ChristineC

I'm thinking of buying some SD Cards to store Games and other software and data [Excel + Word files] to save using up the onboard storage however I have some questions about this that I hope the wise sages here can answer:

1. How do I transfer data from the Axim to the SD card?

2. How can I tell how much space I have left on the SD card so that I know how much I can transfer?

3. Where can I get the file size info prior to transfer?

4. How do I remove the data from my Axim after the transfer?

5. How can I 'clean up' my Axim i.e. delete redundant files/data and remove compress clustters, etc. afterwards?

6. Is it safe to leave the SD card in the Axim or better to remove it when not in use?

7. Can I do a backup to a SD card?

8. Anyone used PQI cards or Ebuyer?

Sorry for the barrage of questions.
Any advice, tips and info appreciated.
Thanks Guys :love:

smeg36

1. It depend upon the type of info. If it is something you just put on the Axim, like a document, then you can just use File Explorer and Cut and Paste the file from the original location to the SD card. If it was a program that you loaded, then you would have to remove it, and reload it again, saving it to your SD card.

2. Go to start menu, settings, system, memory, storage card, then use the drop down menu to find your SD card.

3. Most programs will tell you how much space they require.

4. To remove programs, you go to start menu, settings, system, remove programs. That will give you a list of programs on the Axim to remove.

5. To delete a file, you tap and hold on the item in File Explorer, then wait for the menu to appear. Then you can select delete.

6. I would leave it in the Axim. I had a Sandisk (some people had problems with them) and I never had a problem when leaving it in the Axim.

7. You can do a backup to the SD card by going to the backup program, and selecting backup to: then choose the SD card in the drop down menu.

wannahave

Well for almost al your questions is one awnser, A File explorer.

You can transfer via your synch cradle/cable or a card reader.

You can almost do anything you want with a good file explorer, i recomment resco.

I really dont know you mean with your last question.

Hope this helps a little bit, but check out the tutorials on this and different sites.

With kind regards,

Wannahave

ikehiker

The other guys explained data, so here is the answer for moving programs. Basically, you cannot ‘move’ programs, you need to remove and then reinstall. The easiest way is in ActiveSync on the PC. Open Tools, Add/Remove Programs and uncheck the programs you want to remove and click OK. Then reopen Add/Remove Programs, uncheck the box “Install program into the default…” and check the box for the programs. Click on OK and when it asks if you want to install to the default location, say no and select sd card from the dropdown list. Note, this ‘reinstallation’ needs to be done one program at a time.

Also, another option for moving data is with Explorer from ActiveSync on the PC. I find it easier to work with a mouse to cut and paste or drag files than using a stylus directly on the Axim.

Quote:

8. Anyone used PQI cards or Ebuyer?

Not me, but the general feeling is most cards other than Sandisk are fine.

__________________
-Ike-

ikehiker

One more thing. Before moving data files onto a new memory card, you should create a folder on the card called My Documents. Storing data there will show up when you open programs such as word or excel on the PPC.

ChristineC

Thanks for all the help! You guys really are STARS! :D

I was musing overnight about this and wondered IF it was possible to do a FULL backup to my PC and then select bits to transfer to the SD card?

Regarding doing a full backup to to the SD card I wonder what size card I would need? I suppose it depends on how much stuff I have stored on the Axim - eh?

Looking at my MAIN Memory on th Axim right now I have:
Total main memory = 63.54 mb
storage:
allocated: 31.80mb
in use 21.45 mb
free 10.35 mb

programs:
allocated: 31.74 mb
in use: 7.82 mb
free 23.92 mb

looked at Storage Card - expected to see none in use! however it says:
Memory
Total storage card memory: 21.24 mb
In use: 14.86 mb
free: 6.38 mb

Now I AM confused! don't know what to do for the best
I've downloaded some software - okay mainly games like scrabble, lexicon, king sol, etc. that I've bought and don't want to lose the lot in the event of having to do a hard reset like if/when I upgrade from the A00 to A03 as has been suggested in another Thread. :exc: I luv my dear Axim and want to do whats best for him - he's call Max (maximum fun )

ikehiker

My opinion, for what it's worth - a 128MB card is the minimum you should get. If you plan on putting a lot of music on the card, 256 would be better.

