Microsoft Reader 2.3 Released

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/reader/info/ppc.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/reader/info/ppc.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Now you can get more from your eBooks on your Pocket PC device. This version includes updates for known performance issues, and adds exciting new features, including pan and zoom capabilities for embedded graphics, and screen rotation capability between portrait and landscape modes for more natural, comfortable reading (Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition devices only)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/msreader.gif" /><br /><br />Dell Axim X30 owners, rejoice! You can now read eBooks again. It's funny, I was initially going to bemoan the fact that it's a RAM install, then I remembered that Windows Mobile 2003 SE doesn't include MS Reader in ROM anymore, so it's a moot point. X30 owners can install the app (I would hope) to the chunky 30.88 MB of Flash ROM, so it's almost the same thing. :wink:

[ChristopherTD]

Neat - it now handles little decorations correctly instead of displaying them full screen.

So far so good...

[Chris Spera]

I wonder, does this effect your Activation quota at all?? Jason, do you have any idea if this is going to mess with this, or should it be handled like any reinstall of the software??

[Jason Dunn]

I wonder, does this effect your Activation quota at all?? Jason, do you have any idea if this is going to mess with this, or should it be handled like any reinstall of the software??

No clue - I've never activated any version of MS Reader.

[Janak Parekh]

I wonder, does this effect your Activation quota at all?? Jason, do you have any idea if this is going to mess with this, or should it be handled like any reinstall of the software??
In theory, activating the same device a second time (or more) shouldn't mess with your activation quota.

--janak

[dma1965]

Unless it has changed with this version, all you need to do is browse to the Windows directory on the Pocket PC and copy the following files: secrep.dat , secrep.dll , secrep.xml , secrepid.dat . Copy them to a storage card, or wherever you want, then copy them back to your Pocket PC Windows directory for hassle free reactivation.

[Zab]

I keep seeing the " Activation Quota " mentioned, what is this?

[huangzhinong]

Nice, I never use MS reader. So happy that MS reader is not bundled in SE any more. :D

Did they take out MSN messenger and VPN? :?

[bjornkeizers]

You can only actvate a device a certain number of times with a single MSN Passport. Activate it too many times and you run into problems buying and using encrypted books; that's why we need to know.

[ironguy]

MS has decided that you can only 'activate' MSReader on a certain number of devices. Not sure what the exact number is at this time, but it used to be 6. Activation is required to read DRM encrypted books on MSReader.

People generally tend to confuse the number of activation devices with the number of activations. You can activate Reader on the same device as many times as necessary. You can do that on 6 different devices. If you run out of activations (i.e. you need to activate a 7th device), you 'simply' call MS and request additional activations.

If you don't read DRM encrytped .lit files, then you don't need to activate reader. It's usable without being activated.

[Janak Parekh]

If you run out of activations (i.e. you need to activate a 7th device), you 'simply' call MS and request additional activations.
It's 8, I believe. You can get the full details at their Activation FAQ (http://www.microsoft.com/reader/info/support/faq/activation.asp).

--janak

[Swordsman74]

Ack... For Windows Mobile 2003 SE devices only... I guess me and my "old" Dell Axim X5 are stuck reading in portrait mode - dangit!! It is getting increasingly less likely that Dell will release 2003SE to us, so I may have to pursue converting my .lit to HTML files if I really want to read in landscape mode...

[Don't Panic!]

I installed this on my X30/624 after deleting the old version and the activation carried over from the previous install. Us X30 users could use MS Reader for Pocket PC but it couldn't be used in landscape mode until now.

Don't Panic!
Bobby

[prototype]

Well I just installed the new version on my 4155. I buy and download free books all the time, so I was interested in all these improvements.

Since 2003 did include it in ROM, I did not have to uninstall a previous version. The install was simple, and took 1.85megs of RAM on my Ipaq. I did NOT have to reactivate reader ... it maintained my activation from before the upgrade. :D

I don't notice alot of change in the "look" of it ... infact I had to go into settings and verify the version (2.3 Build 4182) just to make sure the upgrade worked because it looks identical. :?

I hope all these improvements become evident as I use it, because they are not overly obvious. :roll:

[joelevi]

Well I just installed the new version on my 4155. I buy and download free books all the time, so I was interested in all these improvements.

