Database Users

My MDA won't uninstall ANYTHING

Whenever I uninstall, using the desktop applet or the setting applet on the MDA itself I get an error that the program wasn't uninstalled completely, and whether I wish to remove it from the uninstall list. This happens for anything I try to uninstall! Anyone seen this before?

Same here. Very annoying..... Well, this "persistent storage" on WM5 kind of sucks..... *just kidding*

I also experiencing the exact same problem. The only way to unistall the program is by hard reset and then remove it manually.

Not a good workaround, as far as I'm concerned. Anyone else have any ideas?

I use Resco File Explorer to search for a fragment of the program name, then manually delete files and folders associated with the file. Then do a check for dead registry with MemMaid. But that still is still far from perfect. When reinstalling a program, sometimes it still accuses you of having the program already installed. AARGH! Guess making a workable uninstaller was, you know, just a little too complex for Bill's guys.

This is a HUGE bug. Why is this happening? We need to figure this out, this is completely insane.
I had an Ipaq before this, I wonder if that has something to do with it - Activesync creating some setting that conflicts between the two. Is anyone having this issue with a new MDA that never had a PocketPC before?

The same things happened on my O2 Xda Mini S, any idea to solve this problem

One Solution
My solution is to test software, keep good notes of what settings I use, and then, when I'm pretty happy of the functionality of the device, do a hard reset and start over installing only the stuff I want.
I'm at round two of this procedure but I have a device with only the stuff I want on it and no uninstalled software at all.
In the meantime, memmaid lets you eliminate notifications, and you can eliminate the start menu icons with file explorer, which gets you most of the way. As far as I can tell, that is what uninstall does.

Cannot remove programs (always appear ERROR)

Hi,
When I tried to remove one of my programs, using remove programs, there is always this ERROR: (the name of the software) was not completely removed. Do you want to remove it from the list of installed programs? Then after I choose yes, the program is still exist.
Can anyone please explain to me what happen with my pocket pc, and how can I remove the software compeltely?
Is it related to pocket mechanic that I am using, because I usually always delete the registry?

yahyae said:
Hi,
When I tried to remove one of my programs, using remove programs, there is always this ERROR: (the name of the software) was not completely removed. Do you want to remove it from the list of installed programs? Then after I choose yes, the program is still exist.
Can anyone please explain to me what happen with my pocket pc, and how can I remove the software compeltely?
Is it related to pocket mechanic that I am using, because I usually always delete the registry?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same error here always.. would love a good answer...

Also have the same problem on and off. A hard reset took care of it...

I have the same problem. I know the Universal and the Blueangel are two very different devices but even so it is the same error message. I have hard reset it 3 times and it still has the problem.

is this a WM5 flaw? :?

Maybe.

What I do to make sure I totally uninstall everything is install the same application back in. The Universal will then show a window stating that you are installing a program already installed and that it will be removed first before proceeding with the installation. After the automatic uninstall, I just opt to cancel the install process and the original application is now uninstalled completely.
Another suggestion, the latest version of Pocket Mechanic has a new feature to handle all uninstall options in the Universal. I have to say, I have not tried it yet.

yahyae said:
Hi,
When I tried to remove one of my programs, using remove programs, there is always this ERROR: (the name of the software) was not completely removed. Do you want to remove it from the list of installed programs? Then after I choose yes, the program is still exist.
Can anyone please explain to me what happen with my pocket pc, and how can I remove the software compeltely?
Is it related to pocket mechanic that I am using, because I usually always delete the registry?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lots of people have had this (Including me)
The solution is to make sure the app isnt starting when rebooting i.e uncheck any today plugins, make sure the app isnt being started by the windows\startup\ location. Check the application to make sure there are no options set to automatically start i.e for pocket mechanic check that no auto cleaning etc options are checked - and then after all that soft reset your device. Then try to uninstall - should work.
There is something resident in the program memory causing the program not to be uninstalled - you need to find it and stop it from restarting prior to soft resetting your device.
Hope this helps.
Matt

Yes that's the solution I think. for this I use SPB Pocket Plus "safe mode" option if some program wants to be uninstalled.
I boot the machine "safe" and uninstall everything I want :idea:

Uninstalling programs

Quite often (most time) when I try to remove a program through "Remove Programs" I get a message saying not all of it was completely removed, would I like to remove it from the list.
Why is this? Are these programs leaving behind junk that's taking up real estate?

Often this is because a dll from the program is in use when you try to uninstall it - so the dll will not be deleted. (if it is a today plugin make sure it is unselected before attempting uninstall) Or the programmer just made a plain bad uninstaller. Choose no, when it says do you want to remove from the list. Then soft reset and choose uninstall again and that often works. If not you can use sktools uninstall feature to track down undeleted files and registry entries. Or do it manually yourself - i usually find that it's not too difficult :wink:

I used to have that problem a lot on the old rom.
Since I've upgraded though I have not seen that message once.

meschle said:
Often this is because a dll from the program is in use when you try to uninstall it - so the dll will not be deleted. (if it is a today plugin make sure it is unselected before attempting uninstall) Or the programmer just made a plain bad uninstaller. Choose no, when it says do you want to remove from the list. Then soft reset and choose uninstall again and that often works. If not you can use sktools uninstall feature to track down undeleted files and registry entries. Or do it manually yourself - i usually find that it's not too difficult :wink:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you do it manually? I just had it happen with Socket's WIFI Companion. I searched for files with File Explorer but couldn't find them.
Thanks!

NOBODY can give me any help?
Socket's "expert" was supposed to call me back. Of course he did....NOT!
I don't like things that don't install.

SecurIt 1.1: Sim/IMSI checking opensource security for us all

I'm been working on this for a little bit now since I found all the existing apps don't work well in WM6 or don't work well in a custom rom. This is a open source program (as all of mine are) and I welcome help/donations/and comments. Bug reports will be helpful in this first release as I certainly consider this a alpha release at the moment.
What it does:
once setup at every boot it compares your IMSI number with the one stored, if it's a match it plays a little sound and that's it. If it's not a match, it locks the device and displays your email and a request to please get it back to you. It also send you the "new sim's" imsi and phone number via a SMS.
------------------------------
SecurIt 1.1 (BETA) by Shadowmite
------------------------------
TODO: Build in SMS rule filtering thus adding remote control
Lock out activesync connections?
Protect the datafile from being deleted, or keep a backup in registry.
NOTE: THIS DOES NOT WORK WITH CDMA PHONES!
Version 1 (BETA) Instructions:
This security applicatioon can run loaded normally via a cab file to your device, or via being cooked into a rom. It will require your phone able to run unsigned code (most roms at this site are fine in this regard). Furthermore it does require the .NET Framework so it's really for WM6 devices, WM5 will be more tricky and is left up to the user to figure out how to make it all work.
When first run the program resides in \windows and must run from there. If you ran the cab installer it will have created a shortcut for you into the Programs folder.
The application comes up with a form showing you the current device imei, imsi, and phone number. You need to enter a password (needed to disable security programmatically or change SIM info), a email you can be reached at my a "finder" of your phone, and a SMS phone number you'd like alert messages sent to. Once done click set. Finally, click Enable security.
The application then sets itself up to autorun upon boot and if the SIM matches, it plays a little sound file to let you know everything is fine. If the sim is found to have changed, it will lock down the device until a password is entered. Meanwhile it shows your contact email and has sent the alert sms to you with the new imsi and phone number.
If you enter the proper password the program will take you to the settings screen where you can reenter the password and make changes to the settings and resave them. Simply clicking enable security without making changes will keep the settings as they are.
Clicking disable security will remove the autorun entries and remove the data file the programs keeps at \windows\SecurIt.dat.
The data file keeps 5 lines, MD5 hashes of your imei, imsi, password, and also your email and sms phone number as plain text. Thus stealing this file does not enable retrieving the password or easy changing of the imsi. Deleting this file however would remove security. Furthermore activesync will still link to a locked device. Knowledgable people about these devices could therefore defeat this security, however it's goal is to keep the casual theif / finder out of the phone.
This program is a work in progress and I welcome help with modifications to it as well as bug fixes. Source can be found at:
svn://www.shadowmite.com/shadowmite/SecurIt
To cook this into a rom, you need 3 files. 2 of them need to be generated when you first install it like normal and set it up. Copy the SecurIt.dat from \windows and the SecurIt.lnk from \windows\start up to your rom as well as the SecurIt.exe file. It's that simple. Enjoy!
History:
1.1: Fixed all kinds of bugs causing security to crash with various sims
1.0: Initial release
If you like my work and would like to help insure I continue to have time for this, please consider a donation to: foglemATshadowmiteDOTcom

Shadowmite, thnx for starting an "opensource" project for this. I havent tried it yet, will try once I reach home.. But I had a cpl of suggestions\questions:
1. Why do u keep email and sms phone no in plain text instead of encrypting them as well?
2. Instead of storing config in a file, store the config in registry which lessens the chances of someone finding out about the prog and deleting the file to disable security.

nice work as usual...

shantzg001 said:
Shadowmite, thnx for starting an "opensource" project for this. I havent tried it yet, will try once I reach home.. But I had a cpl of suggestions\questions:
1. Why do u keep email and sms phone no in plain text instead of encrypting them as well?
2. Instead of storing config in a file, store the config in registry which lessens the chances of someone finding out about the prog and deleting the file to disable security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
number 2 is in the TODO list...

