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There are way too many posts on this board from ppl who r saying "Piece of crap, I'm gonna take it back and stick it up my provider's...". This post is for you!
I'm no expert (just a disciple of ppl like buzz, vj, etc), BUT I am not afraid of a hard reset or 30, and as a result I've tested everything below, and most of the stuff throughout this forum. I've also followed everything on every forum since being the 10th person in my country to get a JasJar. I welcome critisism, corrections and additions. Please post replies by refering to the step you would change, or insert after. Let's try to stick to proven alternatives and additions though, so that this thread can become somewhat of a 1-stop point for new users (and existing users who do not have the time to learn this alone - and let's face it anyone who has a Universal already, is probably pretty hard working, and already spending an awful amount of time justifying their acquisition in front of their BlackBerry collegues...)
This is written with a single thought in mind; what the hell would my wife do if she got one of these. No-one could blame her for tossing it inside of a week, but with a few changes it's perfectly functional - in fact with a few more changes (also listed below) it's quite desirable.
By the end of this process, your Universal should have a reasonable suite of apps, perfect functionality around all issues solved to date (I've not covered networking tho), a screen flip speed of 0.5s or less, and free program memory of over 20Mb
So here goes, a step-by-step process to get your Universal 100% functional, proven and tested on the HTC Universal iMate JasJar, but should all work on any MDA:
ROM Upgrade: First thing's first. Upgrade to the September-30 ROM (JASJAR_WWE_11353_137_10301.zip). It's available somewhere on xda-developers, or on clubimate for imate users. This is a no-brainer - no posts on this board or any others indicate it's a waste of time. Many posts cover O2 users flashing to this ROM, with great benefits. There are ways to re-install the O2 graphics and apps - if you want ;-) If you have ANY issues with your Universal, bite the bullet and do this; you'll see that the following setup process is not as brutal as you'd expect (I can run thro it in about half an hour - but I've done it many times and have all the apps lined up and ready).
Optional soft reset: Some pppl like to soft reset BEFORE the device installs the default apps. On this ROM, there's no performance improvement, no memory imporvement that can't be covered later (backgammon etc), and potentially some important losses that I didn't hang around long enough to discover.
Sync: Now sync with your PC to get your contacts, calendar and tasks. This is only here to get you up and running asap.
Pocket Mechanic: Download (www.antontomov.com) and install this essential app. You have a few days on trial, and it's necessary for the next steps
Notification Queue: This can be done later, but it's nice to get familiar with this process whilst your queue is small. Using PM, open the notification queue. You may already (yes!) find some duplicate (yellow icon) sddeamon entries. These seem to replicate during an activesync. You can/must delete all duplicates from time to time. You will also, in future, find some "\.\\Notification.....SCRIPT..." entries. Keep an eye out for these. Most mature within minutes of you finding them, so let them expire. Many are future-dated and tightly back-to-back. These can nearly always (I've never had a regret) be deleted without repercussions. If you don't manage these, they tend to breed, and anyone with XDA experience knows what happens when your queue fills up (failed alarms etc). I'm unclear as to where these come from - undoutedly an app that is not behaving elegantly (regular registration checks etc), and if you follow the steps on this post you should NOT find any - ie the apps here do not seem to be culprits. But, keep an eye open...
Registry cleanup: Again, this can be done later, however you'll soon see the beenfit of doing it now. Using PM, run registry cleaner. You'll get around 6 entries, all of which can safely be deleted. If you did not follow step 1, you may have to examine eahc entry to see if the O2 ROM is messier. The beauty of this step is that from now on, you can safely clean everything that PM finds in the knowledge that it's a leave-behind from an app you installed, and now you can install, de-install, and provided you clean up the directories (easy) you KNOW for sure that you've completely gotten rid of the failed app. Winner!
Task closer: Now it's time for your task manager. There's a lot of coverage on this, and any of the following seem to do the trick, ranked in order of simplicity thro to possibly problematic:[list:333ba237cf]
Magic Button (free, includes battery line on top of screen)
GSPocketMagic++ (free, includes cascading menu. Some MDA Exec users claim that it closes something awful that O2 installs, and solves a 7 second flip issue. SEVEN SECONDS!!! If you implemented step 1, you should not have this problem to solve anyway)
spbPocketPlus (not free, and do not allow it to show any storage meters. There are some bad posts on spb, but I've found it just as good as the above, altho it takes up slightly more memory)
WisbarAdvance2 (not free, HUGE footprint, definite performance issues BUT it skins your Universal SO beautifully, that I've gone with this and WAD - desktop plugin)
[*]Basic apps: Now there are a few no-brainer apps to install, that no-one disputes and that are all free. NO BRAINERS:
Total commander (free, replacement for file explorer - way way better)
TCPMP (free, replaces media player, more formats, full screen, way way better)
Batti (free, battry bar on top of screen like spbPocketPlus, small footprint, but if u r using MagicButton you already get this)
TRE (free, registry editor, necessary to run .reg files covered later)
IIWPO (free, AWESOME concept; If your owner info is changed, it SMS's the number you've set with new SIM number and new 'owner' details. Great if someone steals your Universal. Don't bother if u r not happy with a little installation effort)
BT icon (free, on this board somewhere, gives u an icon on your today tray that shows BT status and allows u to jumps to settings>connections>BT)
BT switch (free, on this board somewhere, several apps that turn BT on, off, or toggle)
Battery Uptime (Optional: free, today plugin that tells u the battery status BUT it's way more useful: you get to see actual running time vs uptime, and remaining running time. This gives u a good feel for your battery consumption rate under different scenarios and helps overcome a LOT of concerns around thinking you are draining faster when actually you are just using the device more)
apReminderPlus (free, AWESOME repeating alarms. Beauty of this is that is seems to be independent of WM5, in that it keeps an eye open for any alarms, and pops up to do its thing if it sees one. WAY beter than built in repeat system, and makes me feel good that I have alarms covered off in case the old wm2003 bugs start to appear again)
VJSMS (free, on this board, gives u 1-click to send an SMS. Note that .lnk file should read as follows INCLUDING inverted commas:
\Storage Card\Program Files\VJApps\vjsms.exe" "123
Change path and number of course. Number can also be a name.
