Let’s sum up what we already know.
update 19-03-2008 : Icon tutorial by Luigi
update 26-03-2008 : Background mod by asefsef, some cleaning done.
*** IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING USEFUL NOT MENTIONED HERE, JUST PM ME AND I WILL UPDATE THIS POST. ***
0-Basics
.dat files need to be opened using winzip. To extract the files you will need to use a password which is:
PASSWORD = b0fm18zq
*** WARNING ***
If you plan to use WinRAR instead of WinZIP to reencrypt the files, be sure to change the radio checkbox from RAR to ZIP format before entering the password (thanks cincij for the trick).
1-Localization
Simply edit the SpbMobileShell.txt file and change the corresponding items to your needs:
…
Text Messages|Messages texte
My Documents|Mes documents
…
Note that not all of the texts will be changed; some of them require registry hacks.
2-Customize the layouts (Quick and dirty tuto from SPBCLUB, written by met3ora ?)
(I will use brackets to indicate the XML tags, since the SPB forum doesn't like the XML tags.)
Copy qa_layouts.dat to your computer.
Using a WinZip, extract Launcher.xml, using the password b0fm18zq.
Opening up Launcher.xml in Notepad, you can see how MS reads the file. There are a few layouts that are defined, and are based on screen size and orientation. For my Kasier, 240x320 and 320x240 are the portrait and landscape layouts, respectively.
Under {Layout Name="240x320"} and more specifically under {Plugins Extends="Default"}, we find what we're looking for. The first 12 plugins (named rN) are the "pinned menu" buttons, and the next 6 (named mN) are the large buttons. Defined in each Plugin is the following line (with variation on the numbers, of course) {BoundRect X="0" Y="182" Width="39" Height="45"/}. So obviously X and Y are the X and Y positions in pixels, and Width and Height are, well, width and height also in pixels.
If you'd like to remove all the 12 pinned menu buttons, simply remove the following lines (for r0-rB):
{Plugin Name="r0"}
{BoundRect X="0" Y="182" Width="39" Height="45"/}
{/Plugin}
Just delete them, and then they're done. Now, this leaves the bigger launcher menu sitting on the bottom, looking pretty odd since there's a big void on the top. To even out the void, I moved each of those big buttons up 45 pixels. Why 45? Well, 45 was the height of one of the icons in the pinned menu, so moving it up that much would leave 45 pixels above and below the big grid.
So just simply subtract 45 from each Y coordinate of each plugin m0-m5, giving you (for m0-m2) 46 and (for the next 3) 137.
Now, I don't like the grid. Fortunately, we can just hide the grid by finding this line at the top of the XML file, under {General}, which is {Int Name="LineOpacity" Value="64"/}. Simply change the Value to 0, and that will hide the grid lines.
There you go, now the 6 button launcher is in the middle of your Launcher screen, with none of those pesky 12 pinned items. Do the same thing under {Layout Name="320x240"}, except of course change the numbers so that your 6 grid is in the middle of your screen.
Save the file.
Go back to WinZip and add Launcher.xml back into qa_layouts.dat, remembering to overwrite the old Launcher.xml and remembering to encrypt it again with the same password (which is b0fm18zq).
Now replace qa_layouts.dat in the \Program Files\Spb Mobile Shell\ folder and soft reset your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to get rid of this annoying icon tab at the bottom (Why do this soft has gestures enabled AND shortcuts ?) netzcoyote has a solution:
Not sure if this is already known:
To get rid of the icon tab at the bottom, edit Main.xml in qa_layouts.dat:
Basically, I moved the tab below the screen's visible area.
- In every layout node you want the tab to disappear, add 47 (the tab height) to the Y-coordinate of the plugins named Tab1, Tab2, Tab3 and Tab4.
- In order to make the area where the other elements appear extend to the bottom of the screen, add 47 to the height of the Plugin named Subform.
This expands the canvas height on which to show elements like the calendar, clock, menubuttons, etc.
Now you have to go into those xml files (for example LockScreen.xml) and change those element's coordinates, heights, etc. where appropriate.
This can easily be done with the menu tab, launcher tab, speeddial tab, etc.
Navigation with left and right gestures WORKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3-Customize the icons
Thx 2 Luigi
Do-it-yourself Icon Tutorial: here. <- Use this !
4-Customize the background
Thx 2 asefsef
So far, doing this is pretty easy:
- Extract files from qp_bkg_now.dat
- Change the separator2 and its mask to 240x320.
- Make the mask all white.
- Then put whatever image you like into the separator2 bmp.
You have to save the file as a Windows - 16bit - R5 G6 B5 - .bmp file.
if u miss the separator, just photoshop the separator back into the file. (thats not cheatin! >< hehe, it IS the separator layer after all.)
5-Registry Hacks
You can do some pretty nice things by directly editing your registry:
Look at the keys located here:
HKLM>Software>Spb Software House 2>Spb Mobile Shell>
How to enable the 9th icon with a 3x3 layout:Just create a .reg file with this inside:
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House 2\Spb Mobile Shell\Menu\Root\Games]
"Image"=dword:00000008
"Text"="Jeux"
"MRUImage"=dword:000000BF
"Index"=dword:00000007
"Inactive"=dword:00000001
"Add"=dword:00000001
Copy to your PDA, and launch it from there. The "Games" Menu should be available in the settings as a 9th icon.
Here’s another exemple done by Vincentvg:
gr8 work you all!
I now have 9 buttons and no need for all possible submenus. Therefore I started looking to use one of the menu buttons to activate the taskmanager from the main menu tab.
in the registry HKLM>Software>Spb Software House 2>Spb Mobile Shell>Menu>Root I added the ninth menu with folowing values:
Add = 0
Image = 8
Index = 9
Text = Active Tasks
Type = TaskManager
And the most amazing is that I got it 2 work!
Looking at existing 'Type' regvalues show that the menu buttons can be used for a lot more!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6-Integration with Pocket Informant, Agenda Fusion and Agenda One
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7794
7-Make SPB your Today screen
Have a look here, thedumbkid has done something neet for us, called SPBWatcher.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2029338
8-Nice links
HOT Theme collection for SPB mobile Shell 2, maintained by iamwhoiam
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380103
The development thread at XDA:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=374335
SPB Club:
http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15353
ActualiteMobiles: (french)
http://www.actualitemobile.com/forum/index.php/topic,1195.0.html
English translation of 4PDA.ru:
http://209.85.135.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=ru%7Cen&u=http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php%3Fs%3Da905e4fde300239b84d47f1dfd36ea09%26showtopic%3D31453%26st%3D2340%23entry1522182
SPB Mobile Shell 2.0 Beginner's How-to (Continued)
natong's Example to change menu Texts, Types and Image icons
Click Here
natong's Conclusion to make 3x3 icons (9 menus)
Click Me
natong On how make a tab for 16 speed shortcut icons
Press Me
Thank u ..
Great Work...
Dredd67 said:
*** WARNING ***
WinRAR seems OK for unpacking the files, but there has been some reports that you need WinZIP to reencrypt the files into the .dat. Files reemcrypted winth winRAR, even with the right password won’t work with SPB Mobile Shell 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it works just fine
Good job!
Thx a lot!!
This is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Congratulations for this sum up!!!
bon tuto mon ami et vive actualitémobile lol
Dredd67 said:
*** WARNING ***
WinRAR seems OK for unpacking the files, but there has been some reports that you need WinZIP to reencrypt the files into the .dat. Files reemcrypted winth winRAR, even with the right password won’t work with SPB Mobile Shell 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use WinRAR to repack, you just have to be sure to change the radio checkbox from RAR to ZIP format before entering the password.
