I have an Axim 51V that decided to turn unresponsive. Tapping doesn't work, neither do buttons. I think internally it is active, since the time changes and I can hear the trilling when email is sent and it recognizes Active Sync, but nothing works. I took out the battery and the window that tells me the battery compartment was unlock pop onto the screen, but tapping ok had no response. No amount of soft reboots worked. Silly me I then called Dell support. Had me do another soft reboot. Then suggested a factory setting restore. When the window that asked to press the envelope button to cancel, popped up, I tried to cancel. Now that window is stuck on the screen. Active Sync doesn't think we are connected. I think I am dead. Fortunately it is still under warranty. Dell is sending a new one. But I am concerned about getting rid of any data that is not on the flash drivel, since I have to send the old one back. Anyone out there have the same problems. Or answers. Thanks. Mike.
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I will check when I get home. But why wouldn't Tech Support have asked that one when I called? I will post the response later or tomorrow. If that is not the reason, and since Dell has already sent a replacement and I have to send unit back, will magnets really work to get rid of any left over data?
I will check when I get home. But why wouldn't Tech Support have asked that one when I called?
Because we are better than Dell tech support... ;)
Originally Posted by mzelfa
I will post the response later or tomorrow. If that is not the reason, and since Dell has already sent a replacement and I have to send unit back, will magnets really work to get rid of any left over data?
Just do a hard reset (hold down power button while doing a soft reset - stylus into the reset hole at the back) to clear all data. Make sure you remove all memory cards, etc. as well.
Magnets (the standard ones you can get) will do absolutely nothing to flash media, flash media does not store anything using magnetic means. Sure they may work by trapping a small amount of electrons in place but not enough for any conventional magnet to affect anything.
Now if you do choose to try a magnet you'll need a high power NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) imager (which you can borrow from any friendly organic chemistry lab) and very fast feet, in order to dodge the extremely fast flying shrapnel that your Axim will become. Oh, and an oxygen mask or rebreather mask so you dont suffocate from the hundreds of litres liquid nitrogen and helium that will be vaporising around you. Rest assured though that your Axim will no-longer have any recoverable data on it and once you have paid for the damage to the NMR (these puppies are expensive so mortgaging your friends and family may be on the cards) the world will be put to rights.
Or you could reflash the rom, but once again that requires some buttons to work.
Dell should wipe any device as part of their returns procedure. If not then you can sue, job done.
__________________ pencil and paper: n.An archaic information storage and transmission device that works by depositing smears of graphite on bleached wood pulp. More recent developments in paper-based technology include improved ‘write-once’ update devices which use tiny rolling heads similar to mouse balls to deposit colored pigment.
I've worked in a lab that had an NMR, on the outside it was good for screwing about with credit cards and other magnetic media, get them within about 2-3m of a low-ish power NMR (600MHz detector range) and bye-bye magstrip or floppy. They also have a habit of stopping mechanical watches as they slightly magnetise the parts and prevent them from moving. But the fun idea (I have to stress that as it is definitely a very bad idea) is that as much as a small piece of metal inside it when the near-superconducting magnets pulse and what you'll end up with will be a piece of metal with lethal velocity quickly exiting the vessel in a completely unpredictable direction and a lot of liquid nitrogen and liquid helium now in direct contact with a magnet that contains a lot of energy.
The reason for the helium and nitrogen is to keep the magnet as near as possible to absolute zero temperature, they surround the magnet in two jackets similar to your Thermos flasks, and think how easily they shatter... the liquids also evaporate incredibly quickly and can easily put the oxygen content of the atmosphere you are breathing down from 22-24% to 1-2% or less in a matter of seconds, and if it gets that low you will almost immediately pass out, probably within 1-2 breaths of air, and that is a Very Bad Thing(tm) to do in oxygen depleted environments.
You very quickly learn respect for these machines. They're very neat toys, but there's a very fine line between merely dangerous and effing lethal.
Whoops, sorry to go off topic. :)
Oh, an alternative to an NMR without the risk of asphyxiation is to go to a well kitted hospital and ask to use their MRI machine, you'll still end up dodging the shrapnel and putting your great-great-grandkids into massive debt, but at least you won't suffocate.
__________________ pencil and paper: n.An archaic information storage and transmission device that works by depositing smears of graphite on bleached wood pulp. More recent developments in paper-based technology include improved ‘write-once’ update devices which use tiny rolling heads similar to mouse balls to deposit colored pigment.
I am not sure that the hard reset will work. It has been tried and the cancel or contiue window pops up and doesn't go away. BTW, wasn't thinking of using the magnet on the flash drive. That's removeable. I wanted to use it on the unit itself. But if it still won't clear the data, then I will have to 'rely on the kindness of strangers' at Dell. Oh boy.
I am not sure that the hard reset will work. It has been tried and the cancel or contiue window pops up and doesn't go away. BTW, wasn't thinking of using the magnet on the flash drive. That's removeable. I wanted to use it on the unit itself. But if it still won't clear the data, then I will have to 'rely on the kindness of strangers' at Dell. Oh boy.
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