Database Develop

Write to ROM

I want to write make my application package a part of existing ROM and wants wheneever set hard set it installed (Dont want to burn ROM for each type of machine)
OR
once my program intsalled in memory, hard reset should not disturb it and will remain at machine startup
any luck?
Thanks,
Khurram

Hi Khurram!
There is a relatively simple solution to keeping your program after hard reset, without adding it to ROM and re flashing the device.
Most devices have either extended ROM, or better yet a file store, which is not erased by hard reset, but can be freely written to. (I think extended ROM needs unlocking before you can write to it).
Here's how to make your program restore it self automatically after hard reset: In the file store create a directory named 2577. In that directory place a file called autorun.exe
The system will launch autorun.exe automatically after hard reset, so you can write one to do what ever you need (install programs, restore settings etc.)
I'm not sure about the extended ROM, but I believe the procedure is similar.
P.S. You should ask technical questions like this in development and hacking forum.
Good luck!

levenum, Thanks a lot for the help , i will try and let you know. one thing the "2577" should be created how (any help will be appreciated) and will that folder and file also store at storage "E ROM" or will have to cook ROM for this.
also , any disadvantage of it as compare to Cooking a ROM
Regards
Khurram

In order:
2577 is an ordinary folder which you create just like any folder. (2577 is the processor type) The system simply knows to look for autorun.exe in that folder.
I don't know about E ROM, sorry.
The disadvantages of using file store (that I can think of) is the fact that the user can easily delete the content if he chooses to. Also most WM5 devices don't have "file store".
But if that is not a problem for you, the great advantage of it, is that you can replace any file, using just the explorer which means you can quickly test and modify your app without cooking ROM and re flashing.

Modded Cappackage.pxp Files

So I thought it would be worthwhile to create a thread focusing on modified "cappackage.pxp" files. These are the files which control the default carrier specific configurations. In my case, I am running the Aussie "Three" WM6 OS, however I wanted some, but not all, of the ATT customizations. For example, I wanted the proxy tool, the logos and the certs . . . Attached is a modified version of the ATT cappackage.pxp file. I had difficulty configuring WindowsMobileLive.cab and the HTC task manager to automatically install as part of this new file so I will post those cab files as well for convenience (for those who may want it).
If you have a customized cappackage.pxp, please post it in this thread and describe how it has been modified so everyone can decide which they may want to use.
Here are the changes I made to the cappackage.pxp file. Note, all of these .cab files should be possible to install directly simply by extracting from original ATT WM6 cappackage.pxp in case you happen to need one of them:
delete getgood.cab
delete getmail.cab
delete realplayer.cab
delete getmobitv.cab
delete cmradio.cab
delete attmallandmusic.cab
delete musicid.cab
delete jarguarrm.cab
delete gettelenav.cab
alter "Att_Settings.prov.xml" to remove messaging and Windows Mobile Live registry customizations
add install of new devstate.dll (exists in 3AUS cappackage.pxp and also in ROW 2.23 cappackage.pxp)
ABS
EDITED 12-30-2007: Note - this altered cappackage.pxp file is based off the "leaked" ATT WM6 ROM.

abs99 said:
So I thought it would be worthwhile to create a thread focusing on modified "cappackage.pxp" files. These are the files which control the default carrier specific configurations. In my case, I am running the Aussie "Three" WM6 OS, however I wanted some, but not all, of the ATT customizations. For example, I wanted the proxy tool, the logos and the certs . . . Attached is a modified version of the ATT cappackage.pxp file. I had difficulty configuring WindowsMobileLive.cab and the HTC task manager to automatically install as part of this new file so I will post those cab files as well for convenience (for those who may want it).
If you have a customized cappackage.pxp, please post it in this thread and describe how it has been modified so everyone can decide which they may want to use.
Here are the changes I made to the cappackage.pxp file. Note, all of these .cab files should be possible to install directly simply by extracting from original ATT WM6 cappackage.pxp in case you happen to need one of them:
delete getgood.cab
delete getmail.cab
delete realplayer.cab
delete getmobitv.cab
delete cmradio.cab
delete attmallandmusic.cab
delete musicid.cab
delete jarguarrm.cab
delete gettelenav.cab
alter "Att_Settings.prov.xml" to remove messaging and Windows Mobile Live registry customizations
add install of new devstate.dll (exists in 3AUS cappackage.pxp and also in ROW 2.23 cappackage.pxp)
ABS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, any idea if we can add another carrier in the carrier_db file that isn't there?

john_99 said:
Thanks, any idea if we can add another carrier in the carrier_db file that isn't there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly do not know. Sorry. You might ask Olipro as he seems to be very knowledgeable.

abs99, what tool did you use to repackage your PXP file. I've tried several archive tools to .ZIP and rename, but no joy. I've looked, but can't find any info on PXP file creation. Surely, I'm missing something simple here.
TIA

I found that "winrar" can handle the files without a problem. I had also noticed that the date stamps were the same for all the files in the original package, so I also use a tool called "stamp it" to set all the dates on all the files in the new package to the same original date.

thanks. I found that 7-zip is working too.
Now, the next step, I'm trying to mod the capdata.xml file and for whatever reason the device will not recognize it after my mods.
Here's my version of an ATT config file:
Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
- <Varnish xmlns="http://www.ephox.com/product/editliveforxml/document/Untitled20062026011007629">
<Version />
<Notes />
<UpgradePath>always|</UpgradePath>
- <PolA>
- <Certificates>
<File>CingularCert.prov.xml</File>
</Certificates>
- <Certificates>
<File>Class3_PCA_G2_v2.xml</File>
</Certificates>
- <Certificates>
<File>entrust_gssl_ca.prov.xml</File>
</Certificates>
- <Certificates>
<File>RSA1024RootCA.prov.xml</File>
</Certificates>
- <Certificates>
<File>RSA2048RootCA.prov.xml</File>
</Certificates>
- <Certificates>
<File>VeriSign_C3_PCA_G3v2.prov.xml</File>
</Certificates>
- <Ringtone>
<File>AT&T Tone.wav</File>
</Ringtone>
- <ProvXML>
<File>ATT_Settings.prov.xml</File>
</ProvXML>
- <ProvXML>
<File>MSFPHeartbeat.prov.xml</File>
</ProvXML>
- <ProvXML>
<File>ResetRequired.prov.xml</File>
</ProvXML>
- <InstallApp>
<File>WindowsLive.CAB</File>
</InstallApp>
- <InstallApp>
<File>ATT_Theme.CAB</File>
</InstallApp>
- <InstallApp>
<File>ProxyManager.CAB</File>
</InstallApp>
- <InstallApp>
<File>ATT_Content.cab</File>
</InstallApp>
- <ExtractZip>
<From>DevState.zip</From>
<To>\Windows</To>
</ExtractZip>
</PolA>
- <Welcome>
<WaitImage>E_PolishImage.bmp</WaitImage>
</Welcome>
- <Sweatshop>
<AccountName>GEN</AccountName>
<VarnishName>ENG</VarnishName>
<BuildName>005</BuildName>
<User>[email protected]</User>
<Environment>Sweatshop QA Staging</Environment>
<CoreVersion>1.9.9</CoreVersion>
<Treo750Version>3.0.0</Treo750Version>
<DateStamp>Wed Aug 22 6:10:15 PDT 2007</DateStamp>
</Sweatshop>
</Varnish>
Any thoughts? This is just a basic mod and plan to get more detailed configs in there once I figure out what I'm doing wrong.
TIA

The issue with this file may be that editor you are using is adding "white space". I found that some editors caused this to occur. I ended up the file in notepad to avoid the problem as it was a real mess to deal with any other way. You should open the original unedited file and your new edited file in notepad and compare both. For whatever reason, the OS does not like to deal with a properly formatted .xml file!

