Develop Bugs

how to change files in windows directory

I connect universal to my pc w/ usb and want to rename/delete files in windows directory. It told me some pemmisson error. How can I do such things?
I can create new folds in the directory.
Seems a new bie question. thanks in advance.

Files in the windows folder are generally ROM files, so you can't really delete them, they'll just come back from ROM when you reset.
So - you can use the old technique, normally, of using something like gsfinder, rename the file you want to change, eg ctlpnl.exe to ctlpnl.orig, then copy a new file into the windows folder and rename it to ctlpnl.exe.
That works well with some files, but not all.
To do some heavy duty modding, you would have to make your own rom. Find RomTools by Mamaich.
V

But I can't rename any files belong to original rom. When I use GSfinder to rename the file, it also reported "Cannot rename file.". I checked the property of the file, it has "rom" property and the checkbox of "rom" property is gray.
How?
I attached a jpg file when I want to change the name of "smartdialing.dll".

My device info:
ROM: 1.30.111 WWE
Radio: 1.11.00
Protocal: 42.45.P8
ExtROM: 1.30.230 WWE
T-Mobile Germany version

As you say, if it's a proper ROM file that wants to be stubborn (it may already be in use. Try closing the app using a good task manager first) then your other option could just be burning a new rom.
Why do you need to rename it?
V

vijay555 said:
As you say, if it's a proper ROM file that wants to be stubborn (it may already be in use. Try closing the app using a good task manager first) then your other option could just be burning a new rom.
Why do you need to rename it?
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems that's not the reason. I can't even rename a htm or gif file with ROM property.
I want to localize smartdialing.dll.
Thanks for your quick response!

I think there's already a tutorial/solution to a localized smartdialler.
Can't remember the poster, check Buzz's site.
V

yes, I want to create a Chinese version of smartdialing based on their tutorial.
However, I tried to replace the original dll with my modified one, and FAILED. That's really troublesome. Seems nobody else has the same issue as mine.

Got a simular problem.
I'm trying to install OZVGA and according to the instructions you need to copy some files (Backlight.exe Camera.exe etc.) into the windows directory, but i'm not allowed to do so. Files are read only or in use.
Some suggestions?

Use TotalCommander.

ady said:
Use TotalCommander.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
useless.
Any one knows why?

I had the ozvga issue. I installed the extended ROM unlocker (from buzzdev.net I think) and then it let me replace them.
Hope this helps.
Coincidentally, I've just upgraded to the latest T-Mobile ROM and need to re-apply ozvga but I can't find the files/instructions anymore. Got a link handy?

Contact Backup

Dear pals,
how can i back up the contact from my K-Jam to flash memory as a back up.
plz expedite.

ayenumer said:
Dear pals,
how can i back up the contact from my K-Jam to flash memory as a back up.
plz expedite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have multiple options and it depends on what you exactly want to keep.
All contacts, apointments and tasks are stored in the pim.vol on the root of the ppc.
1) Just copy this file on your sd card using resco explorer. or from Windows Explorer via ActiveSync. If you have to make a restore, just rename the pim.vol in the root directory, copy back your backup, do a soft reset and delete the renamed file.
2) use spb backup from spbsoftwarehouse and select PIM only.
3) use ppcbckpcontacts which will create a csv file, that you can edit on your pc with Excel.
Cheers,
.Fred

PIM.VOL

My xda exec is dead...I have managed to salvage the PIM.VOL file for it. Can anyone confirm if I can use this elsewhere to get the contacts on either another XDA Exec, or does anyone know of a PIM.VOL reader? Windows based for example? Or something that will be able to extract aforementioned information.
Many thanks,
Kasam

I don't know of a PIM.vol reader, but you should have no problem putting this file on another Exec or even a different WM 5 device provided it has the same AKU version as your dead Exec.
PIM.vol is slightly different between AKU versions.

You can use a Hex Editor to read the file. All the contacts are stored sequentially, so it's pretty easy to find them.

restore data from pim.vol file

I've been flashing my vario ii for ages now and normally. just resync with my outlook to get my contacts etc back.
HOWEVER, the last time i flashed my phone with the latest wm6 rom, i didn't back up before. so i have a copy of the pim.vol file on a storage card, but when i copy this back over the original in \my device\ and reboot the phone, my pim apps won't start and my phone will not connect to a t-mobile.
I need some data from this pim.vol file, can it be accessed with anything else ?

steverae said:
I've been flashing my vario ii for ages now and normally. just resync with my outlook to get my contacts etc back.
HOWEVER, the last time i flashed my phone with the latest wm6 rom, i didn't back up before. so i have a copy of the pim.vol file on a storage card, but when i copy this back over the original in \my device\ and reboot the phone, my pim apps won't start and my phone will not connect to a t-mobile.
I need some data from this pim.vol file, can it be accessed with anything else ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would try to flash back to the ROM on which the pim.vol file was originally created.

Easiest way that I figured out to do it was to copy the pim.vol file to the SD card (in mycase microSD card) then go into the file explorer on the phone and goto the root directory and RENAME the current pim file to pim2 and then copy and paste the one with all my contacts from the SD card to my phone, viola, all my contacts are on there now

udfxrookie said:
Easiest way that I figured out to do it was to copy the pim.vol file to the SD card (in mycase microSD card) then go into the file explorer on the phone and goto the root directory and RENAME the current pim file to pim2 and then copy and paste the one with all my contacts from the SD card to my phone, viola, all my contacts are on there now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that on my tilt 2, but now my entire contacts are gone with either PIM.VOL
It doesn't recognize either one.
UPDATE: I reset it and all of my 1200 beautiful names and calls and everything else showed up.
Thanks again

Restoring my PIM.vol file.
Hi guys,
Am using win 6.5 version excellent ROM. but have some problem
Could someone please help in this...i have back up of pim.vol which i want to restore...
1)I tried ppcpimbackup software.where it says to browse for the pim.vol present in storage card.but am unable to see the file there...even if select the particual folder where the file is present, dont know wat to press for selecting.
2) I tired mobile device center sync, where in it says sync is in progress and i waited for an hour...still its not completed.it says syncing....
Early help is highly appreciated..
Thanks

Backing up and restoring the Pim.vol on win 6.5 Tilt2
To backup the Pim.vol I just connect the phone (til2) to my laptop.
The file is located at the root of the device emory. From my Laptop just with Windows Explorer I just copy and paste to my laptop and to the external memory microSD (double backup)
If the one if your phone goes bad, restore with file explorer. Rename pim.vol to pim2 and copy and paste the one on your external memory microSD to the device memory. Or get the one in the laptop.
RESET the phone and all you names and calls will be there.
Good luck

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