Thank you very much for sharing, This is a good tutorial for everyone who love to customize spb mobile shell 2.
Thx
cincij said:
I use WinRAR to repack, you just have to be sure to change the radio checkbox from RAR to ZIP format before entering the password.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the details. I will update the 1st post according to this.
Thanks a lot for this. I'll be posting it over at the SPBClub if you don't mind!
Brilliant idea!
Great idea Dredd and thanks for the hard work to set it up and maintain it from here on out.
met3ora said:
Thanks a lot for this. I'll be posting it over at the SPBClub if you don't mind!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem !
Very nice post. It will be very helpful to people like me who intends to play with mobile shell.
Thanks.
Very nice. Is it possible to hack Mobile Shell in a way to display the full-time events (like birthdays, anniversarys) on the today screen?
Any love for the 240x240 people?
ceoprez said:
Any love for the 240x240 people?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have requested this as well a couple times, I am trying to do it myself, but...well.....it hasn't been pretty!!!!
(+1 on this request LOL)
ceoprez said:
Any love for the 240x240 people?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this on SPBClub. It was done by bamse. Give it a try, and if it works please report it.
Good work. Thumbs up to you. Just an annoying question to ask. In 9 tab launcher, I have only 8 icon. Missing is the favourite/game tab. There is also no option to tick in the setting/customise menu, as it is not there. Is there any registry tweak that I can do to make it show in the customise menu setting? Hope you understand. Thanks
fantastic thread! ty
kangmas said:
Good work. Thumbs up to you. Just an annoying question to ask. In 9 tab launcher, I have only 8 icon. Missing is the favourite/game tab. There is also no option to tick in the setting/customise menu, as it is not there. Is there any registry tweak that I can do to make it show in the customise menu setting? Hope you understand. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just create a .reg file with this inside:
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House 2\Spb Mobile Shell\Menu\Root\Games]
"Image"=dword:00000008
"Text"="Jeux"
"MRUImage"=dword:000000BF
"Index"=dword:00000007
"Inactive"=dword:00000001
"Add"=dword:00000001
Copy to your PDA, and launch it from there. The "Games" Menu should be available in the settings as a 9th icon.
Edit: ah yes you can replace "Jeux" with "Games" or whatever you langage is.
Related
Let's start a thread of all the reg tweaks ppl have come up with. If they are saved as .reg files (to an SD), we can install them with a mere double-click by using TRE (options>associate), and anyone can contribute to this post WITHOUT having to build .cab files! Why is this kewl; cos when u hard reset it's a real ball-ache to go back into all the forums to find the tweaks u applied and to navigate thro TRE to re-apply them all. This applies particuarly to settings (Owner info etc). Over and above, we are no longer beholden to tweak shareware, but have full and instant control over our settings.
Each tweak should have 2 reg files; Apply the tweak, and remove the tweak (if possible). In this manner, we can have a directory of reg files, and can turn on and off tweaks with a simple d.click.
Attached is a basic set I've compiled. Please let everyone know if any are a problem (ie perhaps whole key gets replaced and overrides something u have already changed). Files described below:
[*]Reg Date_In_Titlebar ON.reg
Adds the date to the title bar, with format according to your short-date format under settiings>regional (or found manually changed in another Tweak I'll cover later). I do NOT have a .reg file that will undo (ie delete) this new key, but it's easy to see what key is being added so u can delete it. <Credit: Well known PPC tweak - I probably learnt from toenailed>
Can someone please find out where we can change the font for this - it's a horrible bold font that doesn't fit in the space available?
[*]Reg Font_Menu_+_Pop_700 ON.reg
Change menus and popups to a smaller font. Nice size, makes VGA look more VGA-like, yet not so small that it fails cleartype nor looks daft. Requires a reset. <Credit: Well known PPC tweak - I probably learnt from toenailed>
[*]Reg Font_Menu_+_Pop_900 DEFAULT.reg
Reset above change to default of 900
[*]Reg Font_System_700 ON.reg
Changes system font to 2 pts smaller. I find that dialog boxes with radio buttons got a bit wierd, and you don;t get much more screen estate height cos of icon sizes staying the same in file lists, so I don't bother with this tweak. Requires a reset. <Credit: Well known PPC tweak - I probably learnt from toenailed>
[*]Reg Font_System_900 DEFAULT.reg
Turn above off
[*]Reg GPRS_+_3G_Always _On DEFAULT.reg
Awesome tweak to make sure ur phone connects to GPRS/3G and stays there. However, you'll want to switch this off overnight etc, which is the main reason I created this post and these reg files. NOTE: you will absolutely HAVE to replace the "MTN SA Web" bit with the name of your connection which you will find in this key using TRE
<Credit: BrettS http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=30277>
[*]Reg GPRS_+_3G_Always _On ON.reg
Turn off the above. Remember to change connection name in file
[*]Reg PIE_Homepage_Default.reg
When u press the E (explorer) keyboard key u go to clubimate homepage - annoying. This resets that hard button to whatever u want (current reg file is windows\default.htm)
<Credit: I forget, someone on clubimate forums>
[*]Reg TerminalServices_Cache_Larger DEFAULT.reg
AWESOME improvement in Terminal Services client horrible black blocks. Increases cache sizez - I did not notice an increase in traffic/cost
<Credit: Carnivor from MS KB http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=29996>
[*]Reg TerminalServices_Cache_Larger ON.reg
Turns above off
More coming as I go thro the wiki and toenailed tweak posts and extract usefull ones for us lonely Universal users...
can you add the actual keys to here?
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Universal_Registry
cos of this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=30396
Doh! That post came up after I started this thread.
Still this thread is useful for the actual .reg files to same n00bies some time (and to save me time too). I'll make sure everything here is duplicated there tho.
Here are a few more .reg files:
Several versions of date_in_title_bar (covered above)
Hide_Screen_Rotation icon
Hide that icon that allows u to rotate screen - but JJ does it automatically so Icon is not so necessary
Regional_settings
These are for me - u should edit file in text editor to customise 4 yourself. Best part is my short date format that keeps date in title bar small and visible
Ringtone_settings
Customise as above
Screen_Speed_Glyph_Cache
Double your screen cache. COsts a LITTLE memory, and improves screen size
Screen_font_'smaller'
Set screen font size to "smaller". This can be changed in "settings"m and I only include it here in line with my suggestion that we have a collection of files to run quickly on reset. You may want to customise as above
SIP_Settings. Ditto
All in updated zip file.
I would really appreciate if anyone can find a way to get rid of the Last Call in the dialer screen... I know its somewhere hidden in Registry, but I dont seems to be finding a way to get tru it...
Having the Last Dialed No. showing rite up on the Dialer Screen is really bothering and if you happened to press the phone button by mistake twice there we go the last dialed no. has been dialed already for you....
Bump: no-one contributing to this learning?
haven't found anything else worth posting yet m8, u got the best ones already :wink:
craigiecraigie4: Thanks for these - great idea!
I have a suggestion:
HKCU/ControlPanel/Backlight sets the backlight duration for the keyboard (in seconds). It's available through the control panel, but I like it set to more than the CP maximum of 10 seconds. Sorry - I don't know how to create a reg file.
To reset, choose another value in the backlight control panel applet.
Don't have any others to add though
Found another one:
Change the width of the vertical scroll bar and the height of the horizontal scroll bar so they take less room on the screen:
HKLM\System\GWE
Change cxVScr to (say) 10 to make vertical scrollbar narrower. Default value is 14
Change cyHScr to (say) 10 to make horizontal scrollbar narrower. Default value is 14
This change affects various scroll options in the system including the up/down arrows in selection boxes. 10 is a nice size.
This one is in this forum:
from davidberrysmith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any body remember these reg tweaks from himalaya? they still work
*** Speed Up Your Windows Mobile Pocket PC.
1. Open your registry editor o_n your Pocket PC
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\GDI\GLYPHCACHE\
3. Change the value of 'limit' from 8192 to 32768
4. Close registry editor and soft reset.
*** disable start menu animation
Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\GWE\Menu\
Change the "AniType" value from 6 to 0.
_________________
i-mate jasjar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SiliconS said:
Found another one:
Change the width of the vertical scroll bar and the height of the horizontal scroll bar so they take less room on the screen:
HKLM\System\GWE
Change cxVScr to (say) 10 to make vertical scrollbar narrower. Default value is 14
Change cyHScr to (say) 10 to make horizontal scrollbar narrower. Default value is 14
This change affects various scroll options in the system including the up/down arrows in selection boxes. 10 is a nice size.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one dude. I can't make the .reg file cos I can only create reg files of the entire key, and there are too many other things under GWE that users may have changed.
Internet Explorer
Somewhere in those forums I found the IE reg hack to make mine 5.5, this helps connecting to my bank account and viewing other secured sites.
read this somewhere
To change the ability to receive files via Bluetooth (OBEX)
The setting is at 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Obex'
The 'IsEnabled' DWORD value should be set to '1' to enable OBEX and '0' to disable OBEX.
For example, to enable the ability to receive fles via Bluetooth
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Obex\IsEnabled = 1
says receive so i dont know about send, try it!! might be it
But apparently now this is the same feature as the receive incoming beams setting in connections.
Yes, I know that's not free but 90% of all this hacks have been included in Tweaks2K2. And the other 10% are about to be included :twisted:
Yeah, true. Idea of this thread was to have a facility whereby a hard reset can be quickly restored to a working device - install a few basic apps, run the .reg files, and there u go. Takes me about half an hour from HR thro to up and running perfectly.
craigiecraigie4 said:
Yeah, true. Idea of this thread was to have a facility whereby a hard reset can be quickly restored to a working device - install a few basic apps, run the .reg files, and there u go. Takes me about half an hour from HR thro to up and running perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With your .reg files as inspiration I'm just about getting there in the same way. I've written down all the steps and I just run through them. I've done this since I had my XDA2 and it makes a hard reset so much less traumatic:
Code:
Hard reset. Wait for Today screen then soft reset.
Connect cable to ActiveSync. Set up guest connection.
Turn off beams, error reporting
Set basic clock accuracy
Copy Step 1 files to root of PPC [These are the CABs for the programs I install]
Run CABs. Leave O2 Connections CAB. Put gps.CAB and PIMAddin onto storage card
Run TRE registry editor. Associate .reg files to TRE
Open the .reg file [This applies my registry settings. See below]
Run O2 connections CAB
Copy all Step 2 files to root of PPC [This adds shortcuts to StorageCard-installed programs to my Start Menu and gives me my freeware email client and PZP icons and profiles]
Run SDK Certs CAB
Run OzVGA. Change all fonts to same size as qVGA
PPC: edit registry: browse to HKLM\ControlPanel\GPS Settings. Delete the DWORD marked "hide"
CPL > Personal > Buttons: match Button 2 to [Task switcher], Button 4 to <Rotate Screen>; Set button lock
CPL > Personal > Menus: ActiveSync, File Explorer, Internet Explorer, nPOPw, Pocket Informant, Task Manager, TomTom Navigator
CPL > Personal > Owner: set owner information
CPL > Personal > Phone: change band to GSM
CPL > Personal > Today: set items to Date, PZP, PocketPlus, PocketBreeze, Messaging; set theme to Windows Default
CPL > System > Clock: Show time on all screens
CPL > System > Regional: Set locale to UK
CPL > Connections > GPS: set program port COM0
Soft reset
Set password for PPC
PC: backup previously sync'ed files folder
PC ActiveSync: delete previous partnership. Don't delete sync'ed files folder
CPL > System > About: Set DeviceID = XDAExec
Connect PPC and PC with cable
Sync only Contacts, Calendar (all), Tasks, Favourites
Sync files. Replace the items on the device
PocketBreeze: import settings
PocketPlus: import settings
PocketInformant: run and let it fanny about
PocketWeather (on PocketBreeze tab): import settings
Run ListPro. Enter registration code
Disconnect from PC
Set up phone speed dials
Set up voicedial tags
Set up ActiveSync via Bluetooth to Workstation
Set up bond to headset
Set up bond to GPS thingy. Choose Serial Port as profile
Start TomTom Navigator. Run through startup.
InternetExplorer: sort out view settings. Set default page to about:blank
Choose Transcriber input method. Import settings file
This is my .reg file that does almost everything I need done in one step:
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\GPS Settings]
"Group"=dword:00000002
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Backlight]
"QKeyLedTimeout"=dword:0000001e
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client]
"Keyboard Layout"="00000409"
"BitmapPersistCacheSize"=dword:00000001
"BitmapCacheSize"=dword:00000015
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\GDI\GLYPHCACHE]
"limit"=dword:00004000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\nls\overrides]
"SSDte"="d/M "
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\OEM\KEYBD]
"PieHomePage"="about:blank"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shell]
"TBOpt"=hex:\
13,00,00,00
It makes a massive difference using commercial software that has a reliable import/export process for the settings and this, IMHO, is usually the biggest difference between paid-for software and freeware alternatives.
Silicon, don't u want to re-post your post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=31697
We need more of these 'standard' configs to help new users get up n running without giving up on their universal.
dude, your screen - how?
craigiecraigie4
how did you make htc look like that?
is it standard? emailable? I don't really want the merc style if it can be changed, but its a nice screen all the same
Re: dude, your screen - how?
simon_darley said:
craigiecraigie4
how did you make htc look like that?
is it standard? emailable? I don't really want the merc style if it can be changed, but its a nice screen all the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't want merc!! well u can just f off then! ;-)
It's WisbarAdvance2 with WAD - see another post I started in this forum. u can put in on any universal, with whatever walpaper u want, and there are plenty of free skins
Re: dude, your screen - how?
craigiecraigie4 said:
It's WisbarAdvance2 with WAD - see another post I started in this forum. u can put in on any universal, with whatever walpaper u want, and there are plenty of free skins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whatever it is, it's distracting to have such a big picture in your signature in such text-based forums.
Sorry craigiecraigie4. Don't mean to offend. Just MHO.
OK I was working in the customization of the HTCHomeplug.
What is HTCHomeplug? If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin that shows some icons like Battery, Rotation, Comm Manager, Screen Light, Quick GPS and TVOut. What I discovered is who to deal with this plugin in order to change the icons and applications associated there.
I used PHM Registry to edit entries at the PPC registry, but you can use the editor of your like.
First is access using the registry editor to this entry:
/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/HTC/HTCHomeplug
There is the configuration of the plugin. There we will find two entries pointing to the first two icons (Battery and Rotation) that seems to be configured in a different way that the rest of the icons. Those are the two DWORD entries:
PowerIconSlot with value of 0 (this means the first position in the plugin)
RotateIconSlot with value of 1 (this means the second position)
The rest of the positions in the HTCHomeplug appears like KEY entries with names from 2 to 5 meaning positions 3 to 6 in the plugin bar.
Inside each key (2 to 5) we find 3 values (or entries):
1- iconindex DWORD type of Decimal which contains 103 in the case of entry KEY 2
2- LaunchApPath STRING contains the path to the executable file associated to the icon
3- ResPath STRING contais the path to the resource file which contais the icon image poited by iconindex entry. This path points to a DLL or EXE file containing the icon image.
So... since we want to add a icon/application we need to create the entry KEY 6 and we must create both STRING entries and DWORD one inside the KEY 6.
To add Tomtom Navigator in the HTCHomeplug (as an example) I added:
iconindex = 101
LaunchApPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
ResPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
So I'm using the icon storaged in the Tomtom Navigator executable file itself and my Tomtom is in the path I show in the entry. Off course this could not match your installation.
How I found the iconindex information that points to the icon in the Tomtom's EXE file??? Easy I used a program called RViewer (for PPC) develop by Vicott Wong. The program can by found in Google or in the web page shown in the About screen.... http://mobile-sg.com
Running that program and browsing the EXE file (or a DLL) we can see the index for each resource and if it's an image the image is display in the screen, so I found the 101 is the index for the Tomtom icon inside de EXE file.
Once the entries in the Registry are done the rest is easy. Just go into Start - Configuration - Personal - Today and int the Elements Tab. There unmark the HTCHomeplug and exit the configuration going into the Today screen to check that the plugin is not in the screen. Then we back to the Today configuration and select again the HTCHomeplug to mark it. Once we are back into the Today screen we will see the new icon.
(OK in the previous paragraph I'm translating the menu options and clicks from my spanish release of WM5 into english one so the names could not match... what you need to do is configure Today screen to remove the plugin and to configure again to insert the plugin, that way the plugin is reseted and the new icons loaded).
I did several tests and looks like the HTCHomeplug only supports 7 icons (0 to 6) but since many of the original icons are not use on daily bases we can setup up to 5 programs in that plugin leaving the Battery and Rotary icons in its place.
I hope this is useful... and I beg your pardon for my poor english.
Regards,
mahjong
P.S.: I posted this first at todopocketpc.com in spanish. If you know that language maybe you prefer read it in my mother language. For sure will be much better written.
mahjong said:
OK I was working in the customization of the HTCHomeplug.
What is HTCHomeplug? If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin that shows some icons like Battery, Rotation, Comm Manager, Screen Light, Quick GPS and TVOut. What I discovered is who to deal with this plugin in order to change the icons and applications associated there.
I used PHM Registry to edit entries at the PPC registry, but you can use the editor of your like.
First is access using the registry editor to this entry:
/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/HTC/HTCHomeplug
There is the configuration of the plugin. There we will find two entries pointing to the first two icons (Battery and Rotation) that seems to be configured in a different way that the rest of the icons. Those are the two DWORD entries:
PowerIconSlot with value of 0 (this means the first position in the plugin)
RotateIconSlot with value of 1 (this means the second position)
The rest of the positions in the HTCHomeplug appears like KEY entries with names from 2 to 5 meaning positions 3 to 6 in the plugin bar.
Inside each key (2 to 5) we find 3 values (or entries):
1- iconindex DWORD type of Decimal which contains 103 in the case of entry KEY 2
2- LaunchApPath STRING contains the path to the executable file associated to the icon
3- ResPath STRING contais the path to the resource file which contais the icon image poited by iconindex entry. This path points to a DLL or EXE file containing the icon image.
So... since we want to add a icon/application we need to create the entry KEY 6 and we must create both STRING entries and DWORD one inside the KEY 6.
To add Tomtom Navigator in the HTCHomeplug (as an example) I added:
iconindex = 101
LaunchApPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
ResPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
So I'm using the icon storaged in the Tomtom Navigator executable file itself and my Tomtom is in the path I show in the entry. Off course this could not match your installation.
How I found the iconindex information that points to the icon in the Tomtom's EXE file??? Easy I used a program called RViewer (for PPC) develop by Vicott Wong. The program can by found in Google or in the web page shown in the About screen.... http://mobile-sg.com
Running that program and browsing the EXE file (or a DLL) we can see the index for each resource and if it's an image the image is display in the screen, so I found the 101 is the index for the Tomtom icon inside de EXE file.
Once the entries in the Registry are done the rest is easy. Just go into Start - Configuration - Personal - Today and int the Elements Tab. There unmark the HTCHomeplug and exit the configuration going into the Today screen to check that the plugin is not in the screen. Then we back to the Today configuration and select again the HTCHomeplug to mark it. Once we are back into the Today screen we will see the new icon.
(OK in the previous paragraph I'm translating the menu options and clicks from my spanish release of WM5 into english one so the names could not match... what you need to do is configure Today screen to remove the plugin and to configure again to insert the plugin, that way the plugin is reseted and the new icons loaded).
I did several tests and looks like the HTCHomeplug only supports 7 icons (0 to 6) but since many of the original icons are not use on daily bases we can setup up to 5 programs in that plugin leaving the Battery and Rotary icons in its place.
I hope this is useful... and I beg your pardon for my poor english.
Regards,
mahjong
P.S.: I posted this first at todopocketpc.com in spanish. If you know that language maybe you prefer read it in my mother language. For sure will be much better written.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent post and thanks for your efforts and sharing! I'll be trying this out later. Just what I was looking for.
I'll report my experiences later.
Excellent! I will try this!
When using TrueVGA, does anybody know a way of making the icons work? I see only 1/4th of an icon, and it's even the wrong icon. The only icon is the one for the Light Settings...
Anybody know the iconindex for Opera so i can have the Opera icon instead of Web&Walk icon!
Mahjong tells you how to find it...
mahjong said:
How I found the iconindex information that points to the icon in the Tomtom's EXE file??? Easy I used a program called RViewer (for PPC) develop by Vicott Wong. The program can by found in Google or in the web page shown in the About screen.... http://mobile-sg.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Joy I'm afraid...
I'm afraid that it hasn't worked for me on the Ameo. Maybe it's due to how T-Mob have configured/altered things with their customisation of their ROM.
I reverted to using the TrayApplet in the same regedit folder that the HTCHompeplug resides in, but to no avail.
Quote "Just go into Start - Configuration - Personal - Today and int the Elements Tab. There unmark the HTCHomeplug and exit the configuration going into the Today screen to check that the plugin is not in the screen. Then we back to the Today configuration and select again the HTCHomeplug to mark it. Once we are back into the Today screen we will see the new icon.
(OK in the previous paragraph I'm translating the menu options and clicks from my spanish release of WM5 into english one so the names could not match... what you need to do is configure Today screen to remove the plugin and to configure again to insert the plugin, that way the plugin is reseted and the new icons loaded). " End Quote.
No HTC Plugin on the Ameo Today settings menu either, but visible in HLKM...software etc...as the HTCHomeplug.
I can get some of my choice of programs in the TrayApplet, but not the associated icons!!??!!
Same as before when I tried. Anyone else with an Ameo who has had success in getting it to work with the right icons?
Hi,
Thanks for the tip, it's really useful! I wanted to customize the plugin but didn't have the patience to go through all the registry.
