Upgrade ROM or not upgrade ROM? That is the question.

OleOvergaard · 12-14-03, 09:50 AM

"If it ain't broken - don't fix it". So when do you actually upgrade your ROM?

Have anyone experienced problems with the ROM upgrades and patches from Dell's site? What happens if something (e.g. PC power loss) during ROM upgrade? Can you always do a hard reset and go back to the last working configuration or is you Axim ruined?

I guess I am basically asking what is the risk level associated with installing the ROM patches from Dells web-site.

Oh, and by the way, my PDA is an Axim X3i ROM Version A00(09100300EN)

ikehiker · 12-14-03, 10:37 AM

The answer to most of your questions is, it depends. With the X5, a few (and I believe it was very few) had the ROM upgrade fail and the Axim was DOA. Some others have had it fail at an early stage and they were just back to the old version. I've done 3 upgrades on my X5 with no problems whatsoever. IMO, the level of risk is pretty small (but not 0).

As for the X3, I do not believe there are any ROM upgrades - just patches. These do not overwrite the OS, they simply install a program on top of the existing program (not unlike installing any third part software). The level of risk for these is extremely small.

Fixed my spelling

GMGQ · 12-14-03, 01:39 PM

But this one says it's a "ROM update"?

X3i R70304.EXE Update

Quote:

Originally posted by ikehiker
The answer to most of your questions is, it depends. With the X5, a few (and I believe it was very few) had the ROM upgrade fail and the Axim was DOA. Some others have had it fail at an early stage and they were just back to the old version. I've done 3 upgrades on my X5 with no problems whatsoever. IMO, the level of risk is pretty small (but not 0).

As for the X3, I do not beleive there are any ROM upgrades - just patches. These do not overwrite the OS, they simply install a program on top of the existing program (not unlike installing any third part software). The level of risk for these is extremely small.

ikehiker · 12-14-03, 01:50 PM

Yes, it's an update (not an upgrade). It's also only 267KB which means it cannot possibly be a complete ROM upgrade. I'm pretty sure it is technically the same as a patch which, as I said above, would not remain after a hard reset.

Note added in edit: I just noticed that Dell also calls complete upgrades for the X5 "updates," but I still believe the ones released thus far for the X3 are simply patches.

rtalain · 12-14-03, 04:08 PM

Someone on this forum downloaded the "update" and claimed it slowed his system down, so he did a hard reset to get it back the way it was before the update. So the answer is yes, you can always go back.

I have downloaded the update with no problems (no noticeable improvement either though). Others have claimed improvements.

Your mileage will vary.

Ron

joelw135 · 12-14-03, 05:22 PM

I found a speed up not a slow down!

G35Guy · 12-14-03, 05:36 PM

I applied the 304 and 305 updates to my x3i. There is noticeable improvement in graphics speed, such scrolling web pages.