iPAQ 3970 PPC 2003 Beta Upgrade (DL link inside!)

[Skitals]

This is a public folder on HP's site, so its not illegal until they pull it.

PPC 2003 BETA for iPAQ 3970 (http://www.compaq.be/publicimages/Software/iPAQH3970-PocketPC2003-Beta.zip)

It says beta... I dont have a 3970 so I cant test. Sorry if this is a repost... thought I would share. Im not sure who originally found this link.

Post reports!

[Mystery905]

I would try it, but I've got a 3950. Do you have the link for a beta upgrade for that?

[Anthony Caruana]

Here's a list of everything in that folder

80days.lit
blood.lit
CompanyContactsManager(GlobalAddressListSync).zip
FreePocketPC2003.zip
H3900English.zip
H3900French.zip
HP_Presentation.zip
ict-bouw.zip
iPAQH3970-PocketPC2003-Beta.zip
iPAQh5450-ROMupdate.zip
iPAQlifestyles.zip
iPAQ-training.zip
MobilityFlyers.zip
PPC2002EN.zip
PPC2002FR.zip
PPT-backs.zip
sawyer.lit
Sherpa Training - Master.ppt
Shortcut to 2002.lnk
WinMediaPlay8EN.zip
WinMediaPlayer8Fr.zip
WirelessPack-StepByStepGuide-GPRS.pdf

Just browse to http://www.compaq.be/publicimages/Software/

Looks to be at least a couple of ROMs

Please note that I am in no way condoning downloading and using these. If you do then you would be in breach of the software licenses I suspect as when you buy a ROM update you are purchasing a license to use that software. Also, if you happen to destroy your PPCs ROm using one of these I doubt that your warranty would be supported.

That said, this looks to be a pretty big mistake by someone at HP.[/url]

[dazcox5181]

I have both a 3970 and 5450, and live in UK. I have already submitted the form to get my free upgrade for the 5450, and was ready for quite a wait....until now! I've got both files, but am not prepared to be first...so who is gonna be brave? (whos rich enough to trash a £500 PPC??) Let us know how you get on:)

[dazcox5181]

DOH! I just noticed the 5450 update is only the 1.11.19 rom i already have... Oh well heres hoping for another mistake! But would the update for 3970 work, as on the order form it is all the same option?

[popabawa]

Go on, give it a go :twisted:

You know you want to... :wink:

[Skitals]

I would NOT use this for anything other then a 3970.

I have heard two reports so far. Both report bugs... mainly bt doesnt work. On the brightside, one reported his device is much faster!

Cant wait for the official release (for the 5455... which i have).

[arrisb]

Well, I have just installed the upgrade on my 3970. Skitals is correct, Bluetooth does not work and the PPC does feel quicker.

It took about 10-15 mins to install the upgrade. Everything went smoothly.
If you use Bluetooth alot then this may not be good idea to install.
It cannot open the Bluetooth manager due to no memory being allocated to it. It suggests a soft reset to fix things but alas it doesnt. :roll:

[FredMurphy]

If anyone finds a beta for the 5450, I think I'm brave enough...

[hollis_f]

Bluetooth does not work How's about trying to install the 5450 BT software - that people were putting on their 3970s - over the top of the PPC2k3 beat?

[arrisb]

How's about trying to install the 5450 BT software - that people were putting on their 3970s - over the top of the PPC2k3 beat?

Ooohhh, do you know where I can get hold of the 5450 BT software? I will gladly try it if I can get hold of it...... :D

[3970user]

I have just "upgraded" my 3970 with the beta, then I applied the WIDCOMM BTW-CE bluetooth drivers (version 1.3.1.46) and all works fine. However I had to copy the cab file to the device and execute it from there as Widcomm's installer for the PC does not live the OS version. You also get a warning on the device that it is not suitable for the OS but clicking on Yes continues the install.

[arrisb]

Do you know where I can get hold of these drivers? I checked WIDCOMM's site but it seems you need to pay for it, am I right?

[3970user]

Do you know where I can get hold of these drivers?

http://freepak.free.fr/utilitaires/CFBTCE-N.zip

[echo]

i would give it a go with the bluetooth software installed over the os but i am worried about being able to install 2003final when hp comes out with it. does anyone know if its easy to go back to 2002 or if its possible to upgrade to the final version from the 2003beta? any clues?

[3970user]

All is not great with the Widcomm drivers. Whenever the device powers off it locks up, I guess that the drivers are not fully complient with WinCE 4.2

[echo]

All is not great with the Widcomm drivers. Whenever the device powers off it locks up, I guess that the drivers are not fully complient with WinCE 4.2

this happens every time you turn off the unit?

[3970user]

Yes, with and without the bluetooth trun on. A softreset recovers it.

[3970user]

i would give it a go with the bluetooth software installed over the os but i am worried about being able to install 2003final when hp comes out with it. does anyone know if its easy to go back to 2002 or if its possible to upgrade to the final version from the 2003beta? any clues?

I would sugest that if you are not comfortable with doing this then don't do it until someone can document a restore method (hopefully comming soon)

[arrisb]

Thanks 3970user, I will try them now. I have nothing to lose :?

I installed this beta to satisfy my curiosity which it has done. Overall I must say I like the new OS. Lots of simple additions and the speed increase are a plus for me but I will be buying the upgrade from HP when they finally pull their finger out and actually offer it for purchase....

[3970user]

Same here, I wish that HP would be ready to sell the upgrades on the day they announce them!

Hopefully it won't be long.

[arrisb]

Yeah it is annoying. I could hardly wait until the 23rd of June to order my CD.
LOL *still waiting*

[3970user]

Recovery is possible, I have just restored my 3970 back to version 2.10 (Pocket PC 2002), but not for the faint hearted though...

I downloaded the rompaq from HP, renamed the file "NK_Windsor21010WWE.nbf" to "nk_2002.nb0", then using a hex editor (Visual Studio in my case) removed the first 1F (32) bytes from the file. (open the other file to check that the first little section matches)

Old file size : 49,283,104
New File size: 49,283,072

Then using the same tool (and instructions) that came with the PPC 2003 beta reflash your ipaq with the command "LNB nk.nb0".

At the end of the upgrade I got the message "Done Code entry point unknown" - bit worrying.....

Be careful loading the flash with an incorrect file may cause your ipaq to be useless.

Good luck.

[3970user]

For anyone who may be interested I ran Spb Benchmark (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/benchmark) on my 3970 before the upgrade (running ROM 2.10) and here are the XML exported results:

<benchmark-results>

<info>

<platform-name>

Compaq iPAQ H3900

</platform-name>

<device-name>

ipaq

</device-name>

<start-date>

05.20.2002

</start-date>

</info>

<main-tests>

<fs-largefilewrite>

1442.100000

</fs-largefilewrite>

<fs-largefileread>

67.600000

</fs-largefileread>

<fs-largefilecopy>

1470.600000

</fs-largefilecopy>

<fs-manyfileswrite>

2118.900000

</fs-manyfileswrite>

<fs-manyfilesread>

190.900000

</fs-manyfilesread>

<fs-manyfilescopy>

2638.100000

</fs-manyfilescopy>

<fs-dirlisting>

17.000000

</fs-dirlisting>

<fs-db>

1699.600000

</fs-db>

<grf-ddb>

50.530000

</grf-ddb>

<grf-dib>

87.780000

</grf-dib>

<grf-gapi>

5.790000

</grf-gapi>

<builtin-pw>

12530.900000

</builtin-pw>

<builtin-pie-html>

5467.300000

</builtin-pie-html>

<builtin-pie-jpeg>

3030.900000

</builtin-pie-jpeg>

<builtin-fe>

9698.300000

</builtin-fe>

<misc-zip>

16394.400000

</misc-zip>

<misc-jpeg>

693.100000

</misc-jpeg>

<misc-arkaball>

11.312000

</misc-arkaball>

<misc-mflops>

5854.300000

</misc-mflops>

<misc-mops>

1146.100000

</misc-mops>

<misc-mwips>

12295.000000

</misc-mwips>

<misc-memcpy>

17.866000

</misc-memcpy>

<acs-write>

22838.700000

</acs-write>

<acs-read>

4286.000000

</acs-read>

</main-tests>

</benchmark-results>


And here are the results from the PocketPC 2003 Beta ROM:

<benchmark-results>

<info>

<platform-name>

Compaq iPAQ H3900

</platform-name>

<device-name>

ipaq2

</device-name>

<start-date>

05.20.2002

</start-date>

</info>

<main-tests>

<fs-largefilewrite>

1529.100000

</fs-largefilewrite>

<fs-largefileread>

58.600000

</fs-largefileread>

<fs-largefilecopy>

1405.900000

</fs-largefilecopy>

<fs-manyfileswrite>

2035.200000

</fs-manyfileswrite>

<fs-manyfilesread>

180.800000

</fs-manyfilesread>

<fs-manyfilescopy>

2262.500000

</fs-manyfilescopy>

<fs-dirlisting>

142.000000

</fs-dirlisting>

<fs-db>

871.300000

</fs-db>

<grf-ddb>

19.770000

</grf-ddb>

<grf-dib>

85.575000

</grf-dib>

<grf-gapi>

5.525000

</grf-gapi>

<builtin-pw>

4146.400000

</builtin-pw>

<builtin-pie-html>

5384.600000

</builtin-pie-html>

<builtin-pie-jpeg>

1582.600000

</builtin-pie-jpeg>

<builtin-fe>

5006.400000

</builtin-fe>

<misc-zip>

6360.200000

</misc-zip>

<misc-jpeg>

639.600000

</misc-jpeg>

<misc-arkaball>

10.096000

</misc-arkaball>

<misc-mflops>

5946.300000

</misc-mflops>

<misc-mops>

1140.900000

</misc-mops>

<misc-mwips>

12056.900000

</misc-mwips>

<misc-memcpy>

15.707000

</misc-memcpy>

<acs-write>

3486.000000

</acs-write>

<acs-read>

4243.200000

</acs-read>

</main-tests>

</benchmark-results>


In both cases the IPAQ was hard reset, Spb Benchmark installed and the tests were run.

[kfluet]

For anyone who may be interested I ran Spb Benchmark (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/benchmark) on my 3970 before the upgrade (running ROM 2.10) and here are the XML exported results

[...]

In both cases the IPAQ was hard reset, Spb Benchmark installed and the tests were run.

Good man! I was thinking of doing this and you saved me a pile of work. Thanks.

So, comparing the results, I think we are seeing a significant speed increase in some things like database access and compression.

Overall I found the beta (and therefore 2003) to be rather disappointing feature-wise. Like they said, most improvements are "under the hood".

[arrisb]

Oohh man, any chance of posting a link to your modified NK_Windsor21010WWE.nbf file 3970user?

Hex editors? I used one once, never again. 8O

:|

[stevetooth]

Oohh man, any chance of posting a link to your modified NK_Windsor21010WWE.nbf file 3970user?

Hex editors? I used one once, never again. 8O

:|

Yes, I need that too. I installed ppc2003 beta too, but bluetooth is really-really dead.

:(

[arrisb]

I was hoping a restoration of the ROM via a previous back-up would work but it refuses to initialise, saying it will only work on a 3970!!!

Im scuppered if 3970user cannot come up with the goods......

I wonder if the official release will install over the beta?

[Jason Dunn]

Wow, I just saw this thread - guys, installing some random beta build onto your devices is pretty risky! 8O Just because you find a link to a file on a public server doesn't mean it's MEANT to be public...<sigh>

[arrisb]

Yeah but I thought restoring it would be a doddle!!
How wrong I was... :cry:

*sobs*

[echo]

arrisb. to quote khufu01 from brighthand who quoted zygote from mypdacafe:

Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Posts: 1

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 12:08 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Windows Mobile for PocketPC Beta for the iPAQ 3900 series is available here from HP's site. I think it has been available for quite some time but, try it out or risk turning your iPAQ into a paper weight.


Hi folks, I've only just found this forum but have already gained from the expertise here, thanks.

I downloaded this "upgrade" and being a bit of a mercenary took the risk of installing it. Guess what... it worked!!

I don't know how complete a build it is but I had problems right from the start in that bluetooth no longer worked and I couldn't install the drivers for my Linksys WCF-12. The clock also seemed to randomly change.

It was at this point that I realised that there was no documented roll-back procedure

So, since you folks have already helped me, those of you who want to try it out and want to be able to roll back, here's how:

1. Download ROMPaq 23479 from Compaq's site. (It's the V2.10 ROM upgrade)
2. Unzip the package and locate the file "NK_Windsor21010WWE.nbf" it should be 48,129KB (Don't run the SP23479.exe, open it with winzip)
3. Open the .nbf file with a Hex editor, I use XVI32. (Getting scared yet )
4. Delete the first 32 bytes, the part you're deleting should read (in ASCII):

iPAQ 3900-WBT-ENG-2.10-2cf4-----

5. The remaining file should start like this (in HEX):

FE 03 00 EA 00 00 00 00

6. Save the file (I changed the filename to orig.nb0 for simplicity), the edited file should be 48,128KB
7. Copy this into the folder where you saved the PPC2003 upgrade.
8. Follow the instructions to upgrade to PPC2003 but instead of typing "LNB nk.nb0", type "LNB orig.nb0" (without quotes)
9. After flashing, you should have a restored PPC2002 with ROM V2.10

If you have any doubts about this then either reply with your question or don't do it. "

this is fairly simple. i didnt know how to use a hex editor either but was able to modify the romfile to restore the 2002. if you need any help getting your 2002 back, lmk.

[arrisb]

Thanks for the info but I have since sorted it out.

I installed Journal Bar 2003 v5 on to the beta PPPC 2003 and it totally locked the system up. I couldnt hard reset or anything.

During this limbo state (all I had was the iPAQ boot screen) I put the device into ROM update mode.
I then run the 2.10 update program. Because it couldnt tell the current ROM version number it happily installed the 2.10 version.
Thankfully, I am now restoring my 3970 with the back-up I done prior to installing PPC 2003.

Lesson learnt :D

[kfluet]

For anybody trying the beta:

BACKUP YOUR ROM FIRST!

You can do this quite simply if you have a blank CF or SD card around.

At the USB> prompt, before downloading the new ROM to your iPAQ, do a "d2s" and your rom will be backed up to your flash card. To restore, simply go back to the USB> prompt and type "s2d".