This is a little helper for someone new to the area. I needed a lot of help when I started (still do) so I thought I might return some.
I have taken this info from different sources and threads on the Aximsite. I give credit to whoever is the true source of this info. I just collected it and tried to make sense of it for us Noobs. It is very confusing when you start entering the PDA world, so hopefully this will help.
Types of Memory
There are two types of memory involved here.
ROM (Read Only Memory) and
RAM (Random Access Memory) The Axim50v has 128 Meg of ROM and 64 Meg of RAM. The Axim30 Hi has 64 and 64 respectively. Other Axims have variable amounts, but the principles are the same.
(a third type of memory is the "removeable media", like a CF
Card, or an SD
card, but they are self explanatory)
On the Axim X50v the Windows Operating System (OS) is installed on the 128 Megs of ROM. What is left over from the 128MB is called
Built in Storage (BIS) - currently about 90MB (meaning Windows uses approximately 38MB of ROM) Imagine your BIS as a small hard disk or non-removable CF/SD
card. Built-in Storage is permanent storage, and is not deleted, even during a “hard reset", when your Axim loses all power.
"Main Memory" is the 64 Meg of RAM that all
programs use to enable them to run. Having no free Main Memory is bad, and your Axim will run sluggish and slowly. Having lots of free Main Memory is good, as it allows more room for
programs to run smoothly and properly. In addition, as long as there is always power available to keep the contents of RAM alive, the Pocket PC will treat this 64 Meg of RAM as a virtual hard drive and you can use it for storage as well.
But remember… this RAM is temporary volatile storage. This is why there is a backup battery, which will last approximately 30 minutes, to keep your Axim alive in case your main battery goes dead, or you swap out the main battery. This means that a flat battery clears it completely, equal to a hard reset.
So... if your battery goes dead, all the
programs you have installed, or saved, into your 64 Meg of Main Memory is gone. RAM will
not lose the
programs and info that has been stored on it during a “soft reset", which is what you have to do if your Axim locks up for some reason, and you push the reset button on the back.
For those who need a bit more free RAM, and want to adjust the "memory settings” in the memory setup, go to start > settings > system > memory. Leave your main memory slider roughly in the middle, or adjusted slightly to the left. Let the operating system handle and manage this. Even if you adjust the allocation between the two sides (storage or
programs) if you take it too far to one side you will notice that the Operating System will re-adjust it back to the middle anyway, so don't bother worrying about this too much, just use your best guess. Try to keep as much free Ram as possible, hopefully above 20 MB.
(see the thumbnail below for a screenshot of what I mean)
Upon installation, some
programs will say they *must* be installed into Main Memory (your 64 MB of RAM). This is because writeable ROM (your 128 MB of Built in Storage) is a recent occurrence, and before it came along, EVERYTHING had to go to RAM. This is why RAM is the default location when you are installing new applications. When you are installing
programs, when the installation program asks if you wish to
install the program into Main Memory, select "no". Then select the storage area you want to
install the program into. Remember, keep your RAM (Main Memory) free as much as possible. Put as many of your
programs as you can into either BIS (ROM) or the SD
card, and only put the today plug-ins (such as SPB Pocket Plus, Wisbar 2, Pocket Breeze, Contact Breeze, and iLauncher) into Main Memory. This allows the maximum room for
programs to run from the Main Memory (RAM). (Pocket Informant should go into BIS… thanks to DStutz for this info) From what I can understand, Main Memory is the fastest memory. The next fastest is the SD
card, and then the CF
card, with BIS bringing up the rear in speediness. But, all in all, they are all pretty quick anyway. So as long as you leave enough room in your Main Memory for
programs to run smoothly, you should have a pretty speedy system if you follow these steps.
As for how to decide which
programs are installed to your BIS or SD
card, a good rule of thumb is that all games, documents, videos, music, "data", etc. should go to the SD
card. All "essential"
programs (such as Sprite Backup, Resco File Explorer, Advanced Explorer, Beta Player, etc.) should go into BIS. In my opinion, most
programs should go onto the SD
card. This leaves the BIS (ROM) for the "essential"
programs, the Main Memory (RAM) for the operation and running of the PDA
programs, and the CF
card slot to plug in accessories, or to use as a music, media, or general file holder. Everyone is talking about the new, and large, micro-drives that fit into the CF slot. They hold an awesome amount of info for your PDA, but they do use more power than a normal CF
card, killing your limited battery life even quicker. They are also still a bit costly. It is a trade off with what you need and desire, and what is practical.