Sad to report that VJDailer doesn't work on the universal. This would be awesome
[*]Settings: Time to do your basic settings:
speed dials
power and backlight
voice dials
Owner info
ringtones and notifications
DO NOT set regional settings if u r using PI (below)
[*]PIM: OK, time to replace the CRAP calendar built into WM5. CRAP CRAP CRAP! Disgracefully, embarassingly CRAP. Hell, symbian ship better default apps with the OLD Psion S3 and S5 than this! Now, I use PocketInformant. Latest release works well on JJ with 2 livable issues: Landscape flip screws up Monday/Tuesday in week view, and you MUST NOT set any regional settings what-so-ever, else you get the blank calendar view bug. AgendaFusion is due for a WM5 release any day now. Other than that, I don't think there is much that works on the Universal - correct?? :?:
[*]Reg fixes: Now there are a few no-brainer registry hacks that you should run. You can find these as cab files on this board, as registry keys under the wiki page, else as .reg files on one of my earlier posts (fastest method):
Buzz's BT headset (prevents BT from turning off over night - no brainer! Thanks buzz!!)
"Always on GPRS" (search this board - keeps GPRS/UMTS turned on - awesome!)
Date & time in title bar (why not)
Menu and popup fonts 700 vs 900 (it's cosmetic, but on our nice VGA screens, it seems daft to have a look n feel that's SO QVGA)
PIE homepage (prevent 'e' button from going to clubimate page)
Terminal services cache (increased cache uses memory during terminal services, but it's WELL worth it to eliminate black blocking issues)
Turn IR off (unless you have a good reason for keeping it on)
[*]Extra apps: There are several very useful apps, that work reliably and do not have an adverse impact on your Universal.
eWallet (not free, desktop sync does not work, but rest is very useful)
Pocket sudoku (not free, but it's SO much fun!)
Mobipocket reader (skinny version is free, for mobipocket ebooks - ebooks fully being 25% of your devices functionality along with PIM, phone and internet access. Google beta 5 version with full VGA support)
uBook (more eBook formats. Not free but usable. VGA support)
1-calc (cos built in calculator is SO crap)
GPRS traffic monitor: We need a GPRS/3G monitor. spbGPRS monitor does NOT track the usage of yoru device as a 3G modem - which is where u chew up traffic costs. IP Dashboard has similar issues.
[*]Memory:Now, I'm the first to say that I don;t fully get this yet. There are a few things that the posts suggest should reduce program or storage memory - but don't really seem to do so. Try them and let me know results with more scientific before and after checking please:
Remove backgammon & skype, and re-install to SD card
Remove the 1Mb .tsk themes from the \Windows directory. You cannot delete them, you have to create new files that are smaller and copy them into \Windows and overrwite the larger files. Search this board for some sample small files provided. I didn't find that I got any memory back...???
Ditto for .cab files in \Windows
Do not use these big theme files - by using smaller themes you should get more program memory.
A couple of dudes have started threads on getting more memory and clearing out \windows files - but there are no good responses yet...
[/list:333ba237cf]
Right, that's it! As I said above, I welcome input and feedback - but let's keep it hi quality so that this post perhaps gets stickied and we can get less of the "Buy my JasJar before I post it on eBay posts". Of course there are a load more apps you can add, but most give issues (eg TomTom) and posts on this board cover working around them for ppl who have to have these apps. This was a good, strong, basic config.
Hope this is helpful to some.
Some well-thought out words there, craigiecraigie4. However, I'm a firm believer that it's a bad move to install anything that I REALLY don't need. So far, my MDA Pro has a default installation. None of these "essential apps" are necessary. Indeed, half of them seem to only exist so that you can add other "essential apps" :wink:
If/when a better browser comes along, I'll investigate. Other than that, I find the messaging client perfect (works nicely against Exchange server); Terminal Services could be better - just giving me true full-screen support would be enough. And I'd like better Wifi support - I want, for example, to be able to name my SSID. IMHO, with desktop PCs as much as with PDAs, every time you install a piece of software, it ultimately makes the system *worse*. ie the result is a damned site less than the sum of the parts.
so, taking each point with my (possibly unique, certainly cynical) POV
1. ROM Upgrade
Didn't bother. It adds nothing that I'd use apart from MSN and that would just suck up time that should be spent on worthwhile things :lol:
2. Optional soft reset
Yeah, I may do this but, TBH, T Mobile install very little stuff and it seems to work, so I ain't fixin' it.
3. N/A
4. Pocket Mechanic
I can't see that I need this.
5. Not quite sure what the problem here is. I've been using XDAs since day 1 and never encountered the problem. YMMV
6. Registry cleanup
Never assume that some badly-written software doesn't depend on some default or illogical registry setting. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
7. Task closer
OK, not a "two-click" operation, but in Settings/Memory, I can close running applications. No new software needed.
8. Basic apps
Total commander - erm, yeah, it's nice and everything and does a better job than the standard affair. However, 99.99% of the time, error: +/- 0.01%, I find I don't actually need any of that extra fluff.
TCPMP - granted, I only use MP to listen to WMAs I record off the radio to listen to later.
Batti - On my Today screen, there's a little icon I tap and it shows me my battery state. I can also see this using Settings/Power (or whatever it is)
TRE - See previous warning about effing about with your registry
IIWPO - nice idea :lol: but no substitute for insurance or taking care
BT icon, BT switch - I've never used Bluetooth in my life. YMMV
Battery Uptime - See prior comment about battery state indicator
etc
I'm sure that more people will find your advice usefull than mine, but just like to point out that, out of the box, these devices (at least MDA Pro) seem not to be too wide of the mark. For me, at least.
This is very helpful...thanx!
