I'm toying with the idea of putting together a cab with my owner info, local area code, alerts and notifications settings, etc. Has anyone else done this? And if so, which keys did you grab? What are your thoughts? How well did it work? I'm using CERegistryEditor and WinCE Cab Manager - any better tools for the job?
I know this can be done with Sashimi, in fact that's what gave me the idea to do some provisioning... I just thought a cab in the UC folder would be quick and painless.
~Eric
I made provXMLs/cabs of my email accounts, power saving settings, and auto light sensor settings, which get installed by XDA User Customization on the first boot. The easiest way to do this is to use the XML maker in sashami (makisu), then save the .xml file onto your SD card. For any settings found in Schapps' Advanced Configuration Tool, you can export them as .XML files which are usable with UC. Then, in your SDConfig.txt file, use the XML: command (as opposed to CAB:) and specify its file path as you would with any .cab file. For any settings found in Schapps' Advanced Configuration Tool, you can export them as .XML files which are usable with UC. Then, UC will import the registry entries from the provXML on the first boot.
Or if you really want .cab files, I believe you can import provXMLs as registry settings with WinCE Cab Manager since your provxml is identical to _setup.xml (which contains registry settings) found in the root of any modern .cab. Then, you can create the .cab file, and it'll install all your registry settings. If that fails, you can still use the official Microsoft .cab SDK and cab up the XML, as detailed here. It may seem like a lot of work, but it'll be completely worth it once you've automated everything.
Related
Guys, I was just asked how to prepare a cab file containing registry settings, to save you having to configure your registry manually each hard reset.
Anyway, the process is (relatively) easy!
Purists and coders would generally do this by writing your own installer cab. For this route, follow this thread and engage brain to OverDrive!
http://www.pocketpcdn.com/articles/setupdll.html
However, the easiest way is to grab a copy of WinCE cab manager.
Install that app. Find any existing cab that you've used to install an app before. Load it into CabMan. Using the interface, remove all existing files and registry settings etc. Set your own Cab name, company name etc in the settings.
Then, you'll see on the file menu, there's an option to import a .reg file.
So: export all the registry settings you want to rebuild from your PDA, using a good registry editor. I recommend Kilmist Registry Editor .
Save each exported tree as eg 1.reg, 2. reg, etc.
Then, copy them onto your pc, open each file in notepad and copy and paste the contents of each into 1 large file, eg RegCompiled.reg. (You don't need to do this step, but for your own reference you may want them all in one place)
Then, import that into CabMan. Now, it may not work - I think you need to have a valid reg file, which is basicaly the same thing you've already got, but with a first line header saying:
"Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00"
No speech marks.
Grab this line for yourself by exporting something from your pc's registry using RegEdit, then load into notepad and grab the first line.
Ok, CabMan should now show the number of imported registry entries on the tree on the left.
That's it! Save, and then run on your PDA.
Try a test run first before relying on it for life and death!
V
vijay555 said:
Then, you'll see on the file menu, there's an option to import a .reg file.
So: export all the registry settings you want to rebuild from your PDA, using a good registry editor. I recommend Kilmist Registry Editor .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using for this purpose two regeditors - both freeware:
PHM registry editor [Philippe Majerus] v0.70 - for its search feature
TRE registry editor [TascalSoft] v0.90 - for import/export and ability to edit MULTI_SZ values.
There is one great utility: SSnap
Run SSnap before and after installation and compare files. Use any diff program or [my choose, but comercial] UltraEdit
baniaczek: thanks for the alternatives.
PHM is very good, but unfortunately at least in the previous versions, the export wasn't very helpful.
A good reg editor is a fairly essential tool, so use what you get on best with!
V
I have a question, is there anyway to make it so that the cab will also delete a registry key on the phone? any help would be appreciated. thanks.
vijay555 said:
Guys, I was just asked how to prepare a cab file containing registry settings, to save you having to configure your registry manually each hard reset.
Anyway, the process is (relatively) easy!
Purists and coders would generally do this by writing your own installer cab. For this route, follow this thread and engage brain to OverDrive!
http://www.pocketpcdn.com/articles/setupdll.html
However, the easiest way is to grab a copy of WinCE cab manager.
