Getting Started: Installing Essential Evidence Plus

Download Entire Essential Evidence Plus Product Manual (PDF)

Instructions for Alternate Installation Methods

If you experience difficulties installing Essential Evidence Plus, consult our Frequently Asked Questions, where you are likely to find an answer. If you cannot solve your problem with the assistance of our FAQ pages, please contact us.

Installing Essential Evidence Plus for Palm OS (Manual Method)

These instructions assume that you are following the manual installation procedure using a PC running Microsoft Windows. It is recommended that you use the standard installation procedure if possible. See Installing Essential Evidence Plus for Palm OS. If you are installing Essential Evidence Plus for Palm OS via a Mac OS X desktop computer, see Installing Essential Evidence Plus for Palm OS (Mac OS X).

1. Download the Essential Evidence Plus for Palm OS installation file

See Getting Started: Downloading Essential Evidence Plus. When selecting your download, look for the Essential Evidence Plus for Palm OS (ZIP) installation file in the Alternate Downloads section. The file that you download should be a ZIP archive file, and have the extension .zip.

2. Make sure Palm Desktop is up to date

Many common installation problems are due to problems in older version of the Palm Desktop software. Please ensure that you have installed the latest version of Palm Desktop. Refer to your device vendor for assistance.

3. Connect your device to your PC

Make sure that your Palm OS device is properly connected to your PC and that you can successfully perform a HotSync operation. Ensure that your expansion memory is fully inserted into the device (unless you are installing to a device with special expansion memory built in).

4. Extract the Essential Evidence Plus files from the ZIP

Locate the Essential Evidence Plus for Palm ZIP file that you downloaded on your desktop computer. Use an appropriate program to extract the contents of the ZIP file to a temporary location on your hard drive (we recommend 7-zip). Be sure to note of the location of the extracted files.

5. Install the Essential Evidence Plus PRC file

  • Start the "Palm Quick Install" Program (or it may be called "Install Tool"), which is typically located on the Start Menu -> Programs -> Palm Desktop. The install tool is also accessible from within the Palm Desktop program.
  • Be sure the Palm Desktop user for whom you wish to install Essential Evidence Plus is selected.
  • Click the "Add..." button.
  • Browse to the location where you extracted the Essential Evidence Plus files.
  • Select the file named InfoRetriever.prc and click Open.
  • The destination of the file should be "Handheld".
  • Close the Install tool by clicking the Done button, or by choosing File -> Exit.
  • Perform a HotSync operation with your Palm handheld. This HotSync operation should not take much longer than your typical HotSync.

6. Initialize Essential Evidence Plus on your device

Before you can install the Essential Evidence Plus data files to your device, the Essential Evidence Plus program must be initialized.

On your device, tap the Home icon (or press the Home button) to show the main programs list, and locate the IR Essential Evidence Plus icon. If you do not see the icon, select "All" from the dropdown at the top right corner of the screen, and scroll the programs list until you locate the IR icon. Tap the Essential Evidence Plus icon.

Essential Evidence Plus may report an error. This is OK. Tap the HOME icon/button to return to the programs list.

Essential Evidence Plus is now initialized. If you removed your Palm device from its cradle, put it back in the cradle now.

7. Install the Essential Evidence Plus data (.vdf) files

  • Start the "Palm Quick Install" Program (or "Install Tool") again. (Start Menu -> Programs -> Palm Desktop, or from within the Palm Desktop program).
  • Be sure the Palm Desktop user for whom you wish to install Essential Evidence Plus is selected.
  • Click the "Add..." button.
  • Browse to the location where you extracted the Essential Evidence Plus files. Browse to the PALM_VDF folder.
  • Select all of the VDF files in this directory and click Open.
    HINT: You may need to select Files of Type: "All Files (*.*)" to see the VDF files.
    HINT: To quickly select all files in a directory, select one file, then press Ctrl-a.
  • Click the "Add..." button.
  • The destination of the file should be "Expansion Card", "SD Card", or similar.
  • Close the Install tool by clicking the Done button, or by choosing File -> Exit.
  • Perform another HotSync operation with your Palm handheld.

This second HotSync will take much longer than the first. The time varies widely depending on the device, usually between 5 and 60 minutes.

If you experience errors during the HotSync operation, or if the Essential Evidence Plus program does not appear to function properly, an additional HotSync operation may be required.

8. Register Essential Evidence Plus

All new installations of Essential Evidence Plus run in Demo Mode, and will stop functioning after 30 days unless a registration code is provided. Be sure to register your copy of Essential Evidence Plus so that the program will function for the full duration of your subscription.