Re: how much space does Win Mobile 2003 take?

From: Dott. Ing. Andrea NOTARI (anotari_at_libero.it)
Date: 11/24/04

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    Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 22:35:19 +0100

    Greatly explained. Thanks once more.
    ANdrea

    "ACE!!!" <ace_rules_bbs@hotmail.com> wrote in message
    news:Xns95AB6B2F0265CFearIsTheMindKiller@207.46.248.16...
    > Hello Andrea,
    >
    >
    > You are correct, regular desktop pc's running Microsoft Windows indeed
    > have an identically set up registry to store vital configuration data.
    > However here comes the big difference: A desktop has a harddisk to
    > permanently store data, whereas a PPC does not. that was the short
    > explanation ;) :)
    >
    > The long explanation:
    >
    > Typical desktop: uses a harddisk to store data, and RAM for executing
    > programs and processes. during shutdown, everything stored in RAM that
    > has to be stored again is written back to the harddisk. Able to retain
    > all settings after being shut down including the time, regional settings
    > programs, documents and all other data for years to come.
    >
    > Typical PPC: uses ROM to store the OS, and RAM to load parts of the OS,
    > execute the OS and programs, but also to store user data. This is divided
    > 50/50 on the first boot, and is automatically managed by the OS to keep
    > a balance between available RAM for running programs and the ability to
    > store your documents and other stuff. A PPC does not 'shut down', it goes
    > into a 'Hibernate' mode where the processor goes idle and the screen off,
    > but RAM and the internal clock remain active.
    > Here is where a PPC differs from a desktop pc, the RAM part functions as
    > both RAM and harddisk, with one exception: the RAM part needs a constant
    > power feed to be able to retain data as opposed to a harddisk. Vital parts
    > of the Windows Mobile operating system are loaded into RAM when the PPC
    > is initialised for the first time, to be executed in RAM from that point
    > on. One of these vital parts includes the Windows Mobile registry.
    > To protect the device from OS corruption and provide you with an easy
    > way to restore the device to factory settings, the ROM part of your PPC is
    > set to be read only, and therefore the registry remains in RAM.
    > (Even though the ROM is flashable, but this is only for updates/upgrades
    > of the internal OS and third party drivers/firmware.)
    > Now, when your PPC completely loses power.. the RAM part can no longer
    > store your data and settings, and the device performs a 'hard reset'.
    > The RAM is now empty and when you turn the PPC back on after recharging
    > it, it will once again put you through the first initialisation process
    > with the touch screen alignment and cut/paste tutorial. But leaves you
    > without your precious preference settings and your documents, the clock is
    > reset, the regional settings are gone, etc.
    > In essence, you have a 'new' PPC.
    >
    > A desktop computer doesn't do this as everything gets written back to disk
    > from RAM when you hit that shutdown button. At worst even when the desktop
    > OS decides it no longer wants to boot up, your settings and documents are
    > still there, but you just can't get in without a repair/bootdisk.
    > To give you a little buffer between the iminent death of your documents
    > and settings, modern PPC's have been equipped with a backup battery to
    > keep RAM powered even when you pull the main battery. although limited and
    > not strong enough to power the entire device, this was deemed 'enough' by
    > the PPC manufacturers, and to add another safeguard the PPC's were also
    > equipped with a backup facility that can detect whether the battery is
    > getting too low to operate, and will initiate a full backup to whatever
    > storage space you assigned it to (internal store or a card, for example)
    > so you may restore after power faillures.
    > A part I forgot to explain was that most PPC's also have a part of ROM
    > that is left over from storing the OS, (Think iPAQ FileStore here) and is
    > made user accessible so you can store some of your own programs and data
    > there. HP's new iPAQ's are now sporting up to 128MB Flash ROM of which
    > almost half is available for the user to store his/her data into without
    > risking the loss of this data when the device loses power. Flash ROM does
    > not need any power to retain data. A downside of the ROM is that it is
    > slower than RAM, and has limited write cycles available (think of it as a
    > CD-RW, only with many many more cycles) You don't have to expect Flash ROM
    > to suddenly fail on your PPC however, the internal technology is advanced
    > enough to outlast your PPC's life with typical use.
    > Also a lot of PPC's have expansion slots that can take more flash memory
    > in the form of Multimedia/Secure Digital/Compact Flash cards, and some
    > fancy PPC's even sport an USB host port so you can use USB sticks.
    > Mind you, external storage like that does not add to the PPC's RAM.
    > (we'd love that, but alas) It can be an intricate world for PPC's!
    >
    >
    >
    > I hope that was coherent enough. it's early ;)
    >
    >
    >
    > ~S.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > "Dott. Ing. Andrea NOTARI" <anotari@libero.it> wrote in
    > news:O7gQXza0EHA.1940@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl:
    >
    >> Hi again ACE,
    >> just after reading your answer to my third question, I believed I got
    >> the main point. However, after discussing with a few friends some days
    >> later, the following doubt arose:
    >> you say that whatever stored in the windows registry gets lost if the
    >> litium battery expires (let's forget about the back-up battery for
    >> simplicity). But if I consider an ordinary personal computer, I suppose
    >> I can find the same win registry utilized by the OS (e.g. XP). But when
    >> I shut the machine off, and on again the next day, I have lost nothing.
    >> Whereas you say it's not the same with a PPC and back-up solutions are
    >> needed to retrieve data. Now, I wonder where the difference lies between
    >> a PPC and an every-day PC...
    >>
    >> Thanks again for your informative reaction.
    >>
    >> ANdrea
    >>
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > --
    > ======================
    > ACE!!! a.k.a. ~S.
    > OS. Osaris / Psion 5mx
    > iPAQ 5550 / Nokia 6310
    > http://www.xarane.com
    > ======================
    > Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Petition:
    > http://www.petitiononline.com/HPWMK3SE/petition.html
    > 13033 Total Signatures on Friday, Oct. 29th 2004!
    > HP 'Windows Mobile 2003 SE Support' Forum:
    > http://forums.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=641503

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