Database Develop

Cing 8125 users: looking for input on next ROM

Howdy,
In about a week (assuming that G.W.B. can resist starting WWIII for that long), I'm going to build another ROM. This time I'd like to get some input on what to include.
A few things to keep in mind:
1) The goal is to include apps and hacks that appeal to the widest audience and are useful. If it's something that's not useful to a lot of people, then there's no reason to put it into a ROM. I can add more themes and ringers as well, but they should appeal to as broad a group as possible.
2) I won't include any commercial apps. Not even in an unregistered state. I might consider things that have been extracted from other ROMs, but I'm debating that with the voices in my head and will decide later.
3) Apps should be mature, not beta, if possible. I don't want to have to rebuild the ROM every time a new beta version of an app comes out.
4) If possible, attach registry hacks in the form of .reg files to your request. Or at least post the registry entry in you message.
5) It would we swell if someone could take the lead on tallying up the suggestions and help to prioritize. I'll shoot for building the ROM in about 10 days.
If we can keep the additions under 5 Megs total I think we'll be OK.
Here's what will be in there as of now (which is in the current custom ROMs)
-Oregami themes
-digital, cellular, and electronic ringers
-.NET Compact Framework 2
-A2DP/AVRCP
-Wireless Today screen plugin
-enable multi-select/delete contacts
-a hidden treasure map providing the precise pinpoint location of $2.33 in pennies that I previously buried when I was perhaps 7 or 8

First I want to say thinks for the bang up job you have done on putting together these roms for us.
The only things that I would like to see that I can think of would be the registery hack that makes GPRS/EDGE stay on all the time. And I would also like, if it is possible, anything that would make the phone us a WiFi connection, when present and turned on, instead of GPRS/EDGE.
I am not sure if it is possible to do that or not.

Usefull apps
Well I would like to have these applications in the next ROM
1) Smartkeys - http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=41060&highlight=smartkeys
2) Wakeapp - to easily setup OmapClock and other event-driven applications. http://www.kent7.com/holly/wakeapp/ , download EN version at http://kent7.sakura.ne.jp/holly/wakeapp/wa_arm021_e.zip
3) SMSDeliveryFix - to show SMS recipient name in a delivery report - http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=42696&highlight=sms+delivery+fix
4) WM5NewMenu - similiar to WM2003 "New" button - http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=40088&highlight=wm5newmenu
5) WM5torage - PDA acting as a memory card reader without ActiveSync - http://www.modaco.com/WM5torage-t238545.html
6) Some software for sending and receiving vCard via SMS.
Thank you for the great effort :wink:

The correct E or G icon
Caps, Num, lock indicators
ability to set OMPA and forget it.
smaller scroll bars

the three reptile themes at this site, I think everyone would like these, grey, blue, and red.
http://www.zombienexus.net/portal/GL_SubDirectory.asp?SEC=3&CatID=70
TCPMP-media player
Total Commander-file explorer/reg editor
Agile Messenger-great messaging app aol,msn,icq etc.
I think these are good apps that everyone could use.

the only thing i think would be beneficial would be adding all the reg edits that reg wiz adds to speed up our device, so we don't have to do it each time we clear storage. THAT would be awesome. i could care less about apps being included, i can install them just fine; but it's a pain in the ass every time i clear storage/flash new rom, that i have to redo all the reg tweaks.

I haven't found a way, but more emphesis on Storage Memory than Program memory would be good for me. I use alot of storage memory with Contacts, Email (even with moving my attachments to storage) and Calendar databases.
I used the much cleaner 2.17 RUU rom without the ringtones but did copy over a couple of them from the 2.17 with RT and OC. Also copied the OMAP clock and it's shortcuts.
A clean Rom without much of the extras would be good.
I also have customized my Cingular connection to use isp.cingular and [email protected] instead of the built in wap.cingular and [email protected] connection. I also turned of the proxy as it was interfeering with my AKU2 push from my Exch2K3-SP2 box.
Is there anyway to use the EXT ROM or add a slider bar like in WM2003SE?
J-Man5
p.s. thanks for the ROMs. I just got my 8125 about 2 weeks ago and have been having mucho grande fun with it.

