iPAQ 3870/3875 ROM 2.20 available

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.compaq.com/support/files/handhelds/us/download/14999.html">http://www.compaq.com/support/files/handhelds/us/download/14999.html</a><br /><br />Nothing yet for the 3850, 3835 and 3830. I hear those are 7 days away. Also, this is for English US and UK only. I don't see anything on international versions yet.<br /><br />The following previously released RAM fixes are included:<br />• iPAQ H3800 Series Driver Updates <br />• iPAQ Pocket PC 2002 Update 1 (EUU1) <br />• iPAQ H3XXX Bluetooth Service Manager V1.1 <br />• Device Manager Update from the Compaq Expansion Pack Plus CD<br /><br />Here is what is fixed or enhanced:<br /><b>Fixes</b><br />• Added support for specific SD formats to prevent unnecessary formating when an SD card is inserted <br />• LED reminder to flash LED for more than 5 minutes <br />• Battery gauge to show proper reading after removing from AC power <br />• Lockup at the red and white screen during boot up <br />• Windows Media Player skip, jump to the next song, and no audio while playing from an SD card <br />• The error message “Project1.vb requires Visual Basic for Windows CE version 2.0(\windows\pvbhost2.dll) which is not installed.” (French only) <br />• Completely remove cached deleted text from the inbox <br />• All fixes included within EUU1<br /><br /><b>Enhancements</b><br />• Bluetooth Manager v1.1 update <br />• ClearType legibility <br />• Temporary Backlight Off using the power button <br />• Improved Screen Calibration test <br />• Improved Virtual Memory utilization <br />• Battery run-time improvement for the Expansion Pack Plus accessories <br />• Added support for Microsoft Server ActiveSync client <br />• All enhancements included in EUU1 <br /><br />Enjoy! Thanks to Tim Welch for being the first with the link.

[tccox]

OK, let me get this stright. This morning I get a notice that PCNs have been changed to show release date of 7/1/02 for the BT ROM update and 7/8/02 for the non BT. the same day they release the BT version. Oh well, please, BT folks a report on update results please ......

[Ed Hansberry]

Well, just did the update. You must do a hard reset as part of the directions, so if you didn't do that, you did it wrong. You are on your own there. :wink:

This was a bit of a pain. Many more steps to go through but I guess it is to prevent iPAQ paperweights. Gotta reinstall everything now. We'll see how it goes.

[John Hung]

when ROM update is available and I install it, will the update process erase any earlier RAM updates I did? If not, wouldn't I have wasted valuable RAM space?

[Marc Zimmermann]

You must do a hard reset as part [...]

I always did/recommended it just to minimize the potential pitfalls by settings and apps. I always wondered why Compaq didn't tell users to do it.

[Marc Zimmermann]

when ROM update is available and I install it, will the update process erase any earlier RAM updates I did?

Yes, all RAM updates are just that, RAM updates. They're gone after a hard reset.

[MellowYellow]

Does anybody know if there will be an update for 3600 series?

[John Hung]

Thanks for the reply. I wrote the first email, post it, then realized that in the meantime additional info were posted. That will be a morning job to install the ROM updates, reset, and then reinstall all the softwares afterwards. I hope Compaq post it soon so I can do it over July Fourth long weekend.

I hope I haven't maxed out on my number of activation on Audible or Microsoft Reader, and I will have to pull out my old credit card info in order to activate my book on palm reader.

[Marc Zimmermann]

Does anybody know if there will be an update for 3600 series?

I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Compaq has no incentive in supporting the old hardware any longer and also would risk that people would hack the upgrade to install over Pocket PC 2000, kinda offering the Pocket PC 2002 upgrade for free. I would be very surprised to see any full ROM upgrades for H3100/3600 series devices.

[albsilva]

Well, I sugest that everyone follow ALL the instructions provided to avoid having a died iPaq like mine... it will be picked for repair... :cry:

During the 'remote rom upgrade' process, my PC showed me a msg about an error on the connection, then it told me to reset the iPaq and after that he is completelly dead... I made a rom backup, but is useless since the iPaq doesn't turn on :(

Regards,
Alberto Silva

[albsilva]

Well, just did the update. You must do a hard reset as part of the directions, so if you didn't do that, you did it wrong. You are on your own there. :wink:


What do you mean for a hard reset? The one they ask to press button 2, 4, power & reset? Or the standard hard reset (button 1, 4 & reset) :?:

Regards,
Alberto Silva

[Marc Zimmermann]

What do you mean for a hard reset? The one they ask to press button 2, 4, power & reset? Or the standard hard reset (button 1, 4 & reset) :?:

You need to do both. 2/4/power/reset before and 1/4/reset after flashing.

[albsilva]

Hi Mark,
You mean after the completed screen is shown?

Thanks,
Alberto Silva

[Ed Hansberry]

I hope I haven't maxed out on my number of activation on Audible or Microsoft Reader, and I will have to pull out my old credit card info in order to activate my book on palm reader.

Always deactivate your device through Audible Manager. Devices|Activate/Deactivate before doing this, sending it in for service or anything else that requires a hard reset.

MS REader shouldn't be a problem as that looks at your processor ID, which doesn't change in a hard reset.

[Ed Hansberry]

Hi Mark,
You mean after the completed screen is shown?

Thanks,
Alberto Silva
After the USB updated screen reads "Please Disconnect Battery." that is where you do the 1/4/reset.

[gregh]

albsilva - mine also appeared dead when I tried to re-connect it via a USB only cable. I connected it to a power cable only and it woke up!

:lol:

Greg

[mvoosten]

Update for non-Bluetooth models (eq. 3850 etc)

"June 26, 2002 Updated the effectivity date from June 15, 2002 to July 8, 2002" 8O

[Sanjay Srikonda]

Ok, the 1-4 hard reset and the 2-4 hard reset?

and what about all my contact and calendar info, if this wipes out all my ROM including all the programs I've installed, and I do a backup, and do a restore, won't the restore overwrite my ROM image as well?

I'm just not very sure what the procedure is for this, which, of course, is why I'm asking, I was reading the instructions and there's nothing in the instructions about backing up and restoring, the programs' data. The instructions say I can restore the previous ROM, but if I'm upgrading the ROM, wouldn't that be kind of defeating the purpose of installing the new ROM image?

well, nothing like being confused, oh, wait, yes it is.

[Jason Dunn]

and what about all my contact and calendar info, if this wipes out all my ROM including all the programs I've installed, and I do a backup, and do a restore, won't the restore overwrite my ROM image as well?

I don't believe you can do a restore (you couldn't with other ROM version). You need to re-build the iPAQ from scratch.

[Sanjay Srikonda]

Ok, isn't that like a scorched earth policy. The ROM upgrade talks about 30 minutes to perform this upgrade via USB, but rebuilding your entire application and contact, and calendar structure, doesn't that require a heck of a lot more time?

Conversely, would synching with your desktop PC would restore the contact/calendar info but not the programs.

Ok, so who has a program that does incremental backup/restore of only things I choose on my Ipaq?

[Ed Hansberry]

This also wipes the iPAQ File Store - apparently the entire ROM image is rebuilt, so if you have anything of value in there, save it first!

[Sanjay Srikonda]

I'm beginning to think that one is going to be necessary before I do this upgrade.

[Ed Hansberry]

I'm beginning to think that one is going to be necessary before I do this upgrade.
You won't lose anything other than some settings. Your documents are on your PC and your app installs are in Tools|Add/Remove programs in Activesync.

If you are really worried, drag and drop all folders from your PPC to your desktop somewhere before proceeding.

[Sanjay Srikonda]

sane answers that don't make me go nuts.

but, along the way, I found sunnysoft backup:

http://www.sunnysoft.cz

nice program, backs everything up to my storage card and restores from it

[Ed Hansberry]

sane answers that don't make me go nuts.

but, along the way, I found sunnysoft backup:

http://www.sunnysoft.cz

nice program, backs everything up to my storage card and restores from it
Just be forwarned. It could mess up your device. It would be like restoring a Windows 2000 SP1 backup on a Windows 2000 SP2 machine.

[Sanjay Srikonda]

I backed up my contacts, calendar, and programs directory

Would restoring that screw up my device as well?

I'm assuming that since i'm not touching the windows directory or the ROM image that it won't, but what do i know?

[albsilva]

albsilva - mine also appeared dead when I tried to re-connect it via a USB only cable. I connected it to a power cable only and it woke up!

:lol:

Greg

Mine doesn't want to wake up :roll:
When I connect it to power, it doesn't even turn the orange light on...

