Database Users

Use PocketPC as USB mass storage

I wonder if there's any software to operate PocketPC as USB Stick available (like for Palm Tungsten T5 - Drive Mode)? So basically I would like to use PocketPC drives just as a USB Stick (without Activesync of course)
Thanks,
Georg

this cannot be done in software.

let me rehash this topic
Can anyone here kindly explain me why it aint possible to use PPC as USB MassStorageDevice? I know you need USB Host Controller chip to handle that stuff in hardware. Why cant we emulate its function in software? In the end its only sending signals to the pc?
How does the device upgrade process work then? you also have to transfer data to ppc rom here.
I know that it wont be easy to give a simple explanation, could anyone try it anyway?
thank you for your help!
regards,
Quappo

i think it would be possible to do in software
if it cant then it's because that it's hardcoded in the pda that when it interduce itself to the pc as a plug'n'play device it does so as a pda
if that cant be changed then you cant do it

I've found some interesting SW tools:
here: http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/#compatibility
and here : http://www.deje.gmxhome.de/download.html
You mast pay for the first one :?
but the second (if you like) it's free !
Have a look !!

Carlo said:
I've found some interesting SW tools:
here: ...
and here : http://www.deje.gmxhome.de/download.html
... the second (if you like) it's free !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were misleaded. The named tool can be used on PDAs having USB host functionality to connect other hard drives. It won't let your PDA be recognized as a USB stick.

Yes - in general case you can do it.
It is possible to write software which allow to represent PPC with USB end-point hardware as USB Mass Storage device.
Question is - how?
It seems device will need to supply correct descriptors at USB enumeration process and device will have to correctly process appropriate comands from host device (PC or something else)
again - how?
It seems someone will need to write low level software to manage USB endpoint hardware in PPC. it may look like kernel mode driver.
What to need? - doc for USB endpoint device and ability to write driver to manage this hardware.
It isn't difficult - but every PPC will need own device driver.
Or if the USB dev has some interface to supply descriptors and process commands from host (internal - inside system, or app level) - it can be done at some level of abstraction.
Resume
- it is possible
- need to know details about device and USB interface in this PPC.

ryhor - soft stick export does it perfectly. Either use that, or reverse engineer it...
Very useful for non activesynced pcs: keep a copy of activesync install on your SD card, use softstick, install activesync from PPC "usb drive", then switch over to activesync and sync away.
V

vijay555 said:
ryhor - soft stick export does it perfectly. Either use that, or reverse engineer it...
Very useful for non activesynced pcs: keep a copy of activesync install on your SD card, use softstick, install activesync from PPC "usb drive", then switch over to activesync and sync away.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems very interesting. Can you tell me how the PPC shows on the Windows PC desktop? It has mostly two drives then, a possible SD card included.
Can you change the drive letter via local disk management?
Happen to know if it would work on Jasjar?
Huib

I've no idea how it works on WM5, you'll have to check their site: either way, I'm sure they're working on it.
How it works: you get a little icon in your tray (on Today screen). From there you can choose either to activesync or USB Drive when you connect your usb lead. You can choose which drive to use as a usb drive, ie storage or storage card. Only one at a time though.
Then, stick in your usb lead, and after a few seconds of recognising new hardware, it'll recognise the phone as a standard USB drive, ie a normal drive. I believe the drive letter can be changed in drive management.
I don't think it needs any drivers on >WinXP.
V

vijay555 said:
I've no idea how it works on WM5, you'll have to check their site: either way, I'm sure they're working on it.
How it works: you get a little icon in your tray (on Today screen). From there you can choose either to activesync or USB Drive when you connect your usb lead. You can choose which drive to use as a usb drive, ie storage or storage card. Only one at a time though.
Then, stick in your usb lead, and after a few seconds of recognising new hardware, it'll recognise the phone as a standard USB drive, ie a normal drive. I believe the drive letter can be changed in drive management.
I don't think it needs any drivers on >WinXP.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will defenitely buy this stuff when they make a Universal Version.
Huib

