Sprite Backup 5.0 Released

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.spritesoftware.com">http://www.spritesoftware.com</a><br /><br />One of the best selling pieces of software for the Pocket PC has been Sprite Software's Sprite Backup. It even comes on several models by default, like some of the iPAQ line. With the shift to ROM based storage and some changes to the database, existing versions of Sprite Backup simply don't work with Windows Mobile 5 devices. That changes today! Sprite Backup 5.0 is now available. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2006/20060207-spritestart_lg.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2006/20060207-spritestart_sm.jpg" /></a><br /><b>Starting the backup</b> <i>(click for full size image)</i><br /><br />New features or enhancements include:<br />• Reliable backup and restore of Exchange synchronized mail messages. Earlier versions could back up Outlook synchronized messages, but those from Exchange would cause problems after the restore, preventing server sync.<br />• Performance improvements. In running a very quick test of the backup process, my JasJar was backed up, just over 29MB of data, in under 2 minutes! This included encrypting and compressing the data. It took nearly 5 minutes for the same amount of data on my old PDA2K.<br />• Automatic restore after a hard reset. This could be very valuable in the field. Just configure your employees' device to auto-restore should a hard reset happen. Of course, you should weigh the security concerns surrounding that for your particular organization.<br />• Autobackup to your PC on the first ActiveSync connection of the day.<br /><br />Pricing is $29.95 for the Pocket PC version. If you are a previous owner, you need to buy the full version, then apply for a $14.95 rebate at the <a href="http://spritesoftware.crmdesk.com">Sprite Software Customer Relationship Management site.</a> Because 5.0 is so different from 3.x it wasn't possible to make an "upgrade" installer available. See below for a few more screen shots. <!><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2006/20060207-spritedone_lg.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2006/20060207-spritedone_sm.jpg" /></a><br /><b>Backup is finished</b> <i>(click for full size image)</i><br /><br />There are now 2 soft resets involved in backing up, one when it starts and one when it finishes. This screen pops up after the backup is finished.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2006/20060207-spritereport_lg.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2006/20060207-spritereport_sm.jpg" /></a><br /><b>Backup report</b> <i>(click for full size image)</i><br /><br />You can view a quick summary of the backup job. You can see that it is wicked fast in finishing the job.

[Jacob]

Cool. I might just look into this.

One question, what happened to version 4?

[Jerry Raia]

Let's hope the WM5 Smartphone version is not far behind.

[Paragon]

A couple of things I don't like here......First, a rebate instead of an upgrade. Lots of software companies offer upgrades without ever having the to install over the old version. There are many ways round it. Secondly, NO trial! Yeah, yeah, I no there is a 30 day money back guarantee. First put out your 30 bucks, then jump through hoops in hopes of a rebate at some future date, or a refund if I choose not to use it. It's all very complicated. I've gone this long using betas and Sunnysofts flaky application I guess I can wait another week to checkout SPBs new backup solution.

Dave

[WorksForTurkeys]

I realize this is probably a very naive question, but exactly why is backup software necessary on a WM 5 machine? I thought the main feature of WM5 was persistent memory.

[Paragon]

I realize this is probably a very naive question, but exactly why is backup software necessary on a WM 5 machine? I thought the main feature of WM5 was persistent memory.

One very good reason...Murphy's Law.

[Jerry Raia]

Sprite has always been pretty useless in the responsiveness department. What they need is competition. The lack of a trial version is glaring.

[griph]

Sprite Backup 5.0 is now available.

Does ayone know if v5 works ONLY on WM5 or is it also an upgrade to WM2003SE models?

[baralong]

Sprite has always been pretty useless in the responsiveness department. What they need is competition. The lack of a trial version is glaring. 8O

I've found them to be very good in responding to any queries I've had.

Still I think the no upgrade and no trial decision is appaling.

Still it's must have software. Or atleast the previous version is.

[carphead]

Because of the rebate y upgrade system AND that SPB have their backup program coming out next Tuesday 14th.

I'm holding off on this one.

I've used sprite for a number of years but I like the cut of SPB's Jib better. So I'll hold off for a week. Sprite managed to cheese me off by have the beta expire 7 days before release of this version. That shows a poor attitude to the end user to me.

[WorksForTurkeys]

I realize this is probably a very naive question, but exactly why is backup software necessary on a WM 5 machine? I thought the main feature of WM5 was persistent memory.

