Hi guys, this is my first windows mobile ever, and i've come on here and looked at all these threads for around 2 weeks now and id really like to start doing things!
I've looked at the *Leo hints and tips* and downloaded Resco, so i now know how to edit values and things in the root folder, but what i'm unsure about, and i'm sure all the new people to windows phones are to, is where to start?
I mean the phone reads .cab files, but say I download a .cab file, do i download it on my pc and put it on the phone, if so where to? After that do i have to click it, run it, what? Do i download it off my hd2 and it'll run? which I have done, but after installation, where is it stored if i want to open the file? What happens if i install a .cab and don't like it? Where is it for me to delete and how do I go about this? how do I uninstall things i've installed?
What im asking is, if there is a starting tutorial for these things, can it be a sticky because there are hundreds of threads on here and the search tool and my searching isn't finding what I really want...essentially...'HD2 for dummies...' guide.
sorry if this has been said before, or i'm expected to know these things, but if someone could point me and many others in a direction, or a sticky could be made, then id be one happy welsh man!
Cheers guys.
The simple answer to your question about cab files is that they're installers, just like you have on your PC. When it's installed, you can (if you wish) delete the cab file. (I keep all mine so if I upgrade my ROM then I can install things again without having to find the cab files all over again.) There's also "remove programs" in the windows settings folder, and you can uninstall apps from there.
Think of it more like a PC than a phone and you'll get on with it a lot easier.
Also, if it's windows you want help with then there's dedicated windows folders on this forum. Windows isn't specific to the HD2, so you will usually get better help in the more specific areas.
Other than that, just play with it and have fun.
Hope this helps
To install a cab you just need to copy or download it to your phone and then click on it. An installation wizard will then appear to take you through the installation process.
right okay, so the .cab i can delete as if it was a .exe file, but where do i save it on the phone for it to run, which folder?
When using file explorer and tweaking and installing .cabs, thats windows though i pressume? Not htc...
matt_attack_2k1 said:
right okay, so the .cab i can delete as if it was a .exe file, but where do i save it on the phone for it to run, which folder?
When using file explorer and tweaking and installing .cabs, thats windows though i pressume? Not htc...
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You can run the cab file from anywhere you like on the phone. If you're planning on deleting them after installing it really doesn't matter. Like I said, I keep my cabs (and would recommend it too!), so I have an "installers" folder, with sub-folders for different types of cab files.
Installers and tweaks are not specific to either windows or HTC - they could be either or both.
I personally keep all my cabs at Storage Card\Backup\CABs I transfer them to there from my PC, run them from there, save them there.
You can put them in any folder you like and run them from anywhere you like. There are no rules on where cab files need to be.
right okay, so i install a .cab file, say for example ive installed a new unlock slider, i change my mind and don't want that one anymore i would like the old one back, what do I do?
matt_attack_2k1 said:
right okay, so i install a .cab file, say for example ive installed a new unlock slider, i change my mind and don't want that one anymore i would like the old one back, what do I do?
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Click to collapse
In that specific example, you'd have to check the thread where you got the new slider from. That's overwritten original files so obviously an uninstall doesn't recreate them. I tend not to install theme mods that can't be rolled back, purely because of this!
I've tried some alternative lockscreens before, and they definitely had the original files in a cab so you could undo it.
right okay. and for example if i was to install, i don't know, an additional button up onto the top bar by the start menu, how would I go about deleting?
Back to my OP, why is there no tutorial or hot-tips threads made as a sticky for people new to this stuff like I am?
Related
Hi -
This is driving me crazy and I can't find anywhere to answer it (I'm sure it's trivial to most of you).
I copied a game (just the .exe file - not a .cab) into the \program files\games folder. The game icon is in that folder and it runs just fine - from that folder.
How do I get the icon to display whenever I Start/Programs/Games ? I'm guessing that it must be that I did not formally install and register it as a .cab but I am not that familiar with this OS to be sure.
TIA
Thats why it doesnt show up, because it's not installed. One thing you can do is get something like iLauncher and make the .exe a shortcut... and the icon will show up on your today screen.
Thank you! Is there a way to package the .exe in to a .cab file such that it properly registers as a game in to the game folder? Again, let me guess - get an existing .cab file and decipher it and use my .exe instead of the one that's in the .cab? Just a guess.
Madcap180 said:
Thats why it doesnt show up, because it's not installed. One thing you can do is get something like iLauncher and make the .exe a shortcut... and the icon will show up on your today screen.
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I have no idea how to make a CAB file... why not just find the game online, download the installer.. install it, and replace the .exe file with yours.
Hmmm.. Not trying to set the cat amoung the pigeons, but I'm not sure you need something installed to have an icon.
A few months back, I downloaded a battleships game that was just an .exe. I copied the exe onto my storage card, then placed a shortcut to it in the Windows/Start Menu/Games folder. When I open the Start > Programs > Games folder the icon showed up nicely.
Sorry, I've got no definitive answer on this, or even anything constructive to add, just concerned that I think you might be heading down the wrong path with the "cab needed" thing.
Ok, cool - I can try that - thanks! Right now it's not on the storage card and the program, not a shortcut is in the games folder in main storage.
Confused Stu said:
Hmmm.. Not trying to set the cat amoung the pigeons, but I'm not sure you need something installed to have an icon.
A few months back, I downloaded a battleships game that was just an .exe. I copied the exe onto my storage card, then placed a shortcut to it in the Windows/Start Menu/Games folder. When I open the Start > Programs > Games folder the icon showed up nicely.
Sorry, I've got no definitive answer on this, or even anything constructive to add, just concerned that I think you might be heading down the wrong path with the "cab needed" thing.
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I found instructions on how to create a cab file on MSDN (Microsoft Developers Network). Search MDSN for "cab wizard".
As for installing one program, and replacing its exe with another, I'd be careful about doing that - there may be checksums, registry entries, other required system files, etc. which may not play well with the new exe.
In the old days, you could get away with things like that. Today, you don't have a clue what and where a cab file places system entries. There are .ini files, .xml files, etc. involved in a cab file and I wouldn't want to second guess what is supposed to go where. (Open one with winrar and check it out).
h**p://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa448616.aspx
Don't know if links like above are permitted - if not - mod please delete and I apologize.
Madcap180 said:
I have no idea how to make a CAB file... why not just find the game online, download the installer.. install it, and replace the .exe file with yours.
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can someone walk me thru how to fix n intall a .cab on my tmobile wing thank you
a thread name should describe the "problem" like in this link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466562&highlight=install+cab
the search is powerfull! use that power.
i just dont know what to do when the cab is unpacked i dont know how to pack it so i can install on my tmobile wing
http://www.pocketpccentral.net/help/tutorials/install_cab_file.htm
mur1 said:
i just dont know what to do when the cab is unpacked i dont know how to pack it so i can install on my tmobile wing
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Click to collapse
WHY did you unpack it ? You must only...
(... go to the Search in xda-dev's and if don't find anything, ask for, and you'll be told that cab's are installed...)
...copying the CAB into the device (better into the SD card) and execute it using the File Explorer.
****** IMPORTANT ******
Please, before installing any CAB, get sure it's safe. Maybe you'll need to install first a "SafeMode" starter in your device, so that you'll able to boot it when you destroy almost everything by using an unsafe CAB or EXE.
**********************
Before continuing (I see you posted only 3 times and your question is a basic one), please read the conditions and the suggestions for newbies. It's the safest way to preserve your device from bricking it (that's called, "you'll be only able to use it as a wall brick but not to phoning or computing")
when i download the cab into jzip it unpack it by itself
Well... that's easy.
Just download it like a usual file. Right-click on the link and choose "save as", so that Jzip will not open it by itself. Save it into a folder, i.e. "My downloaded CABs"
Try to install a "safemode" manager for your device. Thus, you'll be able to boot it when your installation will be the wrong way. A good ROM (maybe the original for your device if you didn't play with it) is also necessary near to you for the same reasons.
Also, try to download and launch a CAB analizer like MSCEInf.exe and you'll be able to understand what is into your CAB, TSK and some other files you feed into your device. The most of the problems when installing something come because you're using the wrong version, or because the installation asks for a startup process or a change in the registry, and looking into the CAB will allow you to modify the installation.