You mentioned that the soft reset before installation of imate stuff may lead to some problems in the long run. As I have opted for this strategy and have only installed two cab files (btpatch and a file that brings up the smart dialing), I would appreciate it if you could tell us what kind of problems we might confront. Also, is it too late to add these cab files after the fact (that is given we have synched contacts and added other programs)?
Cheers, apap
craigiecraigie4 - very useful advice, I think for everyone with a PPC. I don't have a universal, but good tips either way.
I didn't realise VJDialer doesn't work on WM5. I'll look into updating it when I get a new version of Visual Studio (or a WM5 device!).
Good work man!
V
Hi VJ - yeah, I'm afraid that there are a couple of posts on your primary thread about the "no command line specified" - no matter what combinations we try in the .lnk file. Saw your comment that another crowd charges for such an app. I'd happily contribute for the benefit of quick-dials - would be awesome along with WAD. You might want to mention your app on the WAD (lakeridgesoftware) forums - many 2003 users there who would LOVE this. With WAD u can have popup boxes on your skin, so with vjdialer one can popup and view of quickdials. awesome.
craigiecraigie4 said:
[*]Buzz's BT headset (prevents BT from turning off over night - no brainer! Thanks buzz!!)
[*]Menu and popup fonts 700 vs 900 (it's cosmetic, but on our nice VGA screens, it seems daft to have a look n feel that's SO QVGA{)
/quote]
where can i get the 2 things above...looked but cant find
thanks
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vijay555 said:
craigiecraigie4 - very useful advice, I think for everyone with a PPC. I don't have a universal, but good tips either way.
I didn't realise VJDialer doesn't work on WM5. I'll look into updating it when I get a new version of Visual Studio (or a WM5 device!).
Good work man!
V
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Click to collapse
hi vijay!
I'm running on wm5 on my xda2....and am using vjdialer and vjsms extensively!
I dont think there are any problems with VJDialer's compatibility with wm5....
S
spbPocketPlus (not free, and do not allow it to show any storage meters. There are some bad posts on spb, but I've found it just as good as the above, altho it takes up slightly more memory)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this running on my Exec and have storage indicators for memory and SD card on today screen, or are you talking about something else?
Btw, I found that my Exec runs faster with pocket plus than it did with magic button and pocketmagic++
Cheers
J
craigiecraigie4
Thank you VERY much for your extensive effort - this really does helps a lot :!:
That's an awesome post craigiecraigie4, some hard work went into that one dude.
Now my post below is not intended to be better than the original, merely another option. craigiecraigie4's use of the device is obviously a lot different to mine, as I work in an office, and am out of connectivity for maybe 3 hours of travel a day max, and never at weekends unless I go out. I'm on a scooter or a tube train so no connectivity is possible during travel for me.
What we are describing is our comfortable loadsets or configurations of our little systems, and that's what the stuff down here is, the Bongo configuration if you will. :lol:
I have made my comments against craigiecraigie4's original titles, and added a few apps of my own that I have.
[*]Weirdness for Hallowe'en :shock: After a hard reset, then sometimes the crosshair pointer setup would be real slow, and others it would be fast. Just in case, I did it until I had a fast one and proceeded from there. Don't know what/if any difference it makes, but that's what I do.
[*]ROM Upgrade: As there aren't any upgrade ROM's out there execept for the iMate one, I wouldn't until the new carrier ROM's are posted. I agree with CraigieCraigie though. Sooo, why not then? Warranty is the answer. Although I think in reality they wouldn't wash their hands of you just because you dared to use someone else's ROM, the carrier techies are generally not allowed to instruct you in the art of repairing your device with anyone else's ROM except their own, and so you would need to wait until your carrier released an upgrade and they could tell you how to do it.
[*]Optional soft reset: Definitely. And be selective about the manual .cab installs (installing total commander or the like first to see the Ext ROM). There's generally something in there that forces the device to behave in a way you don't like. An example is the internet button taking me to the t-mobile home page all the time. I hate that so I didn't install the relevant .cab.
[*]Sync: Now sync with your PC to get your contacts, calendar and tasks. This is only here to get you up and running asap. <-yeah man
[*]Pocket Mechanic: Download (www.antontomov.com) I bought this. It's good meaty tools you would get in a full Windows OS that M$ didn't put in WM5 yet.
[*]Notification Queue: Did it once, didn't do it after my last hard reset and TBH, haven't felt a need. I probably would do if I installed it and saw a gazillion notifications spamming my inners up. :lol:
[*]Registry cleanup: Haven't done it, but a careful look and selective delete may be of some use. Can't be arsed is the honest answer
[*]Task closer: Haven't bothered this time to minimise my number of concurrently running programs (absurd logic eh :wink: ). I only use a certain few apps, and as they're few don't notice a big slowdown from having them minimised if they don't close fully
[*]Basic apps: Here are Craigie's apps with my comment, and my loadset apps
Total commander - yeah man, schmokin
TCPMP - I only use mp3's so no point for me. Perhaps if I need to watch videos I will reinstall it.
Batti - I use Spb GPRS Monitor, v2.3.0, b525, and it has a battery icon, and I have the icon on my today screen, and I can guess it most of the time.
TRE - I use BitsInside Regedit. Also free and I like the Win 98 feel to it.
IIWPO - Great idea, I didn't know it worked on Universals. I will do this cos you never know if it might lead you to a thief. They'd have to be non-savvy theives of course else they'd hard reset it before using the new SIM
BT icon - I use the FN + -> combination to get there or the connectivity icon on the status bar.
BT switch - as above
Battery Uptime - If you want to learn then great
apReminderPlus - I don't use the alarm function
VJSMS - Inbuilt in WM5 is fine so far for my needs
Agile messenger - very thrifty use of bandwidth, like <10% of MSN (really) and free at the moment, but will pay for itself in bandwidth charges very quickly for most people. Suck it and see
GPS Viewer - because I have a Holux GPS and want to verify connectivity sometimes
Pocket Hack Master - because I like to crank it up to delightfully unstable 624MHz sometimes, but haven't need to with my installation as described here oddly enough. It's fast enough for me so far.