One very good reason...Murphy's Law.

But the persistent memory is supposed to be a feature of storing the data in ROM. If the hardware ROM fails, how much of an advantage will a 3rd party backup software provide over the backup available via Activesync? I understand about Murphy's Law, but I still don't buy a spare engine for my car in case my car's engine breaks. I thought (according to MS) that the persistent memory is supposed to survive a hard-reset. If Sprite can resurect my Atom from a hardware failure, $30 is cheap! :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

I've found them to be very good in responding to any queries I've had.

I'm glad to hear that. All I have ever gotten from them on the Smartphone side is "Send us a list of your installed applications", then nothing. No response, no help, nothing.

[Paragon]

But the persistent memory is supposed to be a feature of storing the data in ROM. If the hardware ROM fails, how much of an advantage will a 3rd party backup software provide over the backup available via Activesync? I understand about Murphy's Law, but I still don't buy a spare engine for my car in case my car's engine breaks. I thought (according to MS) that the persistent memory is supposed to survive a hard-reset. If Sprite can resurect my Atom from a hardware failure, $30 is cheap! :wink:

No, data does not survive a hard reset. It does survive a dead battery. They are different. I have done dozens and dozens of restores over the years. Never have I done one because the battery was dead. There are many, many things that can warrant using a backup. Installing a bad piece of software that won't remove preoperly, glitches, settings that get out of wack, corrupt files, and the list goes on for the need for a backup. Backup software is definitely worth the 30 bucks. Having a backup has saved my butt several times while I've been traveling and had a problem. If you are away from home and something goes sour it is a great feeling to know that with a couple of screen taps you can be back to normal again.

Dave

[alex_kac]

Also, there is no ActiveSync backup for WM5 devices.

[Ed Hansberry]

No, data does not survive a hard reset.
not sure that is accurate in wm5. what is a hard reset? it used to be a loss of data in ram. now, that is a soft reset. now, a hard reset first must deliberately wipe the rom, then reset to purge ram.

is it even possible with wm5 to have an uncontrolled hard reset? it would have to remember to wipe rom first. can that happen accidentally?

with wm5, the only diff, I think, between a hard and soft reset is, did thw rom wipe happen first.

[Menneisyys]

I realize this is probably a very naive question, but exactly why is backup software necessary on a WM 5 machine? I thought the main feature of WM5 was persistent memory.

However much one of the reasons, depleted batteries, for your programs and data being deleted are no longer a concern under WM5, you may still need backup applications for the new operating system version, particularly if you often install new programs and/or use misbehaving applications that may irrecoverably crash your system, resulting in a need for a hard reset. (Yes, there're several programs like that; I've already run into some. I'll publish an article about them a bit later when I have scrutinized these all problems.)

[Menneisyys]

Cool. I might just look into this.

One question, what happened to version 4?

5.0 may refer to the compatible OS version. This is the first Sprite backup that is really compatible with OS5 (I've done a lot of tests to ensure this during the beta phase - please read http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=497&amp;more=1 if interested.)

(In addition, `4' is not particularly 'lucky' number in the U.S. Prolly this is why there's no version 4 of Sprite Backup. Remember the story of Sierra's Leisure Suit Larry? Or, ofr that matter, MS DOS?)

[Menneisyys]

No, data does not survive a hard reset.
not sure that is accurate in wm5. what is a hard reset? it used to be a loss of data in ram. now, that is a soft reset. now, a hard reset first must deliberately wipe the rom, then reset to purge ram.

is it even possible with wm5 to have an uncontrolled hard reset? it would have to remember to wipe rom first. can that happen accidentally?

with wm5, the only diff, I think, between a hard and soft reset is, did thw rom wipe happen first.

Hard resets are no different under WM5 than under previous OS versions - they wipe out everything in the storage ROM. This is pretty logical: you couldn't get rid of misbehaving apps or a completely messed-up Registry/file system otherwise.

[Menneisyys]

Sprite Backup 5.0 is now available.

Does ayone know if v5 works ONLY on WM5 or is it also an upgrade to WM2003SE models?

