Update: after nearly 90 minutes on chat with Palm, this is the conclusion:

Pauline> still frozen at datebook step. same prob.
Saben (the Palm support person)> Well, The issue is with the datebook data.
Pauline> shoudl i just give up and start over?
Pauline> any other recourse?
Saben> No, I have tried all the ways to resolve the issue.

Um, okay. Thanks.

Ah, Palm - In two weeks I won't even know ye.

Technology is a curse.