Built in storage

[jimross]

What is " Storage Size IPSM 5.62MB / 5.61MB " mean?

"Storage" and "Program" memory add up to 32 megs, is this the ram?

This is on a 300 btw.

I have nothing loaded on here but what comes from the factory. I did load some video files last night into the personal folder, but deleted them.



Jim

[Double-Trinity]

ok, I think I will explain.

the ROM is something called Flash ROM, it is similar to compact flash/secure digital cards in that it doesn't need to be powered to store data. ROM can have each bit set to either "write protected" or "writable", however, it takes generally longer to rwrite to ROM, and it cannot be used as "program memory", since it can't actively refresh like RAM. When you upgrade your OS, it sets the ROM bits to writable temporatily, and writes them, but really, the purpose of the built in storage is for important documents, and system backups, the idea being, if you lose your power, then all your programs etc. which are insaalled into main memory (RAM) can be restored.

the RAM is partitioned into Storage Memory and Program Memory. the Storage memory is intended for storage, and hte program memory is the RAM necessary for your programs to actually run, each one has a set amount it needs to run. For this reason, if you have a lot of apps, it is best to put them on some kind of memory card, that way you can leave RAM free for program memory.

I don't konw if installing programs to the ROM works, but I wouldn't reccomend it, but no matte rwhat, the RAM is always used, this is the most imporant.

Honestly, I see this RAM/ROM difference as almost as big an upgrade as the clock speed, which is why I got the advanced model (it also comes with a cradle).

But what I'm confused about is where the default "My Documents" folder is located -- is it in the "built-in storage" or the "storage memory"?

My documents is in "main memory", or storage memory, the RAM.

I would think it's in the built-in storage (ROM), since its contents stay in place when the device is turned off.[/quote]
by off, we are referring to unpowered, ther eason you have the backup battery is to preserve the RAM, so as long as that is in and charged, your RAM will stay. Hard reset though will erase it unless it is in built-in-storage.

But if that's the case, what is the storage memory (RAM) used for?

General purpose storage, storing documents, programs etc. really, the Built-In-Storage isn't even necessary, it's mostly there for backup purposes, which is what I use it for. the 300 MHz has a lot less built in storage remaining, so for that reason, you can really only back up PIM rather than all data.

Battery Pack tells me I've got lots of free built-in storage space, but not much storage memory space. I can't understand what's taking up all that room!

Unless yotu explicityl save to built in storage, it goes by default to main memory.

I have almost all my add-on apps (games, couple of utilities, etc.) installed on my SD card.

I guess it is files then.

[catskillian85]

I know what was taking up space in my storage memory: I had a slew of themes I'd downloaded, and I was under the impression they had to be stored in main memory. But then I saw a post somewhere here earlier today that said they could be put in the root My Documents folder on one of the storage cards, so I moved them.

Thanks so much for the info!

[mAXIMus]

I have reinstalled all of my apps on a SD card, in order to free up RAM. Correct me if that is not a good thing to do. Will the programs run good off the SD? I have not noticed any problems yet. I have the 300 model and my apps are Pocketnester, Pocket mvp, resco pic viewer, and Biblereader.

However, pocketnester, pocket mvp and resco still show up on the Remove Programs screen in the box labeled Programs in storage memory. This is within settings/memory. If they are on the SD, why do they show up as storage memory?

Also, if an app is on the SD card, how can I get the app on the Start menu?

And, on the 300, how much RAM should be available for good performance speeds for the apps listed above?

[abbas12]

I just saved a few ebooks on built in storage. My Microsoft reader is in built in storage too and the ebooks take *ages* to load. Any ideas anyone?

I have reinstalled all of my apps on a SD card, in order to free up RAM. Correct me if that is not a good thing to do. Will the programs run good off the SD? I have not noticed any problems yet. I have the 300 model and my apps are Pocketnester, Pocket mvp, resco pic viewer, and Biblereader.

However, pocketnester, pocket mvp and resco still show up on the Remove Programs screen in the box labeled Programs in storage memory. This is within settings/memory. If they are on the SD, why do they show up as storage memory?

Also, if an app is on the SD card, how can I get the app on the Start menu?

And, on the 300, how much RAM should be available for good performance speeds for the apps listed above?

Installing apps to SD or CF cards still requires some files to be stored in Program Memoey (RAM).
If the app/game runs from the SD card, then it is OK. If not uninstall and reinstall on a CF card. Then, if you still have problems, you have to install to Program Memory (RAM).
SD and CF cards are probably a little slower when you start them, but they should run as fast after loaded than if they were loaded into Program Memory.
As for BIS, I don't use it. It is really part of the memory where the OS loads, which is left over (so if you are running PPC2002 and load PPC2003 I would suspect you'll have a little less BIS).
I don't use it since it is not replaceable if it has some problems, but a memory card is replaceable.
I have 512 SD and 256 CF cards. I only remove the CF card to connect wifi.

[gadgetnerd]

You moved the apps to the SD card. OK. Connect your Axim to your computer, and browse to Windows->Start Menu->Programs on the Axim from your desktop. If shortcuts are there, right click them and set them to the right place. If they aren't, go to the place where the app is, right click -> Create Shortcut, right-click Cut on the shortcut and put it in Windows->Start Menu->Programs.

Understand? Or Cofused?

[sille]

This topic way too top heavy and I am fearful of just adding to teh many (most agree to be accurate) responses. It has been my experience that built in storage (extra/unused ROM space) is fine to copy files and instal programs to. However, I have personally noticed my AX becoming increasingly sluggish teh more I put in to the built in "extra" storage area. I have never had any problems with permanently "loosing" storage memory after instal/uninstal but have heard others having this issue. My recommendation, only keep small emergency backups of files you may want to safeguard after a soft or hard reset. I wouldn't bother installing applications there. Although built in storage can survicve a hard reset, many drivers, .dll files, data files, etc are copied to windows and system folders which cannot survive a hard reset... rendering an app placed on built in storage inoperable.

Regarding the built-in storage, I remember reading in the dell community forum that "Once if there are files corrupted in the BIS, the OS will try to fix it (probably internally) but if not successful, the next reset, the BIS will be gone. Intel and Dell is working on this Strataflash problem. So far there is no solution yet."

I've turned in my x5 once, x3 and x30 twice each, and the x3 and x30 turn-in was the strataflash issue. Try not to use it for programs - i only use it for storage such as dictionaries/ebooks.

I've used my Built-in storage on my X5 Advanced for installing programs and I once had a bad install which now uses up 0.23MB of the available memory. There is no way to recover corrupted data on ROM (not even a hard reset), so be careful or you could end up losing some or all of your Built-in storage.