Upgrading to/getting this version (if you don't go for Spb Backup, that is - their latest beta released on 2. February passed all my WM5 compliance tests. You myay want to read http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;title=wm5_users_new_beta_version_of_spb_backup&amp;more=1 for more info.) is of extreme importance to WM5 users. Previous versions (along with all the other previous backup solutions, except for the latest Spb Backup beta - messed up the WM5 WinCE databases royally upon restore, meaning wrong PIM data, wrong e-mails, wrong SMS'es etc.

For users of previous op. systems (if version 5.0 is not strictly meant for WM5 devices), it's not that important - previous Sprite versions still remain a decent and 100% reliable backup programs; that is, there will be no need to upgrade, unless the new version (if it does run on previous OS'es) offers far better speed/capabilities. I haven't direrctly compared 5.0 to previous versions speed-wise on pre-WM5 devices so I don't know.

[Menneisyys]

I thought (according to MS) that the persistent memory is supposed to survive a hard-reset.

It will, yes. It's misbehaving programs, messed-up system (if you install a lot of particularly previously untested and/or not really WM5-compliant apps, your system will become unstable / unreliable pretty easily) and total system crashes where hard resets (and the total wipinig of the file system/the registry / the WinCE databases) are neededd.

This is why backing up WM5 devices is almost equally important than backing up pre-WM5 ones - if you do install new programs, you have to backup your device.

[Ed Hansberry]

Hard resets are no different under WM5 than under previous OS versions - they wipe out everything in the storage ROM. This is pretty logical: you couldn't get rid of misbehaving apps or a completely messed-up Registry/file system otherwise.
wm2003se doesn't wipe storage roms. only a full rom upgrade does.

[Menneisyys]

Hard resets are no different under WM5 than under previous OS versions - they wipe out everything in the storage ROM. This is pretty logical: you couldn't get rid of misbehaving apps or a completely messed-up Registry/file system otherwise.
wm2003se doesn't wipe storage roms. only a full rom upgrade does.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant the following: as it's the storage ROM in WM5 that does exactly the same as the storage RAM in previous WM versions, the storage ROM is wiped the same way (that is, in a Pocket PC, the entire user area of the ROM - not the OS or the Extended ROM in PPC PE devices) as the RAM in pre-WM5 devices.

That is, in the user's perspective, the same happens in WM5 as in previous OS'es - everything you've put into the built-in memory (not storage cards) will be just gone.

(Note that, unless you repartition the file system or, on Phone Edition devices, use the Extended ROM for a really safe place, there is no "file store" in WM5. Under pre-WM5 OS'es, they were protected against hard resets. That is, unless you use storage card(s) with your WM5 PDA, you can never be absolutely sure about your files stored in the storage ROM, unlike in the previous operating systems, where you could just put all your very important files in the File Store to avoid the consequences of a hard reset.

[DaleReeck]

Sprite managed to cheese me off by have the beta expire 7 days before release of this version. That shows a poor attitude to the end user to me.

There's a lot of things that cheese me off about this. For one, their "upgrade" method with buying full price, then getting a refund. Dumb and lazy, like they couldn't set up their web site to handle the upgrade properly. In fact, I do not believe they should charge 3.x users for this "upgrade" at all. It's not even an upgrade - it is a WM5 compatibility patch. In fact, it takes away some features, like creating a self running exe backup file. It certainly has no major new features other than WM5 compatibility to consider this an upgrade.

Another thing, they claim that 14 months since the last version 3.14 is an adequate "charge for upgrade" window. I might agree with that. Except that the first WM5 device was out five months ago. The WM5 SDK was out months before that. Their procrastination is what created the 14 month window and now we have to pay for it.

They may have used considerable resources to provide this patch with WM5 compatibility and feel they need to be compensated. Maybe. But updating their programs to WM5 compatibility is something that just about every vendor has had to do. It is not optional and I don't recall too many asking for additional fee to provide the compatibility. Most consider it the cost of doing business. But, as we have seen, customer service and concern for the consumer, e.g., the 7 day beta to release gap, is not Sprite's strongest suit.

Sorry if this is harsh, but they have handled all this poorly. Especially when I see companies like Alex's PocketInformant, who not only had WM5 compatibilty ready before any devices even had it, but didn't charge for it if you already owned the previous version. Like night and day when it comes to customer support.

[Jerry Raia]

It doesn't even make self executing restore file anymore? Forget them. My 6515 doesn't need this anyway. They had a good product and they are going to ruin it. On the road I can re sync my calendar and contacts. I can reinstall my software in an hour or so. I don't need them.

