Database Info

SQM & Ceipui.exe in WM6 - what do they do and how to remove effectively?

Hi,
I have been stuyding in details the orwell WM6 rom as well as the pdaviet's.
All these roms come with the SQM module (Service Quality Monitoring) including the ceipui.exe (Customer Experience Improvement Program) executable.
So I rebuild my custom rom with SQM disabled (no files, no registry keys about it) and with ceipui.exe removed, only to relalize that they are two notifications in mxip_notify.vol for ceipui.exe:
1. Connecti to a network,
2. Data Synchronization finished.
So, here are my questions:
1. I could remove the notifications from the mxip_notify.vol once I had flashed the rom with dotFred's taks manager. Does any one know how to edit this file on a PC, PRIOR building the ROM???
2. Is anyone else looking a trimming WM6 from spyware and other unwanted parts (like SQM, Windows Update, Remote flashing, etc.)?
Regards,
eluth.

I'm amazed! Does anyone care?
I posted the following message 3 weeks ago.
Since, I could study all WM6 ROMs for the Wizard that have leaked.
All of them, without exception keep the SQM module and ceipui.exe file that is trying to dial back to MS at the first connection to the network, as well as periodically afterwards....
If you don't believe me, look at mxip_notify.vol. You will see that ceipui.exe is notified at every network connection and every activeSync operation!!!!
So long....
eluth.

I don't think people really care, you're being a bit paranoid, Microsoft aren't going to install Spyware on devices like Sony did as they would have too much to lose from doing so.

The paranoid and the naive
He may be being paranoid, but anyone who seems to think that Microsoft arent into spyware should look at WGA.
If nothing else they are burning your bandwidth for which you are being charged ...
As for Activesync I suppose you can at least block it through the firewall....

Not Paranoid - REALIST!
Guys,
This is not about parnoia, but just about using a pre-released version of WM6 on a wide scale. Because this is what it is all about.
The SQM module and the ceipui.exe (Customer Experience Improvement Program UI, part of the shell module) are REAL. They are even more real, as they are part of the Orwell 1984 ROM and all ROMs build on that I've seen out there.
Now, where this becomes interesting: none, I repeat, NONE, of the WM5 roms I got my hands on is equiped with a Service Quality Monitoring function capable of phoning home!!!
The SQM module is made of the following files:
76bd787c-86b5-4b63-a1d8-1a910f86c8e1.dsm
76bd787c-86b5-4b63-a1d8-1a910f86c8e1.rgu
custsat.dll
sqmce.dll
sqmconn.dll
sqmdata.dll
sqmevent.exe
sqmsvc.dll
uptime.dll
uptimesqm.exe
I've attached the .RGU file here if someone wants to have a look.
The site it's connecting too is sqm.microsoft.com (look into sqmconn.dll), which is well known on the net. Just google it!
I'm just stating facts based on observation here.
This is NOT paranoïa.
Regards,
eluth.

I've tried to remove all of this SQM things. Besides all the above modules found in the dumped ROM, there is another reg key in HKLM\INIT which says "Launch100"="uptimesqm.exe". I think this will initially bring up the SQM Service and thus create those notifications.
I removed them all (rebuild ROM, of course). Works fine. No more SQM service, surely no notification of CEI.
But, it's the ceipui.exe module I can't remove, else it will keep bringing up error message windows saying that ceipui.exe can't be openned.
another thing I can't remove is the Customer Feedback Icon in control pannel, I search and find that it is cplmain.cpl containing it.
So, everything is fine, leave ceipui.exe module alone in ROM, remove other SQM things, let Customer Feedback just be an icon.
Just for reference. No more.

Hello huangyz,
I did that too.
First I removed the SQM module. As you might have notice the "reg key in HKLM\INIT which says "Launch100"="uptimesqm.exe" " is actually set by the 76bd787c-86b5-4b63-a1d8-1a910f86c8e1.rgu file.
So if you re-cook the ROM with pkg2dmp.exe (recreating default.hv and user.hv from boot.hv and applying all .rgu files), that key is not present in the re-generated registry hive.
As far as the "Customer Feedback" icon in control panel, I added the following keys in 1f1aca24-d942-464a-9281-10567741499c.rgu (this is the RGU of the Shell module):
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\Customer Feedback]
;"Redirect"="ceipui.exe"
"Group"=dword:1
"Hide"=dword:1
As you noticed, the icon is hard coded into the control panel, however the previous changes hide the icon and prevent it from been operational.
Last, but not least, I deleted the ceipui.exe (which is a file part of the Shell module).
I'm left with a mxip_notify.vol which has initially two notification related to ceipui.exe. These values are not created at boot time but part of the default values of the file (you can do a hex dump of mxip_notify.vol)
And now, I'm back to my original question: I need to get these two ceipui related notifications removed from mxip_notify.vol... if possible at the time I'm building the ROM (right now I do it manually with dotFred's TaskManger, after the facts).

I also notice those notify events. when wm6 is running the file mxipnotify.vol can't be copied out or else we can replace with a clean one while rebuilding rom. can we use the safe mode of spb pocket plus?one more thing, i am wandering how the ceipui.exe be removed from what you call ''shell module'', could i get some hints pls? thnx!

Just an idea. Would it be possible to build some sort of firewall (or such things already available) on the PPC that controls what process or address signals can be sent?

huangyz said:
I also notice those notify events. when wm6 is running the file mxipnotify.vol can't be copied out or else we can replace with a clean one while rebuilding rom. can we use the safe mode of spb pocket plus?one more thing, i am wandering how the ceipui.exe be removed from what you call ''shell module'', could i get some hints pls? thnx!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry huangyz,
I should have written Shell package and not module.
When you extract the files of the ROM (with imgfs tools), you can then run dmp2pkg (found in the Scoter Kitchen and other kitchen). I will re-create the different packages under the SYS and OEM directories.
Under SYS you have all the OS packages, and among them one called Shell.
More info about the Scoter kitchen on: http://buzzdev.net/
--eluth.

thanks, eluth
i see you in buzzdev.net
it seems that pkgtool should be used under VisualStudio which not installed on my pc.
so, just imagine i can do that...:lol:
thanks again for your hints.

