Related
Had the following response to o2 as a result of emailing them with a load of bugs in the XDA IIs a while ago. My email to them it still on the end of their response.
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for this detailed and comprehensive report.
Most of your observations relate to the core Microsoft OS or the integration of the WIFI software, and we will pass them on to the right groups.
In response to some of your comments:
- When will O2 be releasing the firmware update that HTC have already made available to resellers?
* A new ROM image is planned for release in the next few months. We cannot advise a specific date at this time.
- Will this update fix the bluetooth issues
* We are looking to include a new version of the Bluetooth software from the Vendor, Broadcom.
- Will this update include mobile media player 10 as recently made available to integrators by MS
* WMP10 is planned for a later release of the software, later in 2005
- Have any of the hardware faults above been fixed on later units, have you managed a software work-around for the microphone issues?
* O2 reviews all customer feedback with it's supplier, and changes to device manufacture are made from time to time. We cannot comment on what changes are made or when, but we are aware of your observations and are actively discussing with our vendor.
Regarding the yellow screen: our experience is that if Cleartype is enabled, this will significantly affect the quality of the screen display. Please disable cleartype if it is enabled. If the screen is still visibly yellow then you should discuss returning the unit for repair under warranty with your service provider.
thanks,
O2 Product Management
-----Original Message-----
From: Nigel Webber [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 04 January 2005 11:54
To: [email protected]
Subject: List of issues discovered on O2 XDA IIs
Hi
Having owned an O2 XDA IIs for 6 weeks now, I have discovered a huge number of bugs - its actually the most buggy product I have ever purchaced, and I do buy alot of gadgets. I am a programmer by trade, so you can rest assured that these issues are genuine and not 'finger trouble' on the part of the user.
Anyway, I suspect MS/HTC have fixed most of these by now, I note that both QTEK and IMATE have released firmware updates based on new firmware from HTC for the Blue Angel. We are yet to see the same from O2.
Connectivity Problems
---------------------------------
Add a new profile to connection manager and then add a 'modem' to that connection. Go and fiddle elsewhere for a while. Often when you come back to change the settings for that connection the 'modem' has dissapeared. (its still there, a soft reset will cause it to re-appear).
Skype does not work with the XDA IIs. This is not a skype issue, but rather an issue with the WiFi implementation on the XDA IIs. Using skype with the XDA IIs (more than 10 metres from your AP) will cause the XDA IIs to drop the connection, and worse still, the WiFi system on the 2s locks up completely requiring a soft reset. No app should be able to cause WiFi to crash like this! This is fully repeatable on Skype versions 1.00.14 and 1.00.20 (latest).
Often, after setting connection manager to always use certain profiles, and then encountering a problem, you head into connection manager and find that your selections never stuck
VPN connections do not always stick when set, they dissapear from the menu (aka the modem settings)
I have tried for ages and failed to make a VPN connection over anything GPRS, WiFi etc. VPN was one of the reasons that I bought the device (access to home and work networks), but it just does not work. Additionally, the instructions with the unit offer no help about how to get it working. Perhaps O2 can offer an FAQ on this feature.
IMAP support is very very bad. Its quite common for an IMAP server to not store mail folders in the root. In decent clients you can specify the root imap folder, not in pocket outlook, it ends up pulling the entire dir struct from your home dir!! I rebuilt the imap daemon on my linux box to compile in a default root folder. This solved the previous problem, but the imap support is not suitable for use away from wifi cause its so damned slow. It does not just look for new messages, and there is no way to tell it to do this. Also, when you send an item it ends up in the default sent items, not the imap sent items. Imho, the main reason to use imap is to keep your emails intact (be able to see what you sent from the mobile device from a desktop). I realise that this is an MS issue, but its pretty naff. (Outlook 2K3 on the desktop has the same issue re sent items btw, but at least that supports rules so you can put it right.)
MS wrote pocket outlook for connecting to an exchange server, which, I suspect only 50% of the devices purchaced will ever do. Pocket Oulook *always* starts pointing at the exchange folder structure, not your POP3/IMAP account, and there is no way to config this. Unessesary taps required. Why can I not DELETE the default exchange folders if I dont need them? I have a work-around for this, perhaps O2 should FAQ it. Changing the shortcut for outlook in the appbuttons folder makes the outlook button on the device start outlook in a user specified mail folder. Just change the shortcut to: 19#"\Windows\tmail.exe" -service "ServiceName"
Sending/recieving MMS messages is unrelable. I seem to have to go into the connections manager and manually select 'MMS Network' in the Work and Internet sections, then I can send/recieve MMS messages. After this, I then have to reset Network Connections to what they were before. MMS should automatically select MMS network when the user is sending/recieving an MMS message and automatically put the original setting back afterwards. There is an option in pocket outlook asking the user which connection to use. This is set to MMS network, but it keeps asking for a password all the time, and fails to remember the password when told, and fails to retrieve the MMS message. To get MMS to work, I have to manually select MMS network in the Connections Manager.
WiFi
-----
WiFi Reception is **attrocious** my laptop will tell me that I have a full signal and the XDA IIs will barely register when at the same location. Even holding the 2s 1 ft from the AP does not cause the signal indicator to go past 40%. I have tried the unit with several AP's all with the same result. Did someone forget to fit a WiFi patch antenna on the Blue Angel??!