On my Axim, the backup from the Dell utility typically is around 25-30MB. This does not include the data/programs that are on the card. These are not backed up by this utility (I'm pretty sure the ActiveSync backup also does not back up the card). The registry is backed up, however, so the links to the programs are incuded. I periodically copy the entire sd card to a folder on my PC, especially before doing things like the ROM upgrades.

commoved

If you've added and removed a lot of programs, and you are about to add and remove some more (to move them to SD), you should consider that you have probably built up a lot of junk. The easiest way to clear up junk is to make copies of your data files on your PC, then hard reset and re-install the apps you want, placing them where you want them to be. It doesn't take as long as you think, as most aps are already on your PC, and will quickly install to your Ax.

If you don't have the A03 ROM upgrade, this might be an excellent time to go ahead and update that also, as the ROM upgrade requires a hard reset.

In a couple of hours, you'll have everything fresh. You might be surprised to see a snapier Ax as a result.

Just a thought ....

__________________
The world may not be perfect yet, but the Axim is (almost).

ChristineC

Thats EXACTLY what I was thinking of doing commover! I thought I would move my favourites across to the SD card then get the A03 Rom upgrade - I think that performs a hard reset as part of the process and then I'd have a 'clean' Axim without the clutter!
Naturally I'd do a full backup to my PC first of course - just in case!

Incidentally I've just ordered a PQI 128mb SD card from EBuyer and the delivery is scheduled for Thursday 22nd May 2003. It costs £26.35 + 1.99 p & p + 4.97 v.a.t. = £33.31 in all. I don't know if that is a great deal by USA standards but here in the UK it seems quite good. I'll let you all know if it arrives on time, and of course, if I have any problems with it!

Thanks again for your help. :love:

davrol

Resco File Explorer 2003 will answer almost all your questions and let you do everything that you want to do.

It is far superior and much easier to use than the Pocket PC 2003 File explorer.

The Resco has Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete functions allowing you easily to move programme (yes I am a Brit too), or data files from RAM to Built-in storage, CF Card. SD card or wherever you want. There is no need to remove and re-install. It will also tell you the file sizes.

Settings/System/Memory will tell you the memory available, used and free in the Main memory or either stooreage card.

Hope this helps.

Davrol.

ikehiker

Quote:

Originally posted by davrol ...move programme ...

Are you sure it will let you move programme (I'm not a Brit, but when in London, etc.)? Their web page does not make that claim. I mean, I know you can move them, but many programs install references to themselves in the registry. Does moving a program in Resco automatically update the registry? If not, then many will not function properly.

davrol

Yes, I have successfully moved programmes and whole folders from place to place without any trouble. I am not sure exactly goes on in the registry, but if an out of date shareware programme is moved, it still shows up as being out of date and I think this is done by a registry entry.

When a programme is moved the short cut icon will no longer point to the correct location, but this is quite easily put right. Look for the shortcut in Windows/Start/Programs, tap and hold on the .lnk file a delete it using the Resco pop up menu. Then go back to the new location of the programme and tap and hold the .exe file. Select "Send To >" from the Resco pop up menu and then select "Start Menu as Shortcut". A new shortcut (.lnk) file will now appear in the start menu folder (and also in the Start Menu itself). This is probably not where you want it, so use "Cut" and "Paste" to move it to the Programs folder below the Start Menu folder. I have created two new sub-folders under Start Menu called Games and Utilities with uses which are self explanatory. This reduces the otherwise large number of icons in the Programs window and makes the various applications easier to find.

The shortcut links can also be re-named using Resco if desired. For example I have renamed a US Checkers programme link to its UK name of Draughts. The programme file itself is not re-namned.

All this is much easier to do than it is to explain how to do it!

defii

I've been following the info about how to save (or transfer) data to the SD card. I would imagine the sames holds true for the CF, correct? A couple questions, if I may:

1. Have you found dealing with one (the CF or SD) easier than the other?

2. On several posts, there is talk of A03 - what is that upgrade and should I do it on my new Axim (coming in today) before installing other applications? Where can I get this upgrade?

Thanks.

ikehiker

Davrol: Thanks for the info. I’m going to try moving a program with the file manager I use (Advanced Explorer) to see if it also works. I thought I’d tried this back when I first got the Axim (using the file explorer that comes with PPC) but I may have just assumed it would not work (based on experiences with Windows on the PC where just moving a program nearly always wrecks its use) or maybe Resco has designed theirs to fit the registry links. Of course, IMO, removing and reinstalling the program via ActiveSync on the PC really doesn’t take much more effort than moving it via ActiveSync and then finding and fixing the shortcuts.

Defii: Yes, the two card types work essentially the same as far as the Axim’s software is concerned. I’ve read posts that suggest the interface is faster on the CF card which may come into play if you plan to watch videos but even there plenty of people have said they use the sd cards without a problem. The three main issues that are involved in selecting one type over the other are:
1) CF cards are less expensive and are available in larger sizes
2) The CF slot is useful for auxiliary equipment (modems, network cards, GPS, etc) so using an sd card for memory keeps the CF free for these.
3) Some sd cards (especially 128 and 256MB made by Sandisk) have a high failure rate in the Axim.

A03 is the latest version of the operating system supplied by Dell. I generally think it’s a good idea to do the upgrade before you start adding programs but it’s a really personal decision. Some people feel intimidated by the process since, if it fails, the Axim may be ‘dead’ and you’d need to ship it back to Dell for a replacement. Here is a thread that has a lot of discussion about it and another in which I and a couple of other people discuss it with some other newbies. The file can be obtained from Dell’s support site or look on the third page of the first thread I linked to. Cageyjames has a direct link to the Dell ftp site.

defii

Quote:

Originally posted by ikehiker Davrol: Thanks for the info. I’m going to try moving a program with the file manager I use (Advanced Explorer) to see if it also works. I thought I’d tried this back when I first got the Axim (using the file explorer that comes with PPC) but I may have just assumed it would not work (based on experiences with Windows on the PC where just moving a program nearly always wrecks its use) or maybe Resco has designed theirs to fit the registry links. Of course, IMO, removing and reinstalling the program via ActiveSync on the PC really doesn’t take much more effort than moving it via ActiveSync and then finding and fixing the shortcuts. Defii: Yes, the two card types work essentially the same as far as the Axim’s software is concerned. I’ve read posts that suggest the interface is faster on the CF card which may come into play if you plan to watch videos but even there plenty of people have said they use the sd cards without a problem. The three main issues that are involved in selecting one type over the other are: 1) CF cards are less expensive and are available in larger sizes 2) The CF slot is useful for auxiliary equipment (modems, network cards, GPS, etc) so using an sd card for memory keeps the CF free for these. 3) Some sd cards (especially 128 and 256MB made by Sandisk) have a high failure rate in the Axim. A03 is the latest version of the operating system supplied by Dell. I generally think it’s a good idea to do the upgrade before you start adding programs but it’s a really personal decision. Some people feel intimidated by the process since, if it fails, the Axim may be ‘dead’ and you’d need to ship it back to Dell for a replacement. Here is a thread that has a lot of discussion about it and another in which I and a couple of other people discuss it with some other newbies. The file can be obtained from Dell’s support site or look on the third page of the first thread I linked to. Cageyjames has a direct link to the Dell ftp site.

OK... I just received my Axim today, I haven't installed anything yet. It was shipped from Dell on May 15. Wouldn't this item already come with the updated ROM?