[Mr. PPC]

It doesn't even make self executing restore file anymore? Forget them. My 6515 doesn't need this anyway. They had a good product and they are going to ruin it. On the road I can re sync my calendar and contacts. I can reinstall my software in an hour or so. I don't need them.

I guess you have to ask yourself this question...

How much is one hour of my time worth?

[Jerry Raia]

True. Since my data is in more than one place and most of the time when I restore I leave out junk I never use anyway, a clean start is a good thing. So it's an hour figuring out what I really need. One thing I don't need is mediocre software and lousy support, something Sprite seems to want to be first in. I don't consider a non responsive forum such as theirs support.

[ctmagnus]

Sprite has always been pretty useless in the responsiveness department. What they need is competition. The lack of a trial version is glaring. 8O

I've found them to be very good in responding to any queries I've had.

Still I think the no upgrade and no trial decision is appaling.

Still it's must have software. Or atleast the previous version is.

Imo, they used to have good service. Way back in the 1.x days, I got it for free because I was their first Canadian customer.

I've seen too many companies start out excellently then dwindle off. Unfortunately, not everyone's perfect.

And I agree about the last two quoted comments.

[Brad Adrian]

I can't believe there's no demo available. To me, that's simply unprofessional. I've always loved Sprite's stuff, especially their earlier backup tools, but this whole rebate and no-demo shell-game is inexcuseable.

(I also wish Sprite would hire somebody with a high school diploma to proofread and edit their Web site's content to get rid of all the distracting and confusing grammatical errors.)

[griph]

For users of previous op. systems (if version 5.0 is not strictly meant for WM5 devices), it's not that important - previous Sprite versions still remain a decent and 100% reliable backup programs; that is, there will be no need to upgrade, unless the new version (if it does run on previous OS'es) offers far better speed/capabilities. I haven't direrctly compared 5.0 to previous versions speed-wise on pre-WM5 devices so I don't know.

Err - thanks for the info - but that doesn't answer my question. I'm not interested in WM5 devices - as I dont have one. I just wanted to know if the software was written to run on WM2003SE devices too - its a new version and there are bound to be some improvements over the WM2003SE v3.0 variant. Does anyone know the answer?

[Menneisyys]

There's a lot of things that cheese me off about this. For one, their "upgrade" method with buying full price, then getting a refund. Dumb and lazy, like they couldn't set up their web site to handle the upgrade properly. In fact, I do not believe they should charge 3.x users for this "upgrade" at all. It's not even an upgrade - it is a WM5 compatibility patch. In fact, it takes away some features, like creating a self running exe backup file. It certainly has no major new features other than WM5 compatibility to consider this an upgrade..

IMHO, you're right in that developers should try to patch their existing apps to be WM5-compliant, preferably for free.

Backup applications are, however, different than most other apps. There have been significant changes in how windowsCE databases are stored; this is why for example none of the previous database viewer tools (for example, Pocket dbExplorer) work.

Having seen the backup solution providers' struggling with this issue for months I do believe this wasn't a very easy patch. A patch that still hasn't been implemented in the SunnySoft Backup Manager, which still can't restore WinCE databases under WM5 and is, therefore, almost useless.

Nevertheless: what I say is let's wait for the final version of Spb Backup, which willl be released in a week (they have just announced this over at for example AximSite) and will also provide sheduled backup (but, to my knowledge, no remote backups) and also executable file creation and decide between the two. I'll thoroughly test, compare and review both apps again, that's for sure.

[Menneisyys]

For users of previous op. systems (if version 5.0 is not strictly meant for WM5 devices), it's not that important - previous Sprite versions still remain a decent and 100% reliable backup programs; that is, there will be no need to upgrade, unless the new version (if it does run on previous OS'es) offers far better speed/capabilities. I haven't direrctly compared 5.0 to previous versions speed-wise on pre-WM5 devices so I don't know.

Err - thanks for the info - but that doesn't answer my question. I'm not interested in WM5 devices - as I dont have one. I just wanted to know if the software was written to run on WM2003SE devices too - its a new version and there are bound to be some improvements over the WM2003SE v3.0 variant. Does anyone know the answer?

I'll test this ASAP.

