Ok, I've never owned a PDA. I've never even tapped a single screen on a PDA. But I wanted a pocket pc for work purposes, and I wanted the fastest, feature packed one I could find. I decided on the Axim x51v, ordered it, and Im waiting for it to arrive.
Here is my problem (well more like list of problems) that I have:
1.) After reading this site, I find that I'll have to do a ton of software fixes/patches/downloads to make the Axim perform how I had envisioned it working (like a handheld laptop).
2.) I suck with Software issues (but do well with hardware issues.. which wont help me much in this application).
So here are my questions, and I hope that you can help me and forgive me if they have all been asked before (I read through 10 pages of posts but didnt find a thread that would answer all of my questions)
1.) First off how do I download software to the Axim? Do I download it to my pc first then synch it or is it downloaded directly to the PDA?
2.) Can I drag and drop files from my pc to the PDA?
3.) When I get the x51v, what should I do after opening the box up and looking at all the pretty parts? Immediately download an operating system upgrade?
4.) I read about all kinds of registry changes, patches, hacks, you name it to get WM5 to work, but dont really understand all this. What changes should I make right off the bat to enhance performance AND stability?
5.) What is some essential software that I need to get that costs LESS than $50 combined?
6.) My work has a wireless network, will I be able to connect to it, and how?
Maybe I should back up and let you know what Im going to be doing with this PDA (or what I had envisioned I would be doing)
I work as a consultant and will be managing an intense schedule (have to use outlook for work email and scheduling). So I need an active Todo list with lots of scheduling. I will also be doing PowerPoint presentations, viewing photos and videos, and opening Word and Excel documents.
Any help you can provide would be very much appreciated. And if you use small words and talk slowly it would be great too... hehe
Thank you.
(P.S.- Due to spending the money on the PDA it will be a month till I buy an extra memory card for it.)
First you charge the battery and read the info in the box. Some programs can be installed on the PDA after copying a CAB file over. Some programs need to be executed on the PC which will install the program to your Axim through ActiveSync. You can drag and drop files to your PDA through the PC. If your wireless internet has no password, then connecting to it should be no problem after enabling the wireless on the Axim. If it has a password, then you should be prompted for it on your AXIM and you can always dig into the wireless utility for options.
I use free software myself, find links in my link below
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Especially NEW USERS of Axims & Hard Reset Veterans!
1) It depends on the file extension *.cab files have to be copied into Axim and run on Axim to install and *.exe files you’ll execute on your PC and it will install into Axim. (with the exception of executables that doesn’t require installation, e.g. it will just run by taping on it; they also need to be copied to the Axim!)
2) Yes, you’ll use the activesync’s explor function, exploring to the desired folder and drag and drop.
3a) No!
Charge the battery (Don’t plug the USB yet) (While it is charging use the time to browse the printed manual!), Install “Activesync” from the CD, once charging is complete unplug your Axim and start the Axim, do the steps on the screen, tap on start (top left), on the drop down menu select “Settings”, tap on the “System” tab (bottom), tap on “System Information” icon, look for “Rom Version” if other then A06 you might want to download the update from Dell web site! What ever you decide for previous step, the next step is to "Play around with it, run different software and get a feel of your Pocket PC, now that you are at it go ahead and also show it to the family, friends and neighbours"
3b) Next you'll connect the cradle to your PC (USB), Unplug your Internet connection; deactivate your firewall/antivirus software (if any) and place Axim on the cradle to sync for the first time!, reactivate your firewall and reconnect internet.
3c) (you’ll be able to sync with 2 computers only!) for the email option you’ll have to consider if you are going to sync with an Exchange server (mail server at work!) or directly with Outlook (on your home PC, if now you’ll be syncing with it, you’ll need to use Outlook as your email software (a copy is provided on the install CD if you are not currently using it)
3d) If you need (in case you have an old Rom version), deactivate your firewall/antivirus software and run the downloaded upgrade (following the onscreen steps).
4) None
5) Most essential software are already installed on your Axim, what you need is to try them first and see what is not answering your needs and then start looking for new ones!
6) Yes, could be very simple or somewhat complicated, best place to start would be to ask your system administrator about the specification of the wireless network, protocols, type of encryption used, how you’ll get a key, etc
Envision 1) Todo list on Pocket PC is very basic (you’ll probably need a better one, or if you currently use Outlook todo list, you’ll have to at least get PocketBreeze)
Envision 2) you have Windows Media Player 10 and a simple photo viewer on Axim and there are some great free Photo viewers and Video players out there, try Core TCMP for videos and XnView Pocket for photos.
Envision 3) Opening Word and Excel documents is okay as long as you don’t modify them and try to replace the ones on your PC or the network, since they are reformatted when you copy them into your Axim (and also most Excel functions are not available on the pocket Excel!)
The best option to not lose the formatting would be to use the ClearVue suite (viewers only) (you’ll get a trial version on the Dell CD). it will also gives you the option to run your PowerPoint presentation directly from your Axim at 1024x768 resolution using the VGA cable, which for instance comes with the full version of the Suite.
Wow thanks Cineza and everyone else for giving me some great advice. Love the step by step help.
Now I did notice on several download sites it listed Cab files and regular files, I'm still a little unclear about this. If Im downloading directly to my pda I would download the regular file and if Im downloading to my pc first I would use the cab file?
And I will only be synching with my work pc and leave the pda in the cradle most of the day at work.
I was planning on carrying around exel documents and entering data into them from the pda. So I will need a seperate program for this? I found one program called Textmaker for this, but it was $50.00 for the Word program and $50 for the excel program. That seemed a bit steep to me.
Wow u guys are actually nice to noobs. Not so on my warcraft server...anyway Welcome to the New Bee world. I got my X51v 2 weeks before christmas and it is very frustrating but I'm learning. my biggest gripe so far i guess would be that I have to reset it everytime I turn it back on so it will read the memory cards. Other than that I love it. I'm not using it for anything spectacular yet taking it slow at first.... :approve:
Wow thanks Cineza and everyone else for giving me some great advice. Love the step by step help.
You are welcome, hope you’ll enjoy your new toy :approve:
Originally Posted by Zatx
Now I did notice on several download sites it listed Cab files and regular files, I'm still a little unclear about this. If Im downloading directly to my pda I would download the regular file and if Im downloading to my pc first I would use the cab file?
It is actually other way around; cab files are to be executed on the PDA and exe files on the PC!
Originally Posted by Zatx
I was planning on carrying around exel documents and entering data into them from the pda. So I will need a seperate program for this? I found one program called Textmaker for this, but it was $50.00 for the Word program and $50 for the excel program. That seemed a bit steep to me.
If you are able to separate your desktop Excel doc from your PDA, I’ll suggest waiting and trying Pocket Excel, maybe quarter of Microsoft Office Excel's calculation functions is all you’ll ever need (while on the go)!
(You could also write macros in your desktop Excel that will import data from the document created in Pocket Excel!)
It was kind of frustrating for me at first also. It looks like you have already received a bunch of good advice. You'll be good at it before you know it. I can't imagine not being nice to new people. What's that all about?
Ok.. I've gotten my x51v and LOVE it. I charged it, upgraded to ROM 06 and updated Activesynch 4.1. Managed to get all my Outlook stuff to synch, even inserted a 512mb 133x SD card and the Axim recognizes it and its never disappeared.
I downloaded and installed Pocketbreeze and I love it. I tried the trial version of Informant and hated it. Same with SBD.. hated it. Seemed way too slow.
Now on to my questions I cant seem to answer:
1.) Whats a good alternative to SBD? I miss the close on X feature, and battery monitor.
2.) Why does Pocketbreeze only take up the top 2/3rds of the screen? I would love for it to take up the whole screen so I dont have to scroll.
3.) How on earth do I compose an email with Outlook if I don't have a contact to click on first? Cant seem to find an "Email" icon anywhere.
4.) Where is a good spot to get music and movies to view? I've got this great media player, and nothing to watch/listen too.
5.) I've seen alot of questions about the VGA Display. Is my Axim x51v running VGA? How do I know this? What the heck IS a VGA hack/program anyway?
6.) Are there any freeware games out there that make use of the Axim's VGA display?
Thanks so much to everyone who posts on these boards and helps us n00bs out.
You've made my first PocketPC expierence much smoother and enjoyable.
Welcome to the world of Axim ownership! I can answer a few of your questions, but not all of them. 1 and 2, I have no idea. 3, you compose emails using Messaging. It should just say email or outlook, that would make it a whole lot easier! 4. You can download music from anywhere that sells music. I use Napster and Rhapsody. Most of what I have in my Ax are from CDs that I own and ripped on to the computer. Most of my downloads are on my DJ. Not sure about video, someone else will have to help ya there. 5. the X51v has a VGA screen. Besides knowing that it is VGA, I know absolutely nothing else about it other than the icons look tiny compared to my X51 mid. My friend has an X50v and I do not like the VGA screen. Since I do not have VGA, I cannot answer 5. Hope that helps at least a little!
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Tonya :cheers:
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Axim X51 520 Mhz
Windows Mobile Version 5.0
ROM Version A05
Belkin Cordovan Case
Sandisk 512MB CF Card
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Hi, Guys, don't worry, I never had a Pocket PC before my purchasing of X51 this month. I did not know anything either. But everything worked fine for me. Updated to A05, installed software, fixed the Power On problem etc...
It was quite sinple, just wait the arriving of you X51, and follow the threads here, if you have any problem, the people here will be glad to help you.
Enjoy your X51.
I would never have guessed there is such a cool support group for newbies with PDA's. I feel like I should stand up in the proverbial circle of folding chairs and say "Hi, I got my x51 for Christmas. It's my first one."
Can anyone tell me if Outlook Express works with x51? I use it at work and want to put my address book on my pda and check my email when out of the office?
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