New ROM Update for the 555x?

[buckyg]

I haven't tried this yet. As of the time I am writing this post, it looks like they may have the version numbers switched. Today, I received a driver alert email from HP. Here is where the alert email pointed me: http://www3.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?dt=24&source=PCN1480W.xml The page says the update is 1.1 but the download link points to 1.0

However, the main driver download page for the 5555 http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/locate/105_5644.html seems to have 1.0 & 1.1 switched.

I currently have ROM version 1.00.18 loaded on mine. If I look on the description for 1.1, its version numbers are higher than mine. If I am reading this right, it maybe the 55xx equivalent of the recent 2215 1.1 ROM update. I think I'll wait until I know what is up and for other brave souls to try it.

(Perhaps they will have this straightened out by the time more folks read this. If so, sorry for the confusion. And yes, I first accidentally posted this under another ROM update thread. Maybe I'm the confused person...)

[Deus]

I did this ROM update and went from 1.00.00 to 1.00.13! I guess they do have it messed up!

[Deus]

Ok all. As of now the page is messed up and the links are not correct. This looks to be the correct one http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/20669.html


update 27146 is 1.00.13
25826 is 1.00.18
27674 is 1.10.10

Can anyone verify this? I have been holding with HP for 30 mins!

[WyattEarp]

Just go to the Support and Drivers for hp iPAQ Pocket PC h5500 Series (http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/handheldiPAQ/us/locate/105_5644.html) and use the 1.10 version which will update your device to 1.10.10.
The updates are just in the wrong order 1.10 (SP27674.exe) is the newest one. Please backup your device before doing the upgrade. :D

[Deus]

Why is the .18 Firmware still listed. Doesn't the ROM replace the .18 Firmware also?

Also I thought you could not restore from a backup made with a previous ROM version?

[WyattEarp]

Why is the .18 Firmware still listed. Doesn't the ROM replace the .18 Firmware also?

It erases everything and installs a completely new ROM.

Old updates don't get removed from the support site and shouldn't be. Everyone will not always upgrade their device for one reason or another.

[SassKwatch]

With WM 2003 SE on the not too distant horizon(?), isn't it likely everything included in this update will be incorporated into the SE as well?

Though I'm tempted to perform this update, I really have no desire to go through the hassle of re-installing all the apps and re-configuring the device now if I'll likely do it again a month from now.

Thoughts?

[buckyg]

I would think that all of the fixes would be in SE, but that's just my thinking. I'm tempted too but will wait to hear what experiences others have first. Yes, the reinstall of everything is a pain, but since I haven't seen anything official from HP about what, when and how much for SE, maybe waiting awhile for it.

[jpjehu]

the update is cool because at least you get a new background with each of the set up screens...

[WyattEarp]

WM2003SE is really only an add-on component and not a new OS, so it may not be a total ROM update. Also the latest h5550 ROM update I believe is entirely HPs fixes and not Microsofts. It is possible that HP will make a whole new ROM, but it may not be necessary either. We'll just have to wait and see.

[jpjehu]

things do seem slightly faster, though...

[buckyg]

Does the update include the last Reader update? It would be nice to have that out of RAM.

[SassKwatch]

Also the latest h5550 ROM update I believe is entirely HPs fixes and not Microsofts. It is possible that HP will make a whole new ROM, but it may not be necessary either. We'll just have to wait and see.

Good points!

But I think I'm gonna sit still on this one for now....on the ole 'If it ain't broke........' theory.

[Janak Parekh]

WM2003SE is really only an add-on component and not a new OS
Sez who? ;) I'm pretty sure it's an entire OS refresh, and will need a full ROM update. Most front-end functionality is the same, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

--janak

[Deus]

I am really happy I did this update. I didn't really have to reinstall everyting. I copied the "Program Files", and "Start Menu" folders to my desktop and them just copied them back. Some applications needed to be reinstalled but most of them run fine. I now have the same setup with and extrat 5 meg or so available!!

[WyattEarp]

WM2003SE is really only an add-on component and not a new OS
Sez who? ;) I'm pretty sure it's an entire OS refresh, and will need a full ROM update. Most front-end functionality is the same, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

--janak

Is that a hint :wink:

[WyattEarp]

Does the update include the last Reader update? It would be nice to have that out of RAM.

MS Reader 2.2.3 (Build 3205) is included.

[buckyg]

Thanks. Every bit of RAM does help.

I went ahead and updated. It went without a hitch. It does seem a bit faster so far, but that maybe because it's a fairly clean machine at the moment. HEY! So far, the soft-reset bug appears to be gone too.

[dhettel]

Ok perhaps my 5555 decided to die at this point.

But after upgrading to the 1.10.10 ROM I see some problems.

I have enabled the fingerprint or password option.
And I have a CF Plus Pack on it.

My 5555 is forgetting the network connections after being off for about 20 ~ 30 minutes. I turn it back on and they are gone. No info at all is showing on the networks I have connected to.

A soft reset restores the Network names, and password.

ActiveSync reports that it could NOT start a connection on the 5555.

ActiveSync on the PC Desktop says it is connected. And I can browse the 5555 and exchange files. I can also install programs on the 5555. All while the 5555 shows no connection.

It's within the realm of my luck that my 5555 has decided to fail now, unrelated to the ROM upgrade. If you need a working PocketPC you might want to wait for a week or so. See if anyone else sees problems with this build.

[Deus]

I tried but cannot reproduce this.

[Theo]

So just how many pages for drivers does HP need??? How confusing for us poor users


BTW - Happy Easter.

[buckyg]

Happy Easter to you too, Theo and to those who celebrate it.

Some random notes about the update:

- So far, haven't reproduce dhettel's problems either.

- Alarms still don't work right, I'm back to the workaround I use. It still works, did a test.

- Things still seems a little faster, that's subjective though.

- The battery doesn't seem to drain quite as fast, but that's also subjective.

[Jack Cook]

David,

I had a similar experience in the installation of programs...active sync appeared to be not connected and yet it installed a few programs. I uncradled it and then reinserted. All has been fine since then.

Jack

[Theo]

Install & had the "update screen" display on my iPAQ only to be told by the PC software that I should connect up the AC power (yeah I know that it was in the instructions, will teach me to read them twice) - talk about heart attack.

Connected the AC power and re-ran the PC software and everything loaded up as it should. Seems to run faster, but suspect that 'cos its a clean build again rather than my normally full machine.

Back to reinstalling my s/ware.

[Deus]

I should have done t. We need someone to hard reset > run benchmarks > install update a and run benchmark again to see the true results

[robshobs]

I just completed the ROM update and am now enjoying the process of reloading all of my apps. Soon to be followed by reconfiguring all of my apps.

I did run SPB Benchmark prior to the upgrade and immediately following the upgrade. I did a hard reset prior to running each test.

Spb Benchmark Index
Pre-ROM = 1115
Post-ROM = 1122

CPU Index
Pre-ROM = 1850
Post-ROM = 1866

File System Index
Pre-ROM = 1078
Post-ROM = 1091

Graphics Index
Pre-ROM = 529
Post-ROM = 528

Platform Index
Pre-ROM = 980
Post-ROM = 987

According to the stats above, nothing really improved. In the details of the test, there are a lot of areas where it is either really close or flip/flops back and forth as to which is best.

In the few minutes I've been using my IPAQ, I've noticed that a soft reset happens VERY quickly. As does pulling up the Add/Remove Programs screen. The real proof will come from using it.

Rob

[Deus]

Thanks for the info! I do notice a difference in performance but I too wonder if its just a clean machine!

[Janak Parekh]

Guys, let's continue this thread on Ed's frontpage version.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26837&highlight=

Thanks!

--janak