Refuses to connect to a network that is not broadcasting the SSID. In general, when you want to add a new box, you can set AP to broadcast SSID, it will then find the network, after it has connected, you can hide the SSID. For future connections from 'pre-registered' boxes, no SSID is required. Not so for the XDA IIs, refuses to connect to a base station that is not broadcasting an SSID, or in some cases, creates a new connection with the name "" (i.e nothing) (which again refuses to connect).
Right, now, if you have 2 wifi networks listed in PPC settings, it will sometimes sit there for ever failing to connect, do a soft reset and it connects.
Another one: you have two connections in the 'configure wireless networks' dialogue, one is 'connecting' other is 'unavailable'. The one that is connecting is obviously not gonna connect despite 100% correct settings, so I select 'remove' it does not dissapear!!! If I had written this software, the user would see a dialogue box thus 'This network is connecting/connected, are you sure you wish to remove its settings?' Selecting yes, would either terminate the connection attempt, or terminate the connection and then remove the damned setting with no further agro!
In network settings, I often get some *stupid* status info. It sometimes says that my home network is 'available' or 'connected' when I am at work, and that the AP thats 3 ft away is 'unavailable' Clearly it isn't, wifi does not travel 10 miles! Soft reset solves (it connects to the AP thats 3 ft away).
Sometimes, when Wlan is disabled, and I enable it, it stays disabled. i,e I try and re-enable it and the tick has dissapeared again. This continues until I give up and soft reset the device. This seems to happen more when there are two networks present, and more still when the disable WLan after X mins of inactivity option is used.
BlueTooth
---------------
When you use bluetooth, for network access, all the stuff in connection manager gets reset. If this needs to be changed to facilitate bluetooth network access then I would expect it to return to the old settings once the BT Network access session was ended.
Sometimes bluetooth fails to start complaining about insufficient driver space. I write windows KMD's all the time, I suspect its somet daft like a lack of available stack space, or stack recursion. Soft reset cures
Also, sometimes when I try to start bluetooth, I get a daft message saying that the licence for the bluetooth stack has expired!!! It then starts BT and all is OK.
Most usefull application of bluetooth is the headset. Unfortunately, no headsets work with the XDA IIs. It says it supports bluetooth, but it does not. When will this be fixed and will O2 be releasing a bluetooth stand-alone patch like Imate have?
Applications
------------------
The bundled O2 active stuff is very flaky. Take the end programs applet - it often crashes its self while trying to force an app that is 'not responding' to stop. The built in 'stop app' applet (which they burried in settings) seems to work but...
- If you reconfig your shortcuts (so you can find stuff!) Then the applets 'camera' and 'O2' always seem to copy themselves back out into the root of StartMenu-->Programs again. *why?*
Go into the find applet and get it to do a search that takes some time. Wait for it to get going and then click stop. PDA hangs. It does come back eventually (2-3 mins later), but remains sluggish until you do a soft reset. Trying to suspend while its hung just switches the backlight off!
There are a load more issues as well... I currently do around 10 soft resets/day. My basis is that a wait of more than 10 secs means that the device has crashed. Perhaps if I was willing to wait 5 mins all the time for it to get its arse into gear then the number of soft resets could be reduced!
Hardware Issues
------------------------
Microphone: No one can hear a word I say to them on the phone. This is especially bad with the built in microphone, but also present with the supplied headset. Is this a hardware/software issue? do I need to return my unit to be exchanged for one with a working microphone?
Keyboard slider mechanism: This gets progressively looser until it starts flopping around. Has this issue been solved on later units?
Yellow screen: The screen takes on a yellow hue when view off angle (by say 10 deg). XDA II did not suffer from this problem. Is there a fault with the LCD on the 2s?
Questions
---------------
Since my device is basically a door stop due to the huge number of issues above, I have some questions:
- When will O2 be releasing the firmware update that HTC have already made available to resellers?
- Will this update fix the bluetooth issues
- Will this update include mobile media player 10 as recently made available to integrators by MS
- Have any of the hardware faults above been fixed on later units, have you managed a software work-around for the microphone issues?
If you require any more info on the above problems, let me know. The XDA IIs could be a decent unit, there aint ought else like it which is why I am documenting my problems rather than buying a competitors product. I would like to see these issues fixed.
Regards
Nigel Webber
If you're a chewin' the fat fan, you'll know what I mean when I say I'm taking a seriously big sniff and there's a hint of something in the air.
Sounds to me like they really are just fobbing us off with standard responses and aren't taking complaints seriously.
* O2 reviews all customer feedback with it's supplier, and changes to device manufacture are made from time to time. We cannot comment on what changes are made or when, but we are aware of your observations and are actively discussing with our vendor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thats just pish isnt it?
We cannot comment? Why not? Is it because they would have to acknowledge the product has gone to market well before it should have?
The least they can say is that they have gone to HTC with the list, and what HTC are planning on doing about it.
This is what I got:
Hello,
Thank you for yoru email,
Unfortunatley we don't have any dates at present for an upgraded
Bluetooth stack, we are aware of issues with it and are pushing our
products group for an update or at least a timescale.
I will keep this mail, and as soon as any information is released, we
will let you know.
