Database Info

Disabling Access To Games

Hi - is there any way on PocketPC 2003 to disable access to Solitaire and Jawbreaker. I'm pretty sure I can't remove them all together as they're in the ROM - but some registry hack to prevent access to them would be sufficient.

Try this...
You don't list what device or WM versions you are using, but here are two possible solutions you could try:
1) Read through the forums specific to your device, and learn how to cook your own ROM, removing the offending software.
2) Any file in your ROM can be "overwritten" by syncing to your pc and draggin a file with the same name to the folder containing the file you wish to replace. IE. I have a small, written for the pda application, which when run, displays a pop-up saying "This software has been removed because I do not wish for anyone using this device to have fun doing so!" or similar. I then name it solitare.exe and drag it into the Windows directory from my PC. It asks me am I sure I wish to overwrite the file, I click yes and bam! the file is "replaced". (I believe what actually happens is the OS delinks the file and places the new file in the old ones placeholder on the filesystem, it is still in the ROM as that is unwritable unless flashing, but it is no longer accessable, which is what you want to happen.

tried & failed...
I've created a solitare.exe as you suggested and placed it in the Windows directory - it doesn't seem to get run when executed however - The original game still gets run - I fear I may be doing something stupid.

Re: tried & failed...
gremlin said:
I've created a solitare.exe as you suggested and placed it in the Windows directory - it doesn't seem to get run when executed however - The original game still gets run - I fear I may be doing something stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you want to block them?

Re: Try this...
pneuma said:
You don't list what device or WM versions you are using, but here are two possible solutions you could try:
1) Read through the forums specific to your device, and learn how to cook your own ROM, removing the offending software.
2) Any file in your ROM can be "overwritten" by syncing to your pc and draggin a file with the same name to the folder containing the file you wish to replace. IE. I have a small, written for the pda application, which when run, displays a pop-up saying "This software has been removed because I do not wish for anyone using this device to have fun doing so!" or similar. I then name it solitare.exe and drag it into the Windows directory from my PC. It asks me am I sure I wish to overwrite the file, I click yes and bam! the file is "replaced". (I believe what actually happens is the OS delinks the file and places the new file in the old ones placeholder on the filesystem, it is still in the ROM as that is unwritable unless flashing, but it is no longer accessable, which is what you want to happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey pneuma.
2) Isn't working for me either. I thought gremlin was doing something wrong, but I just tried it myself, and, although my "fake" solitaire.exe (a renamed app) file is there, so is the original solitaire.exe. Tapping on the Solitaire icon under games runs the game as if nothing happened, although just opening the Games folder would tell you that it didn't work (the Solitaire icon is still the cards)
What did you do that we didn't? I'm using a Universal.

Peculiar...
Personally I haven't tried this specific to the games, but there was a nasty spash screen in the new WM5 for my Himalaya that I replaced in the method detailed above. It would appear however that solitaire might be a system program, as the following files:
\windows\solitaire.lnk
\windows\start menu\solitaire.lnk
have the following Target: ":MSSOLITAIRE"
but don't despair!
If you have resco explorer or some similar mobile based explorer replacement, try edit the links to point to the replacement exe, or even delete the links altogether, as well as the Games directory under "\windows\start menu\" (might not work deleting them though).
If the deletion or edits don't work you may well have to do the same trick, replacing these .lnk files with something else.
--Marc

Thanks to pneuma I think I've got a workable solution without having to hack into the ROM!
I've created two programs (using PocketBuilder) called Solitare.exe and Jawbreaker.exe which just pop up a response window saying "This Application Has Been Disabled"
I've also created two .lnk files - solitare.lnk and jawbreaker.lnk which contain:
22#"\Windows\Solitare.exe"
and
23#"\Windows\Jawbreaker.exe"
respectively
In my boot process I copy the executables and .lnk files to the \Windows directory and also copy the .lnk files to the
\Windows\Start Menu\Program\Games\
directory.
I don't think our users (sorry to diss them) are bright enough to figure out they have to remove all of these files to get the games working again.
Thanks for all your help.
Gremlin.

gremlin said:
(sorry to diss them)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you're dissing them all the way by treating them like this.
Why shouldn't they be able to play Solitair or JawBreaker every now and then during a coffee of lunch break. A bit of light releif never did anyone any harm.
I'm glad I don't work with you. (Bah Humbug)

I have no say in how the users are treated - I am merely a developer - I get told what needs to be done and I do it. I can offer my suggestions at design time but ultimately it is not my decision how the users are treated on the shop floor.
If I was in management it would be a different story.
I'm lovely to work with - I make the tea and everything

gremlin said:
If I was in management it would be a different story.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken. :wink:
I would argue that it's hardly worth the effort just to piss people off.
I'll have my tea with milk and no sugar.

