Database Info

Contact groups/sms folders and other problems

Hi...I bought a HTC S710 recently...it is my first windows mobile 6.0 based phone...i have been a symbian/nokia fan since long.
Few problems i am facing:
1) sending a sms to multiple recipients. The only i can see is adding people one by one...or using a semi-colon. Is there a way to make groups or something? I saw a post here about SmartSMS...but does it work with WM6? If yes, can anybody point me to the latest version...there seems to be a lot of different softwares floating around the net with the same.
2) I can't seem to create new folders for sms...I tried fiddling around with the 'manage folders' option...but to no avail. Is there any workaround? or a simple step that i have overlooked?
3) Before recieving a bluetooth message, it doesn't prompt it...it just sends the data without asking. I managed to be secure enough by using a passkey but is there a way i can just add a prompt before recieving data via bluetooth?
4) TCPMP doesn't seem to support xvid files. Is there any other software available that can play xvid files?
5) Is there any software that lists all active processes? the in-built task manager only shows things that i have started...but i know there are other things running (the OS files...and VITO copy paste for eg)
6) any good messenger apps which let me connect to gtalk/msn/yahoo all through the same application?
7) do i need to install adobe flash player lite in order to play .swf files over the net?
thanks

Contact groups/sms folders and other problems

had initially posted this on the vox-specific forum...but didnt get any replies. so putting the generic queries here. Please help
Phone Model: HTC S710 (Vox)
problems i am facing:
1) sending a sms to multiple recipients. The only i can see is adding people one by one...or using a semi-colon. Is there a way to make groups or something? I saw a post somewhere about SmartSMS...but does it work with WM6? If yes, can anybody point me to the latest version...there seems to be a lot of different softwares floating around the net with the same.
2) I can't seem to create new folders for sms...I tried fiddling around with the 'manage folders' option...but to no avail. Is there any workaround? or a simple step that i have overlooked?
3) Before recieving a bluetooth message, it doesn't prompt it...it just sends the data without asking. I managed to be secure enough by using a passkey but is there a way i can just add a prompt before recieving data via bluetooth?
4) TCPMP doesn't seem to support xvid files. Is there any other software available that can play xvid files?
5) Is there any software that lists all active processes? the in-built task manager only shows things that i have started...but i know there are other things running (the OS files...and VITO copy paste for eg)
6) any good messenger apps which let me connect to gtalk/msn/yahoo all through the same application?
7) do i need to install adobe flash player lite in order to play .swf files over the net?
thanks

is their a (Pimbackup.pib) extractor?

dear all!!!
really it's so hard to restore many pimbackup.pib files on a device...
i have been searching for an extracor, or kind of emulator that alow me to view the backuped file on my pc...
thankyou
best regards...
moiisse

If I remember correctly, you can rename the .PIB file as a .ZIP and then look at it with your "favourite archive tool".... Within the ZIP/PIB file there are loads of CSV format files for each of the messages/contacts/phone logs etc.
The only problem may/might/will be if you did the PIM backup in binary format; your best bet would be to post on the PIMbackup thread (here) and see if Dotfred or anyone else can help
Cheers,
Mark.

Dear Mark
I have tried this trick but the files I got were not .CSV one some other extension files. I am afraid if I am doing anything wrong.

The extension is not .CSV, but they are in CSV format. If you rename them to .CSV and open them with Microsoft Excel or Openoffice Calc (or whatever), they can be imported as semicolon delimited files (so strictly speaking, they're SSV - "Semicolon Separated Values" rather than CSV )
Hope that helps,
Mark.

That was a great tip!
Any idea how to import these into an Android Phone - just got an HTC Hero today. Took a backup of my existing contacts, sms etc from WM6.5 (HTC Touch HD) and could see the .pib (renamed as .zip) and individual files (which I renamed as .csv)..
Guess there might be a simple trick to restore them as well in HTC Hero?

I think I may have found something........
sam_htc_touch said:
Any idea how to import these into an Android Phone - just got an HTC Hero today. Took a backup of my existing contacts, sms etc from WM6.5 (HTC Touch HD) and could see the .pib (renamed as .zip) and individual files (which I renamed as .csv)..
Guess there might be a simple trick to restore them as well in HTC Hero?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to say I have no idea and I don't really care (about Android phones that is, not your problem getting your messages onto your Hero!), but then.......
I found this - Sprite Software's FREE (at the moment) migration software - which looks like the answer to your prayers
I've seen a report from someone who used it - apparently, it's pretty slow, but as it's a "one-time" transfer operation.....who cares how long "free" takes!!!???
Let us know how you get on - and post something in the Android-related forums so that other users can benefit.....
Cheers,
Mark.
(At times like this, I wish I had a Paypal "donate" button.....this gem of wisdom is surely worth a buck/quid/euro or two ....Ho hum!!!)

