Steps towards WM5 stability and reliability - tricks

Belmichel · 11-27-05, 02:11 AM

It's been a lot of trial and error since the release of ROM04. I'd like to share some of my positive steps that actually made things better:

1. Cut down on startup processes. Use a 3rd party software to query them (Memmaid does a good job). You will start running into trouble as you close-in on the upper limit (30?) (programs closing spontaneously mostly). By removing auto-launch startup processes from the \window\startup dir such as wifi, BT, psShutXP (and others depending on your own setup) and activating them back as icons in the tray (SBSH iLauncher does that well), I dropped down from 23 to 12 startup processes AND drastically reduced reboot time and improved application stability. All that without ANY loss of today-screen functionality since the tray icons look and behave in exactly the same manner as before.

2. Don't take for granted many of the "WM5 compatible" tags... Many of the problems I suffered (No power up, No response, leaking battery, leaking memory) have been minimised (if not eliminated - we'll see in time) by sticking to self-tested, absolutely required software.

3. Installing to Storage card works in more cases than I anticipated (including all the games I own) BUT trial and error is here again required as the problems don't automatically surface upon installation and are sometimes completely unrelated to the application.

If this helps only 1 more person, it's worth it :)

11-29-05, 08:57 AM

Just out of curiosity, could you post a list of the startup processes you had and the ones you removed ? Also, how do you add shortcuts in iLauncher to settings like enabling bluetooth or wireless or even changing screen orientation or brightness?

Belmichel · 11-30-05, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by crod242

Just out of curiosity, could you post a list of the startup processes you had and the ones you removed ? Also, how do you add shortcuts in iLauncher to settings like enabling bluetooth or wireless or even changing screen orientation or brightness?

ILauncher lets you add shortcuts directly from the Control panel (select "control panel applets" for source directory when adding shortcuts.

The services i removed were mostly from my own list of installed software, to name a few: psShutXP, pTravelAlarm... And the universal ones such as Bluetooth and wifi. I knew I should have kept a list... I'm down to 4 startup items now: Commloader, odClient..., SplashV, and WisBarAdv (I dont use poutlook, you may want to keep that one)

SolSie · 11-30-05, 09:13 AM

BelMichel, Thx! I post your tip to the thread "WM5 is here to stay..."(link under my signature at bottom of this post)

BTW remove poutlook.lnk, will be fine. I have PocketInformant set as default PIM and every startup poutlook.lnk lauches PI, which takes long time..

Have you thought about OdClient.., if you don't use it, just replace OdCEClient.exe with a 0k txt file renamed. You can save over 2MB in your RAM. I mentioned this tip in the same thread mentioned above.

Belmichel · 11-30-05, 05:56 PM

OdClient gone too now... tks - oversight it was :) Finally rebooting under 1 min... rofl