Revert to WM 2003?

82Tank · 09-03-09, 01:20 AM

I just purchased a X50v on eBay. It has ROM version A09 and Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic on it. I have the following questions:

How do I get it to Sync to my computer? I already have ActiveSync Version 3.8.0 (Build 5004) on my computer (I have an X5). When I plugged in the USB cord Windows couldn't find a driver for the X50v.

Now for the strange part. I want to revert Windows Mobile to WM 2003. I am a LabVIEW programmer. I have a tool kit that allows me to write programs for the X50v in LabVIEW. However, I think it is only compatible with WM 2003. I have an original 'DELL AXIM X50, WINDOWS MOBILE 2003 SECOND EDITION, COMPANION CD' from an earlier project which includes MS Outlook 2002 and ActiveSync 3.7.1. It also has

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Roy

johnhu_2005 · 09-03-09, 05:35 AM

There is an downgrade utility somewhere on Dell.com or in my possession. I will find it when I get home today.

Thank you for your patience.

spunker88 · 09-03-09, 10:04 AM

According to their website, it looks like LABview is now wm5 and wm6 compatible, if this is the program your talking about
Performing Handheld Measurements using LabVIEW Mobile and NI USB Data Acquisition Devices - Developer Zone - National Instruments
There is also a screenshot here with a wm5+ os:
What Is the LabVIEW Mobile Module? - Products and Services - National Instruments

But maybe you own an old version and dont want to get an upgrade. Thats totally understandable, plus the x50s are a bit faster on 2003se.

Morphy · 09-04-09, 08:33 PM

WM 2003 SE is the best for the X50V. IMHO.

johnhu_2005 · 09-04-09, 09:55 PM

Here you go.

82Tank · 09-06-09, 12:35 AM

spunker88,

Thanks for looking that up. Unfortunately, in order to get WM 5 or WM 6 compatability I would have to upgrade to the new tool kit ($1300).

82Tank · 09-07-09, 01:33 AM

My apologies to the forum. I took the conversation with John_hu to a PM as I wasn't sure he was monitoring this thread. At his suggestion I will return the discussion here in case it will help someone else. Below is a transcript of our conversations to date:

My PM to Johnhu_2005 09-05-2009 10:26 PM

Thanks for the link. However, it says the utility will only work to downgrade WM 5. Mine came with WM 6.1 Classic. Will it still work? I REALLY don't want to 'brick' the AXIM. I've had an X5 for years. As part of a project at work I was able to play with an X50v and have wanted one ever since. I can just now afford the X50v.

Thanks.

Roy
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Reply from Johnhu_2005 09-05-2009 10:56 PM

My motto is "if you can access the bootloader, it is not a bricked device".

What the downgrade utility does is that it just reflashes the bootloader then the WM2003SE ROM. WM5 is equivalent to WM6 in terms of upgrading/downgrading.

The Dell EXE has an automatic check on your device. If your device does not meet its specifications, it will not let you downgrade. If that happens, contact me again.

In short, you should be fine.

~John

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My reply to Johhu_2005 09-05-2009 11:16 pm

Thanks for the advice. Now, in the spirit of 'no good turn goes unpunished' ;-) How do I use the utility. I am totally new to the AXIM (well not totally, but I haven't touched an X50 in several years).

Right now my computer does not even recognize that it exists. It 'sees' a new device but has no driver. I have an original 'DELL AXIM X50, WINDOWS MOBILE 2003 SECOND EDITION, COMPANION CD' from the AXIM I briefly played with for a project at work several years ago, if that will help.

Roy
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Reply from Johnhu_2005 09-06-2009 7:01 am

What you need is either Activesync (for Windows XP or 2000) or Windows Mobile Device Center (for Windows Vista or Windows 7).

I suggest we continue posting onto your thread. It allows other forum members to participate and share their ideas in case I am absent or stumped.

Also, I am on only the resident expert on flashing ROMs. There are other members that can help you with problems

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I will now continue the discussion here.

Roy

82Tank · 09-07-09, 01:41 AM

john-hu,

I have ActiveSync version 3.8.0 (build 5004) on my computer now. It does not 'see' my device. I suspect it may be because the device has WM 6.1 on it. Will the 'downgrade' utility find the device anyway?

I suspect I will have to upgrade ActiveSync to version 4.0 first. Is this correct? If so, will I then have to downgrade ActiveSyn after I downgrade WM?

Thanks.

Roy

Julie · 09-07-09, 02:27 AM

You need to upgrade to ActiveSync 4.5 before your computer will recognize any WM6.1 device. ActiveSync 4.5 will work with the device even after you downgrade the operating system. You can download AS 4.5 from Microsoft's website.

Zaniax · 09-07-09, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Johnhu_2005

I suggest we continue posting onto your thread. It allows other forum members to participate and share their ideas in case I am absent or stumped.

:approve:

Zaniax ©

82Tank · 09-08-09, 01:14 AM

Julie,

Thanks, again, for the link. Am up and running, connected and syncing.

Roy

82Tank · 09-08-09, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by johnhu_2005

Here you go.

johnhu_2005,

Downloaded the file and its instructions. Tried to follow the following instructions for installation with (almost) disastrous results. Here are the instructions from the link and the sequence of events:

'Install

1.Double-click the new icon on the desktop labeled R115117.EXE.
2.The Self-Extracting window appears and prompts you to extract or
unzip to C:\DELL\DRIVERS\R115117. Write down this path so the executable (I.e.
Setup.exe) file can be found later.
3.The Self-Extractor window appears.
4.Click OK.
5.After completing the file extraction, if the Self-Extractor
window is still open, close it.
6.Click the Start button and then click Run.
7.Type C:\DELL\DRIVERS\R115117 in the Open textbox and then click OK.
8.Follow the on-screen installation instructions.'

However, step 2 acts differently. Instead of the Self-Extracting window a splash screen appears (see R115117-1.jpg) which then allows you to extract the files to the directory mentioned.
The files extract (Steps 3, 4, and 5 do not occur) and a new screen appears (see R115117-2.jpg). It is not necessary to perform Steps 6 or 7, clicking Reinstall ROM apparently takes you to step 8.

So, everything is seemingly trucking along fine until I get to where it tells me to perform a Hard Boot (says this will delete all of my data). I try to do this while the AXIM is still in the cradle, thinking that it will somehow hurt the process if it is disconnected. Hard boot apparently didn't work as all my data was still there. Figured the hard boot needed to be performed with AXIM out of cradle, so I did that, with success (data deleted). Returned AXIM to cradle. Reinstall program proceeded for about 30 seconds when PC went to BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH.

Luckily, new hard boot of AXIM brought WM 6.1 back and I was able to establish a new partnership. So, everything is basically back where I started.

Ideas?

Roy

Mako230 · 09-08-09, 12:09 PM

How to downgrade a Dell Axim X50v the hard way

johnhu_2005 · 09-08-09, 03:03 PM

My suggestion is to try to figure out the problem with the software way first. The nb0/crc is much less pleasant.

It's interesting how your PC went into BSOD while having to do something with the Axim. Did you get the error that the BSOD occurred on? (If it is an IRQL Not less or equal error, then the driver probably went corrupt.) Or even better, if you can supply me with the memory or kernal dump, I can analyze it for you.

And why did you reflash WM6 if your PC crashed. I'm confused...

82Tank · 09-08-09, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by johnhu_2005

My suggestion is to try to figure out the problem with the software way first. The nb0/crc is much less pleasant.

It's interesting how your PC went into BSOD while having to do something with the Axim. Did you get the error that the BSOD occurred on? (If it is an IRQL Not less or equal error, then the driver probably went corrupt.) Or even better, if you can supply me with the memory or kernal dump, I can analyze it for you.

And why did you reflash WM6 if your PC crashed. I'm confused...

Didn't reflash WM6. It was still there after the PC crashed. All it took was a hard boot of the AXIM to recover. Re-established the connection with ActiveSync and recovered all of the data.

I have been afraid to retry the 'software way' of reverting since the crash. I was concerned that if the PC crashed in mid-flash it would 'brick' the AXIM. Should I try again with same procedure?

Roy