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Happy New year to all
I've been following with this site for quite sometime until i decide to switch from HP 6365 to o2 Mini/Magician.
I've successfully mod my Mini to BS with TMob 1.13 rom & 1.13 Radio. I'm just wondering if there's any possibilities to hack the default My Documents which resides in RAM to Storage. After all I still have 17MB free Storage after BS even having all my apps install in it.
I've tried few apps with registry editor but can't find anything that relates to My Documents location. What i mean is like Windows XP where you can change the default My Doc's from \Doc..& Settings..\User...etc to the folder that you want . eg: D:\My Documents
This will actually save a little time to backup the My Documents contents in the event you get a corrupted or format your C:\ in Windows Xp or Hard Reset in the case of PPC. Simply do a restore & I have the last state that i wanted or backup.
My intention is to configure my PPC with alll the customize apps, settings & etc and do a backup. In the event i need to do a Hard Reset, i'll just need to restore my OS from backup without the needs to backup or lose anything especially the My Documents. Like i said, restore & i have the last state of OS & cofig of the last state that i wanted to.
Been searching this forum but the search functions doesn't find me any results that relate to this. Anyone have such a wild idea?
Here's my apps in storage.
SPB Pocket Plus 3
Sprite Backup 3
PocketX Photo Contact Pro 4
Cab Installer
Vcard Receiver
Flexwallet 2006
Resco Explorer
Sk Tools
Tweaks2K
Ampda Camera
kanryu said:
I'm just wondering if there's any possibilities to hack the default My Documents which resides in RAM to Storage. After all I still have 17MB free Storage after BS even having all my apps install in it.
[...]
My intention is to configure my PPC with alll the customize apps, settings & etc and do a backup. In the event i need to do a Hard Reset, i'll just need to restore my OS from backup without the needs to backup or lose anything especially the My Documents. Like i said, restore & i have the last state of OS & cofig of the last state that i wanted to.
Been searching this forum but the search functions doesn't find me any results that relate to this. Anyone have such a wild idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wild Idea: Leave your "My Documents" folder where it is. Use Sprite Backup to do regular (scheduled, automatically running) backups of your device and save this backup to storage as an compressed exe. That way, after a hard reset you only have to launch File Explorer, start the backup file, restore, reset, takes less than 2 minutes. Depending on how many programs are stored in RAM (non-BS) and how many/how large documents are on your device it should work flawlessly.
Thanks for the info & kind attentions. I do practice a good backup.
I'm just looking at the hack/mod as a "bonus" if it is possible.
Cheers!
kanryu: since you suggested it, try to test this out.
I suggest you do this before installing any other app, because My Documents is a system setting used in many installations and they may get confused.
HKLM > Explorer > Shell Folders > My Documents
The storage card isn't always available at boot up, so again, it might cause problems. Storage might be a better idea then storage card. But this can already be configured in the options menu in Notes, at least.
V
Perhaps you can move all of the stuff to the storage ( not the card) and then put a shortcut from main memory to the storage card directory?
with some registry modifications as well. Some software only default the storage of data to \My Documents folder so merely moving everything to Storage and creating a shortcut won't do.
O2mini_noob: which registry mods did you use?
Have you guys tried the registry keys above?
V
I have tried this hack long time ago, wishing I counld change BT dir, but it did not work.. Storage Card & Storage, both failed...
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Explorer\Shell Folders]
"Templates"="\\Storage\\My Documents\\Templates"
"Windows"="\\Windows"
"StartUp"="\\Windows\\StartUp"
"Recent"="\\Windows\\Recent"
"Programs"="\\Windows\\Programs"
"Program Files"="\\Program Files"
"My Documents"="\\My Documents"
"Fonts"="\\Windows\\Fonts"
"Favorites"="\\Windows\\Favorites"
"Desktop"="\\Windows\\Desktop"
"Application Data"="\\Application Data"
as you can see.. only templates works ( since it's not related to the OS it self )... I tried changing Fonts dir as well, did not work either
I guess this has to do with the OS it self... so it is impossible to change it..
sorry Vijay, I was merely adding to stevedebi's quote of moving the entire \My Documents to storage. Obviously you have to do some registry changes to make it happen but wouldn't be as easy as that.
