Restoring the OS on a Dell Axim
Restoring the OS on a Dell Axim
Information on how to flash the OS on a Dell Axim if the upgrade to 2003 fails, other rom update fails, or to restore PocketPC/Windows Mobile from Linux if/when a write to flash version is released.
Background:
In this thread on Aximsite a member named "anpaza", who is appearently working on a version of Linux for the Axim, posted most of the info needed to restore the OS of an Axim.
Appearently, the first 256K of ROM is reserved for a boot loader that can be launched by pressing a certain combination of keys.
How To:
Please read through the how to completely, some stuff is clarified later that may be confusing at first.
First you'll need a Compact Flash card (I haven't tried an SD card, but it has been reported to me that it doesn't work) and some way to get a file on it, such as a card reader, another Axim, a digital camera that takes compact Flash cards, etc.
Next, you'll need a rom file, and since Pocket PCs aren't shipped with the OS on CD, unless you get an upgrade disc, you'll have to download one. If you do have the upgrade disc, look for two .img files on the, and follow the rest of guide, except for downloading and extracting the files off Dell's site.
The legitimate place to get them on the web is the Dell site. Go to Dell.com and click "Customer Service and Support", then Downloads, in the drop down box under "2 Select and Operating System" select Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 (Windows Mobile 2003 doesn't have downloadable rom images because of them being abused to do illegitimate upgrades) and click go. Under "System and Configuration Utilities" click the "Dell Axim X5 ROM Update for Pocket PC 2002". Alternatively, you could click here, though I'm not sure how well that link works.
Click "Dell Axim X5 ROM Update for Pocket PC 2002, v.05200300EN, A02" if you have an X5 Advanced (400MHz/64MB model)
Click "Dell Axim X5 ROM Update for Pocket PC 2002, v.04100300EN, A01" if you have an X5 Basic(300MHz/32MB model)
Click the Link under "File Name", choose where to download it from (clicking "Download Now Using HTTP" is my prefered method), read the agreement and agree, then save it to a place on your harddrive that you can find later (to the desktop would be good). Double click the file, click "Continue" make note of where it says the files are going to be unzipped to (or change them to a location of your choice), and click OK, hit Yes to the prompt to create folder, let it extract, then click OK to the caution box. Now browse to the folder where they extracted to, and copy the .img file needed over to the compact flash card. The download for advanced has only one file, if you downloaded an older version (or using another download not mentioned here) the file for advanced will typically have an 'H' in the name. The download for the Basic will have more than one .img file in there, the one with an 'L' is intended for the Basic.
Warning: continuing further may void your warranty
(though, one questions the usefullness of a warranty of a dead handheld)
First, remove the backup battery and set it aside. Remove the main battery, then reattach it. Press and hold down Contacts, Reset, Scroll in, and power then release both power and reset at the same time and continue holding Contacts and Scroll in for twenty seconds, then release.
Having someone to help you would be good, but it is possible to do it by yourself. Hold the axim sideways (power button to the left) hold down Contacts(thumb left hand), Reset (with stylus, left forefinger), scroll in (right forefinger), and power (right thumb) then release both power and reset at the same time and continued holding contacts and scroll in for twenty seconds, then release.
You should see a white screen with a bunch of text (see picture below), if you see the Dell logo come up instead and prompt to press a button, you need to try again.
More pictures of the boot loader process. (unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out well)
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