I've "fixed" it.
I replace the mxip_notify.vol in the WM6 dumped ROM with another one from TMO2.26 WWE shipped ROM, no more ceipui again. :lol:
now what I've removed from the WM6 ROM are:
1, catalog module (marketplace) and all its reg keys
2, sqm related modules and all its reg keys, include one in HKLM\INIT
3, ceipui.exe module and the notifications originated by mxip_notify.vol
It seems CLEAN and my device runs smooth enough now

the mxip_notify.vol from TMO WM5 ROM is put here for convenient reference.
after extract, don't forget to rename it to mxip_notify.vol when cooking ur own ROM.

huangyz said:
thanks, eluth
i see you in buzzdev.net
it seems that pkgtool should be used under VisualStudio which not installed on my pc.
so, just imagine i can do that...:lol:
thanks again for your hints.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit:
just patch XP with .net framework 2.0 redistributable pack and the pkgtool runs fine.

huangyz said:
the mxip_notify.vol from TMO WM5 ROM is put here for convenient reference.
after extract, don't forget to rename it to mxip_notify.vol when cooking ur own ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks huangyz,
I did the same. It works quite well.
I think this closes this thread.
--eluth.

Great research Let's hope the .vol holds out on a touch.
I'm crossing my finger using this mxip_notify on my touch gehehehe, let's see if it breaks something.

so, for removing sqm:
1. edit Shell\mxip_notify.vol (del ceipui references)
2. delete Shell\ceipui.exe
3. delete sqm\* except custstat.dll .dsm .rgu
and may pack

The PANTRY

Here are some thoughts and ramblings I have been doing. For weeks and months now I have been flashing a different ROM about every 2 or 3 days, trying to find just that special one I like the best and suits my needs, which hasn’t happened yet. Then came along the Kitchens with all the ways to make it just the way I want it. I love it, and have just started in the last few days cooking my own ROM’s that do meet my needs. For arguments sake, I am using the Core 2.0n base ROM, Core Pro Kitchen. Have a Cingular 8125, Use the AT&T/Cingular Network. 1gb RAM card, and live in the US ….
Here is what I have found. If I am way off base or doing something maybe wrong, please let me know, there might be an easier way already out there, but I haven’t found it yet. And as of today, I have not bricked my phone with anything I have done below.
OK, It seems every ROM I have flashed, there was that ONE little program that stood out and really made me happy. So what I have been doing is this. I find a ROM that has that little special program I want, and use the kitchen to rip it all apart. When all is said and done, instead of flashing it right then and there, I enter the C:\Core\Kitchen\OEM or C:\Core\Kitchen\SYS and find that one certain program/package I like and cut it out and save it to a temp directory. I do that with 7 or 8 different ROMs until I get all the little parts I want. Then I take the Basic Core 2.0n and use it as my base, do all the steps right up to the part where you BUILD, and then I go to that temp directory and move all those special programs to where they belong in the Kitchen. THEN BUILD. So far it has worked great.
BUT, here is where I get to the MAIN POINT of this topic. Thinking of the word KITCHEN, I was wondering where do I go to get all my FOOD so to speak to COOK? Well in my house I go to the PANTRY. So, I was wondering, is there a way or someone who could start the PANTRY? My thinking of what it would be is a place for all those programs out there that are added to the OEM and SYS folders SEPERATLY. Kind of like an FTP site or something.
Here is an example of what could be in the PANTRY, using Total Commander as my example. And would have a TotalCommander2.zip file in it, along with all those others out there.
This is what is in my Total Commander 2 Directory, which is ready for the BUILD step.
---------------------------------------------------------
C:\Core\Kitchen\SYS\TotalCommander2
cca7de97-9353-45c7-9006-0a73bec0575f.dsm
cca7de97-9353-45c7-9006-0a73bec0575f.rgu
cecmd.exe
ftp.tfx
initflashfiles.txt
LAN.tfx
registry.tfx
Total Commander
As you can see, it’s complete with the initflashfiles.txt. dsm and the .rgu, and everything else that’s needed. So why not take that directory and everything in it and zip it up, and add it to the PANTRY. That way, say someone wanted a BASE ROM , with just Total Commander and NOTHING ELSE, they could go to the PANTRY, download that zip file, unzip it and put it in their Kitchen’s directory and it’s done. I have read a lot about the topic “How To Create A Rom Package” and this seems to be the easiest way, since 90% of them out there that we use are already built. All they need is to be placed in a PANTRY for everyone to share ? ??
Just my thoughts…………….
DaKender

You're welcome to download the OEM pack from the kitchen thread, and contribute at will for others to use.
It's a collection of programs contributed and collected by the forum users.
While managing 50+ different downloadable files would be a pain, having it all in one directory is simple, it's not that big, and easily downloaded - and updated.
Heck, take it and start your own OEM pack thread - it's not mine to say you can't.

