Microsoft Reader for Pocket PC Updated

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/ppc.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/ppc.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Pocket PC users, please note that the new version of Microsoft Reader for Pocket PC (version 2.4) posted today is a bug fix release primarily intended for users of devices running Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition. While this version will run on all supported Pocket PC devices, we are only recommending that users of devices running these operating systems upgrade. Upgrading will not require reactivation of your Pocket PC device."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050326-MSReader.gif" /><br /><br />I know many of you have had problems with Microsoft Reader in the past, so I'll be hoping, along with you, that this release fixes them. So if you give this a go, feel free to report back. Apart from the fixes for known performance issues, there are a couple of new features, namely <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/reader/info/features/zoom.asp">"pan and zoom"</a> and <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/reader/info/features/rotate.asp">"rotate and resize"</a>. Version 2.4 is compatible with all Pocket PCs running Pocket PC 2002 and above. More details on the update can be found at the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/ppc.asp">Microsoft Reader for Pocket PC webpage</a>.

[VictoNight]

I was excited to see the upgrade with having multiple e-books on my old h2215. Now I have an hx4700 and I was very disappointed with the problems MSreader had. Yet, I just upgraded my device with the new software and although the text is clear in both landscape and portrait I am missing icons such as the two arrows on the bottom of the screen which are shown as an "S" and "T". And others that are normally there are replaced with various letters and numbers. I'm interested to know if this is a common problem, as strange as it is. Everything else seems to be working fine, just the cosmetic issues.

[krypticide]

You have a problem with your installation. The fonts for Microsoft Reader weren't properly installed, hence why you see text there.


On other news, each time I've downloaded this, it's given me 2.3. Is this because I'm in Singapore right now???

[Darius Wey]

On other news, each time I've downloaded this, it's given me 2.3. Is this because I'm in Singapore right now???

I doubt it. I'm in the same timezone as you and I can get v2.4 without any problems. Try this (http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/0/9/20997F86-3376-49CC-BD94-6A0521220E9C/MSReaderPPCUSASetup.exe) link - it should be the English EXE for v2.4.

[krypticide]

Okay, thanks, I'm trying it out. I'm pretty sure this is the same link that I used, but I'll tray again.

Can you check the last page under Settings in Microsoft Reader. Does it show 2.3 or 2.4?

With 2.3, I could do landscape, but the rotation (and rotation back) took forever as the pages realigned I guess. Of course, I was reading a 5000 page book...

[Darius Wey]

Can you check the last page under Settings in Microsoft Reader. Does it show 2.3 or 2.4?

Yeah, I checked this earlier in the day. It's v2.4 (Build 5070).

[krypticide]

Weird...when I run the setup file and look at the EULA, it says 2.3 still. Could you possibly send me or post the setup file that you used? Even better, the CAB file...this is really bizarre.

[Darius Wey]

Weird...when I run the setup file and look at the EULA, it says 2.3 still. Could you possibly send me or post the setup file that you used? Even better, the CAB file...this is really bizarre.

Unfortunately, I can't post the file. Redistributing the file would breach Microsoft's Licence Agreement, so for now, I can only suggest that you flush your temporary internet files and try again. If that fails, perhaps wait a few hours to see if you can access the latest version off their servers.

[lekim2]

.... I am missing icons such as the two arrows on the bottom of the screen which are shown as an "S" and "T". And others that are normally there are replaced with various letters and numbers....

If you installed to main memory, then you haven't done a soft reset. If you installed to storage you need to copy the 'ttf' files to the Windows\fonts directory of the PPC and do a soft reset.

PPC doesn't 'do' fonts on storage except with 3rd party software.

[shawnc]

"While this version will run on all supported Pocket PC devices, we are only recommending that users of devices running these operating systems (WM 2003 WM 2003 SE) upgrade. Upgrading will not require reactivation of your Pocket PC device."

This is a little confusing and a LOT scary. I particularily like the Pan and Zoom as well as resizing features but don't understand why MS is only recommending the upgrade for WM2003 devices. It's almost like there setting themselves up to say "well, I told you not to upgrade" to the rest of us after it blows up our PPC or something :twisted: .

[pcboy2003]

Weird...when I run the setup file and look at the EULA, it says 2.3 still. Could you possibly send me or post the setup file that you used? Even better, the CAB file...this is really bizarre.

Unfortunately, I can't post the file. Redistributing the file would breach Microsoft's Licence Agreement, so for now, I can only suggest that you flush your temporary internet files and try again. If that fails, perhaps wait a few hours to see if you can access the latest version off their servers.

where are the ttf files?

[Darius Wey]

where are the ttf files?

TrueType Fonts? :?

[SteveHoward999]

This is a little confusing and a LOT scary. I particularily like the Pan and Zoom as well as resizing features but don't understand why MS is only recommending the upgrade for WM2003 devices. It's almost like there setting themselves up to say "well, I told you not to upgrade" to the rest of us after it blows up our PPC or something :twisted: .

Pan and Zoom are not new - they were there in the last version.

Still trying to work out what bugs in 2003 devices were fixed. Read errors for books on SD card are still there ...

[altus]

This is a little confusing and a LOT scary. I particularily like the Pan and Zoom as well as resizing features but don't understand why MS is only recommending the upgrade for WM2003 devices. It's almost like there setting themselves up to say "well, I told you not to upgrade" to the rest of us after it blows up our PPC or something :twisted: .

Pan and Zoom are not new - they were there in the last version.

Still trying to work out what bugs in 2003 devices were fixed. Read errors for books on SD card are still there ...

One thing they seem to have fixed is that annoying pixel-doubling lockup that happened on my Axim x50v. Reader would just lock up upon loading a book and I couldn't tap anything. Occasionally something would work but it was impossible to use it normally, unless the Axim was in true VGA mode. This version seems to be working fine now.

[BUMP THAT]

"Version 2.4 is compatible with all Pocket PCs running Pocket PC 2002 and above."

That means it supports VGA correct. I hope so... :?

[rabilancia]

Weird...when I run the setup file and look at the EULA, it says 2.3 still. Could you possibly send me or post the setup file that you used? Even better, the CAB file...this is really bizarre.

I had a similar situation after installing to my storage card. The previous version on my h4155 is stored in ROM. Be sure to change the shortcuts in \Windows\Start and/or \Windows\Start\Programs to be where you installed the update.

Good Luck,
Rich

[tigerhunter]

I installed version 2.4 with no problems. Fonts look much better, like if it is real VGA support (I have an iPAQ 4700), but still TOO large!!! and no full screen option and no scrolling yet. I am still waiting for eReader to come with VGA support. In the meantime Mobipocket remaings (arguibly) the best reader around. Even when it has no VGA support the Tweaks 2k2 "brut force" works very well on it, It does not work on neither Microsoft Reader nor eReader. It works also on Adobe Reader, which is the only one that offers full screen AND simultaneous auto scrolling (if it could only offer different fonts and didn´t take thatmuch memory...) . Mobipocket support says that it will implement this simultaenous full screen/auto scrolling in their new release by September (so far you can have either full screen or scrollin, but not the same at the same time.

[tigerhunter]

Allow me to correct myself :oops: This 2.4 versions does NOT have VGA support. The Tweaks 2ks patch was activated and that increases clarity and decreases the fonts size a bit. So, it works somewhat. Without the patch it looks horrid. Period.

MS needs to put its act togethjer and come with a reasonable version soon.

[SteveHoward999]

Allow me to correct myself :oops: This 2.4 versions does NOT have VGA support. The Tweaks 2ks patch was activated and that increases clarity and decreases the fonts size a bit. So, it works somewhat. Without the patch it looks horrid. Period.

Works fine with SE_VGA.

[gwinter]

One thing they seem to have fixed is that annoying pixel-doubling lockup that happened on my Axim x50v. Reader would just lock up upon loading a book and I couldn't tap anything. Occasionally something would work but it was impossible to use it normally, unless the Axim was in true VGA mode. This version seems to be working fine now.

It's not a lock up. It has been discussed here (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35953&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;start=0). Basically when Reader is paginating an ebook, the touch screen is responsive at QVGA resolution, i.e. the top left quarter of the screen only. Everything returns to normal after pagination is finished. Seems like a programming oversight. But anyway it has been fixed now.

On the other hand, using just the cab to install doesn't seem to work now. :( I can't open any ebook at all. Must be some extra registry entries that needs to be created from the .inf files. Now... let's see if there are any archive of version 2.3 ....