Twp questions though:
- I made a shortcut for the calculator (calc.exe) but the icon is too big (both res. index 0 or 100 in calc.exe). Is there a way to scale it down, or a smaller calculator icon in another file? What's the "main" icon library for Windows Mobile (the equivalent of shell32.dll under Windows)
- I tried to make a shortcut to the phone application, but I can't find the exe file (the Start menu shortcut doesn't point to an exe file, but to :MSCProg?......). And I can't find the icon either...
Please help.
Regards,
Silviu
Hi silviu.h.
Which Athena device do you have, Advantage, Dopod or Ameo?
Hi, I have the HTC Advantage (not Ameo, not Dopod), and the vanilla french ROM.
silviu.h said:
Hi, I have the HTC Advantage (not Ameo, not Dopod), and the vanilla french ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. That would explain why to a large extent it works on your device.
P.S. try \Windows\HTCICON.dll (I think that is the equivalent to shell32.dll)
Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for your answer.
The hack from mahjong works OK, except for the quirks I have already posted above (the Calc.exe icon is too big and I can't find the main icon store). htcicon.dll doesn't exist
However it's OK for Tomtom.
I'll keep you posted on my findings (I'm not giving up, I just have to go to bed )
See you,
Silviu
mackaby007 said:
No HTC Plugin on the Ameo Today settings menu either, but visible in HLKM...software etc...as the HTCHomeplug.
I can get some of my choice of programs in the TrayApplet, but not the associated icons!!??!!
Same as before when I tried. Anyone else with an Ameo who has had success in getting it to work with the right icons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that was the reason for adding this to my note: "If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin..."
Only for HTC users I'm afraid.
Best Regards,
mahjong
mahjong said:
Yeah that was the reason for adding this to my note: "If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin..."
Only for HTC users I'm afraid.
Best Regards,
mahjong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you can simply enable it on the T-Mobile Ameo using the following Reg-Keys:
- Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Today\Items
- Create a new Key named: HTC-Homeplug (or whatever you like)
- Navigate into that key
- Create the following items under that key:
String: DLL
Value: htchomeplug.dll
DWORD: Enabled
Value: 0 (or 1 if you want to enable it directly)
DWORD: Flags
Value: 0
DWORD: Options
Value: 0
DWORD: Order
Value: 0
DWORD: Type
Value: 5
After doing the above go to your today-screen settings and the Homeplug plugin is there...
Cheers
I seem to have BOTH HTCHomeplug and Trayapplet on my Ameo
It seems that there is a today item [email protected] or something I can turn on/off that doesnt appear to do anything, I beleive this is turning on/off the HTCHomeplug.
Because Trayapp is already on, and overwriting the HTChomeplug you only see its icons, therefor the homeplug is hidden.
I will experiment with turning off trayapp then turning on the @home today item and see what happens, but it looks like a lot of the confusion for Ameo users is the fact both are installed.
I did a hard reset, and didnt fiddle with the home/tray stuff, so this is how the rom set it up!
HKLM/software/htc/HTCHomeplug
HKLM/software/htc/TrayApplet
Both have keys of (and ONLY of),
PowerIconSlot=0
RotateIconSlot=1
In them.
Under HKLM/software/microsoft/today/items/[email protected]
DLL=hztdplug.dll
enabled=0
flags=0
options=0
order=1
type=5
Pyrofer said:
I seem to have BOTH HTCHomeplug and Trayapplet on my Ameo
It seems that there is a today item [email protected] or something I can turn on/off that doesnt appear to do anything, I beleive this is turning on/off the HTCHomeplug.
Because Trayapp is already on, and overwriting the HTChomeplug you only see its icons, therefor the homeplug is hidden.
I will experiment with turning off trayapp then turning on the @home today item and see what happens, but it looks like a lot of the confusion for Ameo users is the fact both are installed.
I did a hard reset, and didnt fiddle with the home/tray stuff, so this is how the rom set it up!
HKLM/software/htc/HTCHomeplug
HKLM/software/htc/TrayApplet
Both have keys of (and ONLY of),
PowerIconSlot=0
RotateIconSlot=1
In them.
Under HKLM/software/microsoft/today/items/[email protected]
DLL=hztdplug.dll
enabled=0
flags=0
options=0
order=1
type=5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile plugin has nothing to do with the HTC-Homeplug. HTC-Homeplug provides the sam functionality as the TrayApp.
The [email protected] Today Plugin is only useful for T-Mobile customers as it provides functions for HomeZone users.
The dll name hztdplug.dll means HomeZoneTodayPlugin...
If you want to use the HTC-HomePLug plugin you have to create the registry key I've posted above.
Cheers
Ok, I dont want the homezone rubbish.
But im still stuck with both HTCHomeplug and Trayapp
How do I enable/disable the trayapp? That doesnt seem to have any today element to it. I cant get icons working at all in trayapp and wanted to try the HTCHomeplug as that looks a much more userfriendly app.
Pyrofer said:
How do I enable/disable the trayapp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to HKLM\init
Delete the Launcher for TrayAp.exe. On mine it is Launch92...
Make a Softreset after you changed this setting and the TrayAp is gone.
Cheers
Thanks!
I now have the HTC Homeplug working, and the trayapp gone! W00t!
I like the bigger icons, and now I can edit them better im happy. Much nicer.
Anyone thought about coding a contol panel applet for this homescreen plugin??
Moskus said:
Excellent! I will try this!
When using TrueVGA, does anybody know a way of making the icons work? I see only 1/4th of an icon, and it's even the wrong icon. The only icon is the one for the Light Settings...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use combination of Spb pocket plus and Commmgrpro, you don't need to deal with these problems of wrong size icons in the comm manager and home plug. Both of these need not be used at all.
I'm yet to find a replacement for Spb GPRS monitor though. SPb GPRS monitor also have problem displaying in true VGA. There are some but they do not show the kbps figure - only the downloaded volume.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRVh8oA1rw
With a registry editor ( http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/phmregistryeditor.shtml ) in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch we see the folders APLauncher + MediaHubMini. The first one it contains the regulations for the side of cube with 6 applications and the second one, the regulations for the side of cube with 3 applications.
Opening the file APLauncher we see at line, 6 files with name App0 - 5. Each one represents a button of cube, in the side with 6 applications. We are interested for the fields Name where we fix the name of application that will appear on screen and Path where we fix the path of application that we want to place.
In this example I have put the application Live Messenger changing string with \Windows\WLMMessenger.exe with preferred application. Attention, we needed exe no ink, that exist in windows folder or Program Files folder.
With the same way open the folder MediaHubMini. We see at line, 3 files with name App1_1 - 3. . Each one represents a button of cube, in the side with 3 applications. At the same way we make also here the changes that we wish. The field APNameFontSize it represents the font size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRVh8oA1rw
Here we see the final result. Next stage the change of our own pictures in each program, but most important is to have in the cube the applications that we want to have easy access with one hand. Most careful and those who have installed the HTC Action Screen will discover in the folder Biotouch and the corresponding regulations for this.
==========================
==========================
Another side with six applications in cube
1. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch add a folder with name APLauncher4 with the same content of APLauncher.
2. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch\Βiotouch add a String Value with name App4 and String APLauncher \Windows\APLauncher4.exe
3. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch\Βiotouch add a Βinary Value with name Cube4 with the same content of Cube3.
4. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch\Βiotouch change the DWORD VALUE Total Cubes from 3 to 4.
5. In windows folder make a new file with name APLauncher4.exe copy from APLauncher.exe
==========================
==========================
All that require big experience and knowledge and become more easily with copy, paste & rename.
