How do I easily clear all data but not software

mrbuggs · 10-12-06, 02:23 PM

Hey folks, I sadly sold my Dell only because I was unable to use it to it's full potential.

Question is, how do I clear all my data without losing software?

Appreciate your help.

Khris · 10-12-06, 02:57 PM

You might be able to use a file manager and delete the appropriate database files. But unless you know for sure which files are which, you could end up doing more damage and end up having to do a hard reset.

kpc1 · 10-12-06, 02:59 PM

If you're not going to hard reset, I guess you'll have to delete your data manually, one at a time?

10-12-06, 03:16 PM

Easiest way: have a pre-data-entry backup handy, with all your software installed and the settings done following a hard reset, then use it.

The way you're probably going to have to go: manual deletion, since otherwise you could kill your system and need to do a hard reset anyhow.

AKAJohnDoe · 10-12-06, 03:16 PM

Generally, software is owned by the original purchaser. I hope it is not your intent to sell your PDA with purchased software on it...

mrbuggs · 10-12-06, 03:40 PM

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I'll need to delete them one by one. Don't want to risk screwing things up for the new owner.

I only have installed a Scrabble game and Pocketbreeze info manager. I presumed these would go with the Axim.

Is there copyright issues I should be aware of?

10-12-06, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by mrbuggs

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I'll need to delete them one by one. Don't want to risk screwing things up for the new owner.

I only have installed a Scrabble game and Pocketbreeze info manager. I presumed these would go with the Axim.

Is there copyright issues I should be aware of?

Basically, yes. The license is purchased by the owner for a device. When you transfer the device to another person, you don't transfer the license with it - that belongs to the person who bought it. This is usually because you're not handing over control of your email address, alias, or other things which are what the registration information is usually linked to. Besides, any software which they MIGHT be able to use should've come with the CD that came with the Axim (so they could install Scrabble if it's on the disk, or the Virtual Pool demo).

Now, if you'd DIED and they got control of all that, then it MIGHT pass muster... but then again, it might not. You willing to will the buyer everything you own in order to sell an Axim?

kpc1 · 10-12-06, 04:11 PM

If you have the .exe files, why not do a hard reset, then reinstall ActiveSync, then reinstall Scrabble and PocketBreeze? Best of luck, sorry you're losing your Dell..

edge777 · 10-13-06, 02:22 AM

Here's what I have done with that:

1. Perform a complete backup.
2. Hard Reset
3. Backup your BLANK PIM data.
4. Restore your complete backup.
5. Restore your Blank PIM data.

I have done this before, because after a hard reset and restore, all my contacts duplicate on the first sync. By starting with a blank PIM, it all works.

dvmed · 10-13-06, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by edge777

Here's what I have done with that:

1. Perform a complete backup.
2. Hard Reset
3. Backup your BLANK PIM data.
4. Restore your complete backup.
5. Restore your Blank PIM data.

I have done this before, because after a hard reset and restore, all my contacts duplicate on the first sync. By starting with a blank PIM, it all works.

I was thinking along the same line as yours.
1. Perform a complete backup
2. Copy program folder to sd card (rename if needed)
3. Hard reset
4. Copy content of #2 to program folder
5. Restore system files only from back-up.

Since all my program files are in my sd card, I can omit steps #2 and #4. I'm going to try your method next time I need to clear my data.

Menneisyys · 10-15-06, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by Khris

You might be able to use a file manager and delete the appropriate database files. But unless you know for sure which files are which, you could end up doing more damage and end up having to do a hard reset.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work under any PPC / WM operating system. Under WM5, you can't delete the pim.vol file; iunder pre-WM5, you must use a third-party WinCE DB browser / deleter tool like Pocket dbExplorer.

Menneisyys · 10-15-06, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by edge777

Here's what I have done with that:

1. Perform a complete backup.
2. Hard Reset
3. Backup your BLANK PIM data.
4. Restore your complete backup.
5. Restore your Blank PIM data.

I have done this before, because after a hard reset and restore, all my contacts duplicate on the first sync. By starting with a blank PIM, it all works.

This isn't necessary at all - there are far easier ways of doing this.

Before the SKTools bug (SKTools is supposed to be able to delete all PIM records easily) is fixed (I've just posted a bug report to the S-K people on this, after some serious testing), I recommend the following: make a full backup, HR your device and, then, make a SELECTIVE restore - just leave out the personal PIM data. That is, when you restore, make sure you untick the following, highlighted checkboxes:

(Spb)

(Sprite)

(Sunnysoft)

Menneisyys · 10-15-06, 08:41 AM

SKTools 3.0 has, in the meantime, turned out to support PIM deletion fully under WM5 too (and I've checked this on my x51v too). With that, you won't need to make any backup.

That is, go with SKTools.