[Hrun]

If you installed to storage you need to copy the 'ttf' files to the Windows\fonts directory of the PPC and do a soft reset.

PPC doesn't 'do' fonts on storage except with 3rd party software.

Still haven't worked out what the upgrade has done, apart from I have been able to register this one.

However, thanks for the tip about the fonts. I didn't know there were supposed to be arrows at the bottom of the page :lol:

Thanks a lot

Giles

[BUMP THAT]

8O Oh so no native VGA support. Well I lest I know there is a way. :D

[gwinter]

Update: Managed to get a copy already. Thanks to all those who offered their help.

ok help needed now. I don't have version 2.3 anymore and it's nowhere to be found at Microsoft's web page. So anyone who still has a copy please send me a message. Thanks.

P.S. In case you're wondering why I need an older version - Stand alone CAB install doesn't work anymore with the new version.

[krypticide]

This is so aggravating...I've redownloaded this about 5 times over several days, and it STILL tells me it's installing 2.3.

[SteveHoward999]

I didn't know there were supposed to be arrows at the bottom of the page :lol:


Press and hold the page number for two or three seconds.

Up pops the Riffle Control :-)

See tha arrows now?

[BUMP THAT]

@krypticide

Did you uninstall/remove the outdated version if possible? :wink:

[Rob Alexander]

Still trying to work out what bugs in 2003 devices were fixed. Read errors for books on SD card are still there ...

How can they have missed that one?! :bad-words: So much for recent discussions about how responsive MS are to bug reports. That was the only reason I was considering giving up the memory to install this, so thanks for mentioning it. At least I know not to bother.

[altus]

It's not a lock up. It has been discussed here (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35953&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;start=0). Basically when Reader is paginating an ebook, the touch screen is responsive at QVGA resolution, i.e. the top left quarter of the screen only. Everything returns to normal after pagination is finished. Seems like a programming oversight. But anyway it has been fixed now.

On the other hand, using just the cab to install doesn't seem to work now. :( I can't open any ebook at all. Must be some extra registry entries that needs to be created from the .inf files. Now... let's see if there are any archive of version 2.3 ....

Thanks for clarifying. Whatever that was, it's fixed now. I can read books again! :) BTW, I have Reader 2.3, PM me for details.

[Don't Panic!]

I don't use any VGA Enhancers on my X50v and it works fine. The X50v is a VGA device. Standard VGA users need not worry. QVGA users never had the problems(?) this fixed so you folks shouldn't worry either.

[pcboy2003]

so how the heck do yo finish the arrow down there? i don't have arrows, i got numbers.....

[chrisah]

This is so aggravating...I've redownloaded this about 5 times over several days, and it STILL tells me it's installing 2.3.

Krypticide-

You are still seeing the 2.3 version because your PPC installer caches the older version for re-install. To see the new version install when you install go to uninstall, check the Microsoft Reader and then click the remove button that removes both the PPC setup and the PPC setup portion that is run on your desktop. (don't worry this doesn't uninstall your desktop version I checked that out). If that doesn't resolve the issue feel free to post back and I will see what I can do to track this down.

Thanks!
Christine - MS Reader Team

[chrisah]

Still trying to work out what bugs in 2003 devices were fixed. Read errors for books on SD card are still there ...

How can they have missed that one?! :bad-words: So much for recent discussions about how responsive MS are to bug reports. That was the only reason I was considering giving up the memory to install this, so thanks for mentioning it. At least I know not to bother.

I know that everyone has been feeling some pain around the SD card issue especially those who do not have access to the PPC 2003 SE OS where this issue was largely resolved. There are some known compatibility issues with some SD cards and this produces unfortunate results in the Reader. We will continue to look into the issue but for more immediate remedy I suggest that you speak with your PPC manufacturer and see if they have any updates with regard to their handling of SD cards.

We appreciate your patience and we will continue to monitor this space for further issues.

Thank you,
Christine - MS Reader Team

[SteveHoward999]

[quote=Rob Alexander]
I know that everyone has been feeling some pain around the SD card issue especially those who do not have access to the PPC 2003 SE OS where this issue was largely resolved. There are some known compatibility issues with some SD cards and this produces unfortunate results in the Reader. We will continue to look into the issue but for more immediate remedy I suggest that you speak with your PPC manufacturer and see if they have any updates with regard to their handling of SD cards.

