How to use the space in the Extended ROM? - JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General

Hi all,
I know that the Extended ROM for the HTC Universal can be "unlocked" so we can move files in and out and delete files in the Extended ROM, but can we actually convert the Extended ROM space in usable space?
Either by:
1) Resizing the Extended ROM and increasing the default ROM size.
OR
2) Installing programs directly into the Extended ROM itself and running it off from there without any problems.
Many thanks!

Hi there,
1.) nope, is not possible - size is fix for default ROM and extended ROM
2.) yup, works fine - instead of just installing to main memory or storage card you then have a third option usually called 'storage', so you have 10 MB more to install programs to.
Happy installing
Pat

Thought I read somewhere in this forum about the extended rom would slow the Jasjar down.
Is it true? I would love to get the 10Mb but hate to see it slow down again...

Based on what I know, it is TRUE that we can unlock the ExtROM, BUT we cannot use that free memory yet, as of now. That is why even if you delete the ExtROM you would not see an increase in your UNIVERSAL's memory. The only good thing with unlocking the Ext ROM in the UNIVERSAL is so we can customize the Ext ROM to our liking. It will not act the same as the built-in memory. You can't store and run applications from them. This is in the UNIVERSAL, please correct me if I am wrong. BUZZ and the others are still working on how to merge the freed-up memory on the Ext ROM so that we can use it.

i have apps installed into my extended rom and it works fine, i have some games and tcpmp in there, no issues whatso ever.

Carnivor said:
i have apps installed into my extended rom and it works fine, i have some games and tcpmp in there, no issues whatso ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW, how did you do it? How did you install apps in there?

copy cabs to sd, run them, choose extendedrom as the location, job done,
using buzz ext rom unlock and the reg keys to make it visible in the file system,

I agree with Carnivor - everything I installed on Extended ROM works fine.
I only faced performance issues when installing applications on storage card.
If Stanip read somewhere, 'extended rom would slow down Jasjar' -> Maybe the meaning was, that your Jasjar might be slow IF you did not install the software which came in the extended rom.
In my case I installed the software from extended rom (which is done automatically when first time staring the device), then moved all extended memory content to my storage card and enjoyed the 10 MB extra space to install programs.

Carnivor said:
copy cabs to sd, run them, choose extendedrom as the location, job done,
using buzz ext rom unlock and the reg keys to make it visible in the file system,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I guess I can try it the next time I perform a hard reset. What are your apps installed in the extension ROM. You mentioned that not all of them run smoothly from there?

Another question please, if I do install apps in the Ext ROM after running BUZZ unlocker and the registry tweak, does this mean the installed application survives a hard reset because it is now installed in the Ext ROM?

that is a good question, i imagine all will stay resident, but be hidden only needing the reg changes to make it visible again,
i dont really know, just assuming

Carnivor said:
that is a good question, i imagine all will stay resident, but be hidden only needing the reg changes to make it visible again,
i dont really know, just assuming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I guess I'll try it now. This is the only thing I hate, another hard reset. Why didn't I read this thread sooner. AHhhhhhhhh!

I'm running in Extended_Rom all pluiggins that used "today". I'm running this for weeks and goes perfectly.
If you want see applications, goes to my blog (in my sign) to see it. (Sorry, only in spanish)
Regards.

Sagit said:
I'm running in Extended_Rom all pluiggins that used "today". I'm running this for weeks and goes perfectly.
If you want see applications, goes to my blog (in my sign) to see it. (Sorry, only in spanish)
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see clear advantages installing on the extended rom except if you try to install more programs that the limit of the memory for programs, is it ok?

Thanks for quick help guys. Just a few more quick questions.
- Where did I find the registry hack to make the Extended ROM visible? I take it that it will make it visible even on the normal File Explorer and Resco Explorer?
- Will existing backup programs backup/image the data on the Extended ROM?

beginner said:
Sagit said:
I'm running in Extended_Rom all pluiggins that used "today". I'm running this for weeks and goes perfectly.
If you want see applications, goes to my blog (in my sign) to see it. (Sorry, only in spanish)
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see clear advantages installing on the extended rom except if you try to install more programs that the limit of the memory for programs, is it ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also to leave more memory for exec programs and leave it running in background.
Regards

Can anyone confirm whether ext Rom is still available when battery becomes low?

