors. If you get the same you should try ‘msiexec /regserver’ to put the Windows Installer service back into your list of services.
2

Admin

3-27-06 8:02PM

You will still have to use WiFi or Bluetooth, because there are absolutely no 64-bit USB drivers for the Palm. This ‘fix’ will let you install the Palm Desktop software though, which you will have to use to sync no matter what.
1

John Hellerman

3-27-06 7:00PM

I’m not very advanced but I have a question, will this enable me to sync via Palm Desktop or will I still need to use WiFi or Bluetooth to do that. I am much more interested in Syncing then I am in using the desktop software. Please advise.