Regards,
Paul
O2 Data Support UK
-----Original Message-----
Sent: 12 January 2005 01:03
To: O2 Data Support (UK)
Subject: XDAIIs Rom Upgrade timetable
Hi
Have you guys got a timetable for rolling out an upgraded ROM for the
XDA IIs?
I'm having quite a few complaints from callers saying they cant really
hear me well and bluetooth isnt working particularly well either.
From what I've read on the web, this is a known fault with the default
ROM version included as standard.
Also, i'm interested in the Blackberry functionality once it becomes
available, but at present, I'd settle for a handset thats not annoying
colleagues and customers.
Thanks
Darren
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to seem too critical (after all, if you're really having to reset 6-10 times a day you must be on the verge of killing someone by now) but a lot of the issues you list aren't bugs, they're useability issues. Someone working in a customer complaints department (wouldn't wish it on anyone) is going to take a lookat the list and dismiss most of it as whining because you present personal gripes and subjective observations as bona-fide bugs. It is very tempting when angry to try to oversell parts of a long list of complaints, but this just gives the recipient amo to dismiss the lot.
I also think you should get your unit replaced with a new one ASAP. So few people are having the problems you describe, particularly surrounding the WiFi signal strength and screen, that you do seem to have a barely working unit!
You do have my complete sympathies. To spend so much money on something that SHOULD be as near as dammit perfect, only to end up with a damp squid is hugely frustrating (it has happened to me a couple of times).
I agree, most of this list is not bugs that anyone has. Some are even limitations of the operating system.
If you are soft resetting 6-10 times a day you should hard reset your device because it is 3rd party software, do not restore from backup, do not install software and see how it is. If you still have to reset your xda is defective and its time to send it back!
I would agree with some points mostly that bluetooth is a mess and needs to be fixed, the o2 bt patch resolves the connection issues but there still is static issues! But this is not exclusive to the XDA iis but all blue angels. The siemens model SX66 has no update at all!!!
Oh remember when we had our xda II & imates and wanted to dump the microsoft BT stack and would do anything for the widcomm stack. LOL we sure got what we wished for. Bet most of us would go back if we could.
Indeed, got it all of my chest in one go! Trouble is, with PDA's your only point of contact is with your reseller. I dont have a way of contacting HTC, Broadcom, MS separately as I would if this were a PC with faults in several manufacturers programs/hardware.
I am indeed, not expecting the likes of the mail/imap issues to be addressed for the blue angel, I would like to have some mechanism to tell MS where they are going wrong from me (the user's) point of view.
If we have no mechanism to provide feedback then we just end up with half baked kit in the next iteration as well. Perhaps this is why Windows Mobile 2005 will be the 6th? release of what was originally called windows CE, and why 'CE' is now on its third name? And I still doubt whether they will have got it right!
Nigel
I suspect that I just expect too much!!
Its not third party software cause I have hard reset the device, and installed nothing and I still have to do regular soft resets. I doubt very much whether it is a hardware issue either, and all XDA IIs devices have the same firmware. Most of the time, my soft resets are done to pursuade said device to see the wifi ap thats 2ft from it. I regularly use three different AP's in three different locations. I suspect that this is not the case for most people.
I am also very impatient (a device such as this should be quicker than I am!) The PPC OS suffers from 'pregnant pauses' where the whole thing appears to lock up. If they last longer than 30 secs then I am likely to get bored waiting and do a soft reset. Give me a 3GHz PDA with a 10 hour battery life!
My mate is getting one soon, so I will compare his with mine and return mine if the issues have been fixed. I'd hate to return mine and end up with one thats even worse ;-)
Nigel
veletron said:
MS wrote pocket outlook for connecting to an exchange server, which, I suspect only 50% of the devices purchaced will ever do. Pocket Oulook *always* starts pointing at the exchange folder structure, not your POP3/IMAP account, and there is no way to config this. Unessesary taps required. Why can I not DELETE the default exchange folders if I dont need them? I have a work-around for this, perhaps O2 should FAQ it. Changing the shortcut for outlook in the appbuttons folder makes the outlook button on the device start outlook in a user specified mail folder. Just change the shortcut to: 19#"\Windows\tmail.exe" -service "ServiceName"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain this workaround a bit more. Are you just changing the name of the shortcut within \windows\appbuttons or is this some sort of programing? Sorry if I'm missing something obvious but I'd really like to get this one working.
Thanks, JD
@jdee246
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=13755&highlight=
I agree with Nigel on the issues with the XDA2s some i have not seen because i dont use it to its full. I also rest probly 5-10 times a day. I got my first XDA2s on 5th November i am now on my 5th one and in a few days i will be changing for a new one. I simply ring them and go over the list of faults, and then remind them that the device they send me will be no better than the one i have and i will be calling again soon to change it. They told me as long as its less that 28 days since the last one was sent to me it can be changed. So i will keep swoping it for new ones until they get me a working one ( we know this will never happen) but at least the new ones dont slide open on there one when you pick it up for a couple of weeks. So i asume i will contine to do this untill the XDA2i is released then i return the current XDA2s (probley number 20 by then) and do a up grade to the new XDA2i
veletron said:
@jdee246
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=13755&highlight=
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Veletron. That worked like a charm. Thats been hacking me off for ages.