Then, you may use Activesync or similar to put the CAB into the device (better into the SD card if you have small space to put files, as happens with the Herald). You may also switch off the phone (this is OFF, not hybernated!!) and take the microSD card and put the files inside via USB reader.
Launch the File Explorer (better if you use other managers, I like TotalCommander) and tap on the CAB file. Remember if you didn't modify the settings, the CAB will be erased once it will be installed.
If you have not many space in your "programs RAM" you can move the files from \windows\appmgr to a similar folder into your SD card. Do not delete them, as you'll need those files/folders when you'll uninstall some app.
*****WARNING***** If this is your first experience with Windows Mobile, take a surf into this web and read, read, read, print hardcopies of everything you'll consider interesting, and only after this you'll be able to work with your device with no danger to damage it forever. (you'll only damage it for some hours, till you'll have hard-reseted it).
thank u so much
Sorry for new thread, tried searching for things like a Beginner's Guide but no luck...
The HD2 is my first foray into WM phones and I just need a bit of help understanding how to install all the programs and tweaks you clever folks on here cook up. For starters I want to disable the clock flip animation when you switch to the Home screen:
1. You can disable this extra animation so it only flips when it needs to flips. Download the modified manila file at the end of this post.
Done
2. Disable HTC Sense in Today settings.
Done
3. Backup original Windows file (you are going to overwrite) to your SD card.
OK, this is where I fall down
4. Extract downloaded file to Windows directory on your device (overwriting the original).
Not sure here either, but I think this will be obvious once I connect to my PC...?
5. Enable HTC Sense again in today settings.
I'll be OK here
Also, in the Hints & Tips thread, it talks about installing a program to edit the registry for a lot of the tweaks. Would something like Total Commander (http://www.ghisler.com/pocketpc.htm) be OK for that?
search for cab file, on leo themes and app, 1sr row, the one with touch x . copy it to your phone/storage card , launch it and softreset. no need for backup
Download the cab-file called "Touch_X_Homescreen_Flip_clock_OFF.cab" from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=584415
Notice that this is a cab-file and not a rar/zip(/whatever)-file.
Cab-files are so to say "setup-files" for windows mobile.
That said, after you've downloaded the file to your computer, simply copy/move it to your mobile. Now from your mobile, run this file, and it will install as a program.
This means that you can uninstall it by going to settings->programs....
My first tip would be too make sure you install/store everything on the storage card and not the device. this is one mistake I made and you'll run out of space quickly.
Secondly, decide now if you're going to install the lastest ROM. best to do it now before you get into setting up and tweaking otherwise you'll be in my situation again where you'll have to clear everything and start from scratch.
And yes, it's easiest to download CABs to your PC, transfer them over USB to the storage card, then install from there.
Hi all
Had my HTC HD2 for a couple a weeks now and have had a few teething problems with setting up my texting and emailing...anyway all is sorted now and im looking to customise my phone. However, i am a COMPLETE NOVICE when it comes to phones/computers.
Can anyone give me an idiots step by step guide to installing apps on my phone please?
Many Thanks
Ben
Well, do you need any help with particular application?
Because, in short example, you just need to download .exe or .cab, copy it to microsd, and run it with file explorer.
I suggest you to try BsB Tweaks, just write it into search option and try first result, there are few good tweaks to begin with...
Ben- programs are installed in 2 ways as Bence suggested- via CAB files and via EXE files.
The difference is that EXE files almost always have to be run on a PC while the phone is connected via Activesync (doesn't need a full partnership, just connected) but CAB files are executed on the phone itself.
Decide which programs you actually want, and search for them either in Marketplace (included on the phone and which does all the work for you, but is severely limited in choice) or via webshops like Handango or Pocketgear. Most are available as trial versions which you download and install yourself. The majority of programs from these shops are EXE files so are installed via the PC.
Many of the program developers have their own download links and most have a CAB file option as well. Download the CAB file to your phone using the phones own browser, or via the PC, then use Explorer to copy it to the phone. Then open File Explorer on the phone, locate the file and just tap it to install.
Bence said:
Well, do you need any help with particular application?
