Where is BIS

gtech · 08-17-06, 02:50 AM

Hi, I'm new to the Axim X51V just come over from Ipaq. Everyone talks of BIS and I understand what it is, however, when I use explorer on the Axim, the only storage folders I can clearly see are my SD CARD and CF CARD what fold is the BIS folder or at least main storage area where I can find this massive ram the X51V has.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Graeme

spunker88 · 08-17-06, 07:08 AM

I think the bis is the main memory on the x51v. Its got a lot!

Pocketbrain · 08-17-06, 07:27 AM

BIS (flash ROM) is Built-In Storage. It's different in WM5 from WM2003se and earlier versions of WM.

The Old way: your programs were installed into system RAM and when you turned your PDA "off", it was actually sleeping, keeping RAM alive so it would all come back up when you turned your PDA back on. Programs and files could also be installed into the BIS, so they didn't evaporate when your backup battery died or you had to Hard-Reset the device. This made recovery of the device easier.

The New way: Programs are installed into your machine's ROM, which is persistent memory. Loss of power does not equate to loss of data anymore. The RAM is kept alive if you have selected standby or sleep mode for your power button. Basically, BIS now looks just like memory on your device.

gtech · 08-17-06, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the reply guys, I fully understand Persistent memory and how it works in WM5, I am just confused as to what the folder is labelled as in Explorer, ie in the HP it was a folder labelled STORAGE.

On the X51V there appears to be no such folder.

Graeme

Pocketbrain · 08-17-06, 07:54 AM

It's just there. Your device. Anything that shows up as not a storage card. Like the Windows folder, the Program Files folder, the My Documents folder. BIS is basically treated as system storage, not as "external" storage like it used to be. To store files or install programs to BIS, just transfer the file to your device, or simply install the program to the default location.

Note: Part of BIS is the "shadow" version of WM5, which is basically the stock version that came with your device, or was updated last time you updated your ROM. Basically, it contains WM5 as it was shipped. This is used to restore the system in a hard reset. The rest of BIS contains the OS as you have modified it (added programs and files, edited the registry, email folders and temp files, etc etc).

dvmed · 08-17-06, 11:19 AM

I understand that the OP looking for a storage similar to Ipaq file store. The importance of this is that even if you dont have a memory card, you can put those files that are very important to you inside the Ipaq file store folder and even if you perform a hard reset, the contents of that folder will remain intact. In WM5, that folder doesn't seem to exist. If you do a hard reset on WM5 it erases everything just like formatting a hard drive.
One practical use for this (although a remote possibility) is that I can store my backup in the Ipaq file store folder so that just in case the SD card becomes corrupted plus I need to do a hard reset, I can just install the basic backup from Ipaq file store and get some functionality (including contact info) just until I can get back to my computer to sync and access my main backup file.