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

@Menneisyys: Appreciate your upcoming effort in testing out and writing reviews for both the backup programs. One more thing, does Sprite Backup 5.0 work in WM2003 and what's new in it for WM2003?

[Cybrid]

Sprite did have trial versions. Perhaps their previous business model/ copyright protection was too easily circumvented. In this regard a change could be understandable.
As for the lack of support, to long a wait in updating their software, who knows? Maybe someone's idiot nephew inherited the family business....:D Either way, we still can choose to buy it or not.

[hamishmacdonald]

I just bought this program a month ago. Now $14.95 for an upgrade? Nope. Not for me.

I prefer the model of "free within a year of purchase". That always seemed reasonable to me.

As it stands, yes, this is an invaluable product that's saved my bacon on many occasions. And the version I have will do fine, thanks.

[PR.]

What a minute! So without the EXE self restoring files how does one restore from a Hard Reset if they don't have the auto restore ticked?! Having to pay full price then get a rebate, forget it.

I see someone mentioned that SPB are doing one, all of their software is highly polished so the Backup solution might be something worth looking at.

[Menneisyys]

What a minute! So without the EXE self restoring files how does one restore from a Hard Reset if they don't have the auto restore ticked?!

Just put the installation CAB file of Sprite on your storage card, along with the backup(s). Install Sprite by clicking the CAB file from the built-in File Explorer fter the hard reset. It'll be installed. Start it and you're all set.

You don't necessarily need auto restore for this.

I see someone mentioned that SPB are doing one, all of their software is highly polished so the Backup solution might be something worth looking at.

The latest beta of Spb Backup isn't bad - it restored everything 100% in all my tests, on all my WM5 devices (unlike previous betas or the Sunnysoft app). It's not as featureful as Sprite, however - AFAIK, it completely lacks remote backup and some other stuff.

I will make a detailed 1v1 comparison of the two apps as soon as the final version of Spb Backup is released. I'll let you know all when it's ready. It'll be similar to my earlier WM5 backup tests/benchmarks: a lot of compatibility, reliability and speed tests, committed on several different WM5 devices.

EDIT: you can even force the client to be installed on the card at Options/Backup Options/General Backup Options/Leave a copy... in Advanced mode:

http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/Sprite50/Sprite50LeaveAutoBackupOnStorageCard.bmp.png

That is, you don't need to manually copy the Sprite installer CAB on the card to be able to restore your stuff after a reset. This is definitely good news for anyone wanting EXE executables.

(this seems to be a new option in the press preview release version 5.0.1, build 1332, the press has received.)

[Menneisyys]

For users of previous op. systems (if version 5.0 is not strictly meant for WM5 devices), it's not that important - previous Sprite versions still remain a decent and 100% reliable backup programs; that is, there will be no need to upgrade, unless the new version (if it does run on previous OS'es) offers far better speed/capabilities. I haven't direrctly compared 5.0 to previous versions speed-wise on pre-WM5 devices so I don't know.

Err - thanks for the info - but that doesn't answer my question. I'm not interested in WM5 devices - as I dont have one. I just wanted to know if the software was written to run on WM2003SE devices too - its a new version and there are bound to be some improvements over the WM2003SE v3.0 variant. Does anyone know the answer?

I'll test this ASAP.

OK. Tested. The press release (which is a later version than the latest public beta) doesn't support pre-WM5 operating systems at all:

http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/Sprite50/Sprite50WM2003SE.bmp.png

That is, it's strictly for WM5 users.

[pivaska]

What a minute! So without the EXE self restoring files how does one restore from a Hard Reset if they don't have the auto restore ticked?! Having to pay full price then get a rebate, forget it.

I see someone mentioned that SPB are doing one, all of their software is highly polished so the Backup solution might be something worth looking at.

I lived for the exe version. I have so much stuff that I try out that I need to get back to a clean version NOW. And what is the big deal about making it an exe file? I have several back ups of different times in my pda's life so I can go back to any area that I want when I want. REBATE....that's just wrong! I use SPB diary, weather, and Pocket Plus. I WILL be using their backup system when it comes out.... Sprite has enough of my money and time. SPB is there with responses like right now. So long sprite....Hello SPB.

[Ed Hansberry]

For users of previous op. systems (if version 5.0 is not strictly meant for WM5 devices), it's not that important - previous Sprite versions still remain a decent and 100% reliable backup programs; that is, there will be no need to upgrade, unless the new version (if it does run on previous OS'es) offers far better speed/capabilities. I haven't direrctly compared 5.0 to previous versions speed-wise on pre-WM5 devices so I don't know.
That is not correct. If you sync with Exchange, Sprite Backup 3.x will not properly restore your email databases and it will prevent server syncs from happening. You have to hard reset again and forget about restoring, or use their "cleanmail" utility to purge all mail databases, but that trashes the ArcSoft MMS client.

So 3.x only works with:
• Outlook sync devices, not Exchange Sync
• Exchange Sync if you purge your email and don't have ArcSoft MMS, and you don't mind losing anything in your other email databases. Lame workaround

The question of Sprite Backup 5 on WM2003/SE is important, because for corporate users, 3.x doesn't work. I quit using last summer because of this on my PDA2K. :(

[Menneisyys]

For users of previous op. systems (if version 5.0 is not strictly meant for WM5 devices), it's not that important - previous Sprite versions still remain a decent and 100% reliable backup programs; that is, there will be no need to upgrade, unless the new version (if it does run on previous OS'es) offers far better speed/capabilities. I haven't direrctly compared 5.0 to previous versions speed-wise on pre-WM5 devices so I don't know.
That is not correct. If you sync with Exchange, Sprite Backup 3.x will not properly restore your email databases and it will prevent server syncs from happening. You have to hard reset again and forget about restoring, or use their "cleanmail" utility to purge all mail databases, but that trashes the ArcSoft MMS client.

So 3.x only works with:
• Outlook sync devices, not Exchange Sync
• Exchange Sync if you purge your email and don't have ArcSoft MMS, and you don't mind losing anything in your other email databases. Lame workaround

Thanks for the clarification; I'll test the WM5 version with Exchange Sync too.

The question of Sprite Backup 5 on WM2003/SE is important, because for corporate users, 3.x doesn't work. I quit using last summer because of this on my PDA2K. :(

The CAB file can't be installed on pre-WM5 devices. I may try 'hacking' it on a WM2003(SE) device, but I don't think it'll work. I'll still give it a try.

[Ed Hansberry]

The CAB file can't be installed on pre-WM5 devices. I may try 'hacking' it on a WM2003(SE) device, but I don't think it'll work. I'll still give it a try.
Good to know. So 3.x users that use Exchange Sync have no backup solution at this point, unless their device came with one. :|

[miawong]

OK, so I'm completely confused here....

Last night, reading the article posted about v5, I went to their website, purchased v5.0, &amp; promptly submitted my info for the rebate.

After installing the file downloaded directly from their site after purchase, I noticed that the version I got was v3.1.4. Needless to say, I am not at all happy with this. I already had v3.1.4, but had to repurchase to get the "upgrade", but didn't get the upgrade at all. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Unless I am missing something here, which is completely possible, please let me know. Otherwise, Sprite will be losing a lot of users to SPB if they don't get their act straight immediately.

I uninstalled the previous version completely &amp; installed the new version.

Anyone care to comment here?

Enlighten me please...not too keen on spending more money for the "upgrade" let alone not even getting the upgrade!

[Jason Lee]

Wow, cool!
I had no idea that spb was doing a backup app.
Sprite has way more features than I ever use.
Spb products are always nice, simple, and clean. they do exactly what youneed but not too many annoying "featurs". I will defiantly keep an eye out for it.

[DaleReeck]

OK, so I'm completely confused here....

Last night, reading the article posted about v5, I went to their website, purchased v5.0, &amp; promptly submitted my info for the rebate.

After installing the file downloaded directly from their site after purchase, I noticed that the version I got was v3.1.4. Needless to say, I am not at all happy with this. I already had v3.1.4, but had to repurchase to get the "upgrade", but didn't get the upgrade at all. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Unless I am missing something here, which is completely possible, please let me know. Otherwise, Sprite will be losing a lot of users to SPB if they don't get their act straight immediately.

I uninstalled the previous version completely &amp; installed the new version.

Anyone care to comment here?

Enlighten me please...not too keen on spending more money for the "upgrade" let alone not even getting the upgrade!

Either Sprite didn't update the linked file on their servers to v5 or there is a caching problem. I saw that with Microsoft Reader's latest version a while back, the old version kept coming up even though we were linked to the new one. If you still have access to the download link, try deleting all your cached files (in IE, Tools -> Internet Options -> Delete Internet Files). I've also seen where certain parts of the world were getting the wrong version due to the way the WWW updates its routing tables and such.

[alex_kac]

OK, so I'm completely confused here....
After installing the file downloaded directly from their site after purchase, I noticed that the version I got was v3.1.4. Needless to say, I am not at all happy with this. I already had v3.1.4, but had to repurchase to get the "upgrade", but didn't get the upgrade at all. :evil: :evil: :evil:


What OS do you have? WM2003 or WM5? If you have WM2003, then you're only going to get 3.14 I think. If you have WM5, then you'd get 5.0.

[Menneisyys]

Just posted my review of the application with a lot of tips and so on. Feel free to read it at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=517&amp;more=1

[pivaska]

I read your review and it still comes up with waiting for SPB. They do have an exe that it defaults to and I can really do without the bells and whistles. Plus the rebate thing.... :cry:

[Gerard]

This fiasco is just one more reason to stay with a decent WM2003SE device. I've used Sprite since it was called Sprite:Lite, wrote a review on that for Pocketnow back in 2001. I tested for Sprite towards their iPAQ Backup version, finding dozens of bugs to fix up before they licensed it to Compaq (then to HP). From v1 to v3.14, Sprite offered improvements, with only the odd short-llved problem being introduced. Compressed, EXE-format backups were a very nice touch, as they offered easy independence from the PC.

Some time in 2003 they farmed out support. No longer was it in-house in New Zealand. At that point I began to have trouble communicating with them. Their new support forum seemed largely useless, a place where users could vent, but not often get answers. When I was unable to upgrade to 3.14 because I'd (foolishly, perhaps) uninstalled the PC component from my Win98SE box (the new installer demanded that I have a previous version installed first, and all I had of that was a CAB file), Sprite 'support' offered me nothing, whether in the forum or by email. I eventually formatted my PC hard drive to enable installing it - two months of frequent efforts at workarounds failed - as I really wanted the newer features. v3.11 had a persistent problem... So I wasted a lot of my time, simply because Sprite refused even to acknowledge my requests for a v3.14 CAB file. This, after all the many hours I put in to assist in polishing their program.

I like Sprite Backup, depend on it. Only yesterday I had a total lockup on my e800 (backlight went off, soft reset refused to happen, text still on screen) eventually forcing me to hard reset by removing the battery. I had only to spend a moment to install a backup from yesterday morning, and all was back to normal. I lost a link or two, and a bit of text I found again easily, and 2 appointments I was able to figure out and re-enter. No big deal compared to the nightmare of total data meltdown.

But this WM5 situation overall is scary to me. It seems that Sprite's apparent step backward with their new version is only too typical of the new order. Persistent storage was sold to potential users as a panacea, 'never worry about data loss again!' sort of thing. Only... that applies to battery run-down, not data corruption nor device malfunction. In using 10 Pocket PCs since May of 2000, not once have I lost data because a battery died. Not once have I been so foolish as to run a battery below 10%, as to do so would plainly put my information at risk. I use Sprite for a lot of reasons; none of them has anything to do with power supply.

So with Sprite's attitude apparently souring, with their outrageous payment scheme for an upgrade, and with the feature set apparently taking a step backwards, i'll not be upgrading. If and when I purchase a newer model, it will not be running WM5, but something better, more sensible. If that happens not to be a Microsoft product, so be it. Sprite has helped clarify this for me. For now, I'll pick up another e800 as a backup. Mugen makes great batteries for them, so there's no risk of being left without power. Maybe WM6 will prove more interesting. WM5 - what with PS which isn't really safe at all, awkward nd inconsistent software compatibilities, security certificate glitches, inconsistent speed issues, the Activesync feature set diminishing, and whatever else i don't have patience to repeat here - is like a Monty Python sketch - too silly. Sprite has a silly walk of its own going on. Too bad. Used to be a great company.

[Paragon]

No, data does not survive a hard reset.
not sure that is accurate in wm5. what is a hard reset? it used to be a loss of data in ram. now, that is a soft reset. now, a hard reset first must deliberately wipe the rom, then reset to purge ram.

is it even possible with wm5 to have an uncontrolled hard reset? it would have to remember to wipe rom first. can that happen accidentally?

with wm5, the only diff, I think, between a hard and soft reset is, did thw rom wipe happen first.

