Is Windows Mobile 2003 making my new Axim sluggish? [Archive]

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MoelBrain

07-07-2003, 07:20 PM

I was playing around with my new Axim and noticed that is was more sluggish than my old one, especially when running Reader or WMP. Is this normal or is it a problem with this one.

David Prahl

07-07-2003, 09:06 PM

What switcher app are you using? I thought that some software I was using was slowing down my Axim (1st gen), but it turned out that it was my switcher software, which was not shutting down open programs.

Close everything down, and then try those apps again.

How much free system RAM do you have left? 10 is cutting it close, I always aim for 20 or so.

MoelBrain

07-07-2003, 11:33 PM

I'm using switcher bar and I have 20+ mb of ram for for program memory.

David Prahl

07-08-2003, 12:22 AM

Nevermind! :oops:

<slowly turns and walks away>

<sulk>

merle

07-09-2003, 03:55 AM

Looks like others have seen a slow-down with WM2003 on an Axim. See this thread:
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15367

mr_Ray

07-09-2003, 11:08 PM

I was playing around with my new Axim and noticed that is was more sluggish than my old one, especially when running Reader or WMP. Is this normal or is it a problem with this one.

I infact registered just to say "AAARRGH IT'S SLOW!!!"

Now that's over, I'll get on with it. Yes WMP and Reader are really buggy on my new today Axim. WMP skips and chops even simple audio if you dare do something else while it plays.
Reader seems a bit slow but especially when bringing up menus - do you get the five or six second delay while it draws the menu shadow?

Also, in the SPB benchmark results, file performance is MUCH slower.

Moel - have you ran this too? If so, how were your results?

Kevin C. Tofel

07-10-2003, 04:51 PM

For the folks who have benchmarked their ROM upgraded Axims (as opposed to new Axims with WM2003 already installed): I'd be curious if you have the PXA250 or PXA255 processor.

I'm wondering if WM2003 is slower on the 250 chip that has a slower bus speed......

Thanks!
KCT

JoeMoon

07-10-2003, 05:08 PM

I have a first generation Axim that I have always thought was sluggish... But after confering with a friend who recently purchased a new Ipqa - we kinda concluded is was the operating system.

We are both using PPC 2002 OS. We were used to the previous version of the OS on our former devices, which seemed more responsive and snappier.

I am curious if it would be hardward related...

Joe...

guinness

07-10-2003, 05:08 PM

Over on the Dell Axim boards, an individual ran the spb benchmarks on 3 different Axims, 2 PXA-250's with 2002, and a PXA-255 with 2003. In the overall index score, the Axim with 2003 finished last.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=aximgensw&message.id=4348

Not a good sign for Axim owners.

1. Dell Axim X5 (2002, 400Mhz PXA250) benched by SPB

2. Axim 400Mhz PXA250 2002 A0 I ordered when they first came out.

3. Axim 400Mhz PXA255 2003 A4 I just recieved this week.

Spb Benchmark index
752 757 543

CPU index
912 882 1768
File system index
855 929 291
Graphics index
434 423 448
Platform index
629 630 286
Write 1 MB file (KB/sec)
657 725 944
Read 1 MB file (MB/sec)
15.9 15.6 8.74
Copy 1 MB file (KB/sec)
716 730 1004
Write 10 KB x 100 files (KB/sec)
477 496 614
Read 10 KB x 100 files (MB/sec)
5.26 5.72 2.98
Copy 10 KB x 100 files (KB/sec)
376 401 533
Directory list of 2000 files (thousands of files/sec)
112 121 2.98
Internal database read (records/sec)
398 684 316
Graphics test: DDB BitBlt (frames/sec)
41.8 41 40.7
Graphics test: DIB BitBlt (frames/sec)
12.3 12.3 22.3
Graphics test: GAPI BitBlt (frames/sec)
47.1 45.8 46.7
Pocket Word document open (KB/sec)
22.5 21.4 35.3
Pocket Internet Explorer HTML load (KB/sec)
4.73 4.95 0.775
Pocket Internet Explorer JPEG load (KB/sec)
79.7 79.5 134
File Explorer large folder list (files/sec)
238 234 234
Compress 1 MB file using ZIP (KB/sec)
65.5 61.8 229
Decompress 1024x768 JPEG file (KB/sec)
423 412 567
Arkaball frames per second (frames/sec)
38.2 38.5 40.3
CPU test: Whetstones MFLOPS (Mop/sec)
0.061 0.063 0.073
CPU test: Whetstones MOPS (Mop/sec)
54.1 53.6 53.1
CPU test: Whetstones MWIPS (Mop/sec)
3.96 4.03 4.82
Memory test: copy 1 MB using memcpy (MB/sec)
65 63.7 107

Bob S

07-10-2003, 06:02 PM

More Here

http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=fc525caac21825120c01ee02708359de&threadid=83192&perpage=10&pagenumber=1

Foo Fighter

07-10-2003, 06:06 PM

Oh great. I have my copy on order, and was really looking forward to this upgrade. I may cancel now. :evil:

snave

07-10-2003, 06:12 PM

mr_Ray

07-10-2003, 06:32 PM

I haven't upgraded my Axim yet, however I use and resell software that fully encrypts the device including CF and SD memory cards. This software had a problem with the Dell as the microswitch in the SD slot was telling the device that a memory card was in the slot, even if it was the blanking plate. This cause the devise to almost stop working. For those who are having the problem has anyone tried running it without any memory or blanking plates, as applications on the Dell could be trying to check the memory cards.