NAND and NOR ROM on the Kaiser

So with all the excitement going on in the page pool thread I was doing some external reading. One topic that caught my interest is NAND and NOR ROM.
I got a nice summary from here:
http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2005/08/19/453784.aspx
Basically, the synopsis is:
NOR: Faster to read, slower to write.
NAND: Slower to read, faster to write.
But, more importantly, NOR ROM let's you perform XIP operations. Now i remember seeing this XIP acronym before...in a directory when I extracted a ROM. This leads me to believe that at least part of the ROM in the Kaiser is NOR ROM.
XIP means eXecute In Place. It basically allows code to be executed directly from the ROM without first being copied into the RAM. This means less RAM utilization. As the article states i works for programs only, not user data files.
If we look in the XIP directory of an extracted ROM we see subdirectories like:
busenum.dll
diskcache.dll
imgfs.dll
These are things like low level bus, disk, and file system drivers. These things make perfect sense to XIP.
My question then is... if indeed we do have NOR ROM that can do XIP operations, how much is free on a typical ROM? AND can we cook in other applications into this XIP NOR location instead of into the NAND ROM and thus have those eXecute in Place and free up additional RAM?
It would be nice to get the 3% of my RAM back from Voice Command, or the 1% from PocketCM, etc, etc...
Could it be as easy as moving .dll files from \SYS to \ROM\XIP before cooking the ROM? I doubt it, but is it possible?
I'm just throwing a concept out there and asking about it's feasability. I'm not really a developer so I don't know how much further I can take this.
Thoughts?

bengalih said:
My question then is... if indeed we do have NOR ROM that can do XIP operations, how much is free on a typical ROM? AND can we cook in other applications into this XIP NOR location instead of into the NAND ROM and thus have those eXecute in Place and free up additional RAM?
It would be nice to get the 3% of my RAM back from Voice Command, or the 1% from PocketCM, etc, etc...
Could it be as easy as moving .dll files from \SYS to \ROM\XIP before cooking the ROM? I doubt it, but is it possible?
I'm just throwing a concept out there and asking about it's feasability. I'm not really a developer so I don't know how much further I can take this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that blog applies to the Kaiser-like devices anymore. We already use all the ROM space we get. The partitioning between XIP and storage is out of the same space and controlled by how the ROM image is built and whatever they set the pagepool to.
Did you run out of space of the 100MB+ internal storage we all get?

I don't know why it wouldn't apply...it's not a WM5 vs WM6 issue.
Based on the only specs I have seen it lists the Kaiser with 256 ROM and 128 RAM.
The question is what type of ROM is it? Devices can mix NOR and NAND ROM. And based on what I see on the extracted ROM, at least some of it must be NOR (because of the existence of the XIP directories).
And this isn't a question of storage space. I am not trying to get more usable storage...I have a 8GB SDHC card for that. I am trying to maximize my available application space.
The point of my post is... can an application, let's say like Voice Command be moved from what might be the NAND portion of the ROM into the NOR portion of the RAM (from \SYS to \ROM\XIP). It would take up the same space of the TOTAL ROM, but when it executed it DOES NOT NEED BE LOADED INTO RAM and thus your available application space is not decreased.
Again, I am not a developer, so I may be way off in asking if this can be done. However your response is one that doesn't speak to the theory I am proposing.

if I remember right this was talked about before but on a different device I think the hermes. I am not sure of the reason it couldnt be done but I just remember it couldnt lol. Something about allocated memory maps

Some interesting things
I found this wile reading the link you posted. Some great information in there.
By the way, every SD and CF card is made out of NAND flash. So, no, you can't XIP programs stored on a storage card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So am I reading this right. That any program we have stored on our Storage Card won't utilize the XIP

I've been working on & subsequently screwing up, page pool alteraitions for awhile. Because I'm messing with a Kaiser(CE5) & a UMPC (CE6) based device, I can tell you that while the pagepool will save you some seconds, mostly with the loading of contacts, your inbox, & the boot to os speed of the device, for the most part you're right, you won't see much difference.
However, with CE6, that will change. With CE 6 based devices you will be able to completely comtrol paging, be it XIP or Data (Read Only) paging. Maybe wm7 will introduce CE6 to PDA devices. With CE6, formerly & frequently confused with WM6, you will have 2 page pools & several controls over them including compaction.
The effectiveness of page pool sizes can vary widely depending on the types of processes & programs you use, but suffice to say, the average user will take little to no benefit from a larger paging file.
For all of you truly interested, there is a PB process file called DevHealth.exe, that can be used via SD card to report the actual status of the paging pool. Google it, you will find it. Kind of interesting to see what your device is actually doing before & after the changes.

AllTheWay said:
I found this wile reading the link you posted. Some great information in there.
So am I reading this right. That any program we have stored on our Storage Card won't utilize the XIP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but what the OP is asking is if we can take apps and put them in the XIP section and run them from there. I think someone should try it out just cook up a rom with a complete app cooked in the XIP and see what happens. the worst is bad blocks i would guess but maybe POF or OLI should chime in on this one.

I do believe you can XIP from an SD card, I believe MS has done this with a few test devices that utilize under battery sd cards. I think it's not something they've done mostly because of problems in system stability when the SD is removed.

austinsnyc said:
No but what the OP is asking is if we can take apps and put them in the XIP section and run them from there. I think someone should try it out just cook up a rom with a complete app cooked in the XIP and see what happens. the worst is bad blocks i would guess but maybe POF or OLI should chime in on this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU AUSTIN!
Yes, this is what I am saying. Forget about SD cards (which, according to what I have read are all NAND and thus can't XIP).
I am just asking if some of the applications that we are cooking into the flash (the things that extract to \SYS) like MS Voice Command, CM Contacts, QuickGPS, etc... if instead those things can be places in XIP.
Again, this is under the assumption (which is a big assumption) that what is in \XIP gets placed in the NOR ROM and what is in \SYS gets placed in the NAND.
What this would mean is that when you execute any of the programs I mention, like say Quick GPS you won't see the RAM utilization on your device go up, meaning you will have the same amount of available free memory. This is because of the XIP (based on the description I have read) it can be executed from the ROM without being copied into RAM.
Now, my guess is that even though the NOR has faster reads than NAND, it still might be slower than RAM. So, it might take another second to open Quick GPS. However for some apps I think I would prefer the slight delay in order for my available memory to be increased.

GSLEON3 said:
I've been working on & subsequently screwing up, page pool alteraitions for awhile. Because I'm messing with a Kaiser(CE5) & a UMPC (CE6) based device, I can tell you that while the pagepool will save you some seconds, mostly with the loading of contacts, your inbox, & the boot to os speed of the device, for the most part you're right, you won't see much difference....
For all of you truly interested, there is a PB process file called DevHealth.exe, that can be used via SD card to report the actual status of the paging pool. Google it, you will find it. Kind of interesting to see what your device is actually doing before & after the changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info Leon...but better to put this in the pagepool thread so we can discuss it there (and please do). What I'm trying to get at here is not directly related to pagepool sizes and speeds.

austinsnyc said:
if I remember right this was talked about before but on a different device I think the hermes. I am not sure of the reason it couldnt be done but I just remember it couldnt lol. Something about allocated memory maps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's entirely possible. Again, I'm being the "idea guy" as I'm trying to synthesize some info I have absorbed. The most programming I do is high level scripting and VB so I don't know details about how this stuff would actually work down at the memory map level. There may be some other issues as well. I was hoping there was someone in these forums who actually had the knowledge (and wasn't just following cooking tutorials like most of us) of how this stuff truly interacts.

Also please reference my post in the pagepool thread, has some good thoughts (I think!):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2101324&postcount=99

bengalih said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2101324&postcount=99
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to the above, I have found some more info which may partially defeat my reasoning:
XIPKernel
There are portions of the deepest parts of the OS that have to XIP. If you're on NOR, that code just XIPs like everything else. Not so on NAND. For a NAND system to boot, it needs to load this code into RAM first and then run it from there. When the system is running, it can't really tell if it's running from RAM or ROM, so it assumes it's running from ROM and doesn't count this space.
The XIPKernel region tends to be between 1.5 and 2M.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it seems that just because we have a \XIP directory doesn't mean we have NOR ROM. It could just be the area the ROM places data that in NEEDS to XIP, and therefore means that it will get copied to RAM on boot (instead of just XIPing from where it is in ROM). This could also account for the additional "missing" RAM up to 128MB.
Therefore moving an application to this \XIP pre-cook doesn't mean that it will save us any RAM (again, assuming we DON'T have NOR ROM). It could however speed up that application since we are basically "pre-loading" it into RAM instead of waiting for the load to be user initiated.
I guess a question now is does all XIPed code run at the same time and is that all at boot? It does us no good to try and load up voice command (or QuickGPS, etc.) before the supporting code from the OS has loaded.
So, this may all be a wash, but it does help explain some of the interaction better and even if it leads no where, at least we will better understand how the devices memory system works.

List of Cooked ROMs?

This is my 3rd post ever here, so please be gentle.
Crogon said:
I can't seem to find it now, but didn't there used to be a list of pre-cooked ROMs here somewhere?
I think what I'm aiming at is a fully patched / hacked 6.1 HTC ROM with everything fixed and no bugs. Preferably minus any bloatware. If it has recommended utilities pre-installed great, if not, no big loss. Did they ever finish hacking a video driver together? I lost track of that thread, and can't seem to find any current info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: I found a tidbit somewhere that says the newest video driver updates should be cooked into the newest ROMs.. but how do I figure out which ones have all the bug patches and hacks installed, and etc. like I mentioned above? I know there USED to be a list of pre-cooked ROMs, but I can't find it now.
Hmm.. Am I maybe thinking of a list of pre-cooked ROMs for the Wing, or some other HTC? If I am, I'm DEFINITELY going to need some ROM recommendations.
Here are my stats, if it helps any:
rom version 3.57.502.2 WWE
rom date 7/17/08
radio version: 1.65.21.18
protocol version: 25.88.40.05H
tri-color screen
KAIS1*0
SPL-3.56.Hard
CPLD-8
.
.
Serial
image version 3.57.502.2
R 1.65.21.18
G 25.88.40.05H
D 3.57.00.00
Thanks again for any help!

if u really want a good cooked rom i suggest you try Garmins roms....they have the latest htc drivers built in...
thats all i can say

mazin13 said:
if u really want a good cooked rom i suggest you try Garmins roms....they have the latest htc drivers built in...
thats all i can say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he DOESN'T WANT a cooked rom he is looking for a pre-cooked rom.
@op did you check the kaiser wiki or htc's website?? 'cuz that is where you will find all the latest roms for your device that aren't cooked by a chef.

Also, look around for mbavrian's Kitchen Elements.
The "Base ROMs" on which our Chefs makes their gourmet meals are difficult to locate. Some chefs refuse to share like little playground children.
Others, Like NotATreoFan, have released their base for other people to use to make ROMs. Great Contributors.

Woops!
I guess I stated that incorrectly. Sorry!!
Actually I DO want a custom 'Cooked' ROM. My main purpose of reflashing the ROM is to get rid of all known bugs and bloatware. So I WANT all the custom registry hacks and patches to make everything run smoothly. I want the hacked video drivers (as they appear to currently be stable) and etc..
SO.. I'm looking for:
1) 6.1 OS with fast drivers and all known hacks and patches to have as few bugs as possible. UNLESS 6.1 has introduced some known bugs that can't be fixed (wouldn't surprise me with an MS product). IF there's a bug free FASTER version 5 OS, that will run on the Tilt, I'll be happy with that. One time I installed Win95 on a 1.6Ghz T-bird. Power on to fully loaded desktop was like 2 seconds flat.
2) bloatware removed so as to free up space, and I assume cleaning crap out of the registry wouldn't hurt with speed. Is there a system cache, and would it be beneficial to move it to the SD card? I've read that moving the IE cache to the SD card is asking for trouble, not sure that there's a concensus on that or if it's just opinion though.
OK.. that's going to get confusing. Scratch that and start over:
1) All known bugs hacked or patched.
2) All known speed enhancements (that don't compromise system integrity).
3) Rip out MS (or HTC ..or both?) crapware that COULD be replaced with faster / more functional counterparts.
4) Optional: pre-installed or at least packaged (cab?) applications to enhance functionality. My priority in applications is utility enhancement. Example: I can download 200 Flash / Java / MAME games to the SIM card some day if I get bored, don't need it in the OS. However, if there's a remedial photo editing utility that will allow me to edit my pics before I upload them somewhere, I want it.
I did manage to stumble across a wiki page last night: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Kaiser_Cooked_ROMs
32 Developers and countless ROMs without any comparison isn't much help though. Can I assume all current ROMs are posted there?
Browsing through them, I recall that Alex's ROMs used to be the last word in ROMs, apparently dutty's were until he switched gears. HyperDragon seems to be terribly popular at the moment, but popular doesn't mean better.
I suppose I could try to gather all the available info into a giant spreadsheet, but the fact that about half the ROMs link out to a feature list is slightly discouraging. I think dutty's list of registry hacks ends in '.. and a bunch of other stuff I forgot', which is TERRIBLY discouraging (when trying to compare features).
Anyway, sorry if I'm rambling on here. Please don't take anything I'm saying as judgemental, I'm sort of thinking out loud trying to decide how best to proceed.
Say, has anybody considered building a CVS tree of sorts? I don't suppose you could have actual CODE stored in a repository without violating some sort of copyright or reverse engineering crap.. but a list of known code changes and etc. would seem to be a good idea. Since neither MS nor HTC has stepped up to the plate over the years, due to corporate greed, some sort of XDA-Dev code change tracking system seems like 'the last best hope' to get a decent OS. Ever.
That's why I'm jumping ship to try out the G1 after this. I don't believe MS will ever invest the effort to give us a 'business class' reliable bug free solution. ..let alone one that's innovative or even exceptional. They're style would lead me to expect them to wait till we have 800mhz handhelds, then 'patch' over top of everything they don't like to make it appear to behave better. ..and of course they would deem it necessary to add another programming layer to the OS to 'increase functionality' (read: bog down the OS).
Yup.. I'm definitely babbling now, so I'll just cut myself short.
I guess my bottom line questions are, Is there a more complete list of ROMs anywhere I should be using? ..or one which already compares all the features, so I don't have to?
Better yet, Is there a ROM build specifically to fit what I'm looking for? I seem to recall Alex's were built somewhat similar, but the newest one is quite old now. Hmm.. there is no Windows Mobile revision list is there? I have no way of knowing which older versions would be good, and when bug patches were introduced and etc.
Oh well, guess there's nothing to do but dive in head first and start putting together the best feature list I can with what resources I have.
Thanks for any help! ..and if you read this whole thing, thanks for putting up with my rambling, lol.

Crogon said:
I guess my bottom line questions are, Is there a more complete list of ROMs anywhere I should be using? ..or one which already compares all the features, so I don't have to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never seen one and I don't believe one exists. You'll just have to do your own research.

Crogon said:
I guess I stated that incorrectly. Sorry!!
Actually I DO want a custom 'Cooked' ROM. My main purpose of reflashing the ROM is to get rid of all known bugs and bloatware. So I WANT all the custom registry hacks and patches to make everything run smoothly. I want the hacked video drivers (as they appear to currently be stable) and etc..
SO.. I'm looking for:
1) 6.1 OS with fast drivers and all known hacks and patches to have as few bugs as possible. UNLESS 6.1 has introduced some known bugs that can't be fixed (wouldn't surprise me with an MS product). IF there's a bug free FASTER version 5 OS, that will run on the Tilt, I'll be happy with that. One time I installed Win95 on a 1.6Ghz T-bird. Power on to fully loaded desktop was like 2 seconds flat.
2) bloatware removed so as to free up space, and I assume cleaning crap out of the registry wouldn't hurt with speed. Is there a system cache, and would it be beneficial to move it to the SD card? I've read that moving the IE cache to the SD card is asking for trouble, not sure that there's a concensus on that or if it's just opinion though.
OK.. that's going to get confusing. Scratch that and start over:
1) All known bugs hacked or patched.
2) All known speed enhancements (that don't compromise system integrity).
3) Rip out MS (or HTC ..or both?) crapware that COULD be replaced with faster / more functional counterparts.
4) Optional: pre-installed or at least packaged (cab?) applications to enhance functionality. My priority in applications is utility enhancement. Example: I can download 200 Flash / Java / MAME games to the SIM card some day if I get bored, don't need it in the OS. However, if there's a remedial photo editing utility that will allow me to edit my pics before I upload them somewhere, I want it.
I did manage to stumble across a wiki page last night: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Kaiser_Cooked_ROMs
32 Developers and countless ROMs without any comparison isn't much help though. Can I assume all current ROMs are posted there?
Browsing through them, I recall that Alex's ROMs used to be the last word in ROMs, apparently dutty's were until he switched gears. HyperDragon seems to be terribly popular at the moment, but popular doesn't mean better.
I suppose I could try to gather all the available info into a giant spreadsheet, but the fact that about half the ROMs link out to a feature list is slightly discouraging. I think dutty's list of registry hacks ends in '.. and a bunch of other stuff I forgot', which is TERRIBLY discouraging (when trying to compare features).
Anyway, sorry if I'm rambling on here. Please don't take anything I'm saying as judgemental, I'm sort of thinking out loud trying to decide how best to proceed.
Say, has anybody considered building a CVS tree of sorts? I don't suppose you could have actual CODE stored in a repository without violating some sort of copyright or reverse engineering crap.. but a list of known code changes and etc. would seem to be a good idea. Since neither MS nor HTC has stepped up to the plate over the years, due to corporate greed, some sort of XDA-Dev code change tracking system seems like 'the last best hope' to get a decent OS. Ever.
That's why I'm jumping ship to try out the G1 after this. I don't believe MS will ever invest the effort to give us a 'business class' reliable bug free solution. ..let alone one that's innovative or even exceptional. They're style would lead me to expect them to wait till we have 800mhz handhelds, then 'patch' over top of everything they don't like to make it appear to behave better. ..and of course they would deem it necessary to add another programming layer to the OS to 'increase functionality' (read: bog down the OS).
Yup.. I'm definitely babbling now, so I'll just cut myself short.
I guess my bottom line questions are, Is there a more complete list of ROMs anywhere I should be using? ..or one which already compares all the features, so I don't have to?
Better yet, Is there a ROM build specifically to fit what I'm looking for? I seem to recall Alex's were built somewhat similar, but the newest one is quite old now. Hmm.. there is no Windows Mobile revision list is there? I have no way of knowing which older versions would be good, and when bug patches were introduced and etc.
Oh well, guess there's nothing to do but dive in head first and start putting together the best feature list I can with what resources I have.
Thanks for any help! ..and if you read this whole thing, thanks for putting up with my rambling, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to spend some time and TRY each ROM and see which one is suited for you.
Again, READ and spend time.
Read WIKI especially.
There is no 100% perfect ROM even if it is official one.

Crogon said:
I guess my bottom line questions are, Is there a more complete list of ROMs anywhere I should be using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Kaiser_Cooked_ROMs
If you want a newest list, you are always welcome to Update the wiki

I'm heading for the aspirin bottle just now. I spent like 3 hours reformatting the info on the wiki page into a spreadsheet.. when I discovered that some of the authors are still releasing, but it's not on the list!
AAHHH!!
So basically, A full up to date list is needed. Let alone version comparisons or features and bug fix lists.
Good grief.
No wonder most people opt to install ROMs randomly till they happen across one they like.
.. I think I'll make a new wiki page eventually. Something along the lines of a Kaiser ROM Feature Comparison page.
Do I get a XDA-Dev decoder ring if I actually finish it? lol

[SCRIPT] Energy XDA_UC Configuration Tools (EXCT) V1.1.1 Final

This is a little project i've been working on and i thought it was ready enough to be released into the wild. Below is the readme file. I think it covers everything for now. Before posting please read the first 3 posts - especially post 3 - if it is obvious that you haven't done this i will not respond with any form of help and i don't not expect any of the users to do so either.
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Included with this zip file are several .cab, .reg and .xml files that will automatically configure your NRGZ28 energy rom when XDA_UC runs upon first boot after flashing.
Included are the following configuration files
activesync.xml
This will configure your MS Exchange settings. Editing with your personal settings is required. Look for the username, server, domain and password tags at the start of the file
aGPS.reg
Enables aGPS
BackLight.reg:
Sets backlight to auto. There are some other settings included for dim and light off times when on battery and AC power aswell
bt_ident.reg
Sets the Bluetooth Identity. Edit the deviceid line to suit
copy.mscr
Copies files from the copy2root folder to the matching location in device storage. A My Documents folder with My Ringtones and My Wallpapers sub folders have been created already. Place you ringtones and wallpapers in these folders. There is also an application data folder which contains a coreplayer config.xml and a program files folder which contains a myPlayer options.ini. Feel free to create more. Thanks to nrfitchett4 for providing this script.
Del.mscr
This file will remove all unwanted ringtones, wallpapers and any other files you decided to add. Edit as you need to. N.B any readonly files will need attributes changed before they can be deleted.
DisableSenseVsync.cab
Disables Vsync in sense increasing the framerate thus making it faster
HD2MemTweaks.cab
Increase's glyphcache size past the bsb tweaks and advanced config defaults, incrases filesystem cache size and a few other bits. This cab file is optional. Delete it if you don't want it. Thanks go out to g.lewarne for documenting the tweaks
HTCAlbumIgnore.reg
Stops the sense music player playing ringtone files from \My Documents\My Ringtones\ and \storage card\ringtones. Copy the examples
if you want to add to it.
M3PH HTC Location Service Enable.cab
Enables HTC location Service and automatically excepts the TOS
ident.reg
Changes the phones identity at first boot. If NRGZ28 won't make it sensible i'll make it so we can customise it . Editing required. this one is pretty obvious
Palringo.reg
Sets up palringo, sorta, change [email protected] to your user name and it should show up at sign in. All you need to do is enter your password
QuickGPS.reg
Enables and configures QuickGPS with the defaults
Ringtones.reg
Configures the ringtone, sms tone and email tone. Needs some editing but you only need to change the file name for each entry, not the
path. The Ringtone2 entry allows for second ringtone to be added to the list of usable ones so you change them with too much fuss.
Also enables flashing light on sms reception for 5 minutes.
wifi_setup.xml
wifi settings. Edit required. This link should help you set it up (see post 3 for details on how to edit)
M3PH Enable Time Auto Update.cab
Enables NTP
Volume.Reg
Sets the volume levels. You can use this one or export your own from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Volume
Windows live.reg
Pretty much configures windows live. You do still need to enter your password and you will also need to do atleast one manual sync before Sense will create the mailbox on the email tab but otherwise it works
Opera User Agent String folder
See the readme.txt in that folder
Sense Folder
If you put your wallpaper in this folder it will be installed as the sense default. Just rename it to sense_wallpaper.png.
Start Menu folder
Copy Start Menu shortcuts here
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If you like this or any of my other work click the "donate to me" link above my avatar
----------
REMEMBER THIS COLLECTION OF FILES IS PRESENTED AS IS UNDER THE GNU GPLv2. IT IS BETA SOFTWARE AND COMES WITH NO WARRANTY OR ANY FORM OF OFFICIAL SUPPORT. I, M3PH, SHALL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR DATA LOSE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR TO YOUR DEVICE.