To OP.
I *think* I have a similar problem to you.
Basically I want to sync my files to/from my PC/PDA but the ram on my blueangel is way to small where as my 1 gig SD ram has vastly more than I need.
Now, i have managed to relocate my Sync briefcase on the PC to d:\briefcase. All well and good, this now trys to sync to the Pda's volatile ram way to much data .... so, im half way there.
Now, how can I tell the sync software or PDA's OS to sync to a folder on the SD RAM card?
I know I can put the SDcard into my PC but this is not what I want to achieve, i want it to be seemless and done in the craddle much like contacts etc are done.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
vijay555 said:
kanryu: since you suggested it, try to test this out.
I suggest you do this before installing any other app, because My Documents is a system setting used in many installations and they may get confused.
HKLM > Explorer > Shell Folders > My Documents
The storage card isn't always available at boot up, so again, it might cause problems. Storage might be a better idea then storage card. But this can already be configured in the options menu in Notes, at least.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this before. Everything under this tree has been rename to \storage\my documents But after a soft reset, some of the key will revert back to default. ???
Seems like only those template folder are moveable. I'm started to suspect \My Documents are not fully handled by registry.
I'm wondering how clean the system can be if you need a 3rd party software to edit the registry such as Resco, PHM & etc. I know it's best to do it with a clean system but.... unless there's a way to edit the registry out of the PPC, or there's a standalone executeable software, which I have yet to found.
I'll see what can be figured out next. Hopefully this idea is not a 'fat hope' :?
Don't you guys try to create another "My Documents" folder in the BS and link to it a shortcut (from today)?
I have put to c-launch a link to /storage card/my documents and all is well!!!
... before an hard reset ?
:lol:
Well, my Qtek S200 with tonz of apps installed (mostly on the 4GB SD card) became quite slow. Mostly at boot, worst than before.
I periodically back it up by Sprite Backup, but now I would perform an hard reset to clean up and start again from skratch. And reinstall appz with some criteria :wink:
So, I'm here to ask a checklist for things to backup and how.
For example,
- export registry keys for the personal identification (how to export?)
- startup apps
- ...
Thanks for any hint
Anybody ?
P.S.: where could I find a ROM upgrade for the Italian QTEK S200 ?
As I'm planning to hard reset...
Thanks
...backup verything. I use SQB Backup for backup (ppc files only and not SDcard): pim contacts, emails, system and my document. These you can restore customized.
I backup everytime after i installed some goods.
With PHM register editor i create also backups, only register though...
...sd card backups i won't create because i save the cabs on the pc...
Thanks for your answer.
I always backup everything with Sprite Backup 5.1 (WM5), but when it restores data, everything come back to my actual status.
How could I save ONLY the user profile (inside the registry, I guess) and the most important configs ?
I'll restore (reinstall) the app programs later
P.S.: all programs are installed on my SD card. I noticed most of them, even moved across directories, keep working. This case, should I re-install them, or could I use them as is, simply linking the executable in the storage card directory ?
Thanks again
...i'm sorry to say but you had to create a good working backup earlier. A register is filled with thousends of keys and you can't find a sort of userprofile.
If you've got an up-to-date backup then you can start from zero: you've got already everything by hand.
Perfom hard reset and create backup with minimun install like pim contacts, emails and internet settings. Then install next thing etc. If you need something immediately you can restore backup from before hard reset.
Every program with is installed on SD card won't be executeted before you accept it (that means that shareware could be used unendlessly instead of b.e. 5 times) but you don't have to install them again. So after reset they are immeditate accessable. Best to have made a copy of startpage\programs so you can copy them after hardreset back so you don't have to seek through all the folders on SDcard.