Since I wanted to give my new unit a fair shot, the benchmark was run on it as soon as it came out of the box. No CF, no installed programs, nothing. I got results very similar to those posted a few msgs ago. Good basic CPU scores compared to the PXA250/PPC2002 - doubtlessly due to the PPC2003 optimisation and the plain faster CPU. Anything to do with memory or file system access just plain sucks though - we're talking about degrees of magnitude worse here!!! WMP and MS Reader also have nasty bugs not present on any other units.

I tried a reset thinking that might help, but again got the same bad results. I've tried with and without CF/SD cards in. I've since seen quite a few independant users doing the same on the new WM2003 Axims.

There's no real conclusion here other than that Dell put out a very much second rate WM2003 unit.

....and they won't admit to it.

MoelBrain

07-10-2003, 06:43 PM

Wow! I just tried Pocket SNES and it could play DKC, Chrono Trigger, and FF6 at playable speed with sound.

guinness

07-10-2003, 06:47 PM

There's no real conclusion here other than that Dell put out a very much second rate WM2003 unit.

....and they won't admit to it.

Or maybe Dell has been making second rate units all along, it's just that PPC 2003 is exposing these flaws more than on PPC 2002; They are making some shortcuts to sell these units at such a low price, maybe cheaper RAM, LCD, etc.

ian100

07-10-2003, 08:28 PM

Does anybody know where I can find the page to purchace the upgrade CDs?

AZMark

07-10-2003, 11:35 PM

Check the main page, looks like HP's are having similar problems. Looks like Dell is not to blame. Seems MS is putting out a bad CF driver. Hopefully we'll see a fix soon.

AZMark

merle

07-11-2003, 05:19 PM

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16268

Dell Tech Support re 2003 Slowdown

Hi all.

Thought I'd post this as a new thread since there seem to be so many separate ones.

As you may or may not know, I ordered an Axim on 23 June 03, and I received it with the OLD 2002 OS (even though I ordered ppc2003). However, the D Pad was broken and I got a replacement ppc2003 OS model - I can thus compare directly (I still have both - the other has not been picked up yet).

I got offf the phone to Dell Tech Support today and:

1) They are aware of the problem and acknowledge it *IS* a problem

2) As far as they are aware, ALL newly shipped Axims are affected (so posts from users saying that their new Axims are "lightning fast" are surprising.)

3) They are URGENTLY working on a fix "he said they were pressurising their technical support team". The tech support rep said that a fix should be available by fri next week.

4) No info about old axims that have been upgraded is available -I guess this is because no CDs have been shipped yet. No info about whether the new CDs would ship fixed or not - he didn't know.

This is ALL the info that I got. I cannot vouch for its reliability or truthfulness - draw your own conclusions and please don't base any plans on this info (disclaimer over ...)

Crazyp

PetiteFlower

07-11-2003, 09:53 PM

mr_Ray

07-11-2003, 11:02 PM

I don't think it's the unit. Since the OEMs all alter the operating system a bit to tailor it to each device, I think whatever tweaks Dell put in the software must be causing the problem. This appears to be a software problem not hardware.

It's probably one of the drivers or something, true. Doesn't change the fact that the thing is an absolute dog, though. If PPCs were people this would be crippled and laying up in hospital. Especially mine which is now totally dead.

Bit of a shame that I have to get an iPAQ instead, I really liked the idea of having an Axim with a huge 3400mAH battery, and saving a few quid, but it just isn't worth it. It's going back, to be replaced with a 2215.

HP, here I come with my wallet wide open, sell me a PPC!

sponge

07-12-2003, 12:33 AM

Someone sent in scores of PocketQuake on the Dell with PPC2003, and it's 5.3 FPS faster on the 300MHz device. (12.5 FPS from 7.2 FPS) Just thought I'd add that.

http://www.pocketmatrix.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=118237
(Geez I've pimped this forum link in so many threads heh)

boyo

07-14-2003, 05:40 PM

Dell must've misconfigured the processor bus or memory speed accidentally. Everything I've seen shows PPC03 just screams!

We've tested several PPC03 devices on major enterprise apps - databases, SFA/CRM, etc. Apps that really hammer on memory and file system. On all Pocket PC 2003 systems they run significantly faster (50% to 70%) compared to Pocket PC 2002. We haven't run the Dell tests yet.

Has anyone run Pocket Hack Master to see what it reports for processor, bus, and memory speed? Be interesting to compare against the PPC02 Dell.

