Dilema with upgrade

[hilliolouis]

Have got an upgrade to Windows Mobile 5.0 on a Dell Axim X50v. I need to know a few things:
Is it fully compatible (will it have the right drivers?),
Will the hard reset still reset to Windows PPC 2003SE (i want this for a back up plan),
Will it carry across my information?,
Is it worth doing?,
Can I still use Windows 2003SE apps?

If you can answer these problems or advise me futher on the upgrade it will be a tremendous help.
Thanks,
Louis Hill

Louis Hill

 

[Nelviticus]

The upgrade needs to be for the specific device - i.e. it needs to come from Dell and be specifically for the Axim X50v. If that's the case then it will by definition be fully compatible and contain all the right drivers.

When you install it it will overwrite the 2003SE version of the software - you will no longer be able to boot 2003SE because it won't be there any more.

Installing new firmware - which is what you'll be doing - involves a hard reset, so anything which you've installed previously will be wiped. It may preserve files stored in 'my flash disk' - it depends on the device. I have a Viewsonic and to be honest I can't remember whether it wiped the flash disk or not, but I assumed that it would so I backed everything up beforehand.

The latest version of Windows Mobile should be highly compatible with previous versions, so most older software should still run on it. If you're concerned about whether a vital piece of software will still run, check the developer's web site or send them an email. You shouldn't have any problems though. When I upgraded my firmware from 2002 to 2003 there was one application that no longer worked properly, an image viewer. I don't miss it though.

Is upgrading worth it? Who knows? If you're happy with 2003SE you may as well stick with it - that way you know you won't lose any information and all your apps will keep working. If there's a feature in the new version that you really want, you'll need to decide whether having it is worth the small risk.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[hilliolouis]

Thanks for the reply, It is very hard to get an update from Dell here in UK even though they hand them out free in America. I just wanted to try it to see if it was any good as currently Spb Pocket Plus caused mine to crash at intervals.

Louis Hill

 

[Nelviticus]

I think I see what you mean. On the US Dell site you can buy the Windows Mobile 5.0 update for the X50v, but on the UK site you can only get an update for 2003SE (although the latter is a free download!).

Assuming you have the legitimate US CD for WM 5.0 then if it was me I'd go for it and cross my fingers. It should work. If you want to be doubly sure you could send an email to Dell UK, or to Dell US if that doesn't get you anywhere, and ask them whether the update will work. As long as it's a legit CD they shouldn't mind answering.

Nelviticus

 

[hilliolouis]

I have emailed Dell UK previously about their bias to the US site and guess what, no response at all! I cant see why it costs any more to produce a CD image in Ireland (where Dell based in UK). I was wondering if there was anyway to get a hold of the US here in the UK either by purchasing disc somehow or some with it sending an image (dont know whether the latter is evil).

Louis Hill

 

[Nelviticus]

I'm based in the UK too and I had similar problems getting hold of an update for my Viewsonic. I was more than willing to pay for a legitimate copy but Viewsonic just didn't seem to want my British money. Let's just say that I ended up getting hold of a copy somehow after a lot of internet searching. I wasn't happy about it but there was just no other way of doing it.

Have you tried ordering from the US site? Some sites won't ship outside of the US but some will.

Nelviticus

 

[phuzzy42]

Something to be aware of - Word and Excel in WM5 is different (RTF- and XML-based) so IR printing such as with HP's mobile software (or any other commercial software I've seen) will not work.

Steve Harmon
Greenfield, Indiana

 

[hilliolouis]

Have bought the upgrade CD as Dell finnaly started selling in UK, couldnt be happer, is far better than 2003 esspecially merging the RAM and ROM for usage, makes things alot easier
Thanks for all your help

Louis Hill

 

[Ekster]

Check out this site.

http://www.aximsite.com/

Lots of useful info and plenty of threads in the forum about the new WM5 both good and bad. The general concensus is that WM5 is not quite there yet, with a few major problems that can be a real pain.
Hope it works out if you decide to upgrade, I personally am going to keep 2003se intil the dust settles, but thats just my 2p worth

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