ABOUT
The purpose of this CAB is to reach a sort of UC way but with a very easy & friendly approach
HISTORY
I come from Diamond world, so because this CAB can be adapted for other platform/devices why not preparing a separate sUC.cab to use for enabling ALL the stuff (ramdisk, pimbackup,ram recovery,etc...) included in Dia Duit rom series?
what have I to do with this cab?? simply it will apply these features:
Latest stable MortScript is inscluded & ready to go, so no more needs to install as separate cab
Choose between 3 speed profiles: 1. fast (takes more ram & battery), 2. balanced (not heavy tweaked but not funny) & 3. untouched (default WM6 settings)
GPS profile: TomTom, iGO, Navigator or default WM6
Everyday auto recover RAM feature (at 4.30AM) + automatic sms/contacts/calls backup/fav manila people (trough pre-configured pimbackup app, PimBackup included)
Ramdisk (2Mb) feature (optional)
A new way for a fully automated CAB/REG/EXE/CPY installation/copy after every hard-reset/rom upgrade
UPX executable, compress (fully automated) exe files from fresh installed cabs, this saves space & gives faster app load times
Easy & fast tweaking method without 3rd part software: tweak registry scripts (with comments)
Tips enabled by default to preserve a bit more battery life (for ex 3 secs of led blinking instead 5, increased battery life counter,etc) + increased speaker sound volume + many example for setting automatic alarms, rings, etc...
Moved MAIL + Attachments folders from main memory (My Device) to external one (Storage Card)
3 / 4 rows configuration
This should work on every WM based rom, also because I added the auto recognition of "Storage" name... so should work without troubles also on NON WWE roms (except for CABi installation)
DOWNLOAD sUC.cab HERE
DOWNLOAD sUC_source.zip HERE
BEFORE INSTALL (mandatory)
create in your "Storage" (the BIG one) a folder called "Backup and Restore", then inside it a folder CAB (inside this another folder called CABi), then at the same level of CAB folder create a folder called CPY, then REG, then EXE
so practically your basic structure should be like:
Code:
Storage Card (or whatever name)
=> Backup and Restore (folder)
=> CAB (folder, put here all the cabs you want install on main memory)
=> CABi (folder inside CAB folder, specific for "must go into Storage", see notes)
=> REG (if present all reg files here will be joined to default WM registry)
=> CPY (if present all files here will be copied under their correspondent folders)
=> EXE (if present all .exe & .mscr files will be launched)
all files in the CAB folder will be installed (automatically) into "device", the ones in the CABi folder will be installed into "Internal Storage" (or whatever you have, always automatically), from REG folder all *.reg/*.rgu files will be loaded on the fly, from CPY all files will be copied (with overwrite) into correspondent folders (for ex useful for copying personal dlls, wav/wma/mp3 files or background, etc...), for finish from EXE folder will be launched your executables (personally never needed, but who knows?) & if present all *.mscr scripts... pay attention to exe files that needs user interaction
INSIDE THE CAB (a deeper explanation)
when your sUC cab is installed it simply creates a registry entry under [HKLM\init\]"Launch69"="2ndboot.exe", this permits the script 2ndboot.mscr (launched by 2ndboot.exe) to be loaded upon system reboot (just one time)
this script, if the structure mentioned above isn't found, it will create automatically all the folder & default reg files needed under your storage card, the name isn't important because it should guess itself its correct name, so don't care if your storage is called something like "MyBigStorageCard"
then it will ask you some questions... such as if you use ActiveSync, which GPS performance adopt, etc... all this info, which at 1st you'll pay high attention, will be stored under your storage card in a file called config.txt ...why?? simple... because next time you will flash or hard-reset your phone you wont have to push a button the script will found that previous stored config file & it will take all the info needed for final rom configuration to skip all annoying questions after every upgrade/HR
note: there is also an hidden option that should be used only by experts, to enable this option simply add by hand to your config.txt file the line: FastInstall=1
this will skip all countdown menu & messages... personally I use this option because flashing a lot this saves much time more
next it will look in the CAB folder for installing your CABs into "device" or main memory
next in the CABi folder for installing CABs into your storage card (you need to do this just 1st time, I'll explain later...)