...

I don't notice alot of change in the "look" of it ... infact I had to go into settings and verify the version (2.3 Build 4182) just to make sure the upgrade worked because it looks identical. :?

I hope all these improvements become evident as I use it, because they are not overly obvious. :roll:

Same here... update went perfectly, reset the device for the "new fonts" to take effect (as instructed), launched Reader, and.... looks exactly the same. Checkec the version: 2.3, so it worked... but was it worth the couple meg of space?

[volvomike]

I might be the first to actually try the new version, 2.3. Unfortunately, after a smooth install, the activation did not work. I repeatedly got the same message, as with the old version 2.2.2......"Activation Error. You have an older version of Pocket PC which does not support activation. Activation requires PPC 2002 or later". I have emailed MS Support, and will post any response.
Has anyone else successfully activated on an X30 HI ??
(By the way, I am very familiar with the download/activate process, since I used it on my X5, and X3).

CAN ANYONE HELP! Thanks

[Janak Parekh]

Ack... For Windows Mobile 2003 SE devices only... I guess me and my "old" Dell Axim X5 are stuck reading in portrait mode - dangit!!
If you're running WM2003 First Edition, landscape should work, so long as you enable it via a third-party utility. I was reading landscape ebooks on my e805 running WM2003 FE. This is specifically to correct bugs that are exhibited in SE when running it in landscape mode.

It is getting increasingly less likely that Dell will release 2003SE to us
I really wouldn't expect SE for an X5. It's two generations old now.

--janak

[ChristopherTD]

One improvement is in the handling of images. Small in-line images in some books (like the decorations at the top of a chapter) sometimes were displayed full screen horribly pixellated. This is now corrected. You can also view larger images such as maps with a scrolling zoomable viewer, which is much better than the single view you had before.

The text handling remains the same so most books will look exactly the same.

[alex_kac]

Ack... For Windows Mobile 2003 SE devices only... I guess me and my "old" Dell Axim X5 are stuck reading in portrait mode - dangit!!
If you're running WM2003 First Edition, landscape should work, so long as you enable it via a third-party utility. I was reading landscape ebooks on my e805 running WM2003 FE. This is specifically to correct bugs that are exhibited in SE when running it in landscape mode.

It is getting increasingly less likely that Dell will release 2003SE to us
I really wouldn't expect SE for an X5. It's two generations old now.

--janak

Perhaps, but they did make SE for the X5 and X3, though it was only given to some developers.

[miterb]

I just installed it on my Tosh e740 (PPC 2002) and the speed of accessing a book with illustrations is MUCH improved. I had given up on MS Reader recently because of this.

Brad

[csterns]

Well I just got hit with the activation rejection. I was unaware there was even a quota (it's 6 BTW). I upgrade computers and handhelds frequently and just got dinged on my new laptop. I've got a new Dell on order due here in a couple of weeks so I'm dead. Any ideas what I can do?

[Darren Behan]

I installed everything without any issue except that I now have two of the Reader help files (probably since I installed to a storage card) neither of which I can delete and neither of which I need. Both point to the same updated file. Anyone know where this is and how I can dump it (them)?

Thanks in advance.

db

[Janak Parekh]

Perhaps, but they did make SE for the X5 and X3, though it was only given to some developers.
I believe you, but I was referring to a public release. ;)

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

Well I just got hit with the activation rejection. I was unaware there was even a quota (it's 6 BTW). I upgrade computers and handhelds frequently and just got dinged on my new laptop. I've got a new Dell on order due here in a couple of weeks so I'm dead. Any ideas what I can do?
Contact Microsoft -- the activation site should have info. They should reset it for you. (Not ideal per se, but it's not like you have a choice. :|)

--janak

[ahintz]

I installed the new version of Reader to the "Built-In Storage" of my Axim X30 and found that the fonts wouldn't install correctly. I had to manually copy them to the Windows\Fonts folder and reset. I also had to manually create a Start Menu shortcut for Reader because the one in the Start Menu pointed to Windows\msreader.exe rather then Built-in Storage\Microsoft Reader\msreader.exe which is where Reader is stored. Otherwise, the new version seems little changed from the old. The biggest item is definately the ability to finally view images on the PocketPC.

