Be Safe with SafeMode For PocketPC [Archive]

Jon Westfall

06-08-2005, 01:04 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.monocube.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.monocube.com/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I've developed this program because many times, after I installed some programs, my PocketPC froze or kept soft-rebooting. This way I don't need to hard-reset my PDA when that happens."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-20050608-safe.jpg" /> <br /><br />Here is a useful and ingenious little app. Installing as a service, when activated it disables your startup items. I've had a few times myself where a startup has gotten out of control and I can't get in to stop it, and unfortunatly a hard-reset was necessary. This looks like it could have saved me a few hours of re-setting up!

zetsurin

06-08-2005, 01:36 PM

Bravo! This is a much needed application and is going to save a lot of people a lot of time.

powder2000

06-08-2005, 03:22 PM

BSOD! Cool, they could have at least made it NOT blue!

monocube

06-08-2005, 03:50 PM

pivaska

06-08-2005, 04:57 PM

Just down loaded it and it works great! I had the password feature turned on and you won't see the notice to press action until it is too late unless you just keep pressing action as the password screen loads and then after you enter your password it goes into safe mode.

monocube

06-08-2005, 05:02 PM

Hi pivaska,
I know about that issue. It also happens if you have "MY INFO" enabled. I will fix that in future versions

Tye

06-08-2005, 05:48 PM

Maybe for the .7 or .8 release we could also have selective start ups? i.e. starting only the programs/processes/SIPs we want from a checklist?

I'm not sure how deep you want to dive into this project, but I have no doubt it will save me headaches in the future.

Jereboam

06-08-2005, 05:52 PM

Does anybody know if this works with the 4700's touchpad? The touch Action is a real PITA sometimes to get a result from...

If nobody knows I suppose I'll be the guinea pig... ;)

J'bm

monocube

06-08-2005, 05:53 PM

Tye: Actually, yes, you have read my mind. :)

About the Action button, in the following versions, the key will be configurable.

Tye

06-08-2005, 06:04 PM

Does anybody know if this works with the 4700's touchpad? The touch Action is a real PITA sometimes to get a result from...

If nobody knows I suppose I'll be the guinea pig... ;)

J'bm

The program is working great on my 4705. Make sure you're not in cursor mode.
Yeah, the navpad pretty much sucks. :?

hnelson59

06-08-2005, 06:38 PM

looks like a much needed utility/application. posted a link to this thread and to monocube's website over on Aximsite (http://www.aximsite.com). :mrgreen:

monocube

06-08-2005, 07:31 PM

I've just updated it to version 0.5 :)

As promised, it now disables Services, and I've included a Help file. Also, I got rid of the BSOD :). It now uses the current them image as background.

You may want to check it out.

welovejesus

06-08-2005, 10:25 PM

It so nice that monocube has a solution. Although, I wish I would have known about monocube a few days ago (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40528&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=10).
Big thanks to the developer for making this free :way to go:

monocube

06-08-2005, 10:35 PM

heh, I wish I knew about myself a few days ago too :D
I lost some important stuff, that's why I started writing this one.

masaki

06-08-2005, 11:27 PM

Great app! Thanks!!

There's one problem. I'm running it on iPAQ 3970. I have Pocket Plus and the battery meter on but after leaving Safe Mode, Pocket Plus doesn't run. I think Pocket Plus runs as a service. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but the only way I got Pocket Plus to run is to reinstall it.

monocube

06-08-2005, 11:36 PM

I will install a trial version of Pocket Plus (if available) to check what's going on.

EDIT:
I just installed the latest trial version of Spb Pocket Plus, and entered Safe Mode three times. Each time it starts normally after soft-reset. Indeed, aside from the Today plugin, it also has a service, but that is disabled successfully.
One note: after entering Safe Mode and soft-resetting once with the stylus, it is absolutely necessary to let it restart the 2nd time by itself, and not using the stylus. This is due to the operations SafeMode needs to do to re-enable all services and plugins.

Patrick Y.

06-08-2005, 11:50 PM

:)
there's no "they". I've had some people having nightmares about the blue color, so I'll work on cosmetics for next versions ;) right now I'm focusing on functionality, meaning disabling Services and 3rd party SIP plugins :)

thank you all for support.

It is one of the BEST application ever. I used to suffer a lot from startup issues.This program seems to be the solution. Thanks for distributing it as freeware :clap: :clap: !!!!

Tye

06-09-2005, 05:02 AM

I just installed the newest .5 on my 4705 and can't get it to work with password protection on. The screen goes blank (as usual) before the pass prompt comes on and I haven't been able to get the timing to work to get into safemode.

Works great when pass protection is turned off.

