Using Axim as USB drive...

tonyor2347 · 03-27-03, 02:37 PM

Now everyone has seen these USB pen drives. They are like keychains, and they are drives. You can plug them in and bam, you got a drive. Just put some files in that drive and you can take them everywhere.

My question is: Is it possible to use the axim as a portable drive?

Lets say that I have a bunch of files on my computer that I need to take with me to school. Papers, programs. etc. I don't have a zip drive or a floppy drive. Could I just transfer them to the Axim through the cable, and then take it to school, and then transfer all those files back to the school computer, making it a portable drive? I am not going to view the files on the axim or anything. The programs are not ppc, they are just regular programs. Is that possible? I would write all the stuff to the CF card on the axim. What do you guys think?

tonyor2347 · 03-27-03, 02:42 PM

I forgot to add. I want to be able to do this without installing active sync. Well it's not like pc and palm programs will sync with a pocket pc. What do you think?

gozzy · 03-27-03, 02:51 PM

Why not use a CF card reader instead

tonyor2347 · 03-27-03, 02:55 PM

That's true. That is one way to do that. But let's say I don't want a cf card reader. I just want to put all my files unto my axims cf card, and then transfer all those same files to another computer using the axim. Possible? That would save money. I wouldn't have to buy a separate reader.

gozzy · 03-27-03, 03:00 PM

Not sure if it will work without activesync, I'm sure someone will reply who knows.
Have you tried experimenting yourself ?

tonyor2347 · 03-27-03, 03:04 PM

Nope, I haven't tried experimenting. I don't have an Axim yet, but I just ordered one. I've had a palm before, and right now I have an Intermec 6651 Handheld pc 200. Beautiful thing. Has a pc card and cf slot, as well as usb host. Awesome. But I don't have the pocket pc yet, so I have no idea if it'll work. Plus, I'm thinking of getting a USB flash drive, but if the ppc can be my flash drive, I won't waste money on the usb flash drive.

Derek · 03-27-03, 03:20 PM

there is a usb keychain type device that accepts sd(secure digital) cards. This way you can swap files this way!....Look at www.techtv.com and look under "call for help" show notes.

Mike C · 03-27-03, 04:19 PM

Just uninstall Active Sync from your home PC, and then dock the Axim. What happens? This is what will happen when you dock to the other machine you can't install to.

tonyor2347 · 03-27-03, 05:03 PM

I don't have an Axim yet. Should arrive Monday. Can someone try out what that guy said? Uninstall active sync and then connect the axim. See if you can send files to it for transfer to another computer. Is there a program that help?

I've seen those keychains with sd expandable slots. I'd like to try doing it with the axim first. If not, I will get one of those.

fishrising · 02-26-04, 02:23 PM

Newbie here...and not an Axim owner, but a ViewSonic owner (price was too good to beat...),

Anyone have any updates on this thread?

This is the only thread I could find searching the web about using a PPC as a USB "thumb," "pen," "jump," or "flash" drive.

Thanks in advance!

Tom61 · 02-26-04, 04:09 PM

You can't use the Axim over USB without Activesync installed.

However, you can use it over IR without drivers/activesync installed to transfer files, at least with Windows XP. You line up the IR boxes and Windows pops up a file transfer program. Fairly fast too. If you have a laptop that you want to transfer files to/from, this is a very easy way. If you want to do the same, maybe using an USB IR adapter will work without drivers.

fishrising · 02-26-04, 04:20 PM

IR USB adapter that needs no drivers on the Wintel box with IR on the PPC...that may work...

How about any apps that will emulate a usb flash disk running on the ppc, one that you can start up prior to pluging in the usb cable? So that the OS you are plugged into sees it as a flash drive...no drivers this way??? Any developers willing to take a stab at this?

I am trying to move files between W2K3 servers on different networks. I used to use a usb flash drive, no problem, no drivers required. I figure now that I have a ppc there has to be a way to emulate it so I don't have to carry both (not that the flash drive is big). Plus, my ppc has more storage than my usb flash drive.

Thanks for the info...

02-26-04, 04:26 PM

this is what i use when i go to school
http://simpletech.com/usbflashdrives/Bonzai.php

just hook it up to the usb port and stick on your sd card. I dont think u can do it straight through with the axim tho.

02-26-04, 06:02 PM

like mpbasher52 said, what you want is one of these:

$20.43 shipped from buy.com

it's the most portable SD/MMC card reader available.