Database Info

Is Auto Startup Customization with BigStorage ROMs possible?

Finally managed to flash my mda with a bigstorage rom
All is good but I got a slight prob with something else. Although I hated the customisation of T-Mobile, I found it helpful that the phone automatically installs all the progs and settings in the extended ROM after a hard reset.
With BigStorage, I presuming that the Extended Rom folder is amalgamated with the Storage folder. Do you guys know whether it is possible to add the Cab files (e.g. intellidialer, etc...) to the Storage folder (as it was in ExtRom) so that it automatically installs the progs and customization options after a hard reset?
Or do you recommend going back to a traditional Extended Rom inclusive ROM and edit the Extended Rom there? I understand that ROMKitchen cannot be used on Mini's so do you happen to have any other program recommendations?
If the above two isn't possible yet, is there anyway of preventing the mda from deleting the Cab files after I install from them. For instance, when I install Intellipad, the cab file is automatically deleted. I had hoped that I may use this cab file again by dumping it in the "Storage" folder and using it if I need to hard reset the damn thing again
Thanks again

Hi rockykabir
sorry first for my english... I will try to explain my solution:
1. I have made a backup of all the Extended_ROM files to my PC (open in explorer loadvdisk.exe and copy through activesync.)
2. Made the Bigstorage and the Radio-Update (thanks a lot guys for the help that I have found in this forum.)
3. Made a small CAB-File which has to start first (see atached file)
4. If this file is installed, you can create a hidden and read-only folder on the SD-Card named: 2577 (Foldername is important)
5. Place inside this folder: autorun.exe and install.m2w and make the changes in the instal.m2w file. Think its easy.
6. Place all the recent CAB-Files into this Folder.
7. Make changes as you need
Make sure, that the folder and the files on the SD-Card are read-only and the folder should be hidden (not sure about that). If not, the Cabinet files will be deleted after installation.
How do I work now with this SD-Card? Easy... After a Hardreset, place the card into your MDA. Start Ext_Start.cab.
Put out the SD-Card and put it in again..... Enjoy.
Now i search only for an easy solution to make a small Extended_ROM for the Ext_Start.cab and the IIWPO. That task will be the next...
Enjoy the day

Thanks sooo much mate!!! - thats very kind of you as this completely solves my prob. I hope this is of use to others as well

SD image WM5 CHS version, not work for all device yet

the last post tells you the detail

THANX
buzz

Thanks for reply.
Hope for good news

Can't replace wince.nls
I have a Win Mobile Phone Edition 5, very first one in U.S.
I tried to load chinese so that I can read chinese. I copy over font file and am able to see Chinese in Word, providing that I select options.
However I got issues with IE, because I there is no option for me to change the encoding.
I learned that I need to change wince.nls file. And I downloaded your file. Now I got an issue "Access Denied" message when I try to override original wince.nls. Looks like it was in ROM.
Any idea?
Thanks

you should use another file explorer other than the system's one, and then you can overwrite it
the tool is in the attachment(it's in chinese language), it's a green software

The attribute is grayed out.
Thanks for your prompt response and the program.
maybe i did not use it right, some how the menu of the program is mess up. see the attached.
I have Resco Explorer 2005, which also show wince.nls is in rom. Every time I change the other attributes, it changes back when I re-open property page.
While I have a pocket PC 2003 Dell x3. The wince.nls is not rom file.
Can I override rom file?
It is about mid night here in U.S. I will check back first thing in the morning, just in case you do not get response from me right away.
Again, thanks for your help.

on wm2003 it was possible to "override" files in ROM.
Now it is not.
You have to wait until we'll be able to decompress the ROM and inject your wince.nls into ROM.
buzz

ok, i've downloaded your chinese.rar to test-it ...
i've replaced the wince.nls with this procedure
in \windows\ , i've renamed wince.nls to wince5.nls
got an error message "Can't delete wince.nls" , but it's renamed
Copy the new wince.nls to \windows\
Copy fonts to \windows\fonts\
import reg file ... modified
soft-reset
...
Anything appears ...
i'm not able to choose chinese in regional settings
In the registry , after soft-resest , nls automaticly set to "0409"
if i set to 0804 and soft-reset , poof .... 0409
I think there is another problem

OK, I will wait.
One another thing I noticed: through ActiveSync, I can create a folder in windows, (well, as you expect). But I can't copy the wince.nls file to even the newly created folder, not just windows folder. On my PC, the message saying... no space or no permission, etc. I do have like 3-4mb left in main storage and install other program.
Just for your infomation.

it is easily possible to copy wince.nls to your \Windows folder. Just create a cab for it.
But it is not taken into system... That;s the problem here...
Will look at it further...
buzz

I'm success to copy it in my himalaya. I had tried several method, one of them is o.k. but not sure is this one or not.
1) copy the wince.nls to somewhere in your SD Card.
2) Boot your Himalaya into Safe Mode.
3) Then copy the wince.nls to your Himalaya's \windows\
4) Soft Reset.

Do you mean that you can choose the Chinese region now?

Re: The attribute is grayed out.
zoneu said:
Thanks for your prompt response and the program.
maybe i did not use it right, some how the menu of the program is mess up. see the attached.
I have Resco Explorer 2005, which also show wince.nls is in rom. Every time I change the other attributes, it changes back when I re-open property page.
While I have a pocket PC 2003 Dell x3. The wince.nls is not rom file.
Can I override rom file?
It is about mid night here in U.S. I will check back first thing in the morning, just in case you do not get response from me right away.
Again, thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see the menu in the attached

buzz_lightyear said:
on wm2003 it was possible to "override" files in ROM.
Now it is not.
You have to wait until we'll be able to decompress the ROM and inject your wince.nls into ROM.
buzz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting for your good news ...

only 1.60b could be chineselization
I had tried to replace wince.nls in WM2K5_160C_WWE in various ways mentioned in xda-dev forum. none of them could be finished this job.
so i had to refresh my rom to 1.60b, everything is OK now. I can override the wince.nls, import *.reg, set regional to PRChina and so on.

expecting a perfect WM2K5_160C supproting Simple Chinese.

mazinka said:
I'm success to copy it in my himalaya. I had tried several method, one of them is o.k. but not sure is this one or not.
1) copy the wince.nls to somewhere in your SD Card.
2) Boot your Himalaya into Safe Mode.
3) Then copy the wince.nls to your Himalaya's \windows\
4) Soft Reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do u manage to boot ur Himalaya into Safe Mode? Pardon me of becoming a dumbo.

WM5 CHS version SD image
Hi buzz:
I have got a SD image from a Himalaya which rom is CHS version, it's backup from a friend of mine. He got it from the seviece center. but when i use this image to flash my himalya, i replaced the SD head, write it to my SD card and flash...finished, hard reset, and I got an error like this:
"Device authentication failure. Please contact the product manufacture. For reference, please provide your device ID.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
Then I found a way to convert the SD image to a .nbf file for the xda-developers site. converted and flashed using the PC through cable, but the same "Device authentication failure..." error occucred again.
And then, I asked my friend flash the SD image to his device which the image came from. succeeded
!
Any way to make the rom work for my device? help pls...
ljm2020
2005/11/16

Re: WM5 CHS version SD image
ljm2020 said:
Hi buzz:
I have got a SD image from a Himalaya which rom is CHS version, it's backup from a friend of mine. He got it from the seviece center. but when i use this image to flash my himalya, i replaced the SD head, write it to my SD card and flash...finished, hard reset, and I got an error like this:
"Device authentication failure. Please contact the product manufacture. For reference, please provide your device ID.
5083252100381951 38000050bf3f5173"
Then I found a way to convert the SD image to a .nbf file for the xda-developers site. converted and flashed using the PC through cable, but the same "Device authentication failure..." error occucred again.
And then, I asked my friend flash the SD image to his device which the image came from. succeeded
!
Any way to make the rom work for my device? help pls...
ljm2020
2005/11/16
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi ljm,
i already answered to you on buzzdev.net )
buzz

How to edit CAB files?

Hi,
yesterday my first pocketc phone arrived (BTW it's a german MDA compact); yeah, the first windows mobile of my life!
Thanks to this forum (which i've been lurking for a while) i was able to install the latest Italian Imate Jam ROM (1.12) flawlessly, i was even able to avoid extended_rom's cabs installation (by soft-resetting the device after a hard reset). As soon as i'll buy a new sd card and a card reader, i'll apply the big storage trick too.
Now I have a question: on this thread Sun75's talking about a modded extended rom where most of the CABs included have been modified by changing their default install location (from memory to storage).
Now i wonder: how can i edit my own CAB files to modify their install path or even their content (by, for example, replacing a program with another as Sun75 did)?
What program should i use? How can i 'mod' my own extended rom as Sun75 did???
Thanks u all,
Isidoro
PS: i've searched this forum for a similar post but found nothing; i used Google too; i've also RTFM. I apologize if this question has been answered somewhere but, if so, i wasn't able to find it.

WinCE Cab Manager
Go HERE

If u want to install cabs on SD card,then simply install a registry editor,then navigate to, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/software/Apps/Microsoft Application installer,and change the DWORD Value of "fAskDest",to 1(Dec),then u will be asked each time u install a cab file of the desired destination....
But if u want to edit cab files,search for "WinCeCabManager 1.1"....
My advice will be to copy ur extended rom to the storage card,make a backup copy to ur pc hard disk,then performe the big storage,edit the Dword value mentioned above,then install the desired cabs,on the SD...
Good luck
RAGO :lol:

Storage Problems for a non developer

Hi
I know there are lots of people asking how to save space and mostly they get told to use 'search' and check the stickys.
I'm a keen gadget lover but have no technical background. I have a 64mb Tmobile MDA (with the horrible branding) and the following setup:
R 1.00.10
G 1337.36
D 1.01.00 WWE
I've heard/seen references to big storage etc but I don't really understand it.
Can someone either give me:
- a really simple way to update my rom etc, or
- suggest another way to delete stuff that I won't need (don't want to delete stuff only to find half the programs no longer work)
- explain the easiest way to get rid of all the Tmobile stuff
Many thanks in advance

To prevent the Branding stuff from loadibg you must hard-reset your magician (backup first!!) and after the initialization (calibration etc) you must soft-reset just before the customization starts. You got about 3 to 5 seconds to press the softreset, so when your screen reads 'tap screen to start using ....' you put the stylus in soft-reset hole & then tap the screen. As soon as the default blue WM background appears you press the stylus to soft-reset.
Now you got a plain WM2003 device. & you got the ext-rom visible, not editable, so you can explore it & choose what to install. Network settings for gprs is set by one of the ext-rom cabs.
To gain more storage you can move camera & album from \windows to storage folder. Remember to change shortcuts & registry as well. This saves ariund 1MB. More is possible: I've got < 8MB ram memory allocated to installed stuff with almost all ext-rom cabs installed. Yes I moved a lot.
To gain BIGstorage you can follow instructions below, but first you should get more familiar with the magician I guess. You can save your ext-rom cabs though & update to rom 1.13
url in instructions. To upgrade you just connect the magician to usb & start the downloaded shipped-rom & follow the instructions. Make a backup first & write down your gprs settings, caus you'll have dutch ext-rom cabs after the update. They're in English but contain dutch TMO settings.
Instruction for BS:
- Get nbfdec.exe from the thread 'Upg to 1.13 WWE ROM (with 1.13 Radio) in 10 easy steps!' @ http://forum.xda-developers.com/vie...&start=0&sid=75c5e40168a22052fb7c5554bddd68c2
- get maupgradeut_noid.exe from the ftp
- Download the shipped rom from:
http://www.t-mobile.nl/zakelijk/htdocs/page/service/mda_compact_upgrade.asp
- Download the Hexeditor from:
http://www.hhdsoftware.com/hexeditor.html
1. Unzip NL_11300_131_11200.exe (or any other shipped rom)
2. Put NBFDEC in the same directory as the unzipped shipped rom files
3. Copy the getdevicedata.exe to your Magician and execute to write DeviceData.txt
to \Windows and view with notepad
5. Decode nk.nbf -> nk.nb1:
nbfdec -d nk.nbf nk.nb1
6. Hexedit header to correct ID from DeviceData.txt
(probably only if using a rom from other provider)
7. Replace pattern for bigstorage in hexeditor:
locate the 02 00 00 80 00 20 and change 80 00 to b8 01 in the nk.nb1
(use binary search for this!!)
7. Encode nk.nb1->nk.nbf
nbfdec -e nk.nb1 nk.nbf
8. run maupgradeut_noid.exe to upgrade CE image
Also, this way you will save the contents of increased \Storage folder if previous rom was bigstorage one
Usage sample (must be run from the same folder as nbf files or specify full path):
nbfdec -d nk.nbf nk.nb1
nbfdec -e nk.nb1 nk.nbf
Regards, M

Many thanks OLTP for your reply....perhaps it's me but I still find that quite technical....when I have to rename stuff etc I'm not sure where it is to do it.
The tmobile branding piece is clear and I'll have a stab at that tonight though.
Perhaps I'm just destined to struggle with memory or buy a 128mb device.
Appreciate you taking the time though - anyone else want to have a pop at help a keen but useless gadget lover !