Because, in short example, you just need to download .exe or .cab, copy it to microsd, and run it with file explorer.
I suggest you to try BsB Tweaks, just write it into search option and try first result, there are few good tweaks to begin with...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks guys
bsb tweaks 1.5 or 1.6?
The newest, but I think there will be new version released in next few days...
US or RO CAB?
OR DOESNT IT MATTER? oops caps
I dont know what do you mean...just go to first post of BsB Tweaks thread and at the bottom there is .cab file attached...
Hope someone can help.
As usual i am putting new cabs into my documents on the pc and syncing. But when i open file explorer, these new cabs are now showing as windows files that cannot be open as oppossed to cabs as they used to be.
I'm a bit of a noob ,so i'm not sure i have explained this very well but hopefully someone can help.
Thanks in advance.....
sounds like you are extracting the cabs to me, i just have a folder on my sd card i call general crap, and i copy all my cabs in there, go to file explorer sd card then general crap then click on what i want to install
Thanks very much for the swift response. Its very odd that this has started happening all of a sudden. Some cabs ie wallpapers, are going into my documents, but others as i said seem to now be windows files and not cabs, once they are in my documents and cannot be opened, very very frustrating !! I'll try what you said this evening and see if it works, but i cannot understand why it would all of a sudden be extracted when thats never been the case before ?
I'm sure i must have changed something, but i wish i new what
Cheers again for your help. I would be lost without this site, and my HD2 would be no-where near as much fun.
Thanks for the help, but it didn't work. Files still appear as window type files that i cannot open instead of the usual cabs. Wish i new whats changed, but unless anyone has a suggestion, i can feel a dreaded hard reset coming on !!!
Can you not just explore your device with activesync and copy the files manually, rather than using some method of synching? Or, connect as a USB drive and copy the files to your memory card. Either they're not actually cab installers, or the sync process is doing something to them.
Just tried both your suggestions, but with no luck. But thanks anyway for the reply. Wish i new what has changed but something has .
NREYNOLDS said:
Just tried both your suggestions, but with no luck. But thanks anyway for the reply. Wish i new what has changed but something has .
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What actually happens then when you click a cab file? Do any old cab files work, or is it now all cab files that won't work?
It says " The file ????? 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 "
You can see before you try to open it that its not right, as i say , it appears to be a window file not a cab, once it goes on my device, though judging by the size of the file it is all there !!!
Wallpaper cabs seem to be working for some reason though.
Using your PC, browse to the folder on your phone and see what the file is called. If it doesn't look like a cab file should, then it probably won't have a .cab extension. (I only say this because the file explorer on the phone does not show file extensions. Your PC may not be set up to do so either though. The alternative is to use Total Commander or Resco to see what the file extension is.)
Can you give me a link to a cab file that doesn't work for you?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=576232
Shortcuts to start menu folders is one of the cabs. As above .
I'll have a play with the other things youv'e said.
Thanks again for you help.
NREYNOLDS said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=576232
Shortcuts to start menu folders is one of the cabs. As above .
I'll have a play with the other things youv'e said.
Thanks again for you help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't thank me till we've fixed it
Did you first unzip the file in that linked thread?
No, i'm putting it on unzipped as i normally do.
Looking at them on the pc, they appear as normal .
NREYNOLDS said:
No, i'm putting it on unzipped as i normally do.
Looking at them on the pc, they appear as normal .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the link you gave me is a zip file with a cab file in it, so you would need to unzip it first. Cab files are actually a format of compression, so it's likely that a cab file and a zip file would have the same icon on your PC. It's for reasons like that that I always make sure to have file extensions switched on on my PC.
Try unzipping it and copying the contents to your phone and see how you get on with that.
You are a life saver. Now I can say thank-you very much, that worked perfectly. This website is brilliant for those of you who know what your doing and for those like me who just like to play with their device and make use of the knowledge on this site.
Thanks again.
NREYNOLDS said:
You are a life saver. Now I can say thank-you very much, that worked perfectly. This website is brilliant for those of you who know what your doing and for those like me who just like to play with their device and make use of the knowledge on this site.
Thanks again.
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Click to collapse
You're welcome mate. Glad you got it sorted.