--Andrew

[Paolo Masera]

I don't notice alot of change in the "look" of it ... infact I had to go into settings and verify the version (2.3 Build 4182) just to make sure the upgrade worked because it looks identical. :?

How did you check the version ?
I've tried looking for version but I didn't find.
Can you explain me ?

Thanks

Paolo

[disconnected]

Paulo,
When you go into settings from the library screen, there is actually more than one page of settings. Just page down, and the version number is on page 3.

[prototype]

Yes, but all those settings (bookmarks, highlights, text notes, and drawings) were items available in the previous version as well. And the only setting "changes" you can make are ON (checked) or OFF (unchecked)

I keep ALL my books on my SD card, just so they are all in once place. I mean it is a 512 meg SD card ... not like I am hurting for space. I would not have minded being able to flag a book as READ, ARCHIVE, or ACTIVE, and then be able to sort or filter on them. I like having all my books available on it, but I'd like to be able to NOT see the one's I've JUST finished reading.

-Drew

[Don't Panic!]

Has anyone else successfully activated on an X30 HI ?? (By the way, I am very familiar with the download/activate process, since I used it on my X5, and X3).

CAN ANYONE HELP! ThanksActivation worked like a charm on my X30/624. I didn't even have to use activation again, it carried over from the previous activation of the old Reader. Only advice I can give is to install it in main memory and contact microsoft if the activation process still doesn't work.

Don't Panic!
Bobby

[Paolo Masera]

Paulo,
When you go into settings from the library screen, there is actually more than one page of settings. Just page down, and the version number is on page 3.


Thanks, I've missed it.
Version 2.3 (build 4182) no chances noted

[rocky_raher]

People generally tend to confuse the number of activation devices with the number of activations. You can activate Reader on the same device as many times as necessary. You can do that on 6 different devices. If you run out of activations (i.e. you need to activate a 7th device), you 'simply' call MS and request additional activations.


Keep in mind, if you have to send you PDA to the shop for service, and they simply replace it, it's a second device. Even after a complete restore from your original PDA, your old activation won't work. You must acquire another activation, which counts against your quota.

Perhaps I miscounted, but last night I activated Reader on my new Samsung SPH-i700, and I thought it was my 7th or 8th activation. My two Jornadas were serviced/replaced twice each, plus two or three desktops. I suspect Microsoft ignores activations more than some cutoff age. So maybe the limit isn't 6 in a lifetime, but 6 in any 3-year interval (or something like that).

[Don't Panic!]

The image selector thing is the bomb! I can finally check out the maps in my Sci-Fi books from Baen (http://www.baen.com/library/). Now I've got to load "Hell's Faire" by John Ringo and see what it does with the Sluggy Freelance comics he added at the end.

Don't Panic!
Bobby

[Don't Panic!]

Now if I can just get the MSReader people to talk to the PIE people I could finally read Sluggy on one of my devices...

On my X30 two clicks from minimum (after holding down my stylus on the picture and choosing View picture from the popup) gave me vertically scrollable Sunday type strips that I could actually read.

The native Landscape function in WM2003SE is changing everything!

Don't Panic!
Bobby

[BugDude10]

...WM2003SE is changing everything!

And OEMs screwing existing customers by not releasing software updates/upgrades is changing nothing! :?

[minimage]

I read last night about one guy who said his request to receive more activations was denied. This bothered me, since I hadn't activated my TabletPC, yet, and I did my ROM updates pretty much one at a time.

Let's list the devices I have probably activated at least once:
work PC
home PC
older Tablet (perhaps more than once; I did re-load Windows on it)
laptop
pocketpc (probably something like 2-4 times; there were 3 ROM updates)

So I activated the TabletPC with no issues. I let the battery run down in my Axim, and I was planning to do a fresh load, but no way. I'll just restore my months-old backup (which means I'll have to get a db editor and kill some Outlook entries, in order to get my mail synchronizing again; it never fails). Then again, with that program that lets you extract files from your backup, perhaps I CAN do a fresh load without issue, and just get those activation files and stick them back on...

I just don't want to mess anything up for the next device.