next it will look at a file called upxlist.txt (must filled before), where simply you will specify all the *.exe file you want to compress after every cab installation... for example your upxlist.txt could look like:
Code:
\Program Files\Navigator\TomTom Navigator.exe
\Program Files\9.5 Beta\Opera9.exe
\Internal Storage\Program Files\Binaryfish\All Mobile Mines\All Mobile Mines.exe
note: every line for every EXE file, pay attention that you can compress just EXE files coming from extra CABs, because EXE files present in the rom are read-only
next it will copy a set of basic reg files with many tips/tricks/examples inside, useful for making many customizations
note: of course if you have previously prepared the folder structure & you have copied your REGs files under the REG folder they will be processed together the files above
next it will look in the CPY folder and will replicate the found folder structure (with files too), for example create inside it a folder \windows with some file inside & it will copy all found files under \windows on your device, or create \program files\myapp & it will create that folder structure in your device, of course it works also for Internal Storage even if it has no sense, anyway just a note it doesn't create empty folder, to create an empty folder just use a single .mscr script (something like: MkDir("\mydir") ) & copy it in your EXE folder
next it will look in the EXE folder & will launch all the exe files inside it, if found it will launch also all *.mscr scripts
next if found (you'll understand better upon an HR), it will ask you to restore your backed-up start menu, so you don't have to re-arrange your icons again
next if found, it will ask you to restore your last PIM backup & will reboot
notes:
right now CABi procedure works only on WWE roms (due to translations work to be finished), anyway there is a trick to skip CABi installation, or better make by hand just once (read few lines below)
installing cabs into Storage Card sometimes will fail, this simply because some cabs need confirmation/accept license & so on, so don't expect will work 100%, also many cabs require to be installed into main memory so NOT into Storage Card, for ex I use to install into Storage Card simple cabs such as games
sometimes pim backup restore can fail, try to restore by hand after installation; backup are divided into week days (monday, sunday, etc... "Last" is the last saved backup)
if you put sUC.cab in your CAB folder wont re-processed of course, useful if using sUC together with UC/UC2 installation method (see at bottom)
if you still use the 1st sUC release way your personal scripts still work like before, simply move them under EXE folder, or transport as reg entries directly into your personal reg file & copy it under REG folder, you can find on the same folder some examples (to clean all your old stuff simply empty the REG folder, modded REG files wont be touched on future upgrades)
you don't need to re-install every time your CABi, just install them once, then on next upgrade answer No or simply edit your config.txt & change the correspondent value; after CABi installation on a clean boot go with your explorer under "\windows\start menu" folder & re-organize your start menu structure (cut/past links, create/delete folders, etc...), remember to don't delete "Settings" folder even if empty, then go under sUC menu & backup your StartMenu, on next upgrade sUC will detect start menu backup & it will reinstall automatically... because the content of your storage card isn't erased after a rom upgrade/hard-reset your installed CABs will stay there untouched, so backed-up start menu has inside correct links
is possible to move TomTom, iGO, Navigon, etc... definitively into your storage card, so you don't need to install them every time: copy entire nav software folders from \program files to \internal storage\program folders, re-create icon shortcuts (copy/past as shortcut in your start menu), for iGO you have to edit sys.txt (under iGO folder) & change the path of base installation
in the same way is possible to skip for example FingerKeyboard installation from related cab, simply take a look at this short guide
INSTALLATION
note: to migrate in every new sUC version simply move your reg mods in your Personal.reg file, erase all the rest of reg files because they will be re-generated with the new ones, remember that on upgrades reg files wont be touched so pay attention on what you mod
if the rom is UC compliant simply create a called SDConfig.txt file in the root folder of your Storage Card, for example your SDConfig.txt could look like (pay attention to upper-lower case & no empty lines):
Code:
LOCK:Enabled
CAB :\Internal Storage\Backup and Restore\CAB\sUC.cab
LOCK:Disabled
RST: Reset
in this way at reboot will start standard sUC procedure (remember MortScript is included & also that sUC cab wont be re-processed even if present in CAB folder), instead if the rom isn't UC compliant simply install sUC as any normal cab, then it will ask to restart (or restart manually) & automated procedure will begin on reboot[/b]
bye,
davide
OK, that's all very nice, but WTF is it?
Wouldn't hurt to have an "about" section in the post for ppl who see this thing the first time in their life.
GENIAL !!!!!!
aiiro said:
OK, that's all very nice, but WTF is it?
Wouldn't hurt to have an "about" section in the post for ppl who see this thing the first time in their life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep... you right sorry, I'll correct soon...
suiller
OMG~ You finally made it available!!! I'm going to test it with my HD and will report back once everything is organised
I didn't mean to sound rude, sorry... Anyway, thanks for the addition, but still - what is UC? User Configuration? Could You post some screenshots too to make it more comprehensible for dumbusers like me?
jackkkkk said:
suiller
OMG~ You finally made it available!!! I'm going to test it with my HD and will report back once everything is organised
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh FRIEND! I found you
yep, I'm looking here around to see if my mad projects can be useful
the cab isn't still perfect but should work, of course I haven't a different device from diamond so all you will be a sort of beta tester
I've removed all specific diamond stuff, so it should work
Of course this is just a starting point, I'm dedicating much time to develop this small piece of "software", thx also to many other friends
You know as it works, so you should feel a bit like at home
aiiro said:
I didn't mean to sound rude, sorry... Anyway, thanks for the addition, but still - what is UC? User Configuration? Could You post some screenshots too to make it more comprehensible for dumbusers like me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep you are right... UserConfiguration, the only difference is that you don't need to write any config file, at least not as "normal" user, it's enough to copy under correct folders the CAB plus other stuff you want installed/loaded after every flash/hard-reset
I'll porvide soon a video-guide, so it will be for sure more clear
OK, OK, nuff with making fun of me Or were You seriuous with video guide?
