Database Info

Open running applications instantly?

Maybe a strange topic title but this is what I mean:
When I have PocketInformant running for example in the background, it opens instantly when it is selected from a TaskManager like pBar (wich I use). When I want to acces the programm using a normal shortcut from my startmenu it has some delay before it opens.
Does anybody have any tips or ideas about this?

You kinda answered your question yourself. If it running already it doesnt need to be loaded....

crazybadger said:
You kinda answered your question yourself. If it running already it doesnt need to be loaded....
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Click to collapse
You are correct. But I wanted to know why a programm opens instantly when you open it using a task manager. While opening it using the StartMenu takes more time, In both cases the programms are already running in the background

mccune said:
You are correct. But I wanted to know why a programm opens instantly when you open it using a task manager. While opening it using the StartMenu takes more time, In both cases the programms are already running in the background
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Click to collapse
I actually do understand your question because I noticed that too. When a program is alreading running in the background minimized and if you select it using a task manager of choice, it opens up quickly since it was just minimized where as if your where to go through programs menu and run the program shortcut again, there is some delay. I think it is because its closing the program or checking if it is already running that is causing the delay. Don't know for sure actually

i'm not sure if it works the same way as in desktop windows, but here it isl like that...
when you want to code a program that can be launched only once you put a specific section in program's startup part, that checks wether another copy of the process isn't already running, if no is found application starts normally, if it finds previously launched copy it terminates.
now i'm not sure how does it work here in wm5/6 as it happens with all the programs, so probably it is more os dependant, but if i'm right the delay comes from the fact that taping a shortcut actually runs the program again in the first place...

banannq is absolutely correct. This is how things work in WM as well.
When you click a link to the program or its exe file directly from file explorer it is launched again even if it is already running.
If this is a big app like Skype or PI it will take time just to load the exe so even if all it has to do is close right away there is still a delay.
The task manager however calls the program copy already running directly so there is no delay.

Thanks for the explanation!
Now I understand what was driving me mad
So opening programms from a TaskManager is the fastest way to work with you PPC. Or maybe run a today plugin that has a running programms line. I believe the O2 plugin has this kind of functionality.

WisBar Lite and MagicButton (both free) add a running programs icon list to the top menu bar so you can more quickly task swap.

PaulMdx said:
WisBar Lite and MagicButton (both free) add a running programs icon list to the top menu bar so you can more quickly task swap.
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Click to collapse
I use pBar for this, works like a charm

The funny thing is - this is exactly the kind of thinking that brought M$ to create the ever so hated "smart minimize" concept and spawn a hoard of "close button / task manager" applications like magic button.
It is nice when programs start right away, but the trouble is RAM on WM devices is still stuck on at very low limit. Now, if we had devices with 256 or more MB of RAM we probably would not need to close apps.

Removing the system tray WM5 & WM6!!

ah ha amen!
I've searched for months for an answer to removing the system tray on WM5 & WM6
Edit your registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/ Software/ HTC/ Trayapplt
Export the Trayapplt string just to be safe you can merge it back if you change your mind.
Once exported delete the Trayapplt string completely and then soft reset your device.
System tray gone and the space is usable
Enjoy

You could have just removed the Init_Tray.lnk in the windows startup folder.

I afraid for most people that doesnt work as they dont even have that link file. I think the difficulty with the system tray is that different people have different circumstances. Some people can remove the int_tray link but If you search the web your'll see a lot of people desperate for a alternative method as they do not have this file on their devices.
It maybe the case that my method may not work for everybody but until someone produces a stable app to remove the system tray we'll keep searching for the best way individually to achieve this.

Sorry, didn't realize that that link didn't exist on all WM devices, but I haven't owned every device to know that. There are however programs that force the system tray such as DotFreds task manager and MyMobiler, etc, which even removing the Init_Tray.lnk doesn't fix because the icons will create their own system tray. Does your fix for it stop them from doing that? If it does, then I might just have to try your fix out for myself.

So far ive been running this setup for 2 days.
I use xcpuscaler which 110% uses a system tray icon whilst running. Ive also minimised many programs and the tray has never reappeared. Im not garenteeing this will work but I do know that its worked perfectly for me.
I hope this helps and if you export the reg as I sugested if the tray doesnt stay hidden for you for some reason then you can always merge it back

Hmm, my kaiser doesn't even have that key so I guess I'm out of luck there. I'm not sure if my wizard does or not, I'm working on cooking a new ROM for it and the ROM I have on it now is kind of messed up. I'll have to check it out when I get my new one cooked though.

fair enough, it seems to be very device related, im talking intensively to a strong programmer to try and sort out something permemantely.
Im running a XDA Orbit (Artemis).
Willl post any findings here
sorry it didnt work for you

Darren_Bridgeland said:
ah ha amen!
I've searched for months for an answer to removing the system tray on WM5 & WM6
Edit your registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/ Software/ HTC/ Trayapplt
Export the Trayapplt string just to be safe you can merge it back if you change your mind.
Once exported delete the Trayapplt string completely and then soft reset your device.
System tray gone and the space is usable
Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that did the trick for me - thanks

Thanks, just joined today and i am now very happy with the fact this hack worked for me
Joined the forum chasing icons and now i think i wont be able to ever leave
Thanks again.....

No TrayApplt in my registry, unfortunately. Still can't figure out how to remove the tray bar on my Vario II (WM5) permanently. Whatever I tried, nothing worked to my satisfaction..
Edit: No Init_Tray.lnk either! Still looking for solutions, every solution is very welcome as long as it works...

Disable system tray for everything
xeno1 said:
Hmm, my kaiser doesn't even have that key so I guess I'm out of luck there. I'm not sure if my wizard does or not, I'm working on cooking a new ROM for it and the ROM I have on it now is kind of messed up. I'll have to check it out when I get my new one cooked though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Tilt doesn't have that key either. I don't use the tray, have it disabled, but Task Manager always creates it again, until I exit Task Manager.
My Wizard doesn't have that key either.

Programs I have found so far that may cause the system tray to appear:
- Dotfred's Task Manager
- My Mobiler
- Pocket Informer
- SOTI's Pocket PC Controller (or similar: I don't recall its name)
- SPB Pocket Plus
All of these can be made to not create a system tray through their respective settings or otherwise, I believe. Currently I have MyMobiler, Dotfred's, Pocket Informer and Pocket Plus installed, and I have no system tray on my Kaiser. The above registry hack didn't work for me.

Is the Treo Pro Task Manager available as a Cab?

I have an 800w, and was hoping to find the 320x320 TP HTC task manager.
I've tried the other one's floating around and even some modified to work with Real VGA on a 320x320 screen, but none work with a regular 320x320 screen.

here's the files.
now you just need to make the cab.
Actually, you might be able to just copy the attached files to the 800

Thanks Berd.
I wish I knew how to "cab" it up so that if it went awry, I could just uninstall it via add/remove.
I might just dump the files in my Windows directory and see what happens, but I'm not confident that it'll work right if I do it that way.
I was thinking, though. Perhaps I could download and install one of the other HTC TM cabs, and then overwrite the files it installs with these from the Pro. Then, theoretically, an uninstall of the TM might result in uninstalling the replacement files...

Either way, do a Backup first (Sprite or Otherwise).
That way you can always do a Restore and undo any issues that may arise.

Well, I needed to do a real hard reset anyhow, so before I did, I just dumped it all in my Windows folder. No luck.
Perhaps someone else with more knowledge than me can figure this one out.
Thanks again for the ROM dump, Berd. I'm betting some good use will come of it via zbop, hannip, ebag, etc.

Task Manager Quick Menu
Has anyone found a way to activate the HTC Quick Menu from a button? The Task Manager is great for stopping programs but the HTC version also allows switching between running programs. Unfortunately, it requires a thumb press on the screen top right, an awkward place for me to reach as a lefty. I can't seem to find any exe that does that function. Anyone found it?
Thanks,
Mike

mmmike52 said:
The Task Manager is great for stopping programs [...] Unfortunately, it requires a thumb press on the screen top right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the Palm Treo Pro, press [OPTION]+[OK] to quickly access the task manager

tuo_kaerf said:
For the Palm Treo Pro, press [OPTION]+[OK] to quickly access the task manager
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Click to collapse
For the Task Manager you are correct. But that only allows you to stop programs. I am looking for a way to start the Quick Menu (a part of the HTC Task Manager package) that allows stopping and switching between programs that is only available from the X close on the today screen. I have tried all the apps that are named quick*, task*, tsk*, qtask*, etc but cannot find the one that runs the drop down Quick Menu. It is possible it is one of the DLL's that can only be started by another app.
Thanks,
Mike

tuo_kaerf said:
For the Palm Treo Pro, press [OPTION]+[OK] to quickly access the task manager
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Click to collapse
Or just keep the OK button pressed...