JD
@applecom
How long does O2 take to send you a new unit, and whats this 28 days thing? Surley if its faulty then they are obliged to sort it as long as its within the 1 yr guarantee.
You are saying that apart from the keyboard not sliding open, the new ones are no better? If thats the case then there is no point in my sending mine back cause I'll get one with the same problems.
My screen is only yellow when viewing the unit from an angle, and the keyboard does not fall open (although it is very sloppy).
Any idea if the wifi reception is better on the later units that you have had?
Nigel
XDA IIs Customer Services Response
Hi
As an addition to this subject I contacted the company I bought my XDA from re the poor microphone issue and they asked if I had read up on the issue via any support websites as they (she) did not think the issue had been resolved and I wouldn't gain by receiving a new product.
I agreed that I didn't think it possible yet but wanted to keep within the 28 day replacement window for as when they did.
The response was to:
A) Open up the 28 day replacement window on this problem for a further 3 months and
B) State that if a fix was forthcoming then a recall would take place and I would get a replcement anyway.
On this basis I decided to hold for the moment to see what happens.
In all maybe an easy solution for them but it suits me for the moment! :wink:
veletron
The 28 day window is for an immediate (a few days?) replacement
with a new unit, after this period your unit is taken away for repair with no replacement and no estimate of when it will be returned/replaced.
pvb
they replace it same day, I recieve it by courier the next day and give them my old XDA2s, some times i do a restore from a backup and some i reinstall my software from fresh. But no they are all the same i am hopeing for one that has newer rom and thus might work correctley
Agree with all the problems above, the few that really frustrate me are...
- Floppy keyboard slide, should latch back in?
- Hands Free needs to be louder, could someone build a preamp util?
- Annoying that picture contacts seems to be a separate app to regular contacts?!
- Still slow, thought the faster CPU would mean no delays!!
Cheers, Ash
XDA IIs Battery issue
I have just upgraded from an XDA II to a IIs and other than the normal unlock problem I have just brought a second battery, when I changed the batteries the unit did a hard reset, I thought this was because the new battery was fully discharged.
I did some further testing and found that when ever you remove the battery and replace it the unit does a hard reset (all batteries are fully charged).
Any comments or do I have a unique unit?
Hello to you all.
I have just read all the above with great interest as I am seriously thinking of buying an XDAIIs this week. I will be moving from a Treo 600.
I am very concerned about all the problem you seem to be having and I am starting to think that buying one may not be the best idea. The other phone I am looking at is the Nokia 9500. I already have an HP 4150 and so I really dont need all that the XDA IIs has to offer.
I would be interested in hearing peoples comments on the phone to help me make my mind up. I do have to say that when the Treo came out loads people reported a lot of problems but I had mine for a year and it worked perfectly for 10 months then the screen gave up. It appears that nearly all these "Smart/PDA" style phone have teething problems that are mostly down to the product being shipped before it is really ready.
What do people think? Should I take the plunge?
All the best.
Raymond
XDAIIs Battery Issue
I have two batteries and swap them regularly. Your backup battery is either not charged or faulty if the unit hard-resets when you swap them - I think a warranty claim is likely.
I saw a post on here about the progs in the windows/startup folder. Someone mentioned that removing the "connections" executable file had made their XDA more stable. It seems to be the exe that places the O2 icon on the task bar at the top of the screen.
I tried just that...moved the file out of startup to a temp backup folder and did a soft reset.
That was a couple of days ago and I haven't had to reset since Previously I was having to reset 3 or 4 times a day just through very light use!
Thanks for the suggestion Wilesd
Hmm not sure what .exe you are talking about in the windows\StartUp folder.
All I have there are:
Code:
aPerSaveStark.lnk
Camera_Detect.lnk
CheckAutoRun.lnk
ChgDfLnk.lnk
cPerSaveStar.lnk
IA_Caller_ID.lnk
nPerSaveStar.lnk
O2 Connect.lnk
poutlook.lnk
RegNotify.exe
Run_BTTrayCE_10.lnk
Spb GPRS Notify.lnk
STK.lnk
tPerSaveStar.lnk
As you can see.. The only .exe I have is the RegNotify.exe.
The closest that I get to O2 is the O2 Connect.lnk shortcut..
Is that the one you moved?
I don't have the "02 Connect" link in my startup. The file I moved was called "Connections". I can't see on my pda what the file extension is so I don't know if it was a .lnk or a .exe. The mention in the previous post I got the info from was that it was an executable though.
THIS is the post I saw it in.
Maybe it's a country specific thing ?
After all the crashing I was getting with the 1.31 ROM and O2 Active which I never used I decided to do the Corporate install that does not put on the O2 Active rubbish. My phone has not crashed since before I was getting at least 4-5 lockups a day!
Glad I could help, anyway I had to hard reset mine after i installed some dodgy camera upgrade Cab file so decided to give the "Corporate" option ago this time, just select Corporate during the Boot up and type 0506 when it asks for a corporate code.
No looking back now, basically you get a clean WM2003SE install without ANY O2 rubbish but all the GPRS configs etc.. intact. I have not had to do a single reset since.
Recommend this method to any fed up with the O2 active stuff screwing up your IIs. I can honestly say I can't fault the device now.