Only all the programs installed on the ppc you've got to install after hard reset again
You can also schedule backups, i.e. daily, which create a backup with only the changes compare to last one. I've got fullbackups of ±12Mb and incrementel of ±8Mb.
So I perform always fullbackups which i delete weekly...
I can't seem to figure out how people restore their apps, data, ActiveSync, etc. after updating their ROMs. It seems like people on this site replace their ROMs a few times a year at least, and with all the cleverness required to follow all the ROM issues, surely you can't all be manually re-installing every single app every time, etc. Are there some tools I don't know about that are useful for backing up/restoring files before/after ROM burn? Every backup program I see says you must not use it to restore after ROM update (which I understand, since you don't want to restore old versions of many key files). But surely someone could create a backup/restore app which knows which things should NOT be restored.
Thanks!
I do rom upgrades quite frequently, now I can have my device back with my settings and programs installed in around 10 minutes, here's what I did:
1)Install registry workshop on your desktop computer, this program allows you to remotely browse / export the registry on the PocketPC and compare current regitry settings on PocketPC with a previously dumped registry file.
2) Install RegDiff on your desktop computer, it allows you to generate .reg files out of two exported registry dumps done by registry workshop.
3) Spend a few hours going setting-by-setting and exporting the registry after changing each setting, compare and generate .reg file for that. Keep in mind that sometimes you need to power off the device for a while or soft reset for the registry setting to be permanently stored.
4) Once you have all the .reg files for your settings combine them in a single .reg file
5) Use WinCE Cab Manager to combine the cabs of all the programs you install, set the registry settings, and put shorcuts to all applications into the right places. This is the most "time consuming" part of the process.
Finally I end up with 2 big cab files:
- First one is around 9Mb which I install on pocketpc memory, this includes all today screen plugins, plus Net CF 2.1 and some registry settings (mostly WM5 settings and preferences from the today plugins)
- Second one is around 25Mb which i install on storage card, this includes all the other 3rd party apps I like and registry settings for those apps.
What I do after hard reset or rom upgrade: Install the two cab files, setup mail accounts and mms manually and use directpush to sync all my contacts and calendar items again.
The process of exporting all the registry settings is a PITA, but it is worth spending the time if you're going to switch roms frequently.
Look for an app called Sprite Backup.
pkx said:
Look for an app called Sprite Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, Sprite is the easiest. Be warned, however, that it isn't able to restore PIM databases over the AKU3 upgrade. See my Backup Bible, where I;ve explained this all.
Wow, thanks. That's a lot of work to get things set up! Clearly worth it if you can re-install everything in 10 minutes, though.
I started to investigate your recommendations, installed Cab Manager, and see how you use that.
How do you get the cabs if the install isn't directly via cab? In other words, if the install is initiated via ActiveSync, then are the necessary cabs always found under the Program Files\ActiveSync directory?
As for Sprite Backup, it looks great, and maybe that would be enough for me for now. I wasn't clear (I did search through and skim the Backup Bible and the WM5 backup software comparisons but couldn't find exactly where it talked about the issue regarding AKU3) is the PIM issue a known bug? Or some limitation/problem related to new security or something?
Quincy
quinxy said:
How do you get the cabs if the install isn't directly via cab? In other words, if the install is initiated via ActiveSync, then are the necessary cabs always found under the Program Files\ActiveSync directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's installed via activesync you can find them there, but generally what I do is extract the cab files from the exe using orange in Linux, don't know if there's a windows equivalent.
pof,
Don't know if you ever ActiveSync since you use Linux, but is there a way to NOT break your ActiveSync by upgrading your ROM? I thought I tried once, years ago, to set the device name back to the original name and ActiveSync still didn't recognize it as the old partnership.
quincy
quinxy said:
pof,
Don't know if you ever ActiveSync since you use Linux, but is there a way to NOT break your ActiveSync by upgrading your ROM? I thought I tried once, years ago, to set the device name back to the original name and ActiveSync still didn't recognize it as the old partnership.
quincy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it doesn't recognize it, just delete the old partnership and recreate / reconfigure it . It's just some seconds.