Hey Ever1
just a quick question when you make the extended rom visible and install a software to run from the extended rom do you hidden the extended rom again or leave it visible.
If you leave it visible can you tell me how does the pda see the storage card has storage card or as storage card2.
Thank you
Gigino

i called my extended_rom ExtendedRom, else if you dont rename it you end up messy,
I leave it visible, it shows up in system stats that way
it shows up in resco as a chip based storage similar icon to the storage memory, but instead of the pda in the background behind the chip it has a folder behind the chip

I don't know how many times I wrote to this forum:
"DON'T INSTALL AND RUN APPLICATIONS FROM EXTENDED ROM"
because you can damage it. use storage card if you need more space.

Related

Why delete ext ROM?

It's a few month that i'm using my jam and i'm trying every day to learn something new to get the best from it.
Anyway i see many people here discussing on deleting the ext rom and i still haven't understood why i should i delete it. I know that by deleting it you can allocate more memory to your storage (http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=20043) but won't you loose some features? I've always thought that ext rom contained custom region/operators settings. Am i wrong? Then again, won't i loose them if i delete the ext rom?
Any info would be very appreciated, thanks in advance. :idea:
What Features do u lose?
I Have done it and i have all the features i want...
georgexoasi said:
What Features do u lose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's exaclty what i'd like to know... if it's there i belive it should do something.
george, do you have programs like truefax installed without the ext rom?
The ext_rom is filled with some provider customisation,
it has about 20mb.
If you delete this extended rom u will have more space
available for other use, for example storing today plugins etc.
You don't have to 'lose' the extended rom. The data on the extended rom is only used after a hard reset to install some software and some operator customization.
You can easily do this by hand. Either download an appropriate extrom from the FTP here or...
- First install the rom with extended rom included.
- use Loadvdisk.exe in the windows directory to show the extended rom
- copy all files from the extended rom to your sd card (or pc)
- install the rom without the extended rom
- now install any files from your extended rom backup you want.
Presto, more storage and still all the functionality.
Or even simpler down load watever you want from the FTP itself evrthing is there..
The extended Rom Files are there in this server under the norwegian Ext_ROM Folder
everything is clear now
thanks for explaination
Can I use the org autorun.exe file to execute all requested extended_rom pgm instead of instaill in one by one?
i've not tried it, but ur missing the whole point i dont want nything except the mms, phone pad and something else.. surely not everything
georgexoasi said:
i've not tried it, but ur missing the whole point i dont want nything except the mms, phone pad and something else.. surely not everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious if that would work as well. I wonder if the target install place would have to be modified. Of course that does kind of defeat the purpose, but even by installing all of the extended ROM, you should still end up with quite a bit more storage memory. My imate Jam 1.06 extended ROM install files are 8.5 megabytes. They could just as easily be kept on an SD card in case of a meltdown :shock:
In theory, that should still leave at least the original 7 meg (maybe more) plus the 8.5 meg (size of the extended ROM install files) free in the storage area for a grand total of 15.5 meg. (or more). Which still ain't bad for a fully loaded unit. Anybody abserve this?

