Flash ROM from SD card

[vnbuddy2002]

Help! I am trying to flash the rom for my Axim X3i, the key combinations doesn't seem like work.

I pressed the "scroll enter" which locates at the bottom-center of the pocket pc and the "contact button". However I didn't see any boot loading message popup.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.



**** Found it: stupid me, it locates on the top/left side.


Would this possible to flash X30 rom on X3i?

[modularmix]

Hi folks. How do I locate a ROM image for my X3i? Mine has the original A0 (09100300EN) in it. When I check the Dell support area, it doesn't show anything available.

I believe my ROM image is corrupted as my X3i boots but behaves strangely. Responsiveness is very sluggish. Almost as if there is a hung process. Inputs from stylus plus buttons is very slow or outright ignored. Plus my menus are garbled. :exc: Labels repeat and don't match icons. Start menu is transparent to the background but you cannot select anything. Sometimes I can get multiple menus to show on top of each other. When in this state, the menus will not go away unless you soft-reset.

Has been working fine and syncing. Nothing new added but a couple of days ago it just started to degrade. Now it is unusable.

Have also tried hard resets as well as draining down power all the way but still no joy.

My Axim is out of warranty and Dell Support can't do anything to help other than provide the number for Sales. When it works it has been nice but Wince locks up fairly easily and with the crapy design of the connector (my pins are exposed and I've very carefully avoided bending anything for the last few months). Frankly, I can use it as a trade in with another brand of PDA vs. spend big bucks for a referb or buy another from Dell...

Thanks for listening. I hope someone can help salvage this puppy.

hi there. I have the same problem as well. If you find a link to the new rom, could you share it? I can't believe I have the exact same problem. My PPC has been working fine all along until recently :(

[Umpal]

Would this possible to flash X30 rom on X3i?

I tried, but bootloader cannot let it pass ;)

[Umpal]

If you find a link to the new rom, could you share it?

Here it is (English version (A04080402EN)): ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R80976.EXE
:exc: Remember: "This ROM release SHOULD NOT be used with X3i combination integrated 802.11b Wireless LAN and Bluetooth configuration."

[LokiFoo]

Here it is (English version (A04080402EN)): ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R80976.EXE
:exc: Remember: "This ROM release SHOULD NOT be used with X3i combination integrated 802.11b Wireless LAN and Bluetooth configuration."

SUCCESS! I finally found a solution that appears to have worked to get my X3i to A02 -- No more corrupted menus. Performance is back, etc.

I stumbled upon a thread over in Dell's community forum that referred back to this Aximsite thread http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...&postid=314442

Following those steps allowed my x3i to use the A02 ROM update Umpal mentions using an older loader that BinarySpiral is hosting off his own site. (no holding down 4 keys and mucking around with images on your SD card). Reading between the lines, it is the new loader in the R80976 patch that has troubles with x3i's. (Caveat Emptor, YMMV, etc). So far, I haven't encountered any major issues with my x3i running the A02 ROM. WiFi works but I am not able to test Bluetooth.

The only side effect I've seen is that occasionally when I turn my Axim on, a dialog titled 'Storage Card' is shown. With "Do you want to try to format this storage card to make it readable? This will permanently delete any files on the card." and Yes and No buttons. I simply press No to dismiss it. My SD card has always been readible if I access it from File Explorer.

Considering I was ready to trash my Axim, I'm now a fairly Happy Camper.

Thanks to Umpal & Binaryspiral!

[Dean]

after I align the screen all I get is a blank white screen......
any suggestions????

[bsh256]

Did anybody know how to erase / clear / destory all data in Built-in Storage ? or can tell me do something will cause Built-in storage be cleared.

[scottesh]

I have a Axim x3 that was diagnosed as bad by dell but all tests fine system wise. The PDA will only stay at the dell splash screen. I see this post about reflashing the drive but I need the img file to put on a SD card

Hi, I saw that long thread about the new rom DELL released last week for our X3, and I have some fresh information which may be useful for you. I'm not responsible of any damages you can cause with it. You know rom update is a delicate process. Read and follow these steps as carefully you can. I have tested and it worked for me.

It is possible to flash our rom from a SD card. Just copy the .IMG from dell to your root directory in the SD card. You will need about 32Mb free space on it. You can use your own axim or an external card reader.

Backup all your data and copy all your Built-in storage data to your PC or SD card, as all of it will be deleted. You should backup your actual rom with the pc utility provided by dell too. Make sure your battery is fully charged and plug the ac adapter.

Now press the magic key combination scrollenter + contacts and without release them press the tiny reset button. After a while you will see the bootloader messages. Release the buttons and DON'T TOUCH IT AT ALL until it shows you the windows' welcome screen.

It will first read all the .IMG to check header, size and checksum.
If correct it will read all the .IMG to the ram.
Now it will erase all your rom, and flash the new rom image. Then it reboots. You will see the dell logo for a few minutes, wait patiently until it finishes. On first bootup after rom upgrade it will take it more time than usually. Now align the screen, you already have you new rom running. ;)

Notes:
-I think this procedure is safer than dell's one, as you just use the axim to flash. Your pc isn't involved.
-If you messed your axim rom and it doesn't even boot, if your bootloader is ok (first 256k of rom) you will be able to flash a new image to it.
-It won't check Rom versions, it just will check if that image is correct. You will be able to flash every X3 rom you want. No A01 ->A00->A02 trick to flash is needed.
-I think you can restore your .RIS images just by renaming them to .IMG and following the same steps, but I have not tested it yet.
-Make sure you only have one .IMG file in the card.
-If you press the magic key combination without a SD inside the axim, it will ask you about a special test utility. It will test Rom, Ram, touchscreen, buttons, leds, sound... Maybe useful if you are having problems with some of these. WARNING: Test utility will erase all your ram, make a backup before. It won't touch your builtin storage.

I will be glad to hear your experiences.
Good luck.

Hi

I have flached an Dell Axim 30 , it's work well
But here is a problem with SD card , taht's marked "Not Installed"
And i can't find it in File Explorer, CAN YOU ADD ME PLEASE,

Thanks

[matthewkk]

worked for me

thanks for the tutorial

(google dell rom 05 axim x30 and you should get the support page with the rom image, just extract it to a know file and bam good to go)