Database Users

Moving 'My Documents' to Storage after BS mod

Happy New year to all
I've been following with this site for quite sometime until i decide to switch from HP 6365 to o2 Mini/Magician.
I've successfully mod my Mini to BS with TMob 1.13 rom & 1.13 Radio. I'm just wondering if there's any possibilities to hack the default My Documents which resides in RAM to Storage. After all I still have 17MB free Storage after BS even having all my apps install in it.
I've tried few apps with registry editor but can't find anything that relates to My Documents location. What i mean is like Windows XP where you can change the default My Doc's from \Doc..& Settings..\User...etc to the folder that you want . eg: D:\My Documents
This will actually save a little time to backup the My Documents contents in the event you get a corrupted or format your C:\ in Windows Xp or Hard Reset in the case of PPC. Simply do a restore & I have the last state that i wanted or backup.
My intention is to configure my PPC with alll the customize apps, settings & etc and do a backup. In the event i need to do a Hard Reset, i'll just need to restore my OS from backup without the needs to backup or lose anything especially the My Documents. Like i said, restore & i have the last state of OS & cofig of the last state that i wanted to.
Been searching this forum but the search functions doesn't find me any results that relate to this. Anyone have such a wild idea?
Here's my apps in storage.
SPB Pocket Plus 3
Sprite Backup 3
PocketX Photo Contact Pro 4
Cab Installer
Vcard Receiver
Flexwallet 2006
Resco Explorer
Sk Tools
Tweaks2K
Ampda Camera

kanryu said:
I'm just wondering if there's any possibilities to hack the default My Documents which resides in RAM to Storage. After all I still have 17MB free Storage after BS even having all my apps install in it.
[...]
My intention is to configure my PPC with alll the customize apps, settings & etc and do a backup. In the event i need to do a Hard Reset, i'll just need to restore my OS from backup without the needs to backup or lose anything especially the My Documents. Like i said, restore & i have the last state of OS & cofig of the last state that i wanted to.
Been searching this forum but the search functions doesn't find me any results that relate to this. Anyone have such a wild idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wild Idea: Leave your "My Documents" folder where it is. Use Sprite Backup to do regular (scheduled, automatically running) backups of your device and save this backup to storage as an compressed exe. That way, after a hard reset you only have to launch File Explorer, start the backup file, restore, reset, takes less than 2 minutes. Depending on how many programs are stored in RAM (non-BS) and how many/how large documents are on your device it should work flawlessly.

Thanks for the info & kind attentions. I do practice a good backup.
I'm just looking at the hack/mod as a "bonus" if it is possible.
Cheers!

kanryu: since you suggested it, try to test this out.
I suggest you do this before installing any other app, because My Documents is a system setting used in many installations and they may get confused.
HKLM > Explorer > Shell Folders > My Documents
The storage card isn't always available at boot up, so again, it might cause problems. Storage might be a better idea then storage card. But this can already be configured in the options menu in Notes, at least.
V

Perhaps you can move all of the stuff to the storage ( not the card) and then put a shortcut from main memory to the storage card directory?

with some registry modifications as well. Some software only default the storage of data to \My Documents folder so merely moving everything to Storage and creating a shortcut won't do.

O2mini_noob: which registry mods did you use?
Have you guys tried the registry keys above?
V

I have tried this hack long time ago, wishing I counld change BT dir, but it did not work.. Storage Card & Storage, both failed...
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Explorer\Shell Folders]
"Templates"="\\Storage\\My Documents\\Templates"
"Windows"="\\Windows"
"StartUp"="\\Windows\\StartUp"
"Recent"="\\Windows\\Recent"
"Programs"="\\Windows\\Programs"
"Program Files"="\\Program Files"
"My Documents"="\\My Documents"
"Fonts"="\\Windows\\Fonts"
"Favorites"="\\Windows\\Favorites"
"Desktop"="\\Windows\\Desktop"
"Application Data"="\\Application Data"
as you can see.. only templates works ( since it's not related to the OS it self )... I tried changing Fonts dir as well, did not work either
I guess this has to do with the OS it self... so it is impossible to change it..

sorry Vijay, I was merely adding to stevedebi's quote of moving the entire \My Documents to storage. Obviously you have to do some registry changes to make it happen but wouldn't be as easy as that.

