Best Approach for Reinstalling Software?

DrummerCT · 07-08-06, 10:58 PM

I am tempted to do the ROM update from A06 to A12. The only thing stopping me is the number of hours it would take to manually reinstall each third-party app. Which also means I have to track down the install files for each one, and so forth, and then re-install.

I was wondering if I can simply use "Add/Remove Programs" as found in the Activesync "Tools" menu? In other words, do the ROM update, and then check off the various program listings from Activesync (a few at a time until they were all installed). Would this work?

**Frenchy** · 07-08-06, 11:12 PM

Some may work OK but other may not as the installation restore may put information to the wrong place in the registry. I have reinstalled everything and my Axim is working great.

gadgetnerd · 07-08-06, 11:16 PM

Yes, you can use the Add/Remove programs in ActiveSync. But it will only reinstall software you installed from your computer. I don't see why it may put entries in the wrong places; it copies the CAB files over just as if you were installing from scratch.

**Frenchy** · 07-08-06, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by gadgetnerd

Yes, you can use the Add/Remove programs in ActiveSync. But it will only reinstall software you installed from your computer. I don't see why it may put entries in the wrong places; it copies the CAB files over just as if you were installing from scratch.

You may be right as long as teh same file version is still on the PC.

gadgetnerd · 07-08-06, 11:26 PM

When I reinstalled some of my software, whose installers I had deleted, they did a fresh install. I think AS keeps a cache of some sort of CAB files you have installed on your device, and it shares this cache between all partnerships on the same ActiveSync installation.

**Frenchy** · 07-08-06, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by gadgetnerd

When I reinstalled some of my software, whose installers I had deleted, they did a fresh install. I think AS keeps a cache of some sort of CAB files you have installed on your device, and it shares this cache between all partnerships on the same ActiveSync installation.

I never used it that way thanks for sharing this information. I will probably test this at some point. :approve:

DrummerCT · 07-08-06, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by gadgetnerd

When I reinstalled some of my software, whose installers I had deleted, they did a fresh install. I think AS keeps a cache of some sort of CAB files you have installed on your device, and it shares this cache between all partnerships on the same ActiveSync installation.

I'm not 100% sure I understand.... When you say that you deleted some of the installers, do you mean that you deleted whatever the original was? Does "fresh install" (as above) mean that AS installed 'as if' you had used the original? Thanks.

DrummerCT · 07-08-06, 11:49 PM

So lets say I use the above approach, that is, reinstalling via AS's cache of CAB files. What happens if I were to update AS from 4.1 to 4.2? Does the updating process preserve the listing of installed programs? When updating AS, do you first need to uninstall AS or just run the installation program and magically :) you end up with 4.2 happily living on your system?

Seems to me the prudent thing to do, at first glance, would be to first update to A12 ROM, reinstall software using the AS approach (with, in my case, AS 4.1), then once it seems all is working, go ahead to updating AS to 4.2. (which presumes 4.2 offers something of value in the first place) I am keen on spending as little time as possible on all of this because I'm in a time crunch this summer! (normally I wouldn't mind spending more time experimenting)

gadgetnerd · 07-08-06, 11:52 PM

I believe all your settings from previous versions of ActiveSync get transferred, as long as you install the new version "over" the old one (do not uninstall the old one first).

DrummerCT · 07-09-06, 12:12 AM

Are there clear advantages to AS 4.2 over 4.1?

gadgetnerd · 07-09-06, 12:29 AM

No........

DrummerCT · 07-09-06, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by gadgetnerd

No........

Ahhh... then all the more reason to update to 4.2!

solara · 07-09-06, 12:42 AM

Everytime I installed software, I made a backup of the CAB files (usually found in it's own subdirectory under Microsoft Activesync folder - or sometimes it's own directory under Programs), which I keep in one place. I burn these to CD's/DVD's as backups with a txt file containing all the serials. Then I removed all traces of the software from my computer. I hate how most programs keep multiple versions of the CABS on the computer (mips, sh3, arm) - wastes too much space.

When I reinstall, I copy the CABS directory to my CF card, run them from my PPC and install the program to my main memory or SD card. And vice versa for programs installed to my CF card. Much faster since you don't waste time with Activesync and having it copy the CAB files over to the PPC.

mad0865 · 07-09-06, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by DrummerCT

I am tempted to do the ROM update from A06 to A12. The only thing stopping me is the number of hours it would take to manually reinstall each third-party app. Which also means I have to track down the install files for each one, and so forth, and then re-install.

I was wondering if I can simply use "Add/Remove Programs" as found in the Activesync "Tools" menu? In other words, do the ROM update, and then check off the various program listings from Activesync (a few at a time until they were all installed). Would this work?

I did 90% of my reinstalls from AS; worked fine since I only sync w/ one PC. Some of the software needed to be reinstalled from the original installer though.

DrummerCT · 07-09-06, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by mad0865

I did 90% of my reinstalls from AS; worked fine since I only sync w/ one PC. Some of the software needed to be reinstalled from the original installer though.

What are some examples of your software that needed to be reinstalled from the original installer?