Moving programs from main memory to SD Card

Haxim · 12-21-03, 02:21 PM

I'm not sure that this is the right forum to post this question, but I didn't know where else to post it.

Whenever I install a program on my Axim, the prompt "Install using the default application install directory?" 'Below are the Yes, No and Cancel Buttons. I select "No" and then the next window opens up, letting you choose to "Save in..., either Main Memory, Built in Storage or SD Storage, in my case.

I'm wanting to install programs/utilities that I always want to have available in either Main Memory, or Built In Storage. Which is better?

Question 2 - I'm wanting to install all other programs that I don't consider important, such as games and stuff, on my SD card. Currently, I'm sure I've got some games and other non important stuff installed in main or built in storage, and I probably also have programs that I always want to have available installed on my SD card.

I've got 9.0 MB free memory showing on my X5 advanced, and I'm also using a 128 meg SD card. I would like to remove as much as I can from the main memory, and install it to my SD Card.

Question: How can I see what is installed in main memory? I know that if I go into Settings and Memory, I can open Add/Remove Programs, and that will show me everything that's installed. But, how can I tell what's installed where?

Thanks,

Haxim

MrKlaatu · 12-21-03, 03:08 PM

Pop-out your SD Card and see what it says, then.

Also, for those apps you want to "move" to your SD......don't try to just "move" them. You should UNinstall from Main Memory and then REinstall to your SD.

If you don't do this you can mess up your Registry Entries.

Read the links below in the "Similar Threads" Box.

12-21-03, 03:30 PM

You need a good File Explorer to find out what is where. The MS File Explorer is OK but Resco Explorer 2003 is much better.

There will probably be an evaluation copy on your Axim CD. Try it and, if you like it, buy it. As far as I am concerned, it is the one program I would least like to be without and I find it quite invaluable.

Despite what MrKlaatu says I have moved folders and program files all over the place, from main storage, SD cards, CF cards simply using cut and paste and I have never had the slightest problem - they have all worked perfectly from their new location. So long as my programs run correctly (and they do) I don't really care what goes on in the Registry and I leave it well alone.

MrKlaatu is quite right in theory but, in practice, it makes no difference.

If you are really concerned about the state of the Registry, a Russian program called "Remover" will (among many other thing) remove unnecessary and incorrect Registry entries.

nZo · 12-21-03, 04:50 PM

I have (re)moved both data and program files and folders to transfer them into different places (main<->built-in<->cf<->sd memories, and vice-versa) the way Davrol described (cut and paste) and haven't had encountered major problem. in some instances, i have to establish a minor tweaking of files and program association though.

to be on the safe side, you might want to take the long road of uninstalling and re-installing cycle especially if you can't put your finger as to what-and-what files, programs, folders go to and/or come from in the process.

ikehiker · 12-21-03, 05:12 PM

Resco apparently does some of the reassociations/registry changes necessary when you move programs. Trying it with other file explorers, especially the one that comes with WM03 likely will not work.

Haxim,
You can find out which programs are already installed on the sd by looking at it (and thus, what is not there is probably in Main Memory). Most programs that get installed on memory cards are placed in their own directory on the root level of the card. As for your Built-in storage, I install many of the drivers for things like the keyboard and network cards into it but you should probably avoid loading programs that do a lot of rewriting to the memory. The Built-in storage is 'leftover ROM' and is somewhat more limited in how many 'writes' can be done on it.

Haxim · 12-21-03, 09:39 PM

Thanks Ike, and everyone else.

I have been looking at my SD card, and I can see from what's in folders, I'm pretty sure I can figure out what's installed in Main Memory and built in storage.

I agree, I only want essential files loaded in main memory, and just key programs that I always want to have available in "built in storage". Everything else can go on the SD card.

Thanks again for your help.

Haxim

aviationwiz · 12-21-03, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Haxim
I'm wanting to install programs/utilities that I always want to have available in either Main Memory, or Built In Storage. Which is better?

Main Memory is your RAM, which gets wiped when the device looses power completely, and the Built In Storage is your ROM, which doesn't wipe when it looses power completely, or with a hard reset.

12-22-03, 11:32 AM

I have found remover very convenient is finding out what is installed to main memory versus my SD Card.

Remover

12-23-03, 07:47 AM

I should, perhaps, have mentioned in my earlier post that whilst Resco will successfully move program folders and files from place to place using cut and paste, the shortcut icon will still point to the old location.

Again, using Resco, it is a very simple matter to delete the old *.lnk shortcut and install a new one by tapping and holding the moved *.exe file, selecting "Send to" and then "Start Menu as a Shortcut". Using cut and paste again, move then new shortcut from Windows>Start Menu (which is porbably not where you want it) to Programs, Games or whatever.

Removing and reinstalling would, of course, remove all this (very minor) hassle and may be the easiest way after all !!!

Happy Christmas to you all !!

rta53 · 12-23-03, 08:50 AM

I too have been unsure about memory usage and how to move stuff around. I pretty much always install new programs onto my 256M SD card. I have been using Space Detective to see where files are located, however this program doesn't seem to allow you to cut and paste programs. Cut, Copy, and Paste are available but they are greyed out. Does anyone know if Space Detective can be used to move files?

runnr548 · 12-23-03, 05:00 PM

So far (yikes) I've done well using ActiveStink/explore, and going...click...drag.