Database Users

Hide all Programs, Customize Start Menu

Hi folks,
My first post on the list here. Hopefully I've come to the right place.
I have a M1500 SPV pocket pc device. I would like to customize the Start Menu items by removing two of them -Active Sync and Internet Explorer. I have made a cab file which makes changes to the registry and would like (if possible) to delete the above mentioned items from the start menu via making a change to the registry. I know I can delete the shortcut links from the Start Menu folder but I would prefer to do it via a registry edit if possible. Or if possible, use the same cab to delete the shortcuts from the Start Menu (not sure if this is possible!?)
I'm also looking for a way to hide *all* programs from the Start->Programs screen. Any ideas how to achieve this via a registry hack?
Best Regards and thanks a lot for any help,
dav7

Dan - do you want to delete the start menu ("\windows\start menu" and all subfolders and entry on the start menu?)
Or remove most recently used entries on the start menu?
Or programs in "\windows\start menu"?
Registry isn't really your friend here, other then for the MRU list.
V

Hi vijay555,
Thanks for the quick reply. I only want to remove certain programs from Start Menu, this one...
>Or programs in "\windows\start menu"?
I know if I delete those programs from My Device->Windows->Start Menu then it will remove them from the Start Menu without deleteing the actual program. I was just wondering if there was a way to do that via the registry? i.e. perhaps there is a key in the registry somewhere that lists the items to put in the Start Menu following a hard reset?
I am also looking to hide all programs from the main Programs page i.e. the Programs screen\page that shows all the actual Programs. I was wondering if there is a way to do that via the registry?
I know for example I am able to hide things that reside in the Control Panel settings i.e. Connections->Beam. I was wondering if there is a similar way to do that in the Programs screen?
Hope that is clear! or clearer!
Cheers,
dav

dAV:
sounds like you want to edit your startmenu.
Get a file explorer like GSFinder/Resco etc.
navigate to \windows\start menu
and delete/move everything you want to clear out.
V

perhaps there is a key in the registry somewhere that lists the items to put in the Start Menu following a hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh problem is that the registry is reset when you do a hardreset
so it would just go back to default
same thing with the content of your \windows\start menu
all shortcuts would reappear after a hardreset
unless you made a program in the extented rom which removed them when it was run

Hi,
Thats basically what I'm trying to do. I've made a cab file which when run sets a lot of registry settings following a hard reset. As you said, after a hard reset the device is restored to its normal build. My cab runs right after a hard reset to make sure the device is configured the way I want it. Are there any keys in the registry which are responsible for configuring the Start Menu? I cant seem to find one for Start Menu, only the New Menu
An alternative approach is running an exe which deletes the Programs from the Start Menu folder...but I would prefer to parcel it all up in a tiny little cab file if possible...
Thanks again for any suggestions...
Cheers,
dav

i never seen anything like it in the reg

Thats a pity. I cant find anything either. I prefer to do as much as possible in either the CPF or a cab. exe's do the job but there big and more complicated to change. Neverthless seems I'm stuck with an exe for now. Oh well...
Cheers,
Dav

Hi, Dav!
Even though there is no registry solution, exe file is not your only option.
Cabs can contain a setup.dll that exports 4 functions which the system calls before and after installation or uninstall (separate function for each event).
Check MSDN for setup.dll specifics.

Get a cab file that will start up automatically after a hardreset to delete all the fies in the start menu? I think if you delete the files in the start menu, it will be removed in the Programs list. It is basically a short cut file.

levenum said:
Hi, Dav!
Even though there is no registry solution, exe file is not your only option.
Cabs can contain a setup.dll that exports 4 functions which the system calls before and after installation or uninstall (separate function for each event).
Check MSDN for setup.dll specifics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thanks a lot, I'll look into that.
Cheers!
Dav

hanmin said:
Get a cab file that will start up automatically after a hardreset to delete all the fies in the start menu? I think if you delete the files in the start menu, it will be removed in the Programs list. It is basically a short cut file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Hanmin,
I think you are correct...if you delete *all* files and folders from the Start Menu it will remove the files which are directly situated in the Start Menu folder as well as all files in the Program folder which also resides in the Start Menu folder. This will remove items from both the Start menu and the Programs screen. This is ok for me though as luckily I want to also hide all Programs from the Program screen. A lot of the device functionality has to be hidden from the end users, to prevent them from fiddling with anything and to also hide things like Games etc...
Cheers,
Dav

Hi,
I've managed to get the setup.dll working. Its really useful and stops me needing an exe for many things. However, is it possible to get the dll to show a Dialog window? I've tried incorporating a dialog to the dll but it never seems to show up. I need the user to set a value and was considering doing it via the setup dll, but so far not been able to get the dialog, or even a Message Box to show up when called within the dll?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dav

Here is a line of code from Install_Init function that's working perfectly for me:
Code:
g_dlg = CreateDialog(g_hInst, MAKEINTRESOURCE(IDD_MSGDLG), hwndParent, MyDlgProc);
I save g_hInst in DllMain.
As for message boxes, just call them as usual, never had a problem there, but you need to make sure you put your code in the correct function or it will not be called at the right time.

Revealing the Hidden Partition in Atom Life

Since I don't know how to edit the Wiki pages and I didn't find the information elsewhere I would like to share the solution for revealing the hidden partition of Atom Life here:
Using a registry editor go to
HKLM\System\StorageManager\Profiles\Trueffs_DOC1\FATFS\
now open "MountHidden" and set the the decimal value to "0"
After a softreset there will appear "_QHiddenPartition" as a storage card in the file explorer.
Enjoy!

tuttovabene said:
Since I don't know how to edit the Wiki pages and I didn't find the information elsewhere I would like to share the solution for revealing the hidden partition of Atom Life here:
Using a registry editor go to
HKLM\System\StorageManager\Profiles\Trueffs_DOC1\FATFS\
now open "MountHidden" and set the the decimal value to "0"
After a softreset there will appear "_QHiddenPartition" as a storage card in the file explorer.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What to do with it, can we store files?

observer365 said:
What to do with it, can we store files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simply because I like to know what's going on in my machine. In addition you have instant access to desired files you wish to extract for later use or on other machines. I also heard that it shall be possible to store cabs here which you wish to be installed via the O2 Autoinstall routine after a hardreset. But I also heard that it could be dangerous to manipulate the files in the hidden partition(?)
Does anyone have detailed and reliable information about that?
Regards!

Posible to remove YouTube shortcut from lunch browser place ?

Hello..
is it posible to remove short cuts from internet place from lunching browser ?
i have this issue from cell company which its allready there and i want to remove it .. (( not the youtube tab.. )) the red Airtel Live tab .. also the browser set to be the first page to lunch is www.airtel.in .. and im very annoyed from it .. is there's a way to remove it ? or the abbility to chose which web page that i want to lunch once i press on lunch browser ???
thx

any solution ???

I need a tab removed too, it's so annoying to press everytime the wrong tab instead of youtube

Depending on how your ROM has been set up by your Telco... this should work. Go to your Main Memory then see if there is an "\Application Data\Manila" folder. If there is,...then the fix is simple.
Either rename the \Manila folder to something else, or go into that folder and rename or move the 2 files
InternetPortal.xml
InternetPortal-en-AU.xml (where -en-AU is your language /country).
If the ROM can't see these files you will get the default settings from "Windows\27c65cbd_manila".
Your Carriers "OperatorLinks" should now be gone from the Internet Tab. Not the shortcuts but the Operator links that look similar to the YouTube one.
If you do not have an "\Application Data\Manila" folder then the solution is slightly more complex as you will have to edit "Windows\27c65cbd_manila".
Try the above method first. If no luck report back and me or someone else can post the other more complex method.

logger said:
Depending on how your ROM has been set up by your Telco... this should work. Go to your Main Memory then see if there is an "\Application Data\Manila" folder. If there is,...then the fix is simple.
Either rename the \Manila folder to something else, or go into that folder and rename or move the 2 files
InternetPortal.xml
InternetPortal-en-AU.xml (where -en-AU is your language /country).
If the ROM can't see these files you will get the default settings from "Windows\27c65cbd_manila".
Your Carriers "OperatorLinks" should now be gone from the Internet Tab. Not the shortcuts but the Operator links that look similar to the YouTube one.
If you do not have an "\Application Data\Manila" folder then the solution is slightly more complex as you will have to edit "Windows\27c65cbd_manila".
Try the above method first. If no luck report back and me or someone else can post the other more complex method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method is the same, you can find in both files the entry
<Operator Links>
...
</Operator Link>
Just remove them and all Links are Removed. Editing the 27c65cbd_manila is just a bit dangerous if you don't make a copy before you are editing it

