[MDA III, XDA III, PDA2k, 9090 General] devdarshan:
Hi Guys,

I've had my XDA-IIs for quite sometime now and recently upgraded the ROM - thereby started playing with the Extended_ROM also...I just thought I would like to share my experience with all here - which may be usefull or just another waste of time - for gurus out there..

Firstly - let me explain - I got this idea as I dont experiment a lot with my unit - so hard re-setting my unit quite frequently was out of the question, secondly I recently dropped my IIs and realized how - valuable it is to keep all settings, software and other information intact - as after i got it back from the service center - it was all gone.

Then was the major issue of Space - I found that the 16MB Extended_ROM was a waste as it is only required - When you Hard Reset...so why not use it ?

So i played with it a while and I got this solution : Please let me know If I am plain stupid or just wasted time on somthing simple by re-inventing the wheel !

First - thing I did was to clear all the clutter from my Extended_ROM by removing all the un-necessary stuff from the default CAB files (Thank you XDA-Developers)...

This reduced my Extended_Rom Contents to roughly 9MB - Then I added some of my MUST INSTALL cabs to the same and modified the Config.TXT file to execute them - This made the total Size to 12.4MB...(I still have space for more..in case i Need!)

Then - I made a CAB-File for myself (using CAB Wizard) - with my Shortcuts, Registry Settings, and all the other files I needed - Like my Games, Regularly used applications like BetaPlayer, noteM, VX-Util, PHM Regedit, etc...a complete list is provided below for reference..

Now - for my hard reset - I take the following steps :

1. I do a soft reset - to close all programs and remove from memory..and Since my Extended_ROM is always open - I just format the same using storage tools...

2. I copy the Contents of the Extended_ROM from the Storae Card into the Extended_ROM area...

3. I lock/Hide the Extended_ROM and give it a Hard Boot (No Pun) !

4. All the default and memory based CABS get installed - with no hassels.

5. Unit Automatically boots - So i just open the Extended_ROM and reformat the same...now using Explorer - Click on the Personal CAB that I made...This installs all my Other applications - Those I did not want to install on the Main Menory - the location for Installation is "Extended_ROM" and it also updates the registry for settings, Creates my Shortcuts etc.

6. That's It I Soft re-Boot - I just give a random check to see if all my settings are there...and start using my unit...Whole process takes NO MORE THAN 3-5 Minutes !

Now tell me am i stupid and wasting time ?

Oops - Forgot - abut the items the list is as follows :

In the Extended_ROM Folder (On Storage Card)

----------------------------

-- Filtered Default Installations

AIS_ALL_100104.CAB

Album_BlueAngelAKU26_Generic_WWE_RC20.CAB

AutoConfig.txt

AutoRun.exe

BandSel_BAWWE_140921.sa.CAB

BA_O2Asia_Camera_Driver_Patch.sa.CAB

CAB-Customization-BlueAngel-O2ASIAAIS-19May05.CAB

CAB-MMS-2.0.0.21-BlueAngel-O2Asia-ENU-01Jun05.CAB

Caller_ID_BlueAngelAKU26_Generic_WWE_RC20.CAB

CameraWizard_BlueAngelAKU26_O2Asia_WWE_RC20_Customize.CAB

Config.txt

CW-Album-Association.CAB

default.sa.CAB

Java_V10.1.2.49_BA_WWE_0901_unremovable.CAB

MIDI_RTPI_BA26_RC21.CAB

O2Asia_patch_140921.sa.CAB

O2Auto.sa.CAB

O2_Base_09240402.sa.CAB

RemoveWiFiLogo_140921.sa.CAB

SetButtonLock.exe

STK2240_Ecall_O2Asia.CAB

Version_BA_140.sa.CAB

-- My Personal Programs Installed on Main Memory (Via the Config.Txt File - During Hard Boot)

D_CabInstall.cab

D_ceremote.CAB

D_CrystalBlue_skin.cab

D_DTSysView.cab

D_FullScreenKeyboard.CAB

D_GPRSMonitor.cab

D_IntelliDialler.CAB

D_MyUtils.cab

D_PhonePlus.CAB

D_Regedit.CAB

D_SmiliesPanel.cab

D_StorageTools.cab

D_SysCleaner.CAB

D_ThemeMaster.CAB

D_TotalCommander.cab

D_XTNDUnlocker.cab

In My 10MB Personal_App Cab File - Which I execute Manually After the above are installed !

---------------------------

Games : Monopoly, BubbleBuster, PocketPegs, NeoTiles

Utilities : Unit Conversion, Lamp, Tray Launcher, Off, Reset, Run, Space Detective, Suspend

Ring Tones : My Default and Favorite Rintones placed in the Rings Folder

Alarms : My Favorite Sounds placed in the windows folder

Applications : BetaPlayer, eWallet, Games, Globe, MobiPocket, Repligo, Syscleaner

Registry Settings: Notifications, Sounds, owner, Device ID etc.. etc..and other default application settings like Tray Launch, SPBGPRS Monitor, Notem, Camera, Repligo, Mobipocket, etc..

Shortcuts : to All my Applications - Placed in \Start Menu\Programs and also on the "Start Menu' - Place my regularly used Softwares.

Stupid Question

---------------

But still wondering ? - Why did i create the separate Cab file for the Personal Applications and not just place them in Extended_ROM to execute ?

Well- For one thing - The Extended_ROM has a limit of 16MB and All my applications put together - along with the defaultones were crossing 23MB! So I could not placethem on the Erom and hard boot - I had to find an alternative - secondly I wanted to use the 16MB to install programs !

Also i found it a better option to install my programs on the Extended_rom rather than waste expensive space on the storage and the storage Card was just used for mp3's, videos, etc etc..

That way I could use the Extended Rom for my Installed Programs, The Storage for My Documents etc...and the 1gb Storage Card - For my videos, etc etc. Hence even if I changed my Storage Card - I really did not need to worry abt the setup within. As most of my stuff was saving on the unit.

So thats what I did - Stupid or otherwise - whatever it is - Now when I re-set my machine - It takes me less than 5 minutes to get back on track !

I am attaching some screenshots of the Space after installation and execution of the above...Check it out..

Extrom.jpg - Shows the Items placed inside the Extended_ROM

inside_backup_folder - This is the backup folder inside the Storage Card. It has the folder for Extended_ROM - Which I just copy and also the personal Application CAB installation file.

Space - The Total Space available on the Unit after a fresh Install

Storage - The items On Storage - All my Documents etc Go into the "My Docments" Folder

StorageCard - Contains the "Backup" folder which has my Extended_ROM and also the "My Fun' Folder - Which holds my Movies etc..

Last Question - What happens if I need to Hard Re-Boot and My Storage Card Does Not work !

I keep and alternative - 64MB Card with me all the time along with my credit card etc - this has a replica of the backup folder. I have also uploaded the files on my Google Mailbox - Just being paranoid god knows why !

That's my experience...Too Long a Note ! I hope someone has the time to read this...and tell me I am not stupid !

Rgs/DD