Notification Error

I recently tried to start PicselBrowser.exe from a location other than the default one. It failed and I put it back into it`s default directory and uninstalled/reinstalled it. Now every time I turn on my Apache (WM5) it tells me ''Notification Error'' ''Cannot execute /Storage Card/PicselBrowser.exe'' which is the directory that I mentioned that I had failed to start the program from. Does anyone know how I can stop this message? Thanks.

Any ideas?

Does anyone know of a forum somewhere that would be better suited for this question?

koadansc said:
I recently tried to start PicselBrowser.exe from a location other than the default one. It failed and I put it back into it`s default directory and uninstalled/reinstalled it. Now every time I turn on my Apache (WM5) it tells me ''Notification Error'' ''Cannot execute /Storage Card/PicselBrowser.exe'' which is the directory that I mentioned that I had failed to start the program from. Does anyone know how I can stop this message? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that is a little easy to solve. I had that trouble a while back with another application I was messing with. Here is the solution.
Look into Windows>Start Up folder. In there you will probably see a .lnk file pointing to the OLD PicselBrowser.exe. Since you already moved the OLD PicselBrowser.exe file to a NEW location, then put it back in the same place. Your PPC thinks it is already a NEW file despite the fact that you returned the very same file to its ORIGINAL location. The solution is to replace that .lnk file by creating a shorcut of the NEW PicselBrowser.exe file in another folder, then rename that file to the same name as the one found in Windows>Start Up folder. The next step is a simple cut and paste to replace the lnk file.
The uninstall process probably leaves behind the OLD lnk file or notification to launch the NEW picselbrowser.exe file. So in reality, the lnk file is still searching for the OLD PicselBrowser.exe file. Despite the Uninstall procedure that you performed.
I hope I made it clear for you. Let us know if it works.
Good luck.
---

Thanks for the reply, I am a newb when it comes to technical PPC stuff. I looked in my startup folder and several others and found the following:
poutlook.lnk
sddaemon.lnk
Services.lnk
SpbMobileShell.lnk
None of these appear to be Picsel Browser, I also looked on my Storage Card, nata. Any other ideas? Thanks again!

koadansc said:
Now every time I turn on my Apache (WM5) it tells me ''Notification Error'' ''Cannot execute /Storage Card/PicselBrowser.exe'' which is the directory that I mentioned that I had failed to start the program from. Does anyone know how I can stop this message? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhhhhhhhh. I have another thoery and again very simple.
What kind of SD Card are you using? I would guess a 4GB one, isn't it? Basically what is happening is that, the built-in SD Card reader of your PPC is not fast enough to read the entire contents of the SD card when you turn it ON. To solve this issue, there should be an option from within Picsel Browser to delay its startup upon turning your device ON.
An alternative solution is to install Picsel Browser in the Main Memory rather than the SD Card.
Another alternative solution is to use a Lower Memory SD Card, say a 2GB SD Card, for faster read.
As a last resort, if you have MemMaid or a powerful Notifications Manager, just delete the pesky notification manually. Why does Picsel Browser need to be read every time you turn your device ON anyway?
Hope this helps.
---

Actually, I am running a 2 GB MiniSD Card and to be honest, I dont know why it is trying to activate PicselBrowser.exe each time I turn on the device. Let me clarify that it is not coming on every time that I do a soft reset, it is every time I press the power button on top of the device. Also, I got this same message when I first tried to run PicselBrowser in it's not default location, which is why I moved it back. Why it has been attempting that operation ever since is a complete mystery to me. Thanks for your help though. I would be clueless without you.

I guess the only thing to try now is delete the notification manually using a Notifications manager. BACKUP 1st is the RULE, before deleting an kind of Notifications.
Another extreme solution is Hard Reset and install from scratch. I know sounds horrifying specially if you have tons of stuff.
---

I'm getting exactly the same error for 'wakeup.exe' for Wisbar Advanced Desktop at the minute, I know that there has been a lot of discussion over at the lakeridge forums but most people have solved the problem by reinstalling several times.
EDIT: i think I may have fixed my problem. try installing picsel browser again without uninstalling it on your pocket pc. See if you get the message about 'all other previous versions will be deleted' just tap yes and continue to install it again. Then see what happens.
(And just as i thought i fixed it, the message appeared again)

I tried to install Picsel Browser over the existing install several times and it did nothing to the error message. I don't know what else to try, any more ideas?

