making a backup - JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro Software Upgrading

This may be a silly question but rather than use software that takes an image of your Universal (like SPB Clone, or Norton Ghost on a desktop) would it not be possible to make a backup of the registry, then just copy that and the entire directory structure of the Universal to a folder on your PC?
Then, if you have to hard reset, just copy it back, install the registry settings, and bingo!
Or is life not that simple?

Related

Newbie question: getting CAB files from exe

Hello,
I would like to know how can I extract the .cab files from an exe file that is an application installer (the exe should be run on the PC).
I think that the active sync saves a copy of the cab files, but I am not sure. If using activesync is the only way, it's fine, but I prefer a method that does not install the software first and it does not involve activesync.
Thank you,
Eran
Well it really depends on the application, there is not always one answer that fits all things.
You can try using a program like WinRAR and right click on the PC exe, you may see an option to extract the files, if you do chances are you'll gain access to the cab files. Things like the ROM updates work this way.
Sometimes this method doesn't work. Then you may need to install the program on your PC. You'll need to look on your C drive for the folder the program creates, generally this will be with in the C:\Program Files\ folder or the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Activesync\ folder. This folder can be easy or hard to find.
Another method is to set Pocket File explorer to "Show all files" (you'll need to tap and hold on the white space at the bottom of the page, and select this option from the menu that pops up.) Then go to \My Device\Windows\AppMgr\Install\ and wait for the file to appear here when you first install it. Note that in WM5 you are generally asked if you wish to install the program, DO NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION instead go to pocket file explorer and look at the \My Device\Windows\AppMgr\Install\ folder your cab should be here, after it is installed it will be deleted from this folder and some times cabs are partly deleted in the install process. (it maybe necessary to install two or more programs at the same time to get a working copy of your program cab file.
DAH

WM6 Registry Hacks (Different to WM5)

