Installing programs on storage card

[zt001]

How the heck can you install programs onto the SD card instead of main memory?

[doughboy]

It depends upon the device you have and the OS. Some programs will allow it and work; some programs will allow it and not work. The best way to attempt it is to have the memory card inserted and simply reply "No" when asked whether you would like to install the program to the default location. Then, click the drop down box and select the appropriate option (i.e. "CF card", "SD card", "memory card", "external storage", etc.)

[bubusee1]

Most tiny program will work for external cards. Installing program into the external card is good but when your battery or something similar happened that will wipe your system. Those programs installed in the external card will not work unless you reinstall them again.

[VulcanTourist]

Just today in some forum I saw a post that mentioned a third-party utility that allegedly handles application installation the same way as Windows Mobile 5: it prompts for a destination on the PPC side. I've already forgotten the name and which of the dozens of forum pages it was on, but knowing that might help you find it. Of course your alternative is to upgrade to WM5, which has other advantages in terms of resource usage and control (and other drawbacks).

Regardless, installing applications on external media is tricky business. If it involves a driver or service that might get loaded before the drivers for the external media are loaded, it might cause Bad Things. Similarly, I'm finding that many applications simply don't work right from an external card, especially if they are "low level" processes involving the Today screen, virtual SIP devices, or what-have-you.

If you're gonna do it, I'd recommend limiting it to "standalone" applications that aren't significantly bound to the OS in any way. Knowing when that's true, of course, is not an exact science (unless you start reverse-engineering stuff).

[jadesse]

Typically when you install a program, it should ask you. I have a Axim & Cingular 3125 which are very different from one another. I have been prompted with every program as to where it gets installed.

Most things I would install into main memory. Today screen plug-in & programs that you use every day.

[LegacyHH]

It should be pretty straight forward if your installing the software from a PC. When ActiveSync sees a new application to install, it should pop up a window asking if you want to install to the default location. Choose "NO". It will then pop up with a pull down menu, with "MAIN MEMORY" selected. Just select "Storage Card" and select ok.

If your transferring .CAB files directly to the PDA and installing from them, I'm not sure you have the option to select where to install, unless the actual application that is being installed asks.

Good Luck,

[VulcanTourist]

It should be pretty straight forward if your installing the software from a PC. When ActiveSync sees a new application to install, it should pop up a window asking if you want to install to the default location.
Congratulations: you're obsolete, you Windows Mobile 2003SE user you. Your instructions don't apply to anyone using Windows Mobile 5+ with ActiveSync 4.5.

Forget what he said, unless you're using 2003SE. ActiveSync will no longer ask where to install an application, because Windows Mobile 5/6 always asks, right on the unit and more explicitly. For those of you still wedded to 2003SE, as I said before there's a utility out there that intervenes in the process and implements something similar to what WM5/6 now does. I just saw it again this weekend somewhere, and I wish I'd thought to jot it down. If I can find it again, I will share it here.

[LegacyHH]

Gee with a name like LegacyHH, who would have thought I was out of date with my PDA??? :devilboy:

If you do find that app, I would love to know.

Thanks,

[VulcanTourist]

Found it!

CabInstl, by SKKV Software:
http://s-k-tools.com/index.html?m_util.html

Direct download link, from above page:
http://s-k-tools.com/freeware/cabinstl.zip

Description: This program is an installer for CAB files and allows to install PPC programs into the specified folder instead of that by default created by the standard installer. If the folder is not specified, installation will be made into the default folder. If the developer of the program being installed has firmly set the allocation of files in a CAB file - it will be used during the installation.

NOTE: You can use CabInstl with WM2005 for show content of cab files, install and unpack it, BUT system location dialog is prefer and will used anyway.

Since it's a free utility, you can also find it here, among other sources:
http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/cabinstl.shtml

Took me an hour rummaging through my huge chaotic browser history to find it! I'll post a Paypal link for gifts of gratitude later. :wink: