Monitor Your Desktop From Your Pocket PC [Archive]

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Brad Adrian

08-30-2002, 01:30 PM

<a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&amp;sectionId=0&productId=42864">http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&amp;sectionId=0&productId=42864</a> Here's a little application that can provide an interesting window (no pun intended) into your desktop PC's performance. Desktop Stats from I.S. Global displays vital PC data on your Pocket PC while it sits in its synchronization cradle. <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/stats.jpg" /> "Desktop Stats displays the Desktops CPU Usage, Memory Load, Free Physical Memory, and the free space on up to 3 Drives. It also shows detailed statistics from the selected network Adapter, Data Sent/Received, and the top speed detected this session as well as the maximum speed of the Graph." I use a similar monitoring tool that simply sits in a desktop window, but it's kind of fun to view this data on my Pocket PC. It's very affordable at $5.00, but there's also a free demo available. I got this to work just fine using the synchronization cradle but had some trouble seeing if it would work through a WiFi connection (maybe a "firewall thing?"). If anybody out there has been able to accomplish this, let me know, because THAT would be even cooler.

Steven Cedrone

08-30-2002, 03:22 PM

Anyone else having problems loading this? I get an error about not being able to update the file hhctrl.ocx (even after I manually rename the file so the program puts a "fresh" version in c:\winnt\system32) I am running Windows 2000. Also, I don't see the install program loading anything to my Pocket PC...

Let me know if it is just me...

Steve

killcat

08-30-2002, 03:54 PM

I failed to install it.

Jisoo.

wrevans

08-30-2002, 04:32 PM

Brad Adrian

08-30-2002, 05:04 PM

Hmmmm. I'm using WinXP Pro and didn't have any errors or problems.

The installation to the Pocket PC isn't too obvious, though. Once you install it to your desktop and start it for the first time, there is a menu option to install it to the Pocket PC.

I've contacted the software developer's technical support group and invited them to join in and provide some help in this thread. The company is located in an entirely differnt hemisphere than I'm in, though, so we may need to be patient in getting a response.

Here's what I sent:

I am a writer for the Pocket PC Thoughts Web site (www.pocketpcthoughts.com) and recently posted a description of your new Desktop Stats program. Several of the site’s readers have tried unsuccessfully to install and/or use the program and could use some help.

I invite you to join in the discussion thread at http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=27036#27036 and provide any insights you might have. Hopefully, you’ll agree that working with many users at a time via this thread is an economical way to give support and an excellent way to introduce yourself to many potential customers.

Brad Adrian

Steven Cedrone

08-30-2002, 05:27 PM

O.K:

I checked the file I was getting an error on, it appears to be the same date/size (and I assume, version) as the one in my winnt\system32 directory, so I'm just ignoring that error. It appears to install all of the other files regardless...

The installation to the Pocket PC isn't too obvious, though. Once you install it to your desktop and start it for the first time, there is a menu option to install it to the Pocket PC.

The smoke clears! Now why didn't I think of checking that! :wink: For those that haven't tried it: right click on the systray icon, there is an option to install to the Pocket PC (or open the server app and look under "File" menu).....

Good luck!

Steve

I'll try to see if this works accross my network with a LAN card, then my WIFI card, I'll let you know.....

nirav28

08-30-2002, 09:39 PM

THis is thing neat. But right now I got a LCD on a modded antec case that displays the temperature, hd space, cpu speed , winamp player info. Wish this thing displayed temperature. Most all new motherboards have temperature reading support built in. This info can be extracted via software on any os.

Warwick

08-30-2002, 10:57 PM

Hi,
I wrote Desktop stats and thought I would answer some questions.
First on some systems, the hhctrl.ocx file returns an error when it does not need to be updated. This is not a problem and wont affect the running of Desktop Stats in any way.

To install the Pocket PC software, there is an option in the File menu, or right click on the icon to get the menu up as well.

However an error has been reported that can occur on some systems, this has been addressed and an Update will be made available today. If you would like an email to notify you of the update please send me an email with "update DesktopStats" as the subject and I will notify you when I have uploaded it.
This error will stop the desktop program running entirely, but has only been reported once so its rare. If you think you have this error I will eail you a new exe file at your request.

