Dell Axim X50/X50v ROM A05 Update (Was) Released

[Darius Wey]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050706-X50v.jpg" /><br /><br />Dell has just released ROM A05 for the Axim X50/X50v. New features include:<br /><br />• Support for LEAP-WAP wireless encryption.<br />• Increased data transfer rates of SDIO to 19.5MHz on PXA27X C5.<br />• A new network certification -- GoDaddy SSL certificate root into the ROM image.<br />• Phase in new updated Bluetooth stack BTW-CE 1.5.0.2601.<br />• Enhanced Wireless encryption WPA-PSK network under Cisco AP with new IOS version 12.3(2) JA<br /><br />The updates are available from the Dell website. For Axim X50 (QVGA) users, click <a href="http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R106213&SystemID=PDA_AXIM_X50&os=PPCA&osl=en&deviceid=6739&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=4&formatcnt=1&fileid=137111">here</a>. For Axim X50v (VGA) users, click <a href="http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R106214&SystemID=PDA_AXIM_X50&os=PPCA&osl=en&deviceid=7464&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=4&formatcnt=1&fileid=137112">here</a>. Remember, it's always a good idea to backup first before applying the update.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Dell has just pulled the ROM update from their site (<i>reason: requested by DM to postpone the webpost date to 0823</i>), so the links will probably be pointing you to a dead page. We'll keep you posted as soon as it is made available again.

[msprague]

• Increased data transfer rates of SDIO to 19.5MHz on PXA27X C5.

What's the current transfer rate? How does this compare to other Pocket PC devices? I know my X50v is very slow copying to the SD card.

Oh, wait a minute, this is for SDIO, so it won't help writing to a storage card?

[EvilOne]

So is/was this like a standard ROM update, where it wipes everything clean?

[Stake]

So is/was this like a standard ROM update, where it wipes everything clean?

Yeah, whenever it's a ROM update, it'll wipe your PPC. I've read that users using Sprite backup are able to restore their Dells with no problems after the ROM wipe.

Personally, the frequency of updates are a little annoying though I would rather have more updates than none at all. It took HP how long to issue a new update to the hx4700??

I'm glad I went with Dell on this though they still need to fix the Windows Media button mapping issue. Now that's annoying.

[Sven Johannsen]

I'm glad I went with Dell on this though they still need to fix the Windows Media button mapping issue. Now that's annoying.

In my view, that's not a Dell issue, it's an MS one. All MP10 PPCs are like that.

I'm not sure if I'm not just going to wait for the WM5 update to come out. Rebuilding the x50 gets old. Available updates are better than none, though.

[powder2000]

I'll be skipping this one also. Nothing too compelling but hat's off to Dell anyways. Great support!

[Rod3]

Yeah, I'm skipping it, too. I've skipped the last several since I had to replace my Axim X50V for that memory error issue, and if it's not broke, why fix it? Mine aint broke. But I definitely will install the 2005 update. That will be enough reinstalling programs to last me a while.

[doc]

When I clicked on the link included in the post I got a "Error. Unable to retrieve the requested information." on the Dell support site. So, I just went through the site and found the latest update and it only shows A04 as the latest.

Did Dell pull the A05 update?

Ah, Darius updated the original post between the time I downloaded and installed.

[Ward]

Arf!

Cue yet another round of debates regarding the pros and cons of restoring a backup after the update. That donkey hasn't been flogged enough, oh no!

[spoirier]

Here are the direct links to the A05 ROM updates via FTP:

X50 / X50v VGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106214.EXE

X50 / X50v QVGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106213.EXE

[Duddy]

Man! Darius must have found out about the update at almost the same time as me!

[Jonathon Watkins]

I'll be skipping this one also. Nothing too compelling but hat's off to Dell anyways. Great support!

Totally agree about the support. I've gone with Dell for my last two Pocket PCs and I'm pleased with the support. One OS upgrade per generation of machine plus patches seems fair. I would rather have the updates than not. As a software tester I can understand why Dell has been releasing the ROM updates incrementally, rather than waiting for a 'big bang' release. It means that I can decide whether to upgrade or not each times bases on the features added/bugs removed. I'll be updating to this ROM as I am still on A03.

Good job Dell! 8)

[Mitch D]

Here are the direct links to the A05 ROM updates via FTP:

X50 / X50v VGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106214.EXE

X50 / X50v QVGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106213.EXE

Thanks for the link spoirier, muchly appreciated.

[k1darkknight]

I'm glad I went with Dell on this though they still need to fix the Windows Media button mapping issue. Now that's annoying.

In my view, that's not a Dell issue, it's an MS one. All MP10 PPCs are like that.

Okay, now I know this is getting a little off-topic, but I wish Micro$oft (or SOMEone) would come up with a way that you could map the hardware buttons to have different functions with ANY program you chose. Among other things, it'd be great to have click-n-hold functionality in a button. Anyone know of anything like this?

[Darius Wey]

Among other things, it'd be great to have click-n-hold functionality in a button. Anyone know of anything like this?

Tap-and-hold functionality and program-specific button mapping is supported in VITO ButtonMapper. (http://www.vitotechnology.com/en/products/buttonmapper.html) Alas, it's not free, but a great solution to the lacklustre button mapping support in Windows Mobile.

[Patrick Y.]

Here are the direct links to the A05 ROM updates via FTP:

X50 / X50v VGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106214.EXE

X50 / X50v QVGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106213.EXE

umm.. Just curious, what are those numbers stand for?? Does 06 stand for the ROM version? This version is 05, right? No offense, but did you upgrade your Axim with the files from the link you provided? I don't want to fry my Axim by installing the wrong ROM. :oops:

This the first time I'm upgrading my Axim. I'm wondering if I will be able to restore all the files and setting after upgrading. Also, has anyone really tried the 05 version yet? Please tell me your experience with it. Thanks. :oops:

edit: can you reinstall all programs and files by just using the build-in backup utility in x50v?

[Darius Wey]

Here are the direct links to the A05 ROM updates via FTP:

X50 / X50v VGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106214.EXE

X50 / X50v QVGA
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R106213.EXE

umm.. Just curious, what are those numbers stand for?? Does 06 stand for the ROM version? This version is 05, right? No offense, but did you upgrade your Axim with the files from the link you provided? I don't want to fry my Axim by installing the wrong ROM. :oops:

Ignore the numbers. They're just codes used by Dell so they can keep track of all their product updates. These links should point to ROM A05.

This the first time I'm upgrading my Axim. I'm wondering if I will be able to restore all the files and setting after upgrading. Also, has anyone really tried the 05 version yet? Please tell me your experience with it. Thanks. :oops:

In theory, it's suggested that you backup your data (particularly your PIM data), and reinstall all your programs once the flash upgrade is complete. Cross-ROM backup/restores are always a dirty job and you may run into problems. I've only ever done it once but it was successful for me. However, this time round with the A05 upgrade, I decided to reinstall all my programs from scratch. And my experiences with it? No problems whatsoever. :way to go:

edit: can you reinstall all programs and files by just using the build-in backup utility in x50v?

Read my previous paragraph. In theory, yes. In practice, yes. Subsequent problems? Maybe. If you want to avoid any further issues, you should just reinstall your programs.