Database Info

What's so great about WM6?

Hi,
While I am waiting for my MDA Pro to arrive, I have been reading a lot in the Universal section (have a BA myself).
May I ask for some valid reasons why someone would want to use homebrewed WM6 releases instead of official/customized WM5?
I do understand the fun it is to try out new things, but is it really worth it? I did not find many posts that would clear this question.
Thanks,
vma

WM6.0...
The new look and a lot faster device...

Is there any feature that won't be available with WM6, that did work fine in WM5?
Thanks,
vma

Video call isn't working yet.

Rolud said:
The new look and a lot faster device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I see it, WM6 may or may not work for you and may or may not do it for you. Try it. You can always go back to WM5. Most people don't.....

Well .... the simple answer is that I did a lot of searching and reading, and finally tried it out for myself.
I asked this very question a while ago right here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1130569&postcount=88
And came to the follwowing conclusion:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1155497&postcount=89
In the conclusion, the thing about the Bluetooth Stack / Voice Command - it was actually Voice Command that was the problem and this issue was fixed in Jrwightmcps' 2.02.00 WWE http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=297256

Crossbow ONLY!
Tell you the truth... i see the new WM6 is better eye-catching GUI not to mention the enhancement in the functionality and other usability such as email related functions. I know that MS wont just upgrade for no obvious reason nor for desktop OS compatibility.
Yet i reckon i wont -never- go back to magento! Crossbow ONLY!

@nvatvani:
Indeed your posts where the only ones I read, that contained some usefull info about the subject.
No offense to all the other members of course!
I was simply wondering about what to do when my MDA Pro arrives: replace the German firmware with a WWE WM5 one or go straight ahead to WM6 without even looking at WM5.
Also, I had some problems with my Blue Angel, when I tried WM5 on it: it may have been a coincidence, but one day after the upgrade the screen went mad and totally messed up. Only 1 Hardreset in about 100 tries would bring it back to normal for some period of time and even reflashing it with WM5 or 2003SE would not make it work normal again. The screen would get messed up suddenly for no particular reason. At the end I had to send it in for repair, which was actually a good thing, as I complained about the loose stylo and bad working hardkeys, all within warranty. I got a new key-pcb, backside and they reflashed the device with 2003SE. I posted this issue in the BA forum, but got no usefull hint. This means I am a little scared of upgrading to unofficial releases.
Other than that, I have no problems with flashing, as I do that on my other hobby (satellite receivers) frequently, including JTAG-operations for repairing bricked devices. The same applies to games consoles. (Note: I do not sell or benefit commercially from that activity and my goal is not to get illegal software or TV - not that you guy's get the wrong idea about me).
Anyway, thanks for your replies!
Cheers,
vma

What Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.0 has and Windows Mobile 6 (the cooked ones, having tried them all) doesn't have, according to my experiences:
1. Videocalling - at least not a proper one
2. Bluetooth Dial Up Networking (the DUN profile)
3. Wireless Modem (yet some WM6 ROM's have it, although without shortcut in the start menu)
4. Cyberon Voice Dial by default (some WM6 ROM's have it by default, others will need a 500kB CAB to activate it)
The reason why I went back to "good old" WM5 is mainly the reliability. Ok, the OS may be a bit slower here and there, but it has all the functionality (e.g. videocalls and Bluetooth DUN), and NEVER hangs. It just always works and that's what I desperately need right now.
---
The things Windows Mobile 6 has for me that 5.0 hasn't which I miss the most:
1. High resolution browsing in the normal Internet Explorer (I don't want to use alternatives)
2. HTML email support
3. The impressive speed of the OS
Applications like WM6's Windows Live and the superb Remote Desktop Client are also available for WM5, so I don't need to miss those, otherwise I sure would, and then I might have sticked with WM6.
The new sounds and GUI are great, but I don't really miss them, since that's not a true functional thing.
Having WM5 up and running again, without freezes and memory leaking and with full HTC Universal functionality, is enough for me to be happy with it and to stick with it. If there ever will be a ROM that actually ADDS Windows Mobile 6 on top of all of this (without a single registry tweak or CAB fix needed), then it's the time for me to upgrade again.
If such a ROM will ever see the daylight, since it won't be officially available for the Universal, I don't know. I think the HTC X7500 (Athena) will be there sooner (April 2007 over here), and that one will have a official WM6 upgrade for sure. That'll be my next one, so until then: WM5 for my Universal!
So far for my opinion.

