A06>A12 Step-by-Step

[benace]

Greetings All-

I've been lurking around here, gleaning off the hard work of others, so I figured it was time to make a contribution of my own:

I've waded through all the help, instructions, readmes, whining, complaining, fixes, tips, tricks, and hacks - and ignored most of it. But I managed to put together a step-by-step procedure that gets an A06 x51v to be an A12 x51v. There's some partisan tuning and tweaking of my own. I'm finally done! I found another x51v to play with, and was able to audit my procedure. I'm not at v1.0. I may add revisions as I test/tune and add software.

If you use it and it works, you should feel compelled to send me donuts - I haven't had breakfast yet. (just kidding of course, this is pro bono:) ). Enjoy.

-ben

[benace]

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STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR UPGRADING FROM A06 TO A12
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v1.0 01/12/2007
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COPYRIGHT BEN MCMAHON (C) 2006,2007
AximSite: benace
This document may be re-posted by anyone, anywhere
As long as this copyright message remains in tact, in its entirety
This document was prepared for the good of the Axim community
Useful enhancements will be given due credit
Plagiarism will be dealt with harshly (bubonic plague style)
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Notes:
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This procedure has only been tested with the following configuration:

--Axim x51v Hardware A00, A01
--Windows Mobile 5.0, Dell ROM A06
--ActiveSync 4.2.0 (Build 4876)
--SanDisk 512mb CompactFlash
--SanDisk 1gb UltraII USB SD Card
--SanDisk 256mb SD Card
--GENUINE Windows XP SP2 with ALL available updates as of 1/12/2007
--GENUINE Office 2003 SP2 with ALL available updates as of 1/12/2007
--GENUINE Internet Explorer 6.0sp1, Internet Explorer 7.0 with ALL available updates as of 1/12/2007


Do NOT ask me if this procedure will work with your setup.
I don't know, and I don't have your hardware.
I can't guarantee you will read and follow this step-by-step. Don't do it for me, do it for you.
I don't do PIM or other backups (they were not meant to be used for ROM Upgrades)
I don't use software stored on SD cards.
I'm OCD. If you find an error/omission/tweak/update/fix, PLEASE let me know.
This is what I did, and it worked for me.
READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT BEFORE ATTEMPTING. DO NOT SKIP STEPS. DO NOT COLLECT $200.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
(don't blame me if your axim blows up, cat stops talking to you, daughter gets pregnant, etc)

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Procedure:
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((Preparation))
-Be sure Axim x51v is at ROM A06 (other ROMs not tested - do so at your own risk)
-Be sure activsync is version 4.2.0 Build 4876
-Remove all cards, devices, and peripherals from the Axim
-Connect the Cradle to a power source (very important)
-Disconnect the Cradle's USB cable from PC
-Place axim in cradle
-Delete (all) device connections from active sync
-ActiveSync should now say "No partnerships"
-Reboot PC
-SHUT DOWN (not just disable) ALL firewalls, antivirus, MediaPlayers, outlook
-Close all open programs
-Close anything that restricts or interfaces with the Axim, Network Interfaces, or USB Connections
-Start Microsoft ActiveSync 4.2


((HardReset to Wipe Axim to A06))
-Ensure axim is in cradle
-Press and hold the power button (do not release until I tell you to)
-Immediately use the stylus insert to press the reset button (do not release until I tell you to)
-Hold both down for 3 seconds
-Release both
-When prompted, press the contact button (Button 2, second in from the left)
--**Axim wipes volatile memory, fresh A06 ROM is copied back to device


((Setup temporary connection used for ROM flash))
-When prompted, tap the screen to setup the device
-When prompted, tap the screen to align the screen (4-6 times)
-Select the appropriate time zone, and click Next
-Click Next to acknowledge the stylus info
-Tap/Hold the appointment, and click cut
-Tap/Hold 11am and click paste
-Click Next to acknowledge congratulations
-Click Next to set a password
-Click OK to skip the password selection
-Tap the screen to begin using the device
-Tap the screen to acknowledge the wireless and begin using the device
-Open ActiveSync
-Connect the cradle to the comptuer's USB Port
-For the ActiveSync wizard, click Cancel (activesync should now say Guest)


((Flash ROM Image - A05 Updater and AXX ROM Image))
**BE SURE ALL PROGRAMS ARE CLOSED!!!! VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
**WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER MUST NOT BE OPEN!!!!
**OUTLOOK MUST NOT BE OPEN!!!!
-Run the Dell ROM File (R129272.EXE)
-Click Continue
-Specify a folder to extract the files to and click OK (I used the default)
-If prompted, click yes to create the folder
-Click OK to acknowledge the file extraction
-Click Install Now in the IE window
-Click Run to begin the setup (again if you have security settings)
-Close Internet Explorer
-In the Dell Axim System Update Utility:
--Click Update ROM
--Click Next (it will take ~3 seconds for the button to enable)
--Verify Model, ROM, OS, Language and click Next
--Verify the AC Adapter is connected and click Continue
--**axim will blank out, disconnect, copy files, write image to device
--WAIT until the Axim screen says "Please perform a hard reset" (took about 30 seconds)
-Press and hold the power button (do not release until I tell you to)
-Immediately use the stylus insert to press the reset button (do not release until I tell you to)
-Hold both down for 3 seconds
-Release both
***YOU WILL NOT BE PROMPTED TO PRESS THE CONTACT BUTTON**
***DO NOT WORRY. JUST KEEP GOING!!!***
-Wait for the Axim to boot up
-For the ActiveSync wizard, click Cancel (activesync should now say Guest)
-Back in the Dell Axim System Update Utility:
--Click Continue
--**axim will blank out, disconnect, copy files, write image to device (took about 5 minutes total)
--When prompted, click Exit to complete the ROM copy then STOP
--WAIT until the Axim screen says "Please perform a hard reset"
-Disconnect the Cradle's USB cable from PC (very important)
-Press and hold the power button (do not release until I tell you to)
-Immediately use the stylus insert to press the reset button (do not release until I tell you to)
-Hold both down for 3 seconds
-Release both
***YOU WILL NOT BE PROMPTED TO PRESS THE CONTACT BUTTON**
***DO NOT WORRY. JUST KEEP GOING!!!***


((Configure the Device))
-When prompted, tap the screen to setup the device
-When prompted, tap the screen to align the screen (4-6 times)
-Select the appropriate time zone, and click Next
-Click Next to acknowledge the stylus info
-Tap/Hold the appointment, and click cut
-Tap/Hold 11am and click paste
-Click Next to acknowledge congratulations
-Click Next to set a password
-Check Prompt if device unused for
-Type password and click OK
-Click Yes to save password settings
-Tap the screen to begin using the device
-Tap the screen to acknowledge the wireless and begin using the device

***YOU ARE NOW AT ROM A12***
(verify Start > Settings > System > System Information > ROM Version = A12 (06200600))


((Personalize the Device)
-Click "Tap here to set owner information"
-Fill in the identification information
-Click the Options tab
-Check "Identification Information"
-Click OK

-Click Start > Settings
-Click Buttons
-Click Button 4
-For Assign a program select ""
-Click Button 5
-For Assign a program select ""
-Click OK

-Click Menus
-Uncheck Calendar
-Uncheck Contacts
-Uncheck Help
-Uncheck Home
-Uncheck Messaging
-Uncheck Windows Media
-Check Calculator
-Check File Explorer
-Check Notes
-Check Pictures & Videos
-Click OK

-Click Sounds & Notifications
-Click the Notifications Tab
-For Event, select Reminders
-For "Play Sound" select Alarm2
-For "Flash light for" select 5 minutes
-Click OK

-Click Today
-Click the Items Tab
-Uncheck Owner Info
-Uncheck Device Lock
-Uncheck Pocket MSN
-Uncheck Today timeout
-Click OK

-Click the System Tab

-Click About
-Click the Device ID Tab
-Type the appropriate Device Name and Description
-Click OK

-Click Brightness
-For On Battery Power, set the slider to 1 step right of the leftmost position
-Click OK

-Click Clock & Alarms
-Set the time and date
-Click OK
-Click Yes to save the settings

-Click Error Reporting
-Select Disable error reporting
-Click OK

-Click Power
-Click the Advanced Tab
-For On Battery Power, select 3 minutes
-Click the Processor tab
-Select Auto
***noted - processor at 624mhz***
-Remove axim from cradle
***noted - processor stepped down to 104mhz***
-Replace axim into cradle (usb still disconnected!)
***noted - processor returned to 624mhz***
-Click Power Button (the tab, not the hardware button)
-Select Full Power Off
-Click OK

-Click the Connections Tab
-Click Beam
-Uncheck receive all incoming beams
-Click Ok
-Close the connections dialog
-Close the settings window

-On the PC, click OK to the Update Complete! box
-Connect USB cable to computer
-Type device password and check Save Password
-Click OK

**synchronization wizard starts**
-Click Next
-Uncheck all boxes
-Click Next
-Click Finish
**device will perform a base synchronization of settings**
-WAIT for ActiveSync to read "Connected Synchronized"

-Remove Axim from cradle
**active sync terminates connection, axim dims**
-Replace Axim into cradle
**active sync reconnects, axim brightens**
-If prompted, type device password and check Save Password
-Click OK
-WAIT for ActiveSync to read "Connected Synchronized"

In Activesync
-Click Tools > Options
-Check Contacts
-Check Calendar and click Settings
-Select 1 Month and click OK
-Check Email and click Settings
-For email size select All
-Check Include file attachments
-Type 50kb
-Click OK
-Check Tasks
-Check Notes
-Check Favorites
-Click OK
**Axim will perform full sync**
In Activesync
-Click Tools > Options
-Select Email
-Click Settings
-Click Select Folders
-Check all appropriate folders
-Click OK
-Click OK to close the options box

**Axim will sync remainder of email**

-Remove axim from cradle
-Using side button, enable wireless connection (ensure that a network is available nearby)
-Select the network to connect to and click OK
-Select the network type and click connect
-if prompted, tyep the network key and click connect

-Click the bluetooth icon
-Uncheck "Turn on bluetooth" and click OK

-Click the wireless icon
-For Power Save Mode select Disable
-Uncheck "Disable WLAN to conserve power when battery is low"
-Click the tools tab
-Type an IP address in and ping it to verify connection
-Click OK to close the connection box

-Open internet explorer
-in the address bar type about:blank and click GO
-Click menu > Tools > options
-For home page, click Use Current
-click the security tab
-Uncheck Warn when changing to a page that is not secure
-Click ok
-Exit IE




((Tune the Device))

-Open File Explorer
-Navigate to \Windows
-Create a folder "StartupDeleted"
-Open the "startup" folder
-Cut the following: "odClientCeAutoLaunchSmart.exe", "SplashV"
-Paste them in the "StartupDeleted" folder
-Soft reset Axim

Can you add a little more detail...it's a bit too general for me! ;)
Thanks for the hard work - I'm sure it will be put to good use. I'll try it next week.

I hope I can find this again when I am ready to do the update. Maybe a Mod. could tag it as a "sticky". THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

[benace]

Any thread you post a reply to will be saved in your "subscribed threads" by default. If you want to save on in particular, you can go to Quick Links > Subscribed Threads and move it to a folder you create.

I hope I can find this again when I am ready to do the update. Maybe a Mod. could tag it as a "sticky". THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

Any thread you post a reply to will be saved in your "subscribed threads" by default. If you want to save on in particular, you can go to Quick Links > Subscribed Threads and move it to a folder you create.

Thanks for the info. I've used the site a fair bit but haven't investigated all the features.
I created a new folder in my subscriptions but I can't work out how to move the thread. I hope I'm not being dumb as I wouldn't have expected to have any problems but if you can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

BTW I don't know why your post hasn't created more interest as it seems the update doesn't go smoothly for everyone.

[DrummerCT]

The big picture question is: Can I use ActiveSync to reinstall all of the software? i.e., presently, ROM update aside, using my desktop version of ActiveSync, I can go to "Tools" --> "Add/Remove Programs and uninstall or reinstall by checking or unchecking the from the program listing. Can I use this approach rather than finding all of my individual installation files, and reinstalling one by one, etc. as a way to simplify getting my software back after updating to A12?

I'm presently using ver 4.1 of ActiveSync... if I update to 4.2 prior to ROM upgrade, would my program listing (as above) remain intact? Does one simply install 4.1 over 4.2 or do you have to uninstall 4.1 first (in which case, what happens to the "Add/Remove Programs" listings?).

Summarizing, would the following scenario work?

(1) update ActiveSync 4.1 to 4.2 (by installing over existing 4.1)
(2) make sure 4.2 connects with the Axim successfully
(3) upgrade the ROM from A06 to A12
(4) Add programs back in from the ActiveSync list that came into existing when installing under A06 ROM.

[scooter71]

This worked for me and I wanted to say thanks for taking the time to write such comprehensive, clear and detailed instructions. Makes me wonder why dell can't do something similar themselves. Thank you!! :approve:

Thanks! I had never done a hard reset or any ROM upgrades before so I didn't know what to expect and was nervous I'd have some of the problems that others are having. But thanks to your step by step directions, I knew just what was coming and what to do.

Thanks so much!!!

[ricfranz]

Thank you. Very, very well done.

[benace]

No problem everyone. Thanks for the PM feedback, I'll be updating it shortly.

Hate to use a cliche, but just remember to "pay it forward" every now and then:approve:

[cmwhite]

Well done, and a million thanks

[rcab]

Great detail. I just went thru this earlier in week. I wish I had this laying out in front of me at that time. I failed to close ZA and several hrs later got my sync to work. I just installed 4.2 over 4.1.

[Hexnut]

Wow. Aximsite "rookie"? A bump up is in order..

Thx

Hexnut

[ronward]

At last found this thread agin this time I will post so it can be found.

Ron