#1) we could encrypt them as long as it's not a one-way hash like the first 3 lines, however those are the bits of data we don't mind the theif/finder seeing afterall as they are the means to get the phone back to its rightful owner. I suppose we could hide them but the phone number will be on his next bill for sending it a SMS and the email is displayed on the locked screen.
And as walshy said, #2 is certainly on the todo, but locking our activesync connections is a bigger concern and I believe completely doable.

#1) we could encrypt them as long as it's not a one-way hash like the first 3 lines, however those are the bits of data we don't mind the theif/finder seeing afterall as they are the means to get the phone back to its rightful owner. I suppose we could hide them but the phone number will be on his next bill for sending it a SMS and the email is displayed on the locked screen.
And as walshy said, #2 is certainly on the todo, but locking our activesync connections is a bigger concern and I believe completely doable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, and sorry abt the #2, I missed the TODO part..
Keep up the good work..I myself was thinking abt making smthing similar but now I think I'll drop my idea to make a different one, as this seems to be a better idea (opensource is always better )..
I hope I can make some contribution to the code if possible..

shantzg001 said:
ok, and sorry abt the #2, I missed the TODO part..
Keep up the good work..I myself was thinking abt making smthing similar but now I think I'll drop my idea to make a different one, as this seems to be a better idea (opensource is always better )..
I hope I can make some contribution to the code if possible..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What advantages does this give over "Mobile Justice"..another similar util...my rom has Mobile Justice cooked with it which makes it hard to remove.

famewolf said:
What advantages does this give over "Mobile Justice"..another similar util...my rom has Mobile Justice cooked with it which makes it hard to remove.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you like that software and have it working properly use it. Maybe you'd like to post in every rom thread asking why not use some other rom while you're at it?

Shadowmite said:
If you like that software and have it working properly use it. Maybe you'd like to post in every rom thread asking why not use some other rom while you're at it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using Mobile Justice which is WHY I asked what advantages YOURS had over theres for COMPARISON. If it had additional features I was going to recommend it for addition into XM6R3 (the next release of the current rom), but with an attitude like yours I won't bother with further review.

famewolf said:
I'm not using Mobile Justice which is WHY I asked what advantages YOURS had over theres for COMPARISON. If it had additional features I was going to recommend it for addition into XM6R3 (the next release of the current rom), but with an attitude like yours I won't bother with further review.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont bother with a review but bother with a slagging ... take your "fame" somewhere else...

Ok, for starters mine isn't based on assuming every device has a GPS built in (while technically being a Trinity owner I should go that route). I instead base mine on nicely locking down the interface so far with a polite message to get the device back to the owner. Furthermore mine is trivial to build into a cooked rom which was my main reason to write it. I tried every security app out there over the last weekend without any of them working "properly" and figured the best way to get one is to write one. In addition mine is open source, mobilejustice is not.
Now then, you said you're not using it... But the last post said you had it cooked in? WTF? Need some help deciding what you use and don't use?
my rom has Mobile Justice cooked with it which makes it hard to remove.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using Mobile Justice which is WHY I asked what advantages YOURS had over theres for COMPARISON.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Shadowmite said:
Now then, you said you're not using it... But the last post said you had it cooked in? WTF? Need some help deciding what you use and don't use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The rom I currently have installed comes with Mobile Justice preinstalled.
2) I have not configured and am not currently using Mobile Justice
3) The author is currently taking suggestions for software to include in the next revision of their rom.
What part of any of those statements are you having difficulty comprehending?
Perhaps you and the gentleman from Melbourne should both grow up and quit reading an insult where one was not intended.

Well than back on track... Give it a try and see what you think. I really want feedback from folks outside the USA as I believe it will not properly catch your phone number of the "thief's sim" however if the sms works it should still get the phone number to you obviously.
The GPS coord. request feature is a nice one and will have to go on the todo list.

well, well, fights apart, what drew me to this app over the other apps was the opensource nature as mentioned by Shadowmite because I, like shadowmite, was not happy with the other apps doing things properly or just because I wanted somethings to be done differently..
@shadowmite:
1. I have a few ideas of getting "coordinates" and sending to the original owner even on non-GPS devices ..Maybe we can discuss some things later on once the basic structure of the app is ok.
2. Couldn't find the source code of the app on ur site..(May be am just one dim-witted dim-sighted git ) Please point me to it..

