Need Help with "FM Radio" Skin - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

I am trying to make a new skin for my Polaris (Qvga).
I edit the installation cab, and after modifing the file "Fm_Skings.pkg" , the one with all the png images inside, the Fm Radio program donĀ“t run anymore.
I am usign Winrar to edit this file... Do I need a different tool?

Hehe...old thread, but would be great if somebody could explain what tools are needed to get .pkg-files working.
This will help me to save much memory on rom-cooking.
Thanks in advance!

winrar
or
ctrl+PgDn in total commander

Ethermind said:
winrar
or
ctrl+PgDn in total commander
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work! One of the first things I've tried.

Just tried a few things and found a solution: just extracted png's from FM_Skins.pkg, compressed them and copied the compressed files to windows folder on Diamond...and see there, it's working like a charme. Again a bit of memory saved on rom (0,5mb on FM_Skins.pkg without any noticeable graphical changes).

One important thing is not to use compression when you save the files to make a new package. Use zip compression = 0.
Multiple files in windows folder make reading of directory slower.

Related

Winampaq skins

Does anyone use Winampaq? If so, have you managed to use any of the Winamp 2.x skins?
I'm having trouble trying to use them. Basically, I put the relevant skin (.wsz) file in a folder, but when I use the browse function on Winampaq, the list only shows the folders and not what is contained within each folder
Any ideas?
Many thanx
change the wsz extention to zip and unzip the files to a dir
and point to that dir using winampaq
and they all work at least all the skins i've tried
Thanks Rudegar, but you must excuse my ignorance. I have zipped the wsz file, but I can't extract it directly to my XDA2. I have to extract it to my desktop first, before syncing the file to the XDA2. But once extracted to the desktop, it is a .wsz again so zipping it hasn't made any difference.
Could you explain to me step by step how you do it, please?
I'm using "StuffIt" to zip the file, but I guess the results would be the same as if using "WinZip".
Once again, please excuse the ignorance, but I really want to change the skin as the default one isn't very pleasing to the eye!
Many thanks
you have to CHANGE the extention of the file
before
skinname.WSZ
after
skinname.zip
you have to edit the file name not zip the file
wsz is just a zipped file to begin with
after you change the extention you can just copy out the stuff from inside it
i use total commander both on my pc and on my xda because it makes it easy to work with zip files and other things, it sees zip files like dir's and you can copy stuff from inside them without any problems
Many thanks for your help, Rudegar. I will give it a shot...

How to install .XML files??

