Hi all.
I want to make icons in the program folder for applications that aren't installed on the device, but run off of a memory card. For instance, I run putty from the memory card, as it is a standalone .exe file. It would be easier to go to programs and launch it from there, rather than go to a file explorer, direct it to the memory card, and then click on putty.exe. Just want to save myself some time really. I know it can be done because BackupPIM does it.
Thanks for any advice.
PS I tried searching first, but it was a fairly specific thing and so I couldn't see any results. If you find any, shame me for being a noob, and point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
you go to the exe file that you wan to place in the program menu... then copy it.... then go the program folder and paste it as short cut... I dont know whether this will helps you
Shortcuts are text files with a *.lnk extension that you can place in \Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder. RESCO Explorer can do this for you (Send to Start Menu as Shortcut) or you can do it manually as explained in the WIKI. Hope this helps.
dgaud007 said:
Shortcuts are text files with a *.lnk extension that you can place in \Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder. RESCO Explorer can do this for you (Send to Start Menu as Shortcut) or you can do it manually as explained in the WIKI. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure if you do it by hand you do it plain text
Here is a tutorial.
Thanks guys that worked absolutely perfectly, just copying the file and pasting the shortcut. It's funny to think that you know so much about Windows Mobile, and then realise you don't know something so simple as this!
This will make a huge difference in my day to day life. It may even mean that my partner can now use TomTom (any more than clicking three buttons and she is annoyed, lol). This question and answer section was a great idea by someone, don't know why it didn't happen sooner.
Cheers! Keep up the good work.
Thanks
You guys are REALLY helping us noobs out allot. This worked like a charm.
One day we might have the "smarts" to do the same for others
By the way, I suggest you create a cab (you can use WinCECabManager) to have the *.lnk installed in your device so that everytime you flash a rom or hard reset you can just intall it.. I create a cab for all programs running from the storage card. one cab and i have all the shortcuts i need in my programs menu
Dear nir36
Can you explain that how we can create a cab of shortcuts the programs stored in mem card
Best regards
Get Quickcab 2.0 (hacking forum). It's pretty self explanatory to use, but when you make the cab, make sure in the name field that you name it 'mycabname.cab'. If you don't put in the extension, it doesn't work (at least not for me, lol).
The easiest way to set up the cab is to put quickcab in your c: folder, then inside that folder copy your start menu from your device. Delete all the links in the start menu you don't need, then just send the individual folders with the links into the \windows\start menu\programs directory shown in quickcab. Select 'no uninstall' so the cab doesn't go into the installed programs list. Having the named folders on your pc makes things much faster. You don't have to create the directory for the cab, and everything's organized properly. Do not create an empty folder in the cab file-this will give you an error, and a stupid command window will open, leaving you very disappointed.
Hi guys, I have a question about installing apps on the phone. Btw i'm using HTC Touch Pro and non-modified firmware or custom ROM or anything, i only just got it a few days ago and haven't done anything to it.
And i'm still new to using Windows Mobile so please bare with my noob questions.
Ok so I noticed that when I install apps on the phone's internal memory, it shows up under the Programs list. But if i install apps on the memory card, it shows up under the Program list as well but it doesn't work. I.e, when i try to launch the app that is installed on the memory card, it doesn't work, it just shows an error saying something about missing files or invalid certificate.
Correct me if i'm wrong but all the apps/games shown in the Programs list folder are just shortcuts right? Well i'm guessing that the apps installed on the memory card created shortcuts that didn't give the correct folder path. And also, apps that don't work show the same icon, like a dead shortcut icon on your PC.
Ok so my problem is, my internal memory is almost full and I have a 8GB memory card, is there a way i can make programs installed on the memory card show up properly under the Programs list or make them work properly??
PS: Just a side question, it seems that if your phone doesn't have a sim card slot then it's CDMA, but some other guy told me that his phone is CDMA but has a sim card slot, so how can I really tell if my phone is GSM or CDMA?
it depends on the app. some apps have to be installed on the internal memory. filling up your internal memory is quite impressive though.. or i just don't install that many apps. i think most games and such should be able to be installed on external though. what types of apps aren't working? or are none of them working?
and if it has a sim slot, it's GSM.
fatpandas said:
it depends on the app. some apps have to be installed on the internal memory. filling up your internal memory is quite impressive though.. or i just don't install that many apps. i think most games and such should be able to be installed on external though. what types of apps aren't working? or are none of them working?
and if it has a sim slot, it's GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply. None of the apps i've installed on external memory work when i try to launch them from the Programs folder. I have to manually go to my memory card ---> Program Files and then go into the folders to launch the app itself, then it works. But the shortcuts created under the Program list don't work.
I even tried to manually make a shortcut from the original.exe file on my memory card and then paste it in the Programs list which is found in the internal memory ---> Windows ---> Start Menu ---> Programs.
But that doesn't work either......
for example, i installed Google Maps on my memory card and i can only make it work but going to the folder and launch it manually. But if i installed it on my internal memory, then i can simply find the shortcut under Programs list and launch it.
I hope i didn't make it sound confusing.
I don't know what you're doing wrong, but you're clearly screwing something up, lol. Are you installing to main memory and then cutting and pasting the program folder to your sd card? That's a guaranteed way to kill a link. You could get total commander (google) and use it to edit the links manually. Or, use sk tools to either install your cabs or to relocate the files to the sd card. You can also use TC to make shorcuts and send them to the start menu.
:
Farmer Ted said:
I don't know what you're doing wrong, but you're clearly screwing something up, lol. Are you installing to main memory and then cutting and pasting the program folder to your sd card? That's a guaranteed way to kill a link. You could get total commander (google) and use it to edit the links manually. Or, use sk tools to either install your cabs or to relocate the files to the sd card. You can also use TC to make shorcuts and send them to the start menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no no........ok i'll start over.
First off, no matter if you install apps on your Main Memory (internal memory), OR if you install on the Memory Card, the shortcuts to the program will always be created in the "Programs" folder, which is located at the following path, "C:/Windows/Start Menu/Programs". Where C: is your Main Memory (internal memory of the phone).
If that was confusing then think of it as if you're using a proper PC. If you have 2 hardrives, C: and D: drive, then no matter if you install games or programs on either of them, the shortcuts will always be created on your Desktop.
So my problem is, my C:/ drive or Internal memory of the phone only has 300MB and it's running out. I have a 8GB memory card so I obviously want to install apps/games on it. The thing is, whenever I try to launch an app that is installed on the memory card, it doesn't work. What i mean by that is, after installing an app, I go to Start Menu --> Programs and then launch the shortcut, and it won't work. That only happens if the app is installed on the memory card.
HOWEVER, if i go to the Memory Card ---> Program Files and then launch the app, it works.
Now think of this again as a real PC. When you install something on your D:/ drive, it creates the shortcut on the desktop. You then launch the shortcut on the desktop but it doesn't start. BUT, if you go to My Computer ---> D:/ ---> Program Files and then launch the app from there, it works fine.
So does that make sense?? I'm thinking that the shortcuts created by the apps installed on the memory card don't give the correct path, that's why it doesn't launch.
I've also tried to copy the original.exe file from the memory card to the Programs folder but it doesn't work. *NOTE* this is the part you got wrong, i'm not trying to install on the main memory and cutting and pasting the folder to memory card, i'm trying to do it the other way round but only making a shortcut in the Programs folder, not cutting and pasting.
So again, back to the real example, it's like i'm going to My Computer, then D:/Program Files/Example folder and copying "Example.exe" and pasting it on desktop. I'm simply making a shortcut from the original file to the desktop, just like i'm making a shortcut to the Programs folder on the phone.
My Start Menu is full and i've already assigned all my most-used apps to the list so i can't replace any of them. By the way, is there a way to add more than 8 apps to the start menu?? Is there a registry tweak for this because i want to add more than just 8. I already have Total Commander but don't know how to use it to edit the links manually. Please help me on this.