Pocket MSN because I want the Hotmail to appear in my messages application. I use Agile to IM people as above
TomTom Navigator 5.1 because it's awesome
[*]Settings: Time to do your basic settings:
speed dials
power and backlight
voice dials
Owner info
ringtones and notifications
DO NOT set regional settings if u r using PI (below)
[*]PIM: OK, time to replace the CRAP calendar built into WM5 - I agree it's crap, but I don't need a decent one. I am a simple soul.
[*]Reg fixes: - If you want to
Buzz's BT headset - haven't noticed this issue yet, bet I will tomorrow morning now though
"Always on GPRS" No good for me - 40megs/month tariff limit
Date & time in title bar (why not) - cos I know the date and time.
Menu and popup fonts 700 vs 900 - haven't done it yet. I like the size
PIE homepage - is done for me through my selective Ext ROM install
Terminal services cache - I don't use it yet
Turn IR off - yeah agreed waste of space most of the time.
[*]Extra apps:
eWallet - I don't keep details like that on my phones.
Pocket sudoku - I read books, so insert MS Reader for me there
Mobipocket reader - doesn't support .lit (MS format), and I read .lits and .docs so far. Wait until I run out of books though... :lol:
uBook - haven't needed it ....yet
1-calc - but the inbuilt calc does +, -, * and / so it's cool for me. I'm not a physicist
GPRS traffic monitor - spb is fine for me as I don't use it as a modem due to bandwidth limitations and being surrounded by connectivity in London.
[*]Memory:Haven't done these, but they look sensible if you can be arsed
Remove backgammon & skype, and re-install to SD card - I don't have them or use them anyway. How do you play backgammon? I went to a comprehensive school
Remove the 1Mb .tsk themes from the \Windows directory. I only have 3 default ones and use the standard blue theme. Functionality and not form is my motto :wink:
Do not use these big theme files - Good advice bro' (or sis)
Hope this is helpful to some other people :lol:
hi
Does ROM update invalidates the manufacture warranty?
Jatt
Menu and popup fonts
can anyone explain how to change the Menu and popup fonts from 700 to 900. Is it a registry hack?
jatt said:
hi
Does ROM update invalidates the manufacture warranty?
Jatt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to ring them up and enquire. With t-mobile, the tech dude just said they wouldn't be able to help me if I bricked my MDA until t-mobile released a ROM that I could download and use to revive the MDA. So, not invalidated for me, just much reduced support. Until a new ROM si out, all they can do with misbehaving devices is offer a replacement at the moment.
Illwil - the font size is a registry hack - search as it's here on this site somewhere.
joebongo: nice perspective. now users can see 2 extremes; O2 with much office usage, vs HTC with much out-n-about usage. Thanx 4 the effort.
illwil : search for my post on reg tweaks and run the .ren file 2 got 700->900 or rather 900->700
codiac: agree. I fiund spbPP 2 b perfectly well behaved, but there is so much bad press on it in this forum. perhas it's an O2 rom issue - pretty sad 4 them actually
xiasma: there truly do see 2 b an awful lot of ppl who think their universal is junk. this is intended 2 help them get up n running. some ppl got lucky (htc rom or just happy with functionality that actually works well) and they probably should not fix what aint broke. But one day they may want 2 push the envelope a little...
craigiecraigie4 said:
codiac: agree. I fiund spbPP 2 b perfectly well behaved, but there is so much bad press on it in this forum. perhas it's an O2 rom issue - pretty sad 4 them actually
Click to expand...
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PocketPlus is working OK for me on my O2 Exec...
Hello Everyone.
I proudly received my Exec this morning, only to find that it ran like a bag of S**t.
I removed the connections.exe, and the active files from my windows/start up folder and things improved dramatically.
However I am having a problem with the activesync.
I have set up the partnership with my laptop running activesync 4 and when it communcates it does it without any problems, however as soon as I connect my usb cable between my Exec and my laptop it takes a few minutes for the charging LED to come on on my Exec, and a while longer before Activsync on my pc recoginses it.
Does anyone else suffer from this problem?
Cheers
You removed connections.exe and now u have a connection problem...
Try removing things 1 at a time.
I definitely don't have this problem.
FYI, on my HTC all I have under startup is:
sddeamon.lnk
batti (i installed)
apreminderplus (me)
iiwpo (me)
O2 is definitely adding stuff that does not seem 2 b required by htc.
The only shortcut I have in my Windows\Startup folder is 'Services' and I have no problem with ActiveSync, voice dialling (with the built-in dialler) or anything else. I have no idea what the sddaemon one does but mine runs fine without it.
fatspark, your problem might lie with your laptop rather than the Exec? As a test though, are you able to try ActiveSyncing over Bluetooth? See if it's any quicker. If so then maybe it's a USB problem. Dunno.
IIWPO
Can someone explain how to install the IIWPO in the extended ROM on the JASJAR ?
I think it is different than the EXEC, where can I find instructions ? I am willing to handle the hassle
Cheers SiliconS
The problem is a driver issue on one of my laptops, I installed activsync 4 onto another one and all is ok.
Cheers.
Fatzzz
Hello
I have just purchased a new XDA Mini S - to replace my dying XDA II (which was giving me electrical shocks and starting to lose data).
Ash (an extremely knowledgeable and helpful O2 shop assistant in Uxbridge) directed me to this site so I could get the details required to to set-up and run my new PDA in Corporate mode.
After set-up was completed, I synchronised the Mini with my work computer (via Activesynch 4.1) - allowing me to download my calender, task and contact items.
And that's it so far!! ...no other memory-intensive applications installed, ...no massive ringtone files, ...nothing!!
However, the unit is running very slow in comparison to my old XDA II. When I am working in the Calender application and go forward several weeks, followed by selecting the 'return to today' icon, it takes about 10 seconds to react. Similar behaviour exists in 'Tasks', when returning to the 'Today screen', and when using the menus - so, basically, all of the time. My previous unit reacted instantly - and that was fully loaded with software.
What can I do? I love the new Mini and the upgraded spec it offers - but is is unworkable - as described above.
If I invested in a mini-SD card could I utilise the additional space as program memory rather than storage?
Hopefully somebody can help. I am reasonably I.T. savvy - but only as a user and not much experience at progrommer / developer level - so basic intructions my be needed!!
Thanks in advance
Gary
I think my previous message was too long...
Basically, how can i speed up my XDA Mini S which is already running in Corporate Mode?
Thanks
Gary
Soft-reset once a day? My Vario runs acceptably quickly after a soft-reset, but slows down over time.
Hi Zathras
Thanks for the tip...
...but I have been 'soft-resetting' several times per day - and it doesn't seem to help.
I do have several years of appointments in my diary. Would reducing this to only 2 weeks of history help?
Thanks
Gary
Hi Gary,
I had a Magician before and also feel the 02 mini s (Wizard) is way slower.
I have read elsewhere that the Wizard has a silly anti-virus program that always runs in memory and will chew up memory.
The boards indicate that to use a different extended rom. The only problem is I cannot get a view on which portions of the o2 Rom should be deleted and which should be kept.
Let me know if you find a way.
Thanks
Adrian
I have noticed a few times after running active snc on my mini s it slows right down till i soft reset.
could it be the same problem?
Hi Adrian
Thanks for your help...
I'm not a programmer / developer - so wouldn't know where to start with ROM edits, etc...
Knowing my luck I would probably do something unrecoverable!!
Is there an easy way to do this? Is it done in the Wizard directly - or via the PC?
...and is it a file that's viewable in explorer?
Excuse my basic approach to all of this. Maybe there is a tutorial somewhere on the boards...
Thanks
Gary
does it slow down after active sync has run ?
Goto to settings memory and make sure all your programs are shut down especially activesync as this seems to slow it down more than anything. Also download check notifications and remove any entries in red that have probably appeared especially if you have been soft resetting several times per day.
You really should see a speed increase if you complete the above. Activesync really does slow your wizard down and more than a few duplicate entries found and removed with check notifications will really help.
See if that helps.
It seems to be the same before and after activesynch!!!
I closed down all running programs and the Calendar is still dead slow...
How do you 'download check notications'?
Thanks again
Gary
http://www.scarybearsoftware.com/ppc_cn_overview.html
Thanks for your help
Do I need to install both 'Check Notifications' and 'Notification Clearfix'.
I am correct in presuming that 'Notification Clearfix' prevents future duplications whereas 'Check Notifications' lets you see all events, whether or not thet are offending?
Gary
try tweaks 2k2 there are some reg hack that help with peformance
I've installed the one that runs at startup, but it only helps clean up the list at startup - not after startup; so if you add alarms/etc., the list can get mucky again. So I've also got it under an icon to run from time to time Need to find a nice scheduling application that can run other applications - just have it run every 8 hours or so
Try some other apps apart from your calendar, it could be that there is just too much info in there. You may just find its not as speedy as your last device, but thats just the way it is. Its a trade off and maybe if the speed is a big issue the wizard isnt for you.
I heard a lot of people saying the wizard is slow before I bought one, but I found its speed fine for what I expect from the device. I find my uni much quicker, but again its that trade off, my uni is much bigger.
The wizard needs to be loved for what it is not for what you want it to be. :lol:
I'm trying to love it - believe me !!!
...it is only the speed of the calendar searches that really annoys me - I can cope with the sluggish moments.
And I have just discovered something... when you cross one month to the next, the calendar freezes
If someone can do the following for me - it will verify whether it is specifically my unit that is at fault.
Open Calendar, switch to 'Agenda View', and then, using the directional keypad, arrow right until you cross over one month - say January to February. Does the calendar stop working?
When it rcovers, hit the 'go to today' icon. What happens?
I think there is a bug!!
Gary
Got the mini s ab out a month ago from O2 shop. I just did a hard reset and didn't install any of the O2 crap. Is running quite fast and everything just seems fine. I have tried what you said on the calendar. I don't have any problem. The calendar program just keep running without stopping or anything. After I close the calendar, I pressed on the 'Today' button and everything seems fine.
Thanks for trying for me - I appreciate it...
I just need to find a solution that works for me.
I already have the most basic install possible - corporate mode - so wonder if there are any more avenues to go down...
Cheers for now
Gary
Garrington said:
And I have just discovered something... when you cross one month to the next, the calendar freezes....I think there is a bug!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried this on my Charmer in case it was a WM5 bug and I can't replicate it - all works fine.
Try doing a hard reset, and then just when the little box comes up saying something like 'customising in 3 seconds' quickly press the soft-reset button.
Voila! - basic WM5 with no more o2 crap installed! You'll have to set up the gprs and mms yourself, but if you phone cust. sevices then they can e-mail you the instructions...
It should run faster than before.
Have a look over at http://www.pocketinformant.com/Forums/index.php?showtopic=8904&st=0 for the latest (Release Candidate) of Pocket Informant.
Its well worth installing as it has a much smaller memory footprint (see the discusion in the forum above), and seems a lot faster to me. Also if you can find any bugs, make sure you post them into the forum.... I found one yesturday, and its been fixed already.
The guys at Web IS seem to have done a great job (and no, I'm not linked to them in any way.... its just that their product makes the PDA calendar features usable!!!)
Regards
P
Oh !£@[email protected]!&&! Installed this and now my right soft-key won't bring up the internal (default) contact program (which is so much better than the one in pocketinformant). Anyone know how to change it back? I managed it before but no amount of registry changing seems to work now
I'm not an expert on this, but one suggestion I would make is that you tap on the PI icon on the bottom of the screen (the red dot surrounded by a multicolour ring) and de-select "Make Default PIM" ... this then makes all the MSFT links work with the MSFT apps rather than PI... hope this helps
P
BudgieUK said:
I'm not an expert on this, but one suggestion I would make is that you tap on the PI icon on the bottom of the screen (the red dot surrounded by a multicolour ring) and de-select "Make Default PIM" ... this then makes all the MSFT links work with the MSFT apps rather than PI... hope this helps
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one of the beefs I (and several others) have with PI, and AF for that matter, which seem to fall on deaf ears in their cosy cartel. Why won't they let the user choose which modules they want to use, instead of their software taking over the whole machine?
If you installed a non-MS planner on your Desktop PC, you wouldn't stand for it replacing all your other PIM apps too. So why should you on the PocketPC?
There is a page in the wiki that shows the registry settings for the soft keys, but I found this method unreliable. I managed to change the text but the app remained at the default setting.
The way I did it was to download Buzz's SoftKeyAppletEx, which goes into your control panel [you do need to register to download the file].
Code:
Description:
This is a replacement applet for the SoftKeyApplet.cpl. I called it SoftKeyAppletEx.cpl (to be original) ;)
This applet does exactly the same thing, but with more features
1. you can browse your ppc to get the desired application or link dedicated to the soft key.
2. you can change the name shown on the soft key.
3. you can place the applet icon on the settings tab you want (personal, system, connections).
4. you can specify only one soft key (left or right) or both
5. you can reset to defaults, so I think it's the phone and the calendar
That's really useful stuff - thanks!
As others have said, I want to use PI for my Diary but the built-in contacts application - which is far better for quick dialling etc.
I still have a problem though - PI seems to have replaced my /Windows/poutlook.lnk file with its own, so if I make the right soft-button point to this file it still runs PI. Can anyone send me their default contacts.lnk file (and possibly poutlook.exe too?) or tell me how to make a new link to the default contacts application (which I assume must still be in ROM?)
Thanks all. Love PI but this hijacking on my contacts is really annoying!
PReDiToR said:
The way I did it was to download Buzz's SoftKeyAppletEx, which goes into your control panel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where'd you put the file? What control panel are u taliking about? Help is appreciated.
BudgieUK said:
I'm not an expert on this, but one suggestion I would make is that you tap on the PI icon on the bottom of the screen (the red dot surrounded by a multicolour ring) and de-select "Make Default PIM" ... this then makes all the MSFT links work with the MSFT apps rather than PI... hope this helps
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this and I can report some success. I use PocketBreeze on the Today screen which is tightly linked to PI. Nothing I say here is relevant if you don't use PocketBreeze.
Now, with PI the non-default PIM, my PocketBreeze links take me to PI's calendar, tasks and contacts applications. My hardware contacts button and the contacts soft key in the phone now take me to Pocket Outlook's contacts app.
Couple of caveats: PI does seem to revert to being the default PIM after a soft reset. Also, the 'special days' feature in PB (lists upcoming birthdays and anniversaries) seems to grow duplicate entries over time, but these can be cleared with a soft reset. It's never worked properly for me anyway so could be unrelated.
I have yet to see any problems syncing. I do expect it to work OK as I believe that PO and PI run off the same database.
Hope this helps those with PB and PI.
-- TK
Lovely program, but the last few versions hae been a complete dog speed wise.
belfast-biker said:
Lovely program, but the last few versions hae been a complete dog speed wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Rev 4 was often very slooowww, although I had installed it in RAM. But this new version is different. The footprint is much smaller in WM5.
But although I have installed the new version entirely on the storage card, it is MUCH FASTER now!
I found some other improvements too, like the timeline now shows you total hours for your different projects, and there is a real fullscreen option now.
Didn't find any bugs so far, but I just downloaded it two days ago.
Cheers and thanks to this great forum! I have benefitted a lot already from the tips and tricks posted here
itoma
Hi all,
Just got my I-mate JAM last week ... and absolutely love it. I know the JAM isn't the latest and greatest anymore, but I wanted a small PPC phone and JAM's the perfect size. The JAMin is too expensive for me, and I also think its improvements (wifi, EDGE, WM5 to name a few) are over-rated.
I had a separate PPC (toshiba e330 ... yeah it's about time it retires) and a smartphone (MPx220) before so it's great I only get to carry 1 device instead of 2.
Anyways, got a few newbie questions I hope you guys can help me with ...
1- Storage memory??
I realize the JAM has limited memory so I've been installing as many programs as possible on the 1G SD memory card.
I still found that ~ 60% of 'storage memory' is used though, so I started moving some more programs to the memory card (and had to relink them one by one).
Afterwards I found the 'storage memory' has actually gone UP even more ... from 60% to 68%??!
What is storage memory? I thought storage memory is the stuff (program / database) stored on the RAM, so by moving some of the programs to the flash card I should see the storage memory go DOWN, not UP?!
When I run something like a 'space detective' I find that all of my big files are on the memory card anyways, so I really don't know how my storage memory got so high, and don't know how to get it back down neither.
2. Repeated resetting
Everytime I do a soft-reset, the PPC has a tendency to do repeated resetting before I finally get it back ... the first time it freaked me out. I thought it's gone into an endless loop and I'd have to do a hard-reset ... good thing I got it back after 4-5 soft-resets. Once I get it back it actually runs stable, and wouldn't reset itself.
Is that normal? Has anybody else experienced this? Usually it'd reset itself again once it gets to loading the phone alarm today plug-in, or when it connects to the phone network.
I currently have the following plugin's installed on the today screen:
-phone alarm
- ADB Weather
- Calendar
And I also run WisBar Advanced 2 ... but I have disabled WA2 to reload itself automatically on soft-resets.
I put phone alarm, ADB weather and WA2 on the main storage instead of memory, because I don't want to increase the chance of crashing.
Does anybody else has this problem? Do I have a software conflict here?