Cos I just had a brilliant idea - I'll install the damn thing and look for myself
I think I should have done that in the first place. But still, I believe screenshots would save some time understanding what's it really about.
Yeah Screwed Up Click for life
no no I'm serious friend... but I'll suggest to wait a couple of days because I'm working on a new version where is possible to cut-off all the specific HTC/manila stuff & above all I'm re-commenting all the registry entries that interact with OS
no no I'm serious friend... but I'll suggest to wait a couple of days because I'm working on a new version where is possible to cut-off all the specific HTC/manila stuff & above all I'm re-commenting all the registry entries that interact with OS
Hi,
really don't want to be rude or offence, but ... isn't this something like SASHIMI????
If so ... where are sUC's pros?
kind regards
fwt
almost... but it's very very simple... I'm testing an heavy modified version able to run on almost every WM6.x base device
OK the CAB is ready for testing purposes... please re-read 1st post because I'm making a better, I hope easier, description of features... thx
bye,
davide
Mate, this piece of software is plain GENIUS!
So much easier than the UC thing, with all the boring scripting. This way you just place in folders, and you are (mostly) done! Amazing stuff!
I have some questions/requests for you though...
Is there a way to repeat the procedure (restore at 1/2 start up), at a later time? This could be useful, for example, if some files get corrupted, or you just want to revert back to default cabs/settings, etc. So I guess what is needed is a way to manually activate the procedure.
Second thing is regarding mail settings. Is there a way to back this up? My hotmail settings get destroyed after every HR.
Cheers.
Forgot to mention, a manual activation of this procedure would also help if (for example) you want to make multiple program installations. This way you could just use the folder CAB, without wasting time on every single program you are installing/testing...
Cheers
krale said:
Forgot to mention, a manual activation of this procedure would also help if (for example) you want to make multiple program installations. This way you could just use the folder CAB, without wasting time on every single program you are installing/testing...
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm... it could be a good idea... even if some phases can't be reverted, or better it's very complicated to "go back"... such as for ramdisk
anyway many phases are yet accessible as indipendant scripts just take a look under "\Backup and Restore\scripts" folder, of course other script could be extrapolated but I'll do probably on next version... let's say this is a testing purpose version because I have to "think" that this app must work on many (almost all I hope) wm6.x based devices
As one of the end (l)users who first saw this in Suiller's Dia Duit rom series, I can attest to this resolving one of the major grievances of Windows Mobile rom-upgrades. With some "smart" planning ahead, getting everything back can now be mostly scripted by simply placing the install file in the correct directory. Same with restoring data from your pimbackup, or adding registry settings. Once again we have a case where the xda-developers have surpassed the "offficial" roms in user friendliness.
I have since moved on to WM6.5 (still on my Diamond), but I sorely miss sUC from my later roms.
//Svein
updated sUC, corrected some small issues
I corrected some default/samples reg files, so I suggest to erase all default *.reg files under REG folder to update correctly
move your personalization to something like "MyRegPers.reg"
please reports here bugs/issues/suggestions or whatever... thx
Related
Maybe this is a question especially to the developers, but I'm sure there are some other guys, that can advise me or give some hints.
I'm going to create my own rom with the mkrom-tool and I want to add some special programs. I also want to integrate my tomtom software to the rom. Therefore Ii don't have to reactivate every time, when Ii install the xda.
Now my question: Is this possible? Is there enough space to add this program?
What will i have to do?
Thanks...
Stefan
1) Create a snapshot file using 'ssnap' in your SE ROM
2) Install TomTom to the \Windows directory by moving the .cab to the device and double-clicking it. The CabInst program in the SE ROM will offer the option of installing to an alternative location.
3) Set everything up the way you want it. (i.e.: Twiddle all the settings, and install POIwarner and recent camera database also.)
4) create another snapshot.
5) Copy the two snapshot files to the PC, and compare them using a compare tool. (UltraEdit comes with one).
6) Filter the differences for things you do not need, such as 'last used' items in the file explorer and such...
7) Set up 'mkrom', adding the 3.17.03 ROM image, and test that it works by creating a ROM using the config that's in there.
8) Select what you want to lose, because 1.2 is full. Add the files the snapshot difference tells you are new into the 'files1' or 'files2' subdir, making sure the total file sizes for each doesn't grow.
9) Add the changed and new registery keys to default.reg
10) Run 'mkrom'
11) Presto.
I never found TomTom in ROM to be really useful, because it's big meaning you lose almost everything else, if it even fits. And for it to be useful, you always need the maps on SD-card anyway. Why not create an SD-card backup of the entire setup of your machine the way you like it on an old 16 or 32 MB SD-card? Then you can just put that onto your SE ROM device right after cold-boot, and you're in business.
