HP Releases ROM Update For 2200 Series

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/20081.html">http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/20081.html</a><br /><br />HP has released their first full ROM update for the 2215. The list of fixes and enhancements include:<br /><br />• Adds support for the Extended Battery option.<br />• Uhm.....<br /><br />Yeah, I think that is it. :? I was hoping that after 6 months, HP would have released a ROM that fixes problems like <a href="http://wwss1pro.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?source=MH030521_CW01.xml&dt=3">this</a> or <a href="http://wwss1pro.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?source=MH030521_CW02.xml&dt=3">this</a> rather than a "fix" that enables them to sell you more stuff.

[Christian]

Boo. Seriously. :?

[Anthony Caruana]

If that's all that it includes it's a disgrace.

How about including the bluetooth patch, MSN Messenger update, Reader update, fix for the Notification database accumulating records, repeating alrms issues

I understand that the version of Bluetooth Manager in the newer devices is slightly enhanced as well and that would be nice to have.

Hopefully someone will be the pioneer and try this out for all of us and let us know if it does more than act as a vehicle for selling more hardware.

[Ed Hansberry]

Hopefully someone will be the pioneer and try this out for all of us and let us know if it does more than act as a vehicle for selling more hardware.
Agreed. If someone goes to the trouble of downloading and installing and it is just a bad list at HP's site, let me know and I'll update the front page. I forgot all about the Messenger and Reader RAM installs! Truly pathetic if those aren't included. :devilboy:

[ekjl]

http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98671

No MS reader update, no Messenger Update.

[Christian]

Personally I'm most concerned about a bluetooth fix. But after the last bluetooth update from HP caused my 2215 to hard reset itself, I'll leave the pioneering to someone else. :devilboy:

[Mark_Venture]

In addition to the MS Reader, MSN Messenger, and Bluetooth updates mentioned already. How about adding the patch to the iPAQ Backup software as mentioned HERE (http://www.spritesoftware.com/support/pocket_backup_support.html#5j)

All these fixes are eating up over 5 meg of the "56MB user accessible" memory.

Considering the MS Reader update was needed when I got my iPAQ back in July. The Sprite Wakeup Service update shortly after that. MSN Messenger update was in October. And Bluetooth was November. They had plenty of time to add each of these to the Rom update too.

I'm willing to bet that if they didn't have another product they were SELLING that depended on an update (extended battery), this ROM update would not be available..

[rpommier]

Shame on HP for this... how many updates have the 5500 series had? Sad thing is they're just about it as far as Pocket PC's go.

[Len Egan]

Hopefully someone will be the pioneer and try this out for all of us and let us know if it does more than act as a vehicle for selling more hardware.
Agreed. If someone goes to the trouble of downloading and installing and it is just a bad list at HP's site, let me know and I'll update the front page. I forgot all about the Messenger and Reader RAM installs! Truly pathetic if those aren't included. :devilboy:

I received the extended battery for Christmas and was rather taken aback to find that I had to do a ROM update in order to use it. As you know, doing a update involves reloading a whole bunch of stuff. It was a pain. All for the ability to use the thing. Rest assured, there is nothing else enhanced!

[William Yeung]

Here is my comments:
1. What the hxll HP thinking- RUU again??? why not do a XIP? Do they think most user enjoy reinstall the unit (make you feel thats new? :twisted: )?
2. As all user commented- WHERE THE HXLL ARE ALL THOSE FIXES YOU GUYS RELEASED BEFORE?????

These guys are just really plain asshxle.

Too bad they still have the best Pocket PC though...

[Kevin Daly]

In addition to everything already mentioned (especially the updates for Messenger and Reader), how about the Compact Framework SP 2.0?

I hope there are no hidden nasties preventing them from implementing fundamental fixes and upgrades like this (such as this unpleasant possibility: if you apply a software update that masks the version of a program in ROM, you can't subsequently upgrade the same program with a ROM update. I truly, deeply, really really seriously hope that is not the case).

[juni]

What a let-down :(

[R K]

I hope there are no hidden nasties preventing them from implementing fundamental fixes and upgrades like this (such as this unpleasant possibility: if you apply a software update that masks the version of a program in ROM, you can't subsequently upgrade the same program with a ROM update. I truly, deeply, really really seriously hope that is not the case).

Fear not, this is technically impossible since a hard-reset will always whipe out whatever's in RAM, and ROM Updates always require one (and some even force one).