Install that app. Find any existing cab that you've used to install an app before. Load it into CabMan. Using the interface, remove all existing files and registry settings etc. Set your own Cab name, company name etc in the settings.
Then, you'll see on the file menu, there's an option to import a .reg file.
So: export all the registry settings you want to rebuild from your PDA, using a good registry editor. I recommend Kilmist Registry Editor .
Save each exported tree as eg 1.reg, 2. reg, etc.
Then, copy them onto your pc, open each file in notepad and copy and paste the contents of each into 1 large file, eg RegCompiled.reg. (You don't need to do this step, but for your own reference you may want them all in one place)
Then, import that into CabMan. Now, it may not work - I think you need to have a valid reg file, which is basicaly the same thing you've already got, but with a first line header saying:
"Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00"
No speech marks.
Grab this line for yourself by exporting something from your pc's registry using RegEdit, then load into notepad and grab the first line.
Ok, CabMan should now show the number of imported registry entries on the tree on the left.
That's it! Save, and then run on your PDA.
Try a test run first before relying on it for life and death!
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4 reg hacks u can also use my way and i think it is a lot faster
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=547339
btw i cannot upload the ppt file 2 xda (dont know way it is only 3m) if someone can it will be great
tnx
The WinCE CAB Manager is the ultimate utility for developers of applications designed for the Windows CE operating system. But it's not freeware!
You might build the CAB online: http://www.supware.net/CabGen/
Hi Guys,
There are quite a few Registry hacks listed on this site, could someone develop a simple program that could read xml files in a directory and present them in an orderly manner, like HTweakC does...
Package the registry tweaks into a simple xml file that the program could read.
For example:
Menu Structure, ie Security, Today, Bluetooth
Title,
Description,
Registry Tweak.
On Program startup the program could read the xml files in a specified folder and order the tweaks according to the Menu Structure in the xml file.
And while you're at it an undo option wouldnt go amiss either.
Each change could be saved to an undo folder... or something.
i just put together a cab file (for personal use) to remove sms threading (due to upgrading roms alot etc)
however i have hit a brick wall.
i do not know how to make the device restart after install?
i have compared to other cab files but the only difference is the other cabs install files not registry?
i'm not all that good with programming however i would really like to complete this cab for ease of reloading a new rom - so any input would be grateful - thank you
For cab file creating i use PocketPC Installation Creator. In the menu there is a check box to set the 'reboot after installation' behaviour. I played with it but noticed that my device only rebooted after installation of files. Because i found it to much effort to look into it, i didn't. After all it is quite easy to reboot manually.
You could use MSCEinf to examine different cabs and look for the reboot after installation setting (http://www.codeppc.com/telechargements/msceinf/msceinf.htm)
I also noticed that some people make cab files from .xml files (sleuth for example). Maybe this method has other options than cabarc in combination with inf files.
Cant give you any answers, still hope it will be of any help.
Good luck and post back result if you figured it out.
Arjan
The easiest way tocreate CAB files is to purchase a copy of WINCE Cab Manager from OCP Software
they have just released a new version which supports Vista
i created the xml document then created the cab from it.
should have said that sorry.
so i was looking for a way to restart device via the xml..
thanks for the input so far
Ok, so I've read through this tutorial (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=538513) which is AWESOME, and also viewed the Videos at winmo.
Here's where I'm at: I think I've succesfully got all my cabs over and my email settings via Makisu and XML done.
I used sashimi's backupregistry option and backed up registry to the sashimi backup folder.
by backing up the registry I've backed up all my tweaks from rhodium tweaks app right?
Also, by backing up the registry have I already backed up button settings like PTT remap, turn on when slide disabled, etc?
Here's where I need help: I read through the article but since I'm not as proficient as some, it's a bit confusing and I'm lost as to how to back up my background and manila tabs organization, settings, people, ringtones, programs in the programs tabs, etc.
I read about putting keys into the .ini but two issues: 1) I don't know how to open or edit the ini and 2) if I'm running an energy ROM, are all these keys still in thes same subfolders as the OP for the tutorial labeled the code?
And where can I file registration files? for example, I installed and registered my dictionary but looked through the app folder and am not sure which file is my registration file?
appreciate the help so I can start flashing MORE often....I'm 14 days behind on the Photon series!!
ini can be edited by notepad, if you want, you can use super notepad2 too. Not sure where the registration info will be.
Gurus,
I tried searching for this but in vain. I keep flashing all the great roms posted here frequently. And every time i have to configure my email accounts from scratch and this is a real pain. Is there any way to backup the settings like we do in PIM backup and restore upon reflashing the ROM'S?
Help greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Raj
prudviraj said:
Gurus,
I tried searching for this but in vain. I keep flashing all the great roms posted here frequently. And every time i have to configure my email accounts from scratch and this is a real pain. Is there any way to backup the settings like we do in PIM backup and restore upon reflashing the ROM'S?
Help greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Raj
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, what is best method to backup & restore phone settings regardless of what ROM we are using.
What about Microsoft my phone?
get makisu from HERE
(its a plugin to sashimi, but it will run standalone too)
run it, (it may take a few moments to start, be patient) enter your account details, add as many as you like, including wifi settings
tutorial video HERE
copy the xml file it creates (created mine as program files/makisu/makisu.xml)
get the microsoft cabinet sdk from HERE
extract it, and in the BIN folder is an .exe file called makecab.exe
I coppied that file out to its own folder, i dont use anuthing else in the sdk.
put makecab.exe and makisu.xml in a folder together, rename the xml to _setup.xml
open a command line window, and browse to that folder.
(Useful tip for vista/7, with the folder open on screen, hold shift and right click, you will get the option to 'open command window here')
issue the command
makecab /D COMPRESS=OFF _setup.xml mail.cab
(set mail.cab to whatever.cab name you want)
Thats it, copy the cab to your phone and run it when you need to set up your email accounts (and wifi if you set that too, very handy, i've automated 5 email accounts and 3 wifi networks)
(You could also just stop at the xml stage, and next time you hard reset, instal makisu and then choose 'provision xml' and browse to the makisu.xml file and it will install the settings.)
@samsamuel - I've just found this post (after searching for "rename email account"!!) and it's awesome.....just what I've been looking for!! Now I can reload my mail settings whenever I flash....assuming I can find a way to rename the current (incorrect) mail account I just added, otherwise I'll have to go for the delete/re-create option
Thanks again for posting about "makisu" - shame I have to register on yet another forum I'll never use just to get it....unless it's hidden on XDA somewhere?
Mark.
This is all that you guys need.
This will take care of provisioning for Wi-Fi Configs, Email Configs and Certificates.
leepriestenator said:
This is all that you guys need.
This will take care of provisioning for Wi-Fi Configs, Email Configs and Certificates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you make the xml with the program, how do you access it on the phone for restoration of settings? I don't need it right now but I am making xml's since I have had to hard reset my phone 4x already (and not because I was flashing a ROM) and re-creating all the settings is such a pain. I read into the sashimi and makisu but those apps make my head spin. There has to be a simpler way. Thanks in advance.
Edit: I think I got it. Either I use Makisu to access the xml or make the cab using the post above. If I make the cab and I want to use Quick cab (since it is much easier to use), where does the file install? \Windows?? It was unclear from the previous post since the instructions are for a different cab making utility.
k8sh said:
Edit: I think I got it. Either I use Makisu to access the xml or make the cab using the post above. If I make the cab and I want to use Quick cab (since it is much easier to use), where does the file install? \Windows?? It was unclear from the previous post since the instructions are for a different cab making utility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt install any files anywhere, not in teh way you mean, its just setting/changing/applying settings. Think of the xml file as a script that makes changes as it runs.
For me, i have makisu in my autoinstall folder, so it gets installed at hard reset, and i run teh xml file (also on my sd card) manually when i am ready to apply it. (I flash a lot, so sometimes i dont want email setting up, because i am gonna flash again in a few minutes).
I no longer bother creating the cab, because with the xml file you can just open it in notepad and add anotehr email account, make other small adjustments, whatever, which you cant do with a cab, you have to rebuild the whole thing from scratch. (for some reason wince cab manager cant open that cab.)
Well if you are on a custom rom, every chef support some form of UC or the other (User Customization).
In addition to Sashimi / Makisu you can also use SDConfig.txt & XDA_UC if your ROM supports it.
Google them and you'll find more info.
This looked like it would do the trick. When I run it I get a visual basic error. I have netcf v4 installed. Is there another file required to make this run?