WANTED: ROM-editing app for LifeDrive!

[iemand]

I would very much like to have the ability to delete apps and files that are in ROM, and possibly place other apps or files in ROM that are not originally there.

In this (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112779&page=4&pp=15) thread Dmitrygr has posted an app that removes/replaces some apps from the TX-ROM.
I allready asked there if he is able and willing to make something like that for us LifeDrive owners, but as of this moment there is not a clear answer...
The app he posted removes some apps, and places other ones in it. As far as I am concerned it would be best to have an app that lets us users decide what to delete or add (like what JackSprat and JackFlash do on other devices).

I thought a seperate thread would be best for this request to him, or any other developer who feels competent ofcourse (Sharky, Pruss, anybody?), so if you think this would be interested in such an app please fill in the poll!

Thanx!

[dmitrygr]

i am not at this time releasing the app i made for this.

[iemand]

Hm, too bad, but at least that's clear :(

If it makes any difference, Me and I guess others would be willing to pay for it if you decide to release it as shareware...

Anyway, thanx for your answer, and ofcourse I hope eventually you change your mind :rolleyes:

But hey, maybe someone else can give it a try?
Or am I the only one wanting this...?

[Dan_Aykroyd]

So, with this you could remove apps from the ROM that wouldn't "return" when you hard reset the palm, right?

But if you delete something by mistake, or a file that you think wasn't needed.. then, that's a trip to the nearest servce for sure, isn't it?

Why to mess with the ROM in the first place? To be able to add something from 0 to 16 MB of applications more? I'm truly asking, since I only bought the LD a couple of days ago and cant quite see the point...

Thanks!

[harpgliss]

But if you delete something by mistake, or a file that you think wasn't needed.. then, that's a trip to the nearest servce for sure, isn't it?


Hi,

You end up with an expensive paperweight and make a trip to the store for a new pda.

David

[Dan_Aykroyd]

Well... couldn't it be reflashed by someone?

[harpgliss]

Well... couldn't it be reflashed by someone?

Hi,

Is it worth the risk?

David

[iemand]

So, with this you could remove apps from the ROM that wouldn't "return" when you hard reset the palm, right?

But if you delete something by mistake, or a file that you think wasn't needed.. then, that's a trip to the nearest servce for sure, isn't it?

Why to mess with the ROM in the first place? To be able to add something from 0 to 16 MB of applications more? I'm truly asking, since I only bought the LD a couple of days ago and cant quite see the point...

Thanks!

Ofcourse somethings should not be deleted...that's why JackSprat (a simular app as what I am suggesting, but it doesn't work on Palm's newer models) always lets you first make a full backup of your ROM, to make sure that you allways can fully restore after something goes wrong.

As to why one would want that, well...it's personal, I guess, so I can only speak for myself;
-I don't like to have apps on my device that I never use. Now some people will say "what's the problem, just don't use it", but it just irritates me to have these icons that clutter up my launcher. It's like someone puts a few ugly chairs in your living room, and says "well, if you don't like them, just don't sit on them"... (examples: QuickTour, AddIt).
-you 'can't' update these applications. I say 'can't' because you can actually update them, but then there's two versions of them on your device; the older one, and the newer one, which gets used. So I want the other one of my device (examples: DocumentsToGo, pTunes).
-I want to make my own choices, and since there are several better options than the included apps I want the inferior ones off my device (examples: Expence, WorldClock).
-furthermore, IF it would also be possible to ADD things to ROM you could use the freed-up space in ROM for that. That way ofcourse you spare this room in RAM for other stuff. Also, Like Dmitrygr did with his ROM-update for theTX, you can put a filemanager in ROM, so even after a hard reset you can do some advanced stuff (but, I admit this is only interesting for advanced users).
-and lastly, the app could possibly allow you to decide how big the RAM 'partition' should be (with a theoretical maximum of almost 4Gb), if you find the 64Mb you have now to be to limiting.

Hope this clears it up a bit, but like I said, it's just me, others may have other reasons.
Oh, I forgot one: it's just fun playing around with stuff like this! :D

[Dan_Aykroyd]

Hey, you are absolutly right man! I'm just like you (even if I looked as the "don't mess with it" person), but I'm really obssesive-compulssive, so I know what you mean.

About AddIt and such... when you say "delete from ROM", you mean that you won't be able to 'reinstall' when you hard-reset. Now, can this (and QuickTour and such) be delete from RAM (i.e.; hard disk partition) everytime you start a fresh installation? Doing this, at least, you would get rid of the icons, wouldn't you? (I mean, can they be uninstalled from RAM?)