To OP.
I *think* I have a similar problem to you.
Basically I want to sync my files to/from my PC/PDA but the ram on my blueangel is way to small where as my 1 gig SD ram has vastly more than I need.
Now, i have managed to relocate my Sync briefcase on the PC to d:\briefcase. All well and good, this now trys to sync to the Pda's volatile ram way to much data .... so, im half way there.
Now, how can I tell the sync software or PDA's OS to sync to a folder on the SD RAM card?
I know I can put the SDcard into my PC but this is not what I want to achieve, i want it to be seemless and done in the craddle much like contacts etc are done.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!

vijay555 said:
kanryu: since you suggested it, try to test this out.
I suggest you do this before installing any other app, because My Documents is a system setting used in many installations and they may get confused.
HKLM > Explorer > Shell Folders > My Documents
The storage card isn't always available at boot up, so again, it might cause problems. Storage might be a better idea then storage card. But this can already be configured in the options menu in Notes, at least.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this before. Everything under this tree has been rename to \storage\my documents But after a soft reset, some of the key will revert back to default. ???
Seems like only those template folder are moveable. I'm started to suspect \My Documents are not fully handled by registry.
I'm wondering how clean the system can be if you need a 3rd party software to edit the registry such as Resco, PHM & etc. I know it's best to do it with a clean system but.... unless there's a way to edit the registry out of the PPC, or there's a standalone executeable software, which I have yet to found.
I'll see what can be figured out next. Hopefully this idea is not a 'fat hope' :?

Don't you guys try to create another "My Documents" folder in the BS and link to it a shortcut (from today)?
I have put to c-launch a link to /storage card/my documents and all is well!!!

Contacts: Sim to Memory

Is there any way to transfer my contacts from my sim card to my phone memory, or my memory stick?
Thanks!

You can do that through the Sim Manger application. there should be a shortcut in the Programs menu. if you have deleted the shortcut it should be under the \windows directory. You can select all of the contacts there and use the menu to select "save to Contacts"

Thank you very much . Is there anyway to transfer from phone to simcard just in case I need to switch my phone?

Yeah, that's the question.

use this freeware to select all contacts and copy them to sim card

Thank you so much, just what I needed, I'll give it a try.
Oh, BTW, does anyone have an idea how to edit your contact's information via computer? I've tried but I can't seem to figure it out. I find it a really big hassle to edit everyone's information through my 8125 because I just transferred them from the sim card so I only have their names and numbers. I have a lot of contacts. :? Thanks if anyone can help.

Oh, BTW, does anyone have an idea how to edit your contact's information via computer? I've tried but I can't seem to figure it out. I find it a really big hassle to edit everyone's information through my 8125 because I just transferred them from the sim card so I only have their names and numbers. I have a lot of contacts. Thanks if anyone can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do it through MS Outlook>Contacts. Sync and edit, and sync again. I use Outlook 2003.

Oh, so simple, thank you! I tried it before but I was using Outlook Express so I guess it didn't work.

to sync data from OE you would need 3rd party software like
http://www.syncdata.it/faq.html
This is a link to their FAQ page.

abuawab said:
use this freeware to select all contacts and copy them to sim card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I extracted the files and copy them to my vario (program files on the ) card, but how do I get it to work or install them? Thanks.
... heheh.. sorry for the stupid question...

nixter said:
abuawab said:
use this freeware to select all contacts and copy them to sim card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I extracted the files and copy them to my vario (program files on the ) card, but how do I get it to work or install them? Thanks.
... heheh.. sorry for the stupid question...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a stupid question mate, I can't figure it out either, :lol:

Backup Contacts

Any recommendations for software that'll backup my contacts? I really don't want to install Outlook, and I don't want to just copy them to SIM as this screws up the names and other stuff, as the SIM only holds a short name and 1 number.
I'm shutting the door after the horse has bolted here, as I just had to do a hard reset and have lost all my contacts that I've had for years.
I don't want to backup anything else, just contacts - preferably in a format that allows me to restore them exactly as there are: First Name, Last Name, Home, Mobile, Work numbers, e-mail addy, etc.
Thanks