[R K]

Actually, after thinking about it, I think HP bit off more than they can chew in the case of ROM updates, but they're probably not too concerned.
If you think about it, how many new iPAQs have been released in the last year?

1. iPAQ H555x
2. iPAQ H193x
3l iPAQ H194x
4. iPAQ H221x
5. iPAQ H415x
6. iPAQ H435x

That's more than double the amount that HP/Compaq used to produce in the years before (2-3 per year). My sad prediction is that we're probably going to see fewer ROM updates for one specific device.

[Len Egan]

Arren't the ROM updates handled the same as the operating system themselves where MICROSOFT produces them and then the OEM has the option of creating a licensed copy for their own device? If that's the case, we're upset with the wrong peeps!

[R K]

Arren't the ROM updates handled the same as the operating system themselves where MICROSOFT produces them and then the OEM has the option of creating a licensed copy for their own device? If that's the case, we're upset with the wrong peeps!

No, ROM updates require driver work which can only be done at the OEM level. Microsoft would be in over their heads to support and make drivers for all the Pocket PCs around today.
Only OS updates and OS releases are done by Microsoft, such as EUUs (End User Updates) and Service Packs. Even then, Microsoft only distributes the EUU to the OEM at which point the OEM must integrate the EUU in with their driver set for the Pocket PC.

[Len Egan]

You're right. My point is that this ROM update isn't a EUU it is a driver update and that is why all of the fixes previously mentioned are not in there.

[R K]

Even though Microsoft comes out with the EUUs and Service Packs, HP still has the choice to include individual program updates in ROM.
This is very similar to what every major OEM has probably done with PCs after the Worm Blaster bug. Many new PCs come with the fix preinstalled but the Blaster fix isn't in WinXP SP1, and SP2 hasn't been released yet.
That's the same thing that HP has done with the iPAQ H435x. I've heard reports that the H435x comes with the Reader fix and the Messenger fix preinstalled in ROM.

[Len Egan]

Even though Microsoft comes out with the EUUs and Service Packs, HP still has the choice to include individual program updates in ROM.
This is very similar to what every major OEM has probably done with PCs after the Worm Blaster bug. Many new PCs come with the fix preinstalled but the Blaster fix isn't in WinXP SP1, and SP2 hasn't been released yet.
That's the same thing that HP has done with the iPAQ H435x. I've heard reports that the H435x comes with the Reader fix and the Messenger fix preinstalled in ROM.

If that's the case (fixes with the 435x), I'd feel ripped off having instaled the ROM update for the extended battery.

By the way, the battery is great! If you use wifi a lot, it is a lifesaver. I can go for over 8 hours straight using WiFi and still have battery power. As the pack is smallet than the 2215 itself it adds weight but doesn't change the form factor in your hand. Still pocketable but heavy. I only snap it on if know that I'll be surfing for a long time or I'll be away from a charger for a while.

[manywhere]

Maybe (just maybe) HP has got the whole programming department working at the iPAQ 6000 just to get it working quadband... :lol:

Their schedule is quite tight as the 6000 should be out in March and maybe the updates you're all waiting for we'll be out in the post-March-time this year? It's at least worth hoping for... :wink:

[Kevin Daly]

You're right. My point is that this ROM update isn't a EUU it is a driver update and that is why all of the fixes previously mentioned are not in there.

You have a point there.
So it's probably Microsoft I should be getting impatient with...

My original concern remains: I've applied several EUU updates and it did *not* involve a hard reset (for which I was definitely grateful at the time).
But it might be a good idea to do one first when these updates finally arrive. Some hints on the subject from Microsoft or the OEMs when the time comes would be welcome.

[Len Egan]

Wouldn't that be great! I wonder what phone provider it will be aligned with.

[Ed Hansberry]

You're right. My point is that this ROM update isn't a EUU it is a driver update and that is why all of the fixes previously mentioned are not in there.

You have a point there.
So it's probably Microsoft I should be getting impatient with...Nope. I can assure you, MS is not the one doing nothing here.

[JustinGTP]

First thing, I got the bluetooth update to work fine - no hard resetting here folks.

But - thats it? Only the battery pack? Thats kind of disappointing considering this seem to be one of the best Pocket PCs they had out - and they went to the trouble of the rubber grip replacement program.

One big humph.

-Justin.

[ale2999]

yea that suks. but hp is a good company overall. they didnt mean the rom update to be for every1 I guess.

[Ed Hansberry]

If you haven't applied this ROM yet, and don't need the bits to make the extended battery work, pass on this one. Wait for a ROM update that has real fixes. I suspect this image was a rush job because the extended batteries are hitting the stores and HP had to ensure they would work. Why they bothered doing a ROM update rather than a RAM patch, I don't know.

I'll just wait though. :mrgreen:

[SeanMcLeod]

I decided to install the ROM update, however the update failed fairly early on.

Now when I reset my iPaq is starts the bootloader which displays a white screen with a version number "v 1. 08" and dispalys 'SERIAL' at the top of the screen. When I connect it to the cradle it then changes the display to 'USB'.

However running UpgradeUt.exe on my PC now pops-up the following grey dialog:

"Verifying the information on your iPAQ PocketPC...Please wait..."

Which eventually times out with an error dialog "Error 101: Connection Error" stating that I should check the USB connection between my cradle and PC etc.

The USB connection is fine because I can connect another PocketPC using the same cradle and USB connection without any problems.

I've tried resets on the PocketPC and the desktop PC but with no difference in symptons.

I then also tried removing the battery from the PocketPC for 30mins but that didn't make any difference either.

Anyone have any tips on how to get the upgrade to restart in this situation?

Thanks

[Anthony Caruana]

I decided to install the ROM update, however the update failed fairly early on.

Sean,

Way back near the beginning of this thread there is a link to Brighthand where there is a similar thread running. In that thread there is reference to a method of recovering from the failed ROM update. Otherwise you could call HP support and tell them that their ROM patch has failed on your device. They shold either reflash your unit or replace it depending on how old it is. Also, perhaps the store you bought it from might replace it - worth a shot

[Godsongz]

I don't own (or have plans to buy) the extended battery, but I'm doing the ROM upgrade anyway as I was already planning on a hard reset tonight. Something happened to my SD Card this afternoon and everything on it got zorched. I could have just re-installed the software that was looking at the SD, but I have never hard-reset my 2215 since I bought it and it kinda needs it. I'm not alone in thinking that PDAs should be hard-reset at least annually right? Anyway, I'll be up and running on the new ROM in a little while if anyone wants any specific info about the update.

[Sven Johannsen]

I wouldn't mess with this if you don't need it. I read somewhere that it really is just for the battery, it comes with the battery if you buy one, and HP posted it so that it would be available on the web in case battery owners needed it. They did similar things with drivers for their MMC battery back and keyboard for the Jornada units. That is, putting update files on the web that actually came with the hardware.

I've heard a real update may be coming.

[MikeInDallas]

:evil: I posted this elsewhere too, but it's very appropriate. Seems they would have solved issues like I'm having, though no firmware update in the world is going to fix the cursor button falling out! 8O

I have to reset my iPAQ 2210 at least once a day, usually more than that. I've been living with the reset issue because it's just an annoyance. Sometimes it's a bad annoyance because I'm trying to get some info quickly and have to wait for it to reload everything. It didn't happen to either my 3600 or 3675 iPAQs either.

When the cursor button fell out (hmm, where'd that go? :roll:) that was all I could take. I called HP for support and found the only choices I had were to mail it to them and wait for them to mail me a referb back, or pay $100 for a "CarePaq" package that means HP will cross-ship a replacement.

I had no choice. I rely too much on my PocketPC to go without it an indefinite amount of time, so I bought the CarePaq. As promised, HP mailed it out overnight and I received the CarePaq the next day. However, much to my dismay, I have to mail in a registration card and wait for them to mail me back a registration number before I can actually use it! Nobody told me that, and it baffles the mind that they'd overnight something that cannot be used.

Now that I am in the process of getting this thing switched out, they offer an update, but it's only to support something they're already selling and not to fix the bugs? I'm not impressed in the least with HP. Compaq's support wasn't great, but it was far better than HP is offering. :devilboy:

[Steven Cedrone]

I had no choice. I rely too much on my PocketPC to go without it an indefinite amount of time, so I bought the CarePaq. As promised, HP mailed it out overnight and I received the CarePaq the next day. However, much to my dismay, I have to mail in a registration card and wait for them to mail me back a registration number before I can actually use it! Nobody told me that, and it baffles the mind that they'd overnight something that cannot be used.

I think you can register the CarePaq online...

Steve

[EVNIXON]

I decided to install the ROM update, however the update failed fairly early on.

Hey Sean,

Did you ever get this problem resolved? I applied this same update from the HP web site and I am now getting the exact same screen as you did back in 2003. I hope you can help me. I am going crazy searching for an answer.

Thanks