HI,
I HAD SPB BACKUP INSTALLED ON MY BA BUT THE SCHEDULED BACKUP FUNCTION SEEMS TO NOT WORK PERFECTLY.
every time i set a scheduled backup at a certain time it starts the device, perform all the necessary actions (the time to do that is equal to the period it lasts if made manually, it creates the file of back up but.....after it starts up the device automatically, the following written appears:
"unable to locate the shortcut or to open the file"
After i tried to open the .exe backup file and it says:"the file is corrupted"
The lenght of this file is only 450 kb while the one i can create manually is 15 mb.
I discovered that the file which is not openable at the start up is named "SPBBACKUPRUNNER.LNK" AND THE LINK IS REFERRED TO A FILE IN WINDOWS FOLDER NAMED (OF COURSE) "SPBBACKUP RUNNER"
Which could be the possible problem not allowing this.
One most important thing is that i tried also SPRITE BACKUP AND an other backup program and also with these nes i have the same problems performing a scheduled back up.
Is there a setting i have to modify?is there a possible program that stop the scheduled back up program.
Same for me. I have tried all options without success. I am now doing backup manually at regular intervals.
I found that this is the problem when you backup the calendar from WM5 or earlier ROM version and restore to WM6 ROM. So, just don't try to do it that way, make a totaly new calendar in WM6 and the backup and restore will be fine.
I Tried A Scheduled Back Up In Wm 6 But It Doesn't Start When The Device Is Off Or If It Starts, At The End , The File Is Corrupted
hi
even using the manually backup creating a corrupted file , any how to fix it please
i have the same thing was...
one thing i do is Hard Reset my BA, after that it's backup as usual.
well can say just one thing, do not use crappy backup software
i have setuped my device to recover after hard reset for about 10 minutes with all installed software and games without any backup software just one sync and the cabs from the extrom
I was wondering what is your backup/restore strategy when changing ROMs.
When I install a freshly cooked ROM, there are 3 stages for installation:
1. Installing the ROM itself which is obvious.
2. Install all personal cabs - with or without UC support.
3. Configure everything to work according to my personal configurations.
The most annoying part is the 3rd, since I have to go through each and every program, and run the process, of configuring all the options. This process always, takes me longer then installing everything.
Is there a way to backup/restore globally all settings?
Amir.
http://www.spritesoftware.com/products/sprite-backup/full-edition
I know that software. Doesn't it's OS migration option is risky?
I remember reading many bad opinions against using that option...
???
Amir.
amir77a said:
I know that software. Doesn't it's OS migration option is risky?
I remember reading many bad opinions against using that option...
???
Amir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shouldn't agree more.
There's a lot of confliction and problematic after full restore the backup from the previous ROM to the new ROM.
It's my experiences.
KCJ
If you're willing to spend a bit of effort, you can have your device automatically configure 99.9% of what you want, as part of the customization occuring after flashing.
Look up SASHIMI, which should live on your SD card (or whatever you have which survives a hard reset). It basically install all the CABs, REGs and provisioning XMLs you want, plus runs any Mortscript, all in one big batch, according to certain sequencing rules. It can be configured to launch upon inserting the SD card, or as part of UC (User Customization), or to execute UC as part of itself, or run it manually. Most CABs which require manual intervention can be automated by using clever Mortscripts. The REGs and XMLs take care of configuring apps, games, serial numbers (legal, of course) or even network settings and Manila tweaks.