why do I use WM6
vma said:
Hi,
While I am waiting for my MDA Pro to arrive, I have been reading a lot in the Universal section (have a BA myself).
May I ask for some valid reasons why someone would want to use homebrewed WM6 releases instead of official/customized WM5?
I do understand the fun it is to try out new things, but is it really worth it? I did not find many posts that would clear this question.
Thanks,
vma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I used them all and later delteted them after 5 2 hours. They leak a lot, ram is at minimum and useless third party applications, and a lot fo thing sodn't really work or missing (I just want a vanill aone without 3rd party applications).
Except for one rom, Darkforce, it is fast and furious, and so far I have using it for two days; battery usage is good, and no leaks. However, no video calling, and no way to set com ports for bluetooth devices. any1 has this problem?
However, common to all ROMS, no video calling, old calculator, speed dial messed up (some work and some don't), wireless connection bubble missing (yes you can install a cab but I don't want to do that).
<Mind you, contrary to other reports, I never had any freezes with any rom.
The thing that attracts me is HTML in email, High resolution mode in explorer, better remote desktop connectivity.
So I thhink I am sticking with DarkForce ROM, so far so good.
Thx

ROM Emulation PC, has it been done?/is it possible?

Just a question to throw out there, has anybody created or know how we can emulate ROMs on our PCs to test em out, because I've heard constantly Reflashing the ROM on a PPC, (Wizard, Hermes, etc) can eventually screw up the rom, dont know if this is actually true but would assume so since the process takes 10 minutes for me and if this is possible this would cut down the testing phase of ROM Cooking considerably as well as create a safer enviroment to test on to ensure its looking the way we want it and then eventually final testing on the PPC/Smartphone for GSM quality tests and such.

No, there is not any emulator for ROMs.
By the way: just yesterday the same question was asked in another thread...
As for "screwing up ROM": the flash memory has limited amount of times it can be overwritten, but I think you can sleep in peace. I do not think you have chance to reach that limit by flashing... You would get mad from constant flashing before...
Mirek

There is an emulator for WM6 by microsoft, you can only use that for software testing purpose. You can't use buttons or anything that you have on Wizard. Remember its only for Software Purpose.

nycelitemaster said:
There is an emulator for WM6 by microsoft, you can only use that for software testing purpose. You can't use buttons or anything that you have on Wizard. Remember its only for Software Purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder why people keep mentioning this in case somebody looks for ROM emulator...
FOR THE ROM EMULATION HTC WIZARD EMULATOR WOULD BE NEEDED (it does not exist).
The Microsoft emulator is WM emulator for software development... Useless for testing HTC Wizard ROMs...
Mirek

mirekluza said:
I wonder why people keep mentioning this in case somebody looks for ROM emulator...
FOR THE ROM EMULATION HTC WIZARD EMULATOR WOULD BE NEEDED (it does not exist).
The Microsoft emulator is WM emulator for software development... Useless for testing HTC Wizard ROMs...
Mirek
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that is what i said, it is only for software testing purpose..... nothing else. You can't emulate wizard but you can emulate wizard rom if you convert it to BIN file to test if all the OEM packs you integrated are working fully

nycelitemaster said:
...you can emulate wizard rom if you convert it to BIN file to test if all the OEM packs you integrated are working fully
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Did you try it? I think ROM contains Wizard specific things, so that it will not work... The MS emulator is usable only with MS images...
I will gladly admit my error here - if it is really possible it would be a good thing (but I doubt it)...
Mirek

nycelitemaster said:
Well, that is what i said, it is only for software testing purpose..... nothing else. You can't emulate wizard but you can emulate wizard rom if you convert it to BIN file to test if all the OEM packs you integrated are working fully
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am partly with nycelitemaster on this.
To lift a piece of the vail:
It's possible to test a ROM on the emulator, WinCE platformbuilder has this option.
Device emulater does support hardware keys, they have to be mapped to the keyboard thoug.
EquinoXe

It should not work, because the emulator clearly stated that it emulates the Samsung CPU platform, which is not TI that used by Wizard.

i have been doing some testing on this (using a cooked wm6 rom in the ms emulator) but w/ no luck so far (didnt try the WinCE platformbuilder) . i removed everything wizard specific and left w/ a bare OS as possible but the emulator refuses the BIN....unfortunately i dont have any free time to keep testing...but a good place to start would be to examine the BIN files of the emulator (they are several) and a vanilla rom to see what is different. regardless.....might be too much work for what its worth...its a lot easier to just flash your wizard

The way our kitchens cook ROMs it is unlikely the output nb or nbf is anyhting like the correct bin format - the emulator probably needs something like a complete ROM dump where it is literally a read only image if you see what I mean.

Recommend a good phone to learn cooking with.

Whats a good phone to learn/practice ROM cooking with? I currently have a Kaiser but i don't want to risk bricking it with my first fumbling steps at ROM cooking. I already bricked one Kaiser and don't want to brick my current one.
I'm thinking a good phone would be relatively cheap. I'm thinking it would cost around $200 USD, very very hard to brick and not be so different from the kaiser that when i get the nerve to cook up something for the kaiser, its not a completely different animal.
Maybe the Tytn would be a good choice? I'm thinking that once the Diamond release's we'll see a pretty big price drop on it.

i think you can find wizards for pretty cheap now, after all it has been succeeded by the hermes, which has been succeeded by the kaiser.
so go search on ebay or craigs for a 8125/k-jam/whatever other names it has.

a Wizard eh? I'll look around. Sound good especially since it sounds like its a linear successor to the Kaiser.

You might be able to use a WM6 emulator on your computer. I haven't tried rom cooking yet. But I have successfully tested ppc apps on the emulator before i install on my real device. You can connect to activesync and sync calendar, install apps, load and install cab files, surf the internet on the emulator and save state and exit at the end. You need to install these before you can use the emulator:
1. Visual Studio 2005 SP1
2. Device Emulator 2.0 Beta
3. Compact Framework 2.0 SP1
4. Windows Mobile 6 Professional SDK
The steps are here at Guide and links to installing Emulator
I found the Visual Studio on a torrent site. I attached images from my computer. Let me know if you figure out cooking roms with it. Thanks.

Hermes is still going very strong in the kitchen!

Recieved a New (secondhand) HTC Cruise..

Hiya's, I found this site while looking up info on the HTC cruise as I have just received a hand-me-down Cruise from a friend (had a very old nokia..). This is a major upgrade for me (it has a 2 camera's unlike my nokia which has none). I am keen to get the most use from the phone as possible and at the moment it seems to be going ok but having read a couple of the forum messages it seems that there are various upgrades that can make it a better phone.
I have been accused of being a semi-ludite when it comes to using technology so would appreciate any advice on what can be upgraded as far as the operating system and other programs are concerned. I have used the CoPilot program this morning and think is is the greatest thing since individually sliced and packaged cheese..
The settings on the phone indicate it is ROM 1.26.710.1 WWE (date 12/17/2007), Radio Version 1.58.21.23 and Protocol Version 25.65.30.04H.
If any advice is forthcoming, please keep things as simple as possible or I will have to get one of my neighbors kids to come over and explain..
Cheers
Ian

Welcome to the wonderful world of a touchscreen windows mobile device.
Of course there are a lot of things you can improve, thousands of programs are waiting to be installed and so on.
IMHO the most important thing is: If you are satisfied with your current system DO NOT change it. If everything is running smooth there is no need to flash a new operating system or radio. If you notice slowdowns during using the device or if the radio in your area is not running perfect you should flash the latest upgrade from HTC. They are offering WM 6.1 (WM = windows mobile, the operating system) and a new radio. Its very easy to flash but you will loose all your data on the device.
If you don't like your today screen, you can check some replacements, Mobile Shell is one of it:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/pocketpc-software/mobileshell
And if you like this shell you can change its look with upgrades like this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3904948&postcount=2513
Of course you can flash one of the Roms created by one of the devs. You will find an overview here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=521961
But you should be aware that many of these roms are using stuff from other devices like Manilla, this might cause problems. And you have to be very careful if flash a self created rom, its not that easy like flashing an original HTC rom.
Last but not least you have to think about the way you want to use your device. If you just need a phone you need nothing else. If you want to read ebooks like wikipedia you need a reader and so on. Here you can find tons of programs for your device:
http://www.handango.com/homepage/Homepage.jsp?storeId=2218
You will also find a lot of freeware apps here:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/
And a very important thing is: Backup your device often if you are trying different applications, you are having a windows device

For a list of recommended software check my signature.
All are freeware except iGO, and easily found on this forums (or links from here lead to authors pages).
And welcome to Polaris owners club...

Thanks very much for the replies..
It seems to be going ok at the moment. I am not too sure whether it is slow or not (nothing to compare..) but opening an application only takes a couple of seconds so I am happy with that. I have been using it primarily as a phone (of course) but have been using the camera like mad. I even made one of my friends give me a video call..very cool...I have tried to use the voice commander application but it doesn't seem to want to do anything and eventually just says "Goodbye" and closes. I am going to look at the list of applications at some of the website that are list above and see what is available.
Cheers and thanks again..
IJ

Bog standard Rom

Hi, is there such a thing as a bog standard vanilla rom, as XP is to the PC?
or does this not exist, do you have to have all the correct drivers for your device in the same way you would have to with XP for instance?
If so, I wonder could anyone tell me where I would lift the driver files from within windows mobile 6.1?
Alternatively, is there any way to just upgrade to 6.5 from 6.1, and keeping your driver base?
thanks,
Mike

Oh, were it that simple.....
Your XP CD has the most popular world languages and the vast majority or drivers already on it. The installation asks you for your main preferences and sorts the rest of it out as best it can.
PPC ROMS are built to one or a handful of languages, and are targetted at a particular phone with a particular hardware config. They are built by HTC and/or various Telco's using Microsoft's CE Platform Builder. The drivers are added here and the ROM image built.
The chefs use various tools to unravel the ROMS, mix and match, add extra bits and pieces, then rebuild them, but they still have to target a particular phone/hardware combo or you may find parts or your phone fail to function properly.
The only thing that can be considered 'Bog standard' is the original ROM that your phone came with or any updates on HTC or your Telco's site. Once they stop supporting that model, you would have to rely on the ROMs that the chefs produce here.

Ohhhh dear, well for a start I don't have a HTC phone, I have a Ciphone C6, this means I'm waiting for the support forum for my phone to release the proper ROM.
it doesn't looks like it will be that long, but I was just wondering if I speed things up, how easy is it to pull a rom apart and take out the driver base?
Would the driver base used for 6.1 actually work with 6.5?
Mike

As regards the last question, I'll stick my neck out and say they probably would. There is not much difference between 6.1 and 6.5 and the drivers were probably written in Win32 C++ anyway.
As regards how to get at this stuff, then it is over to the chefs. My expertise is in this area is on the application development side, not ROM extraction or cooking.
There my be some pointers in the WIKI. Anyone want to shed any more light?.........

this guy seemed to get some of the way there, but the thread seems to have just died, maybe someone can pick up the story here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=596076
Mike