ROM additions
How about:
- Total Commander
- ?? some sort of free registry editor (PHM RegEdit?)
- smartskey, I agree, but I think it's ini file needs to be in the same directory and it's small so this may not work
- RegWizard (the xda developer forum developed list of hacks), although actually i don't think this is necessary because it along with its framework requires over a meg, and you can just delete it once you install the desired reg hacks. . .
- Magic Button or some other similar task manager thing
I don't think more themes or ringers would be uniformly useful.
jason

Can you add something to truly shut down apps?
I've gotten in the habit of shutting down apps through the running programs tab under memory. Is there any way to make this easier such as putting a direct link in the Start menu to this page or on the Today list.
You know, summiter, you could just fix it so that the programs actually close when you hit the X.

Re: Can you add something to truly shut down apps?
sbuff said:
I've gotten in the habit of shutting down apps through the running programs tab under memory. Is there any way to make this easier such as putting a direct link in the Start menu to this page or on the Today list.
You know, summiter, you could just fix it so that the programs actually close when you hit the X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not unless he is going to rewrite the way Windows Mobile works. Thats a M$ thing. And also why apps such as vBar and Magic Button and InClose exist.
Summiter may be a ROM compiling wizard but lets not lay too many burdens at his feet to fix.
I'm just really happy push email is working.
J-Man5

Suggestions:
TCPMP with plugins http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/about
tGetFile.dll http://tillanosoft.com/ce/tgetfile.html
PocketNotepad http://tillanosoft.com/ce/pnotepad.html
PocketTweak http://tillanosoft.com/ce/ptweak.html

Adobe Reader 2.0 is huge and belongs in ROM. But is it popular enough? http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_mobile.html#pocketPC

Continued Bluetooth Fixes
I have notice several still having Bluetooth issues with the lack of support; specifically, SSP over bluetooth. This opens up additional application possibilities not available today. I wouild like to run Bluetooth GPS with receivers such as the Holux 236 GPSlim, but the lack of SSP makes this almost impossible.
Just a thought

I'd like to see common registry hacks already applied and perhaps a txt file explaining the ones included with the new ROM. For example, the ones I listed below are from my own notes so when I re-flash I can re-apply them.
Regarding software, I'd almost prefer to see CAB files instead of pre-loaded software. Since CABs disappear once installed, we could make the choice of installing or deleting, and thus possibly save space but also gain the benefit of having them ready-to-install. You could even use different subdirectories for free vs the ones requiring a registration code to help keep the surprise / disappointment factor down (when we find out it costs money). This would also prevent a problem of competing solutions for some who prefer one plugin over another if they both serve a common function.
Along the same lines, I believe registry hacks can be applied via CAB files or maybe even .reg files (or maybe not - I'm still educating myself with all of this). You could stick with what you have for the current ROM but load it up with optional extras which could be deleted if we just didn't want them.
I think what you're doing is great and applaud your efforts!
I just started configuring my 8125 today, these are the hacks I applied so far (after stepping up to your 2.17 ROM):
Enable scrolling in IE with 4-way button
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Navigation\4-Way Nav
Change Value from 1 to 0.
____________________
Slide-out Keyboard Status Indicator
\HKCU\ControlPanel\Keybd
Create entry EnableIndicator and assign DWORD value of 1(decimal)
____________________
Increase your 8125 speed
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\StorageManager\FATFS\
Change "CacheSize" value from "0" to "4096".
Assign a value of 1 to EnableCache
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\StorageManager\Filters\f sreplxfilt\
Assign a value of 4096 to ReplStoreCacheSize
____________________
Disable menu animation – removes menu animation which uses up system resources
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\GWE\Menu
Change "AniType" from "6" (default) to "0" (disabled).
____________________
Change the width of the vertical scroll bar and the height of the horizontal scroll bar so they take less room on the screen:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\GWE
Change cxVScr to (say) 9 to make vertical scrollbar narrower. Default value is 13
Change cyHScr to (say) 9 to make horizontal scrollbar narrower. Default value is 13
____________________
Enable 802.11g
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\TNETWLN1\Parms]
"dot11SupportedRateMaskG"=dword:00000008
"dot11SupportedRateMask"=dword:00000001

TCPMP
TCPMP definitely, I use this more than any other app on pocketpc devices.

I think you should also consider a paired down ROM. One without any Cingular addons that aren't required to make the device work on Cingular. Basically only the ones that set up MMS and the GPRS settings. I'd even leave out the proxy if thats possible.
But in this paired down ROM I'd still include a few extras like some extra themes and ringers.
And I'd put in the two programs I don't think anyone can live without, SmartSkey and TotalCommader.
Thats basically the setup I have now, but I'm wasting space in my extended ROM and other areas because there are things on my device that I can't remove and I'm not using.

azagahl said:
Adobe Reader 2.0 is huge and belongs in ROM. But is it popular enough? http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_mobile.html#pocketPC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is Adobe reader prefered over the ClearviewPDF Reader that is already in the ROM?

Re: Continued Bluetooth Fixes
jlsenter said:
I have notice several still having Bluetooth issues with the lack of support; specifically, SSP over bluetooth. This opens up additional application possibilities not available today. I wouild like to run Bluetooth GPS with receivers such as the Holux 236 GPSlim, but the lack of SSP makes this almost impossible.
Just a thought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not familarwith SSP. Is it a profile? What does it enhance/enable?
Do you know if there are any WM5 devices which have it? (perhaps it can be ripped out and added to the Wiz)

knight4led said:
I think you should also consider a paired down ROM. One without any Cingular addons that aren't required to make the device work on Cingular. Basically only the ones that set up MMS and the GPRS settings. I'd even leave out the proxy if thats possible.
But in this paired down ROM I'd still include a few extras like some extra themes and ringers.
And I'd put in the two programs I don't think anyone can live without, SmartSkey and TotalCommader.
Thats basically the setup I have now, but I'm wasting space in my extended ROM and other areas because there are things on my device that I can't remove and I'm not using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha this is at least the second message that goes something like: "how about a ROM stripped of everything, but add this and that and oh yeah add this too". I say this in good fun so don't take offense. It just indicates that everyone has quite unique needs.
I will create a barebones ROM as well. But I don't want to have too many ROMs out there because I don't want to have to rebuild them all when something changes.
As far as using the Extended ROM for other purposes..as of now it can't be done. It's locked in some way that prevents effectively using as storage space. (if you try to manipulate it, it becomes corrupted). So the only use for it is to install stuff at first boot.

Well I might as well put in my two cents....but first....Summiter....marry me! I'll tell my wife to divorce me and she can take her nokia phone with her!
-Ok definitely Smartskey in the same folder as Omapclock so smartskey.ini file can tell omapclock to clock me at 216 everytime after soft reset.
-Please take out the stupid SIP keyboard...i'ts useless and can only be used by leprechauns with little fingers.
-A way to easily change splash screens.
-Hide SIM contacts
HKCU\ControlPanel\Phone
new DWORD value named "ShowSim" and set it to 0
1. Disable menu animations to increase performance:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\GWE\Menu"
Change "AniType" from "6" (default) to "0" (disabled).
- Add vibration instead of sound to keypresses in the phonepad for better tactile feedback:
for i = 0 to 9
Give an example for "i" Button:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Sounds\Dtmf "i"]
1. Rename Standart DWORD parameter "Sound" to "Sound1"
2. Create new String Parameter "Sound"
3. Assign value *vibrate* to this new parameter.
For this there is also a cab file available.
***this is a cool registry tweak
- oh and this is a must have, all these pda phones lack in the phone department...people on the other side of a phone call can barely hear us until you put this registry tweak in.
\\\registry\HKLM\Software\HTC\AUDIOGAIN(x)\
changed RECEIVE_UPLINK_VOLUME and EARPHONE_UPLINK_VOLUME values to CC. after that change, microphone sensitivity got better and didn't receive any more complaints.
Though i wish someone knew a way to improve the sound mic quality during speakerphone.
And there are so many ringtones in your rom summiter...they all sound alike lol. put the You've got mail.wav file for incoming mail, i have it if you want. how bout some funny ringtones or music ringtones instead?
k that's all

HTC P3600 Oficial ROM Upg - Where's GPS???

Hi!
I did the oficial ROM upgrade and everithing seems to work fine except that i can't seem to find the GPS anywhere?
Can anyone help me?
Thanks,
JP

Hiden GPS Icon
Having tried the new HTC rom I found that the GPS WAS enabled (Tried it with Tomtom 6) but the GPS Icon in the settings menu is still hidden.
To enable/unhide the icon use a registry editing program and change the numerical value of the DWORD string that reads 'HIDE' from '1' to '0', then soft reset the device.
There are a couple of threads that can explain how to do this in more detail elseware on this forum.
1.

Sometimes GPS takes too long to fixup
Hi!
I discover the problem. Sometimes the GPS takes 10 or 15 minutes to fixup!!! I've read that this is a known problem without solution.
Thanks anyway.
JP

jpierre70 said:
Hi!
I discover the problem. Sometimes the GPS takes 10 or 15 minutes to fixup!!! I've read that this is a known problem without solution.
Thanks anyway.
JP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not first fix, on clear sky, without moving during fix? I've read only one complaint, and it didn't say the conditions that made that fix so long.

devious246 said:
Having tried the new HTC rom I found that the GPS WAS enabled (Tried it with Tomtom 6) but the GPS Icon in the settings menu is still hidden.
To enable/unhide the icon use a registry editing program and change the numerical value of the DWORD string that reads 'HIDE' from '1' to '0', then soft reset the device.
There are a couple of threads that can explain how to do this in more detail elseware on this forum.
1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the regisrty there are a lot of folder wich one contain the DWORD?

if this is your level of understanding of the registry I strongly suggest you DO NOT try and modify until you thoroughly research it!
You may end up having to hard reset your device.

I already modify it last time but i forgett where theDowrd is..Under wich menu on the registry

OK Brigate- sorry just wanted to warn you!
I would do a search- this took me 10 nano seconds ;-) It's quicker than posting and waiting for a reply.
/snip
HKEY_LOCAL_MASCHINE\ControlPanel\GPS Settings
Add a DWORD called "Group" and give it the value of "2" (dec) keep the Hide key but change the value to 0 and delete the redirect value and soft reset
If you have a GPS device, you can add a GPS settings icon to your Start > Settings menu using:
HKLM\ControlPanel\GPS Settings\Group = 2 (DWORD decimal)
HKLM\ControlPanel\GPS Settings\redirect <-- delete, or rename, this value
Note that '2' stands for the Connections tab, '1' is System and '0' would be Personal
Note also that this has reportedly disabled one person's USB connectivity. To restore, set "GPS Program Port = None", "GPS Connection Port = None", "Automatic GPS Management = on"
/ snip
This rings a bell- I tried it a long time ago on my M600 thinking the icon would help (it just stopped my BT GPS working!)

Well thx a lot

I use resco to modify the register but every time i do a softreset it returns all as default... So at last i can`t get the GPS ICON

BrigateGB said:
I use resco to modify the register but every time i do a softreset it returns all as default... So at last i can`t get the GPS ICON
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JUST TRY IT A SECOND TIME, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM,
IS THERE A WAY TO TURN GPS OFF. I LIKE TO USE THE BLUETHOOT UNIT

BrigateGB said:
I use resco to modify the register but every time i do a softreset it returns all as default... So at last i can`t get the GPS ICON
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't soft reset the phone, power off and on after by pressing the power button on the side until a question shows in the screen.

I found a programm for Trinity it´s Trinity Hacks and it do this.... So thx for the trick

mxip files ... please prove me wrong :)

In learning how to cook from the many good resources on this site I have read in several places that the contents of the mxip* provxml files will get re-written on every device boot. This means that some changes to the regsitry must be cooked in, or they will be lost on a reboot.
One such thread/post that details this is here.
Now the official thread from MSDN on these files is here, and it says this:
An Image Update Package can contain two types of provisioning files:
Cold boot files that will be processed by Configuration Manager only when the device is cold booted. The provisioning file name must have one of the following formats:
mxipcold_PACKAGENAME_*.provxml
or
mxip_PACKAGENAME_*.provxml
where PACKAGENAME is the name of Image Update package.
These files should contain settings that you intend to be applied only during cold boot.
Update files that will be processed by Configuration Manager both when the device is cold booted and, if their associated packages have been updated, during Image Update. The provisioning file name must have the following format:
mxipupdate_PACKAGENAME_*.provxml
All settings contained in these files will be re-applied whenever their associated packages are updated, regardless of whether they have or have not changed. Therefore, these files should only contain settings that you intend to be reapplied every time their packages are updated.
Microsoft recommends that you use a three-digit number in the name of your .provxml files in ROM, such as mxip_opr_100, mxip_opr_200, mxip_opr_300, so that there is an adequate number of ordinals to identify successive versions of the file.
Note Mobile Operators should avoid using provxml files to override (shadow) entries in Microsoft-owned provxml files​Note Mxip_*_*.provxml is imported only at cold boot when the device is initially configured. In effect, mxip_*_*.provxml and mxipcold_*_*.provxml are handled the same.​Note Mxipupdate_*_*.provxml files are imported after cold boot and when the package containing them is updated.​Now the reason I am posting is based on my experience and the underlined section above. This seems to state that a "cold boot" is equal to "when the device is initially configured."
What this means is that these mxip files DO get processed on a cold boot, but that a cold boot does not mean a reset/full-power off, but rather a CLEAR STORAGE.
My own tests show this to be the case. For instance, I have taken reg entries from several mxip, mxipupdate, and mxipcold PROVXML files which shipped with the latest AT&T stock ROM (decompiled with KaiserKitchen).
When I delete these values on my device THEY DO NOT COME BACK AFTER A REBOOT.
Based on these two facts it would seem to me that any statement which claims that these provxml files re-write the registry at every reboot is incorrect.
I would love for this to be corroborated by others or in fact, I would love to be proven this incorrect.
Not only do I want to know what it right...but I have a particular instance where a registry key is getting re-written at every boot. This value being overwritten is not defined in any XML, so my assumption is a DLL or other system service is resetting it. At this point, the particular value is not important to the discussion but if indeed there were a way to define in a provxml file a registry key which would be overwritten at reboot, that would be helpful.
Please advise!
thx

Anyone?
I'm looking for any proof that any xml files cooked into a ROM can reset registry entries on a standard reboot.
Cold-reboot = hard-reset, and as such yes all your provisioning files will re-run.
However it seems to me that the only thing which would re-apply a registry key would be a service/application/driver which is hard coded to do so and not anything specified in a provisioning file.

bengalih said:
Anyone?
I'm looking for any proof that any xml files cooked into a ROM can reset registry entries on a standard reboot.
Cold-reboot = hard-reset, and as such yes all your provisioning files will re-run.
However it seems to me that the only thing which would re-apply a registry key would be a service/application/driver which is hard coded to do so and not anything specified in a provisioning file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If by "standard reboot" you mean soft reset then of course no settings are loaded into registry from any of your provisioning or other XMLs (unless you have some specifically set to be loaded at start up). The registry settings stay the same as you had them before soft reset.
But obviously they are read and loaded into reg after every hard reset, not only because autorun (customization) starts after hard reset - what does not happen after soft reset - but also because registry itself is recreated 'from scratch' after hard reset, *with* the settings from your XMLs (of course if there are pointers to them in your settings, otherwise even if they are there they will be 'excluded' or 'omitted' and become what I call "ghost files" - a files that don't do nothing but taking up space /edit: best example of XML "ghost file" is i.e. config.xml which didn't have its pointer in Config.txt thus all its registry settings were entirely omitted on every hard reset, as I saw in one of the ROMs).
You won't find "any proof that any xml files cooked into a ROM can reset registry entries on a standard reboot" because it is impossible (again - if by standard reboot you mean soft reset and not hard reset).

Thanks for your reply. What you are saying backs up what my beliefs are and my experience suggests. I don't want to call anyone out for providing false information (unintentionally I'm sure). But I have seen several posts by well regarded members that speak differently.
-888- said:
If by "standard reboot" you mean soft reset then of course no settings are loaded into registry from any of your provisioning or other XMLs (unless you have some specifically set to be loaded at start up). The registry settings stay the same as you had them before soft reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I agree. However how do you explain this post and the others in the thread supporting the fact that a certain registry setting must be cooked in and will not survive a reboot?:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2106160#post2106160
Also, what do you mean by "unless you have some specifically set to be loaded at start up"? How do you have a registry key specifically set to be loaded at start up? All regsitry keys are loaded at start-up (obviously). I pick out this comment because maybe this is the crux of the issue, if there is something I am unaware of. Are you saying there is a section in the registry that will automatically load certaind reg entries at boot (effectively overwriting them)? I would be unaware of anything like this, so please explain the statement.
-888- said:
But obviously they are read and loaded into reg after every hard reset, not only because autorun (customization) starts after hard reset - what does not happen after soft reset - but also because registry itself is recreated 'from scratch' after hard reset, *with* the settings from your XMLs (of course if there are pointers to them in your settings, otherwise even if they are there they will be 'excluded' or 'omitted' and become what I call "ghost files" - a files that don't do nothing but taking up space /edit: best example of XML "ghost file" is i.e. config.xml which didn't have its pointer in Config.txt thus all its registry settings were entirely omitted on every hard reset, as I saw in one of the ROMs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this pretty accurate. However, I think technically the registry is created at cooking from the .REG files. The .REG files combine to make the .hv files, which are basically the flat file system that gets loaded to make the registry. The .XMLs which contain registry entries then get additionally loaded during customization, but the majority of the registry already exists in the .hv files. Would you agree?
-888- said:
You won't find "any proof that any xml files cooked into a ROM can reset registry entries on a standard reboot" because it is impossible (again - if by standard reboot you mean soft reset and not hard reset).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, ok, I am thinking as much. But still would like to understand why posts like the one I referenced claim that settings need to be cooked in or they will be lost on a reboot. These posts clearly seem to mean a standard-reboot, as a user who makes a regsitry change would obviously expect that change to be lost on a hard-reset. These posts definitly infer that the changes get lost on a "standard" reboot.

Cold Boot = Hard Reset or Clear Storage or Nand/OS Format (via Mtty/Ptty)
Provisioning xml's are most typically used by Operators to limit functionality, i.e AT&T uses them to disable the "Multiple Data Sessions Hack" by changing the AGPN RIL settings. These are used to overwrite certain registry settings established on boot before the OS even loads. Similarly, the standard provxml files do NOTHING, unless called for. This does not happen at a soft reset, only at hard reset & the difference is in the type of registry setting you are targeting. As stated before, some registry settings are loaded very early into the boot cycle, before the os even initializes, & are persistent so that they cannot be changed manually period. The RIL settings, used to enable the use of MediaNet & BBC concurrently are one such example. Provisioning Xml's only run when called for or when manually initiated with the use of a program capable of importing the xml's, such as SKTools.
There are indeed many setting that will revert when a soft reset is made.

bengalih said:
Again, I agree. However how do you explain this post and the others in the thread supporting the fact that a certain registry setting must be cooked in and will not survive a reboot?:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2106160#post2106160
These posts clearly seem to mean a standard-reboot, as a user who makes a regsitry change would obviously expect that change to be lost on a hard-reset. These posts definitly infer that the changes get lost on a "standard" reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think these guys are gettin confused with reboots... maybe i'm wrong, but they also said that the hives get rebuilt on every reboot, i really doubt it...
agreed that provxml files only apply to a hard reset, but also did a little testing with that particular reg key... changed both values, reboot, activesync'd and surfed the net, reboot, same values, changed them back to original, reboot, everything sticks... i don't know what these guys are talking about, but it doesn't make any sense...
also, i can't find those settings in the stock att provxml files in OperatorPKG...

Thanks for replying GSLEON3. I understand everything you are saying about PROVXMLs, and I think we are on the same page, but I am still confused about some things you are saying...
For example in your post about the AGPSNVSetting. You state that you need to change it in the PROVXML file. You also state:
THIS HAS TO BE COOKED IN, REG EDITS AFTER INSTALLING WILL NOT STICK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question is, what do you mean by it won't stick? If I go in with a registry editor after I have flashed the ROM and try to change it from 6 to 5. What happens? Either:
A) When I reboot the value will revert back to 6.
B) The value will remain at the 5 I set it to, but it won't actually work.
If the answer is A, then I ask how? How does it get set back to 6 if we established that the PROVXML files only get run during a cold boot/reset?
If the answer is B, then i ask how? A reg entry is a reg entry is a reg entry. If the value is set to 5, then whatever service reads that value should be seeing a 5. It shouldn't matter if that value was originally 6, as long as it is now 5 (and remains that way after a reboot).
This also leads into the comment you just made:
some registry settings are loaded very early into the boot cycle, before the os even initializes, & are persistent so that they cannot be changed manually period
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if I totally agree with that. I think it depends when the OS loads. I would think that since all your registry entries are stored in the .hv file on your device that the OS needs to load first in order to initizlize the drivers to read that .hv file and mount it to the registry. That might just be nit-picky if you mean before you get the higher leverl drivers and GUI initialized.
But, the question still is what makes them "persistent so that they cannot be changed"?
In summary, a provxml only writes a reg entry ONCE, on cold boot/reset. This value appears in my experiments to be able to be changed afterwards and sticks (meaning it stays the same value after a normal reboot). Why then would a registry entry need cooking in instead of just a manual change afterwards?
I am not trying to argue here, OR prove you wrong.. I am just really trying to understand why you state what you do.
Thanks!

If you change the registry and then soft reset via pressing the reset button within a few seconds upto even a couple minutes then your edit is lost, as the registry is cached in ram and only written out after a bit...
You can get an edit to "stick" by
doing the change, then wait a bit, then power off, then power on, then wait a bit, then soft reset. All the above it to convince WinMO to flush the cache.
Or use any software-based soft reset (those let the OS know its resetting, so it flushes the reg cache.
Either that, or there is something running in the background resetting registry entries. HTC_Guardian, for example, is/was an app used to reset connection settings, at least under sprint. That evil thing slammed the "correct" values into the registry every 5 minutes or so... what a waste.
In either case, the proxml things only run on a hard reset/first boot init.

schettj said:
If you change the registry and then soft reset via pressing the reset button within a few seconds upto even a couple minutes then your edit is lost, as the registry is cached in ram and only written out after a bit...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. I don't buy that however (at least not on the Kaiser). I can make a regsitry change with say, PHM and the split-second after I make that change I push in the reset button... that change is kept.
If it does that for one reg entry, it should do that for all. I don't believe that some entries get cached like that and other don't
schettj said:
Either that, or there is something running in the background resetting registry entries. HTC_Guardian, for example, is/was an app used to reset connection settings, at least under sprint. That evil thing slammed the "correct" values into the registry every 5 minutes or so... what a waste.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, I think you are correct here. I believe that in all the cases where I have seen a registry entry get reset on a reboot is because a driver is hard coded to reset it at boot time. On the latest AT&T release for instance if you change the LockLevel for backlight it is always reset to 0 after a reboot. There is no reference to this registry value in the rgu's or provxmls in the decompiled ROM.
schettj said:
In either case, the proxml things only run on a hard reset/first boot init.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed

bengalih said:
Thanks for the feedback. I don't buy that however (at least not on the Kaiser). I can make a regsitry change with say, PHM and the split-second after I make that change I push in the reset button... that change is kept.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to believe it, but i know this can be true. I can't speak to the cause, but i know that often times i must make my entry and then exit the program before i soft reset or my settings will not be kept. Also, I have experience many times where i will make a registry edit, and if i do not soft reset before doing anything else then my edit does not take effect. For example, i'll reply to a sms before soft resetting and my entries won't take effect. For this to be true then the original entries must be stored somewhere, at least temporarily. It certainly could depend on the software used though, and may have nothing to do with the rom. As i said, i can't speak to the reasons why this would occur as well as man others, but i can state my experiences through making thousands of registry changes.

I just tested this. 5 times, 5 different registy entries using PHM Reg Editor with both the stock AT&T and HTC 6.1 ROMs.
Each time I made a change, I pushed my stylus into the reset button immediately after clicking on OK to the change.
In every case, my registry entry remained the way I changed it to prior to boot.
I would be interested if you could recreate results to the contrary and if so what ROM and registry editor you are using.
scotchua said:
You don't have to believe it, but i know this can be true. I can't speak to the cause, but i know that often times i must make my entry and then exit the program before i soft reset or my settings will not be kept. Also, I have experience many times where i will make a registry edit, and if i do not soft reset before doing anything else then my edit does not take effect. For example, i'll reply to a sms before soft resetting and my entries won't take effect. For this to be true then the original entries must be stored somewhere, at least temporarily. It certainly could depend on the software used though, and may have nothing to do with the rom. As i said, i can't speak to the reasons why this would occur as well as man others, but i can state my experiences through making thousands of registry changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hard reset, softt reset, rom update, cold boot, warm boot, clear boot,image update...
Hello
I found some usefull links.
The well-known articles about mixp, mixpudate and mixpcold...:
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms889522.aspx
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb737254.aspx
Definitions of Power States Transitions
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa450592.aspx
Definitios of "clean/cold/warm booting" and their issues:
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee490762.aspx
Terms of "Image Update"
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb737478.aspx
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb737638.aspx
I think that a Soft-reset is like a warm-boot, a Hard-reset is like a clean-boot and you only have to remove all de batteries (all power off) to get a cold-boot. I now understand why some fellows tells to me to remove the battery two minutes .
So
remove the battery or exhausted -> cold boot -> mixp & mixpcold & mixpupdate
hard-reset -> clear boot -> mixp & mixpcold & mixpudate
soft-reset -> warm-boot -> no mixp*
rom update -> image-update of all parts of the rom -> mixp & mixpcold & mixpudate
So normally, every time that you change the rom or order a hard-reset you mobile should execute all mixp*
From time to time something goes wrong when processing mixps during the fisrt boot after a rom-update and then you need to order a hard-reset to execute all mixp*again. I suspect that this happens when hard-spl does not force a cold-boot after the rom-update process and a warm-boot happens.
Finally
File System Boot Process. Describe which and when the actions happens:
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee490357.aspx
Best regards.

I know this reply is seriously late in coming, but I was working thru a few registry issues and fixing a few chef cooked roms and this thread popped up.
Maybe it'll help someone in the future, trying to understand this dying architecture. (Curse you M$)
What you are failing to see, is that there are several ways that provisioning xml's can be delivered. Via cab files, straight provxml file or even xml's called on startup, not justat cold/hot boot.
AT&T as well as other OEM's used to have a bad habit of SHADOWING MS or HTC registry settings (Overwritting reg values thru use of xml provisioning). AT&T would call for their OEM Network Provisioning xml to silently install at every reset, much like a 2577 cab file. The OEM can also use the OAL (OEM Adaptation Layer) to overide or change settings in the registry, even thru the use of provisioning xmls.
The old AT&T APN provisioning via cab file we saw in Kaiser & first TP rom is a very good example of bad practices with regards to xml usage.
You can also set certain reg keys to be persistent. Try deleting the "Windows Default" (CHome) today registry key. without negating the setting with a nocharacteristic xml setting or a reg such as [-hklm/current user/etc...] this key will be persitent and also cannot be deleted.
Provxml's are good for moving things & certain settings, however, I have come to believe that registry optimization is a key component in device performance & with the new HV editing tools, you are better off adding entries directly to the hive & keeping the windows directory clean & light.
I wish only more chef's would utiolize these new tools & features. Have you ever gone thru a cooked rom registry & found all of the hanging & invalid registry keys?
The common cooked rom, even from the bvest cooks at XDA, usually have anywhere from 12% to 24% of empty or invalid registry settings. On top of that, you can have upwards of 12% - 18% invalid system type registry settings & then another 24% - 28% invalid user type registry settings.
The average cooked rom has a reg size of 811088. This number when optimized with proper settings & true removal of defunct values/keys would be more in the 647000 size range. That is common for a good chef, now imagine the guy using the standard rom kitchen based on a straight OEM rom. Cooks forget that registry values come from xml's, cab's, registry hives, even some executables. Setting are often duplicated between packages and hive and OEM provisioning files. This means that just because you remove a package from your kitchen does NOT mean that all the related registry data for that package will also be removed. For this you really need to modify the hives manually with the new HV editing tools, or completely rebuild the hives using a newer kitchen like OS Builder that allows you to build HV files from scratch. even then I recommend usign HV editing tools to confirm nothing is left behind unintentionally.
An optimized registry absolutely means increased performance.

Change date format ??

Hello,
I'd like to change the date format in Windows Mobile (not TF3D, I have already done that).
In "Settings -> System -> Regional Settings -> Date", I have only one option per setting (swedish standard setting). I'd like to change the short date format from yy-MM-dd to dd-MM-yy (reverse it).
How do I do that? Do I have change this in the registry (where?) or is there an easier way?
Thanks in advance...
(yes, I've searched the forum)
/E

*bump*
When I choose locale English I can set more formats for the date, BUT the phone number format is set to (123) 123-1234, with the area code in (), which is not good for me. I would love to have the Swedish locale but to be able to set a custom format for the date.
Someone? Please?
/E

I'd also like to know how to change the Short Date format to how I would like to see it

Is there anyway to change the Ringtone location?

is there a simple way to change the location of ringtones such as edit the registry?? everytime i change a ringtone it need to send to the main memory..i want to make it easier.. THX

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\SoundCategories\RingDirectory = Storage Card\music

How
I am new to this community and just got my first WM phone a couple of days a go, TOPAZ..
How do I use regedit to alternate like shown above???

You can try PHM regedit. It's same like desktop pc regedit.

you can also try the "pocket version" of TotalCommander, there a biult-in Plugin for the registry

Problemo
Hey
Couldn't get it to work, and couldn't actually find the exact HKEY either from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\SoundCategories\Rin gDirectory = Storage Card\music.
For me it was identical up till \SoundCategories, but no RingDirectory key. It looked something like HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\SoundCategories\Ring\Directory
Modifying the Ring\Directory into "Storage Card\music" didn't help either, any ideas what could be the problem?

Also cannot get this to work. Have changed the setting from original \windows\ to Storage Card\music. Can anyone advise on the exact think to type in the space. Even tried adding the \ in front but same results

I tried it as well and didn't work. The strange thing is that I also used SKTools and found this as a configurable setting and it did nothing as well, seems that it was changing the same registry value.