Palm files to Windows XP files

[alzheimer]

Help please! How does one convert the PDA files from a Palmtop to a Windows XP computer .There is a free download called pdbconverter.zip
PDB Converter v4.1.4 which was tried but the info couldn't be read. Any of you wizards out there got any ideas?

[LeMarchand]

What files are you trying to convert? Not all files will be compatible.

[alzheimer]

Good Question, LeMarchand..and I think they are pdb e-books that are not encripted. It is actually not my Palm (don't have one myself!) but my son (who is normally a computer anorak..his words not mine!) who is having the difficulty. I think you have hit it on the head ..the files may not be convertible. Somebody suggested a pda emulator but not sure if that would be any help?

[LeMarchand]

Just got in from work, I have a load of ebooks in pdb format that I keep meaning to see if I can convert to PC format, so I'll try to check tomorrow/when I get up later today.

I have a feeling that you should at least be able to read them on your PC, if not convert them...

[LeMarchand]

Had a look at what I had on my computer. I seemed to have 3 types of Palm ebook, .prc files (from the BBC site) and .pdb files of 2 different types. I tried 3 converters/readers: WavePDB (freeware, http://www.cnbest.com/ - I use the BETA3 version) this is what I normally use to covert text to .pdb; NamoHandstory (free trial, �18.30 to buy, http://www.namo.com/products/handstory/ � the 15 day trial gives you all features, after which some stop working unless you pay up, from memory the convert is part of the paid-for version!); eReader (free trial, $9,95 to buy, http://ebooks.palm.com/product/detail/15007 - limitations as Handstory, but as some features seem to be �greyed out� I think that the free d/l is already �crippled�).

Wave: The .prc file and .pdb Type 1 files were not recognised. The .pdb Type 2 file converted to an unrecognised format, but when I double-clicked it and �opened with� Word it opened nicely.

Handstory: Converted the .prc file into a text file made near unreadable by strange formatting. Wouldn�t recognise .pdb Type 1, converted Type 2 into a well-formatted text document.

eReader: Opened the .prc file, but with some odd formatting. Hung when trying to open .pdb Type 1, Type 2 opened nicely. Whilst the program made for a pleasant reading environment, there didn�t seem to be any way to save the text short of copying and pasting each page. However, various editing options seemed inaccessible � maybe the Pro version allows this?

All in all, I�d say go for Wave but only work on copies, as a couple of times (for unknown reasons) it wiped the original!

[alzheimer]

Dear LeMarchand....what a lot of work you have done for me and I am ever so grateful. It will take me a long while to sort it all out but I think (a) you are brilliant! and (b) I will do as you suggest and head for the Wave option initially and keep the rest of the info up my sleeve for future ref.!! I did get another site to try .. http://www.isilo.com/ but no idea if that is any help. I am told it will even extract from Web pages (HTML) to PDA/Palm friendly pdb files. Many MANY thanks again for all your help and all the effort you have gone to ..really appreciate it.