Installing to "default location"

Gigi · 03-07-03, 10:11 PM

Each time I install software for my Axim, I am asked if I would like to install to the "default location". Where exactly is this and is it a good idea to install programs here? If not, where should programs be installed?

Thanks,

Gigi

JakeRich · 03-07-03, 10:35 PM

Default location is the RAM called "Storage" on the Start>Settings>System>Memory screen. It's the 64 or 32 meg RAM that Dell advertises with the machines. Most software is designed to be installed there, but also most will run if installed on SD or CF cards just fine. The one difference is that the load time (Copy from Storage/SD/CF to the "Program" portion of RAM) will be a little slower from SD and CF. Not much, not noticeable, but I just want you to know it's there.

It's a good idea to try to avoid using RAM for storage as much as possible so that the Program portion can take whatever it needs. If you start to run out of RAM the Ax will slow down and eventually stop.

So, for me, I always say no to the default and choose my SD card.

WindWalker · 03-07-03, 10:44 PM

One more note.....there are a handful of applications that do not like to be installed on SD or CF. For instance, Pocket Informant suggests you NOT install to SD because of the few seconds delay in card initialization when it first powers up. The latest app I have seen that isn't a fan of non-default location installation is the Adobe Acrobat Reader 1.0. The installation failed repeatedly after it tried to install fonts to the wrong place.

But all in all, most apps will function perfectly from the storage cards.

Gigi · 03-08-03, 08:01 AM

Thanks JakeRich and WindWalker for your explanations. Now that I have installed some applications in the default location, ("Storage"), is there an easy way to move them to the SD card? Do I just uninstall then reinstall into the new location? Should I even bother?

In general, should I always install to SD/CF except for those applications which don't allow it? Or are there certain TYPES of applications that are better in the default location?

Thanks,

Gigi

JakeRich · 03-08-03, 06:02 PM

As I said, I try to put all my programs on the SD card. Some ignore that and put stuff in the main memory. I only have a couple of things that I chose to put in main memory: Dashboard, a Today screen add-in, PocketHackMaster, ICBAR and some small utilities. The rest I dump to SD.

Unless you have something peculiar installed, I'd uninstall and reinstall the programs to the SD Card.

WindWalker · 03-09-03, 10:00 AM

Concurring with Jake....most apps should run fine from the SD card. The best way to do it is to uninstall then reinstall the app. A typical way of using the expansion cards is to only use CF for I/O functions (WiFi, modems, Bluetooth) and SD for storage (since there are no I/O SD products the Axim can use).