if it works on wm2005 then it works on universal too

"USB Mass Storage Device" Software

Hi,
Just like the new feature in WM5 "USB Mass Storage Device" there is a software package which does the same.
It turns the USB port of your Pocket Pc in a Dumb USB Memory stick. Check out http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/
BUT Sadly.... the site say's the following:"i-Mate
Model Processor type Test result Notes
Jam Intel PXA27x Doesn't work yet
So I need other potential users who think they gonna buy the software when it works on the Magician! They say We are permanently developing support for the new devices. Tell us what device support do you need.
Drop them a Mail or message on http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/ and hopefully they will develop soon a nice to have tool (and long waited for one) for the Magician!
Or maybe somebody else knows a alternative (yeah yeah, i would like to say the wm5 will come soon to the magician)
Take care , Tom from Holland
Stupid me, Didn;t use the search option long enough, find a cross posting : http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=23233 was allready there. Looks like they fixed the [problem, unofficial it works now thanx to DES.

If I read from the website :
Accessing storage card has never been easier!
Switch USB mode from Active Sync to Card Export
Insert your Pocket PC into cradle or connect to USB cable
And after few seconds desktop drivers automatically mount cards as a logical disk!
What is special in it? Cant you do it using ActiveSync?

gogol said:
If I read from the website :
Accessing storage card has never been easier!
Switch USB mode from Active Sync to Card Export
Insert your Pocket PC into cradle or connect to USB cable
And after few seconds desktop drivers automatically mount cards as a logical disk!
What is special in it? Cant you do it using ActiveSync?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all machines have ActiveSync installed. With Card Export installed, you ppc can be treated as a card reader (no driver for Win2k or above).

Using card export for Car Radio's.
Is there someone who tested it also with USB Car Radio systems? They sell car radio's where you can put in your USB key/stick and the Car radio starts playing the MP3 songs on that stick!
It would be awesome if you could connect you Jam to you radio system this way!
Take Care, Tom from Holland.

I Got a quick and complete answer back from them!
A reply for my request:
Dear Tom
This letter contains a reply to your request support to Softick Support Team.
Please don't reply to this e-mail. Use the link above instead.
Reply date - 2005-06-17
Thank you for your request.
As far as I know, Card Export II should work with Car radio, because we have reports that Card Export II for Palm OS works with Car radio. Anyway, you'll be able to download trial version and try it before buying.
We are planning to support your device in our updated version today or tomorrow.
Sincerely yours
G M
If you'd like to reply on this message, please use our web interface.Your personal link is

works! mda compact..

gogol said:
If I read from the website :
Accessing storage card has never been easier!
Switch USB mode from Active Sync to Card Export
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I switch form Active Sync to card export?

Typically RTFM!
Or start CE2 on your magician, you'll get a icon in your tray, tick it and setup preferences & default card. Then tick Card Export in the same menu. Now your magacian isn't using the SD anymore. On your PC disable AS usb connection & plugin the usb at both ends. Now your mass storage device will be installed.
regards, M

So this is not possible without CE?
andreas

An USB2 card-reader is the fastest solution.
M

oltp said:
An USB2 card-reader is the fastest solution.
M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not everyone has a card reader at home and not everyone has activesync installed. i.e. i use CE when i'm at university and i need to bring my work with me, or when i'm at one of my friends' home and he shows me his latest mp3 collection...
I don't usually bring a usb key with me (and even when i do, my key has only 128MB Vs my jam SD card's 1GB) while my jam is ALWAYS with me. Sure, you'll need a mini usb cable but, fortunately, many digital cameras, scanners, printers and so on have one.
That said, I think CE is one of the most useful programs out there.
Just my two cents...
Bye bye,
Isidoro
PS: starting from 2.04, Card ExportII is FULLY compatible with our Magicians.
PS2: I'm DEFINITELY NOT a CE developer!!! Bye

oltp said:
An USB2 card-reader is the fastest solution.
M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not everyone has a card reader at home and not everyone has activesync installed. i.e. i use CE when i'm at university and i need to bring my work with me, or when i'm at one of my friends' home and he shows me his latest mp3 collection...
I don't usually bring a usb key with me (and even when i do, my key has only 128MB Vs my jam SD card's 1GB) while my jam is ALWAYS with me. Sure, you'll need a mini usb cable but, fortunately, many digital cameras, scanners, printers and so on have one.
That said, I think CE is one of the most useful programs out there.
Just my two cents...
Bye bye,
Isidoro
PS: starting from 2.04, Card ExportII is FULLY compatible with our Magicians.
PS2: I'm DEFINITELY NOT a CE developer!!! Bye

deleted

I agree CE is the best option (I'm still in the trial period), only having WM5 & CE apparently being not compatible you need that card-reader or settle for low speed LOL
First advantage of not having WM5 second is VGS push-mail