Unlock Extended ROM

I just discoverd that I cannot modify the extended rom (using Total Commander, etc.) How does one unlock it so tht it may be modified?
Thanks,
Frank
fmcgirt said:
I just discoverd that I cannot modify the extended rom (using Total Commander, etc.) How does one unlock it so tht it may be modified?
Thanks,
Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can, just try again anad again, i did it on my 4th attemps
Cheers!
Thanks for the response but I haven't had any success after several tries. I tried installing the Wizard unlock cab file and afterwards with Total Commander, I can reset the Read Only bit on all the files and copy the files to my SD card. However, I am unable to delete any files. They appear to be deleted but come back after a soft reset. I would like to especially get rid of all the operator settings files. The rest of the stuff like Skype, Anti Virus and Backgammon I can get rid of using Settings>Remove Programs.
Frank
Isn't "ROM" short for "read only memory"?
hi, I am using Buzz's unlocker for Wizard... it made the ExtROM visible but still it is read only
I need to find how can I delete and add files to it.
Any challenging minds out there?
Total commander does not work with the jamin in my case anyway.
Tried several time with no results.
shahzadkhan15nov said:
hi, I am using Buzz's unlocker for Wizard... it made the ExtROM visible but still it is read only
I need to find how can I delete and add files to it.
Any challenging minds out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
unlocker for wizard is not mine...
buzz
...well, if anyone can give me a dump of Prophet's bootloader + clean registry export, i can take a look at it..
buzz
Buzz,
Thanks for the great offer.
I can give you the clean reg but how can i get you the first part, bootloader thingie?
Regards
I have used the Wizard Extended ROM unlock program to unlock the ROM on my Prophet. I now have a copy of the Extended ROM on my SD Card. I'm not concerned about erasing the Extended ROM files, I just don't wan them installed, so I did a Hard Reset and just when it says that it will start installing the additional prorams in 3 seconds, I did a soft reset.
OK, now I have a Prophet without extended ROM. I can now install the stuff that I want.
Most of the cab files I've figured out, Does anyone know what the following extended ROM cabs do? This is from the latest Imate Jamin ROM.
Default_CAAVPPC_IMEI_2.6.77_range.CAB
Default_Imate_PPC_SA_V5.5.03.cab
Default_MP_Shortcut_MMS1_JAVA_VOICE_CV_051213.CAB
Default_PP_TSK.CAB
Default_PP_UAString.CAB
Default_PT_Signed_IconDll.sa.CAB
Default_PT_Signed_Patch_SD.sa.CAB
Thanks heaps,
Matterhorn
Default_CAAVPPC_IMEI_2.6.77_range.CAB is the anti-virus app which used to play havoc in slowing down the KJAM. Maybe this version is better but I uninstalled it using Remove Programs. About the rest I am not sure. At least you don't have Skype, backgammon and the Operator Settings files so I expect you will gain a fair amount.
Frank
you can use wince cab manager to see the content of the cab file.
Still nothing? Guess I will go the way of Matterhorn when I need to do a hard reset. Several others have not installed the Extended ROM at all and have reported significant speedup in the JAMin.
Frank