BTW, how do people normally install apps on the memory card and then launch the apps? This is pretty stupid since i have to fix the invalid shortcuts created.
I just counted, and I have 33 different programs on my card, all with shortcuts in the start menu. 1. You can create sub-folders in the start menu. That's where you organize the ones not in your top 7. 2. Check the path of your bad shortcuts w/ TC. Highlight the .lnk file, then push the pen icon. The path should look like this:
53#"\Storage Card\Program Files\Opera Mobile\OperaL.exe"
If the path is ok, then I don't know why your shortcuts aren't working. Keep in mind, the shorcut location is irrelevant. You can move a shortcut anywhere you want, and it will work fine. Change the location of the .exe, and you're in a pickle. You've got the programs in a properly named location (no typos), I hope.
Farmer Ted said:
I just counted, and I have 33 different programs on my card, all with shortcuts in the start menu. 1. You can create sub-folders in the start menu. That's where you organize the ones not in your top 7. 2. Check the path of your bad shortcuts w/ TC. Highlight the .lnk file, then push the pen icon. The path should look like this:
53#"\Storage Card\Program Files\Opera Mobile\OperaL.exe"
If the path is ok, then I don't know why your shortcuts aren't working. Keep in mind, the shorcut location is irrelevant. You can move a shortcut anywhere you want, and it will work fine. Change the location of the .exe, and you're in a pickle. You've got the programs in a properly named location (no typos), I hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't change the folder name or folder location or anything, when i install the app, everything just installs to the default directory. When I install to main memory, the apps are installed in Program Files (logically), and same with when i install to the memory card. I didn't alter the paths or anything.......so i don't know wot's going on either
Anyway regarding SK Tools, if i install cab files with it, will it create the shortcuts properly? Is this how you install your cab files normally?
And is there a way like a registry tweak to change the default installation path from main memory to the memory card?
EDIT:
Ok i've just tried using SK Tools v4.1.25, i went to the setting and ticked "associate SKTools with .cab files" or something like that. I then chose Cab Manager, one of the options in SKTools and tried installing a cab file and everything installed fine except the same problem still occurs, i try to launch the shortcut in the "Programs" folder and still couldn't launch.
And also, some .cab files can't be installed with SKTools, as it shows the error message saying: "This file is not Windows CE CAB package", even though i can install it normally with the default installer.
sorry for double post but it's gonna look really long if i edit my previous post so i think it'll look better and easier, i've added some screenshots to show what my problem is, i think it's less confusing this way. Sorry that my phone is in chinese, but i haven't hacked the ROM etc to change it to english yet so please bare with me.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
This shows the Start Menu, and where the green highlighted icon is the "Programs Files" list.
This obviously shows the list of programs in the "Program Files" folder. As you can see, there's an icon called Fennec that seems dead or invalid. And it is. Fennec is a browser made by Mozilla btw. I have installed Fennec in my memory card and that's the shortcut created during the installation, I haven't done any copy or pasting yet.
As you can see when i try to launch the Fennec shortcut, it popped up this error saying something about invalid certificate or missing files. Therefore i can't launch the app.
Now, this shows the default File Manager used by Windows Mobile. As you can see on the top left icon, i am in the root directory of the memory card. As you can see, the Program Files folder is highlighted.
This shows the Program Files folder, every program or .cab files I install on the memory card go straight to this folder, I didn't create it or anything. As you can see, the folder Fennec is created here as i've said earlier that i've installed Fennec on the memory card.
Inside the Fennec folder, the fennec.exe file is highlighted. That's the original.exe file i've been talking about the whole time in my previous posts. If I launch this file, it works. I didn't take a screenshot coz it takes too long to launch but the point is, it works fine when i launch the original file from the memory card ---> Program Files. But as you can see in my 3rd screenshot, the shortcut created during the installation doesn't work. Again I must stress at this point, I did not create the shortcut, it was created during installation, just like a program or game creates a shortcut on your Desktop on a computer.
