Database Users

Automating Program Installs

Hey all,
I have a question.
I have been playing with my 8125 a lot lately and am constantly resetting my device. What I want to know is I have one main machine that I do all my application installs via active sync that way when I hard reset my device I just have to go to add remove programs in active sync and re-check all the programs I want to put back on my phone.
Here is what I want.
I don’t want to have to tell the phone where to install the applications (I want it to default to storage card without any prompts.) and.. I don’t want any confirmation prompts ie: security unsigned, approve this application to be installed, this application was installed properly… etc.. I want to streamline the process so I can just tick the check boxes for my apps, let them download and that’s it. Currently after refreshing I have to spend quite a bit of time clicking “ok” … storage card…. Ok… storage card… ok… I think you get it.
Thanks much!

I've seen a lot of different reg keys out there that may accomplis this. Is there a way to disable the notifications and pre-set the install path peramaters?

sledwrecker said:
I've seen a lot of different reg keys out there that may accomplis this. Is there a way to disable the notifications and pre-set the install path peramaters?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do this with WinCE Cab manager

If you really reset your device that often why don't you use SPB BACKUP? A reinstallation of all your apps wouldn't be necessary - just load your backup and you're ready to go!

Ya I did think of that but here is my issue.
the reason I am constantly hard reseting is because I am changing and playing with roms pretty much on a daily basis. I've been cooking my own roms trying to come up with what works best for me and what is closest to RTM. Thus why I am always re-installing apps.
So if I use SPB backup (which I have) it saves system settings and such right? So if I am switching roms all the time will it break my device?
Thanks guys! I'm new to the forum here I just got my first PPC phone a couple weeks ago but I've been an avid windows mobile (smartphone) user for years and have worked on WM platforms as beta tester.
Gotta love this stuff!!!

sledwrecker said:
So if I use SPB backup (which I have) it saves system settings and such right? So if I am switching roms all the time will it break my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are exactly right, and so many people seem to miss this... Spb Backup, Sprite Backup, etc are full backups that backup and restore the registry and all. If you restore this from one rom to a different rom you are likely to break something (may not be obvious at first, but you have a very good chance of things being broken inside the registry that you will trip up on at some point).
So yeah, the only way around this (without building your own extended rom and such) is to create a folder (or set of folders) on your SD card with all the cabs, files, and settings that you need for when your flash a new rom. Then run through that to set things up. You can also use ActiveSync to reinstall apps (just check them all and it will put them all back on) but you have to remember which ones (if any) require a reset of your device as that can cause probs with the others that are installing (if all done together).

Yep,
but at least you can import contacts, email and pim data that way quite easy!
Since you continiously flash your device: there will be no other solution but reinstalling your applications again and again. You might want to look around for a CAB extractor and then create your own CABs with all the progs you would like to have in one large CAB ???
One such CAB Installer Creator is: WinCE CAB Manager
Take a closer look at MolskiBiz_DevPack and you will find a utility to extract CAB files. It will be a bit work to add all the registry values to the Installer you're going to create but finally you might save a lot of time since you only run 1 installation instead of xxx ...

This is good, I have been playing with wince cab and it is a solution.
Now I'm going to work on making my extended roms.. will this work? I did a full recover of my apps through active sync just an hour or two ago and it reported total size of all cabs as just over 112megs. That means I'd be flashing a MONSTER rom and would it even be possible?
2gig mini SD card.
thanks

I tried before to add some apps (cab installers) to a personalized extended rom but it never worked the way I wanted it to. You might have seen that you always have to give some inputs when ever you install programs, sometimes you get ask if you really want to install the app, sometimes you need to choose a location. So, if you add CAB installers UNCHANGED to the extended ROM it just won't install because during extended rom installation you have no way of providing that information.

Flash new ROM and keep data?

Hi all,
I know this might be a bit silly, but i've loads of apps installed and i want to avoid having to reinstall all of them.
Is it possible to install a new ROM while keeping all your data and apps? If so is it advisable?
Cheers

Hi. U can use SPB Backup and do a full backup which will backup everything including phone settings preferences. Its great and i use it all the time.

rumz82 said:
Hi. U can use SPB Backup and do a full backup which will backup everything including phone settings preferences. Its great and i use it all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience this method is not fool proof and does bring the possibility of registry and application association problems.
So do bear this in mind if you start to experience unexpected results.

bobtastic said:
Hi all,
I know this might be a bit silly, but i've loads of apps installed and i want to avoid having to reinstall all of them.
Is it possible to install a new ROM while keeping all your data and apps? If so is it advisable?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Silent_UC which re-installs/updates the newly flashed rom in several ways, which helps a lot. PIMBackup for contacts/text messages. CHTEditor for manilla links.
But is there one thing that does it all safely, the answer is no.