That would be me. I haven't installed one thing off the extended rom and my speed is really pretty good. You can see a video review at the link below to compare the m600 and the jamin (with no extended rom). Keep in mind I don't use mms, skype, antivirus anyway....so no big deal to leave off the ext rom. I also use adobe and don't need the clearview .pdf. Hope the video helps
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=849592
Thanks, Mike. I don't use the stuff either except MMS once in a while but can just as easily use email for that. I presume Voice Dial is in the Extended Rom but rather have MS VC anyway and things like Connection Manager, Messaging, etc., that I want are not in the Extended ROM so I should be fine.
Now to find time to do a hard reset and re-install my apps.
Frank
Everyone has diffrent issues, I was able to delete the files from there (verified by refreshing the dir, and I recieved no read only error) but I was unable to write files to it, which I thought was very strange, I am using APA_ext_rom_unlock.exe and it does NOT give me the success msg it acts like it hasnt even ran. I updated my ROM to teh test one that was floating auround 2.8.7 whatever, and I realized too late that aWizard has no way to reflash teh extended ROM so I am without all my Cingular apps and I have all the 2.8.7 Extended rom stuff with the 1.8 Cingular OS ROM which I reverted back to. Any suggestions how I can replace my extended ROM ?
any luck so far?
Hi guys,
Are we getting any hope/luck to unlock Ext ROM for JAMin/Prophet?
I don't know how you guys are doing it. I have tried several times to delete items in my extended rom using total commander, at least 10 times and the result is the same. After the hard reset all that was deleted was re-installed after the reset.
I have contacted TC a while ago, and have not heard anything, maybe they are working on it.
Just curious....as I'm new to this ext rom stuff....but why don't you just "not install" the ext rom. Then use gsfinder to install whichever .cabs you want? If any? Just curious as I may be missing something. :roll:
mikewchandler said:
Just curious....as I'm new to this ext rom stuff....but why don't you just "not install" the ext rom. Then use gsfinder to install whichever .cabs you want? If any? Just curious as I may be missing something. :roll:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I think the end result would be pretty much the same. For me I would like an Extended ROM for the JAMin that includes exacty what I want installed - no Backgammon, AntiVirus, Smart Dialing, Skype and a single Operator Settings file for TMO USA. Then when I hard reset I don't have to mess with anything else, just let it go. I had my KJAM setup that way and I would like the JAMin to be the same. I would also be as close to an OEM install as I can get (without the junk) so I don't have to worry about proper default settings not being there because of some file I didn't install or installed in the wrong order. Having said all this and thinking about it more I am sure you would get to the same point doing your procedure and then installing the required .cab files in the proper order.
Now I have a question:
Wonder what would happen if I did a hard reset, then did the soft reset to stop the Ext ROM install, installed the required .cab files in order, soft reset and then restored from a Sprite BU file. Wonder would I be restoring any files that could cause problems due to an imcomplete ROM install? I guess I will have to try that first since I do hate to re-install a bunch of apps and especially have to re-enter all the reg codes.
Frank