Yeah but you can remove \Application Data\Manila files hocus pocus with no editing - that is why this method is better, if you simply want to remove branding as these guys do. The underlying 27c65cbd_manila version will keep the stock ROM settings.
One method is to delete a file that is superfluous - the other is to edit a file that Manila needs. So not the same.
Like you say the files are basically identical though, each with the setting coming as you say from the operator links area.
I guess you could say I described the Safe Simple dummies method that should work.

logger said:
Yeah but you can remove \Application Data\Manila files hocus pocus with no editing - that is why this method is better, if you simply want to remove branding as these guys do. The underlying 27c65cbd_manila version will keep the stock ROM settings.
One method is to delete a file that is superfluous - the other is to edit a file that Manila needs. So not the same.
Like you say the files are basically identical though, each with the setting coming as you say from the operator links area.
I guess you could say I described the Safe Simple dummies method that should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, but if you just remove the two xml-files, the youtube-link will still be there because it's also integrated in the manila-file.

True but if you re-read what the guys were after.. they want to remove the links that look like the youtube link. Not the you tube link. So the simple method will do that.

i found the two files in manila internetPortal.xml & internetportal-en-gb.xml
but its protected and i cant delete them ... hidden and protected as system files read only
any way to remove them ??

badrey said:
i found the two files in manila internetPortal.xml & internetportal-en-gb.xml
but its protected and i cant delete them ... hidden and protected as system files read only
any way to remove them ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to deactivate the TF3D before you can edit/delete them.

thanks alot that really helped me

You're Welcome

27c65cbd_manila editing help
logger said:
If you do not have an "\Application Data\Manila" folder then the solution is slightly more complex as you will have to edit "Windows\27c65cbd_manila".
Try the above method first. If no luck report back and me or someone else can post the other more complex method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@logger
I am on sprint and do not have the "\Application Data\Manila" folder so I have been playing with "Windows\27c65cbd_manila" to add a shortcut to Ticker Tape 0.5 by GeckoDev.
I have gotten the shortcut I wanted to appear on the internet screen (as shown in the screen shot below) but when I click the shortcut I get this error msg (as shown in the other screen shot below)
The File 'Ticker Tape' cannot be opened. Either it is not signed with a trusted certificate, or one of its components cannot be found. If the problem persists, try reinstalling or restoring this file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone have any idea how to fix this error...I have been searching but with no luck -
I have tried placing the exe and all related files in the widows directory because that is where the You Tube files are located but it didn't work. I think this might have something to do with it but I can't figure out in the "\Windows\27c65cbd_manila" file the file path to the You Tube icon does not exist that I can find. It might be a hidden folder but I can't see it in Total Commander. It says it is located "\Windows\HTC\Assets\Images\InternetPortal\youtube.qtc". Also what is a .qtc file? My searching points me toward "Apple QuickTime Support file" but I have never heard of it as an icon file in WM.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

how to change wm6 default apps?

for example: make thumbcal default calendar
thanks

Menu-Extras-Setting-Standard for Calendar
if you want a application be the default one it must be in Settings of this application, so just look there a little bit, seems to make more sense than open such threads By the way:
1. Did you read first tread for such questions ?
2. why dont you ask that in the thumbCal thread ?
3. The default Calendar thing has been asked a hundred times there, so it seems you even dont searchor read there ?
if you mean the left softkey too, search for "changing softkeys"
thank you

unfortunately the default app setting for this change in thumbcal does not work, thats why i spent two hours looking in different threads for a solution, the one hack that did work for somebody i couldnt duplicate because i dont know how to edit a system file (and i tried several different ways)
i did ask in that thread, but thot asking here would catch somebodys eye who either had a solution or something positive to contribute
i thot this forum was about sharing knowledge
if this post is really that out of line please delete it

wayda said:
unfortunately the default app setting for this change in thumbcal does not work, thats why i spent two hours looking in different threads for a solution, the one hack that did work for somebody i couldnt duplicate because i dont know how to edit a system file (and i tried several different ways)
i did ask in that thread, but thot asking here would catch somebodys eye who either had a solution or something positive to contribute
i thot this forum was about sharing knowledge
if this post is really that out of line please delete it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try using total commander, you may have to remove the readonly or system attributes to the file through total commander, edit it (which you can also use total commander for) and then change the attributes back

thank you for responding!
this was one of the first things that i tried but i wanted to try it again before i replied
i can uncheck attributes of calendar.exe ie: read only and system but i cant uncheck "inROM" its greyed out
so when i hit ok read only and system revert back to checked
thanks again for trying to help, i appreciate it

works with manilla2D, so guess with more apps?
wayda said:
for example: make thumbcal default calendar
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.vijay555.com/?Releases:VJBrisk
- Download VJBrisk.cab
- Install it
- Copy vjbrisk.exe
- make a backup of calendar.exe
- Rename vjbrisk.exe to calendar.exe
- make a LNK (shortcut) to your application and name it vjtarget.lnk
Place both files in your Windows directory (yes, overwrite calendar.exe)
I found this somewhere in the Manilla2D threads (don't know wich one anymore).
Good luck

bigchrizzieboy said:
http://www.vijay555.com/?Releases:VJBrisk
- Download VJBrisk.cab
- Install it
- Copy vjbrisk.exe
- make a backup of calendar.exe
- Rename vjbrisk.exe to calendar.exe
- make a LNK (shortcut) to your application and name it vjtarget.lnk
Place both files in your Windows directory (yes, overwrite calendar.exe)
I found this somewhere in the Manilla2D threads (don't know wich one anymore).
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, I might be retarded or severely slow, but I've tried this, and I can't even copy calendar.exe to somewhere else.. running stock htc WM 6.1 rom

wayda said:
for example: make thumbcal default calendar
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't you just open up thumbcal and go to its menu option and select "Extras" followed by "Settings", then scroll down and pick/check "Set as default calendar"?
EDIT: Sorry just read post 2 who practically tells you to do the same, must have ignored it as I feel the post was a bit out of line. On the same note though, that was all I did and it seemed to work, that may be because I am using an Omnia at present.

wayda said:
thank you for responding!
this was one of the first things that i tried but i wanted to try it again before i replied
i can uncheck attributes of calendar.exe ie: read only and system but i cant uncheck "inROM" its greyed out
so when i hit ok read only and system revert back to checked
thanks again for trying to help, i appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully this will solve your query.
cheers,
Arefin

suggest word(s)

hi
I am sorry if this has been asked before (but I did search)
Is there any way to add suggest word(s) when typing in text, I have to type the same sentence over and over again every day and on my old phones/PDA this was not to bad as you could set the suggest word(s) to give you the next 4 works, I can't find this in the HD2 is there any way to add it
Thanks for any help

according to hint 19 in this thread:
19. Improve Suggested T9 Dictionary With Custom Words
The Leo has a very useful hidden application in the Windows directory. You need to unhide hidden system and Rom files in order to find it. Find the file "eT9MyWords.exe" in the Windows directory and add a shortcut to this file in your Windows/Start Menu folder.
When in the application, add the most common words you use when using the keypad such as names, locations, user names, email addresses and other words not common in the standard T9 dictionary. For example if you are based in London, UK you could add the following locations:
Leicester, Piccadilly, Tottenham, Soho, Charring, Euston, Trafalgar, Clapham,
and words such as BRB, DVD, coz, lol, xoxo, [email protected], ciao, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have read these tips and know about adding custom words.
What I want is for three to four words to come up to complete a sentence.
This has been in the input tap on old PDAs suggest word(s)

Hi
Is there no one Who can help with this?

Really with all the clever people on this site can no one help me
Please someone help me

Hi, i did a few tests and found...
et9mywords wont accept spaces, and although you can sneakily paste sentences into the input box, it wont save them, so that method is out.
Custom words are also found in HTCMDB.txt, and the good news is it works!
(See image)
The line 'this is a test' i hard coded into the file using my kitchen, then the 'this is a second test' i added as follows....
(I use resco explorer, i suspect the normal file manager wont do what is required, total commander probably will)
find /windows/HTCMDB.txt (it will be hidden, so show all files)
copy it to your sd card, and from there to your desktop.
(I tried editing it on the phone using windows mobile notepad, but it didnt work right)
On the PC, right click the file, properties, and untick 'read only', apply.
Open it and edit it as required.
Save it, and again right click, re apply 'read only'
Copy back to your sd card, and from teh phone use commander or resco to move it to /windows/
You will probably get a warning about rom files and what not, thats ok.
Reboot, and you should now be able to see your sentences.
PLease let me know how you get on.
EDIT - just for clarity, every entry inside HTCMDB.txt must be on its own line.

thanks for your help with this I have done as you posted and it works, it's a bit long winded but it works
thanks jason