Thank you for the suggestion of Temperature, I will look at adding this in the near future, This will be an ongoing work and so all user suggestions will be considered.

If you have any more questions please feel free to email me and I will do my best.

Thank you,
Warwick.
[email protected]

Warwick

08-30-2002, 11:00 PM

One other thing, I seem to have confused everyone with the Registration model. For anyone who is thinking about purchasing Desktop Stats you need to use the Product Id from the Regiser now Popup as your Pocket PC ID.

I am sorry for the confusion,
Warwick.

that_kid

08-31-2002, 01:16 AM

I would like to be able to have this program on my servers and be able to connect to it wih mywireless pda.

Warwick

08-31-2002, 01:33 AM

The_kid,
If you send me an email, I would be happy to work with you on this, I do not have a wireless network to test it on but would be happy to work to get a version for you and anyone else that would like this feature.

If you establish an activesync connection you should be able to get the stats as long as the Desktop program is running on the sam PC as actvesync. As I have stated though I cannot test this.

Hope this helps,
Warwick.

pro_worm

08-31-2002, 02:49 AM

Sorry to Warwick for the slightly off-topic post... however, i have long been interested in the idea of using the Pocket PC as a table decoration while its in the cradle. Having it just display that endless today screen seems like such a waste of 12 bit pixels :) This program seems fine, but its a little dull for me. Does anyone know if there is a picture gallery type app that lets your pocket pc display pictures form your desktops hard drive on its screen in a slide show fashion? I would shell out good money for such a program.

Dave Beauvais

08-31-2002, 04:16 AM

... Does anyone know if there is a picture gallery type app that lets your pocket pc display pictures form your desktops hard drive on its screen in a slide show fashion? ...It doesn't get photos from your PC, but Ilium Software's DockWare (http://www.iliumsoft.com/dockwce.htm) can show a clock, calendar, and rotating photo backgrounds. This is the closest thing I can think of to what you're looking for.

--Dave

Steven Cedrone

08-31-2002, 07:43 AM

Warwick

08-31-2002, 10:42 AM

Ok for the wireless people out there, I have tested this over Bluetooth and it worked fine, at the moment I have it connecting to the IP addresses that activesync uses internaly. It would not be hard to change that so you can select the ip address of the server, this would require a new server to be installed as I have (for security resons) made it only accept connections from the ActiveSync IP addresses.

If you would like a version that is IP unlimited, this would mean you could even see what your PC is doing over the net if you had a static IP or knew your IP address (Theoreticy), I would be happy to do a version.

This would also allow those with wireless networks to select where the server is running and connect to it.

Those who are serious, and have a wireless network, some time to do a test or two and some knowledge of what a network is and how to use it please email me and Ill see what I can do. Please do not email me if your not serious enough to help out.

Thanks for all the feedback, it is a fantastic community we have here.
Ill keep checking in here untill the new posts stop,
Warwick.

tamanaco

08-31-2002, 01:16 PM

1) Remove the ActiveSync dependency (Write and IP based Agent that can be installed in mulitple systems (desktops and servers) By default it should support wired/wireless PDAs connected via Ethernet NIC s, Modem and USB)
:drinking:
2) Same as above
3) Temperature AND Humidity monitor capabilities
4) The ability to create a list of machines to ping with one buttom click. Just return the IP address or name of the machine(s) that fail to respond to the ping to the monitoring screen. (This is just to check that critical systems are at least active in the network)
5) Alert notification (Simple msg to the PPC to warn about possible failures e.g. low memory or low disk space). This last wish for passive monitoring will add a lot of complexity to the Agent and is very... very low in my priority list :pukeface: ... Stick with the "real-time" monitoring approach.

Warwick, I know I'm asking for a LOT... But this is just a wish list. I'd like to help with the testing, but I'll be away on vacation until 09/10. I should be able to help you test a little bit after that. I can check a couple interfaces as I have a wireless network at home. (Toshiba e740 PDA, 3 machines running Windows XP Pro (two wireless one wired), a Cisco 340 AP and a Linksys router with Ethernet and USB ports)

I think you have a winner here.

Warwick

08-31-2002, 02:09 PM

OK I get the point, you want a non activesync version, Ill let you know when its done. Give me a few days for testing though :?

Warwick.