We appreciate your patience and we will continue to monitor this space for further issues.

Thank you,
Christine - MS Reader Team


Interesting - I am using 2003 SE. If what I am encountering is the largly resolved version, it must have been really bad.

Can you elaborate on the SD card incompatabilities? I mean, if I can help myself by changing brands, for instance, that would be helpful :-)

Thanks for taking th time to read and reply to this forum!

[Jason Lee]

Got it installed, works fine so far. Dunno if it is just me but it seems to load and close a lot faster on my device. First time i think i've ever ran reader and not gotten the wait icon. :)

[ctmagnus]

Just out of curiousity - what is the SD card issue?

Quite often, I'll fire up Reader and get no books listed even though I have two screens worth in my Library, mostly on a SD card. If I shut down Reader and open it again, it'll find all the books. Is this the issue?

[Don't Panic!]

Just out of curiousity - what is the SD card issue?

Quite often, I'll fire up Reader and get no books listed even though I have two screens worth in my Library, mostly on a SD card. If I shut down Reader and open it again, it'll find all the books. Is this the issue?That's what used to happen to me but now... zoom, Insta-load! Dell Axim X50v with WM2003SE OS and ROM Update AO2

[chrisah]

I know that everyone has been feeling some pain around the SD card issue especially those who do not have access to the PPC 2003 SE OS where this issue was largely resolved. There are some known compatibility issues with some SD cards and this produces unfortunate results in the Reader. We will continue to look into the issue but for more immediate remedy I suggest that you speak with your PPC manufacturer and see if they have any updates with regard to their handling of SD cards.

We appreciate your patience and we will continue to monitor this space for further issues.

Thank you,
Christine - MS Reader Team


Interesting - I am using 2003 SE. If what I am encountering is the largly resolved version, it must have been really bad.

Can you elaborate on the SD card incompatabilities? I mean, if I can help myself by changing brands, for instance, that would be helpful :-)

Thanks for taking th time to read and reply to this forum!

To clairify the SD card issue that I refer to is the "Cannot access this book" error that was primarily found when referencing content on the SD card. We are aware of the other issues regarding "disappearing" content and we are looking into this - if anyone has a solid repro please feel free to respond to me personally with hardware details and repro steps so that we can work toward a resolution.

From what I understand the "Cannot access" error is an SD card driver issue that most OEMS provide an update for. There is however, as an aside, a case where this error continues to pop up on systems where SD cards are not used but it is rare and inconsistent so this is a bug we will continue to monitor.

I hope that this clarifies things a bit. If not please let me know if you have additional questions.

Thank you,
Christine - MS Reader Team

[Rob Alexander]

Still trying to work out what bugs in 2003 devices were fixed. Read errors for books on SD card are still there ...

How can they have missed that one?! :bad-words: So much for recent discussions about how responsive MS are to bug reports. That was the only reason I was considering giving up the memory to install this, so thanks for mentioning it. At least I know not to bother.

I know that everyone has been feeling some pain around the SD card issue especially those who do not have access to the PPC 2003 SE OS where this issue was largely resolved. There are some known compatibility issues with some SD cards and this produces unfortunate results in the Reader. We will continue to look into the issue but for more immediate remedy I suggest that you speak with your PPC manufacturer and see if they have any updates with regard to their handling of SD cards.

We appreciate your patience and we will continue to monitor this space for further issues.

Thank you,
Christine - MS Reader Team

Thanks for replying, Christine. I may have to re-evaluate my view about you guys listening. :oops: So if I read you right, the issue isn't with Reader per se, but with the SD card driver, and on my HP 2215, that would be something that HP wrote. The only thing I don't understand is that I have almost all of my applications and data files of all types installed on my SD card, yet Reader is the only application that regularly (ever, actually) fails.

I'm not sure if it's the same issue; it doesn't sound like the one you described in a later message. Several times throughout any ebook, Reader reports it cannot read from the book and I have to shut it down and restart it to continue. Then it's good again for another 100 pages or so.

Unfortunately for me, my vendor is HP so there's little chance I'll see an update that solves the problem. I've installed all the updates they've offered, but it's been a long time since the last one and the 2215 is no longer a current model. Still, my faith is somewhat renewed that you came in here and explained the problem. Thanks for that!