Please, this is really annoying every time I turn on my phone. Any ideas?

I sitll get the same with WAD.

Hey, I fixed this problem simply by copying (NOT CUTTING) the file in question (in my case PicselBrowser.exe) to the directory that it was telling me it could not start from. Hope this helps. Cheers

koadansc said:
Hey, I fixed this problem simply by copying (NOT CUTTING) the file in question (in my case PicselBrowser.exe) to the directory that it was telling me it could not start from. Hope this helps. Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im having this ploblem too...
please.. after deleted the app PicselBrowser... i deleted manualy the others folder files about PicselBrowser..
so i dont have this PicselBrowser.exe to move or put in other place...
can u upload the PicselBrowser.exe file...
that we need to fix this error
thanx

execute picselbrowser.exe from the installed location and delete the one wich is generating errors. It worked for me

Hi, having some problems with my Touch Pro

Please bear with me, as this is my first windows mobile phone and I'm not all too familiar with it.
First problem is, tapping "Launch Browser" on the Internet tab does not work. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that the Opera browser was not installed on my device! Now, as far as I know, it should come already in all devices. So, I downloaded the Opera 9.5 browser off their website. How can I set it up so when I tap "Launch Browser" on the Internet tab, Opera 9.5 will automatically run? Currently tapping it still does nothing.
Second is, I've been hearing about this "Windows" folder in the HTC Touch Pro. I can't seem to locate this. When I browse for it with my computer, the name of the TP's "hard drive" is "\", and then I see the following folders:
Application Data, ConnMgr, Content, Documents and Settings, Music, My Documents, Program Files, cemail (hidden file), pim
Is this root folder the "Windows" folder?
Third thing is, in the "Programs" tab in TF3D, there's this icon there that when I press (looks like the default icon for a folder in Vista), it gives me an error. It says "The file 'wt5jetpr' cannot be opened. Either it is not signed with a trusted certificate, or one of its components cannot be found. If the problem persists, try reinstalling or restoring this file."
There we go, that's all. Thank you, if you've read this far.

I can't help with the Opera thing but as for your Windows folder, it's a system file and hidden. You will have to unhide it in your Vista/XP operating system before you can see it using your PC>

You see, I already enabled the viewing of hidden folders. There aren't any other items other than the ones I listed.
EDIT: I tried creating a folder called "Windows" and Vista tells me I can't, because a folder of the same name already exists.
That's weird.. hidden folders are already enabled and I still can't see it.

Hiya, i'm a bit of a noob myselft with regards to wm6.1 so for the opera issue i dont think i could be much help with that same with the file that wont delete so i hope someone else will answer that, to see ur windows folder though when the phone is connected to the pc open up explorer on ur pc and click on tools/folder options then click on view and make sure either the "hide protected operating system files" box is unchecked &/or the "show hidden system files box is checked and this should let you see the windows folder.
Hope this helps.
EDIT: looks like someone already answered in the time it took me to type that, my own fault for multitasking ...

FireGX said:
Second is, I've been hearing about this "Windows" folder in the HTC Touch Pro. I can't seem to locate this. When I browse for it with my computer, the name of the TP's "hard drive" is "\", and then I see the following folders:
Application Data, ConnMgr, Content, Documents and Settings, Music, My Documents, Program Files, cemail (hidden file), pim
Is this root folder the "Windows" folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing as you, when I browse to the device from Windows Explorer.
However, if I go to Tools - Folder Options - View tab and I select "Show hidden files and folders", the Windows directory is displayed.
FireGX said:
Third thing is, in the "Programs" tab in TF3D, there's this icon there that when I press (looks like the default icon for a folder in Vista), it gives me an error. It says "The file 'wt5jetpr' cannot be opened. Either it is not signed with a trusted certificate, or one of its components cannot be found. If the problem persists, try reinstalling or restoring this file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the name, it looks like it is JetCet Print 5.
Strange you have these errors. Do you use a custom ROM?
PS: been too slow to answer too. but at least the answers match ;-)

I'm not using a custom rom =\. The rom came with my device.
It's:
1.90.405.1.WWE
It's a HTC Touch Pro T7272

Then I advise you to do a Hard Reset. Opera and JetCet print should be there, and should not give you any certificate errors.
I advise you to read a lot these forums, gather as much info as you can, and experimenting with your device. You have a powerhouse in your hands, you know? you have unlimited possibilities. Any questions should you have must be asked.