You'll need svn to get it, windows users: http://superb-west.dl.sourceforge.n...vn/TortoiseSVN-1.4.4.9706-win32-svn-1.4.4.msi
svn://www.shadowmite.com/shadowmite is my master repository for all projects.

cool, I do have TortoiseSVN installed at home..Will check it when I go back..

Will it sustain a hard re-set ? Dont think so.

@shailesh, for sustaining hard resets, it has to be cooked into the rom, pointed out by shadow on post 1..
I don't know if something else can be done for this (writing into ext rom is one option but that is not possible for most devices now)

Sounds like a great piece of software. And open source is a great idea too.
I did tried several others like this one (Eye on the thef, Ultimately Theft Alert ...) some features were still missing :
First an autoconfig method :
As already said, whatever your storage methode is (file or registry), you 'll everytime lose the configuration when a hard-reset is done on the device. The only one possibility i can imagine is to store your "installer" program on extended rom with the ability to add an external config (encrypted) file as a parameter.
Installation will be handled by the autoconfig process, using this external file. Config will probably needs to be stored on extended rom too. It's not peace of cake to create an extended rom, but easier that cook a rom.
This feature won't be very helpfull if there is no way to generate a config file automaticaly base on settings done by user : kind of export process.
On standart start/soft-reset, your program will run as it does actually, but when a hard-reset, is proceed, programm will reinstall unattented and will still be running after boot... No way to easily remove it. Bad effect is that it will also be difficult to update programm/config.
Secondly, i'd like to have the a way to "format"(or encrypt) a memory card remotely.
Do you thinks those could be part of your TODO list ?
Will try it on few next days and i'm ready to help you translating it in french

hi shantzg001,
thanks for replying,
My mistake, did not read the whole text.

[REQ] WM uninstaller .. any developer ?

Hello everyone ..
I've been here for a while, and been using alot of apps from the great team of developers here. And been using a lot of great ROMs, thanks to all cooks!
I did something, and it showed me we do need a special program.
I tried to install an app, then uninstall it, and a very funny thing happened,
for example, it asked for 1536 kB to install , but it installed on more than that, and after uninstalling it freed less than what it already took, and even less than what it saied it will take.
I guess it's because of the registry and some un-removed files.
and here comes the idea of the program
AN INSTALLER/UNINSTALLER app
i think it should do the following
1- browse for the cab
2- i think it might need to use the builtin installer, but it should keep track of all the files and registery entries that the program will take
3- keep record of all the installed apps
4- allows the user to uninstall the app, again, it might need to use the builtin unistaller, but after it is removed, it ensures that all the registery values are removed and all the files are deleted
so what do you think? is this possible? any one can do it for us?

If this is a request of an Application, PLease Modify Your Title with some thing like this :
[REQ]Windows Mobile UnInstaller

Short answer: Forget it.
Middle answer : There are slightly improved uninstallers available, e.g. in SKTools
Long answer: The default installation routine keeps a pretty good track of what is installed with the default setup routines, and usually uninstalls it just fine (only exceptions: fonts and sometimes Today plugins. Which belongs to the things SKTools' uninstaller does better.).
The trouble is with those files and registry entries that aren't created by default installation itself. There are two ways for that to happen. Either there's a "setup.dll", which allows user extentions wherever the default routines wouldn't be flexible enough, usually used for setting migrations (updates) or selections immediately after installation (like which language packs should remain resp. extracted from an common archive). Or the application creates them on first run resp. whenever required (like when the user modifies settings, a game is saved, entries are created, ...). For both of them, any unistall helper has a really bad job to relate them to the program. The best it could do would be to remain in background, look for changes (which would take a lot of resources because WM doesn't offer as nice system hooks for e.g. new registry entries as the desktop Windows) and assign them to the currently active program. Which might be wrong whenever a program in background creates/modifies something. And then there's the problem "What to remove?" when it comes to uninstall. You wouldn't be that happy when it deletes all text documents, contacts, registry tweaks, ... you created with a program, would you? And sometimes you even want to keep the settings, e.g. when updating (since WM5, the old version is always removed before the new one is installed).
A developer can create special uninstall actions in the setup.dll, which usually are way better than any uninstall tool could try to be. You often experience that when there's a query like "Keep settings for update?" appears on uninstall. But that's up to the developers...

thank you guys very much for answering ..
as a result .. i get that if i want something better .. go buy a sktools license
and there is nothing better than that ...
right?

try Pocket Mechanic too

MemMaid is the best!

I vote for SKTools. Has the best uninstall function ever.