Thanks for the info guys.
I been holding back from doing the ROM update on my XDAIIs due to everyone saying they have to keep sot reseting their device.
I've just removed the connections.exe from startup folder on my existing setup - make sure i'm happy to carry on without the O2 icon at the top.
Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again.
Great I shall try this tomorrow.
I've been getting regular crashes on my XDA 2s since I upgraded to the latest ROM.
D
Thanks, removed the O2 connections as suggested 2 days ago and have not needed to reset since.
Was having to reset 2 or 3 times a day since I'd upgraded.
difference between corporate and personal
Whats the difference between corporate and personal mode?
Corporate mode basically doesnt install O2 Active at all so you're left with the default windows screen (presumably so you could customise with your own corporate guff)
numanoids said:
Corporate mode basically doesnt install O2 Active at all so you're left with the default windows screen (presumably so you could customise with your own corporate guff)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks and what do you mean "0506" as corporate code?
thanks ...yellow screen?
thanks guys the corp version seems to do the trick, look very stable now. who need o2 crap. however i can't fail that notice that the screen is slightly yellow from certain angles. it look whitish when you are right in front of it but from any other angle it looks yellowish...anyone else with similar screens? don't remember this to be the case with my previous trusted xda 2...it's a nice device though...
yanni
It seems to be a thing with the latest XDA2 "s" and "i" models as it didn't happen on the original XDA2. I did read that the original had Sony screens but the newer ones are made by someone else.
Regardless of this minor inconvenience, I do think the new screens are much brighter that the previous ones...Just my opinion of course :roll:
It seems to be a thing with the latest XDA2 "s" and "i" models as it didn't happen on the original XDA2. I did read that the original had Sony screens but the newer ones are made by someone else.
Regardless of this minor inconvenience, I do think the new screens are much brighter that the previous ones...Just my opinion of course :roll:
increase brightness levels
yes they are brighter indeed...also, the xda2s by default reduces the light of the screen to conserve power when used on a battery...if you fix this the yellowish feel goes almost away...why can't they get their sceens right, same probs with bloody apple products, don't they understand that their screen are the most important interface with their devices...
y
connections.exe in start up
I removed the connections as advised in my XDA IIs and yes it did improve the stability, but after several days I found that even though the PDA was working well the phone would not work properly, either the phone would lock or it would not dial out, or you would answer a call but the caller could not be heard. On two occasions my blue tooth connection was lost. though this only happened on the first day. This was solved by a soft reset. So I have come to the conclusion that yes connections is the trigger but also it dose serve some purpose. I am therefore going to use the corporate mode which seems to be a common solution on many forum topic subjects. I hope this feedback helps others.
I have only just got an XDA2s & noticed that I was resetting 5 or more times per day. I have now removed connections.exe from the startup folder and also removed all references to O2 Active from the Today program and the Start Menus
I'll post results in a few days
Re: connections.exe in start up
fvau72 said:
I removed the connections as advised in my XDA IIs and yes it did improve the stability, but after several days I found that even though the PDA was working well the phone would not work properly, either the phone would lock or it would not dial out, or you would answer a call but the caller could not be heard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried corporate mode with removed connections.exe and installed beta of the new today screen.
I have noticed an issue with losing connections too, and your comment about not hearing caller reminds me that happened to me but I thought nothing of it at the time.
I have noticed a bit of a pattern to the not dialling out issue
Basically if the phone loses all connection for a while (not sure how long) then it seems to not get it back when you get to an area you can receive. A soft reset sorts this out.
But this is highly annoying for me, I live in London and go to work on the underground (subway to you yanks) and when I come out if I forget to reset my BA it will not receive calls or dial out.
XDA IIs Stability
What ROM version or versions are you all using?
I'm also having to reset my XDA a couple of times of day and would like to improve on the stability of the device. I've looked in my \Windows\startup and have various links (one is O2 Connect) and two executables (CommLoader.exe and RegNotify.exe).
Also, when I have had to do a hard re-set I have never gotten the option of 'Corporate or Personal'. Probably because of different ROM versions.
Also have any of you experienced problems with the Bluetooth no starting because of low memory on a regular basis?
Do any of you have an O2 XDA IIs from Asia?
Thanks
No resets in 3 days now I've removed connections.exe & stop using O2 Active UI Not using corporate mode though - I'm not brave enough yet to try upgrading my ROM
Hi all!
I know this has been discussed before, but it has never really been answered or a *working* solution been found to this problem:
I have the Cingular 8525 and my WAN connection (yes, no matter if it's Edge, 3G or HSDPA and no matter if I use isp.cingular or wap.cingular) just seems to die off after the PDA has been sitting for a while in STANDBY.
After seeing how incredibly stable and reliable all the blackberrys work, I still opted for the PDA because I liked the versatility plus the ADVERTISED push capabilities of it.
Apart from non-working tools like "gprs keepalive" etc, how can anyone REALLY PREVENT programs that are running from being stopped? Is there a Reg-Hack for this?
