ROM vs. RAM

drax5 · 04-09-07, 11:58 AM

I'm sorry to ask what is probably a stupid question, but I am still trying to figure out how memory works on WM5. I installed my 1st software over the weekend, and my Program memory dropped to 13mb of free space. I was hoping to install the program in Storage memory (not a CF or SD card memory). I think I understand that Storage memory = ROM, and Program memory = RAM?

So my question is, how to I install software in ROM and not RAM? I don't recall being given an option.

Thank you.

pablo216 · 04-09-07, 12:03 PM

If you installed it from a cab file then it installed itself to its default location. For this problem I recommend cabintsl which is an excellent program, one of my must have.

And if you installed from activesync, then it gives you the option!

good luck

**psionandy** · 04-09-07, 12:09 PM

Rom vs Ram is more of a wm2003 type issue.

For wm5 Its more like windows on your pc

Storage is therefore like your c drive, flash cards are like D and E drives

Gigi · 04-09-07, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablo216

If you installed it from a cab file then it installed itself to its default location. For this problem I recommend cabintsl which is an excellent program, one of my must have.

WM5 prompts you to choose a general installation location (e.g., memory card vs. internal memory) whenever you install CAB files, so Cabinstl is not required. However, Cabinstl does allow you to choose a specific installation folder, which can be handy to keep your programs organized.

drax5 · 04-09-07, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigi

WM5 prompts you to choose a general installation location (e.g., memory card vs. internal memory) whenever you install CAB files, so Cabinstl is not required. However, Cabinstl does allow you to choose a specific installation folder, which can be handy to keep your programs organized.

Ok, now I am getting a better picture. Thank you. Let me just ask 1 more thing... is Cabinstl something I have to install to do what you say, or is it already on my Axim? Thanks again.

Gigi · 04-09-07, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drax5

Ok, now I am getting a better picture. Thank you. Let me just ask 1 more thing... is Cabinstl something I have to install to do what you say, or is it already on my Axim? Thanks again.

You need to install Cabinstl. You can download it from here. Note that after you unzip this file, you will find three .exe files. Copy cabinstl_eng.exe (English version) into a location on your device and run it from there.

borderline · 04-09-07, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drax5

Ok, now I am getting a better picture. Thank you. Let me just ask 1 more thing... is Cabinstl something I have to install to do what you say, or is it already on my Axim? Thanks again.

Hold on. I'm not sure anybody's answered your original question yet. Cabinstl won't let you choose between RAM and ROM on WM5 as far as I know. And I don't think it's possible to install a program into RAM on WM5 anyway. Is your program set to run on startup, like Pocket Breeze or WisBar? That could account for the memory drop.

Gigi · 04-09-07, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borderline

Hold on. I'm not sure anybody's answered your original question yet. Cabinstl won't let you choose between RAM and ROM on WM5 as far as I know. And I don't think it's possible to install a program into RAM on WM5 anyway. Is your program set to run on startup, like Pocket Breeze or WisBar? That could account for the memory drop.

It's not possible to install anything into RAM in WM5, period. There's no choice. Like borderline said, it's a good idea to look elsewhere for the memory drop. Even getting into the habit of doing soft resets is a good thing for memory management.

drax5 · 04-10-07, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigi

It's not possible to install anything into RAM in WM5, period. There's no choice. Like borderline said, it's a good idea to look elsewhere for the memory drop. Even getting into the habit of doing soft resets is a good thing for memory management.

Yes, the program I installed was Wisbar Avd.2, and my RAM memory dropped by around 8mb, leaving only 10mb, and my ROM only dropped by 1mb. That's why I assumed the program installed into RAM.

But if you say that no program can be installed into RAM, that does answer my original question, thank you. I'm just worried about my RAM dropping so much after just 1 program, because I also wanted to install iLauncher and maybe Pocket Breeze. Are there maybe other things that automatically run on the Axim that I don't need and can prevent from running?

And again, thanks for everyones help. I don't know what I'd do without Aximsite.

Gigi · 04-10-07, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drax5

Yes, the program I installed was Wisbar Avd.2, and my RAM memory dropped by around 8mb, leaving only 10mb, and my ROM only dropped by 1mb. That's why I assumed the program installed into RAM.

But if you say that no program can be installed into RAM, that does answer my original question, thank you. I'm just worried about my RAM dropping so much after just 1 program, because I also wanted to install iLauncher and maybe Pocket Breeze. Are there maybe other things that automatically run on the Axim that I don't need and can prevent from running?

And again, thanks for everyones help. I don't know what I'd do without Aximsite.

Anything that is always running will have an impact on your RAM. This includes Today plugins and anything that changes the appearance of your screen (e.g., skinning programs, etc.). You need to decide which apps are the most important, and see if it is worth the drop in RAM. I use Wisbar Advance as well, but on a WM2003SE device. The effect on my RAM is not as signicant as it is on your device, but I don't use its skinning feature.

NamelessPlayer · 04-11-07, 06:43 PM

Regarding PocketBreeze and iLauncher, they don't use all that much RAM on my X50v with WM5 A02. The most I've ever managed to free up was around 27.1 MB, with 25 or 26 MB being a more common value. Right now, it's at around 22 MB, but ActiveSync just kicked in.

I don't use any form of Wisbar, so I can't comment on its RAM consumption. However, I can at least comfort you on PocketBreeze and iLauncher regarding RAM efficiency.

(Now if WM5 in general would just use much less RAM than WM2003SE is said to use...I would have expected at least 40 MB free on this thing, given the XIP-capable NOR NVRAM and all...)

drax5 · 04-11-07, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigi

Anything that is always running will have an impact on your RAM. This includes Today plugins and anything that changes the appearance of your screen (e.g., skinning programs, etc.). You need to decide which apps are the most important, and see if it is worth the drop in RAM. I use Wisbar Advance as well, but on a WM2003SE device. The effect on my RAM is not as signicant as it is on your device, but I don't use its skinning feature.

So I removed Wisbar to see the impact it had on my RAM, and this is what my memory now states:
TOTAL: 49.40
IN USE: 23.05
FREE: 26.35

I have no other program installed. Does the OS alone take 23.05mb?

newdoughboy · 04-12-07, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drax5

So I removed Wisbar to see the impact it had on my RAM, and this is what my memory now states:
TOTAL: 49.40
IN USE: 23.05
FREE: 26.35

I have no other program installed. Does the OS alone take 23.05mb?

yep, although 23.05 is enough, if you multitask a lot, then just get a ram upgrade, for about $150

Gigi · 04-12-07, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drax5

So I removed Wisbar to see the impact it had on my RAM, and this is what my memory now states:
TOTAL: 49.40
IN USE: 23.05
FREE: 26.35

I have no other program installed. Does the OS alone take 23.05mb?

Sorry, I'm not sure. I do know that the OS does take up some RAM - whether WM5 is that much I don't know.