Alberto

[Jason Lee]

ok, maybe I missed something some where. What is he difference between the 1/4/reset hard reset and the 2/4/power/reset hard reset?
I only knew about the 1/4/reset one.

[Ed Hansberry]

I backed up my contacts, calendar, and programs directory

Would restoring that screw up my device as well?

I'm assuming that since i'm not touching the windows directory or the ROM image that it won't, but what do i know?
You don't need contacts and calendar. Those will come back when you sync.

You will need to install your apps again. Saving the EXE's won't do much. Those apps need the setup files to create the registry settings and file associations.

[Ed Hansberry]

ok, maybe I missed something some where. What is he difference between the 1/4/reset hard reset and the 2/4/power/reset hard reset?
I only knew about the 1/4/reset one.
THe 2/4/power/reset puts it in a USB Boot loader mode. Your data is not erased with this step.

[Jason Lee]

wow. that's cool. That was alot easier to do with the old ipaq 3600.
thanx

[Sanjay Srikonda]

I think that's the question, most of us haven't done a hard reset. I did one when I returned each of the 3 Ipaqs I've had replaced, I did the hold down the calendar button (button 1) and simultaneously hold down the iTask button (button 4),

and that reset my device, I think I can't remember it was a while ago, and I don't want to do it before I have to so I don't screw up my device.

I'm assuming the 2/4 reset is holding down the contacts button on the right side and the iTask button simultaneously?

[Ed Hansberry]

I think I can't remember it was a while ago, and I don't want to do it before I have to so I don't screw up my device.
Sanjsrik, here is the deal. If you want the ROM upgrade and done properly to ensure no pre-ROM settings and files (like the RAM based patches) don't mess up your post-ROM iPAQ, you do the following:

• Dock your iPAQ
• Start the ROM upgrade
• Undock your iPAQ
• Do the 2/4/power/reset move to get into USB update mode
• dock your ipaq again and hit Continue on the PC
• undock
• hard reset
• dock.

If you want to skip the hard reset, go ahead. You may encounter zero problems. If you are uncomfortable with rebuilding your device, you should delete the ROM upgrade from your PC and move on.

[Marc Zimmermann]

I'm assuming the 2/4 reset is holding down the contacts button on the right side and the iTask button simultaneously?

The ROM upgrade utility shows the button numbers in pretty detailed images on screen.

[Sanjay Srikonda]

I'm sorry for asking so many stupid questions. This just sounds very scary considering i've been reading that people have been wiping out their devices.

I've built computers from scratch before, but this is completely different.

Just wanted to get it right.

Thanks foryou help.

[Ed Hansberry]

I've built computers from scratch before, but this is completely different..
That's just it. This is far far easier to rebuild a PDA than a PC. You'll be done with the iPAQ before even loading XP on a PC.

[tekguru]

Well the Good News, HP finally release the latest ROM update....

and the bad news.....

after dilligently following the instructions carefully I tried to load the new ROM and was presented with the attached screen.

Note instead of the iPAQ 3870 version being shown it is replaced with a garbage description. So not to be beaten I carried out a hard reset of the iPAQ - and again got exactly the same screen.

The only thing I can think of is that this problem occurs as my iPAQ has a blank serial number! And how was the the serial number blankeed? It was wiped by Compaq during a repair they carried out last year! So well done Compaq and well done HP!

To get the machine updated it looks like I will have to return it to HP (Compaq) for servicing. This I am loathe to do as last time it took them three goes for the problem to be fixed ;-(

All I can say is......... Grrrrrr!!

[Ed Hansberry]

Well the Good News, HP finally release the latest ROM update....

and the bad news.....

after dilligently following the instructions carefully I tried to load the new ROM and was presented with the attached screen.
Ouch! I guess more good news is you can do this at your convenience, right? Your iPAQ isn't toast, just non-updatable right now.

[tekguru]

Yeah, but very very annoying. Now I've got to eventually track down who in the UK is now doing the repairs, and get them to do it correctly.

That LOOX is looking more and more tempting than the 3970...

[mvoosten]

funny.. (not the trouble your having with your machine though) the screen says image for model 3800.. So no specific version numbering for Bluetooth machines.. Would this one work as well on a 3850?

M.

[Grey]

Well the Good News, HP finally release the latest ROM update....

and the bad news.....

after dilligently following the instructions carefully I tried to load the new ROM and was presented with the attached screen.

