Macintosh: "Port in Use" Alert With Palm Computing Software

Symptom

When your computer starts up or when you try to enable HotSync settings, an alert box with this message appears:

"HotSync can not be enabled because the port is in use by another application."

Solution

Please refer to Palm Knowledge Finder document 5906 for more specific information:

http://www.palm.com/support/macintosh/portinuse.html

If other software is open that is dedicated to using the serial port chosen in HotSync Manager, this alert can be expected to occur.

Here is a three-step process:

1. Use the AppleTalk control panel to verify that AppleTalk is not active through this port. Either set AppleTalk to another port, or while in the Advanced User Mode (Edit menu: User Mode) click the Options button and choose Make AppleTalk inactive. Try again to enable HotSync in HotSync Manager.
2. Disable any other software dedicated to using the serial port chosen in HotSync Manager. This may include fax or modem software. (You may need to turn off these extensions with the Extensions Manager control panel; refer to the documentation that came with the software or serial device for more information.) Restart the computer, and try again to enable HotSync in HotSync Manager.
3. If the error message persists at startup, it is because you have a conflict with other software as described above, and HotSync Manager is set to be enabled at system startup. In HotSync Manager, under HotSync options, deselect the box labeled "Enable HotSync software at system startup."

For more information, contact Palm.

For more information on troubleshooting extension conflicts, please read "Resolving system extension conflicts" in Mac OS Help, or read technical document 30929: "Mac OS 8.x: Extensions Troubleshooting/Extensions Manager Features".

For more information about the "port in use" error, and how to make AppleTalk inactive using the AppleTalk control panel, read technical document 24346: "Mac OS: AppleTalk "Port In Use" Error".

This document provides information about a non-Apple product. Apple, Inc. is not responsible for its content. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

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