Thanks to butzchan, atao, hawk eye tim.
Can I ever thank you enough?
Thank you so much Pano! This is a really great tweak!!!
Easier and more user friendly is carlos' touchsettings. can be found on www.fatattitude.com. Thread is somwhere in development here. No need to go to reg.
In my and some other devices, this application does not open.
weird :-( I have polaris (o2 orbit2) and works w/o probs. But i had to install cube from CAB (bloody f..ing o2 ROM) Hopefully soon will be some custom ROM
Isn't there a easier way
Thx.
I am old fashion man.
panosha said:
I am old fashion man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot.. That's exactly what I need.. the old fashion way.
I prefer this method than installing a tweak program. Even installing
a program is easier, but I love this way..
Thank you..
Lets add another cube!!
I have successfully added another cube by making 3 regedits:
I added:
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_SZ called App4 (value data same as App3)
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_BINARY called Cube4 (value data same as Cube3)
Changed HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/TotalCubes from 3 to 4
I now have 4 cubes, but obviously the added cube is a clone of the APLauncher (6 button) cube that already existed. My question is (being a newbie at this, and feeling like GT330 and panosha do) how do I change the new 6 APLauncher cube to display different programs?
Is it as simple as adding an APLauncher2 Key, values, etc in the registry??
I can't find a way to make it work.
panosha said:
I can't find a way to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've added the 2 registry keys and modified the TotalCubes key :
Added HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/App4 (value data same as App3)
Added HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/Cube4 (value data same as Cube3)
Changed HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/TotalCubes from 3 to 4
And made a complete reset, all is ok, i have a 4 Face cube, thanks to butzchan
Now lets get some help on changing the reg values to have 6 different programs on each of the APLauncher cubes, for a total of 12. I wonder if you copy the APLauncher reg values and rename the copied values APLauncher2, it will work. Anyone?
butzchan said:
I have successfully added another cube by making 3 regedits:
I added:
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_SZ called App4 (value data same as App3)
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_BINARY called Cube4 (value data same as Cube3)
Changed HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/TotalCubes from 3 to 4
I now have 4 cubes, but obviously the added cube is a clone of the APLauncher (6 button) cube that already existed. My question is (being a newbie at this, and feeling like GT330 and panosha do) how do I change the new 6 APLauncher cube to display different programs?
Is it as simple as adding an APLauncher2 Key, values, etc in the registry??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nearly that simply
Create a new key by copying and pasting APLauncher i renamed the new key APLauncher4.
Alter the App4 string to 'APLauncher \Windows\APLauncher4.exe'
Then copy and rename the \windows\aplauncher.exe program to aplauncher4.exe
Then just alter the values to your requirement in the aplauncher4 key and reset.
Works a treat on mine.I now have another page with 6 fully programable buttons.
Great job.
Great find....
We can't have another side with contacts.
hawk eye tim said:
nearly that simply
Create a new key by copying and pasting APLauncher i renamed the new key APLauncher4.
Alter the App4 string to 'APLauncher \Windows\APLauncher4.exe'
Then copy and rename the \windows\aplauncher.exe program to aplauncher4.exe
Then just alter the values to your requirement in the aplauncher4 key and reset.
Works a treat on mine.I now have another page with 6 fully programable buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my next step. Now it works great! Thanks dude!
I am guessing to get another contacts page, all you would need to do is follow the same steps, just with App1 as the base.
Time to edit the other 6 apps.
OK, here are the results of our work. I will try to gather all informantions in the first post. Thank you all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRVh8oA1rw
Nice!!!
This was nice. Exactly one of the improvemets of the cube was waiting for.
For some time, I've been using WVGAFIX3 on my Blackstone to run older games supporting only 320x240 (QVGA) or 640x480 (VGA) resolutions.
As excellent as WVGAFIX3 is, running WVGAFIX3 "by hand" has always been annoying, especially if I forget it the first time, and copying and editing the typical Mortscript for each new game is a hassle:
Code:
RunWait("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-640")
Sleep(500) # pause suggested by mr_deimos, to allow the dust to settle
RunWait("\path\to\game.EXE)
Run("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-800")
These scripts have to be stored somewhere, and icons can't be assigned to them, so they're not a good alternative to the plain shortcut.
My next step was to generalize the script (called RunVGA.mscr):
Code:
RunWait("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-640")
Sleep(500)
RunWait(arg1)
Run("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-800")
Now, arg1 can be given at the command line in the shortcut - this example is Shift.lnk (for this free, excellent little time waster):
Code:
132#"\Windows\Mortscript.exe" "\bin\RunVGA.mscr" arg1="\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe" ?\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe,
(The Shift game can really mess up the Blacstone's display if WVGAFIX3 is not used - I've had to soft reset a couple of times when I forgot!)
This shortcut will look like the original, as the icon is preserved (by repeating the EXE path between "?" and ",", and providing no icon ID after ",", thus using the default ID). When launched, RunVGA script above will do its thing.
Now, the next improvement would be to simplify the shortcut (at the cost of launching an extra process). I have modified RunMscr.exe found here. When renamed to yourscript.exe, the original executes
Code:
Mortscript.exe yourscript.mscr argument1 argument2 ...
My patched version (attached) executes
Code:
Mortscript.exe yourscript.mscr arg1=argument1 arg2=argument2 ...
Notice that RunMscr.exe implicitly names the arguments, something which should have been done by Mortscript a long time ago, in my opinion. Thus, I can copy RunMscr.exe to RunVGA.exe, and modify the shortcut above to
Code:
132#"\bin\RunVGA.exe" "\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe" ?\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe,
(Notice that I keep all scripts and manually copied executables in \bin - adjust accordingly in the scripts provided!)
Having RunVGA.exe with my method of passing arguments, means that you can also launch an executable in VGA mode directly from Resco Explorer by using tap and hold, "Open With...", and browsing to RunVGA.exe.
Now, I was pretty happy with this, but wanted a lazy man's solution for creating these shortcuts (and reverting to the original). The following describes how to toggle a shortcut between its original version and its RunVGA version, again using "Open with..." in Resco Explorer.
First create ToggleVGAfix.mscr:
Code:
line=ReadLine(arg1)
Split(line,"#",1,length,shortcut)
Split(shortcut,"?",1,shortcut,icon)
If (Find(shortcut, "RunVGA") = 0)
# This is a normal shortcut, convert to RunVGA shortcut
If (icon eq "")
icon = shortcut
# Strip quotes from icon string
While (CharAt(icon, Length(icon)) eq """")
icon = SubStr(icon, 1, Length(icon)-1)
EndWhile
While (CharAt(icon,0) eq """")
icon = SubStr(icon, 2)
EndWhile
icon = icon & ","
EndIf
line = length & "#" & """\bin\RunVGA.exe"" " & shortcut & " ?" & icon
Else
# This is a RunVGA shortcut, revert to original
Split(shortcut,"RunVGA.exe"" ",1,dummy,target)
line = length & "#" & target
EndIf
# Uncommment if you want to keep the original
#Rename(arg1, arg1 & ".bak", TRUE)
WriteFile(arg1, line)
Next, copy RunMscr.exe to ToggleVGAfix.exe (next to the ToggleVGAfix.mscr script above).
In Resco Explorer, navigate to a shortcut you want to test this on, tap and hold, select Open With, and browse to ToggleVGAfix.exe. Then try launching the shortcut itself - if all goes well, the program will run in VGA mode, and revert back to WVGA when ended.