Here's my setup. Fresh blank WM VI Black 2.0 (great imags jas !!) and ONLY VGSMail (for mailpush) and IM+ for yahoo messenger installed. Rest absolutely untouched. Everything works fine as long as the thing is actually ON (display lit up and everything). Once i either wait for the timeout or manually put it in standby by pressing the power button, the Yahoo IM+ will react for another 5 minutes, but VGSmail almost immediately goes deaf. I have a TCP bridge in front of my IMAP server so I can see all in/out traffic to the IMAP by just accepting connections on port 1430 and routing all traffic to 143 while dumping it into a log. I can see the PDA connect the server and go into IDLE. Every time a new message arrives, the PDA is SUPPOSED to get it, but it just doesn't when it's in standby. Completely defeats the whole purpose of it.
Long story short:
HOW do you prevent the connection/radio/windows/software from "silently falling asleep" when the connection should stay open and new messages (email via VGS or IMs via IM+) should be received?
P.s. I already used the included HTweakC to acticate autoconnect and permanent connect. opens up the connection fine after reboot, but that's it!
THIS HAPPENS WITH EVERY IMAGE I HAVE TRIED! Original Cingular, Cingular Hacked AKU3.3, Black 1.2 and Black 2.0 :-((
Thanks
Ive had the same issues, my internet connection will just randomly quit on me. One second it will be working the next it will disconnect. Seems to be when I bring it out of standby or get a call. Definitely not as stable as WM5 was.
Radio Version?
Which radio version are you running? I have two things different with my configuration, but I had similar issues with my service (T-Mo USA).
My GPRS connection would hang, even when on the charger (not sleeping).
Turns out a radio update caused the behavior to quit altogether. I could drive completely across town, and have 10-15 new emails in my box, whereas before, I had to either press/hold the disconnect button, or soft reset.
My current versions are in my signature.
Hope this helps.
electron73 said:
Hi all!
I know this has been discussed before, but it has never really been answered or a *working* solution been found to this problem:
I have the Cingular 8525 and my WAN connection (yes, no matter if it's Edge, 3G or HSDPA and no matter if I use isp.cingular or wap.cingular) just seems to die off after the PDA has been sitting for a while in STANDBY.
After seeing how incredibly stable and reliable all the blackberrys work, I still opted for the PDA because I liked the versatility plus the ADVERTISED push capabilities of it.
Apart from non-working tools like "gprs keepalive" etc, how can anyone REALLY PREVENT programs that are running from being stopped? Is there a Reg-Hack for this?
Here's my setup. Fresh blank WM VI Black 2.0 (great imags jas !!) and ONLY VGSMail (for mailpush) and IM+ for yahoo messenger installed. Rest absolutely untouched. Everything works fine as long as the thing is actually ON (display lit up and everything). Once i either wait for the timeout or manually put it in standby by pressing the power button, the Yahoo IM+ will react for another 5 minutes, but VGSmail almost immediately goes deaf. I have a TCP bridge in front of my IMAP server so I can see all in/out traffic to the IMAP by just accepting connections on port 1430 and routing all traffic to 143 while dumping it into a log. I can see the PDA connect the server and go into IDLE. Every time a new message arrives, the PDA is SUPPOSED to get it, but it just doesn't when it's in standby. Completely defeats the whole purpose of it.
Long story short:
HOW do you prevent the connection/radio/windows/software from "silently falling asleep" when the connection should stay open and new messages (email via VGS or IMs via IM+) should be received?
P.s. I already used the included HTweakC to acticate autoconnect and permanent connect. opens up the connection fine after reboot, but that's it!
THIS HAPPENS WITH EVERY IMAGE I HAVE TRIED! Original Cingular, Cingular Hacked AKU3.3, Black 1.2 and Black 2.0 :-((
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
silverfox0214 said:
Which radio version are you running? I have two things different with my configuration, but I had similar issues with my service (T-Mo USA).
My GPRS connection would hang, even when on the charger (not sleeping).
Turns out a radio update caused the behavior to quit altogether. I could drive completely across town, and have 10-15 new emails in my box, whereas before, I had to either press/hold the disconnect button, or soft reset.
My current versions are in my signature.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I had radio 1.27.00.00 before, now I have 1.38.30.10
Also I do have newest Hard-SPL 1.40 installed. So I'm pretty much cutting edge here. Howewer, the PROBLEM has been annoying me since WM2003SE.
Is it just the way it is with desktops? Micky Mouse Soft dominates the market, releases one pile of **** after another, never really fixing bugs but introducing new ones by the thousands and we users (who in this case have paid $500 for the device) are left in the dust?
If I just imagine delivering buggy crap like this to MY customers, they would kill me!
Anyone have some good ideas or hacks? I definitely need to get this working at least to a somewhat acceptable level. Since having the Hermes with the first "original" WM5 on it, I got used to rebooting that unreliable Micro$hit every morning when I get up, to make it usually just about last for the day. I'm definitely not willing to reboot every hour !!!
I have this problem
I have this problem however I still receive push email. the most annoying thing is that I cannot keep a data session active with a voice call.
I am on Orange UK network. I use 4smartphone's hosted exchange service. I get directpush working 24/7 with Black 2.0 OS. I also receive my pop email whilst on voicecalls.
So its not a WM6 issue. Its either your network or your connection settings.