Hey, as long as I have you here, do you think you can do anything about that missing close application button? :devilboy: (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

[adambravo]

I've got it installed on my Dell X50v in main memory, running OZVGA. Activation was a snap (for a change). Looks great--even in tiny yet clear font size, which looks smaller than what I used to get. Rotation looks great, too. Running v2.4, build 5070.

[brianchris]

OK, its not my intent to take this thread OT, and I don't think I will, but please let me know if that IS the case......its just that there are many Reader experts here in this thread.

Me? Although I've been a Pocket PC owner since before during and after the original iPaq 3600 series, I have only very recently started using Reader. So here's a few questions (if you don't mind):

-As luck has it, I'm about to re-install my current PPC (iPaq 5455) fresh, so I'll be sure to put this newest version on. First step of that is to backup my data. How do I backup Reader? I know I need the actual eBook, but what about annotations, application activiation, and ebook activation/encryption?
-Is this new version XIP? If not, will it run fine from ROM? If not, will the application run fine from SD card? and will there ever be an XIP version?
-Someone else here already answered a question about updating shortcuts.

Thanks in advance!

[ChristopherTD]

Some people have posted ways to backup activation, but I haven't tried that. However, if you are simply doing a hard-reset and reactivating the same device there should be no problems.

As for the re-install, if you are syncing files then the annotations will be on your PC in the "XXX My Documents" folder where XXX is the name of your PPC.

You must delete the partnership on the PC, but say that you don't want to delete the synchronised files folder.

Then before attaching the PPC for the first time, make sure that the name of the PPC is the same as it was before the hard-reset.

Then when you choose "Files" in the Activesync options it will ask if you want to replace the files on the device (say Yes). Then you will get your annotations back.

[Fuego]

Having waited so long for what should have been sorted out at the same time that MS released WM2003SE (did they actually test their own applications with it?), I threw the towel in and converted over to Mobipocket reader. Although it's not pefect, it gets the job done pretty well.

[A_L_E_S]

Hi,
i've problems upgrading MS Reader on my imate windows 4.20.
Obviously before buggin' u, I've tried everything... :?
After i have upgraded, even if the program shows me that the release installed of Reader is the 2.4 one, it doesn't have the features (zoom, screen rotation...) it should have. :cry:
I tried to unistall and re-install, but anything works. I know that it is probably due because my old version of Reader is installed in ROM, but following Microsoft instructions, i don't get any result. :!:

some suggestion :roll:

[Jason Lee]

Hi,
i've problems upgrading MS Reader on my imate windows 4.20.
Obviously before buggin' u, I've tried everything... :?
After i have upgraded, even if the program shows me that the release installed of Reader is the 2.4 one, it doesn't have the features (zoom, screen rotation...) it should have. :cry:
I tried to unistall and re-install, but anything works. I know that it is probably due because my old version of Reader is installed in ROM, but following Microsoft instructions, i don't get any result. :!:

some suggestion :roll:

What exactly do you mean zoom and rotate? I have 2.4 installed but don't have those either. I can change the font size from the settings if the ebook supports it. and i can rotate the screen because WM2003SE supports it, go to the control pannel or map a key.

Is that the only thing you are missing? I think your reader install might be just fine. Pocket reader has very few options compaired to the desktop version.

[A_L_E_S]

Actually i thought that rotation and zoom were ppc version's features too, otherwise the new ppc version hasn't anything different from the previous one (for me hehe I don't even have the rotation screen tool in windows mobile, but i run version 4.20 (build 14053) but i'll survive). :lol:

Thx Jason.

[Jason Lee]

Actually i thought that rotation and zoom were ppc version's features too, otherwise the new ppc version hasn't anything different from the previous one (for me hehe I don't even have the rotation screen tool in windows mobile, but i run version 4.20 (build 14053) but i'll survive). :lol:

Thx Jason.

No problem. :)

Yeah i think feature wise there really isn't a whole lot different with the newest version. For me it runs alot faster and doesn't crash as often. If I had reader in the rom of my device i probably wouldn't upgrade unless I were really having problems.

[ctmagnus]

I have it in rom and I haven't bothered to upgrade. It suits my needs as it is.