Toasting your ROM if you upgrade 2002 to 2003??

[keithwnyc]

I ran across this excerpt on PDAJunkie.net which described what happened to a user when he was updating his 2002 to a 2003 (it was part of a larger article comparing the two OS's and concluding that the "upgrade" might not be the best choice for everyone.....):

(EXCERPT)
I've had a chance to directly compare Pocket PC 2002 and Pocket PC 2003 on the same platform. Admittedly, I somehow toasted the ROM on an E755. This happened while loading software onto the file store area of the unit using ActiveSync 3.7, and I had to take it back to the retail store I purchased it from. I ended up with an E755 that had Pocket PC 2002 loaded on it. (Note: I since found out that I had to update the USB drivers on the host PC and create the partnership using ActiveSync 3.5 first, then upgrade to 3.7. It's a good thing that I archive ActiveSync versions! The bad thing is that I could have still had an E755 with PPC2003 if I knew about it earlier.)

Disappointed, but willing to try it out (knowing that I'd get a free upgrade from Toshiba on June 23rd), I loaded my standard applications onto the E755 and was just as happy with the speed and snappiness of the E755 on PPC2002. Admittedly, the memory bus speed increase on the PXA255 may have something to do with it, but there is only a minor perceptible difference in using the same core applications between PPC2002 and PPC2003.

I'm also not surprised that some applications won't work properly in transitioning from PPC2002 to PPC2003. It stands to reason that this will occur - the base level code in PPC2003 is derived from Windows CE.NET. Application vendors will have to go through a verification process to make sure that their programs work with PPC2003. Many have either done so or have started to.

Conclusion

If you are purchasing a new Pocket PC, go ahead and get one that has Pocket PC 2003. For the average user, the improvements will more than make up for any of the existing shortcomings.

If you are an existing user of Pocket PC 2002, it's up to you to decide if you want the latest and greatest in operating systems. Just be aware that the improvements may not be up to your expectations, and that the major differences in the OS jump may mean longer than normal delays in the upgrade availability - so be patient!

[truelove]

i don't think axim users have to worry too much about an upgrade. the axim is pretty new and nothing is different between ones pre-loaded with PPC 2002 and ones pre-loaded with PPC 2003 other than the OS (obviously). some older PDAs may have problems, but i'm pretty sure the axim can handle it.