Registration 

How do I register HandMap on my Windows Mobile device? 

Use the HandMap Installer to register HandMap. If you have not installed the HandMap Installer then download and run the HandMapInstallerSetup.exe progam on your PC. Then run the HandMap Installer and go to the Purchase page and enter your Member ID and Access Code that you got from your sales email. Then click on the Register button. That's it! This will collect the serial number from your PDA and contact the HandMap member area web site and record your serial number. It then gets the key and stores it on your PDA. So the next time you run HandMap it will be registered. This installer works for PocketPC and SmartPhone devices. 

Purchasing 

After I place an order what happens next? 

Firstly you will receive an email from the payment processing company confirming your payment. This email will not include any product information. Once we have been notified of the sale our automated sales processing system will process your order and send an email to you. This should be sent to you within about an hour. This email will contain your login details for the member area on our web site. If you do not receive this email within a few hours then please check your spam filters. The email we send to you may have been placed in a spam folder in your email program. Also note that if the first email went astray you can always request your login details to be sent to you again - click on the "Forgotten your Member ID?" link on our home page. If you still have not received your details after 12 hours then please send an email to support@handmap.net. Once you have your login details you will need to login to our member area web site and complete the registration process. This involves entering a serial number displayed in HandMap on your PDA into our web site. After this has been completed you now have full access to the member area. The main page of the member area lists all products that you own. For program products you will see a registration key listed. For map products you will see a link to download maps from that collection. If you have a full suscription then you can download any of the maps in that collection. If you have a limited subscription then you will be shown how many licenses you have remaining. Each time you download a new map one license is used. Note that re-downloading the same map again does NOT use a license. For details on the registration procedure or how to install the program or maps please see other entries in our FAQ. 

General 

You haven't responded to any of my emails! 

We do respond to all emails we receive, usually within a few business days. If you do not hear from us within a few day then your email address may be inactive or you may have quoted an incorrect email address on your order. There are many reasons why email may not be delivered. If possible quote an alternative email address when asking for help in case we can’t contact you on your primary email address. We suggest you also check your SPAM filters in case they may be blocking our emails. 

Registration 

My key does not work! What is wrong? 

The key and serial number are based on the user name of your PDA. If you have a Palm then please HotSync your Palm so the HotSync Username gets set. If you have a PocketPC then set the Name on the Owner page of the PocketPC Settings. Then try the key again. If it still does not work then please email us the new serial number shown on the registration screen in HandMap. 

Registration 

I still haven't received a key for my map purchase? 

If you ONLY purchased a map product, you won't receive a registration key. The registration key is for unlocking some features of the Viewer software. If you ordered the US COUNTY maps product, you don't need a registration key (ie. the HandMap viewer will view the county maps), but you DO need a registration key if you are trying to view ANY of the City Maps products, or the free maps such as the World Atlas. You only need to purchase the software ONCE, but can order multiple map products. 

General 

Can I please phone you to help with my problem? 

Sorry but we do not provide telephone support. We provide support by email only. We specialize in providing a cost effective mapping solutions that cannot be matched by the large companies. To help us respond to you quickly and effectively make sure you fully describe the problem you are having. Please describe the steps you have taken and the problem you are encountering in as much detail as you can. Also please tell us what handheld you are using and the version of HandMap you are using. If you are a customer then please quote your member ID. 

Errors 

I'm getting 'Invalid Map Owner'. What do I do? 

The maps are encoded with your serial number so they can only be used on your PDA. The serial number is based on the user name of your PDA. If you have a Palm then please HotSync your Palm so the HotSync Username gets set. If you have a PocketPC then set the Name on the Owner page of the PocketPC Settings. Then try to open the map again. If it still does not work then please email us the new serial number shown on the registration screen in HandMap. 

Maps 

What does each credit in a 4/5 map pack get me? 

Each map credit allows you to download ONE map. Maps vary in size considerably but have a maximum size limit. Counties or cities which are very large are broken into a number of maps. For example, Los Angeles county is broken into 5 maps. To get all of L.A. would require 5 US County Map credits. If you require more credits then you can purchase another map pack from our web store. 

Registration 

Where is my key? 