So i fall a little short in developing, and was wondering if someone could make a quick exe... Here is what i am looking for: I need a simple exe to run off of my wm6 phone that will copy the file PalmMsgV001 from the Windows directory to my storage card in a folder with the current date.. to be more specific something like this:
copy \Windows\PalmMsgV001 to \Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back\110807 (the date using the format 11/08/07)
Maybe you could make it customizable for other people as well... but im just looking for a quick exe to throw on my card that will make it real easy to back it up
shogunmark said:
So i fall a little short in developing, and was wondering if someone could make a quick exe... Here is what i am looking for: I need a simple exe to run off of my wm6 phone that will copy the file PalmMsgV001 from the Windows directory to my storage card in a folder with the current date.. to be more specific something like this:
copy \Windows\PalmMsgV001 to \Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back\110807 (the date using the format 11/08/07)
Maybe you could make it customizable for other people as well... but im just looking for a quick exe to throw on my card that will make it real easy to back it up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how much do you pay for it?
Here it is...
shogunmark said:
So i fall a little short in developing, and was wondering if someone could make a quick exe... Here is what i am looking for: I need a simple exe to run off of my wm6 phone that will copy the file PalmMsgV001 from the Windows directory to my storage card in a folder with the current date.. to be more specific something like this:
copy \Windows\PalmMsgV001 to \Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back\110807 (the date using the format 11/08/07)
Maybe you could make it customizable for other people as well... but im just looking for a quick exe to throw on my card that will make it real easy to back it up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here it is...
The applications is a command line application an works with 2 paramenters. 1º is the full path of the file or files patter that want to copy, in your case "\Windows\PalmMsgV001", other examples could be "\Test\log*" or "\*.txt". 2º is the full path of the destination directory without the date directory, in your case "\Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back".
In the attached zip I include the application (CopyBackUp.exe) and the shortcut (.lnk) with the parameters required for your case ('CopyBackUp.exe \Windows\PalmMsgV001 "\Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back"').
Just extract the .exe to the root folder ("\") and the .lnk wherever you want (ie. "\Windows\Start Menu").
Any small donation would be appreciated.
Enjoy...
finthamoussu said:
Here it is...
The applications is a command line application an works with 2 paramenters. 1º is the full path of the file or files patter that want to copy, in your case "\Windows\PalmMsgV001", other examples could be "\Test\log*" or "\*.txt". 2º is the full path of the destination directory without the date directory, in your case "\Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back".
In the attached zip I include the application (CopyBackUp.exe) and the shortcut (.lnk) with the parameters required for your case ('CopyBackUp.exe \Windows\PalmMsgV001 "\Storage Card\Back_up\Palm_back"').
Just extract the .exe to the root folder ("\") and the .lnk wherever you want (ie. "\Windows\Start Menu").
Any small donation would be appreciated.
Enjoy...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked perfectly.. and am more than happy to kick you a small donation!!! pm me and let me know where to send it!
and also as i am looking at the shortcut, it appears that in theory you could make this little exe copy whatever you want, just would have to edit the short cut.. interesting...
shogunmark said:
and also as i am looking at the shortcut, it appears that in theory you could make this little exe copy whatever you want, just would have to edit the short cut.. interesting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it tried to make it a bit more generic that what you were asking for, so maybe it could be usefull to somebody else
CopyBackUp V1.1
Attached is the new version of the application.
The changes are:
The first 2 parameters still being the same.
The next parameters are optional, and works as follow:
New commands:
·-kb[List of processes to Kill Before the backup is made]
Kills the specified list of processes before the backup
·-rb[List of processes to Run Before the backup is made]
Runs the specified list of processes after the backup
·-ka[List of processes to Kill After the backup is made]
Kills the specified list of processes before the backup
·-ra[List of processes to Run After the backup is made]
Runs the specified list of processes after the backup
·-noui
Runs the application without showing windows messages (only “Invalid Arguments” is showed)
These commands can be used multiple times, are case insensitive, and before backup commands and after backup commands are executed as they appears.
Sample:
copybackup.exe “/Directory with spaces/*.log” /Test –rb /test/test.exe /test2.exe –ka test2.exe –kb aaa.exe –NoUI –ra “/dir dir/bb.exe” –KA b.exe
This will
1.1. Run /test/test.exe
2.2. Run /test2.exe
3.3. Kill aaa.exe
4.4. Perform the backup of “/Directory with spaces/*.log” to /Test/[Date]
5.5. Kill test2.exe
6.6. Run “/dir dir/bb.exe”
7.7. Kill b.exe
All this without Windows UI messages
The application will fail only if some of the processes to run is not found, It won’t fail it some process to kill is not found.
Enjoy.
well i did find error.. maybe..