Extended ROM; How can it be made useful?

Hi there,
I made visible the extended ROM of M600 with registry tweaks seen in this forum. I dont use any of the programs on the extended ROM, coz I dont like my phone to be customised for my service provider. (I soft reseted while it was trying to customize after the hard reset).
Now I have a 10MB of Ext ROM on "My Device". My qustions are;
1) Is this Ext ROM just like another 10MB SD Card?
2) WOuld this space make the my handheld run faster? or can this be made available fot programme memory?
3) Is there any advantage of installing programmes on it compared to on th SD Card?
Currently I have about 3MB of Orange CAB files on it. None of them I use.
How can I use this space efficiently?
Thanks in advance for any comments
ps: Another thing I just remembered is that, after I made this Ext ROM visible, I cant save the camera pics to SD card. The options on the camera settings are to save it on Main Memory or Ext ROM! it doesnt recognise SD card! funny! Any way around?
Anyone please..?
I order:
1) Yes it is exactly like a 10MB SD card, you just can't remove it from the device. If you need to hard reset it will become hidden again but the data will not be lost.
2) No. Program memory is RAM and this is FLASH. You can only use it for storage.
3) It is mounted before the SD, so if you have an app that needs to run on start up, you can put it on the ext ROM but not the SD.
4) I suggest you move the Orange cabs to your PC. Having the i-mate variant I had 9MB filled with stuff out of which all I needed were Skype and Voice speed dial. Then use this space for the basic and most needed apps. Also some apps like TCPMP can be used with content from different SD cards so ext ROM would be a good place for them. I try to keep main memory free for outlook stuff.
5) Yea, the camera app only seems to recognize the first storage card it sees. Don't know about a fix for that.
levenum said:
[...]
5) Yea, the camera app only seems to recognize the first storage card it sees. Don't know about a fix for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, Levenum!
I finally understood a bunch of things about the ExtROM.
About this 5th point, I would add something.
The same identical problem raises when the \Network path created by Resco Explorer is shown on the main memory root.
The internal camera seems able to access only to the first two objects in the mountpoint list (you can see this list when installing some apps, as the dest options radio button)
So, question comes out: what about hiding ExtROM again after installing startup apps on it ?
I mean: are those apps still runnable, when staying on a hidden mountpoint ?
Thanks for any answer
..._
Sorry to butt in on this topic, but I have also been thinking of doing this.
I would just like to know though once the Extended Rom has been unlocked as described in many past posts, can you lock it again?
I am just asking this because, what happens if I have to return the phone? Surely messing with it would void any warranty?
I would need to restore the CABS back to Extended Rom, and then lock it before returning it.
Thanks
Val3r10 said:
So, question comes out: what about hiding ExtROM again after installing startup apps on it ?
I mean: are those apps still runnable, when staying on a hidden mountpoint ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I never tried it. Perhaps if you don't change the MountHidden flag, but only the MountOrder.
NewSPV said:
I would just like to know though once the Extended Rom has been unlocked as described in many past posts, can you lock it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about other devices, but in case of the Prophet it's just a matter of changing back the registry values and soft resetting.
Thanks for that.
I have already backed up my Extended Rom, as Total Commander let me copy the CABS without unlocking the Extended Rom.
Orange has only added 1.95 MB which seems such a waste of vital memory.
I have heard that approx 10 MB is set aside for this. Is this set physically in manufacture by HTC? Can the extended Rom be merged into main memory like partitions can be merged on a PC?
Thanks
I read somwhere that removing things from the extended rom gives the device more storage available and shown int he memory part of settings. This however is not true, the extended rom is a seperate partition, full or empty the device will work the same.
I use mine to store the cabs of installs I use when I hard reset. Saves me copying them over each time.
Thanks very much Levenum and others who contributed. That was very informative and I am glad many others have benefited with this thread.
Cheers
One note:
I made a little experiment this Friday, which require a me to restore my Jamin to it's original state. (Hard reset + restore ext ROM).
I didn't check the CAB attributes when I copied them so even though the ext ROM was in it's original state all cabs that were used after first hard rest were deleted and didn't install after second hard reset.
So when restoring your ext ROM make sure you mark all CABs 'read only'.
I unlock ExtRom and put mein cab, edit config.txt.
But after HardReset mein cab didn't installiert.
I think, dieses cab need to signen.
Help me please signen mein cab or any cab theoretically.
you also need the modified autorun.exe, the config file isnt read by the default one.
dannyoneill said:
you also need the modified autorun.exe, the config file isnt read by the default one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dannyoneill, wie kann man das machen? :shock:
..Sorry, how kan das make?
See this thread for more info
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=38957&highlight=autorun
dannyoneill said:
See this thread for more info
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=38957&highlight=autorun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have renamed the file so:
my_file.cab -> Default_my_file.cab
All the same it is not installed!
There it is spoken about Wizard, i have O2 Xda Neo.
Where it is possible to take patched file Autorun.exe?
Can somebody to lay out it if it´s have?
Please, help me.
as the thread says, you cant just rename the file as it needs to be signed and designed for wm5 for it to isntall. To do your own cabs you need to have a special autorun.exe that reads a config file.