How to install the .xml files bundled in the cabs.rar?? I do not know how to make the extrom run automatically after the HR so i have to install each cab file 1 by 1, can anyone help??
Use the ones in cabs2. Also make sure you know what are those .xml for (they are replaced with .cab (s) in cabs2)
xml files are a typicaly a formatted text file like html
not really binary exe programs files
some programs use xml files to store settings and data
maybe they need to be in a location the program in question
will look for them
Rudegar said:
xml files are a typicaly a formatted text file like html
not really binary exe programs files
some programs use xml files to store settings and data
maybe they need to be in a location the program in question
will look for them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean copy the .xml files to the location of the program file ??
use HTCustom1.7.cab
yup...
I am having the same issue. I keep seeing these .xml files. I am not a computer guru lol. Do I cut and paste it somewhere on my phone or what? I am so lost please help.
Same thing here on my side mixtape_butcha. I'm subscibed in an Universal forum and have to install a USB switch which is a folder containing an xml file. I asked many time a guide on how to use it but nothing came back.
If you happen to know how to handle it, let me know. I'l do the same with you.
bests
Michael
first of all it is nice that you looked up a matching post yourself and obviously searched for a solution there, but...
if i get your problem right, it doesn't match the ones before. they were talking about .xml files that came with a cab file and stored the settings on how to install and execute.
you, however, talk about a subscribtion to a thread, meaning your xml file is an RSS feed, for which you need a special reader, since PIE is not a proper desktop browser and therefore does not handle feeds. but there is a lot of software out there to handle rss feeds. i personally use spb online 1.2, but there is also freeware, like this: http://www.dewantoro.net/search/pda+rss+reader+cab
i don't get the point with the usb switch though, maybe if that didn't solve your problem you should post further details about that issue and maybe post filenames or screenshots so we all know exactly what you are about to do.
You need not worry to install xml file if it comes with a cab. Cab file should be designed to use it automatically. xml files store usually configurable settings, it may be worth opening those files using any text editor like note pad or even IE to check the contents, that may help if any change is needed. But 99% chances are that you need not do any thing with those xml files.
I have found some people run in to this problem when they download a .cab file from the internet and once downloaded it is a .rar so you extract the .rar to find NOT .cab but .xml
Here is more about it and how to fix it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2367946#post2367946
I am trying to install a game on my MDA Vario IV , it does have .xml file. But no .cab files , only .000 file , .002 , .003 , and .004 files. How do i install this game then ? The installer is the .xml file.
EDIT : Nvm , fixed it , i needed not the files within the .cab file , but just the .cab file itself to extract in on my mobile.
Hello guys iam actually looking to install a sat nav software on my HTC TOUCH HD phone and i got this file called SETUP.XML Document and there's thousands of other files in the same location called KB, which i have no idea what they are but my problem is when i copy those files to my phone and open the SETUP.XLM Document, it opens by the internet explorer in the phone and it does nothing, please let me know if u know any answer to this.
Thank you very much....
nickholas said:
Hello guys iam actually looking to install a sat nav software on my HTC TOUCH HD phone and i got this file called SETUP.XML Document and there's thousands of other files in the same location called KB, which i have no idea what they are but my problem is when i copy those files to my phone and open the SETUP.XLM Document, it opens by the internet explorer in the phone and it does nothing, please let me know if u know any answer to this.
Thank you very much....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couple of things:
You are in the wrong subforum. This section is for the Blue Angel. You should look for the Blackstone (aka Touch HD) section.
Now, the file that you opened is a cab file. You don't need to extract the contents of a cab file. Just copy it to your device and click on it one. The cab will install everything, including the settings in the xml.
Good luck!
Gili50 said:
I am trying to install a game on my MDA Vario IV , it does have .xml file. But no .cab files , only .000 file , .002 , .003 , and .004 files. How do i install this game then ? The installer is the .xml file.
EDIT : Nvm , fixed it , i needed not the files within the .cab file , but just the .cab file itself to extract in on my mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couple of things:
You are in the wrong subforum. This section is for the Blue Angel. You should look for the MDA IV (aka Touch Diamond) section.
Now, the file that you opened is a cab file. You don't need to extract the contents of a cab file. Just copy it to your device and click on it one. The cab will install everything, including the settings in the xml.
Good luck!

WinRAr unpacks CAB files as XML docs??

Hi,
Can anyone help please. I have tried using both winzip & winrar to unpack CAB files, but they seem to be unpacked as HTML docs. If I click to run, takes me to html code page on the web.
you dont need to unzip the .cab files on your computer.
You just put the .cab file on your phone then "open" it on your phone. Thats how the .cab file runs.
It's kind of like an .exe file on your phone
Yeah - a cab file is an installer, similar to msi files on your PC. There's XML files in there that define what to do with the rest of the files in there.
if you want to see whats inside a cab file on your pc then use msceinf .. its free and very effective.
that way you can see what folders a cab sets up. extract what files it has, and tue registry too.
Thank you guys - downloaded a small cab and opened on device. Works fine.
Feel a bit naff for tearing my hair out over such a simple thing.
Now I'm going to try and find that msceinf as mentioned by fards.
thanks again.

