Hard reset on new AXIMs

[sabesh]

I'm new to the PDA world and the AXIM is my first purchase. I've ordered this unit and am currently waiting for it to be delivered. I've lurked a bit in these forums and have read that some AXIM issues need a hard reset to resolve.

My questions are these:

1/ Is it a good policy to perform a hard reset right off the bat? (before I discover any annoyances well into the usage of my AXIM)

2/ What data will I lose if I do this? (If I perform a hard reset as soon as I get the AXIM, I guess I won't lose anything?)

Thanks and best regards,

Sabesh.

[commoved]

A hard reset restores your Ax to the same condition it was in when you received it from the factory. So, there's no reason to do a hard reset when you get your Ax.

You will load information (contacts, tasks, appointments, etc) and programs. As you work with your Ax, you will put all or most of this in RAM. Unlike a PC, all this will stay in RAM (there is not disk). If things go "bump", your solution of last resort is to do a hard reset, which returns all RAM to the factory-original state -- therefore wiping out all the things you have done.

If you synch your PPC often and keep the install files for your PPC programs, you can just reinstall the programs, synch, and you're in business.

You can also backup your Ax to your PC, then restore after a hard reset.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your Ax.

[andsoitgoes]

Sabesh,

You'll lose the HORRIBLE Dell "Home Page" palm-wannabe menu, and you'll lose the "Switcher" program, which can be easily replaced by WIS Bar or ICBar (which is a bit better, IMO)

Other than that, there's nothing else proprietary on the Axim that you'll lose.

Will it make a huge difference is another question. I'd do it just to get rid of the "Home" menu, in my opinion.

HTH,

Nick

[Quinn]

I just had an unintended hard reset and didn't lose either the 'home' or the switcher.

Quinn

[andsoitgoes]

Quinn,

Really? I received my "replacement" Axim unit and it didn't have either... oh, wait.

Hah, sorry. My mistake - they're still there (darn, though!) but the switcher bar didn't load initially..

Oops...

Nick

[Mike C]

The axim comes with no batteries installed. Dead.
Removing your batteries (backup and main together) at any time will cause a hard reset.
When you install the batteries, the unit comes alive and runs the screen align test and tap/hold drill.
The OS and all files needed are on the ROM chip, ready to auto-load into RAM.
Everything you install or do will be in RAM (except for what you put on memory cards).
Removing the batteries together, or pressing the hard reset buttons, will clear out everything in RAM.

[Pacman]

You will load information (contacts, tasks, appointments, etc) and programs. As you work with your Ax, you will put all or most of this in RAM. Unlike a PC, all this will stay in RAM (there is not disk).

I'm new to PDA's and the Axim will be my first experience too. (Once I get it that is... :) ) I'm still trying to get a handle on this memory stuff also. If PDA's are basically never off but just in sleep mode and most info is stored in the RAM what exactly does a soft reset do?

Thanks...

[Mike C]

It resets the task manager ... all operating tasks shut down and the ones that start on startup are restarted.

[Pacman]

Thanks Mike... That make sense to me now...

This is driving me insane waiting for my Axim to arrive. All this reading and not having it in my hand to actually try anything is killing me... I'm probably not going to sleep for a week once it actually arrives... :)

[Mike C]

You can make some themes ahead of time, and even some navigation bar skins if you have the skillz and are so inclined. I like having a one-of-a-kind appearance, so I'm always working on the next new look.

For the themes, you can use MS theme generator, which runs on the PC, and just go nuts.
Nav bar skins are a bit more involved, but if you have some graphics software, you can do virtually anything.

Let me know if you want any details about how to get started.

Could you point me to the MS Theme Generator for the desktop. I'll occupy my time doing this instead of WAITING for my Ax....

Thanks

[Mike C]

The MS Theme Generator is HERE, and some other goodies are here and here.

Thanks, but I want something I can work on until my Ax arrives. I downloaded the software, but it is PPC software, not something I can run on my desktop. I don't have a PPC right now (I sold mine to buy the Dell).

Is there software that will let me create PPC themes on my desktop?

Mike

[Mike C]

Theme Generator does run on your PC.

From the MS site ... This download is intended for use on English Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Color me an idiot. Easily confused am I. When it told me it would install on my next sync, I didn't realize it also installed a program to my desktop.

Thinking isn't apparently my best thing!!! LOL

Thanks Mike