I must say that it actually improved a lot since installing Black 2.0. However, the connection still silently dies off eventually. I now have a makeshift solution using FlexMail, set to poll emails every 15 min. So what happens is as long as the PDA is ON, I get immediate PUSH mail. Once I put it in standby, it continues to work for a minute or two, then the connection ****s up. Every 15 min Flexmail wakes up and polls for emails, which most of the times seems to work as I can see in my logfile that every 15 min the tcp connection opens up and the server dumps all new mails over to the phone. It then enters IDLE and at some point dies away with "recv(): connection timed out".
So it's all pretty messy still and I'm wondering what you can do to PREVENT the line from silently dying in the first place. Tried tools like GPRS Keepalive with no luck, since the whole program stops being executed in standby and hence it can not keep the connection up = useless. I need some hack/tool/program that stays active during standby! Then I could just have it ping my mailserver once per minute to keep the connection open.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
Could my problem be related? - see my post under Treo 750:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=324495
I am testing to see if I get the same behaviour with 3G/UMTS as I do with GPRS....
KaioneSoft SprintDB has not offered a solution for WM6. They still sell a patched version of their PPC2003 software that sorta works with WM5. At the KaioneSoft website there no signs of life since August 06 and I believe they are no longer active(except to collect money selling obsolete software).
My questions to the group:
Have you migrated out of KaioneSoft SprintDB?
If so what did you migrate to?
Thanks for your help,
N2O2
I am currently helping them with a WM6 version - as you would be aware, the major issue is the difference in the synch, otherwise SprintDB works well in WM6 - think we are reasonably close to a solution... dont worry, I was getting mightily frustrated myself with this lack of movement. I now have the ability to synch - albeit not quite as elegant as previously.
Thanks for the response. And thanks for helping out SprintDB project.
Unfortunately a database solution without synchronization is not useful to us. For our application to function we need to share data...
My concern with SprintDB is that they move so very slow. So ok, thanks to you, we are near a solution for WM6. Where will be when WM7 hits? Lost again? The newer operating systems are addressing some windows mobile shortcomings like security. These type of improvements more then interest me a little.
I've tested all the latest versions of our software on WM6 and SprintDB is the only one that won't function for us.
It would be good if KaioneSoft would keep us updated through their website, instead of pretending that the issue doesn't exist. Forcing their long time users to wade around the internet forums for solutions. I can't understand why they don't make the issue known on their website, unless they expect to sell to WM6 customers. I'm sure they refund unsuspecting WM6 purchasers, but not being forthright about the issue is more then a little shifty. I'm questioning if this software vendor is responsible enough to trust my databases to.
I have stopped further development with SprintDB and we are testing other solutions. So far Syware is the leading candidate and appears to be a very active company. Has anyone other opinions on database software for WM6?
Long time SprintDB user losing confidence,
N2O2
Hi, I've been using a SprintDB Pro database I developed a couple years ago, and now I'm looking at upgrading to a new device with WM 6. I use this app everyday, now have over 8000 records, and I was so bummed to learn that (1) ActiveSync 4.5 it seems does not support sync'ing databases anymore, and (2) SprintDB doesn't sync on WM 6. I would hate to have to ditch this thing and start over on another db product.
Any advice? Without the ability to sync on WM 6, then what? Can I at least back up my database? Would there be some other way to convert the cdb to something i can edit on the PC?
Any idea *when* SprintDB will fully suport WM 6? (Call me cynical, but hearing "I think we're reasonably close" does not sound to me like a release will happen very soon.)
Does anyone know more about this ActiveSync 4.5 limitation? Does that mean I just need to stay with an older version, or is there more to this?
Finally, if it does come to switching products, any other suggestions besides Syware (which I will check out)? Do any allow me to convert my forms, macros, etc. from SprintDB?
Thanks for any answers or advice!
Sprint DB
Wow, an impressive set of questions.
First off MLK is correct the program itself functions properly under WM6, the issue is with the sync. The sync issue exists because M$ removed Mobile Access support starting with WM5/ActiveSync4. SprintDB developed a work around that made AS4 function with their program that was designed for PPC2003. That work around no longer functions WM6. because M$ further slashed AS4.5
WM6 requires at least AS4.5 or Vista.
SprintDB told me in March 07 that a WM6 sync fix would be available in July 07. We are still waiting. In SrintDB's defense: I think this task is substantial, they are attempting to develop an Activesync type database sync with a deliberate slash of support by M$ in AS4 and 4.5.
It sounds as if you don't need to merge your PC database(mdb) with your WM database(cdb). If you can get away with simply converting your cdb to mdb and back to cdb, although a bit clumsy a program like "Access Converter" free from Kaisoft may be a work around. You could then stay with SprintDB saving the development cost of a migration.
http://www.pocketkai.net/asp/en/index-en.html
If you need to manage two databases the merge their contents ie WM6 <-> W2K the only solution I see is ODBC. This has the advantage of syncing your data via cell or Wifi connection. Unfortunatly this will involve having to redevelop your forms queries structure in another DB program such as Syware. I'm not aware of conversion utilities to migrate from SprintDB to another aplication. (Hint to developers reading in: You could gain the entire customer base from SprintDB if you offer such a function.)
I'm still looking for other DB options if there are suggestions.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Thank you N2O2, that was a very thoughtful reply and quite helpful.