Hi guys,
I've been scouring the net and these forums for about 3 days trying to find the registry hack to change the default location of the 'My Documents' folder to my storage card as the reg key normally used (as per the wiki) under WM5 doesnt exist. I also want to do the same with the default ringtone location, changing it to 'My Ringtones' located in the 'My Documents' folder instead of '/windows/rings'.
Maybe we could use this thread to post known WM6 reg hacks that are different to the method used for WM5 which could be of some use to members, including myself, and hoping I get the answer to the ones I mentioned above,
Feel free to add reg hack queries, and any hacks you know of that are WM6 specific.
Enjoy your day,
Neil.
Nobody?
I noticed the same a while back, but since WM6 is not technically even out there, and if it is in very little numbers. Us here included, it might take a little while before we start seeing a load of hacks.
sassenach74 said:
Hi guys,
I've been scouring the net and these forums for about 3 days trying to find the registry hack to change the default location of the 'My Documents' folder to my storage card as the reg key normally used (as per the wiki) under WM5 doesnt exist. I also want to do the same with the default ringtone location, changing it to 'My Ringtones' located in the 'My Documents' folder instead of '/windows/rings'.
Maybe we could use this thread to post known WM6 reg hacks that are different to the method used for WM5 which could be of some use to members, including myself, and hoping I get the answer to the ones I mentioned above,
Feel free to add reg hack queries, and any hacks you know of that are WM6 specific.
Enjoy your day,
Neil.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone found a solution for this yet. My Documents sync path to Storage card
Why don't you just try creating the registry key referenced for WM5? If it doesn't work, you can always delete it...
Guys,
just creating the keys work like a charm
TyTn with black 2.0 was used to test.
Doesn't work for me
I tried creating the hacks as per this thread:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=WM5_Tweaks_Other
But it doesn't work for me - anyone have any ideas?
Found a way to move My Documents ... BUT ...
Found this on:
http://www.inspectmygadget.com/2007/07/17/how-to-hack-your-windows-mobile-registry/
*****************************************************
Change the location of My Documents to the SD Card.
This one is complicated but possible. I had to play around with this one for a while trying and failing with several methods, succeeding with this one. The order in which you do this is essential.
Please ensure that your SD card and My Documents are backed up. It is recommended that you do this on a fresh install of your ROM. This cleared out my “My Documents” folder but I was able to restore it.
1. Reset your device
2. Synchronise your device with your PC
3. Navigate to
“HKLM\System\StorageManager\Profiles\SDMemory“
4. Change the “Folder” key to “My Documents”
5. Rename your original “My Documents” folder to “My Docs”. This is a crucial step, but it does not matter what you name it.
6. Power off and reset your device.
7. Sync your Device
You should see in “File Explorer that your “My Documents” folder has an SD card icon next to it.
Copy your files back into your My Documents.
*****************************************************
Only problem with doing this on an already set up system is that if you have anything installed to your Storage Card, then all the links become invalid - you can resolve this by using Resco Explorer / Total Commander to reset all of the links.
Haven't tried to install any apps after doing this, would be interested in hearing if it still installs there like normal - decided to reset the name to Storage Card, rather than have to remake 200+ links to all the apps / games that are on there - think I'll wait until I remake the system next time!
Bird
Update
Worth doing ... but only on a new install
Backed up my system, then had a go at this - spent an hour in front of the telly changing all the links over to the new addresses, etc.
All seems to work, but a load of little bugs started to occur - all related to where certain software is located, and files that have been installed, and where,etc.
No issues related to the system in general, but I think this method would be best used if you are doing a brand new install - don't even install the EXTROM before you do it and you'll have no problems at all, and no more issuses with the build up of crap on your system. Just don't think it's feasible on an existing build, to many hidden links and file misplacements can occur.
Still - if you backup first, it's worth a try!
Bird
Sorry for digging this up but... will this workaround let you sync with the 'my documents' on the storage card? I'm trying to get this to work but numerous threads say that wm6 can only sync to the my documents on the phone memory.
It can just manage its own my documents. Not the My Documents folder of M$ Windows. So what ever you want to add or update do it there as well.
When you will select the settings for Sync, select files and it will make a shortcut on your desktop for the folder of my documents of your device that is available on your PC also.
I found a simple solution on the net
I found this simple solution on the net:
1. Create a subfolder called "My Documents" in your Storage Card folder.
2. Copy the contents of \My Documents to \Storage Card\My Documents
3. Delete \My Documents
4. Open a text editor and paste the following text into a new document: 33#"\Storage Card\My Documents"
5. Save this as "My Documents.lnk"
6. Copy this to the root of your WM6 device
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsmobile/thread/df005e15-7116-43a8-aeb5-3e0122442487
Internetpo said:
I found this simple solution on the net:
1. Create a subfolder called "My Documents" in your Storage Card folder.
2. Copy the contents of \My Documents to \Storage Card\My Documents
3. Delete \My Documents
4. Open a text editor and paste the following text into a new document: 33#"\Storage Card\My Documents"
5. Save this as "My Documents.lnk"
6. Copy this to the root of your WM6 device
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsmobile/thread/df005e15-7116-43a8-aeb5-3e0122442487
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After sync with PC, the folder "My Document" will automatically created again in root folder and the files in \Storage Card\My Document" can not sync with pc

PHM Traylaunch.

Hi,
I recently installed PHM traylaunch, very nice APP btw. Could someone inform me of how to change the icon that is presented on the today screen? For example, I put calendar.exe in the traylauch and the icon that is associated it with it is garbage. Could someone explain to me how to change the icon? Thanks!
I believe the icons are located within the program's files, usually a .exe or a .dll file. You would need to edit the files with a program like reshack (resource hacker). I did this for a couple of programs when I used TrayLaunch. You'll need to replace the icons in the file and save it. I would make a backup first -- you don't want to screw up the program's executable and have no way of recovering it.
I usually copy the file to my desktop to edit it. When I have the new file saved, I rename the old file on my device (xxxxxx.old), then I copy the new file to the same location as the old one. If you replaced the icons with new ones more to your liking, then a soft reset should show you the new icons in the tray.
I think calendar.exe is in ROM, though, so this probably will not work. I believe there are launcher programs which let you assign icons, but I haven't used any. TrayLaunch is simple and efficient, even if it is a pain to set up initially.
jgrnt1 said:
I believe the icons are located within the program's files, usually a .exe or a .dll file. You would need to edit the files with a program like reshack (resource hacker). I did this for a couple of programs when I used TrayLaunch. You'll need to replace the icons in the file and save it. I would make a backup first -- you don't want to screw up the program's executable and have no way of recovering it.
I usually copy the file to my desktop to edit it. When I have the new file saved, I rename the old file on my device (xxxxxx.old), then I copy the new file to the same location as the old one. If you replaced the icons with new ones more to your liking, then a soft reset should show you the new icons in the tray.
I think calendar.exe is in ROM, though, so this probably will not work. I believe there are launcher programs which let you assign icons, but I haven't used any. TrayLaunch is simple and efficient, even if it is a pain to set up initially.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Thanks for the information. I will give that a try.

Having Trouble With Saving 6.1 Themes

I am one of those dash finatics that has a colection of cabs, themes files(wm6) and modded rom/system imaging files; pretty much everything i need to hard reset and re "outfit" my phone while mobile. With the wm6.1 theme file format it is hard cause i dont know how to set the "chome320x240" and "scheme.xml", "home.xml", and jpg image as one "pack" that i can just copy and paste into the right folders, if i reset. its just alot of work to customize a full theme set, then all i have to do is reboot, or change themes, and it also resets my "panels", and "my programs" settings. I wonder is there is a way to have it like "theming" used to be with 6.0. Thanks for the help guys
jarednish said:
I am one of those dash finatics that has a colection of cabs, themes files(wm6) and modded rom/system imaging files; pretty much everything i need to hard reset and re "outfit" my phone while mobile. With the wm6.1 theme file format it is hard cause i dont know how to set the "chome320x240" and "scheme.xml", "home.xml", and jpg image as one "pack" that i can just copy and paste into the right folders, if i reset. its just alot of work to customize a full theme set, then all i have to do is reboot, or change themes, and it also resets my "panels", and "my programs" settings. I wonder is there is a way to have it like "theming" used to be with 6.0. Thanks for the help guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you back everything up to storage card for easy reinstallation while mobile. If so, why not just copy your \Application Data\Home folder to storage card. That will back up your scheme xmls, home xmls, and background jpgs as long as you keep them all in there. That way if you hard reset, just copy this folder over the newly created one.
If you modify the registry for all your icons, etc, then you should export your regs for HKLM\Software\Microsoft\CHome and HKLM\Security\CHome\DefaultSettings. This way you can set all your settings for chome back easily.
For your cprs, just make a backup copy.
Then take all these and put them in a chome folder for safe keeping.
You could also stick them in a cab or make a script that would auto install for you. But if you do alot of modifying, they would be outdated before you needed them.