With all this behind us, we've accomplished this: The next time you install a QVGA/VGA game, navigate to the \Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Games (according to your locale) folder, tap and hold the shortcut, select ToggleVGAfix, and you should be good to go from your normal Games menu.
A small caveat: I've noticed that WVGAFIX3 occasionally doesn't kick into effect in time for the "wrapped" exe. I may look into this if it proves to be enough of a problem. Edit: added a Sleep which fixed this problem for mr_deimos.
great job! I wish wvga worked on wm 6.5 so I could use this with wvga
this can be useful with other programs tho too, do you think i can use this to disable windows mobile's setting temporarily while certain programs are running? I'm having a problem with an music player going into sleep mode while I'm playing a song but I don't want to disable windows mobile sleep completely cause it saves so much battery life.
also is it possible to use this to run a program automatically in the background by ridirecting to the today screen right after running the program?
Nice job. Believe me or not, but i made a script identical to the first one you posted a week ago - just for launching Shift on my wvag toshiba g900 But i just put the shortcut to mscr file in the start menu - you actually can change it's icon so it was good enough for me.
My shortcut is:
Code:
104#"\Storage Card\Program Files\Games\Shift\Shift.mscr"?\Storage Card\Program Files\Games\Shift\Shift.exe,0
But of course, your automagic solution for toggling wvgafix is much better than doing everything by hand
Just a little note - you might want to add a Sleep(500) or even Sleep(1000) before running the app itself. Just using the RunWait to launch wvgafix usually works, but today when i launched shift with script without Sleep() the game actually started before wvgafix finished resizing the screen. So all i got was a black screen. I could close shift by tapping in the top-right corner of the screen, but taskbar remained hidden and i had to soft-reset to get it back. It happened twice in a row. It's seems to be the same problem you're facing. In my case it was probably caused by the fact that my pda is running underclocked a bit (when i was first testing the script it was running at full speed). After putting in the additional 1-second sleep everything works like a charm And the difference in startup time isn't really noticeable.
CowMix said:
great job! I wish wvga worked on wm 6.5 so I could use this with wvga
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is one of the reasons I'm postponing 6.5. (The other, of course, is that kwbr has not yet released a Topix based on 6.5 )
this can be useful with other programs tho too, do you think i can use this to disable windows mobile's setting temporarily while certain programs are running? I'm having a problem with an music player going into sleep mode while I'm playing a song but I don't want to disable windows mobile sleep completely cause it saves so much battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless your player has the option to disable sleep, modifying my script(s) will probably work fine. Simply replace the Run statements for WVGAFIX3 with whatever executables or registry changes you want to happen. For registry changes, you may want the safeguard of resetting the "standard" values at startup, in case your phone resets or turns off while your player (and the script) is running.
also is it possible to use this to run a program automatically in the background by ridirecting to the today screen right after running the program?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably! Replace the code in the first script with something like this (untested):
Code:
Run(arg1)
Sleep(1000)
Show("Start")
A different take:
Code:
Run(arg1)
title = "Title of window to hide"
WaitFor(title, 30)
Minimize(title)
This will need more work to use with my shortcuts, as this script also needs the title of the window to hide. The benefit is that Windows will show the previously active window instead of Today, which is usually what you want.
mr_deimos said:
Nice job. Believe me or not, but i made a script identical to the first one you posted a week ago - just for launching Shift on my wvag toshiba g900
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think many of us have done a similar job with Shift .
But i just put the shortcut to mscr file in the start menu - you actually can change it's icon so it was good enough for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That works - I would have preferred to put the mscr directly into the Start menu (to avoid having to stash them somewhere else). In this case the icon is determined by the mscr extension, which looks dull, to say the least .
Code:
104#"\Storage Card\Program Files\Games\Shift\Shift.mscr"?\Storage Card\Program Files\Games\Shift\Shift.exe,0
Is 0 the icon ID, or just the "default" icon? I simply tried with nothing after the comma, and it seemed to pick up the default icon in each EXE/DLL.
But of course, your automagic solution for toggling wvgafix is much better than doing everything by hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - it's something I've been meaning to figure our for at least 6 months, since I learned that WVGAFIX3 takes command line parameters.
Just a little note - you might want to add a Sleep(500) or even Sleep(1000) before running the app itself. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - added!
ugumba said:
Is 0 the icon ID, or just the "default" icon? I simply tried with nothing after the comma, and it seemed to pick up the default icon in each EXE/DLL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems the default icon ID - the one displayed by the OS. I didn't even know you can just omit this parameter So probably both ways will give the same results.
Great thing! I tried and it works! But I have another problem. I am using Fingerkeyboard and when I switch the resolution to VGA it is still showing me error that this resolution is not supported (there is download for each resolution and it is not possible to have WWGA and VGA installed).
So my question is - it is possible to change software keyboard by Mortscript? And then, when application ends change it back?
Thank you
I found the solution, I am switching the keyboards with this tool from Vijay555: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=242503
Great thing, so now I don't have to remember to change keyboard, change screen...
ugumba said:
For some time, I've been using WVGAFIX3 on my
In Resco Explorer, navigate to a shortcut you want to test this on, tap and hold, select Open With, and browse to ToggleVGAfix.exe.
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Click to collapse
It seems that you don't need the non-freeware resco explorer for that - the file explorer extension from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=421723
also provides this functionality. You would just need to make sure that the shortcut to ToggleVGAFix.exe is in the start menu (the file explorer extension can't browse for program to open file with).
ugumba said:
For some time, I've been using WVGAFIX3 on my Blackstone to run older games supporting only 320x240 (QVGA) or 640x480 (VGA) resolutions.
As excellent as WVGAFIX3 is, running WVGAFIX3 "by hand" has always been annoying, especially if I forget it the first time, and copying and editing the typical Mortscript for each new game is a hassle:
Code:
RunWait("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-640")
Sleep(500) # pause suggested by mr_deimos, to allow the dust to settle
RunWait("\path\to\game.EXE)
Run("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-800")
These scripts have to be stored somewhere, and icons can't be assigned to them, so they're not a good alternative to the plain shortcut.
My next step was to generalize the script (called RunVGA.mscr):
Code:
RunWait("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-640")
Sleep(500)
RunWait(arg1)
Run("\Windows\WVGAFIX3APP.exe", "-800")
Now, arg1 can be given at the command line in the shortcut - this example is Shift.lnk (for this free, excellent little time waster):
Code:
132#"\Windows\Mortscript.exe" "\bin\RunVGA.mscr" arg1="\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe" ?\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe,
(The Shift game can really mess up the Blacstone's display if WVGAFIX3 is not used - I've had to soft reset a couple of times when I forgot!)
This shortcut will look like the original, as the icon is preserved (by repeating the EXE path between "?" and ",", and providing no icon ID after ",", thus using the default ID). When launched, RunVGA script above will do its thing.
Now, the next improvement would be to simplify the shortcut (at the cost of launching an extra process). I have modified RunMscr.exe found here. When renamed to yourscript.exe, the original executes
Code:
Mortscript.exe yourscript.mscr argument1 argument2 ...
My patched version (attached) executes
Code:
Mortscript.exe yourscript.mscr arg1=argument1 arg2=argument2 ...
Notice that RunMscr.exe implicitly names the arguments, something which should have been done by Mortscript a long time ago, in my opinion. Thus, I can copy RunMscr.exe to RunVGA.exe, and modify the shortcut above to
Code:
132#"\bin\RunVGA.exe" "\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe" ?\Program Files\Shift\Shift.exe,
(Notice that I keep all scripts and manually copied executables in \bin - adjust accordingly in the scripts provided!)