Perfect. I just tried it, and it works flawlessly straight out of the box.

wireframe9 said:
Perfect. I just tried it, and it works flawlessly straight out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On what device?

i-Mate JAM, ROM 1.12.00 WWE, Radio 1.12.10, ExtROM 1.12.149 WWE.
Now, all I need is USB host support

XDA mini s as a USB Pen Drive?

Hello.
Just got my XDA Mini S today and am in the process of upgrading the ROM and doing some other custimizations to it before I start using it. One thing that I do not yet have is a miniSD card. I am leaning towards getting a 2GB card, but as I recently got an iPod Nano I know that I will not be using the XDA as my main music source. I do however make frequent use of USB PenDrives and would get the 2GB card if the XDA can be used as one. So my question is as follows: if I plug in the XDA into any computer will it show up as an portable drive or does it require the instilation of the software everytime? I only have one computer (and no miniSD card ) so I have no means of testing this. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for the help!
Pomidor

USB Pen Drive
Hi - if I understand you correctly - you are correct in assuming you would need to install ActivSync on all machines you require the device to connect too and establish a paternership with each PC. Not ideal.
However if you were able to do this this device shows as a "mobile device" under "My Computer" and you can use explorer to do all the normal file transfer options - cut, copy paste etc.
You could look at utilising the Bluetooth or Infrared ports to transfer files to the SD card - however the receiving PC would need to be capable of accepting files in this way - indeed a bluetooth partnership would need to be established with each PC also - so maybe no improvement over ActivSync.
I hope this helps - indeed someone out there may now of an easy after market program that could do it. :lol:

Hi,
I use softick's CardExport II (version 2.11) to switch between ActiveSync mode and USB PenDrive mode.
Version 2.12 is available, but that doesn't work for me; it doesn't recognise the PenDrive with it. Version 2.11 however is working like a charme for me.
Cheers,
Cacti

Transfer files from Mac OS X to HTC Elf/Touch/P3450 using USB (and not BT)

Hi Guys, Is anyone aware of a free program to transfer large files (say MP3 files) from my Macbook to WM6 phone (HTC Touch/Elf/P3450).
I have been successfully using SyncMate to connect to my HTC Touch and hence the USB connection works fine, so I believe that there should be a simple way to transfer files quickly to the storage card on my HTC. (I dont want to use Bluetooth as I need to transfer lots n lots of songs to my device..)
Thanks in advance for your expert views!
Cheers

SD Card reader is my suggestion.

So without buying a SD Card Reader Hardware, there is no other solution? Coz Macbook doesnt come with a (Micro) SD Card Reader..I was thinking that since SyncMate was able to connect to HTC via USB, there might be some other software or just some settings in Mac (or *nix) that need to be changed..

Just had a brain wave Since I already have boot camp installed on my Macbook, I just copied all the songs that I wanted to transfer onto my Windows Desktop from within Macbook. Next, just restarted my Mac in Windows and using ActiveSync and USB Cable, transferred the songs onto the storage device on my HTC!

I'm using Missing Sync on my Mac (around 35$). You can mount the SD card of the mobile phone on the desktop as a USB drive.

Hey, since we are on this topic.
I was thinking about getting a Macbook Pro, but don't want to give up my Touch Elfin P3452.
Will Mac OS X communicate with WM6 or ?

Yes it wud work , BUT u need to have EITHER Boot Camp installed on your Macbook (Boot Camp - used for booting into Windows) OR as suggested above, use Missing Sync..(I was unable to get Missing Sync trial edition working on my Macbook though..)
Alternatively other complicated approach could be to use some OS level commands..I had seen a blog somewhere which mentioned about using Unix Level commands to achieve the same..