Delete File in Windows Mobile 6

Hi, how can I delete a file in \Windows folder? it seems complaining that the file is in ROM, I had tried many way even using other File Explorer or via ActiveSync. None of them work.
How can I delete a file in \Windows folder in my Microsoft Windows Mobile 6?
Maybe Resco Explorer or Total Commander CE will help.
if it's built in the rom, you might be unable to delete that file.
Please be more specific: which file do you wish to delete?
Maybe you'd have to recook the ROM without that file.
Regards,
EquinoXe
Things built into the rom are "READ ONLY MEMORY" therefore cannot be deleted. if the file is only marked as system and readonly though you can change its atributes using total commander. just long click on item to bring up menu and go to properties. there you need to uncheck everything and delete
I had downloaded Total Commander and installed it, the checked file attributes are 'read only' and 'in rom'; so I guess the file shall be consider undeleteable.
Now I had to learn how to recook, any good guide how can I recook the ROM that I have?
similar problem
I downloaded some software and it came up as being faulty software. The file was a zip folder titled : res_ppc-custom.icons
I tried through my windows mobile device center to uninstall it, but it was never actually installed completely in the first place.
I then tried to delete the file a few times. Once directly from my pda, once through the device center and again through my pc windows explorer. All three attempts were unsuccessful.
How can I get rid of this thing?
Thanks in advance
perhaps you may want to check if the file being accessed by other software, easiest way is to soft reset and try to delete it.
That did the trick! Thanks so much
Move files to storage card
OK I want to move some files (not ROM) in Windows and keep getting error. For example Opera.exe is not marked as anything in properties yet I can't seem to delete the file. I did copy it to my storage card without any issue but can't delete the original from Windows directory. Any suggestions since Total Commander won't delete it. Will edit registry to find it on the Storage Card.
Deleting files in Windows folder
mynullvoid said:
Hi, how can I delete a file in \Windows folder? it seems complaining that the file is in ROM, I had tried many way even using other File Explorer or via ActiveSync. None of them work.
How can I delete a file in \Windows folder in my Microsoft Windows Mobile 6?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem - I have colpilot.wm6ppc.cab in my Windows directory. It's 12.6mb, I don't want it, and it's taking up a lot of storage space. My phone is a T-Mobile MDA and it obviously came with CoPilot as an option, but I think it's really unfair that the cab is right there in the Windows dir and I can't get rid of it....
Any help gratefully received....
Cheers,
Ed.
The cab is cooked in as part of the rom; there's nothing you can do about it, except flash a custom rom (this is one of the main reasons people flash custom roms). Be glad it was installed as a cab and not as a full package-at least cabs are compressed are a single file.
Farmer Ted said:
The cab is cooked in as part of the rom; there's nothing you can do about it, except flash a custom rom (this is one of the main reasons people flash custom roms). Be glad it was installed as a cab and not as a full package-at least cabs are compressed are a single file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the issue is not on the files in ROM.
I have the same problem. I've copied a file under Windows folder and after that I'm unable to delete it.
Strangely I'm able to rename it, which should mean that file is not in use, however deletion is not possible.
I've used TotalCommander, the built-in Explorer and also connected the phone via ActiveSync, but still nothing happens and access seems to be denied.
The exact message is "deletion error".
Any idea?
Thanks.
Cheers...
-nOra-
A very common problem with Windows explorer is reported on all Windows help forums. I've seen people complaining about problem with long path files deletion.
Some common problems with Windows Explorer people talk about:
- Doesn't allow to delete files with long path names
- Pops up error while deleting unwanted files or unnecessary files
- Errors like: Access denied, sharing violation, source in use etc.
I've found a very simple but smart solution for all these above mentioned common problems. A very simple but powerful tool to overcome these problems. Everyone who plays with the files must have this tool. Its compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows.
johnylog.software said:
A very common problem with Windows explorer is reported on all Windows help forums. I've seen people complaining about problem with long path files deletion.
Some common problems with Windows Explorer people talk about:
- Doesn't allow to delete files with long path names
- Pops up error while deleting unwanted files or unnecessary files
- Errors like: Access denied, sharing violation, source in use etc.
I've found a very simple but smart solution for all these above mentioned common problems. A very simple but powerful tool to overcome these problems. Everyone who plays with the files must have this tool. Its compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell us the name of this wonderfull tool, and how to have?
djulen said:
Could you please tell us the name of this wonderfull tool, and how to have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on how he said it, I have to really wonder if he really does have such a tool...
badbwoydes said:
Based on how he said it, I have to really wonder if he really does have such a tool...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Total Commander to modify the contents of the \Windows directory.
Yes, but you won't be able to delete a ROM file anyway.
In the \Windows folder, you commonly encounter three kinds of files :
- Pure ROM files (can't be deleted nor renamed nor moved, nor even copied, but can be overwritten, consuming internal storage memory space in the process to store the new copy, that will become used instead) ;
- Files put there by installation CABs or else (can be freely deleted, renamed or moved, provided they're not currently used by a running process) ;
- Files put on top of previously existing ROM files, wearing the same name (deleting, renaming or moving them will thus make the original ROM file undertneath to reappear with its original contents and attributes).
Once you've understood that, you'll be more aware of what's cooking there.
ROM files can't even be copied, but you can use ROMExtractor to copy them elsewhere, in case you want to study them, or use them in your own ROM (useful to get up-to date versions from another HTC device to cook your own ROM).
Since ROMExtractor is a very minimalistic tool (you have to type in all the files names with their path, same for the target copy, all one by one !) manually extracting hundreds (even thousands) of files is a very tedious taks, I made a MortScript to automate the process in order to extract all those DLLs, EXEs, MUIs, etc. files that can't be directly copied from a phone's ROM.
On the other hand, you absolutely can't delete a ROM file to make room. Overwriting it with a file wearing the same name will jut result in actually adding the new file, thus consuming even more room. The new file will just be used instead of the original one (so you can still update or personalize the ROM).
As a direct consequence, the only way to get rid of unwanted ROM files or permanently replacing them with up-to-date ones is to cook a ROM and flash it to the device to replace the old one.
That's way how operating systems can become better and better, and save space at the same time.
And no, Windows Mobile isn't dead : I'm not quite finished with fixing it until it's perfect, so it's not over yet. LOL

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