Locked out: any advice?

[dotandcom]

I have tried looking through the forums but haven't yet found exactly this problem. My Treo 680 switches on and brings up the password screen. I type in my password (i.e. the keyboard is working) but the screen does not respond when I touch the OK button. The cursor flickers and the phone makes a clicking sound but nothing else happens. I can turn the phone on and off but, of course, I get the same problem that after typing in my PIN the OK button doesn't respond. I seem to be locked out completely.

I have done a soft reset several times to no avail. I have tried the business card slid under the edge of the screen to remove any grit: nothing. The phone has no recent software additions. I'm stumped. Can anyone offer advice? I'd be most grateful for any help.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[benjie]

Is the application you are using case sensitive? Soft resets do not affect what you are experiencing. If you are positive the password you are using is correct and it is not working, then it is hard reset time and make sure you do not use the last restore except for specific applications - 'cause if you restore from the last backup, you get the same problem as before.

[dotandcom]

Thanks for the quick reply, Benjie - much appreciated. I don't think it's a particular application that's causing the problem. The Treo was turned off and when I switched it on I couldn't get access to the machine at all because I was unable to progress beyond typing in my password. I fear I might have to try a hard reset. Because I'm not very efficient at backing up I shall lose loads of information, especially diary entries. Hey, ho.

Thanks again for your help,

Chris

[benjie]

If you did a backup then you can restore specific items; no backup = oh, well! May I suggest a backup solution that is device/card based such as Resco Backup or NVBackup - both are excellent solutions.

[dotandcom]

Thanks again, Benjie. In the end I resorted to a hard reset, which has at least freed up the machine. As anticipated, however, I have lost my more recent diary entries. I have also had to re-register one or two applications (like DateBook and SplashID), which is time-consuming and irritating. I shall certainly investigate the backup solutions that you suggest.

Your willingness to offer help and to share your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

All the best,

Chris

[benjie]

Ok. Invest in a backup applcation - NVBackup is free and it backs up to the card, which means that though the device may have to be hard reset, that at least you have access to PIM files and other applications.