NOW AT THIS POINT, I am showing you that i'm making a copy of the original file. We're still inside the same folder as the above screenshot. I am not cutting and pasting, but just making a copy.
Now this shows me going back to the Main Memory --> Windows --> Start Menu --> Programs List. As you can see the top left icon is different.
Now, i'm simply pasting the Fennec.exe file I copied earlier in the Programs List folder, which is located in Main Memory --> Windows --> Start Menu --> Programs List, same as the screenshot above.
Now FINALLY, going back to Start Menu --> Programs List, I am now in the folder again like we began in the first 2 screenshots. As you can see, there're 2 Fennec files in the folder now, the one in the middle with the proper fox icon is the file i obviously just pasted. The one on the right is the one created during the installation.
NOW, if i launch the file i just pasted, i.e the one with the fox icon, it shows the same error again as shown in the screenshot.
SO WTF IS GOING ON?? I can only launch apps installed on memory card by going to its folder, but if i make a shortcut in the Programs List folder, it still doesn't work!
I hope that's less confusing now, i've tried my best.....
Ok, that's a lot, lol.
First, with sk tools you can use the cab manager to install programs with sk tools. This is useful because some cabs are not uninstallable (wish there were a better way of saying that). These cabs don't appear in the installed programs list and they normally go to main memory. If you use sk tools to install them, then sk will keep installation records, and if you go to the installed programs section of sk tools, the program will appear. Then, in the program manager of sk, you can select to move the application. When you do this, SK will update the registry and all link paths, so you won't have any weird issues. You can relocate the program anywhere you want. This is one of the many great features of sk tools, but you may need the paid for version (don't know which one you have).
Second, just take a look at the link path like I mentioned above. I have a feeling you'll see the problem. It's easy to fix, but it's even easier to just create a link with total commander. Check this post for a quick tutorial on using TC to do this.
Finally, maybe since your phone is in the Chinese language, there's something weird going on with the naming of 'Storage Card.' Looking at your caps, the storage card name in file explorer is in Chinese. Perhaps this is where the paths are being screwed up. Again, look at the link path with TC, but also take a look at HKLM\System\Storage Manager\Profiles\SDMMC and check the value of 'folder.' I'm pretty sure it needs to exactly match the name in you shortcut paths. For WWE touch pros, it is 'Storage Card.'
Hope that helps.
I use Total Commander and double click the cab to install it and have had no uninstall issues, but SK Tools tracking of all the install tweaks is great to have if issues do arise. Farmer Ted's advice about the name of the storage card has been an issue with languages other than WWE. Another thing you might check is the time delay windows uses to find the storage card. That value can be set with a RegEditer or done with Advanced Configuration under: Performances - PPN unload delay and PPN wait I/O delay. Those values sometimes can influence the devices ability to read the SD card. Short delay doesn't seem to effect reading the card with a file manager, but can time out too soon for a program file read request.
Give it a try.
Thanks for the advice guys, I will give your suggestions a try.
@Farmer Ted, I am using SKTools v.4.1.25, I think i remembered the version correctly.......anyway i'm using a full version of it and yup i've already tried using Cab Manager to install the files but as i've posted in my previous post, it doesn't work for some .cab files i try to install.
Ok i've just tried using SK Tools v4.1.25, i went to the setting and ticked "associate SKTools with .cab files" or something like that. I then chose Cab Manager, one of the options in SKTools and tried installing a cab file and everything installed fine except the same problem still occurs, i try to launch the shortcut in the "Programs" folder and still couldn't launch.
And also, some .cab files can't be installed with SKTools, as it shows the error message saying: "This file is not Windows CE CAB package", even though i can install it normally with the default installer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway i already have Total Commander installed so i'll give that a try. Oh and I don't think there's anything wrong with the naming of the 'Storage Card', I know it's in chinese but it just means storage card in english, it's the same. But i'll try out ur advice and post back, thanks for the replies.