Having RunVGA.exe with my method of passing arguments, means that you can also launch an executable in VGA mode directly from Resco Explorer by using tap and hold, "Open With...", and browsing to RunVGA.exe.
Now, I was pretty happy with this, but wanted a lazy man's solution for creating these shortcuts (and reverting to the original). The following describes how to toggle a shortcut between its original version and its RunVGA version, again using "Open with..." in Resco Explorer.
First create ToggleVGAfix.mscr:
Code:
line=ReadLine(arg1)
Split(line,"#",1,length,shortcut)
Split(shortcut,"?",1,shortcut,icon)
If (Find(shortcut, "RunVGA") = 0)
# This is a normal shortcut, convert to RunVGA shortcut
If (icon eq "")
icon = shortcut
# Strip quotes from icon string
While (CharAt(icon, Length(icon)) eq """")
icon = SubStr(icon, 1, Length(icon)-1)
EndWhile
While (CharAt(icon,0) eq """")
icon = SubStr(icon, 2)
EndWhile
icon = icon & ","
EndIf
line = length & "#" & """\bin\RunVGA.exe"" " & shortcut & " ?" & icon
Else
# This is a RunVGA shortcut, revert to original
Split(shortcut,"RunVGA.exe"" ",1,dummy,target)
line = length & "#" & target
EndIf
# Uncommment if you want to keep the original
#Rename(arg1, arg1 & ".bak", TRUE)
WriteFile(arg1, line)
Next, copy RunMscr.exe to ToggleVGAfix.exe (next to the ToggleVGAfix.mscr script above).
In Resco Explorer, navigate to a shortcut you want to test this on, tap and hold, select Open With, and browse to ToggleVGAfix.exe. Then try launching the shortcut itself - if all goes well, the program will run in VGA mode, and revert back to WVGA when ended.
With all this behind us, we've accomplished this: The next time you install a QVGA/VGA game, navigate to the \Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Games (according to your locale) folder, tap and hold the shortcut, select ToggleVGAfix, and you should be good to go from your normal Games menu.
A small caveat: I've noticed that WVGAFIX3 occasionally doesn't kick into effect in time for the "wrapped" exe. I may look into this if it proves to be enough of a problem. Edit: added a Sleep which fixed this problem for mr_deimos.
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Click to collapse
Hi, sounds really great. but i have problems to understand...
which files do i need and where i have to place them?
do i need for every game a own file?
greetings
Clearly, getting this setup on your device is left as an exercise for the reader! I basically did this for myself, but wanted to share something I found useful, and explain how I got there. Maybe if there's enough interest, I'll try making a CAB.
I'll try to clarify a bit, though:
1. You need Mortscript installed (I use 4.2 which comes with SASHIMI)
2. You need WVGAFIX3 installed.
3. You need 2 scripts copied from my first post, named RunVGA.mscr and ToggleVGAfix.mscr. If you already have a folder for your personal scripts collection (I use \Storage Card\bin), I suggest you put them there.
4. You need my version of runmscr.exe, attached to my first post, copied to your scripts folder as RunVGA.exe and ToggleVGAfix.exe.
5. You need a file explorer capable of handling alternate associations, so that you can register the two executables as "handlers" for the .lnk extension. On my device, Resco Explorer is indispensable.
6. Finally (the hard part) you need to loosely follow and understand the instructions in the first post, and adjust them to your situation when needed. The important part is after the ToggleVGAfix code (2 paragraphs).
Except for editing ToggleVGAfix.mscr according to your scripts folder, you should never have to edit a file, understand the .lnk format or really understand Mortscript. (All my talk around the Shift shortcut is just me being long winded and feeling I have to explain everything. See how this "little" post turned out? )
If this seems mystical or unclear, I suggest reading the Mortscript manual - you'll be happy you did. Also, Barbudor's page on the original runmscr might shed some light on my rants.
Hey, sorry for jumping on after the horse has bolted, I've been dead for a while, but it's better now...
There's another version of SipSwitch out, called VJSipSwitch (I think).
Don't use the old one, because although functional, I wrote it when I didn't know how to code, akin to a thousand monkeys = Shakespeare.
V
Hi guys,
I know it's a 10 seconds job to create a link for items inside the control panel (settings) such as "Usb to PC" or "Power" but I'm too lazy to do it every time I try a new rom,
also I found some of the values change from rom to rom, so I create a really simple app that goes through the registry key which holds the settings items (KLM\Security\Shell\StartInfo\Start) and creates a .lnk file for each of these entries.
Having a direct link allows me to add that option as a quick link which is handy 8)
Anyway, here is the tool in case someone wants it.
The exe must be installed in "\Program Files\CplLinks" (Device). It only takes 11.5 kb. The only reason the .exe is needed after the lnk are created is to provide an icon.
When you run it, it reads the HKEY mention above and creates .lnk for each item in the "Settings" menu. The lnks are created in "\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\CplLinks" so are directly accessible through the Programs menu.
There are no messages, it runs and creates the links, no interaction whatsoever so do not expect any nice popup window 8)
Next version will use specific icons for each item, right now, all the links use the same icon from the cpllink.exe executable.
The icons for most of the Settings are .png files rather than .ico, and WM doesn't have an easy way to convert from .png into .ico, the idea for a "future version" is to collect all the .png files,converted to icons and create a dll on the fly with the icons as resources, so they can be referenced from the .lnk files
Couple of screen shots from the emulator.
Great application! It works like a charm! Thank you for this convenient time saver
EDiT (another time saver)
After applying a Hard Reset WE have to reinstall all programs if you have previously installed them in the memory card. Often it is sufficient to recreate the shortcut in the start menu. ShortCutCreator helps you to recover the exe files and to recreate the desired shortcut.
Thanks for sharing!
I guess would be better if I manage to provide a different icon for each link, but Icon support is quite limited inside VM. Need to work in the PNG to Icon -> .dll routine 8)
I though having the app in internal memory was a better solution than in \Storage Card, so it will take less time to load the icon from the program, but I can change it and allow that option, so the icons in the links are pointing to \Storage.. rather than \Programs..
Anyway, it just a time-saver thingy 8)
Nice app. It does not seem to work on WM6.1 though.
It does create a new folder structure: CplLinks\System inside the Start Menu.
Very nice. It does seems to create a bunch of redundant or non-used links though
Yep, I saw it only works on WM6.5, on WM6.1 there are no "StartInfo\Start" in the "KLM\Security\Shell\". Not sure where it keeps that info, maybe somewhere else in the registry.
I finally managed to convert PNG to ICO, so I think next version would allow you to choose which items you want to create links for rather than just dump everything 8)
dubidu said:
Yep, I saw it only works on WM6.5, on WM6.1 there are no "StartInfo\Start" in the "KLM\Security\Shell\". Not sure where it keeps that info, maybe somewhere else in the registry.
I finally managed to convert PNG to ICO, so I think next version would allow you to choose which items you want to create links for rather than just dump everything 8)
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Click to collapse
WM6.1 control panel is "HKLM\ControlPanel" if I remember correctly. There will be numbers for the mycpl stuff and words for some other control panel items like backlight, etc.
I think this post got lost in the last database disaster 8)
I wrote a new version of this tool that now gives you the icons for the control panel settings, check it out here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=791682