-Boyo

PetiteFlower

07-15-2003, 02:59 PM

For those who feel cheated, I feel extremely confident that Dell will release a fix for this problem shortly if you can be just a wee bit patient. Note that Dell was the FIRST company to have upgrades ready to order so perhaps they did not test as well as they should have.

QYV

07-15-2003, 07:57 PM

sracer

07-15-2003, 08:45 PM

Looks like Dell is (publically) denying there's a problem:

http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-1025531.html?tag=fd_top

If you have an Axim with WM 2003, I suggest you call Dell and lodge a "formal complaint", since they claim they haven't gotten even one...

Impossible. The 2 times that I called Dell's Customer could-Care-less they denied that there were any problems w/WM2003 or that anyone else complained. When I attempted to provide them with information, they refused to accept it. This is how Dell can "honestly" say there are no official complaints.... because they won't accept any!

boyo

07-16-2003, 06:55 PM

Could one of you with this slowness problem please run Pocket Hack Master and report the settings here? It'd help explain what the problem is, and you can give Dell a specific thing to fix.

Needed values are: L/M/N, Run speed, Turbo speed, SDRAM speed, bus speed, SDRAM latency, clocks, etc.

-Boyo

takotchi

07-30-2003, 12:47 AM

07-30-2003, 01:14 AM

I hear that this file on Dell's FTP...

ftp://ftp.dell.com/utility/R64365.EXE

...is the A05 ROM, for PPC 2003. Possibly the patch people are waiting for, I don't know. I just saw it on Aximsite... too big for me to download, it's 29MB.

I know we are not supposed to use this new ROM version unless WM2003 is installed, but it's rather tempting to try.

takotchi

07-30-2003, 02:11 AM

It looks to see what ROM you have... so it doesn't work. Buuut... I wouldn't be surprised if somebody cracks it. I'm downloading it anyway, just to mess with it... you can backup your old ROM anyway, just in case.

(nobody lecture me about that, because I paid for that overpriced CD from Dell and they STILL have not got off their lazy butt and sent it, nor offered it for download, and I never pirate things, so... don't even say it)

sracer

07-30-2003, 03:16 AM

It is only the installer that prevents it from installing.... If you download it, unpack it manually, and send the file to your Axim and install it from there it will work. (This was the procedure for some who had to downlevel their Axims from A03 to A02).

I wouldn't recommend it though, I doubt you'd be supported should anything go wrong.

takotchi

07-30-2003, 03:19 AM

Apparently, that has been tried already. It didn't work...

I wish they would have let us buy this stupid thing on-line and download it! >_<

Since, of course, the CD is going to be pirated anyway...

sracer

07-30-2003, 04:41 AM

Somebody on Aximsite is in the process of trying just that...he's going to post his results shortly.

takotchi

07-30-2003, 06:14 AM

I followed the post on Aximsite and flashed the '03 ROM to my PXA250 '02 device, and it's working perfectly.

Everything seemed normal, nice and zippy... so I loaded Tomb Raider (a fully 3D game) and the difference in amazing... it is so much smoother than before. Maybe it is something else, or maybe it is WM2k3... but the most demanding app I have is... much faster!

(once again, I'll say I did order the upgrade CD and won't cancel it, I intend to pay for this!)

PetiteFlower

07-30-2003, 06:33 AM

You installed the update on a 2002 device and it worked? Did it actually upgrade the OS? That's odd, I wouldn't expect that to work. Stranger things have happened though I guess.

takotchi

07-30-2003, 06:37 AM

Well, yeah, it's the entire ROM, about 25MB in size. I guess it has to flash the whole ROM, not pieces...

Keep in mind, it won't let you just install it without, well, cracking it.

I just opened Reader and that's also moving along quite nicely. Not instant, but faster than 2002, IMO.

[edit] I figured maybe I shouldn't have posted even the general idea of how to crack the ROM, so... there. =P

guinness

08-01-2003, 12:02 AM

I concur, the A05 PPC 2003 makes quite a speed difference, even on the PXA-250. I didn't seem to make much difference in Pocket Nester, but for Pocket MVP, WMP the video is a lot smoother. In Real Player, the speed difference is dramatic; I know Real usually=crap, but I have some videos that would studder in '02 and now play very well in '03.

(I did order the upgrade too)

PetiteFlower

08-01-2003, 01:31 AM

See that's what I've been waiting to hear about too. All I was hearing about was with the 255 chip which I don't have.

Have you noticed applications opening faster at all?

takotchi

08-01-2003, 02:14 AM

I want to get a benchmarking program from somewhere and try it out; I looked at SPB Benchmark but 16MB is too large for me to download right now. But I want to try and benchmark it later...

...but yes, programs open a teeny bit faster, not much though. I have the window animations on (a registry hack) and they fly by, indicating some general speed increase. I also increase the font cache (another reg. hack), maybe that plays some part, but it's still faster than 2002, where I had the same settings.