/extended rom/

how do i get to the extended rom directory? i have a t-mobile mda and have total commander (reg editor) installed. I can't find the /extended rom/ directory and also don't really understand what is or what it is there for. i know this might sound like a remedial question to HTC Wizard experts, but if someone could help me I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if it matters, I'm running xelecin's custom 2.26 ROM.
Thanks.
You won't see it by browsing.. just type in "/extended_rom" and TC will open it. Don't forget the underscore (_) character..
Gee - my first post!
thanks. i entered "/extended_rom" and it brought me to the directory. now that i know how to find it, what is it exactly there for? What is it's purpose. Also, can you access it from activesync? Thanks again for answering these questions.. i'm a beginner with PPCs, but I'm curious about how they work.
Thanks again.
Use the advanced search feature (under the search option tab) to look within the wizard updating forum for the term "extended rom", and you can start to understand how some of the rom developers utilize it (There are 12 pages of entries). These guys are the real 'wizards' - I could not begin to explain the way they do (I'm too new myself).
Your extended ROM contains all of your customizations. If it is a stock ROM it will have all of your carrier customizations. If you have a cooked Ext ROM it could have lots of things. One of the benefits is that if you have to completely clear out the storage it would re-install all the customizations that were in the ext rom.
barrydavisjr said:
...One of the benefits is that if you have to completely clear out the storage it would re-install all the customizations that were in the ext rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, in simple terms, if you were doing a hard reset (or clear storage in settings), the extended rom directory retains the files, and installs them if they are .cab files.. am I getting warm? Thanks for the info.
you got it. The carriers put it there so that one wouldn't have to call into tech support if you had to do a hard reset.
ok. i get this now. just a couple more questions..
-Do the .CAB files have to be in the main directory (/extended_rom/) or can they be in any subfolder?
-I was reading somewhere that it's a read-only directory.. is there a way to delete files, if so, can you delete the files one at a time or all once?
-finally, can you access the directory from active sync?
Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.
As far as I know it is unable to be accessed through Active sync. And yes you can delete them off one by one. I would reccomend reading up on it. Faria has produced a wondrful guide on how to cook your extended ROM. When you delete a cab you also have to change the config settings in the notepad file. I have dabbled a little but Faria's guide will help you more.
!!!WARNING!!! if you delete the files from your ext rom and do a hard reset none of the carrier customizations will be installed.. furthermore.. you will not gain any extra space by deleting the cabs, it is a read only partition.. also with that being said, if you try to delete a file from there or add one you take a great risk of corrupting the ext rom and you will be forced to reflash the rom in order to get them back.
just one more question.. I have xelecin's 2.26 custom rom on my MDA. I'm thinking of switching over to either molski's or faria's latest rom. when i flash those roms, the extended rom from the current rom i'm using gets replaced with the custom rom's extended rom, right? does that make sense? Thanks for putting up with my dumb questions and actually answering them! Oh yeah, when i installed the rom i'm using now it did a CID unlock before flashing, so i assume my phone is still unlocked, right?
Thanks again for all the help. i really appreciate it.
thats right. - you'll get the new extended rom.
Extended Rom Contents
I only install a portion of the T-Mobile customization, which I accomplish by preventing the install of the extended rom. I have copied onto my miniSD the files I want to install, and then I just manually run the cabs from there. (Actually, that would erase them, so I copy them first.)
Then you can experiment with other ROMs, still getting the customizations that you need. Here is my thread on this topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=272613
I no longer install MP-Shorcut-MMS1-Voice-CV-TMUS-060404.CAB because that just adds MMS to the Messaging app and a shortcut for making voice tags and I don't use MMS.
By the way, it is really useful to install things like Total Commander, Memmaid, weather programs, RSS readers, Zagat, and so on to the miniSD, because then they don't need to be reinstalled after a hard reset. The only thing I have to do is add the shortcuts back, because shortcuts are erased after a hard reset. These programs will no longer auto-update, since nothing can run automatically from the miniSD, but with memmaid you can create automatic updates if you like.
Your backup program should always run from main memory! Also, programs that affect the today screen should also be run from main memory for increased speed. Pretty much everything else can go on the miniSD.

How to remove saftware installed by default.

Hi. How do i remove installed software that i automatically installed when i flash the original att htc rom for the 8525. I want to remove office, and install the cabs. basically i want to free up room and place everything on a sd card. also i don't want to touch or replace the original rom core system. Thank you in advance for your help. genek
Well I appreciate you do not want to change ROM, but essentially what you are wanting to do is exactly what a customised light ROM does.
However, what you can try is to do a hard reset. When the screen comes up saying that it is installing provider customisation, you put the stylus in the reset hole. This effectively stops the installation of the ROMs customised programmes.
Now all you have to do is find cabs of the programmes you want.
Of course the essentials of the programmes are still on your device taking up some space, but not installed.
You might want to also investigate "extended ROM" use the search facility.
Also check the differences between program memory and storage memory all previously discussed here.
Mike
thank you for your reply. I will look around and see what I can find. Thanx for pointing me in the right direction.

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