Installing Software

12-22-02, 11:28 PM

I am so glad this board was brought back - I posted this question on the Dell technical website but can't get an answer.

I purchased a software program (Word Gaes To Go) for my Axim. The package said that it was for Palm and Pocket PC's. There is a CD in the box and I ran the setup. However, there were 3 options fo Pocket PC, one for Casio, one for Compaq and one for HP. I've tried all 3 and neither would work. After I ran the setup and it asked where to install, I chose the PocketPC My Documents folder, then I did a synch, bu I do not find the program on the Axim.

Is it possible that this software isn't compatible with the Axim, or should any PocketPC software work with the Axim?

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

BowlinMama

JakeRich · 12-23-02, 08:48 AM

Well, I think the Ipaq should have worked. You might try File Explorer and look for the program, or you could use Activesync Explore function and look for it that way. You might also try looking at Remove Programs to make sure it shows as having been installed. They also might be in the Games folder instead of My Documents. I've seen some pretty strange installation locations on PPCs.

vdubjim · 12-23-02, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BowlinMama@Dec 22 2002, 10:28 PM
After I ran the setup and it asked where to install, I chose the PocketPC My Documents folder, then I did a synch, bu I do not find the program on the Axim.

This doesnt sound correct to me.........

the way ive always installed software and it always works is sync first.
THEN run the software.
it will run, may or maynot install crap on your computer then the little grey box pops up and reads your axim. THEN asks do you want the software in the default directory. choose no.
pick the built in storage or your cards you might have installed.

Talador · 12-23-02, 08:59 AM

Please remember though, software installs can be different from company to company. Some install programs you run, it asks you for a folder on your PC to install the program, then executes and tells you to check you PocketPC to see if there is anything else to be done. You'll notice your PocketPC installing stuff and you are okay.
Other installs just dump the program onto your PC, and you have to go into ActiveSync and look in the Add/Remove program menu. You'll see the program you just installed is not checked, and once you select it, it installs.
Other programs you have to maunually copy and paste onto your PocketPC. Just my 2 cents....

--Talador

12-23-02, 09:45 AM

Thanks all for your replies/suggestions. This particular software wants to install to a particular folder, that's why I installed it in the Pocket PC My Documents folder. After it installs, then it instructs you to synch, which I try to do but the Axim doesn't indicate anything is being loaded and when I check the Explorer, the game is not there anywhere. I went to the Add/Remove on the Axim to see if I could add it there, but the game doesn't appear there either. It doesn't seem like it is getting transferred when I synch.

Talador - when you say that I might have to manually copy and paste - were would I paste it to? I thought anything you wanted on your Axim would be put into the Pocket PC My Documents folder and then when you synch, it copies over to the Axim, doesn't it?

Sorry for all the questions but I've never owned a PDA before. I was successful in getting music files loaded onto a CF card and can play them and I've also downloaded a couple of books and copied them over to the Axim so I thought I had things sort of figured out but now I can't get this software to work. Is it possible that the software just can't work on the Axim?

Appreciate everyone's help.

BowlinMama

JakeRich · 12-23-02, 10:30 AM

BowlinMama, don't give up.

The way Micro$oft designed the interface there is a program to run on the desktop that is found on the CDROM. That program installs the files for the installation program for the PPC on the desktop. When that CDROM program runs, you get a choice of where on the Desktop to install the installation software. Then, after that install, it triggers activesync automatically to install the program to the Axim itself. At that point you get a choice of where to install on the Axim, but usually it's only to one of the Storage locations, not a folder.

So, here's what I think you need to do. Run Add/Remove programs on the desktop and remove the "Word Games To Go" from the desktop. Reinstall from the CDROM, with the Axim in the cradle. Let it default to wherever on the Desktop it wants to put the installation software. Then you can choose which type of storage on the Axim you want to use. Now that you know the sequence, follow along to see if what I have said is what is happening.

Just to confuse matters, some software companies bypass the M$ interface and directly install to the Axim. From your description, I doubt that is what is happening here. But, try again and follow along with the steps and report back here. We'll figure it out!

Talador · 12-23-02, 10:34 AM

Ok, if the install program in asking you to install to a specific program, and then sync, I'm wondering if you need to install it onto you PC (not the axim). It kinda weird to install something directly to the Axim, and then sync back (normally its the other way around). And usually anything through ActiveSync is placed in the Add/Remove menu.
(It terms of maunal installations, you usully have to create files within the program files directory, make start menu shortcutsm etc. It gets messy, but probably can't be done easily with this software). If you want more help, post the URL to the company where you bought the program, or possibly post the usermanual.

--Talador

12-23-02, 10:41 AM

Thanks - I'm at work right now and not allowed to connect my PDA to my desktop here (work for the gov't and the PDA is my own person one) but I get off in an hour and will try some of these suggestions. We leave for Vegas Christmas morning and wanted this game to play on the airplane so I'm hoping I can get it all figured out before Wed morning. Thanks again for everyone's help.

BowlinMama

12-23-02, 12:46 PM

You guys are great!!!! I finally got the software to load properly. When I installed the software, I installed it to my PC Pocket My Documents folder and thought it would synch from there, but it wouldn't. So I copied the files (there are actually four different games on the CD) over to "My device" and then did the synch. That worked perfectly. The only other problem I encountered was that I had to select the Pocket PC - Compaq version (I tried the Casio one first and after it synched properly, when I clicked on the game on my Axim, I got an error message that it wasn't the correct version or something like that). So then I tried the Compaq version and everything worked great. Thanks again for everyone's help. I am so enjoying this new toy.

Merry Christmas to You All

BowlinMama

Captain Hook · 07-16-06, 06:35 PM

Nice to see you got this working.

.S. do I win the necromancer award for next year??????

07-16-06, 06:44 PM

Aw, your just trying to win the prize for raising the dead.