If i use:
\CopyBackUp.exe \Windows\PalmMsgV001 "\Storage Card\Back up\Palmbackup"
Then it does as mentioned before...
If i manually kill messagingapp.exe first and use this then it works, it will copy the file and run the app:
\CopyBackUp.exe \Windows\PalmMsgV001 "\Storage Card\Back up\Palmbackup" -ra messagingapp.exe
But if i leave messagingapp.exe running it will not kill it or copy the file, just throws up an error box that says "error":
\CopyBackUp.exe \Windows\PalmMsgV001 "\Storage Card\Back up\Palmbackup" -kb messagingapp.exe
and i did verify that the process is running
shogunmark:
Are you sure that have extracted both files in the same directory?
This problem looks like copybackup.exe is not finding in the same directory OpenNETCF.dll.
This dll is needed when you use -kb or -ka, as is used to enumerate running processes.
I have made the test copybackup.exe /*.log /test -kb iexplore.exe and it works perfectly (Kills Internet Explorer before)
Can you cheek this?
Cheers
Hi finthamoussu,
Your application sounds really cool. I can appreciate the running processes fuctionality as that is a little bit tricky in .net. Good work!
Regards,
Slither2006.
I think this is a really useful app. Forgive my ignorance but where do you run the exe on the PC or on the device?
If on the device do we need to copy OpenNETCF.dll there as well? Which folder?
Thanks
gekkkko said:
I think this is a really useful app. Forgive my ignorance but where do you run the exe on the PC or on the device?
If on the device do we need to copy OpenNETCF.dll there as well? Which folder?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, you need to copy both files to the device (to any folder you want).
An to use it just call the exe with the parameters you need (look at previous post).
Enjoy
Whats up guys
After hard resetting for the third time, I'm getting pretty sick of copying all of my configs and skins back to their respective programs.
I know I can make a backup using SPB or something similar, but I like the pro's that starting from scratch have, so if I'm having a problem I won't immediately put it back on.
Now my question is, after I have installed the main programs I need (s2u2, ul, bs, weatherpanel, etc), how hard would it be to create a cab that copies files straight from the storage card to their respective locations?
Thanks guys
Joe
with wince cabmanager you can easily create cabs (it's not free).
but you could create a mortscript which copies all your files back. It's quiet easy, for example:
Copy("\Storage Card\Setups\HH_0409_WeatherCities.xml", "\Windows\HH_0409_WeatherCities.xml", 1)
or if your rom is supporting UC you can do it with the SDconfig.txt file also:
CPY1:\Storage Card\_Setups\Themes\WM61Black.tsk
CPY2:\Windows\WM61Black.tsk
another interesting (finished) mortscript is SASHIMI it's good if you don't have UC and it's very flexible....check it out...
I tried to keep the title as descriptive and short as possible, I hope it makes sense
I picked up the kitchen of nhathoa (a retired Topaz cook) hoping to get it customized to make it exactly the way I want but I'm running into some issues.
Long story short, I'm using Ervius Visual Kitchen (1.8.2) and I noticed that the EXT packages I added end up leaving two copies of the files, a copy under \windows\ and another one in the places I specified using app.dat using:
Code:
Directory("\Program Files\bla\"):-File("bla.exe","\Windows\bla.exe")
Is there some way to get rid of the copy under \Windows\ ??
I know that I could simply leave everything there and discard the app.dat files but I would really prefer having everything organized properly (I have a bit of an OCD when it comes to organizing everything neatly ).
I'm pretty sure that this is a rather simple and noobish issue but I couldn't find anything relevant by searching and I took a look at some ext packages by various cooks and noticed the same behaviour.
MusikMonk said:
I tried to keep the title as descriptive and short as possible, I hope it makes sense
I picked up the kitchen of nhathoa (a retired Topaz cook) hoping to get it customized to make it exactly the way I want but I'm running into some issues.
Long story short, I'm using Ervius Visual Kitchen (1.8.2) and I noticed that the EXT packages I added end up leaving two copies of the files, a copy under \windows\ and another one in the places I specified using app.dat using:
Code:
Directory("\Program Files\bla\"):-File("bla.exe","\Windows\bla.exe")
Is there some way to get rid of the copy under \Windows\ ??
I know that I could simply leave everything there and discard the app.dat files but I would really prefer having everything organized properly (I have a bit of an OCD when it comes to organizing everything neatly ).
I'm pretty sure that this is a rather simple and noobish issue but I couldn't find anything relevant by searching and I took a look at some ext packages by various cooks and noticed the same behaviour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's call Read-Only-Memory (ROM) and is the reason you can hard-reset your phone. Every file you cook into the ROM is in \windows. Two ways I know of to reduce the amount of files would be to zip them and have a mortscript unzip them to the proper location during customization or cook in a cab containing all of the files and have it run during customization.