Note instead of the iPAQ 3870 version being shown it is replaced with a garbage description. So not to be beaten I carried out a hard reset of the iPAQ - and again got exactly the same screen.

The only thing I can think of is that this problem occurs as my iPAQ has a blank serial number! And how was the the serial number blankeed? It was wiped by Compaq during a repair they carried out last year! So well done Compaq and well done HP!

To get the machine updated it looks like I will have to return it to HP (Compaq) for servicing. This I am loathe to do as last time it took them three goes for the problem to be fixed ;-(

All I can say is......... Grrrrrr!!

Well if your feeling brave you might want to try this, it appears that by restoring you can bypas the rom check! People are loading the 3870 image on 3850s. See http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?threadid=54268&pagenumber=2 the birighthand instructions

[Marc Zimmermann]

after dilligently following the instructions carefully I tried to load the new ROM and was presented with the attached screen.

Could it be that there's a minor difference between the US and UK ROMs?

The only thing I can think of is that this problem occurs as my iPAQ has a blank serial number! And how was the the serial number blankeed? It was wiped by Compaq during a repair they carried out last year! So well done Compaq and well done HP!

You should have had that fixed right away. There are some (few, but they exist) software app that tie their registration to the serial number. I've had reports from people getting their unit from repair without a serial number and being unable to use their software.

[tekguru]

Well I've spoken to Compaq today and they have confirmed a serial number can not be added, it means a new machine, so we will see what happens now their customer services guys are reluctant to act ;-(

[Ed Hansberry]

Well I've spoken to Compaq today and they have confirmed a serial number can not be added, it means a new machine, so we will see what happens now their customer services guys are reluctant to act ;-(
Ewwww.... it could be worse than you think. If they are on backorder as they were with me (customer service has a separate allocation) you may be waiting for a few weeks. :cry:

[tekguru]

Hi Ed, waiting is not a problem as the machine is working as it is, I just want it replaced so I can upgrade the ROM. Mind you I did suggest they upgrade me to a 3970 while they were at it ;-)

[Pony99CA]

If you want the ROM upgrade and done properly to ensure no pre-ROM settings and files (like the RAM based patches) don't mess up your post-ROM iPAQ, you do the following:

? Dock your iPAQ
? Start the ROM upgrade
? Undock your iPAQ
? Do the 2/4/power/reset move to get into USB update mode
? dock your ipaq again and hit Continue on the PC
? undock
? hard reset
? dock.

If you want to skip the hard reset, go ahead. You may encounter zero problems. If you are uncomfortable with rebuilding your device, you should delete the ROM upgrade from your PC and move on.

Well, I can uninstall my 3800 driver updates, Bluetooth Service and Bluetooth Manager 1.1. That's certainly easier than this process. I mean, could they make this any more onerous? The first ROM update didn't require a hard reset, if I recall.

I have 47 other programs installed on my 3870, many of which will have to be customized again. And those 47 only count those showing in the Remove Programs applet.

Then I'll have to copy my fonts again, remember what registry customizations I've made, set up my folder structure again, and so on.

HP/Compaq really needs a tool which will restore everything on your device except for system registry entries and updated files (any files on the device after a hard reset would be left alone). Then you could do a Backup, install the ROM update, and run this new Restore tool to bring your device back to where it was.

If I decide to do this, I'm going to wait to hear what experiences other people are having with this update. Does the ClearType fix really work, are there any new bugs, etc.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

I bit the bullet after the Pocket PC EUU2 came out and installed the iPAQ ROM and EUU2 on my 3870 at the same time. Unfortunately, I now have an issue with power management. Every time I do a soft reset, after the iPAQ comes back on, the backlight dims and the sounds go soft as if the battery were almost dead. If I wait a few seconds, the iPAQ turns off.

If I quickly bring up the Power applet, the battery guage often shows nothing or says "Unknown". My battery can be fully charged, and this still happens (plus, I have the dual PCMCIA sleeve with the extra battery attached, so I know I have power).

If I hit the power button to turn it off then back on again, the problem usually goes away.

Has anybody else seen this?

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

Steve,

A lot of users are having auto-off issues after a soft reset on the 2.20 ROM. See the Brighthand boards. It got so bad for me that the unit started hard-resetting itself (although I've seen no one else with that problem), and I decided to go back to the 2.15 ROM with all the patches, which is stable as a rock for me.

(EUU2 works fine on 2.15, btw.)

--bdj