Maximize ROM lifespan?

[SuperZi]

With the new WM5 update released, I will be switching back to using WM5 on my x50v.

My question is about what kind of changes I should make to maximize the lifespan of the NOR rom this device uses (which has fewer write cycles than NAND flash used in other WM5 devices).

Ie. I know that I should try to install as much as I can on external flash (SD or CF) and also that I should modify the registry so that Internet Explorer saves its cache elsewhere, but what else should I do besides these two that will also help?

Thanks!



(According to one source, it seems that NOR only has between 10,000 to 100,000 write cycles... a number that seems rather large, but once you consider the constant writing that takes place through caching, this number of write cycles suddenly seems very low!)

[SuperZi]

Anyone? :)

[dvmed]

I hear you SuperZi. I'm just betting that when the cycle is over, the Axim would be obsolete by then.

With the new WM5 update released, I will be switching back to using WM5 on my x50v.

My question is about what kind of changes I should make to maximize the lifespan of the NOR rom this device uses (which has fewer write cycles than NAND flash used in other WM5 devices).

Ie. I know that I should try to install as much as I can on external flash (SD or CF) and also that I should modify the registry so that Internet Explorer saves its cache elsewhere, but what else should I do besides these two that will also help?

Thanks!



(According to one source, it seems that NOR only has between 10,000 to 100,000 write cycles... a number that seems rather large, but once you consider the constant writing that takes place through caching, this number of write cycles suddenly seems very low!)

That number might be kind of low with caching, but if you move the PIE cache to a storage card, that problem will be taken care of; then the 10k-100k write cycles will end up lasting for a good long time. I'd guess, based on what I've read in various places, that in most cases, the ROM will last much longer that an owner would care to keep the device.

I wouldn't even worry about installing all of your programs to a storage card...if the program doesn't write lots of data, then why would it be a problem to install to the ROM?

P

[Menneisyys]

You don't need to bother. As has pointed out in several of my flash ROM-related articles, the flash microcontroller (and, for that matter, WM5 itself) makes sure it "maps out" destroyed ROM cells. That is, you are highly unlikely to be able to EVER render a flash ROM useless.

[bigbop]

You don't need to bother. As has pointed out in several of my flash ROM-related articles, the flash microcontroller (and, for that matter, WM5 itself) makes sure it "maps out" destroyed ROM cells. That is, you are highly unlikely to be able to EVER render a flash ROM useless.

However, with that said, isn't it still good practice to place any caches into the RAM to speed up the processing?