I now routinely flash a new ROM and leave my device for 30 minutes. I need to check in on it to tap past the WM setup dialogs. With that out of the way:
- all tools, apps and games CABs are installed, many with accompanying REGs for configuration
- WiFi is configured with my most used hotspots
- time is synchronized (assuming WiFi is available during this process)
- 3G is disabled (for better battery life), my data connection is configured but disabled (a la MoDaCo NoData)
- Pocket Outlook is setup with my Exchange account, an initial sync is performed (assuming WiFi is available), and additional mail folders are tagged for syncing
- PPCPimBackup restores my most recent backup of SMSes and call history (I've flashed or hard reset probably 20 times the last 2 months, and don't miss a single SMS/call since the day I bought the HD).
- My Start menu and programs list is neatly sorted into folders (of course this needs rework when I switch between ROM chefs)
- AEButton Plus is setup with my buttons the way I want them.
- SKScheMa is setup with the profile changes I want (GSM/WiFi off, silent and low brightness at night)
The only thing I really miss is to automatically provision a couple of Bluetooth pairings (a headset and 2 PCs). Apparently the encryption keys used for storing these pairings, is renewed on each hard reset. Typically, the first morning after a hard reset, while driving my car, my HD beeps every 1 minute as the car kit attempts to connect, and I'm usually unable to deal with it until I stop the car.
As you can imagine, there's quite a bit of initial manual labour, but I guarantee you that it's worth it.
I recommend that you get the following: Resco Explorer (w/registry addon), Orneta Notepad (or MobilePad). With these, most of the work can be carried out on the phone itself. To figure out the registry settings for a certain program or option, there are two ways:
- manual search, typically fast and has a very high success rate by first visiting HKLM\Software and HKCU\Software, then looking for the vendor or software name.
- registry diff, slow but very accurate, requires PC (for now). Export HKLM+HKCU (using multiple select in Resco regedit) *before* you make the configuration change, and *after* you've made the change. Copy the two reg files to a PC and do a diff (WinMerge should do a good job). Alternatively, you can use a Windows tool like Registry Workshop or CeRegEditor to export the registries, but I think the first way is faster, and you can actually prepare the exports on the move, then do the diffs when you come home.
Some programs store configuration data in files - these *may* be a bit harder to figure out, but they're usually in the installation folder. Once you've set up such a program to your liking, copy its CAB to SASHIMI\Auto\CAB and the configuration file to SASHIMI\Auto\Root\Program Files\<app name>, and the app will be as you want it after the hard reset.
SASHIMI can also back up such files for you, just put the paths into filebackup.ini. Similarly regbackup.ini can perform registry backups that will be automatically restored after a hard reset. You need to run or schedule this backup yourself, though, but both can be performed with one shortcut to SASHIMI.
I'm sorry for making this so long - I'll stop now, and hope this post provides a bit of inspiration to others. I can also help with certain aspects of UC - I'd love to post my custom tools and scripts, they're just not prepared for public consumption yet.
intersting idea.
I tried Sashimi before, but I gave up due to prior needed investment.
I'll might adopt that idea, which seems to be very useful.
Amir.
Sashimi can basically accomplish the same as UC/SDConfig.txt - it just provides a simple UI and conventions that makes setting it up so much easier. I did play with SDConfig.txt (and various tools to automate/ease its maintainability), but quickly found maintaining the file very time consuming and error prone, and practically impossible without using a PC. Sashimi you simply copy to your SD card, and you can run it right away (it won't do anything). Next step is to copy a CAB to Auto\CAB, then run Sashimi, and the CAB will be installed.
Ah well, I hope it proves useful to others!
amir77a said:
I know that software. Doesn't it's OS migration option is risky?
I remember reading many bad opinions against using that option...
???
Amir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it without any problem and flash my hd every day should use it correctly :
Overall performance of backups and restores are clearly within my expectations. My backups can range from 4-9 minutes and restores can take a little longer which is worth every minute for a disaster recovery plan. I have yet to try the FTP or TCP/IP backups so I cannot report on those features, but for “geeks-sake” I will look into these when time permits and report on my findings.