Warwick

09-01-2002, 03:39 AM

Ok just a quick update, I have looked into the Temperature idea, it seems this is a Motherboard by Motherboard thing, Im not about to start writing motherboard specific versions or addins, so Im sorry this is out.

I have had some success with the wireless connection though, and will have released an update by the weeks end.
:D

Thanks for the input and support,
Warwick.

Warwick

09-01-2002, 08:33 AM

Ok here is my last update,
I am uploading an updated version for all those with wireless networks, you can now specify the IP address of any PC you want to use Desktop stats with.

You can get it from our web site at http://www.isglobal.com.au/desktopstats.asp

I worked all sunday to do this but was slack with the version control so it still says version 1 but you know its the updated one if you download it from my site. I will update Handango and PocketGear as soon as I get some well earned rest.

Thank you all for your support, and thanks to the Pocket Pc Thoughts team for the site.

Warwick.

mparous

09-01-2002, 01:03 PM

It seems that Desktop Stats will soon become a must for all the PocketPC users who use to leave their device open in its cradle. I bought it after trying the trial version for a couple of minutes. Although I like it a lot (I always wanted a stats manager running in a place other then my PC desktop), I must say that there are a few things that could get imroved. :D

First, I think that a simple installation guide in txt or html format is needed. I noticed that many people find it dificult to understand the pocketpc installation procedure. I also think that a simple registration guide along with the demo version of the application would be helpfull, so that every potential buyer will know what's to be done BEFORE he buys the application. This way he won't get confused when, at handango or pocketgear, after completing the pursuace and hiting the Download button, comes up with just a txt file mentioning something about a "PocketPC registration code". I don't know, maybe there is no real need for those things, but on the other hand, not all pocketpc users are so clever that they can figure it all out in a second.

Second, its almost certain that there will be updates of this software. Two things about that: What will the update policy will be? Will all the registered users gat free updates? If so, how is it gonna be? will we have to uninstall the prior version, or could we just overwrite with the new one? In either case, will we need a new reg number, or will the existing one will work with the new version?

Third, improvements I would like to see. Since each Motherboard maker uses a different temperature measurement system, I find it difficult to see a temp measure in the near feature (perhaps ever). It would ge great though...
The program now allows to view up to three disk drives. If I had more then three, I would like to be able to set up which three I'd like to monitor. I would also like to be able to setup which Removable and Mapped network Drives to monitor. My system has three hard disks, a floppy, a Zip Drive, and it is part of a small network consisting of a PC and a laptop. I would like to monitor drive C: on the PC, the Zip Drive and the hard drive of my laptop.
Using the ActiveSync Connection and through the network interface, I would like to be able to choose a different monitor screen, showing measurements from another network computer. Even better, i would like a split screen that would show basic measurements (CPU usage, Mem Load, Physical mem) of two selected PC's (1st PC up, Network Traffic at middle, 2nd PC at the bottom). In a 2 PC network like mine, this would be great. But even in a network with more PC's, it would allow the admin to choose any two PC's and monitor their cpu, mem and network activity.
It would also be nice to be able to create alarms about disk space and/or memory usage.

Warwick

09-01-2002, 01:19 PM

Well to answer some of those questions, I have always offered free updates for registered users, had not thought of changing that now. I am working on upgrades not uninstalls to make it as nice to use as possible.

I agree with the user guides, I tend to be a bit slack with documentation and the registration process is way to confusing as it is, there is a nice little html help file in the menu but I admit it needs some work. These things show themselves more with all the feedback.

I will continue to evolve this program and appreciate the input. All the suggestions have been noted :way to go: and thanks.

Warwick.

mparous

09-01-2002, 06:02 PM

First I'd like to ask: what is the MS TCP loopback interface?

