This is on an hp ipaq 2755. Installed WM5 a few days ago. It seems that the "Ipaq Storage" (internal memory) that used to be available along with the two other storage media it can take disappeared after installation. In addition, the "backup" program itself disappeared! Has anyone else encountered this? Any way to reverse or repair the situation? And in particular any way to recover what's in the internal Ipaq Storage (which as I understand it was supposed to be a "permanent" or at least non erasable except by user storage)?

Thanks for any help, tips, or pointers.

Thr WM5 system handles storage differently. It uses what's called persistant storage. Since data is stored differently you no longer lose it when the device hard resets, therefore, you don't need to backup. What you have is normal. However, you should still see you storage cards, they're named differently but they are there.

Yes, the two removable storage cards are there, but what happened to the flash memory? More particularly, what about the stuff that used to be on it?

So the backup program gets removed deliberately because you no longer need to back up now that things don't go blooey when the battery runs out? What if you just want to backup anyway? I mean, my desktop doesn't go blooey when I turn it off, but I still back up that thing too....

Confuzzled, but appreciative of all and sundry replies,
BEG

Been discussed plenty! Your PDA now uses memory like a REGULAR computer. The memory (RAM) is used to run things, the flash (ROM) is used like a hard drive - as storage. This means when your battery goes kaput your programs and data are still there. No memory disappears.

Sprite backup is working on a version for WM5 but it is not out yet. I have always used their backup software on prior operating systems. They said a couple months ago they were expecting a release by the end of the year, so I am hopeful that means soon. I agree, just because you don't lose data when the battery goes dead, does not remove the need for frequent backups.

For some reason microsoft has always chosen to handle the ppc a little funny. I still cannot figure out why they specify no exit button or menu choices, which clearly slows things down when their are too many things open, when on the desktop, there have always been close/exit buttons and menu choices. You have always needed a task switcher (like itask) or a closer (like pocketNav or magic button) to truly exit most programs.....go figure. (or perhaps microsoft just released the WM5 before waiting for a vender to complete a compatible scaled down backup program).

OK. I can grok that they've rearranged things...I can see that MS in their infinite wisdom chose not to put out a backup program for the time being and all that....but....what happened to the files and such that were in the "Ipaq storage" area before WM5 was installed? Did that stuff just go byebye? Let's say I had a file "A" on "Ipaq storage" before installing WM5. Where is it now?

Went byebye! It was like running FDisk and reformatting your computer. Personally I don't see the need for backing up an IPAQ. If you sync your data every time you plug it in and keep copies of your installed programs on your computer you effectively have backup.

In spite of other opinions Microsoft KNOWS that a handheld isn't a PC and SHOULD operate differently. It shouldn't need to be tied to a power source and to be useful needs to be instant on - with everything as it was when you turned it off. That's why programs don't shut down like a regular computer. It really isn't just a smaller laptop; but it's much more than a PDA.

OK, so to recap: There's no more "backup" program, and I should keep an eye out for when a new one is released. There's no more "Ipaq Storage" as a third "virtual" storage card. The two removable storage media on my HPipaq continue to be visible when browsing around in the file explorer, but not what is now the new "ram" -- I can't really use that directly anymore. So for example if I download maps to use with the streetmaps software, those go on one of the two storage cards now?

See, it's like I've lost this extra memory, I used to have more to play with...

Thx,
BEG

Sunnysoft Backup Manager Ver. 3.7 is now compatible with WM5!