Built In Storage

yellowspanner · 10-12-03, 06:40 AM

What is the news with the built in storage? I know that is the left over Flash ROM but have heard some horror stories about it "wearing out" if it is written to often. What sort of things do others use it for? At the moment I don't use it at all as I don't want to break my Axim!!

Magicmonger · 10-12-03, 08:18 AM

Nothing at the moment...

Gonna wait and see what people post. We are in the same boat.

Gigi · 10-12-03, 08:50 AM

Built-In Storage exists because of leftover space from the ROM. The advantage of using Built-In Storage for memory is that it is not erased during hard resets. However, as you have mentioned, there is a limit of about 100,000 write cycles, meaning that you cannot keep on rewriting to this location as you can the main memory, etc., which has a much higher number of write cycles allowed. Consequently, Built-Iin Storage is best used for items that are not frequently changed. Many people use it as a place to store their backups. However, you should be aware that should your Axim get stolen/lost and someone does a hard reset on it to bypass your password, they can easily restore what you had using the backup stored in Built-In Memory. It is also advisable not to store any programs in Built-In Memory. Although the program will still remain after a hard reset, its links and registry settings will not (because they are stored elsewhere), so you will be unable to access these programs. One further note is that should you decide to update your ROM, anything in your Built-In Memory will be erased.

So..the bottom line is this: Don't worry about using Built-In Memory, but be careful what you store in it. If your backups do not contain any personal or sensitive information, it would be perfectly fine to store them here.

Howard2k · 10-12-03, 09:13 AM

I store non-frequently used programs in there.

I don't store any data there, mainly because if it gets stolen and someone hard resets then the data is still there. So for the same reason I don't store overly sensitive information on storage card.

yellowspanner · 10-12-03, 03:03 PM

So if I stick a program in there all the data it references will be kept in main memory?? So keeping ebooks in there should be fine then...?

10-13-03, 01:08 PM

i keep a lot of ebooks in mine, plus all my class notes. i prefer to keep programs in it, but some just dont work at all unless theyre installed to main memory.

11-15-03, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gigi
. . . . It is also advisable not to store any programs in Built-In Memory. Although the program will still remain after a hard reset, its links and registry settings will not (because they are stored elsewhere), so you will be unable to access these programs. One further note is that should you decide to update your ROM, anything in your Built-In Memory will be erased.

Hi,
I would like clarification on the importance of not using Built-in storage for programs. Is the only reason the one that Gigi mentioned regarding a hard reset, or is there some other reason beyond that? And if that is the primary reason couldn't you just do a hard reset, and then manually remove the data in built in storage and then go from there? It would seem to me no additional harm done -- since everything is a bit of a wash after a hard reset anyway .

Is there rewriting involved in the process of just running programs in an everyday fashion that would significantly cut in to the finite number of time the built in storage can be rewritten or is there some other reason that I am missing?

Also if not programs then what would be a good use of the built in storage? I have not used mine yet but my program memory is starting to really fill up and I also have programs on my CF card. Also I would like to keep a bit of room on my SD card for just for fun stuff/ room to add fun stuff, like music and picture files.

So what would be a good way to allocate things that would include using the built in memory to its full advantage?

11-15-03, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EllaDell
Hi,
I would like clarification on the importance of not using Built-in storage for programs. Is the only reason the one that Gigi mentioned regarding a hard reset, or is there some other reason beyond that?

The only other reason might be that some programs will only work if installed in main memory, but it's rare that that's the case. Otherwise I'd say that the hard reset reason is the main one, and I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Quote:

Originally posted by EllaDell
And if that is the primary reason couldn't you just do a hard reset, and then manually remove the data in built in storage and then go from there? It would seem to me no additional harm done -- since everything is a bit of a wash after a hard reset anyway .

yes, and I agree.

Quote:

Originally posted by EllaDell
Is there rewriting involved in the process of just running programs in an everyday fashion that would significantly cut in to the finite number of time the built in storage can be rewritten or is there some other reason that I am missing?

Use of data stored in the BIS does not require writing or rewriting to the ROM unless the program creates files on the ROM as part of its function. Also, people are paranoid about using the ROM too much. Intel Strataflash ROM is good for 10,000 write cycles--the same number of write cycles as secure digital and compact flash memory cards. With that many write cycles, you can rewrite the whole BIS (or any given flash memory card) once a day and it will still last well over 27 years.
ROM problems have been reported every now and then, but they have generally been due to flat-out bad ROM...

Quote:

Originally posted by EllaDell
Also if not programs then what would be a good use of the built in storage? I have not used mine yet but my program memory is starting to really fill up and I also have programs on my CF card.

A lot of people use the BIS for ebooks, and a lot also use it for programs.....I just recently started using it for music.

Quote:

Originally posted by EllaDell
So what would be a good way to allocate things that would include using the built in memory to its full advantage?

I still suggest programs. If you keep relatively up-to-date backup files, they will contain the links to the programs so even after a hard reset you can restore those links and it'll be just like nothing ever changed.... Otherwise, i suggest using it for stuff that you don't have to update/move that often because it's not that big and the only way to alter it is through the axim itself or activesync (whereas memory cards can be toyed with in card readers, etc.). another reason to avoid having to change stuff on the ROM all the time is that it's exceedingly slow (just a matterof convenience...).

SP73 · 11-15-03, 05:48 AM

I saved my Transcriber tweak settings in BIS. It looks as though some of the HP printer driver stuff has also ended up there.

11-15-03, 12:28 PM

I have my pocketmusic, aim, and some other apps installed in the built in storage.

I'm not worried about wearing down, or whatever