If you have purchased the HandMap or GPS Plugin programs then your key will be shown at the top of the member area main page. The serial number shown in HandMap is not your key. The serial number is recorded in the member area when you first setup your account. The key is then generated based on that serial number. 

General 

Can I upgrade my Palm or PocketPC and keep my software? 

Yes. You are licensed to have the software installed on one device. You don't need to pay again to transfer to a new device. If you buy a new device then uninstall it from your previous device and install it from our web site onto your new device. If your Owner Name in the PocketPC Settings is the same then your key and maps will still be valid. If it has changed then send us an email with the new serial number shown in HandMap on your new device. You can upgrade even if you change your device from a PocketPC to a Palm or vice versa. On a Palm the key is based on the HotSync User Name rather than the Owner Name. 

Purchasing 

How do I buy maps? 

The easiest way is to use the secure online ordering method. Once your order has been authorized you will be sent a notification Email giving you access to our member area. Once you have registered on our member area you can download the maps of your choice. 

Errors 

I'm getting the message 'You must register to view this map'. What does this mean? 

The map you are trying to view requires you to purchase and register the HandMap viewer program. We sell the map viewer program separately from the map data. To use the maps you have purchased you need to buy the HandMap viewer as well. The only maps that can be used without purchasing the viewer program are the "US County Maps". Go to our online store to purchase a copy. 

Purchasing 

Can I upgrade my Palm or PocketPC and keep my software? 

Yes. You are licensed to have the software installed on one device. You don't need to pay again to transfer to a new device. If you buy a new device then uninstall it from your previous device and install it from our web site onto your new device. If your HotSync User Name is the same then your key and maps will still be valid. If it has changed then send us an email with the new serial number shown in HandMap on your new device. You can upgrade even if you change your device from a Palm to a PocketPC or vice versa. On PocketPC the key is based on your Owner Name in the PocketPC Settings rather than the HotSync User Name. 

Registration 

I have purchased the US County Maps, where's my key? 

You should receive an email detailing how to download your maps. For the County Maps you don't need to register the HandMap viewer software (for all other map products you do, however). So, you can just ignore the "evaluation only" message. 

Installing - PocketPC 

How do I install maps onto my Windows CE device? 

The simplest way is to use the HandMap Installer. You can download and install this program to your Windows PC from our download page. Once the program is installed you can simply double-click on any map file ending with a .HMP extension. It will be immediately copied to your PocketPC. You PocketPC must be powered on and connected to ActiveSync. If a map file has a PDB extension you may rename it to a HMP extension. Note that you can also use this tool to remove all map files from the PocketPC. To manually install map files follow this procedure. Start up ActiveSync by connecting your handheld to your PC. Then start the ActiveSync Explorer. Now copy the HMP/PDB file to the '\My Documents\Maps' directory on your handheld by dragging and dropping it into the explorer window. 

Maps 

Why do you have two US map products? 

We have two US map products - US City maps and US County maps. First is our county maps product. It covers all counties in the US and is based on county boundaries. It includes all streets within the county. It covers city as well as country areas. You only need to pay for the maps. The viewer program is free. You can purchase a full subscription of all counties or packs of 5 maps at a time. Secondly we have our city maps product. It is similar to the county maps but only covers a short list of large cities. It includes all streets but with the addition of points of interest - shopping, accommodation, restaurants, etc. To use this product you need to purchase the map viewer program (HandMap) as well as the maps. The maps can be purchased as a full subscription or in packs of 4. 

Maps 

Can I download all my maps at once or get a CD with all maps? 

No. The maps are encoded as you download them with your serial number. This ties the maps to your device so they cannot be copied and used on another device. This simple copy protection scheme helps to protect us and to keep our prices low. We also sell and market our products as subscriptions that are intended to be used as needed. We encourage you to download the maps you need at the time you need them rather than getting everything at once. 

Purchasing 

Can I purchase a second-hand PDA that comes with HandMap pre-installed? 

The license for HandMap and map subscriptions is with a user and not for a device. The license cannot be transferred to another user. You can transfer the license to another device that YOU own if you remove it from the previous device. This allows you to upgrade devices and keep your software. But you cannot sell a device with HandMap installed. It should be removed before you sell it. 

Maps 

I can't open the free overview maps. Why not? 