Excellent! That seems to be promising!
Just tried using that and tried to restore only the sms on my android, however it gave an error. Have emailed sprite software the relevant log file, lets see if they come up with the reason of failure. Guess it might have something to do with the threaded view on my win mob 6.5
PS : Paypal donate button shudn't be that difficult to get

And yes just thought that I would mention about the contacts - its actually very easy - just get them into csv file using the trick that you mentioned above and then import the csv file in gmail contacts! that's it! gmail automatically syncs the contacts thereafter!

Mark Crouch said:
I was about to say I have no idea and I don't really care (about Android phones that is, not your problem getting your messages onto your Hero!), but then.......
I found this - Sprite Software's FREE (at the moment) migration software - which looks like the answer to your prayers
I've seen a report from someone who used it - apparently, it's pretty slow, but as it's a "one-time" transfer operation.....who cares how long "free" takes!!!???
Let us know how you get on - and post something in the Android-related forums so that other users can benefit.....
Cheers,
Mark.
(At times like this, I wish I had a Paypal "donate" button.....this gem of wisdom is surely worth a buck/quid/euro or two ....Ho hum!!!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mark (Am I Noob to Android)
It seems like, you have solved the issue here. I did have one question for you:
What if you allready had a PIM back of your old phone. Then the phone you have sold it. But you still the the PIM backup file on your SD card. Can you still go on to follow and start from 2 step and then step 3.
Or is the another way of doing this then?
Many Thanks.

yes u should be able too as long as the PIM file is on your SD card. you can just directly transfer it onto your PC, then rename it to a ZIP file and proceed as instructed above.

sam_htc_touch said:
Any idea how to import these into an Android Phone - just got an HTC Hero today. Took a backup of my existing contacts, sms etc from WM6.5 (HTC Touch HD) and could see the .pib (renamed as .zip) and individual files (which I renamed as .csv)..
Guess there might be a simple trick to restore them as well in HTC Hero?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried it..
i just took the contacts.csv file ,tried to extract with gmail...
then
An unknown error occurred while importing your contacts.Learn more
.....oohhhh.....really needed help

Hello to everyone!
I had an HTC Touch HD and after a serious accident it's officially dead! I had a backup of contacts and messages to my sd card and i did what is described. I renamed it to .zip and i extracted it to my pc.. The result i get is files .pba, .pbl, .pbc, .pbx, .pbd and .pbt
Does anyone know what is all that and how i can use them in android phone????
please help me!

isovitis33 said:
Hello to everyone!
I had an HTC Touch HD and after a serious accident it's officially dead! I had a backup of contacts and messages to my sd card and i did what is described. I renamed it to .zip and i extracted it to my pc.. The result i get is files .pba, .pbl, .pbc, .pbx, .pbd and .pbt
Does anyone know what is all that and how i can use them in android phone????
please help me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is what I got also, I tried importing data to excel (with / without renaming to csv or ssv) but the text was not understandable in any language so I did not even proceed in selecting the separator and actually import the data.

Mr Black'd said:
that is what I got also, I tried importing data to excel (with / without renaming to csv or ssv) but the text was not understandable in any language so I did not even proceed in selecting the separator and actually import the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on guys read a little more on the web, if you would have done so you would have figured out you have the binary backup files, not the text file, so what you need to do is convert. Now if you press the search button for the forum you would have found this interesting link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=424641
the title says: 'Convert PIM Backup binary file to text without using windows mobile device'
(considering yours broke like mine)
You can read there that you can convert it to a text file using an emulator on your pc and subsequentlyfollow the steps that were described here...

First of all what makes you think that none has bothered to use search button or at least Google the issue?
Second and last ok you have proved us stupid.
Anyway thanks for the link even though a late reply cause personally I have solved my issues.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA app.

PDF & DOC attachments

Did a search, so sorry if I missed it. But, a couple of questions.
1) If you have root, is it possible to download and save PDF and Word files that come in on POP3 (or even gmail) email?
2) Otherwise, does anyone know the phone folder where these files are temporarily store while on the phone, and can they be accessed that way?
I spend a lot of time overseas, and going back and forth to the web to retrieve is a pain and expensive. Thanks

Forget it, I solved the issue.

Informing use how you solved the issue might help others

I'd be really interested in how you managed this, I've searched here, and Googled everywhere (almost). But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...

Mikey1022 said:
Informing use how you solved the issue might help others
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol...gotta love these types of posts right?