Alright, I'll give that a try tomorrow after the day's gone so I have lots of time to figure things out.

Sorry for the double post, but I figure this message won't get read if I simply edit my last post.
Anyways, I hard resetted the device and I got Opera and that printing program working! Thanks creiz.
Just one last thing I'm trying to figure out.. is there any way I can get a custom alarm ring tone without downloading a program? (I'm trying to avoid having to do that if possible)

Cab file downloadng?

Firstly apologies for the noob question, I'm still very new to this WinMo stuff. And secondly I've searched about the forum all day but still having problems....
I've just got an HD2 and wanting to put some of the tweaks on it I've found via this site. When downloaded on my PC I'm faced with 4 or so files, two or three perhaps starting with a 'cab' file name and the other a reg or set up file. Basically what do I then do with these files? With the phone conected via USB I went into the deice memory and dropped all the files into the memory, did a soft reset, but nothing happened, no extra feature etc. Phone just started up as normal. Sorry for my 'thickness' lol. Would welcome any advice or a pointer to somewhere where it may be already written.
Thanks.

Do not unzip the .cab place on phone and browse phone with File Explorer, click on the .cab and install to Device....
It's a common noob mistake as .cab's are compressed archives so look like .zips on computer....

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll give that a go....

after dropping them on the device you have to run them. Open File Explorer and just launch them from there. A setup will be launched usually.

Thanks for the above advice, worked a treat.

Well I've had no problem putting cab files onto my HD2, however now I want to remove a few of them. Not sure how to remove the actual thing that I've changed??? I go into the device memory and I can delete the cab itself but the 'change' still remains, such as new task bar icons etc.
Any help appreciated....

settings -> add remove programs
just like on a computer

Oh yes of course, makes sense now. Many thanks

Need names of default files on htc

I accidentally erased a name of a file using total commander and can't undo myself.
My files show:
//Plugins
Application Data
ConnMgr
Content
Documents and Settings
Music
My Documents
Programs
Storage Card
Temp
Windows
and "wrong name because I deleted it" (in the folder is Manilla_20100401....)
Can someone please let me know what that file name should be? Most of my programs won't fully launch now because of it.
Thank you for your help.
Michael

Just hard reset your phone. That's always an easy fix that's sure to work

I just had this phone replaced due to warranty and had finished reinstalling lots of items but stupidly hadn't made a backup. I was in fact only opening total commander to make certain it was working when I accidentally deleted the file name. I would hate to hard reset when it is just a single file name that needs replaced .... I hope.

Do you have SK Tools? If so, this is a piece of cake. Open the database tool and export Replstor as an .xml. Open it with notepad on your PC and find the name of the file or folder (and its contents) in the list. There could be a few thousand entries, so it may take a while.

Farmer Ted--I don't find any of my file names from my device in this document. Thank you for the suggestion but I am still at a loss for the original names of the folders under My Device.
If only I knew someone with an HTC Fuze, I could just look on their panel under My Device. Unfortunately, most of my folk are Iphone zealots. Their advice usually involves a different purchase!
Michael

Well, I realized after I posted that if you somehow deleted one of the databases, then it won't show up in replstor, because they're all excluded from replstor. Most of them can't be deleted, though. You should have mxip_initdb.vol, mxip_lang.vol, mxip_notify.vol, mxip_swmgmt.vol and mxip_system.vol. If you're missing one of them, then look in the\windows folder and find the rom version and copy it to the root of the device. It may not have everything it needs in it, though. Just post up if you're missing one, and I can probably tell you how to fix it (well, maybe, lol).

Thanks FarmerTed, I'll give it a go as soon as I understand what it means! Just to clarify, I didn't delete any files. I renamed it. Not on purpose. These are just the basic files under My Device.

I've renamed stuff before, too. The best thing to do if you catch yourself is to delete the entire name, then highlight another file. The messed up file will go back to the original name.

shoot. doesn't work. It would have if I would've done that in the first place though, so that is good to know.