lefei
22nd March 2004, 10:35 AM
<TABLE width="75%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR borderColor=#ffffff bgColor=#ffffff>
Introduction
Wondering how you can find more space to squeeze in that small program that you like? Well, you might want to know that "FlashPro" and "FlashPack" allow you to move applications, programs and databases into your unused Flash memory (ROM), reserved for the Palm OS, thus freeing up some space for other programs. <CENTER>Moreover, when your information/applications are stored in the ROM, they will not be deleted should you do a hard reset.
Layout
FlashPro:
FlashPro is a program which enables you to fully utilize the unused space left over after the Palm OS is loaded into the ROM. It enables you to place applications into the ROM.
This achieves 2 purposes. Firstly it frees up your RAM, allowing more applications/softwares to be installed. Secondly, it allows you to retain essential applications should a hard reset occur at the wrong time and place.
Note that, the keywords here are "Applications" and "Softwares". FlashPro in general, does not allow you to put databases into the ROM. There may be the odd database that defies the rule, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. Any program or database that is stored in flash memory must be non-self-modifying (i.e cannot be changed while in flash).
Here are some samples of how the program looks like
FlashPack:
FlashPack is an extension of the FlashPro program. This application allows you to backup databases from RAM to the ROM.
Firstly, FlashPro must be installed and running before FlashPack can be run. With this application, you can now "push" (backup) important data like your Address Book, To-Do Lists, Datebook, etc… into the RAM. The keyword here is "Database", i.e. Flashpack does not allow you to backup applications and software into the flash memory.
Here is how FlashPack looks like
<HR>Functionality
More information about FlashPro
Running FlashPro for the first time
<DIR>FlashPro includes a utility (FPSetup) to prepare and format the ROM in order for FlashPro to place programs into the ROM. FPSetup must be run before FlashPro can work properly in your palm.
Preparing and formatting the ROM
</DIR>
Activating FlashPro
<DIR>FlashPro checks for Hackmaster once it is started, and if it detects that you have installed Hackmaster, it will prompt you to uninstall all the ‘hacks’ that you have activated.
‘Hacks’ should be deactivated as they might cause problems and might even result in a hard reset.
</DIR>
Using FlashPro
<DIR>FlashPro is not as complex as it looks, there are 2 modes of display. One to show what you have in your RAM and the other to show what is being stored in your ROM.
If you use the move button located at the lower right of the screen, it will move your programs out of the RAM and into the ROM, removing them at the same time from the RAM. If you do a 'copy to RAM', there will be 2 copies of the same file. If you are confident that you can run your program from ROM, do a 'move' instead.
</DIR>
Other Functions found in FlashPro
<DIR>FlashPro allows you to set your preferences when activating FlashPro. Although they look simple, these preferences should be left alone unless you know what you are doing. Most FlashPro users un-check the "hide Built-in Apps" box so that the Palm databases will be listed.
</DIR><HR>Enough about FlashPro, let talk about FlashPack:-
Using FlashPack
<DIR>Compared to FlashPro, FlashPack is much easier to use. All you have to do is to tick the databases that you want to backup and choose "backup" from the Tools menu and backup.
Note that Flashpack will not check for you if the ROM has a duplicated copy of the database backed up from FlashPro.
</DIR>
Other Functions found in FlashPack
<DIR>There are a couple of interesting functions found in FlashPack which will make your life and also managing of your databases and backing-up easier.
</DIR>
Schedule – As FlashPack only makes a copy of the databases as at the time of backup, it often does not have the most updated databases. It is a chore to manually backup the essential databases, so FlashPack has included a schedule to help us backup on a regular basis.
<DIR><DIR><DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR></DIR>
Restore – FlashPack allows restoring your current database with the ones that are backup in your ROM, thus provides some form of emergency restoration.
<DIR><DIR><DIR>
</DIR></DIR></DIR>
Preferences – FlashPack does allow some tweaking of its default setting.
<DIR><DIR><DIR>
</DIR></DIR></DIR><HR>Ease of Use
Generally, these 2 programs are quite easy to use. That aside, reading the manual before embarking on them is essential. Afterall, it affects the ROM which is the ‘heart’ of a palm. It can be quite scary to see your palm hang and you just can’t figure out how to get it to work again.
The speed of backing up and copying to the ROM is surprisingly fast, it takes about 1-2 minutes to copy about 700Kb worth of data to the ROM.
Size
The programs are relative small so there should not be any problem trying to find space to squeeze them in. You can always delete the setup and the uninstall .prc and only install them when you need it.
Compatibility Issues
I ran into some compatibility issues while playing around with it. First and foremost, hacks will have to be disabled. So you will have to give up all your favorite hacks to run this FlashPro/FlashPack.
I crashed my Palm when I tried to run an old program written for the Palm OS 3.1. So be very careful, when you install older programs and softwares.
Note that FlashPro provides a Recovery Mode support. When the memopad key is depressed and the reset key is hit, Recovery Mode is involved. This clears all of RAM and restores the ROM (flash) to the native Palm OS status. All user programs and databases that have been placed into flash are deleted. This Recovery Mode support always ensures that the user can get back to a native Palm state when it's required.
</CENTER></TD>
</TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="75%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR borderColor=#ffffff bgColor=#ffffff><TD>System Requirements
FlashPro and FlashPack works on almost all type of Palm devices and OS. It works well with all TRGpro devices as well. Here is a breakdown to clarify:-
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=9 width=738 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS and Model</B>
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
Space available
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.0 on Symbol 1500
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
699KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.0 on Palm III
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
824KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.1 on Palm IIIx, V
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
824KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.2 on Symbol 1700,1740
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
504KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.3 on TRGpro
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
568KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.3 on all supported devices
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
696KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.5 on TRGpro
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
440KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.5 on all supported devices
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
568KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Japanese OS 3.5 on supported devices
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
440KB
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Recommendations for Future Development
Should allow programs to be executed when in ROM
Should allow programs to access databases in ROM
Include better support for older programs
Include better checking and support for FlashPack
Cost
FlashPro is selling for US$29.95. FlashPack is selling for US$19.95. FlashPro/FlashPack bundle is selling for US$39.95
ConclusionI feel that this program bundle will appeal to people who can’t live without their Palm. It provides a reliable form of storing and backing up of essential data. Though through careful planning and design, the designers had tried to make these programs as simple to use as possible, I will not recommend it to newbies and beginners. These softwares still require some knowledge and experience on the palm.
Likes:
Able to recover essential data and programs from a hard reset
Able to free up some space in the RAM for other programs
Relatively intuitive user interface
Dislikes:
Not being able to run the applications and databases from ROM
Available at : www.palmgear.com (http://www.palmgear.com/)
Rating :
</FONT></CENTER>
Review by Xeonic (xeonic@yahoo.com)
6 Sep, 2000
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Introduction
Wondering how you can find more space to squeeze in that small program that you like? Well, you might want to know that "FlashPro" and "FlashPack" allow you to move applications, programs and databases into your unused Flash memory (ROM), reserved for the Palm OS, thus freeing up some space for other programs. <CENTER>Moreover, when your information/applications are stored in the ROM, they will not be deleted should you do a hard reset.
Layout
FlashPro:
FlashPro is a program which enables you to fully utilize the unused space left over after the Palm OS is loaded into the ROM. It enables you to place applications into the ROM.
This achieves 2 purposes. Firstly it frees up your RAM, allowing more applications/softwares to be installed. Secondly, it allows you to retain essential applications should a hard reset occur at the wrong time and place.
Note that, the keywords here are "Applications" and "Softwares". FlashPro in general, does not allow you to put databases into the ROM. There may be the odd database that defies the rule, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. Any program or database that is stored in flash memory must be non-self-modifying (i.e cannot be changed while in flash).
Here are some samples of how the program looks like
FlashPack:
FlashPack is an extension of the FlashPro program. This application allows you to backup databases from RAM to the ROM.
Firstly, FlashPro must be installed and running before FlashPack can be run. With this application, you can now "push" (backup) important data like your Address Book, To-Do Lists, Datebook, etc… into the RAM. The keyword here is "Database", i.e. Flashpack does not allow you to backup applications and software into the flash memory.
Here is how FlashPack looks like
<HR>Functionality
More information about FlashPro
Running FlashPro for the first time
<DIR>FlashPro includes a utility (FPSetup) to prepare and format the ROM in order for FlashPro to place programs into the ROM. FPSetup must be run before FlashPro can work properly in your palm.
Preparing and formatting the ROM
</DIR>
Activating FlashPro
<DIR>FlashPro checks for Hackmaster once it is started, and if it detects that you have installed Hackmaster, it will prompt you to uninstall all the ‘hacks’ that you have activated.
‘Hacks’ should be deactivated as they might cause problems and might even result in a hard reset.
</DIR>
Using FlashPro
<DIR>FlashPro is not as complex as it looks, there are 2 modes of display. One to show what you have in your RAM and the other to show what is being stored in your ROM.
If you use the move button located at the lower right of the screen, it will move your programs out of the RAM and into the ROM, removing them at the same time from the RAM. If you do a 'copy to RAM', there will be 2 copies of the same file. If you are confident that you can run your program from ROM, do a 'move' instead.
</DIR>
Other Functions found in FlashPro
<DIR>FlashPro allows you to set your preferences when activating FlashPro. Although they look simple, these preferences should be left alone unless you know what you are doing. Most FlashPro users un-check the "hide Built-in Apps" box so that the Palm databases will be listed.
</DIR><HR>Enough about FlashPro, let talk about FlashPack:-
Using FlashPack
<DIR>Compared to FlashPro, FlashPack is much easier to use. All you have to do is to tick the databases that you want to backup and choose "backup" from the Tools menu and backup.
Note that Flashpack will not check for you if the ROM has a duplicated copy of the database backed up from FlashPro.
</DIR>
Other Functions found in FlashPack
<DIR>There are a couple of interesting functions found in FlashPack which will make your life and also managing of your databases and backing-up easier.
</DIR>
Schedule – As FlashPack only makes a copy of the databases as at the time of backup, it often does not have the most updated databases. It is a chore to manually backup the essential databases, so FlashPack has included a schedule to help us backup on a regular basis.
<DIR><DIR><DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR></DIR>
Restore – FlashPack allows restoring your current database with the ones that are backup in your ROM, thus provides some form of emergency restoration.
<DIR><DIR><DIR>
</DIR></DIR></DIR>
Preferences – FlashPack does allow some tweaking of its default setting.
<DIR><DIR><DIR>
</DIR></DIR></DIR><HR>Ease of Use
Generally, these 2 programs are quite easy to use. That aside, reading the manual before embarking on them is essential. Afterall, it affects the ROM which is the ‘heart’ of a palm. It can be quite scary to see your palm hang and you just can’t figure out how to get it to work again.
The speed of backing up and copying to the ROM is surprisingly fast, it takes about 1-2 minutes to copy about 700Kb worth of data to the ROM.
Size
The programs are relative small so there should not be any problem trying to find space to squeeze them in. You can always delete the setup and the uninstall .prc and only install them when you need it.
Compatibility Issues
I ran into some compatibility issues while playing around with it. First and foremost, hacks will have to be disabled. So you will have to give up all your favorite hacks to run this FlashPro/FlashPack.
I crashed my Palm when I tried to run an old program written for the Palm OS 3.1. So be very careful, when you install older programs and softwares.
Note that FlashPro provides a Recovery Mode support. When the memopad key is depressed and the reset key is hit, Recovery Mode is involved. This clears all of RAM and restores the ROM (flash) to the native Palm OS status. All user programs and databases that have been placed into flash are deleted. This Recovery Mode support always ensures that the user can get back to a native Palm state when it's required.
</CENTER></TD>
</TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="75%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR borderColor=#ffffff bgColor=#ffffff><TD>System Requirements
FlashPro and FlashPack works on almost all type of Palm devices and OS. It works well with all TRGpro devices as well. Here is a breakdown to clarify:-
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=9 width=738 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS and Model</B>
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
Space available
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.0 on Symbol 1500
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
699KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.0 on Palm III
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
824KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.1 on Palm IIIx, V
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
824KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.2 on Symbol 1700,1740
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
504KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.3 on TRGpro
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
568KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.3 on all supported devices
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
696KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.5 on TRGpro
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
440KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Palm OS 3.5 on all supported devices
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
568KB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%">Japanese OS 3.5 on supported devices
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%">
440KB
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Recommendations for Future Development
Should allow programs to be executed when in ROM
Should allow programs to access databases in ROM
Include better support for older programs
Include better checking and support for FlashPack
Cost
FlashPro is selling for US$29.95. FlashPack is selling for US$19.95. FlashPro/FlashPack bundle is selling for US$39.95
ConclusionI feel that this program bundle will appeal to people who can’t live without their Palm. It provides a reliable form of storing and backing up of essential data. Though through careful planning and design, the designers had tried to make these programs as simple to use as possible, I will not recommend it to newbies and beginners. These softwares still require some knowledge and experience on the palm.
Likes:
Able to recover essential data and programs from a hard reset
Able to free up some space in the RAM for other programs
Relatively intuitive user interface
Dislikes:
Not being able to run the applications and databases from ROM
Available at : www.palmgear.com (http://www.palmgear.com/)
Rating :
</FONT></CENTER>
Review by Xeonic (xeonic@yahoo.com)
6 Sep, 2000
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>