What is Softick UsbProxy
Softick UsbProxy is my attempt to resolve Palm Desktop USB compatibility problems on Windows Vista.
How it works
Softick UsbProxy replaces Palm Desktop's usbport.dll file, which is a device driver interface dll,
with user mode applications. An original usbport.dll is stored under usbport-original.dll name by installer.
Softick UsbProxy intercepts GetVersionEx Windows API function for original .dll to make it think it runs
on a Windows XP.
Installation
To install Softick UsbProxy launch SoftickUsbPortProxy.exe and follow on screen instruction.
Installer expects to find usbport.dll in Windows System32 folder. While this is true to modern
Palm Desktops, older version put it to Palm Desktop installation folder.
Metrowerks Code Warrior(tm) for Palm OS USB debugging
Code Warrior expects to find usbport.dll in Palm Desktop installation folder. If you ever tried to
debug Palm OS application with Palm Desktop 6 installed, you probably have moved usbport.dll from Windows
System32 folder to Palm Desktop installation folder.
Now, to make CW Debugger work on Vista, you need to move usbport.dll back to System32 folder, install
Softick UsbProxy and move usbport.dll back to Palm Desktop home. Leave usbport-original.dll
in System32 folder.
Please note that uninstaller will not be able to recover usbport.dll if you have moved it around a hard disk,
so please understand what are you doing and expect some file copy/paste/rename work :)
Uninstallation
You can remove this program using Add/Remove applet from Control Panel. If you need to remove it
manually, please do the following:
- Shutdown all applications which might use Palm OS USB connections (HotSync Manager, Softick PPP, Pilot Install, etc)
- Go to your Windows System32 folder.
- Remove usbport.dll file
- Rename Usbport-Original.dll to usbport.dll
Note: If you have moved usbport.dll to Palm Desktop location (e.g. to make Code Warrior works), rename and
remove these files in Palm Desktop folder.
Windows XP/Vista 64 bit
Softick UsbProxy doesn't resolve a compatiblity problem with 64 bit Windows XP/Vista.
Disclaimer
This software is provided without warranty. We will not take responsibility
for any form of damage or loss that occurs when/by using or not using this
software, including but not limited to data/information loss, loss of profit,
hardware or media damage.
Contact
If you have any questions, suggestions or problems, please e-mail us at:
Softick Support
Please understand that this is a free and exprerimental software and it doesn't
covered by our regular support.
The latest version can be downloaded at:
http://www.softick.com/files/usbproxy/SoftickUsbPortProxy.exe
You can discuss this article at Softick Forum