3. Photo contact?
I use photo contact that comes with the phone ... now that software is a piece of crap to begin with, keeps freezing the PPC even for the smallest thing.
And, 5 times out of 10 when someone who's been assigned a photo ID calls, the photo doesn't show up. This is despite I've put the resized photo contacts on the main memory, not the memory card.
Anybody experienced the same problem? And what's a good photo contact ID program to recommend?
4. Good dialer program?
I can also use a good replacement dialer program ... the dialer program that comes with the phone works, but it's pretty slow in suggesting contacts as I dial, and the buttons a tad small as well for 1 hand operation.
I tried D9, but for whatever reason it doesn't install for me ... plus, I also need the DTMF tones to check voicemail and what not.
5. Must have appz?
Any other must have appz you guys would highly recommend? Since getting the phone I've installed:
- phonealarm (great appz for changing profiles and displaying sms / vmail / email / missed calls)
- Wisbar Advanced 2 (great launcher)
- Cyberon BT voice dialer (not sure how it's not included with the phone)
- Resco File Explorer
- Resco Picture Viewer
- Mapopolis
- Intelligolf
- Sprite backup (works well, but extremely slow if launched from the PPC)
- eWallet
Thanks! Any comment / suggestions is appreciated!
Number16, welcome to the board.
I'm afraid I don't have time for a thorough response right now, but some thoughts:
- please read the board rules. Posting a thread with a useful topic title will get you more help, faster. It's in your interest.
- read the wiki and do search the board. The Magician is still my favourite phone, and we've all spent years posting about issues for it. It's likely most of your concerns have already been discussed.
- specifically read the wiki on favourite software. It's far from complete, but it'll point you in the right direction. Someone asks the question every 4.7 minutes, precisely, day and night, so you will find other more detailed responses elsewhere. My recommendations: get gsfinder, claunch and SmallMenuPlus NOW.
- investigate the BigStorage Rom hack. (see Wiki)
Will try to post more later if possible.
V
apart from games I'd recommend the following:
1. Eye on privacy
2. XCPU Scalar
3. SPB plus
4. HiCalc
5. Novii remote
6. imusic
I would recommend;
AE Button plus
Allows you to map up to 3 functions per button, works great on the magician
+ its free
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=20322
"Total commander" is a great free file explorer
"Mortscript" is a useful for custom tweaking
"PHM Traylaunch" put shortcuts in the System Tool Tray
Also search this forum for a sound tweak that vastly improves audio quality when listening to music via headphones
& checkout http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com/en/index.php
Thanks guys, great advices there.
Speaking of AE Button plus, I installed the (free) ver 1.0.1 but somehow it only works for the contact and schedule button. I didn't re-assign the TALK/END buttons because it says if I do I won't be able to use these buttons in the dialer.
And somehow AE Button also doesn't work for the camera and record buttons (on the side) neither ... if I re-assign some other tasks to them, they don't bring up the camera application but won't start the intended application neither. I just hear a few beeps and nothing happen.
Does the paid version of AEB Plus improve that?
Sorry if I've gone off-topic here...
number16 said:
Thanks guys, great advices there.
Speaking of AE Button plus, I installed the (free) ver 1.0.1 but somehow it only works for the contact and schedule button. I didn't re-assign the TALK/END buttons because it says if I do I won't be able to use these buttons in the dialer.
And somehow AE Button also doesn't work for the camera and record buttons (on the side) neither ... if I re-assign some other tasks to them, they don't bring up the camera application but won't start the intended application neither. I just hear a few beeps and nothing happen.
Does the paid version of AEB Plus improve that?
Sorry if I've gone off-topic here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the same version as i'm using. Works on my contact & calender buttons & on my camera & record buttons perfectly, I use the camera button for the camera & flight mode toggle, I have mortscripts assigned to the other buttons which changes the buttons functions depending on what program is in the active window.
I find this easier to use stylus free than WM5 (I also own a Universal & a Prophet for the wife)
From your first post it sounds as your devise is a bit buggy, might be worth doing a hard reset or flashing it with a custom ROM.
A well setup Magician is an almost perfect PDA/Mobile phone balance
Have fun.
PS; Try the free trail for the paid version of AE Button & see if you like it.
Mister B said:
That's the same version as i'm using. Works on my contact & calender buttons & on my camera & record buttons perfectly, I use the camera button for the camera & flight mode toggle, I have mortscripts assigned to the other buttons which changes the buttons functions depending on what program is in the active window.
I find this easier to use stylus free than WM5 (I also own a Universal & a Prophet for the wife)
From your first post it sounds as your devise is a bit buggy, might be worth doing a hard reset or flashing it with a custom ROM.
A well setup Magician is an almost perfect PDA/Mobile phone balance
Have fun.
PS; Try the free trail for the paid version of AE Button & see if you like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have 2.5.1 registered version i cant figure how to toggle flight mode operation..help plz and i wanna ask if we can put magician on vibrate mode with any any key ???
max414 said:
i have 2.5.1 registered version i cant figure how to toggle flight mode operation..help plz and i wanna ask if we can put magician on vibrate mode with any any key ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flight mode toggle
Download from link below then unzip & copy the program below to your phone or sd card, then create a shortcut to it in your programs folder (if you have a shortcut in your programs folder, it will show up in the menu in Buttons). Then go to "Settings>Buttons" & pick what button you want to link to the flight mode toggle program.
Vibrate mode toggle
You could create a batch file to use with Mortscript (freeware) which would turn your vibrate on & off, then link this batch file to a button.
Its quite easy to do, do a search for Mortscript. If you need help let me know & i'll write the script for you & give you what help I can in setting it up.
Mortscript is a great bit of software which can enable you to solve a few problems so its worth doing some research on it.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pdamagician/wm2003sewm5software.html
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pdamagician/Downloads/tel.on-off_100.zip
Mister B said:
Flight mode toggle
Unzip & copy the program below to your phone or sd card, then create a shortcut to it in your programs folder (if you have a shortcut in your programs folder, it will show up in the menu in Buttons). Then go to "Settings>Buttons" & pick what button you want to link to the flight mode toggle program.