BS is unfortunately quite technical & this is the easiest way.
I suggest to remove the branding, that will save some storage. get more accustomed to your magician by exploring it without changing.
I can write you some steps for moving files to gain more ram.
maybe in the future you can think about BS again.
Cheers, M

pna: oltp's guide is about the best you'll ever get!
Basically, to debrand, do what he says in the first paragraph. This will remove all the additional TMobile gunk being installed. So, you need to hard reset (which will restore your system to "factory condition", and wipe everything), and then soft reset at the right time. Then you have a nice, fresh clean system. You can then read the board to see what files you might have skipped by achieving this, but frankly, you won't have missed much.
You can get your tmobile settings (for gprs etc) from here:
http://www.buymobilephones.net/sp3_setup.ihtml
FYI, before doing anything, get hold of a copy of GSFinder+ or a similar explorer. You will need it do any kind of installing/renaming etc.
Before venturing into the hardrest/soft reset business, consider if you want to do the big storage hack. Again, oltp's guide is perfect, but first the theory: the Extended Rom is like a small disk stuck inside your phone, carrying "backups" of the tmobile configuration stuff. If you do Bigstorage, it'll free that space for your use, giving you an extra 20mb or so to use for free. You can install stuff in there, and use it as a small, but bigger, disk to store stuff on. There's no reason not to do it, other than it's difficulty:
Difficulty? Yes, it takes some time, but instructions are provided, and clarified by oltp, so just follow the instructions carefully and you'll be fine.
It does require some knowledge, or confidence to learn.
So ideally, you want to:
1. Backup any files you want to keep.
2. Do Bigstorage.
3. Skip extended rom rubbish.
However, before you worry about bigstorage or anything technical, I suggest you just do this: clean up your system as it is now, and then just in future remember to install every program you want directly to your SD Card. If you do that, your system will generally have more than enough memory to run well. You can skip all the bigstorage and extended rom business. It's only necessary for those on a particularly tight memory budget. This should be fine for your needs I think.
FYI: to install onto your SD card, always choose NOT to use "main memory" when installing from your PC, or on the PDA, download and use a great program called cabinstl. That will allow you to install to your SD card.
V

oltp said:
Now you got a plain WM2003 device. & you got the ext-rom visible, not editable, so you can explore it & choose what to install. Network settings for gprs is set by one of the ext-rom cabs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oltp, do you mean I cant rename, move, or delete any of the files in extended rom? So its safe even if they show?

Yes,
The magician ext-rom is write-protected. You can't delete the files. Nor format the space. Try it if you like with the delete of the file which mentions the loadvdisk. It's completely harmless, but if you want to be sure copy all cabs first to sd & execute them from there.
Btw the loadvdisk cab, present in a TMO ext-rom, will delete the loadvdisk.lnk from \windows\startup & that's why the ext-rom is hidden.
Cheers, M

oltp said:
Yes,
The magician ext-rom is write-protected. You can't delete the files. Nor format the space. Try it if you like with the delete of the file which mentions the loadvdisk. It's completely harmless, but if you want to be sure copy all cabs first to sd & execute them from there.
Btw the loadvdisk cab, present in a TMO ext-rom, will delete the loadvdisk.lnk from \windows\startup & that's why the ext-rom is hidden.
Cheers, M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok.
the thing is, i want to edit my own extended rom, so next time i do a hard reset, it wont install unnecessary junk like skype and other customisation. i also want to add programs to it so they autoinstall when i do a hard reset.
any advice?
cheers

Sure,
You can use bal666's tool to convert the ext-rom part of a romdump to a diskimage which you can mount under Windows XP, with appropriate software ofcourse.
Then you can do whatever you want with your ext-rom. Requires flashing of your magician & a hard-reset.
For starters I recommend to skip executing of the ext-rom by applying a soft-reset just before the custmization starts after a hard-reset. This way you won't cripple your device.
M

Many thanks OLTP & vjay555,
The branding thing worked a dream and saved me 6mb.
Now want to do big storage. Have got all the downloads ready but just need a bit more help on the 1-8 settings.
I'm really sorry that I need such basic help - haven't really got a clue what I'm doing but prepared to give it a go - please help.
1. No problem with this...even I can do this.
2. Where is this...I assume I move them to the Magician using explore (through activesynch) - am I right...if so, is there an obvious place that the unzipped shipped rom files will be.
3. Can't find a copy of getdevicedata.exe, Where do i find it, and then how do I execute to write DeviceData.txt
5. Afraid I don't know how to do this
6. Happy to give this a go if I get this far
7. How do I do this
8. Happy to give this a go if I get this far
Also, a little confused in the section after no 8 - what do I do here?
Hope you haven't lost patience with me. Hope to hear back soon.
Cheers