HD2 cab install

hello guys, i dont own an hd2 yet but ill buy one this month but i have a question i want to add some cabs file on my device when i get. My question is i have download some cabs BUT when i open the winrar i dont get any cab file, all i get is some files that has bunch of numbers and one of them says "_setup.xml" so what should i do? should i directly put the winrar file on my hd2? since i dont get any cab file inside the winrar?? and if there's a cab file inside the winrar and i press the button "extract here" should i just upload the cab file only to my hd2 right??
Hope you guys can help me.
Thank you.
Hi.
A CAB file is a compressed installer file for mobile phones.
If you open it with winrar, you will see all the files it contains.
Just copy the original .cab file to your phone.
Click on the .cab file, and it will run the installer, and install the program on your phone.
You can choose to install to the main memory or the sd card.
Yeah - as above. What you're calling a "winrar" file is the cab file.
Extract a cab
Ok, I know this isn't the original question but...
is it possible to extract a .cab file - i mean to extract all the different files that make up the program , all the .exe .dll .ico etc etc. Wanting to do this to help me reverse-engineer a couple of omnia 2 cabs that don't work.
kinsago said:
Ok, I know this isn't the original question but...
is it possible to extract a .cab file - i mean to extract all the different files that make up the program , all the .exe .dll .ico etc etc. Wanting to do this to help me reverse-engineer a couple of omnia 2 cabs that don't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes extract the files with winrar
ohhh okok i get it now.. so i just donwload thw winrar which is the cab file and i copy it to my hd2. thanks guys
Richy99 said:
yes extract the files with winrar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that, all I get are 10 files. One of them is _setup.xml, the others are numbered files.
I've attached a screen capture of the files so you can see what they are.
kinsago said:
Tried that, all I get are 10 files. One of them is _setup.xml, the others are numbered files.
I've attached a screen capture of the files so you can see what they are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's what you would expect as they are the cab install files.
If they don't mean anything are you sure you know what you're doing?
That's what I'm trying to find out. I assume that the WM program works in a similar way to windows program in that its a collection of files (exe, ico, dll, cfg so on so forth) that get installed in the appropriate places on the device. If so, how do you 'unpack' these files from the setup files
use a cab manager program. I don't so I can't recommend, but wincecab manager sound familiar. u can use them to create cabs of your tweaks, install files and such.
it seems that you have never used windows mobile (just copy the winrar file into the device and run it from the device)
hoss_n2 said:
it seems that you have never used windows mobile (just copy the winrar file into the device and run it from the device)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not trying to install a cab file (which the first post was about) I'm trying to decompile the omnia 2 video editor to get it to run on the HD2 but instead of starting a new thread, I asked on this one because it seemed (partially) relevant.
BTW, I've got the cab 'extracted' so thanks - no for the difficult part...