Ok guys, just to update on my problem, I've tried EVERYTHING and now I fully give up, it's too much work for a stupid small and simple problem like this, I really think that it's really due to the fact or problem that my phone is in chinese........as a lot of people have reported, this problem seems to happen only on phones in mostly chinese or non-english.
Anyway here's what I did........BTW I have updated my SKTools from 4.1.25 to 4.4.7.9 which is the newest version I believe......and it's full version btw, not trial.
So ya I pretty much did everything suggested by you guys and i mean EVERYTHING but i'll just list what I did so it's easier to track:
1. Used SKTool's Cab Manager to install the .cab files, but didn't solve the problem. Also, some cab files can't be installed with SKTool as it shows an error saying something like "this is not a valid Windows CE package".
2. Used Total Commander to install the .cab files but still didn't solve the problem. I DID HOWEVER find why it's not working, as suggested by Farmer Ted, i checked the link path of the shortcut and there is indeed a problem that is very easily noticeable.
First of all, 儲存卡 means storage card in chinese. The link path shows "???" instead of "儲存卡" so that's where it has gone wrong. But the problem is, even though i tried to use the guide posted by Farmer Ted on how to use Total Commander, which i'll post again here:
http://www.mobilitydigest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10379&postcount=87
I've tried creating a shortcut by going to 儲存卡/Program Files/Example Folder/Example.exe
and putting it in the "Programs List" folder on the internal memory, i.e the folder that shows your shortcuts. But it still doesn't work. I then select the shortcut and choose "Properties", which is one of the option in Total Commander. I then chose the shortcut tab and looked at the link, and it's still showing "???" instead of "儲存卡"......
So then I edited the link and clicked OK, and same thing still happens!!
It seems that the phone can read chinese but can't save the input chinese properly.
It's like the same problem on a PC, if you guys can type chinese or any other non-english language, then try it. Create a notepad or .txt file and input chinese words in it and save it. Then, close it and re-open again and you'll find what you entered are a bunch of question marks, i.e "?????????" something like that. Or a bunch of random symbols. I guess it just can't save the chinese word properly in the link path, same thing goes for Windows Mobile, as per my problem......
3. I have also tried using Advanced Configuration 3.3 and went to Performances - PPN unload delay and PPN wait I/O delay, and tried increasing the value as suggested. But problem is still there.
4. Finally, I have tried using PHM Registry Editor (If i remember the name correctly) and went to the path: "HKLM\System\Storage Manager\Profiles\SDMMC" and checked the value of 'folder' as suggested and oddly enough, it's perfectly fine as it shows 儲存卡.
So then I thought, since the link path is "???" instead of 儲存卡, maybe if i change the value to "???" then it might work, so I did. But, problem still there.....
I think that's it, i've tried basically everything and i know where the problem is but can't fix it. Any ideas guys? I cbf hacking my phone and using HardSPL and custom ROMS etc, i haven't done it be4 as i've only started using windows mobile very recently and i still need chinese on my fone........
I've also tried this program called Start menu manager or something (full version) and it's really useful, it edits and creates links for you straight in the "Programs List" folder but it didn't solve my problem either.....
you can check here for the program i mentioned:
http://www.persian-forums.com/f93/start-menu-programs-manager-1-3-inc-keygen-18457/
anyway i'm out of ideas.
Dunno, man. If I were you, I'd try changing the sd card name to "Storage Card" and manually editting the path of one of your links. Changing it to ??? was worth a shot, though, and pretty funny.
OMFG I FINALLY FIXED IT!!
I simply have to go to the registry and change the card name to english characters, and after installing several apps on the memory card, the shortcuts showed up fine in the "Programs List" and launched fine as well!!
I did it by following the guide here, it's very simple!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=388768
OMFG finally, thanks a lot for all ur help guys!!
Dang, and I just made you a cab to change the card name to "Storage Card." I'll post it anyway, in case someone else needs it.
Good job!