pa49 said:
In my experience this method is not fool proof and does bring the possibility of registry and application association problems.
So do bear this in mind if you start to experience unexpected results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree to a certain extent.Issues,if any, would be with certain tweaks such as manila/sense that do not work with all roms. It really is ROM dependant i guess. To tackle this issue in the past,what i did/do,is install certain tweaks or apps that are compatible with all ROMS and manila versions(after a fresh flash/reset)& do a full backup.This backup i like to call "basics". This includes phone settings aswell ie: Preferred ringtones, backlight settings etc. I then restore this backup each time i flash another rom,and its worked perfect for me so far. I then install other apps if want. Got to be honest,since i flash different roms often,i tend not to install alot of apps,only the ones i use regularly such as memmaid,resco explorer and the likes.
Sorry to go all long mate forgive me! just trying to explain my experience

Thank you all for your replies. I'll look into the back programs. Can't believe i didn't think of that!
Cheers!

Try Sashimi. A pretty nifty tool I found through the formums. It seems like a pretty complex tool, but seems like people who flash a lot, love it for keeping their apps intact after flashing.

Backing up my HD2

Hey all,
I know this is a newbie-ish question but i want to update my HD2 with a new rom and im aware i need to back everything up, my questions are:
1.whats the best program to back up
2. what will backing up actually back up? And what will i loose? i.e contacts/messages/apps etc..
3. any other tips on backing up will be much appreciated.
4. anyone just wanna do it for me 
Thanks in advance.

i Suggest you SPB BackUp; it allows you to backup Everything on your phone, (contacts,messages, registry, etc.. and also the apps (but i'm not sure o.o)
It's not free, but let you a try for a period.
http://spb.com/products/backup/?en
EDIT: if your contacts are connected with their Facebook profile, you lose this relations when restore the agenda o.o'

djchubbs said:
Hey all,
I know this is a newbie-ish question but i want to update my HD2 with a new rom and im aware i need to back everything up, my questions are:
1.whats the best program to back up
2. what will backing up actually back up? And what will i loose? i.e contacts/messages/apps etc..
3. any other tips on backing up will be much appreciated.
4. anyone just wanna do it for me 
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backing up and restoring anything other than PIM details across a different ROM flash its asking for trouble and its not recommended.
Use Myphone and all sync info will be to hand when needed.
Reinstall as many of your apps as possible to phone mem this will keep the phone running as sweet as possible.

Or 'PIM Backup' from DotFred
I use this one

pa49 said:
Backing up and restoring anything other than PIM details across a different ROM flash its asking for trouble and its not recommended.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restoring a complete system (ALL data) is fine even after flashing a different rom. When using SPB backup you just have to make sure that you run the restore in "ROM upgrade mode". SPB Backup prompts you to do this automatically when it detects that the rom running isnt the same as the one the backup was created with.

Audio Oblivion said:
restoring a complete system (ALL data) is fine even after flashing a different rom. When using SPB backup you just have to make sure that you run the restore in "ROM upgrade mode". SPB Backup prompts you to do this automatically when it detects that the rom running isnt the same as the one the backup was created with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to disagree, but, Ive seen too many problems happen by doing this. Never seen any by not doing it!!!!!!!!
However, it's all advice and can be taken or not as the reader sees fit.

thanks for the advice guys, one thing, when installing spb backup does it make a difference where i install it? ie device or storage card?

pa49 said:
Sorry to disagree, but, Ive seen too many problems happen by doing this. Never seen any by not doing it!!!!!!!!
However, it's all advice and can be taken or not as the reader sees fit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right to state that you should use caution but i personally have never had an issue when using rom upgrade mode.
I use it all the time! (On all my devices)

djchubbs said:
thanks for the advice guys, one thing, when installing spb backup does it make a difference where i install it? ie device or storage card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesnt make much difference... i always install all of my apps onto the storage card as it saves re-installing them after a hard reset or if you have a new device.
The only items i install to main memory are the ones that are integral to the system ie/ task managers, manila mods etc

I think the best way for a complete backup is sashimi application and its plugin makisu
sashimi is not very simple but, once you've configured it how you want, you can be sure you'll have the same apps, same tweaks, same registry improvements, same email settings, same wifi settings and so on.
So you can change rom whenever you want, without waste time to re-configure and re-install and so on.
sashimi can do also a backup of your personal informations, but for these I recommend PPC-PIMBackup (the easyest and simply the best for these kind of stuff)
There is also a dedicated forum
Give it a try, I use it with satisfaction
greetings

