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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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  1. 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.

  2. 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?

  3. 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

  4. 12
    VeselaHouba
    12-17-06 3:20PM

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

  5. 11
    VeselaHouba
    12-17-06 1:31PM

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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. 8
    TSaj
    12-1-06 10:26PM

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

  9. 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.)

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 4
    Admin
    8-8-06 12:26PM

    Cabal: Good catch ;)

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

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