Mobility Site - View Single Post - Program Memory x Storage Memory x Built-in Storage

RobertCF · 02-09-05, 10:40 PM

PocketPCs come with two kinds of physical memory: RAM and Flashable ROM.

FLASH ROM
This is slower memory. It is static, in that it doesn't require power to hold it's contents--much like a Compact Flash card or SD card. Depending on the manufacturer and the PocketPC, it will be anywhere from 32MB on up. Because it is non-volative, this is where the operating system and standard applications are installed. When you hard reset, this memory remains intact. Because the operating system doesn't need all this memory [SEE MY RANT AT THE BOTTOM] the manufacturers have setup ways for you to be able to backup critical files or even install SOME applications there (not all apps like to be put there). You cannot uninstall the core apps that were installed by the OEM. You can only remove items you put in the Built-In Storage (what most call this extra ROM space).

RAM
This is much faster, but requires CONSTANT power. Hence, it is an important practice to NOT leave your PocketPC just laying around when you're not going to use it for a length of time--put it in the cradle and keep it charged.
This memory will be typically between 32MB on older devices and now up to 128MB on newer ones. The operating system takes this memory and divides it into two LOGICAL partitions: Program Memory and Storage Memory. When you install a program, like Laridian Pocket Bible, for instance, it goes into this RAM. The operating system works to dynamically adjust how much memory is Program Memory and how much is used for Storage. When you install a program or create a file (document, picture, video) it goes into RAM and the operating system dynamically moves the "slider" over to give you more storage memory and less program memory. When you actually run a program it is operating in the program memory area. Needless to say, if you install a BUNCH of things on your PocketPC, eventually you will have no room left for Program Memory and nothing will run.
BTW, if you go into Settings and System you'll see a Memory icon. This will show you all running programs and it will also allow you to manually force the "slider" to give you more or less of each memory. When you look at that screen the way RAM works in PocketPCs will make much more sense.

This is why it is oh, so important to have one or two good sized SD cards around. Conveniently, most nicer belt cases have a couple of SD pockets in them (like my SENA and my VAJA cases do) and I always have two SD cards in them. For your most frequently used applications (typically ones that augment your operating system--like Wisbar, Dashboard, Pocket Informat, etc) you'll want them installed directly on your Axim. Most other programs, especially large ones, and large files like movies or music, you'll want to install them onto an SD card. Or a CF card if you device has one. Since I have an X5, which has both slots--and the SD slot is NOT an IO (Input/Output) slot, I typically install programs and things on SD cards. I use the CF slot for my WiFi card or my Modem card (since the CF slots on PocketPCs are input/output).

BACKUP BATTERY
On the Axim and some other machines you have a main battery, which is rechargeable, and a small watch-type battery that is NOT rechargeable. This backup battery's solitary purpose is to keep enough power going to the PDA while you're swapping out a spare main battery (like I have). Once that backup battery dies, you need to buy a new one. If it goes dead, it won't do any harm to your PDA (directly). However, if it's dead and your main battery dies, you are basically in store for what is effectively a hard reset. So, replace the backup battery as needed, and keep your PocketPC on a charger if you're not going to use it for several hours.

[BEGIN RANT: Originally all the PocketPC manufacturers were bragging about their larger Flash ROMS because you would have much more room to install the flash updates to the operating system--i.e., upgrade from PocketPC 2000 to PocketPC 2002, or PocketPC 2002 to Windows Mobile 2003--and for me, and many others, this is what tipped the scales between buying one device versus another. However, now most manufacturers are refusing to produce upgrades. I personally feel this is a rip off and they need to just shut the heck up about their retarded big ROMs. Who frelling cares? Now they call that wasted space "built-in storage". Good grief, ALL THE RAM IN THE DEVICE IS BUILT-IN STORAGE, YOU FOOLS! And since not many applications operate correctly, if at all, when installed in that area, it's virtually useless for anything other than keeping a backup of your contacts and appointments. It's slow as molasses, anyway. So get rid of the fat ROM since you're NOT selling me upgrades for the OS, and give me MORE RAM!!!! END RANT]
:rolling:

02-09-05, 10:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
RobertCF Aximsite Major League Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 463 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Answer to the memory question: PocketPCs come with two kinds of physical memory: RAM and Flashable ROM. FLASH ROM This is slower memory. It is static, in that it doesn't require power to hold it's contents--much like a Compact Flash card or SD card. Depending on the manufacturer and the PocketPC, it will be anywhere from 32MB on up. Because it is non-volative, this is where the operating system and standard applications are installed. When you hard reset, this memory remains intact. Because the operating system doesn't need all this memory [SEE MY RANT AT THE BOTTOM] the manufacturers have setup ways for you to be able to backup critical files or even install SOME applications there (not all apps like to be put there). You cannot uninstall the core apps that were installed by the OEM. You can only remove items you put in the Built-In Storage (what most call this extra ROM space). RAM This is much faster, but requires CONSTANT power. Hence, it is an important practice to NOT leave your PocketPC just laying around when you're not going to use it for a length of time--put it in the cradle and keep it charged. This memory will be typically between 32MB on older devices and now up to 128MB on newer ones. The operating system takes this memory and divides it into two LOGICAL partitions: Program Memory and Storage Memory. When you install a program, like Laridian Pocket Bible, for instance, it goes into this RAM. The operating system works to dynamically adjust how much memory is Program Memory and how much is used for Storage. When you install a program or create a file (document, picture, video) it goes into RAM and the operating system dynamically moves the "slider" over to give you more storage memory and less program memory. When you actually run a program it is operating in the program memory area. Needless to say, if you install a BUNCH of things on your PocketPC, eventually you will have no room left for Program Memory and nothing will run. BTW, if you go into Settings and System you'll see a Memory icon. This will show you all running programs and it will also allow you to manually force the "slider" to give you more or less of each memory. When you look at that screen the way RAM works in PocketPCs will make much more sense. This is why it is oh, so important to have one or two good sized SD cards around. Conveniently, most nicer belt cases have a couple of SD pockets in them (like my SENA and my VAJA cases do) and I always have two SD cards in them. For your most frequently used applications (typically ones that augment your operating system--like Wisbar, Dashboard, Pocket Informat, etc) you'll want them installed directly on your Axim. Most other programs, especially large ones, and large files like movies or music, you'll want to install them onto an SD card. Or a CF card if you device has one. Since I have an X5, which has both slots--and the SD slot is NOT an IO (Input/Output) slot, I typically install programs and things on SD cards. I use the CF slot for my WiFi card or my Modem card (since the CF slots on PocketPCs are input/output). BACKUP BATTERY On the Axim and some other machines you have a main battery, which is rechargeable, and a small watch-type battery that is NOT rechargeable. This backup battery's solitary purpose is to keep enough power going to the PDA while you're swapping out a spare main battery (like I have). Once that backup battery dies, you need to buy a new one. If it goes dead, it won't do any harm to your PDA (directly). However, if it's dead and your main battery dies, you are basically in store for what is effectively a hard reset. So, replace the backup battery as needed, and keep your PocketPC on a charger if you're not going to use it for several hours. [BEGIN RANT: Originally all the PocketPC manufacturers were bragging about their larger Flash ROMS because you would have much more room to install the flash updates to the operating system--i.e., upgrade from PocketPC 2000 to PocketPC 2002, or PocketPC 2002 to Windows Mobile 2003--and for me, and many others, this is what tipped the scales between buying one device versus another. However, now most manufacturers are refusing to produce upgrades. I personally feel this is a rip off and they need to just shut the heck up about their retarded big ROMs. Who frelling cares? Now they call that wasted space "built-in storage". Good grief, ALL THE RAM IN THE DEVICE IS BUILT-IN STORAGE, YOU FOOLS! And since not many applications operate correctly, if at all, when installed in that area, it's virtually useless for anything other than keeping a backup of your contacts and appointments. It's slow as molasses, anyway. So get rid of the fat ROM since you're NOT selling me upgrades for the OS, and give me MORE RAM!!!! END RANT] :rolling: