Pocket Backup Plus Version 2.1.2.1 for Windows Mobile 2003 Released

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.spritesoftware.com/products/download_backup.html">http://www.spritesoftware.com/products/download_backup.html</a><br /><br />Sprite Software has released an updated version of Pocket Backup Plus and has focused on Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC issues.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-pocketbackup/main.gif" /><br /><br />This includes support for scheduled and battery monitor initiated backup on Windows Mobile 2003 devices.

[ctmagnus]

I :ppclove: this software. And it just keeps getting better and better.

[Iglesiab]

Downloaded and installed upgrade on my hp2215. PPC still won't wake up when scheduled to and if I have the "stop processes before backup" option checked it does a soft reset as soon as it starts the backup process. Oh well, guess i'll stick to the built in IPAQ backup. I just really liked the "name backup automatically" and "mange old backup options" in the retail version.

[Len Egan]

Downloaded and installed upgrade on my hp2215. PPC still won't wake up when scheduled to and if I have the "stop processes before backup" option checked it does a soft reset as soon as it starts the backup process. Oh well, guess i'll stick to the built in IPAQ backup. I just really liked the "name backup automatically" and "mange old backup options" in the retail version.

Thanks for the heads up. I was about to load it onto my 2215, but you're saying the built-in is better? Thanks

[Iglesiab]

Well the retail is better, i just can't get it to work. If you do install it let me know how it goes.

[captgoodhope]

I installed on my hp2215, it's working fine. Did you get rid of remnants of the older version?

[robwoomer]

There is a known issue with the Sprite software and it doesn't work with the 2215. If you have the software already, there is a fix posted in the website. I downloaded the fix and now it works on my 2215 as well as the older version works on my 1910.

However, this updated version seems to incorporate that fix, so theoretically it should work properly right "out of the box".

[mhowie]

Is Pocket Backup (not PB Plus) "fixed" as well?

Thanks,

[Doug Raeburn]

I installed version 2.1.2.1 on my 2215. After it performed the first scheduled backup, I'd get the following error message every time I powered up:

"Unable to execute \Windows\SpriteStart.exe"

Uninstalling the software and soft resets didn't stop the error message from appearing.

I found out through their forums that this was caused by an entry in the db_notify_events database. With the freeware program dbView, I was able to delete the instance in the database that referred to the file in question, and that stopped the message from appearing. However, I understand that the message will reappear every time a scheduled backup is performed.

I reported this issue to Sprite... hopefully a fully operational WM 2003 version will be available soon.

[mhowie]

I, too, just installed version 2.1.2.1 on my 2215 and the "wakeup" problem is not fixed (at least on my machine). If I manually power on the unit, the scheduled backup will commence, but it still does not wakeup the 2215. Upon closer inspection, the latest version of Pocket Backup appears to replace the "SpriteWakeupService.exe" file with the old, offending one dated March, 2003.

I removed Pocket Backup (again), overwrote the "SpriteWakeupService.exe" file with the updated one found on the Sprite software website, and went back to iPAQ Backup. I ran a scheduled backup using iPAQ Backup (successful..."woke up the machine and ran", closed it down, and set an alarm using StopTime. It appears things have returned to pre-installation of the latest Pocket Backup as far as alarms go as StopTime "woke up" my 2215 and the alarm sounded as it should.

I am through experimenting with Pocket Backup until they prove they can get this right...or until HP/MS (whomever is at fault) fixes the OS issue which is causing all of these problems in the first place.

In retrospect, I could have tried overwriting the "SpriteWakeupService.exe" file with Pocket Backup installed, but shouldn't it have installed the correct one to begin with if it was truly fixed???

On a related note, there are some bugs/limitations with iPAQ Backup relating to scheduled backups and during the course of some email exchanges with Sprite's "Tech Support" staff, it is clear they are not well versed with their own product! Very disappointing experience thus far to say the least.

Thanks,

[captgoodhope]

"Unable to execute \Windows\SpriteStart.exe"

I started getting this too. I downloaded 'donothing.exe' from Scott Seligman's site, renamed it to spritestart.exe, and put it in the windows directory. That stopped the prompts.

[IanT]

IUnlike everybody here I do not have a 2200 series, rather a 3850 and I have major problems with this software - it wakes up but hangs. It doesn't stop processes and then takes 20 minutes plus to backup before I give in.

It rarely completes an automatic backup and I have taken to doing manual ones where I am able to start it again when it hangs (which it does).

I too would be happy if they got this software right as the concept is sound.

Ian

[Ed Hansberry]

I installed version 2.1.2.1 on my 2215. After it performed the first scheduled backup, I'd get the following error message every time I powered up:

"Unable to execute \Windows\SpriteStart.exe"

Uninstalling the software and soft resets didn't stop the error message from appearing.Yuck. Seem more testing is in order. :?

[iPaqDude]

I installed version 2.1.2.1 on my 2215. After it performed the first scheduled backup, I'd get the following error message every time I powered up:

"Unable to execute \Windows\SpriteStart.exe"

Uninstalling the software and soft resets didn't stop the error message from appearing.Yuck. Seem more testing is in order. :?

Same here. Kinda wish I had not downloaded and installed it now. Guess I will have to go the "donothing.exe" route to get rid of the prompt.

Come on, Sprite, let's get the act together....

[amg]

I installed version 2.1.2.1 on my 2215. After it performed the first scheduled backup, I'd get the following error message every time I powered up:

"Unable to execute \Windows\SpriteStart.exe"

Uninstalling the software and soft resets didn't stop the error message from appearing.

I found out through their forums that this was caused by an entry in the db_notify_events database. With the freeware program dbView, I was able to delete the instance in the database that referred to the file in question, and that stopped the message from appearing. However, I understand that the message will reappear every time a scheduled backup is performed.

I reported this issue to Sprite... hopefully a fully operational WM 2003 version will be available soon.

I'm having the same problem. Have you been able to determine whether the "Cannot execute..." error is just an annoyance notification, or whether it is related to a real underlying problem?

Also, even though I upgraded to 2.1.2.1 (by uninstalling and reinstalling) my version number in PBPlus is still reporting as 2.1.2 - any guess why??

[DareDevilNZ]

Pocket Backup 2.1.2.2 has just been made available for download. It addresses the problem with rescheduling that people have been reporting. This problem is manifested by the message that SpriteStart.exe could not be started.

When upgrading to Pocket Backup 2.1.2.2, you should also run the program available at this link: http://www.spritesoftware.com/downloads/RemoveSpriteSchedule.zip. This program will remove all current scheduled backups and is needed to stop the SpriteStart message. You should reschedule your backups after running this program and installing Pocket Backup 2.1.2.2.

The order in which you run the scheduled backup removal program and the Pocket Backup upgrade does not matter. Just make sure that the rescheduling is done last.

To identify if you have the patch installed, check the build number on the About screen. It should be 3081801 (the version number will still be 2.1.2).

[ctmagnus]

Very timely. I just encountered the glitch with 2.1.2.1.

[Certified Optimist]

Any point of upgrading if one is running 2002?

[petvas]

I am using Pocket Backup Plus with no issues whatsoever. Of course I do not have an 2215. I own an H5555. It seems that the issue is related to the H2215 and Pocket Backup Plus. Who knows what HP did with their ROM...
:roll:

[ctmagnus]

I am using Pocket Backup Plus with no issues whatsoever. Of course I do not have an 2215. I own an H5555. It seems that the issue is related to the H2215 and Pocket Backup Plus. Who knows what HP did with their ROM...
:roll:

The 555xs have the same issues as the the 221xs with regard to the SpriteNotification warning. Fortunately, the fix posted earlier will correct the problem without having to install v2.1.2.1.

[jmbneaf]

Great fix from Sprite!

The automated / scheduled backups were not working on my e755 with WM2003.

Now with the update / patch all is working fine.

Thanks for posting this guys!

-JB

[DareDevilNZ]

This upgrade does not do anything for PPC2002 users. It is for WM2003 only (although it runs just fine on PPC2002 devices)

[alien rider]

Fixes the wake up for scheduling issue on my H2215.

Regards,

B

[Certified Optimist]

This upgrade does not do anything for PPC2002 users. It is for WM2003 only (although it runs just fine on PPC2002 devices)

Thanks for confirming that.

[Rok]

This upgrade does not do anything for PPC2002 users. It is for WM2003 only (although it runs just fine on PPC2002 devices)
I beg to differ. I'm using PPC2002 on my 3970 and started getting the "cannot execute" error yesterday with the 2.1.2.1 version. After applying patch and the new version, everything seems OK - for now.

Cheers.
Rok

[Ed Hansberry]

This upgrade does not do anything for PPC2002 users. It is for WM2003 only (although it runs just fine on PPC2002 devices)
I beg to differ. I'm using PPC2002 on my 3970 and started getting the "cannot execute" error yesterday with the 2.1.2.1 version. After applying patch and the new version, everything seems OK - for now.
I think he was referring to the 2.1.2.1 update. That was for 2003 only, though it runs on 2002.

[Rok]

I think he was referring to the 2.1.2.1 update. That was for 2003 only, though it runs on 2002.
:oops: Right. In my geekiness, I tend to upgrade the software just for the sake of it, even if it runs OK. One of these days, I'll learn... (Yeah, right...)

Cheers.
Rok

[Certified Optimist]

Rule number one... if it works don't upgrade. Otherwise the little demon who runs things in the Pocket PC will get confused and mess things up :wink: