Re: upgrade to WM 6.1 by john
john
Mon Apr 21 05:08:16 PDT 2008
"Ed Hansberry, MS-MVP/Mobile Devices"
<spamfree-silvernino@hotmail.spambegone.com> wrote in message
news:mbsb04d3sih5mmjjtj8dvhc6v1tpbmc4aq@4ax.com...
> Colin <colin.steadman@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Nothing in Windows Update when connecting from the UK either. Neither
>>has my carrier (TMobile) posted the 6.1 update on their Software
>>Downloads page for my Vario III MDA either (aka HTC TyTn2).
>>
>>Some advice please. Suppose the 6.1 update can be obtained elsewhere
>>(its bound to be on the internet somewhere), would it be considered
>>reasonable to install it? Or is it a very bad idea - ie could it
>>overwrite and break my device? And if it did, would a hardware reset
>>and backup restore sort it out?
>
> First of all, it would be illegal. It would be like downloading
> another version of Windows for your PC an installing it.
>
> Second, the worst thing you could do is brick your device,
> meaning it would no longer boot, and a hard reset won't fix that
> since this is in ROM and your original OS image would be gone. It
> doesn't mean the device isn't recoverable, but it would be fairly
> technical to get it back, and you'd likely have to put on a
> different illegal ROM to get it to work unless you found a
> legitimate ROM image on T-Mobile's site. There likely isn't one
> unless T-Mobile has provided one already.
it isn't hard at all. in fact just the other day I managed a trial run
upgrade of a Dell Axim X51v.
total round trip time from the original WM5-A12 ROM to a newer WM6.1 ROM,
then back again to WM5-A12 was only about a half hour.
legality? been talked to death over on XDA for years, and ironically, over
on AximSite they just decided to rescind their "no WM6 ROM discussions on
Axims" rule two weeks ago.
I look at it like this.... Dell sold me my Axim. They, not MS are
responsible to handle all upgrades, and frankly, they decide whether or not
they'll even participate in the program. ie, if a new OS comes out that
will run fine on my PDA, and they decide they don't want the hassle, then
I'm out of luck - they won't give it to me.
OTOH, Dell has discontinued their Axim line - no more sales, no more
support, and most warranties have expired, unless you were lucky enough to
have purchased a 3-year extended plan, in which case all they'll do is offer
a refurb if it breaks. So - for all intents & purposes, Dell is out of the
PDA business. So what do they care what I do with my perfectly good unit?
Am I supposed to throw it away because Dell will no longer service it?
"...> First of all, it would be illegal. It would be like downloading
> another version of Windows for your PC an installing it...."
Gray area for sure.
Let's say I have a perfectly good (but 2 year old) desktop at home.
hardware's up to snuff and it runs well.
It came preinstalled with Win98 or Win2000 and I want XP, only MS decides
they won't sell it to me, mainly because of the deal they have in place with
the hardware vendors (aka collusion), so they can force me to buy new
hardware every two years? Sound familiar? Thats been MS's business model
for years, their "sales at gunpoint" philosophy.
WM6 or WM 6.1 runs perfectly on it - in fact, they run FAR better and more
reliably than WM5 ever did.
I'd be more than happy to obtain a license, the only problem there is, MS
and the OEMs have refused to make one available.
If you ask me, MS brings this stuff upon themselves with their predatorial
business practices and licensing schemes.