OddbOd

WARNING: Do not even think about attempting the procedure outlined below unless you are prepared to take full responsibility for killing your PDA if you mess up. This technique has been thoroughly tested on the X30Mid (A02 and A05 ROMs) and so far has not caused any problems whatsoever. This does not mean it is 100% safe, it's a hack and should be regarded as such.

Requirements:

• Axim X30
• Hex Editor (any will do)
• An official Dell ROM updater (I have used both R80725.EXE (A02) and R87096.EXE (A05) updates)
• A 240x320 256 colour BMP (size must be 76kb)
  
  Here's one I prepared earlier :)
  
  

Method:

1. Extract the ROM updater to a convenient location on your HDD, connect your sync cable, check ActiveSync is running and start "Setup.exe".
2. Click on "Backup/Restore ROM" then on "Save ROM" then "SAVE", you will now be asked for a location to save the RIS (ROM Image Saved) file, choose somewhere convenient and let the flasher save out the image.
   
   It should take about 5 minutes and produce a file named XXX_Y_ZZZZZZZZLL.RIS
   
   XXX = Your current ROM version
   Y = Whether your Axim is a Combo(C) or Non-Combo(N) unit
   ZZZZZZZZ = Your exact ROM revision as shown under Settings->System->System Information
   LL = Your ROM language
3. Make a backup copy of the RIS file and keep it just in case you want to revert to the stock ROM. Alternatively, if you have an SD card, you can skip making this second backup as this method allows you to revert to a stock ROM of your choice. I have tested it on my X30 and had no trouble, just remember not to plug the USB cable in before you push the buttons down otherwise it will stall.
4. Open up the RIS file in your Hex editor and take a look through it, the first 0x200 bytes are the file header and tell the flasher what device it is intended for, whether it's a backup or update (there are at least three different types of update), the ROM version and the ROM language. The thing that it does not contain is a checksum of the image contents which as the more astute readers will no doubt have guessed is the secret to why this works. The IMG files that are supplied with the update utility DO contain checksums this is why they are not suitable for hacking custom content into.
5. How you replace the bootlogo is completely up to you and will depend on the capabilities of your hex editor. I saved the file in 3 separate pieces then concatenated the first part, my new boot picture and the third part together. You may wish to simply paste your picture straight over the top of the current one if this is easier. The following addresses will come in handy, though you should be particularly cautious if there is no bitmap header at the address I have indicated (MS bitmaps always start with "BM") as it means your ROM is slightly different:
   
   A02 (Combo) A02_C_06100400EN.RIS @ 0x0014DDB0
   A02 (Non-Combo) A02_N_06100400EN.RIS @ 0x0014D5D8
   A05 (Combo) A05_C_10070400EN.RIS @ 0x0014E268
   A05 (Non-Combo) A05_N_10070400EN.RIS @ 0x0014D994
   
6. At this point you may have found that your BMP file is 2 bytes larger than the original Dell one (0x13036 bytes as opposed to
   0x13034 bytes), I'm not really sure why this is but it is not important. All you have to do is remove two null bytes at the end of where the BMP is located within your image file (i.e. at 0x00160DE5 in the A02 combo ROM).
7. You should now have a modified RIS file 0x02000200 bytes long containing your picture, if your file size is different and you can't figure out why then do not attempt to flash with it (bad things could happen!). If all is well use the Dell updater to flash your modified ROM by using the restore feature.
8. That's it :approve:

If anybody is game to try this on a different model let me know how you get on. Any other comments, complaints or general banter will always receive a polite reply.