I'm able to save attachments like this using k-9 mail., for those interested

Sorry to go AWOL -- had to leave the country for a bit. My apologies.
Yeah, I also "solved" it by using K9. But, I find the program very buggie.
On a larger, related question, how does the Android platform make its file associations? In other words, when I receive an email attachment (with the stock app), it will allow me to download and save that attachment to my SD card only if there is an onboard, associated program. I can download .jpg, because Android has an application built in that will read a jpg. So, if I want to download a .doc file, I can't unless there is an appropriate app onboard. (Although k9 seems to have found a way). Where, in the Android platform, is this association made? And, is it possible (with a rooted phone) to somehow manipulate those associations to allow downloading of ANY (or a chosen few) files?
For instance, I find that if I change the file extension on a Word doc (for example) from "doc" to "jpg", my onboard email will allow me to download and save to SD card. So, it obviously CAN do it, what's stopping it?
Again, sorry for "skipping out" in the midst of a thread.

Download Crutch Lite in the market allows you to download any file by making Android believe it can open any filetype.

Theres a app called download crutch on the market that allows downloading of files that may not have associated applications. Not exactly sure what file types it supports but its worth a shot.
EDIT: Fushichou got it before me but heres a link to Cyrket http://www.cyrket.com/search?q=download+crutch

Thanks, but my experience is that Crutch will not work on email attachments. It seems to be an internet based device. I used it for a while. Partially, this is a kind of tech question -- how are the files associated?

My Arcsoft MMS extraction tool

This week I finally got around to backing up my text messages and clearing the text message cache on my HTC Touch Pro 2 (Verizon). (my God, it had become slow) I'm running WM 6.1 and it seems that the MMS text messages are stored separately in proprietary ".dat" files in the "MMS UA" folder in My Documents. I searched around xda-dev and couldn't find any way to extract the files contained within. From what I understand, they are referred to as "Arcsoft MMS".
Anyway, the file format is somewhat obfuscated so a true extractor wasn't possible but I was able to produce a tool that could extract all the files out of my .dat files. It is a total hack-job, but there don't seem to be any options. Like I said, I searched around for a few minutes and couldn't find anything else so I am now posting to ask the following:
Does anyone want the tool?
If there is no other extractor out there, I will post it to this thread. Also, anyone who has some Arcsoft MMS files handy that don't contain any private information could help by sending me a copy if the tool can't handle them. With some input, it could possibly become a valuable tool for the community.
Lend me your input.
Thanks

Sounds awesome, please post the tool!

Yes, would appreciate this as well - so many devices and MMS are cluttered among all of them.

Cool. Well here it is guys.
Remember that I couldn't completely discover the proprietary format, and although it works on all of my attachments, it may not work on all of yours. It is easy to update the tool, though, so just message me.

metalliqaz said:
this week i finally got around to backing up my text messages and clearing the text message cache on my htc touch pro 2 (verizon). (my god, it had become slow) i'm running wm 6.1 and it seems that the mms text messages are stored separately in proprietary ".dat" files in the "mms ua" folder in my documents. I searched around xda-dev and couldn't find any way to extract the files contained within. From what i understand, they are referred to as "arcsoft mms".
Anyway, the file format is somewhat obfuscated so a true extractor wasn't possible but i was able to produce a tool that could extract all the files out of my .dat files. It is a total hack-job, but there don't seem to be any options. Like i said, i searched around for a few minutes and couldn't find anything else so i am now posting to ask the following:
Does anyone want the tool?
If there is no other extractor out there, i will post it to this thread. Also, anyone who has some arcsoft mms files handy that don't contain any private information could help by sending me a copy if the tool can't handle them. With some input, it could possibly become a valuable tool for the community.
Lend me your input.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this mate...s

Thanks, works - not on all, though. Will check further if there is a common cause for the failing ones.
Improvement proposal:
1.) touch the extracted files with the timestamp of the .dat file
2.) check the content of the smil file in the body section if there are elements supposed to be present. afaik, the .smil is a tag-language which can deliver the MMS content with an appropriate viewer

Thanks for the quick feedback.
Improvement #3... GUI
As for the .smil file, you are absolutely correct. However, the issue is not knowing that there are files present, but finding the boundaries of the data. Arcsoft's binary packed format uses header bytes to describe how data is stored. Unfortunately, even though I was able to determine many of the header fields, without documentation I have no idea what they mean or what others may be used in a given archive. It does seem to depend on what kind of phone sent the MMS. Still, I think you may have a good idea going. I could perform a second pass after extracting the .smil, which is just XML, using file names and a lazy search.
One thing I didn't have on my phone was an MMS containing a movie file. I should try that out...

This is a great tool!
It works under desktop Windows.
How about a tool that can be used in WM itself? Anyone thought of that?