Actually if you don't need to transfer big files (>5MB or so is quite tough), sync, or use huge speed you can use Bluetooth to transfer files and tether. As said before SyncMate for Mac is a nice free solution for syncing certain things. Missing Sync and PocketMac are full-fledged syncers you need to pay for.
Alternatively you can use Windows in BootCamp, VMWare or Parallels, but I really hate doing that because it's a bulky thing.

HD Mini and Apple computer

Hello,
After 2 days of using HD Mini I must say I am very pleased... the only major complaint is that the phone hangs up after connecting to my macbook and to my iMac. I know that this is a windows phone and I don't expect it to synchronize and so on, but my previous phone ( HTC Diamond) connected to mac computer acts normally- it is seen as external disk drive, I can copy files to memory and charge it from the laptop battery if needed. HD Mini freezes and I cannot even switch it off- I need to disconnect battery! Do you think it is something wrong with my phone or all of them act like this? Has anyone try to connect HD Mini to Apple computer? Thank you very much for any info!

Hi,
You can sync the HD mini with Apple iCal, Address Book and some iTunes music (and more) thanks to utilities like Mark/Space Missing Sync for Windows Mobile. It works through USB or Bluetooth links (it uses the MS ActiveSync protocol).
The USB mass storage mode of the HD mini seems to have problem with Apple computers. I'm experiencing the same troubles as you are with both a MacBook and an iMac. Some driver update is probably required.
Regards

Thank you!
problem solved at least partially...
using missing sync for now and hope HTC to release update to storage mode
Regards and many thanks

robertszydlo said:
Hello,
After 2 days of using HD Mini I must say I am very pleased... the only major complaint is that the phone hangs up after connecting to my macbook and to my iMac. I know that this is a windows phone and I don't expect it to synchronize and so on, but my previous phone ( HTC Diamond) connected to mac computer acts normally- it is seen as external disk drive, I can copy files to memory and charge it from the laptop battery if needed. HD Mini freezes and I cannot even switch it off- I need to disconnect battery! Do you think it is something wrong with my phone or all of them act like this? Has anyone try to connect HD Mini to Apple computer? Thank you very much for any info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine does exactly this. Freezes and I too have to remove the battery. If I set the HD Mini to 'ActiveSync' mode, I can charge the battery from the Apple (Mac Mini in my case), but cannot access the storage card.
I use the free version of SyncMate to sync the HD Mini with my Mac, I couldn't get this to work via BlueTooth (which worked with my TG01), naturally can't get it to work via USB either, but eventually had success using WiFi to sync.

please everyone having this problem....report to HTC let's hope they fix the mass storage mode

robertszydlo said:
please everyone having this problem....report to HTC let's hope they fix the mass storage mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this yesterday!
I should say, I don't think setting the connection type to 'ActiveSync' prevented a crash after all. I think it just delayed it!

I'm using SyncMate - works perfectly.
I'm not able to see SD card like USB storage, but via SyncMate I can connect to StorageCard and copy files.
It's not good way for big files (700 MB about 30 min), but for small is usable.

xeinyx said:
I'm using SyncMate - works perfectly.
I'm not able to see SD card like USB storage, but via SyncMate I can connect to StorageCard and copy files.
It's not good way for big files (700 MB about 30 min), but for small is usable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you have the full (paid!) version of SyncMate? I don't think you can sync to the SD card with the free version?
I can't get SyncMate to connect to the HD Mini using bluetooth, only WiFi. Is this 'normal' or am I just daft?

@ everyone -
If you have any problems while using SyncMate, please, contact our Support team at [email protected], thanks