That makes a lot of sense, I really feel ashamed that I didn't figure it out earlier
EXT packages seemed easier than bothering to read about customization but I guess it's time to start reading about this kind of stuff.
Thread marked as solved.
Thanks for the quick reply!
Yup, files in rom are in rom forever, or until you flash again, lol. The trick is to just run bla.exe from \windows. I would say that 90% of the time, bla.exe runs just fine out of the windows directory (especially if it's the only file in the package). When people create cabs, they naturally install the app in \program files, but in general apps don't need to be in a specific folder. If there are other files present, usually an .exe will search within its own folder for those files. So, if you just cook everything straight into windows, you'll be good to go. It's easy enough to test: just move all the files from program files to windows after installing a cab, fix the shortcut in the start menu, and then try to run the app. It's always a good idea to do a soft reset and try again (found this out the hard way many times). The one thing you have to watch out for is settings files, like .dat files. These files frequently have to be archived (not read-only). Particularly with apps that use net 3.5, if there's a setting file that is read-only, the app won't boot and you'll get an error message. The fix is to name the file settings-1.txt (or whatever) and have an app.dat rename it to settings.txt (and keep it in \windows).
Also, remember to fix the shortcut path in the start menu, and examine the registry entries to see if there are any paths for files present-you may need to change them to point to \windows (this could also be true in settings files).
mwalt2 said:
No, it's call Read-Only-Memory (ROM) and is the reason you can hard-reset your phone. Every file you cook into the ROM is in \windows. Two ways I know of to reduce the amount of files would be to zip them and have a mortscript unzip them to the proper location during customization or cook in a cab containing all of the files and have it run during customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This actually made me think a little bit. When you think about read only, I always thing can't delete or overwrite. Obviously I can run a cab and replace a file that is located in the \Windows directory, that leads me to believe there is a way to delete a file or maybe even replaced with an empty file of the same name.
You can over-write a rom file, but the rom file is still there. The file system just flags it somehow or another and tells the device to ignore it and instead use the new file.
TMartin03 said:
This actually made me think a little bit. When you think about read only, I always thing can't delete or overwrite. Obviously I can run a cab and replace a file that is located in the \Windows directory, that leads me to believe there is a way to delete a file or maybe even replaced with an empty file of the same name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new file you copy over goes into the "user" partition of the file system and windows knows to use that file instead. Once you delete this newly copied file from \windows, the old one from the ROM will take its place back in the filesystem.
Farmer Ted said:
Yup, files in rom are in rom forever, or until you flash again, lol. The trick is to just run bla.exe from \windows. I would say that 90% of the time, bla.exe runs just fine out of the windows directory (especially if it's the only file in the package). When people create cabs, they naturally install the app in \program files, but in general apps don't need to be in a specific folder. If there are other files present, usually an .exe will search within its own folder for those files. So, if you just cook everything straight into windows, you'll be good to go. It's easy enough to test: just move all the files from program files to windows after installing a cab, fix the shortcut in the start menu, and then try to run the app. It's always a good idea to do a soft reset and try again (found this out the hard way many times). The one thing you have to watch out for is settings files, like .dat files. These files frequently have to be archived (not read-only). Particularly with apps that use net 3.5, if there's a setting file that is read-only, the app won't boot and you'll get an error message. The fix is to name the file settings-1.txt (or whatever) and have an app.dat rename it to settings.txt (and keep it in \windows).
Also, remember to fix the shortcut path in the start menu, and examine the registry entries to see if there are any paths for files present-you may need to change them to point to \windows (this could also be true in settings files).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, a small question about the underlined part, just to make sure that I got it right: it won't be exactly a rename just a copy with a different name, correct?
Some of the apps I use need a specific directory structure for the resources and files they use, so just dumping them in one big folder won't work.
Another possible issue that I think I'll run into is having two files sharing a generic name (let's say settings.xml) while each belongs to a different app. I didn't personally encounter such a situation just yet but my packages are still a work in progress and I did see a post or two about this while searching.
I was still hoping there would be a simple way to arrange the files in folders while keeping them under \windows\ but I can't find such a method either. Doesn't seem like I have other options than to decided on a firstboot customization method: Runcc, autorun, xda_uc or something that I haven't read about yet...
"Runcc" is currently used in the base kitchen so that gives it an edge right now.
Edit:
Remembered that I had another question, and it's probably not worth a new thread.
I was looking at how to manually create .lnk files and I noticed something that I didn't understand and couldn't find info about.
For example:
Code:
21#"\Windows\MSDict.htm"
What exactly does the "21" refer to?? I tried changing it randomly to other values a couple of times and it didn't effect anything.
NRGZ28 said:
The new file you copy over goes into the "user" partition of the file system and windows knows to use that file instead. Once you delete this newly copied file from \windows, the old one from the ROM will take its place back in the filesystem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok now that makes a lot of sense. I guess I'm just use to Android and being able to see that separate partition. Thanks for the explanation.
That sort of leaves me to another question. Can't someone develop a way to overwrite directly to the "system" partition? It would almost be like a root/superuser for WinMo.
Sent from my HTC Evo 4G!
MusikMonk said:
First of all, a small question about the underlined part, just to make sure that I got it right: it won't be exactly a rename just a copy with a different name, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, that's correct. Another approach is to take all similar files that go into windows and stick them in a zip file that unzips to the windows directory. I do that in a few cases (power radio comes to mind; it has an ini file). What I do in most cases though is use a backup/restore mortscript. The backup copies all settings files (and similar things) on my device to my sd card. During customization, the restore copies them back. It's convenient for apps where I change the settings a lot and I don't want to have to constantly fuss with the packages.
Some of the apps I use need a specific directory structure for the resources and files they use, so just dumping them in one big folder won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you do in that case is move the sub-folders into windows. In this case, I'll use a zip file to unzip those folders into windows. Using app.dat files to copy large numbers of files blows. It increases the rom file count as well as the storage used. A zip file is a single file, and usually it saves space.
Another possible issue that I think I'll run into is having two files sharing a generic name (let's say settings.xml) while each belongs to a different app. I didn't personally encounter such a situation just yet but my packages are still a work in progress and I did see a post or two about this while searching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, you're screwed unless there's a registry key that lets you change the name. I've run into a few complications; tcpmp and OMarket both use a common.dll. My solution was to buy Core Player, lol.
I was still hoping there would be a simple way to arrange the files in folders while keeping them under \windows\ but I can't find such a method either. Doesn't seem like I have other options than to decided on a firstboot customization method: Runcc, autorun, xda_uc or something that I haven't read about yet...
"Runcc" is currently used in the base kitchen so that gives it an edge right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using cabs or zip files is the way to go if you want to copy large folders in one shot (with a mortscript; you can also un-rar rar files, but I don't know how. Yet, lol). Zips are easier to make and edit than cabs, but you need to have mortscript cooked in and know how to write the simple script (aka cut-and-paste).
Edit:
Remembered that I had another question, and it's probably not worth a new thread.
I was looking at how to manually create .lnk files and I noticed something that I didn't understand and couldn't find info about.
For example:
Code:
21#"\Windows\MSDict.htm"
What exactly does the "21" refer to?? I tried changing it randomly to other values a couple of times and it didn't effect anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 21 is the number of bytes after the #. It doesn't matter. I usually just change the first number to 1. It works fine. Counting bytes blows.
That was extremely helpful. Too bad these boards don't use a rep system
Farmer Ted said:
Yup, that's correct. Another approach is to take all similar files that go into windows and stick them in a zip file that unzips to the windows directory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if I'm going to follow this method, and it seems like I am, I don't see why I would still have to limit myself to the \windows folder. I can just put everything the way I originally wanted to do. I only looked at arranging files under \windows when I found out that there's no way to get rid of the duplicates.
Farmer Ted said:
Using cabs or zip files is the way to go if you want to copy large folders in one shot (with a mortscript; you can also un-rar rar files, but I don't know how. Yet, lol). Zips are easier to make and edit than cabs, but you need to have mortscript cooked in and know how to write the simple script (aka cut-and-paste).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried writing mortscripts yet but I've seen enough to figure out the basic and notice how easy it is. I'm gonna check how usable is the WM version of 7zip, as long as it accepts arguments combining it with mortscript will be easy and perfect for me.
7z archives can get smaller in size than half of the zip archives for the same files. And cabs are too annoying to work with and keep updated later on.
Only issue remaining now is checking whether I should put the archived files under \windows or use the sdcard for customization. I'm leaning toward the first but I'll have to wait and see how much memory I would be sacrificing that way.
Farmer Ted said:
The 21 is the number of bytes after the #. It doesn't matter. I usually just change the first number to 1. It works fine. Counting bytes blows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah! I thought about counting bytes/characters and noticed that it works sometimes. But I thought it was a coincidence after I experimented in changing the value and noticed that it wasn't always the right count in the .lnk files that I found.
[rant]
Nice, I was messing around with some packages to free up ram and storage and I seem to have ended up with a rather b0rked up xTask. And then there's still convincing Resco Explorer that the registry add-in IS in fact there.
Figuring out the causes should keep me happily busy for a while (and probably heavily pissed for another while afterwards).
[/rant]
Edit:
Just for the record, I ended up using xda_uc it's a lot easier than doing things manually. Although it would help if there was some kind of documentation available, took me a while to understand what .xda, xdai, xdas & .xdaz files are supposed to be.
hi by the way is it possible to convert ext packages of QVGA phones to one another?
Device flashes - Device boots - Device runs the Welcome.exe, but then no Customisation.
