However, while buying a case for your device (as we've discussed in a previous column) will help, there are some risks that no amount of care or paranoia will protect against. Some of these problems are just wear and tear on the device. So, the heavier your usage, the more likely you are to encounter them. Others are due to either poor engineering or planned obsolescence, with the device designed with just enough care to, hopefully (on the part of the manufacturer), get it past the warranty period. More frequently it's a combination of several of these issues. It seems like each device has its own set of characteristic problems. Fortunately, there are people out there to help you when things go wrong. My own experiences have primarily been with the Palm T|X. Based on a Web search, the two most common issues with this unit, other than straight mechanical breakage, are malfunctioning power switches and deteriorating or failed digitizes. There are a number of online vendors selling PDA replacement components but, like all things on the Web, not all are as reliable as others. Two vendors that appear to rate as above average, and with whom I worked on this column, are DirectFix.com (Formerly PdaParts.com and part of AX Micro Solutions) and Used PDA Parts . Note that, while Used PDA Parts did indeed start out selling recycled, but guaranteed, components; these days, unless stated otherwise, they are shipping new parts. Many original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are available from both of these vendors. However, both of them also carry a number of custom designed replacement parts that are superior to the OEM's. An example of this is the replacement power switch that Used PDA Parts sells. One of the more frustrating things with using a PDA is when the power

Source: Scientific Computing