Firmware Update

[Lunchbox]

Ok im sure this is a stupid question... but when i back up the apps onto an SD card and update the firmware will app data be there (games, documents, etc) when i restore them? And another stupid question, when I update, it will clear my address book which is backed up via hotsync on my laptop, but how do i restore them?

THANKS!

[benjie]

Yes, they are. However, an update always presents a new set of problems that may or may not affect a device.

I have always backed up to the card prior to executing an update. I then copy the contents of the card to my laptop, followed by a quick format then copy the update to the card. After copying the update to the card, the update is then executed, the device reset and initially tested. After that, I then reformat the card and copy the previous contents back to the card and restore. Now for me, I have not had any problems with the above actions. However, there are those that do have problems and that is because NEW files created by the system that live in RAM are OVER WRITTEN by OLD files created by the previous system that live in RAM and that in itself leads to no fun.

What should be done:

Back the device up to the card if you have a device based backup application.

Back the card up to the computer you sync with via card reader or whatever floats the boat.

Execute a hot sync

Reformat the card and copy the install files for the update to the card.

Execute the update.

After the update has completed, hot sync the device to install the PIM files and other goodies in RAM - this action does not overwrite any NEW files. You might consider setting the conduit to either "sync" or "desktop overwrites device."

After life is good, reformat the card using the quick format function and then copy the card contents back to the card.

As stated above, this removes the possibility of conflicts caused by old and new files - it is a pain, but is the safest thing to do. Would I do it? If I were new to the game, yes.

Ben

[Hollywood]

Geesh..............or maybe just call your provider for a replacement with the update already installed. :angry:

Bet ya never imagined you'd need a degree in computer science to own a "Smart Phone", did ya? :foot:

"Hollywood":cool:

[Lunchbox]

the fun thing is I actually understand what that stuff means... im a computer guy... guess thats why im getting my degree in business haha

[Hollywood]

That's all well and good, but the problem is these things are being sold to (we) the general public, who aren't expecting they need a degree from MIT in order to make them useful & productive (not to mention) just function the way they're supposed to!"Hollywood"

[chemgeek]

Unfortunately, the most capable smartphones are more like computers than phones. That is, to get the most out of them you need to install custom applications, and then you introduce variables the provider cannot have predicted. If you never put any third-party software on your phone, it has a chance of working out of the box. But the minute you add functionality, well then stuff happens, sometimes. I've had my Treo since December, and only now do I have it stable and running the types of custom apps I need. in general, I think the smartphones are less stable than the stand-alone Palm devices.

Cheers.

[Hollywood]

Good point(s), all well taken! I whole-heartedly agree about the third party apps, pros & cons.Being on 700p #4, and having had a nightmare of a time with the previous three, I've made a conscious decision with this one, to keep it as "simple" as possible, and I finally have a "stable" device.It's basically doing what I need, keeping 1,000 entries in my "Contacts" all with multiple numbers/addresses, pictures, ringtone, Retrieving & Sending Email & Texts (both SMS & MMS) flawlessly, Hotsyncing/Backing up to XP Pro without issue, Cell Phone, Kinoma Streaming Videos, Pocket Tunes MP3's, Surfing Internet, etc., & at this stage I just don't see the point in "pressing my luck"."Hollywood"