I need a memory tutorial

JELicht · 10-03-03, 11:59 AM

I need a basic memory tutorial for the Axim. Any references? I am sure this has been addressed at this site. The manual is not that helpful. I am not sure why I might want to back up files on the axim, what the storage memory is on the device vs. main memory etc.

Many thanks if someone could point me in the right direction. This web site has been incredibly helpful as I slowly master the axim.

xpsyco · 10-03-03, 12:39 PM

I copied this info from another post I dont remeber where

ROM is Read Only Memory and normally it's read only, you cannot write to it. There are utilities to write to it for upgrades like the one Dell is in the middle of sending out for MM2003, but it's best to think of it as Read Only. Dell did provide a way for us to use the part of ROM that isn't taken up by the operating system, an area they call Built-In Storage. On the 300, it's about 5 Meg, on the 400 it's about 22 Meg. It's fairly slow, but it survives both Hard and Soft resets.

RAM is the working memory. It's very fast. It is divided in two components, Storage and Program. Storage is just that. It's storage. In that portion you store data, programs not running, etc. Think of it as the hard drive of a PC. Program space is where the programs actually run. It's like the RAM on a PC. Programs come into Program space from wherever they are stored and execute in Program. The total of Program and Storage is either 32 Meg (300) or 64 Meg (400). Storage survives Soft resets, but is destroyed in Hard resets and you would need to reinstall everything that was there.

Removable is either an SD or CF card. You can treat Removable in the same way you do Storage - hold files, programs, data, etc. They load from there to Program to execute. Most programs will install to Removable just fine. To do that, when you are presented with the question about installing to the default location (which is Storage, by the way) say NO and the pick the SD Card or CF Card. Some software must go on the Axim in Storage, but most store just fine on the removables. One tip: Make sure all removable cards have a directory called My Documents. It speeds up the card tremendously because otherwise the card will be completely inventoried every time you soft reset the Ax. Resets don't affect any removable storage directly.

Hope that helps.

JELicht · 10-03-03, 02:13 PM

I haven't had time to really digest this material but after a quick review I already have better perspective on the different kinds of memory. That is really helpful. Thanks. It makes me wish I had gotten the 400mhz Axim for the extra space.

10-07-03, 12:23 AM

Don't worry about having the Basic. I have yet to see any applications (except for holding large maps) that the Basic won't handle. Almost everybody buys a memory card to install things on anyway so this is what you need to do.