oVan said:
Or just keep the OK button pressed...
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Click to collapse
Yes you are write. But this opens the Task Manager, not the task manager quick menu.
Thanks.

mmmike52 said:
Has anyone found a way to activate the HTC Quick Menu from a button? The Task Manager is great for stopping programs but the HTC version also allows switching between running programs. Unfortunately, it requires a thumb press on the screen top right, an awkward place for me to reach as a lefty. I can't seem to find any exe that does that function. Anyone found it?
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Treo Pro has the built-in WM task manager (taskmgr.exe) in the windows directory. I created a shortcut to my programs and use it instead of the HTC provided one and this one workds great.

I'm pretty sure there should be some reg edits associated with this but here is a cab for it.

Programs keep closing (how to keep them open?)

I know most people want the programs launched to close, but my problem is whenever I open one program (for example icontacts), and then open another program (for example opera mini) the first program (icontact) closes by itself... this happens with almost all software even when I have >8mb memory free. It's annoying because I have to reload the first software...
is it b/c of the ROM i have installed or is there a solution (i would hate to have to format and reinstall everything for this!!)
Thanks

Check if you have HTC Taskmanager or WKTask. These are both popular programs which can be set to make the X button close programs. You can change the settings of either of these programs.

Is it just me or does anyone else dislike WM6.5?

I really just dont like the start menu layout... i liked the old 6.1 mini start menu where you either clicked "programs" or "settings" ... just seems to messy to me... whats your alls options?

It took a while for it to grow on me, but I'm fine with it now.
You can still "stick" programs to the top of the start menu like you could with the old one. There's no MRU list though, but I never really used that.
Showaco released a program that will help you reorganize your start menu too. I think its goofy how it sorts it by install date/time rather than alphabetically.

I look at it like this....When I switched from Windows 3.1 to 95....took a while to get use to it. When I switched from XP to Vista (now win7) took me a while to get use to it. Same thing with the new WM6.5 interface.
I didn't like it at first, but, it's growing on me

I wish the Most Recently Used list worked more like the one in the Windows start menu, where it tracks your usage and shows your most common programs instead of the 4 you used last.

mindfrost82 said:
It took a while for it to grow on me, but I'm fine with it now.
You can still "stick" programs to the top of the start menu like you could with the old one. There's no MRU list though, but I never really used that.
Showaco released a program that will help you reorganize your start menu too. I think its goofy how it sorts it by install date/time rather than alphabetically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by stickin the programs on the top of the start menu? just the folder in general?

7boo said:
What do you mean by stickin the programs on the top of the start menu? just the folder in general?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go into the start menu and do a long press on an item you'll get a "right click" menu popup that says "move to top".
If you tap that, it'll move that program to the top of the start menu when you first open it. So instead of having it pages down or in another folder, it'll be right at the top when you open Start. This is similar to how you could "stick" 7 programs in the old start menu, just a different way to do it.

mindfrost82 said:
If you go into the start menu and do a long press on an item you'll get a "right click" menu popup that says "move to top".
If you tap that, it'll move that program to the top of the start menu when you first open it. So instead of having it pages down or in another folder, it'll be right at the top when you open Start. This is similar to how you could "stick" 7 programs in the old start menu, just a different way to do it.
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Click to collapse
Ah sweet didnt know that thanks!

p51d007 said:
I look at it like this....When I switched from Windows 3.1 to 95....took a while to get use to it. When I switched from XP to Vista (now win7) took me a while to get use to it. Same thing with the new WM6.5 interface.
I didn't like it at first, but, it's growing on me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should really consider upgrading your PC to Windows XP.

I left XP over a year ago......now I've moved on to Windows 7, kicks XP in the tail
dumpydooby said:
You should really consider upgrading your PC to Windows XP.
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Click to collapse

Ill move to 6.5 once a final or atleast a ROM with a RTM base is released.

