cleandeen

With any version of Windows for the desktop, most of us know that Windows performance degrades over time as programs are installed and uninstalled. The registry gets bloated, .dll files are left behind, and everything seems to go downhill.

I have been assuming this is true with Windows Mobile devices, and therefore I am always hesitant to experiment with software because I don't want to degrade my PDA's performance. Can anyone tell me if this is in fact the case.

Thanks

Gigi

Your assumptions about Windows Mobile are correct. With time and use, the system does slow down and get bogged with junk/temp files. What many people use are clean-up type utilities such as MemMaid or SKTools . Doing hard resets every once in awhile and reinstalling apps by scratch every once in awhile is also a good idea.

For more info on maintenance, check out the tutorial called "Taking Care of your Axim." The link is in my signature.

RobertJSherman

So far, I've not found this much of an issue, but at least hard-resets are quick and painless. And getting things set back up aren't too much of a hassle.

I've not located the ever valuable registry editor yet, at least not one that I liked... There seems to be an abundance of "tweak" tools out there.. but sometimes one needs to get to the heart of it - and massage it a little.

cleandeen

Thank you both. I deal with the problem on desktops all the time. Often, things are so bad, I reinstall Windows. I guess this equates to a hard reset in Windows Mobile world.

I was using an Axim X3 for several months. I just bought an Axim X50. I have similar software as I had on the X3, but I've been forced to soft-reset the X50 way more often. I think it partly has to do with screwing around with settings on the new toy. Probably more important, newly released hardware (such as the X50 line) benfits from BIOS/Firmware/ROM updates.

ikehiker

A good solution to this is to make a backup of your PPC (with whichever backup utility you prefer - Dell's, the one in ActiveSync, or a third party such as Sprite) right before installing programs that you just want to test out. Then you can use the Axim for a while with the new program and if you decide you don't like it, restore the backup. This restores the registry settings so it should run just like it did before the new software installation.

As for a registry editor - PHM's (http://www.phm.lu/products) is fairly simple but does the job. I'm not sure you want anything too complex in a registry editor, anyway.

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-Ike-

wooch

I highly recommend the uninstaller module in SKTools. Does a much better job @ completely removing apps. I use it for all my uninstalls now

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Best Regards,

Wooch

cleandeen

I checked out SKTools. It looks really thorough. I had been using Pocket Mechanic, but this looks more complete. Thanks for the recomendation!

Hendrixus

Originally Posted by cleandeen

With any version of Windows for the desktop, most of us know that Windows performance degrades over time as programs are installed and uninstalled. The registry gets bloated, .dll files are left behind, and everything seems to go downhill. I have been assuming this is true with Windows Mobile devices, and therefore I am always hesitant to experiment with software because I don't want to degrade my PDA's performance. Can anyone tell me if this is in fact the case. Thanks

That doesn't have to be a problem anymore since MemMaid is there. See the other replies in this thread.

Hendrixus

wooch

Originally Posted by cleandeen

I checked out SKTools. It looks really thorough. I had been using Pocket Mechanic, but this looks more complete. Thanks for the recomendation!

I actually use all 3, PM, SKT, & MM. I use them all for different things. SKTools is a great little app . . .

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Best Regards,

Wooch

Hendrixus

Originally Posted by wooch

I actually use all 3, PM, SKT, & MM. I use them all for different things. SKTools is a great little app . . .

Well, I have noticed that I sometimes use different apps which basically do the same, freeware and commericial. So I'll try to watch it more what I buy, so I won't spend money to a app basically does the, or has a eq. in the freeware sector.

I am using MemMaid v1.3 and Pocket Mechanic v1.49 Uninstalling I do with "Remove" programs and I clean (the register, among others) with MemMaid. I suspect MemMaid will have a uninstall option soon too.

Hendrixus

wooch

The reason I like SKTools uninstaller is because you don't have to go and clean up the registry after the install, it is very thorough . . .

__________________
Best Regards,

Wooch

cleandeen

I've really found SKTools useful since you guys recomended it. It's the only utility I have found so far which allows for moving the PIE cache in WM2003 SE. It also takes care of a number of other useful tasks. And it's cheap!

wooch

I find it very useful as well, the advanced uninstaller module is worth the price of the app alone. However, MemMaid also allows you to move your PIE cache to SD or BIS. Both apps are great, and I own both. I've just recently begun using the MemMaid DLL mover to free up main memory, and I've already gained 2.7 MB back!

__________________
Best Regards,

Wooch

cleandeen

I haven't bought SKTools yet. Just been using the Demo. How do you register the program? I haven't found a screen for this. Do you download another installer when you buy it?

Hendrixus