WM5/x51v Backup

[anthro]

I've read a lot of posts about backing up and how there is no real good backup application for WM5, so it seems most people are stuck with Dell's backup for the x51v. I've read it is slow and sometimes buggy - has anyone had restore issues using it? I am also curious if you can backup & restore direct to a PC instead of a CF/SD card (which would fill up if you backup regularly). Thanks.

[SolSie]

I've read a lot of posts about backing up and how there is no real good backup application for WM5, so it seems most people are stuck with Dell's backup for the x51v. I've read it is slow and sometimes buggy - has anyone had restore issues using it? I am also curious if you can backup & restore direct to a PC instead of a CF/SD card (which would fill up if you backup regularly). Thanks.

First, the built-in bkup utility seens to be part f WM5 not from Dell.

I did restore after a sudden hard-reset. It was equally buggy and slooooow as you stated, but I could restore successfully

If you need several copies of your backup and having concern about space on your storage card. You can always move some of them to your PC (using ActiveSync) or a storage card reader and keep the most recent on your Axim/storage card just in case you are not near a PC and a sudden H/R occurs.

[anthro]

Thanks Solsie - it's good to know that at least the backup/restore will work, even though its slow.

[SolSie]

I just did a full test:

1-7:00 AM leave the X50v at maximum speed, Play music in loop mode at max volume, keep the screen on, turn on BT & WiFi..

2-9:00 AM: receive a warning: Power remains 4%, device will go to sleep mode

3-9:02 AM: X50v turns off. I leave it off.... Unit refuses to turn on

4-9:45 AM: Replace the depleted battery with an extended battery at full charge. And turn on the Axim

5-Turn on the X50v. Everything was back as before, music resumes, etc..No reset needed....

WM5/PS passed the power drained test :-) with flying color! I assume, when the message " device is going to sleep mode, WM5 destages the whole environment to BIS to preserve the environment.

However, for best practice, please keep a backup handy, preferable on your storage card just in case of a sudden hard-reset. You will loose all the settings for add-on programs + Today plugins.

First, the built-in bkup utility seens to be part f WM5 not from Dell.

FYI,

The backup utility was created by HTC for use on this Dell PPC (and possibly other PPCs) and is not part of WM5. It is part of the current ROM image but was not created or placed in the ROM image by Microsoft.

So in a sense, it's from Dell because they paid a licensing fee to include it.

[SolSie]

pgh1969pa, thanks for clarification :-)

I just had to hard reset again due to a freeze and soft reset did not help. Prior to this, I made a backup. BTW, the backup image now takes 42MB and take 15mn. After the hard-reset, the restore utility said the image is having a problem and suggest to report to Microsoft....GRRRR
I am good for another re-install all the software again...

[Chetola]

Thanks SolSie for the update.

There is a definite flaw with WM5!

The message from most all the posts that I have read is: Don’t install it until there is a fix.

Sprite is currently working on a version of their backup utility that will support WM5. Look for it in the near future. While the Dell utility is sufficient, Sprite is the "Golden Egg" of backup utilities. I've been using it since shortly after I bought my X3i, and it's saved me countless hours of reinstalling/reconfiguring.

[rlarson_mn]

I have a X51V with the back up application in question in its ROM. I have done 3 hard resets in the past 3 weeks (2 at the request of a Dell tech). All restores have been fine. I have also restored just the data files per a data file selection within the backup application. All of my data was there. For my 2 cents the backup application does its job though I would like it to be able to restore selectively like the backup application I have on my HP Ipaq 4150.