Well, Ed, between my post and yours I think the only thing that is clear with either of them is that we need an actual definition of the term "hard rest" on devices with persistent storage. :)

Dave

[Menneisyys]

in the meantime, the final version of Sprite Backup turned out to be not compatible with the iPAQ hx series. Check out their official forums or the Comments section in my above-linked blog post for more info.

[bnycastro]

Nice review Menneisyys, I think I will wait for other Backup solutions to become WM5 compatible. I am not feeling too happy about their current upgrade model for WM5 users; never mind that they don't have a trial version, nevermind that they are charging for a compatibility upgrade, but BUY-THEN-REBATE is not really sitting too well with me. Just did a hard reset a day ago and it took me around 1 hr to get my device to a state that I like [5 mins if I just want to sync my PIM and go without 3rd party apps but who does this really :roll:]

Sprite themselves have admitted to a 14 month product in 3.1.4 I wonder if development has stopped? I mean are there no more things to improve with 3.1.4 [I'm sure there are!] so I sympathize with WM2003xx users as well.

I hope they get their act together.

[element]

So, like an imbecile I upgraded to WM5 w/o RFM. I had backed up my old PPC database files (MySport training, agenda fusion, etc) expecting to be able to restore them to my new WM5 machine. Is anyone aware if this version of Sprite will restore previous PFD files?

TIA

[Ed Hansberry]

So, like an imbecile I upgraded to WM5 w/o RFM. I had backed up my old PPC database files (MySport training, agenda fusion, etc) expecting to be able to restore them to my new WM5 machine. Is anyone aware if this version of Sprite will restore previous PFD files?
You should NEVER use a backup from a previous ROM of the same OS, much less something as different as WM5 is from Wm2003SE. Most of the time when someone backs up, upgrades the ROM (say, an AKU level) of the same OS, then restores, they wind up having to do another hard reset because databases and registry keys get so messed up the device is unworkable.

[Gerard]

Well... maybe. Restoring many databases is dangerous. Restoring user files/documents? No danger. Restoring the registry would be disastrous in such cases. Restoring installed program's folders would be silly - as re-installing (especially from CAB files) is easy - though not very dangerous.

That said, I have used either Phatware dbExplorer or Sprite Backup to restore my three most important databases every time I've changed devices, and every time I've done a ROM update or OS upgrade. These three, Appointments, Calendar, and Categories, have restored flawlessly in every instance. Going from a MIPS-based Casio EG-800 to an ARM-based iPAQ 3835? No problem. Still using the same (though of course much added-to) databases as 5 years ago, now on a WM2003SE Toshiba e800.

My reasons? Simplicity and speed. And Activesync refuses to allow databases to synch. Two times it's worked, once in 2000 (for a month, then failed dramatically, costing me many hours transcribing from paper again) and once in 2005 (for a week, then refused to complete). I've now uninstalled Outlook and Activesync. No use for them. If I can't use a CAB or other means to install software to the PPC, I plainly don't need the software.

[element]

Actually, not to disagree with you, but I've owned various PPC machines as well as versions and have been able to (successfully) restore CERTAIN databases using the standard backup/restore methods. Keeping in mind I don't restore system databases, just custom application DBs that don't usually change data structure when changing devices. However, I don't even have that luxury now. Thus the frustration.

So, like an imbecile I upgraded to WM5 w/o RFM. I had backed up my old PPC database files (MySport training, agenda fusion, etc) expecting to be able to restore them to my new WM5 machine. Is anyone aware if this version of Sprite will restore previous PFD files?
You should NEVER use a backup from a previous ROM of the same OS, much less something as different as WM5 is from Wm2003SE. Most of the time when someone backs up, upgrades the ROM (say, an AKU level) of the same OS, then restores, they wind up having to do another hard reset because databases and registry keys get so messed up the device is unworkable.

[Menneisyys]

Actually, not to disagree with you, but I've owned various PPC machines as well as versions and have been able to (successfully) restore CERTAIN databases using the standard backup/restore methods. Keeping in mind I don't restore system databases, just custom application DBs that don't usually change data structure when changing devices. However, I don't even have that luxury now. Thus the frustration.

You can restore custom databases under WM5, saved under prev. OS'es. Stay tuned - I'll think I'll write a full article/tutorial on this question today.