X51/X51v ROM update released

[mclark]

I saw that Dell has released a ROM update for X51/X51v. It is not for X50s upgraded to WM5.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R112544&SystemID=PDA_AXIM_X51&os=PPM&osl=en&deviceid=7643&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&fileid=147229

[Darius Wey]

Nice catch. I'll post on it shortly. :)

[shindullin]

I just bought me a brand spanking new Dell X51v last night and I was wondering how I would know whether I need to install the recently released ROM upgrade.

[Darius Wey]

Open Start > Settings > System > System Information. The ROM version should be listed there. If it corresponds to the latest one on Dell's web site, then you won't need to update it. :)

[shindullin]

Thank you for the quick reply! I look forward to finally letting my GenioE out to pasture and I eagerly await the arrival of it's replacement. I was waiting for the ROM upgrade to WM5 from Toshiba but it doesn't seem to be forthcoming... :)

[Darius Wey]

I was waiting for the ROM upgrade to WM5 from Toshiba but it doesn't seem to be forthcoming... :)

That won't be happening. Many months ago, I received direct word from Toshiba indicating that they had no intention to release Windows Mobile 5.0 for any of their existing devices.

[shindullin]

Sadly, I was actually just being sarcastic. There was a big stink years ago because Toshiba never provided a Win2003 ROM update for the GenioE. There was an online petition trying the get them to release one and everything. Toshiba has since been notoriously bad at providing ROM updates and in support in general. Notice my new gizmo is a Dell. The Genio was ahead of it's time though. Large screen, dual slots for CF and SD, and pretty fast too. At least for back in the day.

[shindullin]

That said, I've skipped an entire generation of machines and am really excited about learning the specific in's and outs of WM5 and the X51v. It already looks like I'm gonna have to get a lot of upgrades and/or new software.

[Darius Wey]

Sadly, I was actually just being sarcastic. There was a big stink years ago because Toshiba never provided a Win2003 ROM update for the GenioE. There was an online petition trying the get them to release one and everything. Toshiba has since been notoriously bad at providing ROM updates and in support in general. Notice my new gizmo is a Dell. The Genio was ahead of it's time though. Large screen, dual slots for CF and SD, and pretty fast too. At least for back in the day.

On the plus side, they did offer a free Windows Mobile 2003 SE update for their e400 and e800 series. I guess it matters little now - they're out of the Pocket PC business with no return in sight.

[beckp]

Oh man .... I just caught this (after I have finished loading up my new x51v) and I'm at version A01. Is the jump to A04 worth reinstalling everything?

[Darius Wey]

Oh man .... I just caught this (after I have finished loading up my new x51v) and I'm at version A01. Is the jump to A04 worth reinstalling everything?

The general guideline is if you're not experiencing any problems, then the upgrade probably isn't worth it. However, if you are experiencing problems, then you might want to make the jump to see if the latest update fixes any bugs.

[beckp]

Well not problems per say .... not happy with nothing running as I only have 26mb program memory available. I have installed Tweaks2k2 to help but it didn't seem to buy me much.

[shindullin]

A jump to A04 might be a good one for you then. I also noticed that my battery drained more slowly after I updated to the A04 ROM. At least subjectively. Haven't done anything like a torture test or anything. Axim still isn't detecting my CF card all the time but no white screens or freezes. Haven't used Wifi of late because I have to update my router's settings with the new MAC codes etc but haven't had the time to do it yet. 2kids a home make free time hard to come by.

[beckp]

A jump to A04 might be a good one for you then. I also noticed that my battery drained more slowly after I updated to the A04 ROM. At least subjectively. Haven't done anything like a torture test or anything. Axim still isn't detecting my CF card all the time but no white screens or freezes. Haven't used Wifi of late because I have to update my router's settings with the new MAC codes etc but haven't had the time to do it yet. 2kids a home make free time hard to come by.

Is there an issue with A04 and WiFi? I have WiFi working with my A01 version just fine, can I expect that to break? I have an older LinkSys that I haven't upgraded in a while.

[shindullin]

Not that I know of. I just haven't gotten around to resetting up mine personally. The holidays were busier than I had anticipated. Work was fine, but personal stuff filled up all the excess space. :roll:

[serr8]

Just loaded the A06 ROM. took awhile but it was worth it for me. I was having
- unrecognized CF card
- on/off button not working - must reset
- slow reset
- battery drain

This ROM seems to have fixed these. :D But may not be worth it if you're not having issues. I've a coworker that got the same machine at about the same time as me and has not seen any of those issues so must be spotty. :|

Earl E. Adopter

1996 - Sharp Zaurus
1999 - Phenom Ultra
2002 - Compaq iPAQ 3570
2005 - Dell Amix X51v

[shindullin]

CF card disappeared once (happened today) on me after my A06 update. It was consistently showing up for a while but seems to have come back.