New Version of PPcBckpContacts available
markmcrobie said:
Any recommendations for software that'll backup my contacts? I really don't want to install Outlook, and I don't want to just copy them to SIM as this screws up the names and other stuff, as the SIM only holds a short name and 1 number.
I'm shutting the door after the horse has bolted here, as I just had to do a hard reset and have lost all my contacts that I've had for years.
I don't want to backup anything else, just contacts - preferably in a format that allows me to restore them exactly as there are: First Name, Last Name, Home, Mobile, Work numbers, e-mail addy, etc.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made a tool for that long time ago, called PPCBckpContacts. This tool allows to backup/restore the contacts from/to any ppc running WM2005 or WM2003SE. Because the format of the DB changed between the 2 OS, two versions of the tool have been made.
The tool creates a .csv file, that you can edit in Excel.
**************************************************************************
Update in v1.6 :
- Removed the SD card presence check, now all backups can be saved wherever you want.
**************************************************************************
Update in v1.5 :
- Speed Dials backup/restore (.csd)
- Tasks backup/restore (.cst)
- Appointments backup/restore (.csa)
- Call Logs backup/restore (.csl)
Each backup type has its own file type (see above). Caution I changed the extension from previous versions for contacts (.csc). These 5 extensions are associated to the program, so they can be restored via explorer directly.
**************************************************************************
Update in v1.4 :
- fix for the notes (the contact notes were successfully exported to the csv file, but the import didn't work) (thanks lvlx for detecting the bug).
- VGA aware
Cheers,
.Fred

Thank You!
Thank You this will save me a LOT of time if my phone needs to be reset again. I have already had to redo my contact list twice because I don't use Outlook (and let me tell you, it is NOT fun).

will this take all contacts of my sim so i can resend them to be on my actual device.

sdnatlst said:
will this take all contacts of my sim so i can resend them to be on my actual device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, the contacts are taken from the pim database. I don't think the contacts from the SIM are stored in the PIM db.

That, sir, is brilliant - thank you.

I've signed up for a free exchange account at mail2web: http://live.mail2web.com/
This means you can get all your contacts back by just running active sync and a gprs or wifi connection. A good backup even if you have Outlook as it's remote and doesn't depend on your pc!

Just copy the pim.vol to SD card
A quick and effective backup method is to copy the pim.vol in the root directory to your SD card. I used this method when flashing my rom. You'll need to use Totalcommander to change the rights of the file after flashing because it's read-only, then copy the pim.vol from the SD to the root directory and reset and all should be well.
All credit to the original poster of the tip. I don't remember where I got it from either either here or howardforums.

tekknogenius said:
A quick and effective backup method is to copy the pim.vol in the root directory to your SD card. I used this method when flashing my rom. You'll need to use Totalcommander to change the rights of the file after flashing because it's read-only, then copy the pim.vol from the SD to the root directory and reset and all should be well.
All credit to the original poster of the tip. I don't remember where I got it from either either here or howardforums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with you except that it seems there is an incompatibility between the versions before AKU 3.2 and the ones after AKU 3.2
BTW In only tested AKU 2.3 and AKU 3.2, so I can't tell for the other versions.
I always copy the pim.vol to my SD card, but when I upgraded to AKU 3.2, I couldn't use my pim.vol, the contacts application just opens then closes directly.
The only solution I had, was to copy the pim.vol in the emulator on my pc and use PPcBckpContacts to have the backup, then I could restore my contacts on my ppc.
Cheers,
.Fred

sdnatlst said:
will this take all contacts of my sim so i can resend them to be on my actual device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use SKTools 3.0 ("SIM Contacts") to mass-copy the contacts to the central Contacts DB; then you can alsready export them.

dotfred said:
BTW In only tested AKU 2.3 and AKU 3.2, so I can't tell for the other versions.
I always copy the pim.vol to my SD card, but when I upgraded to AKU 3.2, I couldn't use my pim.vol, the contacts application just opens then closes directly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here - it's not compatible. I've also elaborated on this problem in the Backup Bible ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1270&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ).

Nice one Fred.
Is there a way you could develop this programme further to backup & restore calendar/previous call log/speed dial data probably found pim.vol ?
I tried copying pim.vol like you did and got the same error message when upgraded roms.
Thanks again for creating this cool utility.

eprana said:
Nice one Fred.
Is there a way you could develop this programme further to backup & restore calendar/previous call log/speed dial data probably found pim.vol ?
I tried copying pim.vol like you did and got the same error message when upgraded roms.
Thanks again for creating this cool utility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome...
For call log & speed dial, I need to study RIL protocol and MDAIIIUser already asked me to have a look, and I will see when I get time. For calendar, sms, emails it shouldn't be too difficult... But I need time, and I don't have a lot!
Cheers,
.Fred

dotfred said:
I made a tool for that long time ago, called PPCBckpContacts. This tool allows to backup/restore the contacts from/to any ppc running WM2005 or WM2003SE. Because the format of the DB changed between the 2 OS, two versions of the tool have been made.
The tool creates a .csv file, that you can edit in Excel.
Cheers,
.Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Fred,
I tried to download the WM2005 zip file and it says its not complete?
Thanks for help,
Ralph

dotfred said:
I made a tool for that long time ago, called PPCBckpContacts. This tool allows to backup/restore the contacts from/to any ppc running WM2005 or WM2003SE. Because the format of the DB changed between the 2 OS, two versions of the tool have been made.
The tool creates a .csv file, that you can edit in Excel.
Cheers,
.Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW, could you write a similar tool to all PIM databases? Then, your app would be unique - not even the latest version of SKTools is able to restore this kind of stuff.
I'll also post a news item to the PPCMag blog / on all PPC sites on this utility.

RswazzMDA said:
Hi Fred,
I tried to download the WM2005 zip file and it says its not complete?
Thanks for help,
Ralph
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is. Are you sure you've transferred PPCBckpContacts.exe to your PDA and executed in there (NOT on the desktop)?

Menneisyys said:
It is. Are you sure you've transferred PPCBckpContacts.exe to your PDA and executed in there (NOT on the desktop)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked! Not sure why it didn't work the first time. It works Awesome!
Thanks so much.
Ralph

Thank you nice program

dotfred said:
I made a tool for that long time ago, called PPCBckpContacts. This tool allows to backup/restore the contacts from/to any ppc running WM2005 or WM2003SE. Because the format of the DB changed between the 2 OS, two versions of the tool have been made.
The tool creates a .csv file, that you can edit in Excel.
Cheers,
.Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great idea and a potential life and time saver .Fred But how about a little instruction, and more information on your program Sir. Must it run from the device, or can it be run from the pc so long as the pim.vol file is available on the pc? Is it intrusive, eg will it cause any harm to the pim.vol db when it runs? Does it properly include ALL phone numbers, and notes for each contact in the resulting .csv file? Etc, etc.
I didn't see a reference to your own tool in the BackupBible but I have to admit I didn't read it thoroughly. If it is there and you could direct me to it that would be great. Very informative article btw.
Thank You,
Tref

Hey dotfred
i liked the backup application PPCBckpContacts, you made? whattools did you use to write the application?

TyTN, WMP problems

Randomely, my TyTN will no longer add mp3s on my microSD card to the library. it will search for files, find them, and then freeze while adding to library. also i can no longer sync mp3s to the microSD using WMP on my PC. any solutions?

Hi There,
I have the same problem. The only solution seems to be to delete the MSMETADATA folder from the storage card and add the tracks again. I can't find any other way of fixing it.
Hope this helps

that worked, thanks for the quick response! so this may happen again? odd glitch if you ask me...

pointything said:
Hi There,
I have the same problem. The only solution seems to be to delete the MSMETADATA folder from the storage card and add the tracks again. I can't find any other way of fixing it.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yip, This seems to be the standard way of dealing with this at present. For those that need a little more info:
Use native file explorer set it to show all files (hidden files) or use other file explorer to view hidden files,
Browse storage, delete hidden folder MSMETADATA,.
Update Library in WMP
Mike

mikechannon said:
Yip, This seems to be the standard way of dealing with this at present. For those that need a little more info:
Use native file explorer set it to show all files (hidden files) or use other file explorer to view hidden files,
Browse storage, delete hidden folder MSMETADATA,.
Update Library in WMP
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used that fix a number of times but now it doesn't work...
I've now flashed a new Rom Schaps 4.3 and formatted my SD Card. Still no luck!!!! Argggghhhh....
The card shows up in the camera app as well as file explorer, however both media players don't recognise it.....
Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.....
Thanks
Sammy
Edit/Delete Message

samlives said:
I've used that fix a number of times but now it doesn't work...
I've now flashed a new Rom Schaps 4.3 and formatted my SD Card. Still no luck!!!! Argggghhhh....
The card shows up in the camera app as well as file explorer, however both media players don't recognise it.....
Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.....
Thanks
Sammy
Edit/Delete Message
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the problem occur immediately after flashing the Schaps Rom?
If it did then you may get more help asking in the Schaps 4.3 thread as it may be a Schaps registry setting or a change being loaded by a program in that ROM.
Mike

mikechannon said:
Did the problem occur immediately after flashing the Schaps Rom?
If it did then you may get more help asking in the Schaps 4.3 thread as it may be a Schaps registry setting or a change being loaded by a program in that ROM.
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok....just sorted it out.....But to answer your question, it happened before I loaded Schap's 4.3, I was using TNT....Now...here's how it was sorted.
Normally I don't sync with Windows Media Player, I just copy the files over onto the SD card using a USB adapter (which incidentally sometimes screws up my media player and that's when I delete METADATA, but it's far quicker than copying through the phone)...The problem fixed itself when I ticked the button to sync media player...it rewrote another METADATA and I can now see the card once more......
Have a great day
Sammy
(in sunny Byron Bay )

backing up phonebook before upgrade

Hey I was wandering if anyone knows if spb backup will work for the phonebook for upgrading the rom?

Im prettey sure it does backup the phone book but can't guarantee it.
If anything, just install the outlook 2007 demo on your computer and backup the phone book that way.

Yes Spb backup does work. I can now confirm this

nxtlidenno said:
Hey I was wandering if anyone knows if spb backup will work for the phonebook for upgrading the rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd try backing up using Active Sync first. If you want to back up to a micro SD card, Try the attached PIM program. Place this file in Windows/Start Menu/Programs
I've used this program on the Hermes before and tried it on my Titan. It seems to work well. It saved my butt when my laptop died and I accidentally deleted all the contacts from my Device.

rambo6 said:
I'd try backing up using Active Sync first. If you want to back up to a micro SD card, Try the attached PIM program. Place this file in Windows/Start Menu/Programs
I've used this program on the Hermes before and tried it on my Titan. It seems to work well. It saved my butt when my laptop died and I accidentally deleted all the contacts from my Device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a newer version of this software and it can be found in the development and hacking forum.

xfer them to the SIM, then the point is moot. Will never loose them during a hard re-set or a ROM upgrade

captainrick747 said:
xfer them to the SIM, then the point is moot. Will never loose them during a hard re-set or a ROM upgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no SIM in a Mogul.
You can store them on the Micro SD card I suppose.

nxtlidenno said:
Hey I was wandering if anyone knows if spb backup will work for the phonebook for upgrading the rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Copy the file pim.vol which you can find in file explorer in the root of the phone, then after upgrade replace it with the existing one using resco explorer.

rambo6 said:
I'd try backing up using Active Sync first. If you want to back up to a micro SD card, Try the attached PIM program. Place this file in Windows/Start Menu/Programs
I've used this program on the Hermes before and tried it on my Titan. It seems to work well. It saved my butt when my laptop died and I accidentally deleted all the contacts from my Device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
PIMBackup. Never any problems. Saves texts messages,appointments, phone calls, contacts and tasks. Never has given me any problem. Plus there is a new version just released.

An online solution...
I use dashwire for regular backups, does almost everything(no calendar yet...) even speed dials.
It's nice because even if you backup to an SD card and lose your phone, you still have your contacts.
I hate using outlook,but still use it once and a while.

wolfkorn said:
Copy the file pim.vol which you can find in file explorer in the root of the phone, then after upgrade replace it with the existing one using resco explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really all you have to do? can anybody confirm that this works?