Vibrate mode toggle
You could create a batch file to use with Mortscript (freeware) which would turn your vibrate on & off, then link this batch file to a button.
Its quite easy to do, do a search for Mortscript. If you need help let me know & i'll write the script for you & give you what help I can in setting it up.
Mortscript is a great bit of software which can enable you to solve a few problems so its worth doing some research on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have got mort script but it s too much for my little brain......if was hoping if u could provide the file i will assign it a button ...looking forward to your help...thx for flight mode toggle
I've got the paid version of AE Buttons Plus and it still runs a little funny sometimes ... certain buttons will work from time to time. For example, I left "single click" for Button1 untouched (which should be Calender by default) and "double click" would start Notes. Well, it starts Notes on double-click all right, but from time to times single-click wouldn't do anything. A reset usually fixes the problem, but then it'll happen again after a while.
So instead of leaving "single click" for the button un-assigned, I've assigned it to Run Appz -> Notes. That did the trick so far.
I also find that Wisbar Advanced 2 is causing quite a bit of problem ... anybody else has problem with it? With WA2, PhoneAlarm and AEButtons running at the same time, the Magician gets pretty unstable. It's a lot better if I don't load WA2.
Which is too bad, cos i've been a fan of Wisbar from long ago (well, it was a freeware then) ... anybody has any suggestion for a taskbar launcher? I really don't want something that's too busy looking, and I don't like clauncher ... I use the today screen for caleder plugin's and what not.
Thanks,
max414 said:
i have got mort script but it s too much for my little brain......if was hoping if u could provide the file i will assign it a button ...looking forward to your help...thx for flight mode toggle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"max414"
I've sent you a private message rather than go further off topic on this thread.
Check your private messages & get back to me.
If you guys interested have a look at the 10 Best Softwares
Comments?
Here's my 2 cents on this '10best software' list ... befoer I start I gotta say for the most part I don't agree with it, for 1 reason or another.
1. Wisbar Advanced / Desktop.
Ok, I really like Wisbar, dating back to the PPC2002 times. It was a smart little program that worked very well as a launcher and took up close to nothing in terms of memory and storage, and better, it was a freeware. The Wisbar advanced these days though, is a memory hog for what it does. It may not be a problem on somehting like a x51v, but on a device like the Magician it really isn't the best solution for launcher. Plus, I dunno if it's just me, but I ran into all kinds of software problems with Wisbar advanced 2, potentially caused by software conflict with other softwares I have. Maybe someone else have better luck with WA2 though.
2. PocketBreeze
Never really used it, but personally I'm not a fan of busy today screen ... but that's just me.
3. PocketWeather
DOn't know why I'd pay for this software when I can get ADBWeather for free.
4. PocketMusic
I used PocketMusic in the PPC2002 days, and it's not bad ... but these days when you can get GSPlayer for free, it gives PM a run for the $$.
5. RescoFileExplorer
No question about this one. Always the first program I install after a hard-reset, 'nuff said.
6. Memmaid / PocketMechanics
I use Memmaid and it's great. Never used PocketMechanics
7. QuickNotes
Never used it ... so can't really say.
8. SPB Backup
I used Sprite Backup on my old PPC so I continue to use it on the Magician. Other than being rather slow when it scans your device, I have no complaint about Sprite. I never used SPB so I can't compare.
9. Internet Browser
Haven't tried anything other than IE so can't say ...
10. Theft Alarm
Well, I use eWallet to store all the sensitive information ... never used theft alarm so can't say.
I guess that's just the list for PPC ... because for PPC phones, I'd say PhoneAlarm's one of the top 'must-get' softwares for sure.
Hi There!
I just bought this phone and I am struggling having come from Symbian. I was wondering if some kind person(s) would help point me in the right direction.
1) Bluetooth. How do I "authorize" a device so it makes connection automatically?
2) How do I send multiple contacts to a bluetooth device?
3) Under Contacts
4) Is there a way to unlock the screen without that unlock slider thing? It's very frustrating
5) How do I get a horizontal full qwerty? Seems like mostly I can't get it to come up ? Should it not be available all the time?
6) Under "people" I can't seem to add contacts to that? Is that it's purpose? How does "people" compare to "Contacts"?
7) Below the quicklinks there is a little arrow, but I can't get to what's below it which I think is more quicklinks? How do I add more?
8) Is there any way, even via purchased software, to get voice dialing?
9) Is there a good divx/xvid/x264 player?
10) is there a good backup utility?
Re Roms. It's very confusing for a new person, so many options etc... Can someone recommend a good one? I know they are all different and I am not sure what I want, but I guess speed and battery and stability are all important. I understand I might need to upgrade the radio as well, are they region specific? Will I lose my settings and data if I upgrade? Can I upgrade Roms on W7 x64 or is it like the Symbian where you need XP?
Thanks very much!
about dialing
i was in contact with htc germany .
they said that voice call is not part of the hd2 .
because of microsoft
1 - Connect your bluetooth device, then (if the screen isnt already showing) click settings - menu - all settings - bluetooth. click the device name, and choose properties, tick teh box 'connections authorised'.
2 - dont know
3 - no question?
4 - use a different unlocker? many people like s2u2 which is apparently very configurable.
5 - only available when you are typing, and only comes up in applications that support landscape.
6 - press an empty square, it lets you choose a contact to add.
7 - the litte arrow points down, so you slide the screen up. Click an empty space to add a program or shortcut or contact.
8 - very hit and miss so far. read the apps and themes section.
9 - searcj, there is one that a lot of people use, but i cant remember its name.
10 - again, search, there are a few that many people go for. Personally i dont use one, i just sync my contacts and reinstal programs every hard reset.
I came from symbian. Basically read and read and read this forum and search.
Most of the answers are here and i've asked some of them!
Give it a few weeks and you will be sweet as