Won't turn on, only after reset, freezes

scanplannedit · 07-11-05, 01:29 PM

I did a search and found not to much info. This thing has to be the buggiest piece of computer equipment I have ever used. When it is working, it freezes up constantly. Even during mp3 playing using windows media it freezes and starts to skip. The "dial" appears to be stuck to the right, but this does not appear to have any effect on the pda. Anyhow, I have it in the cradle right now, I push the button, and it remains black. Nothing, nada. I upgraded to the new OS, but I am still having problems. I have a sandisk 128 which I think could be a culprit (very glitchy). How do you wipe out all information from a memory card (formatting has not done this)? Could I have a virus or spyware? Thanks for your help.

Kamokazi · 07-11-05, 01:59 PM

Viruses and spyware for PDAs are pretty much non-existant. You can rule that out entirely.

What do you mean by it won't turn on? And what 'dial' is stuck to the right? Do you mean the directional pad?

How often are the freezes? Do they only happen when trying to play MP3's? What quality (bitrate) are the MP3 files?

Does it take a while after a reset for it to freeze? Or does it happen right away? Are you actually closing the programs out of memory, or are you just tapping the 'X'? That only minimizes them, to close them you need to go into settings and into memory, or use the Switcher Bar utility that appears in settings. You could be just filling up your memory and trying to play MP3s on a full memory could cause the freeze.

Also, how many programs have you installed to main memory? Those can consume your free ram as well.

How did you format your memory card? Did you use your computer, axim, or maybe a camera?

And where did you get your X5 and how long have you had it? Is it a refurb, used, what?

Also Dell has a few updates for WM 2003, one of which is an Audio driver update that may help. And generally, WM2003 seems to be a bit more unstable than the older PPC2002. (But the only way to go back is if you backed up your ROM (not just data) and mose people don't).

X5X5X5 · 07-11-05, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by scanplannedit

I did a search and found not to much info. This thing has to be the buggiest piece of computer equipment I have ever used. When it is working, it freezes up constantly. Even during mp3 playing using windows media it freezes and starts to skip. The "dial" appears to be stuck to the right, but this does not appear to have any effect on the pda. Anyhow, I have it in the cradle right now, I push the button, and it remains black. Nothing, nada. I upgraded to the new OS, but I am still having problems. I have a sandisk 128 which I think could be a culprit (very glitchy). How do you wipe out all information from a memory card (formatting has not done this)? Could I have a virus or spyware? Thanks for your help.

Well first of all it's not a very buggy piece of equipment at all or else I don't very many people would be so loyal. It's all about the challenge with some people to make it work better and more efficent. I would say that since you are having such a difficult time then just go ahead and do a hard-reset and start from scratch. What type of memory card is it...SD or CF. I know that while using a CF card and trying to play audio and video it can cause problems whereas if you use an SD card it's much more smooth. Try taking the battery out and putting it back in to see if that will jumpstart your Axim back into working...sometimes that helps. To wipe all the data off of the memory card (formatting should have worked) instead of formatting just selecte everything on the card and delete it. Tell your PC that you want to view ALL files including hidden ones so you can get everything.

X5X5X5 · 07-11-05, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kamokazi

Viruses and spyware for PDAs are pretty much non-existant. You can rule that out entirely.

They do make AV software for your PDA so although I do agree with you I don't know that I would rule it out entirely but the chances are very slim.

scanplannedit · 07-11-05, 11:12 PM

That was a lot of questions. I found out from another post that the reason it will not turn on is because of the keyboard driver. How do I remove that driver? (from pc so it doesn't reload at sync as well as pda). Thanks.

scanplannedit · 07-11-05, 11:13 PM

While we are at it, a hard reset is holding the reset button longer ? How do you initiate a hard reset as compared to a soft reset?. Yeah, ran the boilermaker in 1:17.

Kamokazi · 07-11-05, 11:17 PM

Hold in the power button and reset button at the same time, then release the power button when you see the Dell logo. It should prompt you to erase all data (you can release the reset button at this point), so follow the instructions from there on out.

Don't Panic! · 07-11-05, 11:18 PM

Okay. Try Fat32 for your reformat on the card and see if that helps. Remove Today plug-ins from the card.

scanplannedit · 07-11-05, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the quick reply.