Future ROM versions

08-02-03, 03:57 PM

I was just thinking...if Dell pulled the A05 ROM update from their website, reportedly because it could be hacked and used to upgrade PPC2002 units, will this mean all future ROM updates will only be issued in CD form? If hackers figured out how to do it with the A05 upgrade patch, what's to stop them from doing it with a A06, A07, etc. patch?

That would make future updates a huge pain. Imagine having to order and wait 3-4 weeks for a CD to arrive in the mail each time the ROM is updated. I hope this dosen't happen, but from recent events it looks like it could.

humba · 08-02-03, 04:22 PM

according to the news on this site, Dell has only temporarily pulled the patch so it should be back up in some time.

Shadower · 08-02-03, 06:56 PM

There are always ways to secure a rom update, like making a patch that would download the firmware from the Axim and then patching it and uploading the new one back. I'm sure Dell will figure out a way to secure the patches, although nothing is unhackable.

nemattoad · 08-02-03, 07:17 PM

You are correct, nothing is unhackable :p

As in NOTHING, as in ZERO :p

As for the patch, dell never ACTUALLY pulled it, they just made it harder for you to find it. I didnt do anything wrong by finding it, but I wont post links.

Lets just say all your narrow minds limit you to ftp.dell.com

heheheh, no offense meant by that comment, I dont condone piracy in any way so I wont tell you all the link, but legitamete users, if you contact dell, they will probably give you the link.

LRRP · 08-02-03, 11:37 PM

I am confused, is the $29.00 charge for the shipping of the CD or the upgrade or both?

MissU3 · 08-02-03, 11:41 PM

Is the file name R59756.exe with 28,546,912 bytes?
The reason I ask is someone has stated that this is it and if so it is out there on another ftp site of dells still but i don't believe it as thedate of posting is 4/25/03 which would make NOOOOOOOOOO sense.
Can someone clarify please?
Thanks,
Chazz

nemattoad · 08-03-03, 01:31 AM

nope, the file name and file size is the same as the original A05 Patch that was taken off some of the servers

JeZaD · 08-03-03, 04:16 AM

If you have been silly enough to hack the ROM and install over 2002, then you have already backed up up your old 2002. You can then simply restore it using the installer that you backed it up with. Then there is no stopping you installing a A06 Axxxx in the future, no matter what sort of protection DELL use.

Don't forget: Dell promised nice things like a virus checker with the CD version of the ROM, so I think it is worth getting.
That said, I hope that the virus definition updates are AT LEAST enabled for a year, otherwise the thing will be useless.

JeZaD · 08-03-03, 04:30 AM

Quote from another thread:
"New Axim Owners can register for 30 days of free McAfee VirusScan PDA, or order a 12-month subscription with their systems for $19.00. Existing customers can order the Microsoft Mobile 2003 Upgrade and will receive the free 30 day subscription on the Companion CD. "

30 days, oh dear, shareware. How wonderful. They really pushed the boat out this time.

Ignore my last post, but buy legit software and music chaps, otherwise you stunt its growth.

Oblox · 08-03-03, 05:18 AM

Also why would you need a virus scanner, very few Virii are written for mobile OS.

JeZaD · 08-03-03, 06:23 AM

My sentiments exactly. As long as your main PC (when you sync) has a virus checker, then you should be fine. It is indeed superfluous on the PocketPC (at the mo).

burns · 08-03-03, 06:49 AM

I am a legitimate bugged wm2003 user who didn't have chance to dl the patch and while i suspect that i could probably find it to download it, has their been any cases were the patch has actually completely f*cked up an axim? i.e it wont boot etc, as i can't be arsed to wait another month for Dell to get their act together and i'm thinking of maybe finding the patch and using it.

cheers

08-03-03, 10:47 AM

You always take a risk whenever you update your ROM that something may go wrong during the re-write and you're left with a useless PPC. But there is always a risk for every reward in life. You just have to decide if the reward is worth the risk. If it isn't, don't upgrade. :)

tutut17 · 08-03-03, 11:13 AM

that very well said rbg08. :)

proberts31 · 08-03-03, 11:57 AM

The MacAfee virus scan is crap. I had a trial version of MacAfee Internet Security on my computer from their website I was demo-ing a few months back and it had the PDA virus scan in the suite. Everytime you hook up your PDA to sync it launches the damn thing and scans your whole PDA for viruses wasting like 10 minutes of your valuable time. I disabled it in short order. To me this is definitely no selling point to upgrade.

If you want PDA virus scan you can get a 30-day demo from MacAfee directly. Dell is doing no one any great favours shipping it on a CD