Thanks mate, the white space and file size were the culprit. Was trying to cheat and use MS xmlnotepad - very easy to use, but it added the whitespace as it made it pretty to look at. I also was trying to cram too much into my archive; the extracted archives need to fit in the 8.4mb along with the archive itself.
Attached is a custom CapPackage.PXP with the following (based from ATT 2.25 ROW, CapPackage.PXP):
ATT Theme
Regional Settings: US, - 5 EST
ExtROM mount and rename
Custom ringtone
Custom Sounds Settings
Delete poutlook.lnk from startup
Set Hello to ATT
Disable CAB security policy
Removed all ATT applications (CV, real, win live, etc)
TODO: Incorporate RegHacks of additional settings customization and tweaks (lots of typing...), right now I install and merge the apps I want after initial setup completes.
Cheers

HOW TO
***always a good idea to backup existing files before attempting any modification***
1. mount your extended rom (search for the cabs and instructions on this site)
2. copy the CapPackage.PXP from ExtendedROM\Partition to your PC
3. extract the contents to a folder named CapPackage on your PC (any ZIP compliant archive tool will do)
4. remove/add the *signed* cab files your desire (unsigned cab files simply get passed over)
5. open capdata.xml in epcEDIT or notepad.
6. add/remove the configuration information as desired - this is where some trial and error comes in trying to determine what commands control what function.
7. ZIP (no other archive format seems to work) the CapPackage folder to CapPackage.PXP (or rename .zip to .pxp).
8. copy to ExtendedROM and hardreset.
TODO:
-Hope to be able to post a list of commands for the XML to enable configure of most if not all device "settings"
-Hope to figure out a way to get unsigned cabs to install (present workaround is a zip extract and registry commands if the app isn't too complex (e.g. lots and lots of typing required)
--Not sure yet if reg hack setting "HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies' valuename '0000101a' to dword:1" will resolve this during initial setup

Okay, after getting my questions about how this all works and saves the space on the phone, I took the plunge and upgraded from 2.23ROW to 2.25ATT. Went smooth as butter, and I have a "decrapified" phone with the official, supported ATT release (just in case I have any problems and need support).
Of course, being a hacker, now I'm totally intrigued by this cappackage customization, and want to play with it myself. So, Tim et. al., two questions:
Does the capdata.xml file have to match the contents of the archive? Or, if something's missing, it's just ignored? I'd like to be able to delete some more stuff and remake the PXP file without having to hassle with the XML file and run into the problems you have (workable, but I just don't want to waste time on whitespace issues if I don't have to).
Does the carrierDB file need to stay in the extended ROM for any reason after install and setup? I'd like to archive it on my PC, and delete it from the extrom so I can use that space for general storage.

microsoft word has a wonderful xml file editor. rather than try and keep everything straight in that jumbled up mess you get out of notepad or some other editor, word indents all the xml, and makes it look like it should. it was a snap to edit. I used Winrar and opened the PXP file. I never extracted the contents. Just the capdata file. I edited it, and then put the edited version back into winrar. using winrar I deleted the files I didn't want. saved the archive and moved it back to the device.

dwallersv said:
Does the capdata.xml file have to match the contents of the archive? Or, if something's missing, it's just ignored? I'd like to be able to delete some more stuff and remake the PXP file without having to hassle with the XML file and run into the problems you have (workable, but I just don't want to waste time on whitespace issues if I don't have to).
Does the carrierDB file need to stay in the extended ROM for any reason after install and setup? I'd like to archive it on my PC, and delete it from the extrom so I can use that space for general storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The XML will bypass anything it can't actually do.
2. I have tried it both ways and feel like I've had no issues, but I have seen some reports of strange behavior without it. I currently have it in my ExtROM since I hard reset my device often as I test apps and config settings. If you don't hard reset very often then once the device is hard reset you may delete and gain an additional 1.45mb.
The thing I intend to work on next is creating a provisioning XML to call an external XML (outside of the cappackage). I'm hoping this way I will be able to strip even more out of the cappackage (literally everything but the capdata.xml) and hav an on the fly configuration capability and call installations and configuration from the SD card. Haven't had much time to play with it though.

Can someone help point me in the right direction to get start loading the cappackage. I can't seem to find how to mount the extended ROM. I did a search for it and everything that came up didn't explain it (or at least I didn't understand it if it did).