Change Log
Change Log:
1.1.1 Final
Removed Keyboard sensitivity tweaks
Removed opera memory tweaks
Added more palringo settings
Added Quick shutdown settings
1.1 Final
Updated volume.reg to default to seperate system and ring volume controls.
Removed all tweaks now included in Energy roms dated nov30 and newer. I will leave v1.0 posted for a while so people that like to install older versions still get the benefit
1.0 Final
Added Windows_live_settings.reg. You will need to edit it as prescribed on page 16 but it will work.
Added Improved GPS settings.cab. This is untested by me but i trust scabes24 enough to know he's not going to pass on unreliable tweaks
Improved M3PH Location Service enable.cab: Added an extra registry setting that should trigger Manila to showing it's on. This is doubtful but even if it doesn't the file does work
Added alarm_settings.reg: This is only an example file. You will need to export your own settings but this should be a reasonable starting point
Removed readme.txt: It was a habit a picked up from Linux development practices and was pointless for this project
Removed time.reg permanently because there is nothing changed in the registry when it is enabled.
--- Pre Final releases

Tips and Tricks
What follows are some tips and tricks i have found that i'm not going to include for whatever reason but thought some people might find handy or notes on what settings do what and their options.
Q. Can i delete file xyz using xda_uc because i like to have as much space as possible?
Yes you can. i found this link. All you need to do is create a file in the xda_uc folder with the extension .mscr which contains the following:
Code:
delete \test.txt, TRUE
or
Code:
deltree \test, TRUE
Obviously change test to the file or directory you want to delete. For more details check out the provided link above.
Q. The default wifi.xml doesn't match my configuration and i can't find a resource that tells me what are valid values for the options?
A. See this link and this one. As a note if you use WPA2 you need to use <parm name="Authentication" value="6" /> and WPA2-PSK is 7
Q. The exchange settings in activesync.xml aren't how i like them. Can i change them?
A. Sure can! Here's a link to the documentation
Q. I use a [enter service name here] and i want to create an xml file to configure it when i update my rom. Can i do this?
A. Thanks to microsoft developing WAP provisioning to an incredibly encompassing level you can do almost anything. See this link
Q. I want to make a cab file out of all my changes. How do i this?
A. There are many ways but i think this is the best one i've found because it doesn't involve any third party software and is really simple. All you need is the windows mobile sdk, which can be found here. You may also need visual studio but i'm not sure
Making either is very simple. You just pass a normal XML file to makecab and give it the name of the output file you want. The one trick is that the XML file must be named _setup.xml. If you call it something else, makecab will succeed, the CAB or CPF file will be generated fine, and then it will fail with a cryptic error when you try to use it. Beware, the documentation doesn't make this very clear.
The syntax for making a CAB file is:
Code:
makecab _setup.xml config.cab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Q. Wow you really do know a lot about this sort of stuff. How can i learn?
A. Well i don't know that much at all really, i just learn fast. Most of the stuff you see here was obtained from or via this MSDN article: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc500581.aspx
Q. Is there a way to boost the performance of Opera in terms of memory/speed?
A. Yes, this cab will force Sense to unload when launching Opera, allowing for better performance while browsing. (When exiting Opera, Sense will then reload) (thanks to Scabes24 for this one)
Code:
[URL="http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O5O1RE97"]Enable Opera Max Memory Tweak.cab[/URL]
Q. I've installed the Opera tweak and everything is working fine, but the page loading seems very slow. Is there a way to improve this?
A. Yes you can, the following registry tweak will enable almost instantaneous web page loading in the web browser. It apparently enables wireless N mode but seems to work with cellular data too. Go to:
HKLM/Comm/BCMSDDHD1/Parms
11nModeDisable = Change from 1 to 0 (thanks to Scabes24 for this one aswell)
Q. My wifi hotspot uses EAP certification and i can't use it because the phone gives me a certificate verification failure error. What can i do?
This was posted in the energy rom thread
NRG, after weeks of not being able to connect to my work wireless network because I was getting a "certificate is from an unknown authority" error, I finally got it working. Can you add this key to your ROMs?
[\HKLM\Comm\EAP\Extension\25\]
"ValidateServerCert"=dword:00000000
This is where I found the answer:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/for...-3ebe003aa996/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to oppressa for hunting this one down. The tweak is included as an option in EXCT as M3PH EAP Cert Disable.cab
Here are some locations where 3rd party apps store their values. These were provided by angusc
CodeCity Time settings and Key Code:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CodeCity\CityTime]
Ageye G-Alarm settings and keycode:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ageye\G-Alarm]
Ageye G-Profile settings and keycode:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ageye\G-Profile_v1]
SK Manager settings and Keycode:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\sk\smgr]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shell\Rai\:S KSM]
SlingPlayer Login Details:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Sling Media\SlingPlayer\SlingAccounts]
SPB Language Cards key code:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5C24D33-742A-41BC-BC22-1195BC138ECE}]
SPB Traveller Key Code:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{7D562A74-A69B-45F5-8D1F-20DABDCE2C76}]
SPB Wallet Key Code:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A79D1B0D-2F6A-4E7E-AF94-5EEBC8BFD684}]
Sprite Back-up Key Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Sprite Software\Sprite Backup]
RSS Hub Settings and Feed Storage Locations:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ilium Software\RSS Hub]
SPB Traveller Settings:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Spb Software House\SPB Traveler]
Today Wall Paper Location:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Today]
KeyBoard Config by Tarkim (Settings):
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\KeyboardConfig]
Resco Explorer Settings:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer]
Palringo Settings:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Parlingo\Settings]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The FAQ
Q. Will you include xyz tweak for me?
A. Only if it's a common one or one that i haven't thought of
Q. I use xyz program and i want to have the config file included in your great collection. What do ya' say?
A. See above but you could always spend 10 minutes tracking it down and then creating a folder in copy2root for it
Q. Why is the bluetooth identity the only tweak for BT you include?
A. Because everyones setup and hardware is far too different for it to be worth it. Also, Although you can export the pairings importing them may not be possible due to the way the bluetooth security protocols work.
(More To Come)

