Help! 3 files in ROM (BIS) will not delete. Preventing ROM install.

wonkman · 05-31-06, 04:05 PM

I've got 3 files in BIS that refuse to delete even by their own apps. One is a WMP skin and the other is a Weatherpanel radar image.

They are corrupt and preventing WM5 or WM2003 from installing (checksum error) so that I can't install A05 the go back to WM03. So there is no chance of a ROM over-write as long as these files exist.

The files will rename but not move or be over-written. I guess I can just isolate them but I want them off!

Can someone offer some advice? Thanks

05-31-06, 04:11 PM

Try using Total Commander to delete the files.

bluevolume · 05-31-06, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by wonkman

I've got 3 files in BIS that refuse to delete even by their own apps. One is a WMP skin and the other is a Weatherpanel radar image.

They are corrupt and preventing WM5 or WM2003 from installing (checksum error) so that I can't install A05 the go back to WM03. So there is no chance of a ROM over-write as long as these files exist.

The files will rename but not move or be over-written. I guess I can just isolate them but I want them off!

Can someone offer some advice? Thanks

Just hard-reset your Axim, then do the ROM update. The ROM update does not care what files are there, it formats the entire ROM space.

wonkman · 05-31-06, 04:28 PM

For some reason the hard-reset is not going forward correctly and I am left with all my files in BIS. ???

I'll check out total commander. Thanks

psionandy · 05-31-06, 04:30 PM

a hard reset won't delete anything in BIS (or SD/CF cards anyway)

wonkman · 05-31-06, 04:36 PM

Total Commander didn't work. These files refuse to budge and I can't get a ROM on without a checksum error. Buggers.

bluevolume · 05-31-06, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by psionandy

a hard reset won't delete anything in BIS (or SD/CF cards anyway)

I suggested a hard reset to get rid of whatever error is preventing the ROM update.

This problem is odd -- I have never seen a ROM update fail because of a file that couldn't be removed.

wonkman · 05-31-06, 05:22 PM

I've already tried a hard reset a few times. There's no data that I need and I would love to blow A05 away and everything else away but even a hard reset fails and afterwards I am left with A05 and a fully preserved BIS.

I can't seem to find anything that will just wipe the slate clean. I'm thinking I'll just have to isolate those files and stick with the latest WM2003/A05 but it's irritating that nothing will blow these file away. I tried Resco, MemMaid and Total commander mentioned above but both give errors.

Does anyone have a copy of A04 or earlier? A05 doesn't want to over-write itself. Maybe that will do it. I checked Dells FTP but it's not real discriptive. WM5 just gives a checksum error and won't continue.

05-31-06, 05:52 PM

A check sum error might indicate problems with the flash memory. ...

Can you save over them with another file of the same name?

wonkman · 05-31-06, 06:14 PM

No. Thanks for the suggestion but even when I use the same file from another location on my PC, it just sits there and pretends to overwrite but doesn't.

I also found a copy of A03 but good 'ol Dell won't let you go backwards and WM5 won't let me go forwards.

I'm smelling a new 770 in my future (or a Motorola Q maybe) if I can find a decent PIM. Dell is acting just like MS with slow upgrades and the inability to migrate backwards is a major mistake.

Any further suggestions appreciated.

dvmed · 05-31-06, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by bluevolume

I suggested a hard reset to get rid of whatever error is preventing the ROM update.

This problem is odd -- I have never seen a ROM update fail because of a file that couldn't be removed.

I can see your point. A hard reset would free these files from processes that might be trying to access it and preventing them to be deleted because they might be in use. Performing a hard reset might allow him to delete these files since the registry will be flashed back to the original settings.

If a hard reset is not working he might need to send the unit back for service.

gadgetnerd · 05-31-06, 06:27 PM

Hmm, I'm not quite sure if this is possible, but try connecting your Axim to your PC as a USB disk, and use Windows (if that doesn't download the HP USB disk format tool[clicky]). That will do wonders to almost anything. After that, I think a hard reset (oh wait, there's no OS, lol) - I mean, a fresh install of A05 should do the trick. P.S. I take no responsibility if this kills your Axim and/or voids your warranty.

wonkman · 05-31-06, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the suggestion but the HP tool sees my other USB storage devices but not the Axim. I think Activesync might be required and the HP tool doesn't use that.

I paid $300 so I probably won't bother with repair service. I'm really disappointed in Dell's WM5 and in the constant memory leaks so I may get the 770 (or maybe the Q has a better implimentation of WM5).

I've tried a hard reset about 10 times and unfortunately it requires me to reconfigure and realign my screen etc, but remains A05 with the BIS still filled with files. I think I may have to rename these folders to "dead" and work around them but I shouldn't have to do that.

dvmed · 05-31-06, 07:05 PM

I agree with you wonkman when you said we shouldn't have to do work-arounds. This is a bit dangerous but it might work. There's a thread about flashing the rom from an sd card, a sticky. You might want to look into it.

wonkman · 05-31-06, 07:06 PM

Well i found an old backup from Spb Backup (April) and applied it but the files (which were not there in April) are still in the BIS.

I think these two files are glued to the ROM and are never coming off.