[Q] automatically generate .dat file from a folder structure

Hi, I have a folder with a couple of folders in it that each contain a whole lot of files. I want to cook this folder (with its subfolders) in a rom and place it in the device root folder.
I wonder if there is a utility that can automatically generate a app.dat file from this folder?
Why not Zip it up with an unkown extension, then unzip with Mort (can handle unkown zip extensions).
Using initflashfiles file operations slows up filesystem.
(using unkown filetypes and folders does not)
Sorry if i sound like a broken record to some.
appelflap said:
Hi, I have a folder with a couple of folders in it that each contain a whole lot of files. I want to cook this folder (with its subfolders) in a rom and place it in the device root folder.
I wonder if there is a utility that can automatically generate a app.dat file from this folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could make a cab with wince cab mgr(it supports drag n drop of folders) then convert the cab to ext pkg or run it in customization.
twopumpchump said:
you could make a cab with wince cab mgr(it supports drag n drop of folders) then convert the cab to ext pkg or run it in customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant! Thanks
twopumpchump said:
you could make a cab with wince cab mgr(it supports drag n drop of folders) then convert the cab to ext pkg or run it in customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a more Freeware solution (but without the easier Drag and Drop support)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=530710
Extenddir Cab Maker.
Noonski said:
For a more Freeware solution (but without the easier Drag and Drop support)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=530710
Extenddir Cab Maker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, fortunately wince cab maker has a generous trial period. For that one time I have to put all copilot map files in a cab, it is the best option. Thanks anyway
Cabs suck, they're a pain in the butt to make and take forever to install. Just do what Noonski said and make a zip file. They install in seconds, whereas big cabs can take minutes. Here's the basic format I use; this zip file goes to the device root, which is what you want (you need the right # of \'s to get it to work). First, I have a zip file named 'root.zip'. Then, I name the mortscript Unziproot.mscr. Here's the script:
Code:
UnZipALL("\Windows\root.zip","\\")
To get it to execute, I add this to an add2config.txt file:
Code:
EXEC:\WINDOWS\Unziproot.mscr
Zip files are a helluva lot easier to make than cabs; I do it all the time with total commander on the device, and it takes just a few seconds. They're trivial to edit, too. I've attached a zip file that has the add2config.txt, the mortscript, and also a simple mortscript package that works well. Seriously, just listen to Noonski.
Edit: Make sure the mortscript doesn't have any spaces in it. If you name it "Unzip root.mscr", it won't run during customization (been there, done that, lol).
Hey Noonski.. how about we make a script, or an executable that we can plug in a kitchen batch file right before IMGFS gets created, that can look at at an initflashfiles.dat, analyze it, line by line, then create a zip with all the files its supposed to move then copy an almost blank initflashfiles.dat back in the "dump" directory. We could even do this in mort for windows!
NRGZ28 said:
Hey Noonski.. how about we make a script, or an executable that we can plug in a kitchen batch file right before IMGFS gets created, that can look at at an initflashfiles.dat, analyze it, line by line, then create a zip with all the files its supposed to move then copy an almost blank initflashfiles.dat back in the "dump" directory. We could even do this in mort for windows!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TPC mentioned doing something like that in the extendir thread. I will say this, I've tried to install my entire start menu with a zip file, and the bugger wouldn't work. The script worked fine after bootup, but it wouldn't run during customization. I don't know what the deal was. I only tried it a couple of times, though, but I don't think that I just did something really dumb.
Farmer Ted said:
TPC mentioned doing something like that in the extendir thread. I will say this, I've tried to install my entire start menu with a zip file, and the bugger wouldn't work. The script worked fine after bootup, but it wouldn't run during customization. I don't know what the deal was. I only tried it a couple of times, though, but I don't think that I just did something really dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should be an easy thing to fix...
yeah i have actually made zips for every file that goes somewhere besides windows, you wont believe the amount of space this saves and how much faster your rom is it is alot of work, one way that makes it a lil easier is to make a list of all the files that are in your zips then have your .bat delete them from dump before imgfsfromdump.exe runs in kitchen....but we could do it better and easier im sure if we just all put our heads together
Wow good idea, that's taking it into a whole new level, automating it.
It's about time this method creeped it's way from the method of a few to something that everyone can take advantage of.
It's one of the most underused methods for a bit more speed, instead of improving filesystem cache settings, reducing the stress on the file system.
(totally made the above up, I just threw a few interesting words i have been reading here and there, before people start thinking I actually understand the file system at a low level) I just know from experience and just doing it that there's advantages.
It's batching beyond my expertise (low level but creative ).
But i'm pretty sure there's a few good men for the job.
HowdyKeith and RoryB come to mind when it comes to Mort Syntax and reading values from files.
Their Batching knowledge should also be good.
But if this is do-able, then why not also not try to get rid of .provxml files to, and speed up the first boot time. Provxml is the second killer of speedy first boots.
Noonski said:
Wow good idea, that's taking it into a whole new level, automating it.
It's about time this method creeped it's way from the method of a few to something that everyone can take advantage of.
It's one of the most underused methods for a bit more speed, instead of improving filesystem cache settings, reducing the stress on the file system.
(totally made the above up, I just threw a few interesting words i have been reading here and there, before people start thinking I actually understand the file system at a low level) I just know from experience and just doing it that there's advantages.
It's batching beyond my expertise (low level but creative ).
But i'm pretty sure there's a few good men for the job.
HowdyKeith and RoryB come to mind when it comes to Mort Syntax and reading values from files.
