Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Theme Generator won't work with my Dell Axim. .

ropie58 · 07-22-05, 12:32 PM

Hi,

I recently sent this message to Microsoft:

"As I am in the possession of a PDA (Dell Axim X30 624 Mhz) that runs on the OS: Microsoft Pocket PC 2003, I am having trouble with your software program: “Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Theme Generator”.

With this program I conversed successfully a picture on my desktop to a “theme” which is meant to be transferred to my PPC. But each attempt in transferring this picture, your software gives me the following message: “the connected device is not running Pocket PC 2002. Unable to download the skin. Your theme has been generated successfully, but there was a problem transferring it to your Pocket PC 2002. Correct the problem and press Finish again.”

To be specific: I have installed several other software programs (other developers) on my PPC that warned me, while being installed, that the program may not work properly because it was meant for an earlier OS. But, all the programs are working fine without any problems. Therefore, I do not understand why your software is working so strict and keeps asking me for Pocket PC 2002.

Can you please help me to solve this problem or where to get an update or patch to let “Microsoft Theme Generator” also work with PPC 2003 devices such as mine?"

Today, I received this answer from Microsoft:

"This software is unsupported at this time, so there are no updates or support for it. I suggest you visit Aximsite and see if anyone there has had the same problem and could help you."

(Thank you, Microsoft for this helpful reply) :realmad:

So, I guess my question to you will be obvious: Is there anyone who can help me out here using “Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Theme Generator” together with the same PDA or at least the OS PPC 2003 ? May be by using another (freeware?) program such as "Theme Generator"...

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you!

Robert

DoDoubleGeo · 07-22-05, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by ropie58

Today, I received this answer from Microsoft:

"This software is unsupported at this time, so there are no updates or support for it. I suggest you visit Aximsite and see if anyone there has had the same problem and could help you."

(Thank you, Microsoft for this helpful reply) :realmad:

It was very good of Microsoft to refer you to Aximsite. Welcome!

This is a well-known problem with the Theme Generator. The work around is to manually copy the themes from your desktop to your Axim via ActiveSync.

To do this:

Locate the new theme on your desktop using FileExplorer. The usual location is \My Documents\My Device Themes. Themes have a .tsk file extension
Right-click on the ActiveSync icon in the System Tray on your desktop and choose Explore... to open up a FileExplorer for the Mobile Device.
Drag-n-Drop the themes you want from the desktop FileExplorer to the Mobile Device FileExplorer. Themes should be placed in the \My Documents folder on the device, or can be placed in the root directory of a storage card provided that the ignore_my_docs file has been deleted (to delete this file use the FileExplorer and make sure you are showing hidden files).

ropie58 · 07-22-05, 03:28 PM

Thanks for your reply... I just thought that Microsoft was just saying: "I don't know, it's your problem so..." Sorry, for that!

I will do as you suggested and report back to you on the forum.

Thanks again...

Robert

Kamokazi · 07-22-05, 04:04 PM

That's probably the smartest thing Microsoft has ever done. Welcome to the site, and don't be a stranger...lots of other info can be found here to get the most out of your Axim.

ropie58 · 07-22-05, 04:23 PM

Thanks for your reaction; nice to know... feeling welcome!

Still I have a few questions referring to the first reaction of DoDoubleGeo:

Quote:

Themes should be placed in the \My Documents folder on the device, or can be placed in the root directory of a storage card provided that the ignore_my_docs file has been deleted

Why is it necessary to delete the "ignore_my_docs" files? I found this file in the folder \Storage Card as well as in the \Built-in Sorage folder.
What are these files there for? Do they have a function? Can I safely delete these files? Can- or should these files at any time be restored?

It is not that I question your reply, it is just that I want to know what I am doing and if I should expect any consequenses.

No offense off course!

(Excuse me for my poor English; my native language is Dutch...)

Robert

stevenator65 · 07-22-05, 04:43 PM

DodoubleGeo speaks the truth. Welcome to the site, it's full of help and info. I recently designed my first themes and went thru the same thing. Just follow double's advice and have fun.

ropie58 · 07-22-05, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by stevenator65

DodoubleGeo speaks the truth. Welcome to the site, it's full of help and info. I recently designed my first themes and went thru the same thing. Just follow double's advice and have fun.

Oké Steve,

But like I said, I'm NOT questioning his advise...

Robert

ropie58 · 07-22-05, 05:25 PM

Oké guys,

I did what DoDoubleGeo told me to do, and naturaly(!) it works... However, I hope he would still answer my questions...

Robert

ikehiker · 07-22-05, 05:40 PM

The ignore_my_docs file is automatically created by the PPC OS whenever it sees memory that does not have a My Documents folder. It tells all the programs on the PPC that uses a My Documents folder by default (Pocket Word, Excell, Media Player and many third party aps) that they should search the entire directory of the memory for files to list when you open them. This can cause severe lag, to the point where it appears the PPC is locked up, when it is a large memory card with a lot of files.

Note, if you delete the file without first creating the My Documents folder, the PPC will recreate it the next time the memory is accessed.

Creating the folder and deleting the file usually speeds things up.

Cereal Killer · 07-22-05, 06:06 PM

Microsoft can't copy a file on their own OS! How LAME!
This place rules. The search tool has answered every question I've ever had about my Axim.

ropie58 · 07-22-05, 07:55 PM

Thank you Ike! That's all I needed to know...

Thanks to all of you (!) by the way...

Robert

:approve:

DoDoubleGeo · 07-25-05, 08:16 AM

Sorry Robert that I didn't respond sooner, but it looks like others were able to help. Thanks Ike! I forgot the part about first creating the My Documents folder.