Hard Reset Tips?

[Hantra]

All:
I think I need a hard reset on my x3i. It locks up now frequently, and last night I was using Terminal Services, and it locked hard three times.
Brad's Spring Cleaning Tips really helped it for a while, but it's back to old tricks.
What is involved in a Hard Reset?
What do I need to backup?
Any tips?
Can I get PPC 2003?
Thanks!
B

[bkbroil]

I've been using Sprite Backup for the past two months...it backs up everything..(or you can choose what items you would like to back up)...After a hard reset, my device is back to the way it was within 15 minutes....You can download a trial version of it to use...

[Hantra]

Would this not take problems with it though on the backup? Or do you just not backup Windows folders and stuff?

[Brad Isaac]

I think what BK means is once you hard reset and reconfigure your device fresh, then you can make a clean backup for later use. That's what I do usually

[Hantra]

I guess the big thing I am concerned about is getting my software back. I mean. . . I don't want to have to reinstall all my programs b/c I don't have serial numbers for all of them. I'd have to contact the vendor again and ask for my reg code. . . And that'd be a huge pain.
Any way around it?
Thanks!
B

[Brad Isaac]

That is a tough one.
A few thoughts..
1. Most (all) software distributors email you with serial and reg. Scan your entire email database, including deleted items for key words such as "informant", "reader plus", and the other items on your PPC
2. Handango and Pocketgear keeps your software serials, and downloads queued in their database. Log into your account and get your software and keys from there.
I know it's a pain, but we all gotta do it

[JDTagish]

This may seem redundant or silly, but...
I keep all my downloaded software for my PPC in a specific folder on my PC. In the same folder, I put an excel file that has the product name, the website I downloaded from OR the manufactuer website, and the registration code / user name for each piece of software I own.
I also keep the registration codes for any non-downloaded software I have purchased, with a link to where I can download the same software if I loose the CD. (things from Handmark can come on CD, but require a code to activate the programs)
In the same folder, I have it broken down into categories, game demos, utilitiy demos, purchased software, essentials (like active sync) and programs I want to purchase whose trial period have not expired.) Then, I'm not sorting thru a bunch of .exe or setup files with abbreviated names that I don't remember what program they actually go to. The files in the purchased software file, I rename, so I know exactly what the file is/does if I ever have to reinstall.
Then, I either burn the file onto a CD, or store it on a flash drive as a backup, with other essential files.
Hope this helps someone!
JD

[manukno]

I also use Sprit Backup software. I have restored my iPAQ 2215 several times and all of the software that was installed before the restore was restored without the need to input the registration keys again. (even software that I have installed on my SD card) The best feature of Sprite is the self extracting .exe backup file. I do not have to connect to my iPAQ to my laptop to perform a restore. I click on the backup file which I store on a memory card (so that is it accessible after a hard reset) and my restored PPC looks the same as it did prior to the reset. Check it out, it is worth the investment.

[jkendrick]

Good tip with Sprite Backup. But, if you're having problems with your device then a full backup/ restore will propagate the problem. Most problems occur with corruption in the registry and restoring it will likely recreate the problem. You should do a hard reset and reinstall all programs which will create a "clean" registry. Then as pointed out make a full backup with Sprite on a fresh system so you'll never have to do this again.
Registry corruption is one reason I do not use Today screen plugins. Doing some research on performance a while back I discovered that a surprising number of Today screen plugins write all their data directly into the registry. One plugin in particular had written over 800k of data! Two plugins together had written 1.2 MB of data. These plugins that keep data in the registry are writing, changing, writing again, all day long. I am pretty certain that this type of activity creates most people's stability problems.
I have been plugin-free for several months and I have not had to hard reset once and only a few soft resets, all related to all the software I test.

[manukno]

Backing up your PPC before you have problems is critical. I purchased Sprite Backup after performing a hard reset so my PPC was problem free at the time. I keep at least three back up files on my SD card so that if I encounter a problem I can restore from a back up file that was created before the problem exists. I too have had problems with today screen plug-ins. Even some of the most popular ones. I have reduced my plug-ins to Pocket Breeze and Pocket Plus and have not had problems since. I also use Pocket Mechanic for routine maintenance including registry clean up. The last restore that I had to perform was caused by dropping my iPAQ which caused the battery door and battery to go flying accross the room.

[kk1008]

hello jkendrick
i hv noted yr observation reg plug-ins. excuse me but i am new to the jargon. does it mean the today plu-ins or sortcuts that one installs by 3rd part software like say spb plus. i have been using plugins since a month now. do you recommend that i should not? as it is i have some problem on my imate jamin and now have to may be hard reset or upgrade to new rom.what do u suggest?
thanks

[judit]

I have a HP ipaq hw6900 and I would like to perform a hard/factory reset. Dopes anyone know how? Thanks.