The word I got from KaioneSoft Support is they expect to have a new version with sync for wm6 in about 1 month. If that happens, I'll be happy. Meanwhile, it sounds like Access Converter will let me squeak by until that release.
[email protected] said:
The word I got from KaioneSoft Support is they expect to have a new version with sync for wm6 in about 1 month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KaioneSoft sends this answer every month, does this whenever you send a message that requests the solution to this problem.
Sorry guys, meant to correct this ages ago & only just noticed... new version is out & works with full sync - not as good as previous in that you have to initiate the sync, but at least it works.
Further to this, if the PPC has low memory, or the DB is "of a size" then sometimes the sync can incorrectly report a successful sync - I have another beta I am testing that looks to resolve this, so go 4 it, it looks like they have come through at last.
Works about 95%
Go for it, SprintDB is back & working better than the betas - have been using it noe for a few months without a hitch, save the odd refresh (thats why the 95% - think it gets tired every so often, mind you that be because my PPC is a memory hog & something is chewng it up without my knowledge - not SprintDB, something else I havent tracked as yet)
SprintDB working great but...
HI all,
I have been using SprintDB for years and love it. The new version seems to be working well, but I have sent in 4 support questions to KaioneSoft over a week ago and received only one response in the last few minutes.
I backup my data by exporting the data tables to csv files throughout the day. Twice now I have gotten an "Out of Memory" error at the end of a day, and the program crashes. I have tracked my memory use after each csv export and see that 1M of memory is added after each csv export and never released. So my memory gets eaten up all day long until I run out. Of course the workaround is just to close the program occasionally and reopen. But since you can lose your most recent changes I wanted to warn others about this problem.
Also, I noticed that I get an error message after about the second time I sync data, yet the data seem ok and I can't tell what is causing the error.
Anyone else with this issue?
Thanks,
Pat
phmurphy said:
HI all,
I have been using SprintDB for years and love it. The new version seems to be working well, but I have sent in 4 support questions to KaioneSoft over a week ago and received only one response in the last few minutes.
I backup my data by exporting the data tables to csv files throughout the day. Twice now I have gotten an "Out of Memory" error at the end of a day, and the program crashes. I have tracked my memory use after each csv export and see that 1M of memory is added after each csv export and never released. So my memory gets eaten up all day long until I run out. Of course the workaround is just to close the program occasionally and reopen. But since you can lose your most recent changes I wanted to warn others about this problem.
Also, I noticed that I get an error message after about the second time I sync data, yet the data seem ok and I can't tell what is causing the error.
Anyone else with this issue?
Thanks,
Pat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version are you using - this sounds very much like an old beta I had a while ago. FYI, I am using 1.5.0 (Build 1920)
i am with orange UK and get unlimited internet access in evenings and weekends, then its about £3 per megabyte during the day unless i ask them to do a £1 for the whoile day access deal (have to ring each day to add to account, happy to use in evenings when free for quick things.)
How do i set this up i nspb wireless to monitor any access during the day and alert me (incase something access, or gets left on)
thank you
you would visit the spb club, http://www.spbclub.com/forum/, and post the question there. The host may help you
How about 500MB/month for £5?
I would ring and speak to Orange and try and get them to adopt you on their 500MB/month plan for £5...
If you’re using the latest version, under connections and tariffs you can select the internet and select network. My phone then connected to the network and downloaded the available tariffs (my tariff was so new at the time that it was not listed on the net but Spb had it listed), just select and it will set its self up.
Once your correct tariff is selected the tab above connections & tariffs lets you set the alarms for that tariff (on a monthly package anyway) hope this helps
gisbourne,m i dont use the net enough during the day to warrant spending another £5 on the bill. in the evenings and weekends is quite fine for me, but i would like to monitor any access during the day - emails etc.
i will try checking for updated tariffs. thanks
oh ****, I see everyday how extremely expensive Germany is!! I pay for 200MB 10€!!! Im sooo pissed off.... anyway btt, I have a question, too. I flash my blackstone about 3 times a week normally and my problem is that I lose everytime the connections in spb. can I save the results in one way, so that I can start with my newly flashed (hard reset, whatever) hd from the last point on? I search some file like .dll or .xml or whatever, I dont know.. Cause somewhere has to be my data saved, shouldn't it? And I dont think that the HTML would help me, cause I dont know where to put it after flashing.. Can someone help me?
many greets, cad^^
cadenza said:
oh ****, I see everyday how extremely expensive Germany is!! I pay for 200MB 10€!!! Im sooo pissed off.... anyway btt, I have a question, too. I flash my blackstone about 3 times a week normally and my problem is that I lose everytime the connections in spb. can I save the results in one way, so that I can start with my newly flashed (hard reset, whatever) hd from the last point on? I search some file like .dll or .xml or whatever, I dont know.. Cause somewhere has to be my data saved, shouldn't it? And I dont think that the HTML would help me, cause I dont know where to put it after flashing.. Can someone help me?
many greets, cad^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just backup the Folder "SPB Wireless Monitor" in "Application Data"
I use PIMBackup for this.
Then i made a Backup of the following Parts in Registry:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{DD9B73F6-9EED-4ED0-84CF-422AF83512DB}]
(your Registration)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Spb Software House\Spb Wireless Monitor]
(your Settings)