Paul,
I recently updated the wiki (top right link on each forum page & go to the howto part of the magician section) with the BIG Storage from shipped-rom method. This contains some more info than this thread. Pls read it & mail me the remaining questions, you've got my email-address. I'll add some extra help then.
Cheers, M

Trying to download latest UK rom on WIKI site but the link to this ROM is not working: OS 1.12.00 / ExtROM 1.12.131 / Radio 1.12
Any ideas?
Ta

Yep a broken link, pls use this to go to the shipped rom section from the ftp: ftp://xda:[email protected]/Magician/Shipped_ROMS/
Maybe I take the time tomorrow to check some of the links
btw latest uk-rom should be 1.13WWE from TMO.

nm8 said:
oltp said:
Yes,
The magician ext-rom is write-protected. You can't delete the files. Nor format the space. Try it if you like with the delete of the file which mentions the loadvdisk. It's completely harmless, but if you want to be sure copy all cabs first to sd & execute them from there.
Btw the loadvdisk cab, present in a TMO ext-rom, will delete the loadvdisk.lnk from \windows\startup & that's why the ext-rom is hidden.
Cheers, M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok.
the thing is, i want to edit my own extended rom, so next time i do a hard reset, it wont install unnecessary junk like skype and other customisation. i also want to add programs to it so they autoinstall when i do a hard reset.
any advice?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you may want to check this out at htt*://en.pdamobiz.com/en/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=395&PN=1. it is based on bal666 info. go check it out.

That's about romcooking and can be found herevas well. It's no BS hack.

Yes, it's no BS. But just a little info for nm8 to do ext rom customizations from his last reply.

Extended ROM

hey Does any one have any tools to unlock the Extended Rom for my Magician (O2 xda2 mini), i wanna install some cabs in there pls do help.

1.Download Resco Explorer or Total Commander (cos you will need either these 2 program to enable "Reveal all files"
2. To unhide the Extended ROM, after you reveal all files, go to your File Explorer (Start, Programs, File Explorer)
3. Using the File Explorer, go to Windows folder and find this file called LoadVDisk.exe and then just run the file
4. Next, using File Explorer again, and go to \My Device and you should see the Extended ROM folder
5. Click on the Extended ROM folder and find the necessary cab file and click on it..
6. soft reset
also the search function is also quite useful. try it once in a while...

hey thanks for the advice will check on it, thank you.

hey man it works so how do i place another program in ext rom and will it be installed everytime i hard reset, and yeah since its unlocked how do i lock it again. than for the help hoping for a reply soon.

u cant place any new programs in the ext ROM. that ROM is supposed to be inaccessible to u. ur ext ROM should be hidden after the soft reset. check it!

You may not be able to place anything in the ExtROM till you unlock it. You have only "unhide" the ROM by running that utility. Till you unlock it you can only read the contents not write into it....

so tell me how do i unlock the ext-Rom of a magician, has anyone got any idea, pls let me know if there are any possibilities, i want to unlock the ext. rom of my O2 xda2 mini, pls help.

There are more possibilities read its content, (unhiding it). One possibility to hard reset it (pressing the Power button while pushing RESET). This will erase every data+programs from the device.
When the 1st boot finishes the ExtROM cabs are beginning to install. You have to Soft Reset the device (pushing RESET) to interrupt it. No cabs will be installed and ExtROM will be readable.

asinan said:
so tell me how do i unlock the ext-Rom of a magician, has anyone got any idea, pls let me know if there are any possibilities, i want to unlock the ext. rom of my O2 xda2 mini, pls help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no unlockers for Magician AFAIK. But now most of the people go for big storage hack with which you get 27MB of extra space for storage. Put ExtROM on the SD card. Lots of material avilable on this forum for doing so..

what is the advantage of having a big storage other than ext.Rom, if i need to can i reverse the process back to normal.

The term “Big Storage” in a nut shell is the process of modifying the built in ROM file of the Magician and deleting its “Extended ROM” contents which frees up approx 20Mb of space. This new space or “Storage” can be used to install 3rd party apps etc and won’t be deleted after a hard reset. The only way to restore the contents is by “Flashing” the ROM again with a new complete ROM File. - excerpt from ampda guide

so what is the latest rom with the big storage for a magician. i surely would love to make a switch over. thank you.

The latest and last ROM for the Magician is 1.13 with Radio 1.12. Actually you can convert any ROM to BS.