Two other interesting features of Sprite Backup are the Restore “Upgrade” (see Figure B PC console screen) feature and the Sprite Explorer tool. The Restore “Upgrade” features allows restoration of a backup to the same device with a different ROM (usually an upgraded ROM) or to a different device entirely. While this is an unpopular move by most device users, it is an interesting and perhaps useful function for those who do not wish to reinstall applications or data after a ROM or device change. The Sprite Explorer tool is reminiscent of Symantec’s Ghost Explorer tool. Sprite Explorer allows browsing of your Sprite Backup EXE files so that you can review the details of the backups and restore individual files to your PC. Sprite Explorer will also identify which version of Sprite Backup was used for the creation of the EXE file. When browsing a password protected EXE backup file, Sprite Explorer will prompt for the correct password before revealing the contents.
fonte: http://www.fuzemobility.com/?p=1805
Thanks.
I made a fresh backup with Sprite, after a new fresh install.
When Dutty will launch his 1.9 ROM , I will try o upgrade with Sprite, otherwise I'll goto sashimi.
Amir.
ugumba said:
I'm sorry for making this so long
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I liked the posting for its longeness... I really made me wanting to have a look at SASHIMI.
However, I am not much into MortScript, yet - would you mind to share your customization files?
I think it would be very helpful for me to have a starting point for my own work...
Thank you,
The Whistler
what about spbbackup2, easiest backup ever, and the files are self extractable so you don't even need to install spbbackup again to restore a rom.
i like the tought of just installing the ONE app.
And when i flash, that this will restore my personal settings, games, and programmas.
going to read up on this!
still, thanxxx!!
ugumba said:
I recommend that you get the following: Resco Explorer (w/registry addon), Orneta Notepad (or MobilePad). With these, most of the work can be carried out on the phone itself. To figure out the registry settings for a certain program or option, there are two ways:
- manual search, typically fast and has a very high success rate by first visiting HKLM\Software and HKCU\Software, then looking for the vendor or software name.
- registry diff, slow but very accurate, requires PC (for now). Export HKLM+HKCU (using multiple select in Resco regedit) *before* you make the configuration change, and *after* you've made the change. Copy the two reg files to a PC and do a diff (WinMerge should do a good job). Alternatively, you can use a Windows tool like Registry Workshop or CeRegEditor to export the registries, but I think the first way is faster, and you can actually prepare the exports on the move, then do the diffs when you come home.
Some programs store configuration data in files - these *may* be a bit harder to figure out, but they're usually in the installation folder. Once you've set up such a program to your liking, copy its CAB to SASHIMI\Auto\CAB and the configuration file to SASHIMI\Auto\Root\Program Files\<app name>, and the app will be as you want it after the hard reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All very helpful so nevermind the long windedness. I've been using Sashimi and I've managed to backup some apps to my satisfaction. I've have been trying to backup CorePlayer settings. I have backed up its regs keys. I have also backed up it's program files folder and reinstalled it manually with no success. What is the configuration file you are referring to that should be copied to SASHIMI\Auto\Root\Program Files\<app name>? Do you mean a file within program files or some other file?
DRTigerlilly said:
what about spbbackup2, easiest backup ever, and the files are self extractable so you don't even need to install spbbackup again to restore a rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SBPBackup backs up the complete registry, so this would be a problem if something has changed from one rom Version to another (as f.e. stated in the first post of the Energy rom´s thread), thus this program would not be ideal for restoring a backup after flashing to a different rom.
Restoring backup´s to the same rom version however, this is what sbpbackup is perfect for.
Cheech1976 said:
SBPBackup backs up the complete registry, so this would be a problem if something has changed from one rom Version to another (as f.e. stated in the first post of the Energy rom´s thread), thus this program would not be ideal for restoring a backup after flashing to a different rom.
Restoring backup´s to the same rom version however, this is what sbpbackup is perfect for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, SPB Backup should only be used emails, contacts etc.
A full backup should only be used if you are trying to restore rom i.e. if something happened to it. It shouldn't be used when swapping between different rom builds as the registry settings/paths would be different