Their Batching knowledge should also be good.
But if this is do-able, then why not also not try to get rid of .provxml files to, and speed up the first boot time. Provxml is the second killer of speedy first boots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would be awesome to have a tool that reads initflashfiles.dat from dump, puts all the files that go in other folders besides windows in a zip file also would be nice to be able to select a list of files to go into extendir\windir as well.
Noonski said:
Why not Zip it up with an unkown extension, then unzip with Mort (can handle unkown zip extensions).
Using initflashfiles file operations slows up filesystem.
(using unkown filetypes and folders does not)
Sorry if i sound like a broken record to some.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Noonski, I think these are really great ideas. One question about your comment on iniflashfiles slowing down the system, are you referring to the startup time on first boot? Because I fail to see where the speed would be effected in general terms as the only function of the iniflashfiles is to specify where files get placed other than windows. Once they are moved in to the correct places the files is useless. So I don't see how the speed could be any different than with a zip other than the customization time being reduced. Of course I could be wrong. lol
Meant it more in the way that you then do not actually need that file to be in Rom, and therefore in the Windows folder. That's where i meant the most gain was.
Not sure if there's any other extra difference between a file that has been copied from Windows to a sub-folder or an extracted one, other then that it won't be read only and not present in Windows.
Well if you have a zip file with folders and files inside that folders
and you make a script that copies these folders to the corresponding dirs on the device you accomplish what you are asking here isn't?
twopumpchump said:
it would be awesome to have a tool that reads initflashfiles.dat from dump, puts all the files that go in other folders besides windows in a zip file also would be nice to be able to select a list of files to go into extendir\windir as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm if every file in a rom was moved without leaving a copy on the windows root I wonder how many files would be eliminated. Im guessing quite a few. Im thinking the only way this would work would be for a mod to be made for EVK allowing all the initflashfiles.dat info and app.dat info to be compiled and a zip created from them.( Not sure a simple zip could properly place that many files?) Then the files placed inside the zip would need to be deleted before the rom is compiled. Theoretically I think its possible.
@L26
Yeah your right. However I think the biggest thing to look at is there a easier way than doing it all by hand It would take forever to take every file moved by the .dat files and make a zip. Not to mention updating the files for new versions would be a PITA
aruppenthal said:
Hmmm if every file in a rom was moved without leaving a copy on the windows root I wonder how many files would be eliminated. Im guessing quite a few. Im thinking the only way this would work would be for a mod to be made for EVK allowing all the initflashfiles.dat info and app.dat info to be compiled and a zip created from them.( Not sure a simple zip could properly place that many files?) Then the files placed inside the zip would need to be deleted before the rom is compiled. Theoretically I think its possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
amazing, check my post and scripts in this same forum ... I was trying to do the same (only with shortcuts for now): cook shortcuts without leaving double files in windows folder, so I remove all shortcuts from the kitchen and once cooked I create the provxml with mortscript reading an ini file and inject the provxml files to the kitchen and the cook again. Of course I only include files present in the ROM. How can I avoid cooking twice?. the script also zips and copies all the files that will be needed for the scripts that run at first boot, including the files only if the modules are in the kitchen.
May be a mod in EVK to runwait scripts before creating the nbh could open a lot of new ways of cooking without using windows directory.
@noonski, do you care taking a look at my script building the provxml file? I am pretty sure you will have lots of suggestions on how to progress further.
cruiserrr said:
amazing, check my post and scripts in this same forum ... I was trying to do the same (only with shortcuts for now): cook shortcuts without leaving double files in windows folder, so I remove all shortcuts from the kitchen and once cooked I create the provxml with mortscript reading an ini file and inject the provxml files to the kitchen and the cook again. Of course I only include files present in the ROM. How can I avoid cooking twice?. the script also zips and copies all the files that will be needed for the scripts that run at first boot, including the files only if the modules are in the kitchen.
May be a mod in EVK to runwait scripts before creating the nbh could open a lot of new ways of cooking without using windows directory.
@noonski, do you care taking a look at my script building the provxml file? I am pretty sure you will have lots of suggestions on how to progress further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isnt the simplest way just to go to your windows folder on your phone and copy Start Menu folder to your pc, create a list of the files that are in that folder and use .bat to delete them while cooking, zip that folder up and put it in kitchen or sdcard and use .mscr to unzip to windows directory at first boot? you only have to cook once this way
twopumpchump said:
isnt the simplest way just to go to your windows folder on your phone and copy Start Menu folder to your pc, create a list of the files that are in that folder and use .bat to delete them while cooking, zip that folder up and put it in kitchen or sdcard and use .mscr to unzip to windows directory at first boot? you only have to cook once this way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, do not want to go offtopic of this post. The idea is to cook automatically with no errors. My method cooks only what is needed without putting files to windows folder. Basically I only have to run twice when changing modules included. If it is only about changing icons, order, etc I simply run the script and cook. If it is about customization I would certainly do like you say (I have done it many times in the past). If it is about cooking should be more automated. Is complex to build but now I only define the INI files parameters: icon, parameter, folder, order... (I have not touched the mortscript since I completed it). Anyway, my building method as its own post. I just found similar ideas behind in this thread and tought they could converge.

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