Normally we charge for our maps AND the HandMap program. But there are a few overview maps (including the world map) that are free. But they can only be used with the paid version of the HandMap viewer program. 

Installing - PalmOS 

Can I store the program and/or maps on my storage card (SD, MMC or CF) on my Palm? 

You can store your maps on storage cards, but must leave the program and plugins in Main Memory. For maps, currently you must store them in the "/Palm/Programs/HandMap" directory on the storage card. The easiest way to do this is to HotSync the maps directly to your handheld RAM. If you wish to place the map on an expansion card then choose the map in the map list screen and tap on the Move button. This will put it on the card in the correct directory and create the directory if required. Do not HotSync directly to the expansion card. This will place it in the wrong directory. The program files should be kept in RAM, not on a card. 

GPS 

Why does the A-GPS on my Palm not work with the GPS Plugin? 

The Assisted GPS supported by some smartphones is not actually a GPS at all. It provides your location details to the network operator for emergency use. It can also be used by the network operator to provide location based services. There is no interface on the phone to get this location information. The HandMap GPS plugin is therefore not supported on this device. It only support NMEA compliant GPS satellite receivers. 

Installing - PalmOS 

What is a ZIP file? 

A ZIP file is a compressed collection of many files. It is a common way to deliver files over the internet. You will need a ZIP program to extract the contents of the ZIP archive. The most popular such program for windows is called WinZIP. UltimateZip is also quite good and is free - www.ultimatezip.com. For a Mac you can use the free StuffIt Expander - www.stuffit.com. 

Installing - PocketPC 

The GPS Plugin "G" icon doesn't show at the bottom right of the HandMap screen. 

First make sure you have the latest version of HandMap installed from our download page. Then check the Options menu Misc. page Plugin Dir. This should be set to the directory you installed the GPS Plugin into - by default "\program files\handmap\". If you change the setting then choose the exit menu in HandMap and restart. 

Installing - PalmOS 

How do I install HandMap onto my Palm? 

You need to use the Palm Install Tool to HotSync the programs to your PalmOS handheld. Please see the 'readme.txt' file included in the ZIP file for instructions. 

Installing - PocketPC 

Can I put my maps on a card on my PocketPC? 

Yes you can. You can place the maps in any directory on your PocketPC RAM or expansion card. But you must tell HandMap were to look for maps. The default is for maps to be stored in the "\my documents\maps" directory. Select the Maps menu to get the list of maps. Underneath the list of maps is a field labelled Dir. Enter the full directory path name of where your maps are stored (including the card identification) into this field. The list of maps should immediately be updated. 

Errors 

I'm still getting 'Fatal Exception' every time I start HandMap. 

Make sure you have the latest version of HandMap from our web site. Then try the following: * Delete HandMap completely from your Palm. (select the "Delete.." menu from the main Apps screen) * Press the "reset" button at the back of the Palm. * Install just the "handmap.prc" file (the main program). * Perform a HotSync. * Start HandMap on your Palm. > Does it start up without a crash?? If all is still OK... * Install just ONE map PDB file. * Perform a HotSync. * Start HandMap on your Palm. > Does it start up without a crash?? Repeat, and if it crashes, then the problem is with the LAST map PDB file you installed. 

Maps 

Can I make my own maps? 

Yes. You can create detailed maps with MapIt. This is a map vectorizing program for Windows 95/98/NT/XP. NOTE: All custom maps are output in the new HandMap 'layered' format which only registered copies of HandMap support. 

Errors 

Text on the map is unreadable on Palm 

Is the text of names on the map not readable on your Palm? Then please try changing the Font Shadow and Font Rotate options off. Select the Map/Options menu. Then on the Display page untick the two boxes at the top. Some Palm models experience text scrambling with these options turned on. 

Installing - PalmOS 

I have a Tungsten T|3 but cannot use the full screen with HandMap? 

The support for the virtual grafitti programming API was left out of the initial shipments of the Tungsten T|3. Palm have created a patch that you can download and install to fix this problem. NOTE: ONLY use this on the Tungsten T3. It will not help on any other Palms. Please install both PRC files in this ZIP using the Palm Install Tool. http://www.handmap.net/Palm/T3_DIA_Compatibility_prcs.zip