Zaniax

I'm now convinced that your ROM has a fault.
When I upgraded my ax I did a backup of my previous ROM.
But that won't help you now if you didn't do likewise

.

pdl1

No, I never tried to alter the BIOS. Could I put A12 on a SD card and install it from there? It might force a real reboot.

KPDUTY

Yes you can. It's well documented on a thread on this site.

The A12 SD rom image can be created from the Dell rom update on their site.

Search this site for instructions.

Use CAUTION in understanding exactly what is needed (don't confuse with other Axim roms and procedures) otherwise you could cause permanent damage.

That being said, if done properly, flashing the rom is quite easy and safe.

I've flashed back and forth from A12 to roms that cannot be mentioned here at least 5 times with success everytime.

(I'm currently running the unmentionable on my X51V)

In your case, stick with the Dell A12 rom converted to nbo format.


Good luck ...

bigdave240

Originally Posted by pdl1

No, I never tried to alter the BIOS. Could I put A12 on a SD card and install it from there? It might force a real reboot.

What version are you at now? If you are not at A12 you might try just running it normally. You didn't say if it is a new unit or one you bought from Ebay but you could also try the normal update either way. follow the instructions EXACTLY that are here: http://www.aximsite.com/boards/x50-x...step-step.html

It does the first hard reset but it looks exactly like what you describe, it just flashes on the screen for a second and then does what looks like a soft reset. then it continues to do the upgrade and will follow with a second hard reset which will work normally. If that doesn't work you can always try the sd route.

Rsaturn9

Help-cannot reboot!

Try wearing Shoes or Sneakers instead

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bigdave240

Originally Posted by rsaturn9

Help-cannot reboot! Try wearing Shoes or Sneakers instead

DOH!!!!!

pdl1

Thanks everyone. Before I do it I want to be clear. I cannot sync so I'd have to put something on my SD card. Exactly what do I put there? The upgrade .zip file?, an .exe? A .cab? The directions sited above assume one can successfully do a hard boot, which I cannot. They also appear to assume a successful connection to a PC, which I also cannot achieve.
I have A06 as came with the Axim when I bought it from Dell last year.

Paul D.

KPDUTY

No PC needed.

nbo & crc files on SD Card (Can make from Dell A12 Rom download)

No hard reset, but rather bootstrap loader (RESET-POWER-WIFI)

READ the thread about flashing X51V from SD Card!

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/x50-x51-forums/137015-tutorial-how-revive-bricked-x51-v-using-dommes-sd-rom-loader-tutorial.html

That's it from me ... good luck ...

Maximum Dude

The tutorial mentioned for using an SD card for flashing the ROM on an Axim X51 series, includes instructions for the A12 ROM from the Dell website as an example.

From my own experiences, format the SD card with the FAT32 file system immediately before copying the .crc and .nbo files onto the SD card.

Then follow the instructions EXACTLY.

If your Axim is not completely bricked, you should be able to install the A12 ROM image, thus recovering your PDA.

I too have used these instructions to go between A12 and an "experimental" ROM image from another web site, and then back to A12.

You can do this, just make sure you understand the directions before you begin.

I'd make some kind of disclamer statement, but I don't think you have much to lose if this dosen't work.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

pdl1

I hate to sound like an idiot, but...
I found the conversion program, put in the A12 IMG file and it spit out a nb0 file. I formatted (FAT32) an SD card and put that file and the same file with the name changed to add the .CRC onto the SD card. When I try the reboot I press the wireless button on the side, and I get a message "Error finding the shortcut or locating the target filename". Rebooting despite this error just yields the same old soft reboot. Did I do the right thing by just renaming the nb0 file or is there another file I need from somewhere? Is there something missing so that pressing the wireless button causes an error, and is this relevant?
So much appreciated!
Paul D.

pdl1

At this point I will pay a qualified person $100 to fix this problem.
Paul DeLeeuw (pdl@mail.com)

Maximum Dude

Paul,

Once you create the .nbo file, you do not rename it. The .nbo file is copied to the SD card.

Then using Notepad, or some other simple text editor, you create a new file. The new file has only 8 characters in it, which is the CRC string for the nbo file. The name of the file should be almost the same as the .nbo file, with one difference. Where the larger image file ends in ".nbo", the text file ends in "_nbo.crc". Note that the "nbo" in the name of the text file is preceded by an underscore, not a period.

The size of the text file should be EXACTLY 8 bytes. Then copy the text ".crc" file to the SD card.

Now you are ready to flash your Axim.

Good Luck!

pdl1

Thank you. That is clear. However NO MATTER WHAT I DO the Axim does a soft reboot. It does not look for or see the files I have painstakingly put on the SD card. I have pressed every button and set of buttons innumerable times. Always a soft reset.
My offer stands: $100 cash to anyone who fixes my x51v. I'll even pay postage.
Paul D. (pdl@mail.com)

NeoGrandizer

Originally Posted by pdl1

I have pressed every button and set of buttons innumerable times. Always a soft reset.

Hi Paul,

In one of your button pressings, did you try the following?

1) Press and hold (simultaneously) the Power and Wireless buttons.
2) Press and immediately release the reset button (but continue to hold both the Power and Wireless buttons)
3) Keep holding the Power and Wireless buttons until the boot loader appears.

HTH.

Casual User

It sounds to me like the Inbox button is stuck in the down position. I forced my Inbox button down and tried to perform a Hard Reset and it performed just as you describe. The Inbox button cancels a Hard Reset. If you don't feel comfortable taking the device apart you could contact PPC Techs and have them perform a general diagnosis for $60. If it is just a stuck button, it should be easy for them to fix (and should only cost you $60).

There is a diagnostic utility built into the ROM for the Axim x51v that you can use to diagnose the buttons, but if the Axim boots up and you are able to use it then you could try and press the Inbox button to see if it launches your mail app. If it doesn't work then I would bet that the button is stuck. Hope this helps.