Happy to try this, thank you for cobbling everything together.

wow
this would be so handy, i hate spending time making your phone how you like it. I don't flash as often because i get too comfortable with the current configuration.
thanx M3PH
btw: without NRGZ28 i would have sold my HD2 7 months ago

grumpylad said:
Happy to try this, thank you for cobbling everything together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. I did it because i was getting annoyed with spending ages setting everything up and even more annoyed with people not reading the energy rom FAQ properly (i'm guilty of that too). I used the pre-release version last night after flashing the latest energy rom and it saved me in the region of an hour to an hour and a half. It's not perfect by a long way. Things like the sms led notification is enabled and some people may not like that but is is easily reverted with bsb tweaks.
My plans for the next version is to have all the reg files converted in to cab files for they can be removed and i'll tidy up the readme a bit.
One thing i would like help with though is the FAQ. Can the first few people take notes of any problems or questions they have and things or that nature.
Thanks everybody

Thank you, I'll try it out with the new Energy release. I'd be happy with the reg files to import it doesn't even need to be a cab!
Thanks!

lantern20 said:
Thank you, I'll try it out with the new Energy release. I'd be happy with the reg files to import it doesn't even need to be a cab!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cab files are better because they can be removed and Reg files can't. So if one of these files causes a problem your stuck and that's why it's labeled as alpha software. Also labelling it as that will scare off the less experienced users from trying it and doing themselves a mischief.
V0.2 will be all cab files as far as possible but don't expect a release until 0.1 has had a thorough real world testing.

oh. it is better ,if i find this post eight hour ago.
it drives me nuts ,everytime i get into a new nrg rom.
thank you very much.

Great idea man, thank you so much for this!

Thanks a lot for this! It will definitely save me a lot of time after a rom update. I just have to hope I've set them up correctly and dont break something

Hello
This project is a very good project, I hope is work well
Is it compatible with other language ?
Ex : "Start Menu" folder in WWE Rom is "Menu Démarrer" In FR
Good luck.
@+

diamond_cbr said:
Hello
This project is a very good project, I hope is work well
Is it compatible with other language ?
Ex : "Start Menu" folder in WWE Rom is "Menu Démarrer" In FR
Good luck.
@+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no sorry as it stands it's wwe only. If you want to convert it to french and send it over to me i will post it.
yeoldgreat, if you would like to pm me your changes i will look them over.
Overall i'm really pleased with the response so far but i really do need everyones help with composing the faq because for me this works fine (apart from the unteseted bits because i haven't used them yet) so can all of you please, please, please make some notes on your progress and keep posting those questions

M3PH said:
Overall i'm really pleased with the response so far but i really do need everyones help with composing the faq because for me this works fine (apart from the unteseted bits because i haven't used them yet) so can all of you please, please, please make some notes on your progress and keep posting those questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My temptation would be to assume that the FAQ is written for me if I can install and get it working anyone can. For instance in the wifi detailing where the various parm's can be found would make it much easier to install. Very happy to install on what you have and pass back any questions assumptions.
As I frequently flash(ROM's only) I can help with refining the documentation.

grumpylad said:
My temptation would be to assume that the FAQ is written for me if I can install and get it working anyone can. For instance in the wifi detailing where the various parm's can be found would make it much easier to install. Very happy to install on what you have and pass back any questions assumptions.
As I frequently flash(ROM's only) I can help with refining the documentation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet, thanks. That is exactly the sort of thing i'm looking for, because it's been over a year since i did any kind of manual writting i'm pretty rusty. It also doesn't i developed most of the parts in just over 24 hours working on my phone and not my pc everything is a bit scattered in my mind. That's the reason why the readme looks the way it does. It all came out in a bit of a splurge.
The wifi script is one of my older scripts and it took 3 attempts to get right and now i can't for the life of me find the resource on ms technet that i used.
I'll probably have a sitdown over the weekend and have a rerun through the readme and make it a bit more detailed. If i can make it as easy to install as possible then the faq won't be such an important thing

How many people want me to include a coreplayer config.xml in the next version? i've got one that works perfectly with myplayer and turbo3d.

Nice Work
I used a number of these to flash the latest Energy Rom and it worked out great. Very smooth! It will be interesting to see what is added on in the future. Thank you for putting the time in and starting a new thread.

jamesdee said:
I used a number of these to flash the latest Energy Rom and it worked out great. Very smooth! It will be interesting to see what is added on in the future. Thank you for putting the time in and starting a new thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm taking suggestions for additions. So how about one?

Very interesting sir!
I am going to flash the new Energy ROM either tonight or tomorrow and so will chuck this in with it.
I wont use several of them as I dont use those aspects, but those I do will return with feedback.
I have been frustrated with this as well.... fingers crossed.