And remember:
Backup. Backup. Backup.
I use Sprite Backup Premium, and have set up regular scheduled backups on my SD
card, and also make sure the file is copied to my PC. MrKlaatu has a nice info thread telling how to set up the settings for Sprite Backup on your Axim. Use the Aximsite forum “search” feature to find this thread and follow its instructions. (this is good practice for you to learn how to use the search tool, as you will find most of your questions already answered somewhere on Aximsite, hehehe. You just have to find the info) Some say to put a copy into the BIS in case the SD
card loses data. I do this as well, for peace of mind if my Axim goes down. There is nothing more maddening than having a stable system, and having it all go to s**t when you
install something new that does not play nice with something else you have installed. And remember as well, always do a backup before moving or tampering with your files. It only takes a few seconds, and is sure worth the time.
When it comes to installing
programs in one area, and then deciding to move them to another area to tweak your Axim, the general consensus is that if you do not know a lot about how the system works, it is better to just un-install the program and them re-install it into the proper area. The
programs are small, and do not take very long to re-install anyway. This is not a big help when you have data you want to keep, though. In that case, you need to use a program like Advanced Explorer, Resco File Explorer, or similar
programs, to either move or “cut and paste” the files. You can also move files using the File Explorer on your PC when you are connected to it via Activesync, which is my preferred method. Hopefully the settings and registry entries will be updated when you try to move the files. If not, you can use a program like PHMRegEdit, or Advanced Explorer, to fix it up. But be VERY VERY VERY careful when you edit your registry, as down that path lies a bucket full of trouble if you do it wrong.
Only do this if you know what you are doing. YOU ARE WARNED!!!
The Axim does not easily release memory when you close a program. It seems there is always just a little bit of your RAM that is constantly being used up. One way to recover this RAM is to do a soft reset, using the reset button on the back. Another way is to use a program like MemMaid, by DinarSoft. This program scrubs your memory to release the RAM your system needs. It can also be used to clean out your Temporary files, your PIE temp files, and a whole lot more. As well, it can be used to move your DLL files from one area of your Axim to another. I have not tried to do this yet, but I understand it works well, and is quite handy. All in all, this is a very good program, and I rate MemMaid as my second most useful program, after Sprite Backup.
Another problem the Axim has is not closing
programs by using the "X" in the top right corner, on your navigation bar. You would think this works like a normal "windows" program, but think again. All it does is "minimize" the program, and it keeps on running in the background, robbing your Axim of valuable RAM. To properly close the program you can use "switcher bar" in your PDA Operating System (start > settings > system > switcher bar). This will appear in your navigation bar, and is used to close a program completely. Another program, which many others and I prefer, is a free program called Magic Button. This runs on your navigation Bar as well, but operates a little more smoothly, and with a few less problems than switcher bar. There are other
programs as well, and they all run about the same, and it is just a personal preference. Put these
programs in your start up menu, so they will start up automatically when your Axim fires up, and will sit on your navigation bar ready to use.
If you do not use the Switcher Bar, or Magic Button, or Memmaid, (or similar
programs) sooner or later your memory will all but disappear, and then you will need to do a "soft reset" to get all your memory back. (after you become very frustrated, of course) That is why I like Sprite Backup, as it does a soft reset after every backup, and this is like having a clean start every morning. I think I only do an occasional "soft reset" every week or so, and I cannot remember when I had to do a "hard reset", so this system works. (as long as you are not constantly installing and removing new
programs, hehehe) Once you have your PDA set up and running "perfect", it is a pleasure to not have to constantly "tweak" things to keep it running properly.
I hope this might have helped anyone who was having a few problems with understanding the memory situation for these PDAs. Another handy resource for new users is the "View My PDA" area in Aximsite members’ avatar. A lot of people put some very useful information there. (myself for example, Bondr006 has a great one, and there are many more) In this area you can see what
programs we use and where we place them, find links to other various useful
programs, links to software developers, lists of commonly used
programs, and pictures of our Axims (showing off, hehehe) etc, etc. The list goes on. It is a great tool to be used by all, especially those new to Axims.
So, finally, use what you want from this tutorial, and ignore the rest. Comments and critiques/ratings are always welcome, and I will try to incorporate any useful ideas that come up.
Last Edited on 27 May 05.
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I lurked for a while trying to learn some of the answers. finally gave up and asked the question even if i looked like a Noob (which i still am, :hide: )