T-Will

06-09-2005, 05:25 AM

Very cool...although i can't recall ever having an issue with a startup program, I've loaded it anyways in case I need to use it in the future, thanks!

monocube

06-09-2005, 08:19 AM

Tye, I will work on the password/"my info" screeens issue today. Hopefully I'll be able to come up with something

masaki

06-09-2005, 08:49 AM

One note: after entering Safe Mode and soft-resetting once with the stylus, it is absolutely necessary to let it restart the 2nd time by itself, and not using the stylus. This is due to the operations SafeMode needs to do to re-enable all services and plugins.

Thanks for the tip. Pocket Plus works fine now after Safemode.

ipaq_wannabe

06-09-2005, 05:24 PM

great...!!! awesome....!!!
it now disables some services as can be seen in the attached pics (taken from my Axim x50v)

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=7547
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=7548

edit ---

however, i do find that the ORDER of execution of the startup programs have been re-ordered...

Tye

06-09-2005, 08:28 PM

More info/questions for you:
1. It turns out I can get the PPC into safe mode with password protection on, but I have to tap the select button immediately after pressing the last number in my password. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get the timing right.

2. On the 4705, the select text now shows properly when password protection isn't on. I had mentioned this before, and assume you know already.

3. The Today screen background does not display properly when in safemode. I think this might be due to the fact that I'm using a QVGA background with a VGA PPC?

4. Can you tell us what are the possible risks of using SafeMode? What could potentially go wrong if, after getting into safemode, the SafeMode program doesn't write things back to the way they were? Is this even a possibility?

5. Has anyone used SafeMode with Picture Pass? I've been thinking about trying this program out.

monocube

06-09-2005, 08:40 PM

I've just released v0.6.

Tye: mind sync; I just fixed your no. 1 issue with a sound warning. Meaning, even if you don't see the message, you will hear an Alarm (at the current system volume. So you can then press Action. Read the project page for more info.

3. I'm not sure about the VGA part. I couldn't get the emulator to run, so I just worked blindly for VGA support. I will check later on.

4. Nothing is deleted by SafeMode, just renamed. There is a very small chance things are not renamed back, if you don't let it restart by itself the second time when exiting SafeMode. I will work on a fail-proof method for restoring settings in next version.

5. Don't know what Picture Pass is. :P

Jason Lee

06-09-2005, 08:54 PM

Tye

06-09-2005, 08:59 PM

Oh, now I remember the other problem I had.
When I installed SafeMode .5 last night, the help file didn't pop up. IE came up but it couldn't find the file.
I use CabInstall to move everything to the iPAQ Filestore so I'm guessing there's an issue with the file path for the help file.
Would it be best to install SafeMode to main memory?

monocube

06-09-2005, 09:02 PM

Can you live for 2-3 days? ;)
I will make a User Interface for it, with options, so you can pick your favorite sound. Won't be very large in size, either.

EDIT: Tye, yes, I would recommend installing it to main memory. It's not that large.

Jason Lee

06-09-2005, 09:03 PM

HAHA. Sure, I think I will be able to survive. :D

Tye

06-09-2005, 09:03 PM

oh.. eerr.. hmm.. that alarm everytime i reboot is umm.. I dunno how long i can live with that. LOL

There is obviously not a way to make the sound optional without adding a lot to your program. How about it you use MenuPop.wav or hwandsw.wav or even Voicbeep.wav instead of alarm1.wav. I really cannot stand that sound. ;)

The more I listen to them Voicbeep.wav might be a really good sound that every pocket pc will have. Or MenuPop.wav.

I can't installed .6 until I get home but I was having the same thought. Maybe SafeMode could look for a file called safemode.wav? This way we could use any sound we want. Personally, I'd probably choose something barely audible so it doesn't really get noticed during normal operations but just enough for the times I need it.

Monocube, thanks for listening to all the suggestions. I hope you can see, even with all the comments and requests, how much everyone appreciates your work here. I'm now not so scared to take just my PPC on business trips.

Patrick Y.

06-09-2005, 11:24 PM

I've just released v0.6.

GREAT WORK! :clap: :clap: :rotfl:

ipaq_wannabe

06-09-2005, 11:49 PM

I've just released v0.6.

GREAT WORK! :clap: :clap: :rotfl:

i just installed 0.5 last night, and now 0.6?

great!!!

monocube

06-09-2005, 11:52 PM

well, I have some spare time until I start my exams ;)

EDIT: I've updated the website a bit. Made it a blog with RSS for easier updates. Also added forums. News and downloads are there. I hope you like it.

Jason Lee

06-10-2005, 04:05 PM

monocube

06-11-2005, 12:45 PM

Updated SafeMode to 0.65. I've changed the default safemode sound with Voicbeep.wav (thanks Jason Lee ;)); or you can just place a safemode.wav in your Windows folder. Also, SafeMode is unloaded from memory on normal startups, after 3 seconds.

I hope it works for you ;)

Jason Lee

06-12-2005, 07:31 AM

wow, very cool! this just keeps getting better!

