New rom for x50/x50v will be availible on 12/12/2006

[dvmed]

I believe this sight explains the Compaction that is being talked about. http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/..._CallBack=true

I have read that article some time back, but it's still a good read to brush up to the basics. That blog however doesn't explain anything about AKU2 and how it improves compaction. How are they going to minimize compaction without wearing out the flash blocks faster?

Furthermore, there's an interesting question in that blog, and I quote

Why are Axim users seeing this so much more than everyone else? That I don't know. The compaction thread is the same on the Axim as on every other WM5 device. It would seem that the Axim is doing something different than other devices. I don't have visibility into their design and can only speculate.

Which brings us to another question.

How can they make a code (AKU2) common to all devices which will address the question above if the microsoft people can only speculate into Dells design?

[edge777]

I think it comes down to this. It's not a problem with the Axim, but rather the X50, which was never designed to run WM5, and will never be able to. Yes, there are many improvements that could be done the X50 WM5 ROM, that would make it run better. However, it will never run as well at the X51, IMHO. As well, I will truly be surprised if the update actually happens, because I have had Dell employees promise to me with every ounce of their being that a ROM update was coming, and yes, I even had specific dates.

[dvmed]

I think it comes down to this. It's not a problem with the Axim, but rather the X50, which was never designed to run WM5, and will never be able to.

That is precisely why I'm skeptical about the upgrade. Whether or not Dell proves me wrong, I'll never know cause I'll never try. I'm sticking to wm2003se with my X50V.

[DavesPPC]

The only "good" upgrade is the one that involves the upgrade to the x51v.
And also the only reliable upgrade.

[STi Sev]

I've got a X50v and a X51v.


Why anyone WANTS to willfully upgrade their X50v to WM5 seriously baffles the crap out of me.

WM2003 SE is superior in every way. I was excited about WM5 only regarding Persistent Storage, but I've learned it to be a fad.

[JTYoung1]

I need WM5 to sync with my company's MS Exchange Server wirelessly. I cannot do it using WM2003 SE.

[greenglide]

I havent noticed any reference to the later blog entry which details investigations into WHY the x50 suffers problems with wm5 (as does the IPAQ 4700).

The reason put forward is that the block size that the memory is format to is different (larger) than that recommended by Microsoft. Microsoft can inform the third parties how the software should be implemented but cannot force them to follow this.

The argument put forward is logical and MAY explain the unexpected problems with the X50 and wm5 (MS reckon it SHOULD work if implemented properly).

We may find out - time will tell - the clock is ticking (has been for some time) - not holding breath

[DotanCohen]

Or, it could be a way for Dell to sell more x51v's.

"What, the new ROM bricked your out-of-warranty x50v? No problem, the x51v is on sale..."

Dotan Cohen

http://what-is-what.com/what_is/css.html
http://song-lirics.com

[digital_nomad]

I havent noticed any reference to the later blog entry which details investigations into WHY the x50 suffers problems with wm5 (as does the IPAQ 4700).

The reason put forward is that the block size that the memory is format to is different (larger) than that recommended by Microsoft. Microsoft can inform the third parties how the software should be implemented but cannot force them to follow this.

The argument put forward is logical and MAY explain the unexpected problems with the X50 and wm5 (MS reckon it SHOULD work if implemented properly).

We may find out - time will tell - the clock is ticking (has been for some time) - not holding breath

Hmm well couldn't we just reformat the disk image holding the system files
and restore the files properly if we had the right utilities to read the filesystem
and rewrite it?

I assume this would be mostly in regard to the "system rom image" that
contains a filesystem that includes the Windows OS files and stuff; I guess
that might be refered to as BIS? Anyway the nomenclature isn't important,
but if it's a genuine FAT filesystem of a fixed size then it should be possible
to extract it and reformat it to one of the same size but with different
allocation / cluster size.

For removable media CF / SD then it's just a question of reformatting them
in one's favorite PC very easily, so I assume the main problem is the
system's integrated flash, and specifically the part of that that is a
read / write filesystem... The read only bits of the ROM can't really ever
need "compacting" or rotating to ensure the flash doesn't burn out since
they're read only anyway.... It'd just have to apply to things that
get created or expanded / deleted over time in a read/write way...

And given that isn't there some hack to move one's "temp drive" (well
I know it's not that simple but you get the idea) to SD/CF instead of BIS
anyway for the purposes of installing most applications and the storage
of their data files? The less stuff that writes BIS the better anyway
since you can always replace a SD/CF but not the BIS flash if it burns out...

Whenever I have the choice I always install programs on and use data on
the removable media.. Given that what applications really create the
huge problem (read/write) on the BIS?

[Joelacrane]

If you are legit, thank you for the heads up. People are ALWAYS skeptical when someone posts on a forum claiming that they are from a company, I've seen it happen many, many times. You need some way to prove yourself.

But still, thank you very much for the heads up. I appreciate it.

[big_redfox]

I spoke to Dell Axim technical suport yesterday regarding non-performance of x50v+WM5. The guy assured me that a patch will be available 12/12/06. If not, that's OK for me too. It would be a good cause to have them swap me out with x51v!

[ronb]

I need WM5 to sync with my company's MS Exchange Server wirelessly. I cannot do it using WM2003 SE.

That, I believe, is where the motivation lies for Dell to make this upgrade really/finally work. A lot of companies may have deployed large numbers of x50 PPCs, as recently as a bit over a year ago, and are probably pressuring Dell to make it so they can utilize/support these on similar systems as the since-purchased x51s. If a couple big accounts say they will take their desktop/laptop business elsewhere if there is no resolution, it would probably get Dell's attention.

Exactly! Big accounts make the pressure.

[alaya129]

I hope it is true , thanks !

[Eric12341]

well we shall find out for sure 3 days from now,although i am using an x51v now i still would like to see this rom upgrade happen.