Hmm, I can't seem to find the original thread either. Really just registry entries, but the cab's make it easier.
See attached...
Run each in order, then soft reset
Cheers
FYI: You can use my cappackage (see pg 1) as a starting/reference point for building the extROM mount into the initial config process after hard reset...

Try this. ...............
sodak said:
Can someone help point me in the right direction to get start loading the cappackage. I can't seem to find how to mount the extended ROM. I did a search for it and everything that came up didn't explain it (or at least I didn't understand it if it did).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks to both of you for the quick response

I don't know whether it is because of this or because of something else. But I started modding this CapPackage file, and all of a sudden my treo just started acting weird. I had to hard reset it several times throughout the day. Then I upgraded to the 2.25 WM6. And that is where **** really hit the fan (I upgraded and put my own CapPackage version in it). And after that I've had nothing but trouble. Soft resets didn't work anymore, it just crashed on the boot screen. Hard resets work, but really slow, takes about 20min. So now I'm re-upgrading to 2.25 and just leaving that CapPackage file alone for now .
The tale away message: Don mess with this unless you know what you're doing, which isn't me
-Robert

Extended ROM keeps corrupting!

I just can't seem to make an extended ROM that won't get corrupted.
As far as I can tell, I am following Faria's tutorial properly. I have tried 2 ways, and I get the same result both ways.
1. Empty out the 9b000000-Extension.nb that I extracted (5MB) and then drag & drop my own files into it using WinImage.
2. Downloaded the blank 10MB extended ROM image, then drag & drop my own files into it using WinImage.
Both ways, if I don't let the customization run, it looks fine in Total Commander. If I do a hard reset and clear everything, then let the customization run, it stops on the second CAB. I hit reset and then look at the extended_rom in Total Commander. It will now be corrupted with lots of folders with funny characters for filenames and several files missing.
I tried a 3rd way and got better results:
- Took extracted 9b000000-Extension.nb and renamed all my CABs to match the names of the existing CABs so I don't have to change config.txt. I replaced 4 of the maybe 40 files. I drag & dropped and when it asked me if I wanted to replace, I clicked "Yes".
This method gets about 90% of the way through, but locks up just the same. I hit reset, go into Total Commander, and see now the extended_rom is completely corrupt again.
I have gone through this dozens of times. I tried flashing the ext rom alone, I tried flashing it together with the OS, together with a splash screen. No better results either way. I have gone over the Faria document several times and can't see what I'm doing wrong.

No one has any jewels of wisdom for me?

did you make sure all your files are set to read only? When you drop the files I think they default to read-only turned off. I forgot this a few times when doing my extended rom and the same thing happened to me. Rightclick on the file, choose properties, check read only (you can select all files and do it in one shot).
BTW: Winimage is the only program I've found for modding that's payware, when trial period expires you have to pay, here's a freeware image editor! the only difference is that it doesn't support long filenames. Just make sure you use 8.3 filenames!

You mean set them to read-only within WinImage? For some reason I missed that, I do have them read-only as far as Explorer is concerned, but I didn't realize they need to be set to read-only within WinImage. I'll give that a shot. Thanks!

GUIDES FOR NOOBS!: How to add and move start menu apps. *UNDER CONSTRUCTION*

Hello their newbie, if you are looking at this thread you are in the right place!
GUIDE #1!​HOW TO MOVE ADD AND REMOVE START MENU SHORTCUTS:​
First off get an Idea of what you are going to do, because if you go in and go with out a plan you will probably screw something up and then wont be able to fix it. To be safe just copy the whole start menu folder in windows and back it up somewhere safe so in case you do screw up you can just delete the current one and just paste it back in and then reboot.
Also once you do this once you probably don't have to refer to this again because this is simple but not easy to figure out(how to change the start menu around).
This works best on cooked roms.
Step one: Setting up
Connect your device up with active sync(yes you have to if you use any other program to sync, then see what you can do, adapt!). After its connected click explore, then device then "My Windows Mobile-Based Device", then windows, then start menu.
Step two: General Organization
Now to edit the start menu! Ok, this part is easy as you can see you can recognize certain things already, but you cant see the icons? Well that's because windows cant see the icons made for WM, so don't fret. The rest should be simple.
Step three: Icons and other tips
Ok, so you have a general organization, but you want those awesome folder icons from the other folders? This part is easy. All you do is copy paste the "icon" from the folder with the icon you want and paste it into the folder you need it in. I don't know of any other folder icons to use so I cannot help with that.
Still under construction! Don't worry screenshots should be here soon!.