Iv recently added some EXT packages into my rom. i made them myself from .cab's with cab2ext. ive tested the .cab's before adding to my rom, they do work. but some programs that did work before adding the new EXT's now dont because of no customisation eg, Task Manager - the one on the today screen and also Windows Live. (iv only noticed these two at the moment but there will be more, to be honest i cant be arsed looking for programs that work or dont work when its quite obvious its because of no Customisation, if i fix that, they will work again.. simples )
Anyway...
I opened the new EXT packages ive added and checked all the files.. eg, .dat .reg and all "FILES" files, i even checked the .lnk's and all seems ok. i then checked them again.. yet everything still looks ok, but something is seriously f*cked!
Also another problem, a wierd one..
When i Soft-Reset/Restart the device, it boots up with the Welcome.exe again? (the Welcome.exe is meant to only run the once and then dissable )
Help? iv almost got my rom the way i want it - ive been working on this rom for 2months and i dont want to start building the rom from scratch...
..again! pmsl
Does anyone have any idea what is wrong, if this has happened to you, how did you fix it?
Thanks!
Rn
Check your runcc.lua, then the conf*.txt files you include in your rom, then all the commands you execute inside them.
One of these commands go wrong in your first boot and so you are stuck on customization.
If you use xda_uc or another user customization method, check those scripts as well.
It may happen, for example, if you try to install a cab and for some reason it fails.
If in your recent packages you overwrite one of your conf*.txt file, this could be the cause.
Ciao
...
cheers dude, thanks for your time and help, i think i understand what you meen..
[1)config*.txt <-- all config files are ok.]
[2)runcc <-- googled and i dont use]
[3)xda_uc <-- googled and i dont use]
raving_nanza said:
iv almost got my rom the way i want it - ive been working on this rom for 2months and i dont want to start building the rom from scratch.....again! pmsl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its ok claros, f*ck it dude, its the second time this problem has happened to me, it happened on my first rom too.. (2months ago.lol)
i litteraly started again from scratch (a nice clean slate) ill just start my rom again like i did then which will solve my problem.lol ive got all my programs and setting backed up (*in a messy folder of messy folders )
my new kitchen will basicly be up and running again by the end of the day, its my birthday on wednesday so i may as well set it as the rom date.lol
Raving_1337_Rom_V3 (Alpha)
Cheers anyway dude, muchly appreciated!
Rn
[changed title to solved, @claros]
raving_nanza said:
its ok claros, f*ck it dude, its the second time this problem has happened to me, it happened on my first rom too.. (2months ago.lol)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This happened to me at least 20 times, or more
Let's check together what happen at first boot, if I'm wrong anybody else will correct me.
1) files are moved from \windows to other directory according to your app.dat / initflashfiles.dat.
2) .provxml files are parsed to change config values or filesystem
3) welcome is executed, but this command don't stop startup so:
3a) autorun.exe or runcc is executed too to customize rom: these package runs according to the commands inside various config*.txt files in oem packages or sometimes in ext packages
4) user configuration, usually included as a call inside one of conf*.txt files is executed. If you don't use xda_uc, user customization should follow the same syntax as autorun/runcc
5) Last conf*.txt file should include at least a
LOCK: Disabled and a reset
At this point you should have completed the welcome wizard. If not, and your calibration data is not in registry, your are prompted again with welcome wizard at second boot.
Common errors during boot sequence are:
- wince.nls is missing
- app.dat / initflashfiles.dat error, such as creating subfolders inside non existent folders or statements not in unicode format
- registry / provxml errors during setup of welcome.exe itself, for example you disable the whole welcome wizard but don't write calibration data into registry
- chain error inside conf*.txt files, such as config.txt calls config_operator.txt which call config.txt, generating a loop
- a cab or command inside a config*.txt files cannot be installed, for example for lack of space or a missing certificate
What I usually do in these cases is:
- check platformrebuild log file for errors
- save my last tmp/dump folder to check what is really inside the rom and what is really overwritten by what
- If you can connect by activesync to device before reboot, explore the device itself, it's processes and registry
- recompile the rom putting semaphores inside app.reg files, .provxml files, config*.txt file. I usually add an ext package to be included as the last one (ZZZ_Claros_Fix) where I put a special app.reg, a .provxml and a modified copy of config.txt, config_operator.txt, config_end.txt etc etc.. If you don't have a diamond, you can boot without sdcard to avoid any sd_config.txt error
Starting a new kitchen from scratch for me is at least 20 days of work, I'd spend a day more finding a solution
Ciao
claros said:
This happened to me at least 20 times, or more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A Mortscript called Autorun.exe
V2 working again, Cheers!
*i started setting up a new kitchen then thought f*ck that!
Rn
Are you saying that you were cooking in mortscript, and the autorun.exe file from the mortscript package over-wrote the one from your OEM package? I think that happened to me once a while ago. I just left out the one from mortscript; I've never needed it before, anyway.
...
yeah a mortscript called Autorun.exe over-wrote my OEM Autorun.exe
i deleted it the mortscript, everythings sound now