7boo said:
I really just dont like the start menu layout... i liked the old 6.1 mini start menu where you either clicked "programs" or "settings" ... just seems to messy to me... whats your alls options?
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Click to collapse
At first it annoyed me as well; but I've grown to it fairly quickly. But 7 minutes 10 seconds goes by so fast... it really is well thought out. as an interface, while allowing the customizations anybody would still want.
If anything, the screen lock leaves a tad to be desired, but given how fast and slick everything else is about these "cooked ROMs", this is a kitchen I prefer over the "official" ROM, which would scare anybody off Windows Mobile. (it's ironic, but as a Mac user who detests Vista and will never go back, Windows Mobile just has more to offer than the iPhone and other smartphone entities... v6.5 from an XDA developer just shows that not everything out of Redmond is insanely slow bloatware...)

p51d007 said:
I left XP over a year ago......now I've moved on to Windows 7, kicks XP in the tail
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Click to collapse
I was being sarcastic.
I view Vista and Win7 as being downgrades because ... well, they suck.
XP will be the last version of Windows I use. After this, I will be switching to Linux.

dumpydooby said:
I was being sarcastic.
I view Vista and Win7 as being downgrades because ... well, they suck.
XP will be the last version of Windows I use. After this, I will be switching to Linux.
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Click to collapse
What kind of computer have you used them on? They will probably suck on any ancient computer with 512MB RAM, but they run great on any modern computer such as a Core 2 or Core i7.

petard said:
What kind of computer have you used them on? They will probably suck on any ancient computer with 512MB RAM, but they run great on any modern computer such as a Core 2 or Core i7.
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Click to collapse
Win7 runs great on my little netbook with its 1.6Ghz processor with 1gb of ram.

I always love reading people putting vista and win7 down. I have to ask them how much experience have you had with them? I myself have been using Vista since beta and am now using win 7 rc. Other then some driver issues I love them both. I believe that if it was not windows it would be something else to complain about.

7boo said:
I really just dont like the start menu layout... i liked the old 6.1 mini start menu where you either clicked "programs" or "settings" ... just seems to messy to me... whats your alls options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I'm not the only one. I tried to live with it but it just lowered my productivity so much I couldn't stand it any more and went back to 6.1 on my Raph. I'm all for new technology where it aids functionality, but from what I've seen of 6.5 so far it sucks.
Perhaps things will change in the final release but I'm doubtfull. The way things are going, I'm not looking forward to WM7 either
Everyone seems to be jumping on the iPhone bandwagon - all this touch bollocks and no more buttons. I like buttons! I like having lots of info on the screen in small fonts. I don't want to have to put up with an inaccurate touch screen, I want to be able to move a cursor with a scrollwheel.
I don't like where WM devices are headed these days
L.

I have mixed feelings about WM6.5. My opinion is mostly negative. I miss the MRU list, the fact that you can list your favorite menu items in a list, and the 6.1 layout just seemed much more organized. I'm not sure what the benefit was of offsetting the icons, but it seems harder to search for items than having the straight grid.
The concept is ok, but it's very unrefined (e.g. I know I can move an item to the top of the honeycomb, but if i want a specific layout, I'd like to drag and drop them into locations instead of having to think what order I have to move items to the top to get the arrangement I want.
Another thing that bothers me is the fact that each time you navigate to a setting page and close the settings application, you have to start all over again from the first screen of the start menu. Also, the favorite contacts tab for Titanium is poorly implemented. You have to side-scroll through each contact, one-by-one. This is a pain if you have 16 favorites, like the manila People tab makes available.
Overall, 6.5 is a big let down. They tried more to make it look better (very minutely), instead of making it more functional. It took Microsoft a long time to develop this very, very incremental upgrade while we have our own developers in this community making mock-up versions of WM7. Microsoft should really donate lots of money to our forum members because they're the ones making their products more appealing.

Tipharet said:
Ill move to 6.5 once a final or atleast a ROM with a RTM base is released.
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Click to collapse
thats not a good decision lol , by the time that 6.5 is "final" there will most likely be bigger and better things out there . try a rom like nrg's 60109 or 60509 for a mostly flawless experience. there are even cabs to stop the honecomb , make it 3 instead of 4 rows , and to do alot of otherthings all on the first page .
i think it surpasses most roms out there .

I absolutely hate the new 6.5 start menu. Is there a way to get the old MRU list back?

Not on 6.5.