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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

: 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.

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. 28
    Teros
    10-6-08 6:59AM

    What about an infrared dongle for the older palms?

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. 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).

  6. 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

  7. 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 “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer”
    there’s only MsiExecCA32 in my winxp 64bit edition…? 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 :)

  8. 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!

  9. 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

  10. 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?

  11. 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

  12. 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).

  13. 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!

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