Run SD Cab with autorun.exe

hello
i need to add a username into the registies for a number of devices i'm flashing. Unfortunatly the usernames all need to be different i.e. PDA001, PDA002 and so on...
I've created a number of different cab files each for a different device that will add the username in.
So is it possible to run the cab file off the storage card as part of the hard reset process. i've updated the SD card with the file Username.cab which is the name of all the cab file, then added "CAB: \Storage Card\Extended_ROM\Username.cab" in to config.txt which is in the Extended ROM. i tested it but it didn't work.
Has anyone got any ideas
Or may be have a shortcut to the cab file added into start up. Would that work?

I'd suggest that you instead edit an existing (or relatively insignificant) CAB file (that you'd probably have no use for anyway) with the registry entries/additions so that its guaranteed to be included when you do the Extended ROM customization.
Did you ensure that you copied all the files from an original extended ROM correctly (before making your modifications)?

The thing is I have around 250+ device which need flashing with the same image and as all the devices will require a different Username adding into the registies I 'll need to run an external cab file, a cab file which will be different for all the devices and it's best to run it from the SD card.
I tried to adding a cab file into the Extended ROM which will install a shortcut into the startup folder the shortcut is to the cab file on the storage card. But for some reason it didn't run.
I have a couple of SD cards with an image of my Extended rom on so if anything goes wrong i have the backups.

Whats wrong with having the 'end-user' maually execute the .CAB file?
Why don't you simply customise one PDA (the way you wan't with your preconfigured settings) (minus the user/device name), then do an entire backup using SPB BACKUP (onto a SD Card). You can then restore this image on all 250+ devices (sounds time-consuming,but it really isn't).
All the end user had to do, is to manually execute your .CAB file when they are issued the units.

This is your true answer (in my opinion):
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/?en

RE: Whats wrong with having the 'end-user' maually execute the .CAB file?
Basically the devices are used by Market research interviewers who work for us, most of whom are not familier with the devices and are not computer litterate. I'm responsible for a small support team and also the development of the devices. The software we use is already extremley simple and all they need to do is click a buttom "Connect" if the username is not already inserted they get a box "Logon Failed, please check the following details are correct." and a username and password box is displayed and they simply need to type in the id number from the sticker on the back of the pda (like PDA001).
We have just had a large project in feild and over the period we have around 200+ user. Around 50% of the call we took, at some point they had problems entering the username. As much as SPB backup would be of use, if they can't already do a simply thing like type in PDA123, asking them to do this seem like asking alot and would probabily cause more issues.
We already have all the other information in the registries for this application and the username is the only thing which isn't consistant through out.
Do you know if it would be possible to prompt them to run the cab from the sd card which enters the username into the registires on startup?

Nunwood PDA said:
Do you know if it would be possible to prompt them to run the cab from the sd card which enters the username into the registires on startup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure it is possible. Did you already try placing a shortcut to the .CAB in "Windows\StartUp" ?. Likewise, you can easily create another script that deletes that shortcut (to ensure that its only used once).
Please keep us posted, on your developments.

Nokia 3650 said:
Sure it is possible. Did you already try placing a shortcut to the .CAB in "Windows\StartUp" ?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it didn't do anything. I had a cab file in the extended ROM which placed the shortcut in the dir. \Windows\startup\. For some reason nothing happened, but when I navigate to the .cab file it ran without any problems.
When you say create another scipt, how would I go about doing that? If i had an .exe it could act as a link to the cab on the SD card. i'm not familier with this kind of method. But I think that would solve the problem.
The location of the .cab is: \Storage Card\Help\UserName.cab

Thanks for the exact location. I'm just compiling something for you in visio Studio 2005, that will execute the .CAB file when run at automatically from startup (it'll do this only once).