If anyone else did report this to HTC, did you get any sense from them?
All I get back is bland statements about not supporting sync with the Mac, but to try 'MissingSync'. Surely connecting the HD Mini to MissingSync with USB will give the same lockup, won't it?
In case you are interested, here is the response from HTC so far:
Hello.
I have just received my (wonderful!) HTC HD Mini.
I am finding that if I connect the USB cable to my Apple Mac Mini, the request for 'ActiveSync, Disk Drive, Modem' pops up, then after selecting 'Disk Drive', the disk does not mount on the Apple desktop, but even worse, the HD Mini locks totally and I have to remove and replace the battery before it will respond again. I have tried turning the 'do not charge from PC if on' option on and off, but this doesn't help at all.
I have had other Windows Mobile devices (Samsung and Toshiba TG01) and these have had no problem connecting to the Mac in this way.
Can you suggest anything please?
Dear Mark
Thank you for your enquiry about Mac.
I'm sorry but we don't really have any support on Mac, but you can try Missing sync. Just search through Google and you should find it, for more support i recommend you to contact Mac. Have a nice day!
Best regards,
Hello.
Perhaps I didn't explain my problem very well. I can use SyncMate to sync my calendar and contact information between my HTC HD Mini and my Mac Mini, but only using a WiFi connection.
The problem starts when I try to use the USB Drive facilities on the HD Mini to transfer program, music and video files from the Mac to the HD Mini. As soon as I connect the USB cable to the HD Mini, the HD Mini locks totally and I have to remove the battery before I can restart it. I have used other Windows Mobile devices with the (same) Apple Mac Mini in exactly the same way and had no problems - only with the HD Mini.
I hear reports on the XDA-Developers HD Mini forum that at least one other HD Mini and Apple Mac owner has the exact same symptoms on attempting the same thing.
Hoping you can help.
Dear Mark
Thank you for your enquiry about 3rd party.
We don't have any support on Sync mate, so you will have to contact them for assistance in theis area. This includes Mac which we don't support. But sync with windows you can use Active sync 4,5 for xp, and windows mobile device center 6,1 for Win vista/7, if you need guidance please call into our support line below. Good luck!
Best regards,
Can I make my query perfectly clear as it appears as though my problem has been misinterpreted.
My problem is that connecting my HTC Mini to my Apple Mac Mini in order to use the USB disk drive transfer facility of the HD Mini causes the HD Mini to lock totally, requiring me to remove the battery from the HTC HD Mini to reset it and to continue working.
I have had no problem using the same feature on other Windows Mobile phones in exactly the same way, on the exact same Apple Mac, using the exact same operating system.
Other people have also reported problems using this facility with other Apple Mac models. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=680635) One user here is reporting that this feature has worked with other HTC Windows Mobile Models, but not the HD Mini.
It has to be said that I'm struggling to see how my first question has yet to be answered. Still. We live in hope...

Thanks for all your help...
Had this reply from HTC today:
Dear Mark Thank you for your enquiry about Mac. I'm sorry we don't support Mac, so we're not alowed to help you setup your hd-mini with a Mac operating system. For assistance on this you'll need to contact Mac, i'm sorry for the inconvenience! Best regards,
And my (final) words:
Thanks for your reply.
It seems a great pity that such a useful facility cannot be used in this model, when it was available in previous models.
Whilst I understand that you do not support the Mac, should a device designed to work to a universal standard, such as USB not work on all devices regardless of operating system? I have never had problems with other 'standard' USB disk drives on the Mac, they all work on Windows, Linux and Mac machines. I would have expected the HD Mini to do so also, if not for the Sync features (which I expected) and not only for the WiFi and Bluetooth (which do work as expected on the Mac) but certainly for the USB disk facilities, facilities that do work on competing Windows Mobile Devices.
Should you try connecting the HD Mini to any Macs that you or your team may own and discover the reason for the lock-ups, please contact me.
Personally, I'd say that the problem lies with HTC - not Apple, but it doesn't look like anything is going to be done about it. Perhaps a future update will 'accidentally' fix the problem?
I can hope. Can't I???

I have just applied the ROM update for the HD Mini (released 28th May 2010).
This appears to have removed the lock up encountered when connecting the HD Mini to the Mac, so far at least.
Whilst this has not enabled the access to the SD card on the Mac, it does mean that Parallels (Windows XP) can now connect normally using ActiveSync for software installations and backups. Parallels too seems unable to access the SD card directly, but can browse the HD Mini device using ActiveSync.
Performing this ROM update did not delete any data on my device, despite the warnings that it would. Perhaps different versions of the device (mine was purchased SIM free and network unlocked) will lose some data during the upgrade process.
Hope this helps.