Patrick Y.

06-12-2005, 07:44 AM

Safemode is great. Though, it seems to conflict with some other softwares, one of them is Dynamo. I will be grateful if someone can look into the problem.

Jason Lee

06-12-2005, 08:37 AM

well... I just installed 0.65 and guess what? safemode caused the problem it was designed to fix......

my ppc will not get past the password screen. i waited 5 minutes. still not get any farther than password screen. i type in my password and the screen freezes with the last digit button pressed.

i did eventually try booting into safe mode and after a looooong pause it did eventually get past the password screen. so i disabled the password and rebooted. so i uninstalled safe mode, reenabled the password, rebooter, and crossed my fingers...

so safe mode kinda saved me from itself... i dunno if i am really looking forward to installing the next version after this.

it's 3:00am... must sleep now.

monocube

06-12-2005, 09:09 AM

Jason, I'm terribly sorry for that. Seems like when I was trying to fix the application for use with Dynamo, I destroyed the password screen functionality. I will work on it asap.

Patrick: v0.65 was designed to fix conflicts with Dynamo. If you do have issues with other programs as well, I would appreciate if you could post a list on my website.

EDIT: I've just fixed the password screen issue, and released 0.66. Also Dynamo works with SafeMode.

EDIT2: I released v0.67. This fixes improper Startup folder detection on some ROMs (for example, the Korean one).

Jason Lee

06-12-2005, 06:01 PM

wow, you're fast. :)

thanks for the quick fixes.

Patrick Y.

06-12-2005, 06:25 PM

I've some problem with SafeMode once you updated it to version 0.6. I press the action button, but nothing happened. I just kept pressing and pressing but my device didn't soft-reset to enter Safemode like it did with previous version. What's wrong?

P.S. I have traditional chinese device.

monocube

06-12-2005, 06:30 PM

Do you hear the notification/see the message on the screen at least?

Patrick Y.

06-12-2005, 09:27 PM

Yes, but nothing happened when I press the action button.

monocube

06-13-2005, 11:54 AM

Patrick, I tried to contact you last night for some beta-testing ;)

I've released SafeMode v0.71. I made a few changes, I'm not 100% sure yet, but it should work for you too.
This one adds stylus support, and some bugfixes for VGA devices.

Patrick Y.

06-13-2005, 11:35 PM

I really appreciate your effort. Also, thank you for looking into my problem. Unfortunately, i did not see your message until a few hour later. I will try the latest version. Again, thanks. You are a awsome developer. :wink:

monocube

06-14-2005, 02:50 AM

I've updated SafeMode to v0.75. For those of you that had issues with SIP, please download this one instead. Also if you have unwanted SIP entries, please download FixSIP, also found in the download thread. I'm sorry for the trouble this has caused you.

Patrick Y.

06-14-2005, 04:40 AM

I'm not sure whether I did something wrong or not, but FixSip deleted all my input methods except the default one. Anyway to revise the effect?

monocube

06-14-2005, 12:02 PM

Yes, it only keeps the standard ones, since I didn't know what other SIPs you use. Send me an e-mail with the additional SIPs you have installed.

monocube

06-23-2005, 09:40 PM

Hi guys, I've just finished SafeMode 1.0beta. I've sent it already to some users on my website for feedback and tracking bugs. Once the beta testing is finish, I will publish it shortly.

monocube

06-27-2005, 10:54 AM

Well, I did it. It's now released on my website, at www.monocube.com .I would appreciate if someone could post a review, or news update on the main page ;)

Johnathan

07-11-2005, 01:04 PM

God help me, it's my lifesaver, but whre can I get it?

Johnathan

07-11-2005, 01:23 PM

I had downloaded it just now, still can not believe this is real!!!!
amazing!

schmenge

03-05-2006, 01:03 AM

Will this work with WM 2005?

Jason Lee

03-05-2006, 01:39 AM

most definitely not. already tried to help someone who destroyed his k-jam with it.

angler

03-14-2006, 04:07 PM

Any news for this software to be worked on WM5? The developer's website www.monocube.com just cannot surf.

Nurhisham Hussein

03-15-2006, 02:00 AM

Looks like the site's undergoing a makeover.

bumpert

06-21-2006, 04:37 PM

Any news about a free safe mode program for wm5?

Thx

monocube

11-25-2006, 09:25 PM

Good news! SafeMode for PocketPC 2 (for Windows Mobile 2003 / 2003 SE / 5) is now in private beta. If you would like to participate in the beta testing program, please drop me an e-mail at [email protected].
Please specify the Pocket PC device type you own (manufacturer, model, and Windows Mobile version) - I will select as many people as I can, so beta testing will cover a larger range of models.
A little warning though: since SafeMode is still in beta, there is a good chance it will have some bugs, or not function properly.