Second a few odservations: I've notice that there was a small upgrade. When I first downloaded the program this morning, I got it from Handango. So, I installed the very first version. While I was on trial, I noticed that the Client on the PocketPC would run only for about 25 seconds. After registration, it worked OK. But check out this: this afternoon I downloaded the upgraded version. I installed it over the previous installation. The Regitration Screen didnt show up (ofcourse), but the Client on the PocketPC worked only for 25 sec.! Full Uninstall, reinstall again, same thing. At last I uninstalled everything from both PocketPC and PC, I got into PC registry and delete the Desktop Stats key (witch had the reg. number), and install again. This time the reg screen showed up again. Made the registration, soft reset the device, and it worked. At first I thought that that was a simple bug of the installation procedure, but now Im not so sure because I also notice that If you change the network adapter that gets monitored in the Network Adapter List, an error message generates on the PocketPC. If I Press OK the message disapears, and the network adapter changes normally. But if I don't pres OK and I select another network adapter, the program hangs and I'm back at the today screen. At first I couldn't find a connection between those two problems, and maybe there isn't one. But then again, the program might had been crashing because I hadn't select a network adapter right after the instalation. Anyway, it worth giving it a look just in case...
(All these wonderfull things hapen to a Cassiopeia E-125)

Steven Cedrone

09-01-2002, 07:27 PM

Warwick,

I have one other question for you: How many systems am I allowed to put the "server" software on, what is your license policy on this? I have one Pocket PC, but I have four PC's.....

Thanks again for efforts!

Steve

Warwick

09-02-2002, 01:29 AM

Ok I feel I need to say, this program was designed as stated on the Web sites as "Something for your pocket pc to do while its sitting in the cradle".
It was not designed as a nework monitoring tool or system administrators system notification system, If I had this in mind I would have made it much more robust and much more expensive. It is in every respect an informative screensaver for a device that does not need a screen saver.

In the words of my first customer "This program is totaly useless but way high on the cool factor."

As far as the Wireless goes, I stated it was wireless capable because It had been tested with a bluetooth wireless connection, it never occured to me that anyone would want to use it away from there PC, maybe lack of insight on my part there. I am still working on the wireless side of things but......

My main prioritory is to sort out the registration problems and other related ussues, I will Post a new version today with these things fixed.

The registration system is such that each PC will need a Registration code, Im looking into this so please be patient, I might do a volume discount or something. Once I get the Priority problems sorted I will post a firm answer to that.

Hope this clears the air,
Warwick.

PS, the Loopback network adapter is an internal network built into every system, this is what the Pocket PC would use if it was sitting in the cradle through USB and Active Sync.

the_rapture

09-02-2002, 04:12 PM

Alright! It's working on my Wireless 802.11b network! It took it awhile to get the data flowing but it's working. It shows a combined CPU status ( have a Dual AMD system). It doesn't up date as fast as the Windows Task Manager. It's showing an Intel Processor.

mparous

09-02-2002, 08:28 PM

" In the words of my first customer "This program is totaly useless but way high on the cool factor." "

I think that this statement clears up the whole thing. Desktop Stats is trully a cool screensaver for out PocketPC screen, that happens to show something that we like and we find usefull. But it seems that we've been carred away, and now we are asking for much more than the program was ment to offer. Anyway, I think that Warwick is right when he says that the registration system and all the other related issues are his main priority. First make it work good as it is, then concern for every other potential addition. In any case, if somebody needs a more powerful version of Desktop Stats, he could vote for it (I sure do). Maybe there could be a Desktop Stats Pro, with more capabilities, suport for multiple PC's, etc. etc. and of course at a differnent price.

wrevans

09-03-2002, 03:19 PM

If you would like a version that is IP unlimited, this would mean you could even see what your PC is doing over the net if you had a static IP or knew your IP address (Theoreticy), I would be happy to do a version.

Yes i would like to see this added.

Warwick

09-03-2002, 11:31 PM

Version 1.1 which has been released is IP unlimited. and clearer with the Documentation. I included a small tutorial for setting it up and fixed a lot internaly to stop some errors.

Hope this helps, you can get it from our web site or handango.

Warwick.
http://www.isglobal.com.au/desktopstats.asp

Brad Adrian

09-04-2002, 02:13 AM

I'd just like to state how pleased I am at Warwick's willingness to listen to constructive criticism and work to crank out a revised version! It's not often that you see this level of professionalism and eagerness.

Thanks for all your help!

mparous

09-04-2002, 10:49 AM

I just installed version 1.1.0, and all of the minor problems has been eliminated :D . It seems that the problem of the unexpected shutdown of the app after about 25 sec had to do with not selecting a network adaptor. Anyway, it is now solved. The problem with the error message at the switching of the adapter is also solved. But where is the thw tutorial; I don't sse it. Am I mising sometring here :?: