Write to IPAQ ROM

Stky10

I'm wondering is there a way I can backup the contents of an IPAQ to the ROM, so that if I do a hard restart the contents of the HD on the IPAQ is retained.

I'm having an issue here of installing software on IPAQ's
but when the battery runs out the contents of the HD are wiped, and I'm left with just the OS.

I know I could back the contents up externally to a PC or SD card, and then restore as required, but its a manual step I'd rather do without. Burning to ROM would mean I wouldnt have to.

(Using Pocket PC 2003 by the way on an IPAQ 2210)

flywheel

hi, the 2210 has a 'file store' which is a small area or 'writable' ROM available to the user (about 3MB on the 2210 i think?) - the contents will be available again after discharge (it would be wiped after a ROM update though)

you could try and track down the .cab files for the apps (this is the file that installs on the Pocket PC after it is transferred to the device during the installation process, usually stored in the Program Files\<Application> or Program Files\Microsoft Active Sync directories). Then being careful / making sure you know the correct file, as some apps can have a selection available targeted at different devices (usually based on the processor used), place the .cab file into the file store (also any licence key info in a text file) - and re-install them from there...

BrianG

Stky10

So is there any way I can install applications to the filestore rather than to the hard disk??. That way I'd have the best of both worlds.

The end users are pretty clueless, so they keep
running the battery down till it discharges. Then
it requires a manual restore thats beyond them, and
requires me to get involved.

Thanks for the info though...

flywheel

hi, not really as may apps like to run from main (RAM) memory and install elements into the various windows menu folders (which will be gone after a hard reset / post battery drain)

you might want to look into a more advanced backup tool, e.g. Sprite Backup might be an option for the device you are using... there is an upgrade option for your device as they developed the built-in iPAQ Backup utility

the likes of the 5000 series are capable of having special ROMS created to allow this kind of flexibility - but they are aimed at the enterprise and specialist development

BrianG

Stky10

I'm just wondering if I could copy all the software I install on the PDA to an SDRAM card, and then write some script or application thats stored in the filestore and that checks on startup/reboot if a series of directories exists, and if they dont, they're copied from the SDRAM card to RAM.

What sort of scripting capability exists on Pocket PC 2003, and is there a way to get it to be run on startup??

Thanks for your help with this....

flywheel

sorry, not something i've ever looked into - existing backup tools were able to keep me going after a device 'wipe out' - i usually run a periodic backup to the file store / storage card and restore from it if needed

best place to look would be the Windows Mobile Developer area, they have a lot of resources and FAQs available that should be able to help you out on the development capabilities of the device

here's a Handango Search for Backup tools for Pocket PC in case that turns up anything appropriate for you

hope you get something worked out,
BrianG