CruiseControl
BackupBuddy Software
http://www.backupbuddy.com

WARNING

This application contains code that directly manipulates your organizer's hardware in an unsupported fashion. It can potentially damage or crash your organizer and lead to data loss. Please be sure to have a good backup prior to installing and while running this application.

Introduction

Using CruiseControl may allow you to speed up your Palm Organizer by as much as 60%, as measured by Neil Bridge's BenchMark application. CruiseControl works by decreasing the number of wait-states for access to DRAM and the number of cycles required for DRAM address multiplexing. It does not interfere with HotSync or beaming operations and does not alter the system clock speed. Additionally, its settings are preserved after a soft-reset.

CruiseControl only works with Palm Organizers that use the Motorola DragonBallEZ Microprocessor (MC68EZ328) such as the PalmV and PalmIIIX. It should not be used on other Palm devices.

Usage

Using CruiseControl is very easy. Simply launch the program and select your cruising speed: clicking Fast enables it (and speeds up your organizer) and clicking Slow disables it (and returns your organizer to it's normal speed).

If for some reason CruiseControl introduces system instability, you should immediately disable it and/or soft-reset your organizer while holding down the scroll up key to prevent CruiseControl from starting up again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this program needed when there are more feature-rich and free alternatives (e.g. Afterburner)? I wrote this program mainly for my own use. Afterburner is a great app, but I did not require all its features and wanted an app that had a small footprint on the device. In addition, Afterburner does not currently preserve the "Preferences" settings for speeding up memory access after a soft-reset, though the author is planning to incorporate this feature into a future version.
Why is CruiseControl not implemented as a HackMaster Hack? CruiseControl does not patch any system calls, and as far as I know there is no way to write a hack that doesn't patch system calls.
Can you make CruiseControl any smaller? Possibly in a future version.
Can you make CruiseControl make my PalmV/IIIx go even faster? Not at this time. If you're looking for more of a speed boost, please check out Afterburner.
Is CruiseControl compatible with ScreenHack/Afterburner? Quite possibly. I haven't tried them together, however.

License and Copyright Information

Please do not redistribute CruiseControl without this ReadMe file. If you would like to redistribute CruiseControl, please contact BackupBuddy Software: support@backupbuddy.com

LIMITED WARRANTY

NO WARRANTIES. Alexander Hinds/BackupBuddy Software expressly disclaim any warranty for the CruiseControl. It and any related documentation is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, the implied warranties or merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or noninfringement. The entire risk arising out of use or performance of the CruiseControl remains with you.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. In no event shall Alexander Hinds/BackupBuddy Software or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this product, even if Alexander Hinds/BackupBuddy Software have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Credits

Special thanks go to Jean-Paul Gavini of Afterburner fame for his help and support in developing this program.

Version History

1.01 - July 9, 1999 - Minor tweak to startup code after soft-reset. All users should upgrade.
1.0 - July 8, 1999. First public release.