some (more) n00b questions about my Axim

chewedtoothpick · 09-22-03, 04:20 AM

Hey all-

Okay, I am learning fast here, but I still have a lot to know. I have like 3 or 4 questions this time and would GREATLY appreciate any help even if it is just telling me to buzz off and leave you all alone (yes, that is my pathetic attempt at humor.)

First: How can I tell what version of Pocket Winblows I am using? I see everything saying P-Win 2k2 and 2k3 etc, but how do I know what I have? If it helps, I have the base Axim with the latest ROM update they posted in the downloads for my service number.

Second: Are there any good windows or linux clone "today" screens? I truly loathe the current one and would like a standard desktop with shortcuts et all. I looked at something called Vindows, but was not too sure about it - anyone have any success with it or what can you tell me or reccommend?

Third: I tried to put a recorded TV show (Angry beavers, it was decent quality in the order of 58mb and the sound played perfect but the video was choppy as heck (I got maybe 1 frame every other second.) What can I do? I tried to force the damn memory manager to allocate more mem to the softRAM, but it kept changing it to storage-centric (Which doesn't work with me as I bought a 1gig CF card for my storage and everything I have put on here so far is on that as opposed to the crappy, useless and grosly under-sized 32mb.) I was using the built in media player, but I couldn't try it on PocketMVP to see if that is the problem. What do I do? What DO I do???

Fourth: This relates to my second question; but is there any util out there that can simulate the minimize and close buttons rather then having to use the damn task manager to close, rather then minimize a program? This is somewhat an annoyance that I can live with but I would prefer not to.

That is really all I have for this particular second... I will keep posing any new questions I have here, but I still have a lot. At least I am learning fast!

Thanks for your help

chewedtoothpick · 09-22-03, 04:23 AM

Oh... when I go to the about on my pocket PC, it says this:

Microsoft(R) Pocket PC
Version 3.0.11171 (Build 11178)
(c) 1996-2001 blah blah blah
blah blah

This computer blah blah blah
more blah

processor blah (pxa250? Is that the Xscale 300 or was I boned?)
all the other blah blah blah

Howard2k · 09-22-03, 06:06 AM

1. What is hte ROM version? A01-A03 = PPC2002. A04-A05 = WM2003.

2. No idea, sorry/

3. You may need to reencode it to a lower resolution and bitrate. Go to the multimedia forum and you'll find a huge amont of info.

4. There is the Dell Switcher app that will allow you to really close applications. Is that what you mean?

JeffLewis · 09-22-03, 06:39 AM

My first question would be: why are you using a PocketPC? Clearly, you don't like it, you don't like Microsoft or Windows - and to be honest, your attitude is going to get in the way of your enjoyment. Maybe you'd be happier with a Sharp Zaurus?

However, if you really want to slog through this:

1) Click on the main menu (the Windows icon on the upper left of most screens), select 'Settings', select the 'System' tab, click on 'System Information' (you may have to scroll to the bottom of the list). Look on the list for ROM Version. If you have A00 to A03, you have PocketPC 2002, if you have A04 or A05, you have Windows Mobile 2003.

Given that the build you have is a 3.xx.xx version, you more than likely have PocketPC 2002.

2) The Dell comes with a Palm-like desktop called Home. You can activate it by pressing the "Home" icon button (right most). There are other desktop replacements, but it's a matter of personal choice. Check www.freewareppc.com or www.tucows.com for some examples.

3) You need to encode your video at no more than 250kbps. If you download a copy of the Windows Media Encoder for free (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...r/default.aspx) and use it to recode your video.

Some hints: if you use the default settings for PocketPC, you'll get a video optimised to be used in the player with the skin which wastes a lot of screen. I usually delete the 250kbps default and add a 155kbps setting with 320x240x15fps and check WMP7.1 compatibility, two pass turned off. That gives me a fairly good video that plays smoothly and is small enough to put a lot of video on each CF card. Of course, you can tinker until you find a setting you like.

When watching, it's best to only have the WMPlayer running if you can, but you should get good playback with other apps if they're not CPU intensive.

4) In the Settings panel I mention in question 1, there's another app there called Switcher Bar. This adds another icon (and a battery gauge) to the top of your screen. It lets you switch and close one or all applictions fairly easily.

If you want it to always run, launch File Explorer, navigate to My Device/Windows/Shortcut/System and click and hold on Switcher Bar until the popup menu comes up and select copy. Then navigate to My Device/Windows/Startup and click and hold in the empty space until the popup appears and select Paste Shortcut.

Hope this helps.

chewedtoothpick · 09-22-03, 03:36 PM

Quote:

My first question would be: why are you using a PocketPC? Clearly, you don't like it, you don't like Microsoft or Windows - and to be honest, your attitude is going to get in the way of your enjoyment. Maybe you'd be happier with a Sharp Zaurus?

Well, to be honest I don't have that huge a problem with Winblows, My bone is more with microshaft. That being said, it isn't really going to hinder my experience very much at all. I use Winblows as my main OS on my gaiming system. I am just a true Linuxhead who has many very big problems with MS and Windows. Also, I got this Axim because it really was the only PDA that well met my needs, and I could amazingly afford it. Also, I bought it second-hand and especially because of college could not in any way afford a new one without putting off a car payment or somehting bad like that.

Now... back on topic.

I will try the suggestion about dripping my bitrate. I am one of those "quality is preferred over size" types so that is almost definately going to be my problem.

I guess I will just use the Home Screen but I was more looking for something like Vindows (http://www.ppc4you.com/show.cgi?softid=8218) that mimicks windows (again - I like windows but don't like how insecure it is etc...) Is there anything like that which is nice and reliable etc, or should I just use the Home Screen?

As far as closing, I use the switcher app already and already have it starting up (One good thing about it being Pocket Windows is that I already know Windows more thoroughly then most "Ubertechnicians" so that helps me.) I was just hoping to avoid that extra step because in my forgetfulness I often remember to look up after I have about 5-10 programs running. I just wanted to simplify it one more notch if possible.

Sorry if I came across a prude or an jerk-hole. I try not to be, and to be honest I get _REALLY_ frustrated really easily by the end of the day which is the only time I have to make my posts. So please understand that I am not trying to unload on this forum or anything; I am merely extremely stressed, tired and frustrated. I will try to tone it down even more so that you all don't start to hate me, but please understand where I am coming from.

Thanks for you time, and as always it has definately helped!

You are all awesome! :approve: :cheers: :nw:

chewedtoothpick · 09-22-03, 03:41 PM

Oh... Also-

I downloaded and tried to install the PPC AOE last night but did it using the .cab (my serial cradle is too slow for my impatience and I have a USB cable on it's way.) But it never gave me an option to install from the cab on my SD to my 1gb CF or back on the SD... Is there any way that I can set my PPC to mount my CF to the "Program Files" folder or set it to auto-install everything to the CF? And also- are the USB cables (Not the cradle directly from dell, the cable that I bought of one of the links here) fast as they should be or need I buy a reader for my CF in addition to my SD for fast file transfer? Should I just stick to my SD as a sort of CD and buy a larger one for transfering things like video etc?

ikehiker · 09-22-03, 05:59 PM

For closing programs, many of us use IcBar or WisBar. They both have options to make the X truly close the program. There are some others that do it as well but i thing these are the most popular.

For installing cabs in a location different from the default, download and install CabInstl. I'm not sure if it's in the download section but, if not, do a search. I discovered it through a post here and someone gave the link for the download.