Backup

Hi may i check how do you guys backup your files and settings(bluetooth, camera etc) before flashing rom? my s200 with the stock rom, keeps giving me clean boot once in a while so much so, i am tired of having a nice and customized today screen...

icegal said:
Hi may i check how do you guys backup your files and settings(bluetooth, camera etc) before flashing rom? my s200 with the stock rom, keeps giving me clean boot once in a while so much so, i am tired of having a nice and customized today screen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try SPB back up. Its a trail but you will only need it once every time you do a flash. You can use it to make complete system restore

thanks fer the info! but will the backup work if i upgrade from build 21XXX to 23XXX?

icegal said:
thanks fer the info! but will the backup work if i upgrade from build 21XXX to 23XXX?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is a special mode for system upgrades. Just give it a try sometime. The program is as good as it gets

icegal said:
thanks fer the info! but will the backup work if i upgrade from build 21XXX to 23XXX?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on what you are trying to backup - for PIM data, emails, text messages and documents it works fine even with ROM upgrades.
But if I use it for system data, I have to be really careful - sometimes certain registry settings really mess up Sense and programs... also, let's say you install software (e.g. Google Maps) because your earlier ROM didn't include it; but if it is cooked in your new ROM then it isn't useful to restore it from the backup.
So what I rather suggest is you figure out how to backup data/settings from each application and restore it after flashing (e.g. for Cookie Home Tab, the editor has a way to export the settings; some applications create a file to save the data, etc.). You will need a good registry editor (pref. PC based) to do this though
/Sifaan

Flashing and updating question

Hi, I'm still debating whether to flash my first cooked ROM, one of the Energy series.
My question is: the chef keeps issuing updates to address bugs. So if I flash the latest, will an update require yet another reflash to the updated ROM, or is it just an upgrade without reflash? The former would put me off flashing.
The question applies to all cooked ROMs, I guess.
Thanks and sorry for the noob question.
David

I'm newbie'ish....and my thoughts are yes you have to re flash everytime errors to bugs are dealt with......but flashing new ROM's becomes addictive as crack! I started off slowly with doing a new ROM every month.....which went down to weekly......then to every couple of days....then just to see what other chefs have put out there....now i'm satisfied with a weekly flash, hope this helps......no doubt someone will add more tech info to your question soon

Reflashing
And you reinstall all your apps every time? Argh! I couldn't do it. And no amount of automation will take away the pain. That's why I'll never become a ROM addict.
blazehops said:
I'm newbie'ish....and my thoughts are yes you have to re flash everytime errors to bugs are dealt with......but flashing new ROM's becomes addictive as crack! I started off slowly with doing a new ROM every month.....which went down to weekly......then to every couple of days....then just to see what other chefs have put out there....now i'm satisfied with a weekly flash, hope this helps......no doubt someone will add more tech info to your question soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

blazehops said:
I'm newbie'ish....and my thoughts are yes you have to re flash everytime errors to bugs are dealt with......but flashing new ROM's becomes addictive as crack! I started off slowly with doing a new ROM every month.....which went down to weekly......then to every couple of days....then just to see what other chefs have put out there....now i'm satisfied with a weekly flash, hope this helps......no doubt someone will add more tech info to your question soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then how to backup everything (such as contacts, sms, installed apps etc.) and then put them back to the new ROM? Thank you!

blackblue2005 said:
Then how to backup everything (such as contacts, sms, installed apps etc.) and then put them back to the new ROM? Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sync contacts and what not with activesync, or mobileme or whatever, (sms will need mobileme or whatever its called, activesync to outlook wont do them), and keep all teh cabs for the apps that you use in a folder on storage card called autoinstall, and (99% of) cooked roms will install them automatically when you flash.

samsamuel said:
sync contacts and what not with activesync, or mobileme or whatever, (sms will need mobileme or whatever its called, activesync to outlook wont do them), and keep all teh cabs for the apps that you use in a folder on storage card called autoinstall, and (99% of) cooked roms will install them automatically when you flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Many thanks! But even with this auto installation, I guess I have to re-add those apps' icons manually back to the quick lunch screen, don't I? I am just wondering is there a single application that helps one to do this backup and resync?

set up your quick links how you want them, run (on the pc) ceregeditor, export the key
hklm\software\htc\manila\home, then after the flash import it again, or use wince cab manager to turn it into a cab.

samsamuel said:
set up your quick links how you want them, run (on the pc) ceregeditor, export the key
hklm\software\htc\manila\home, then after the flash import it again, or use wince cab manager to turn it into a cab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for all your replies! They are really helpful to those who want to flash ROMs periodically.