Downgrade to PPC2002 - Slow LAN Connection with Hawking

[KZP]

Good morning!

Not sure whether this would be more appropriate in here in the General Discussion or in Hardware Issues. I'm still not yet certain if this is hardware or software related.

I developed a custom application for our service department using Visual CE 8.0. Visual CE downloads a series of "Access" tables to the PDA. I have a forms/reports that use the tables for data-entry on the device. The information is transferred back and forth between local PDA tables and network DB tables with an Access DB.

We use Dell Axim X5's and connect to the network with the Hawking Compact Flash CF686TX 10/100 Ethernet card.

I have 7 Axim's with PPC2002. 6 use ROM A00 and 1 uses ROM A03. These devices were the first configured last spring and run well.

The 5 newer Axim's, purchased in fall of last year, use PPS2003 with ROM A05. These have been problematic from the start.

The 7 older units sync the DB tables within 2 minutes. The 5 newer units take almost 15 minutes.

Keep in mind, both "types" of the units have the same version of the custom application, visual CE, tables, and process with Access. Both utilize the same network card.

Still, the key difference (whether it's related to PPC or the ROM) is that the PPC version and ROM is different between the 2 types of units we maintain.

Of course, I am also using the updated drivers from Hawking for PPC2003.

I've tried hard resets and loading the setups from scratch, but to no avail.

I've read about the PPC2003 ROM problems from Dell, but believe those should be related to ROMs that predate A05.

Not sure what other information may be relevant. I think I've identified all the variables.

I'm looking for fresh ideas for trouble-shooting. Ultimately, I would sure like to "downgrade" the newer PDAs to PPC2002, since that seems to work for me. Can that be done?

Thanks!

Take care,
-Joseph.

Not sure what can be done. I have not noticed this problem with my DB apps, but I've been using SQL Server CE 2.0 on my handhelds.

As for "downgrading" that just isn't possible. I've never seen any PPC available for such a transaction and I do know Dell does not have a PPC 2002 CD to install.

A solution might be to "trade" those WM 2003 Axims for PPC 2002 Axims. I'm sure someone would trade strait up for WM 2003.

[doogald]

I'm not sure of the legality of this, but you could buy a WM2003 CD from Dell, which will create a ROM image of your current PPC2002 ROM for one of the units. I would think that you could use this image to "downgrade" the WM2003 devices back down to PPC2002.

Again, I am doubtful about the legality, but it sounds like it would work.

[KZP]

Trading out here is a good idea... hadn't thought of that... perhaps worth exploring. I have tried to persuade Dell to do that for us. They can't help me with it themselves, despite the fact I've communicated to our Sales Manager (on several occasions) if this deployment is derailed it could cost Dell our business on several fronts.

If anyone may be interested in trading for my X5 PPC 2003 devices, please private message me. I'm needing PPC2002 X5s, preferrably with ROM A00. I have 5 devices.

I'm interested in more info about the upgrade cd option. Since I purchased the devices with PPC2003 pre-loaded, I'm not familiar with upgrading a device in this manner. Are you saying that during the upgrade it copies off an image of the ROM of the unit being upgraded AND then allows to "restore" that image?

The thought is to "upgrade" a PPC 2002 device and then try and restore that backup (it backs up 2002 before installing 2003) on the new devices. The process might work, but I'm sure it isn't legal.

Try positng in the Classified forum with your willingness to trade.

I bet you get a couple takers.

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/forum...?s=&forumid=80

FT: Dell Axim X5 with WM 2003 for Dell Axim X5 with PPC 2002