Now about the increasing RAM partition... I read somewhere that it couldn't be done because of the way the OS address this space or something like that but could be that, either I'm not recalling quite good or who knows what could be done to make it possible?? :D

Cheers.

[iemand]

@Dan_Aykroyd:
First off, I think you'll find this (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112779&page=1&pp=15) thread interesting, it's about the same app I would like to have, but then for the TX.
Second, to be honest, I am also still a bit puzzled about your other questions...
There is (as of yet) no way to delete anything from ROM (alas not with a normally available app), but after a hard reset lots of things get copied to RAM, and those files CAN be deleted.
That way I got rid of DocumentsToGo (gonna put the newer version with PDF-support on it later), QuickTour and VersaMail.
AddIt, CardInfo, Expense and others are still there, whatever file I remove from RAM.
By the way, if it's suffecient for you, there are lots of apps that can make these apps 'invisble' in your launcher (for me that's not a solution, they are still there and that bugs me).
So, at the moment my LifeDrive is pretty clean right now, jsu not as clean as I would want. I have had lots of palm before this one, but knowing it has some stability-issues I am taking it slowly with installing things.
Like you I am testing some 'hack-like' apps first, and after I have a stable but tweaked device, I'll put my other apps on.
By the way, check the thread you started about deleting stuff 100%, I posted there too.

[iemand]

@Dimitrygr:
I was wondering, since you said in another thread that you are 'too lazy' to make an updated ROM for the LifeDrive, that maybe we could help out some way or another.
That way it would be less work for you, making the chances of you finding time to do it a bit bigger...

My idea was to have us (the forum-members that want this cleaned-up ROM) find out and decide which files are neccessary, and which files should not be in the new ROM.
That way you don't have to put time into that, and 'just' delete the unwanted files.
Besides, that way nobody will 'complain' to you that you left in/out the wrong files.

Please let us know what you think!

@other interested members:
So, for that reason I made a text-file with all the files in ROM and their creator-ID's, and if people here think it's a good idea, we will sort out what file does what, and what should stay or go (in another thread maybe?).

@other developers:
I said it before, and I'll say it again; if you think you are up to it, please, give it a try...!

[dmitrygr]

tell you what.
July1 i am releasing skinui 2
afterwards i will finish and release digitizer drift fixing app (i expect this to take 2 weeks max)
after that, i'll make you a LifeDrive rom crafter app. just remind me.

[iemand]

tell you what.
July1 i am releasing skinui 2
afterwards i will finish and release digitizer drift fixing app (i expect this to take 2 weeks max)
after that, i'll make you a LifeDrive rom crafter app. just remind me.

THANX!

This really good news, it'll make me and many other happy.
I won't bug you untill then, bust rest asured that I will remind you at that time! :D
Funny thing is that I am also waiting for SkinUI to try on my LifeDrive, AND my old T3 is seriously suffering the digitizer drift issue, so all good news for me!!

I'll still post the list with the ROM-files in another post to determine what can be deleted/changed!

[joepagIII]

and maybe some of the wealthier members might want to contribute to the cause for mr dmitrygr to show our grattitude

[pacoarce]

tell you what.
July1 i am releasing skinui 2
afterwards i will finish and release digitizer drift fixing app (i expect this to take 2 weeks max)
after that, i'll make you a LifeDrive rom crafter app. just remind me.


Thanks Dmitry, Please DO!

I'd love to have NetFront in ROM, or anything better than Blazer for that matter!

[yepayepa]

Big thank you dmitrygr!.

Like other people i will be really thankful to have the possibility to kick out and add software i want in my LD ROM.

[Icecruncher]

tell you what.
July1 i am releasing skinui 2
afterwards i will finish and release digitizer drift fixing app (i expect this to take 2 weeks max)
after that, i'll make you a LifeDrive rom crafter app. just remind me.


Yes, yes, yes.

I've been waiting for this since I bought the Lifedrive. Stupid Addit.

Icecruncher

[jdebay]

I have a Palm T, I used a T3, till it died. Now as a owner of LifeDrive...

I would like the option PALM are you listening....

To decide what apps to have in ROM...

I move all the icons to new catagory, not used...

If I install an application and it has a part that I do not use, I put into not used catagory.

I have looked for programs to hide application icons, I have tried hiding them too. But on soft reset, undone...

I just like having a neat and tidy Palm.

If I can do this on my Archos PMA 430 which is Archos first hand held. Then why can't Palm do it.

j

[iemand]

Dimitry said he would make us a 'ROM crafting app', so I think and hope that means we will have full control over what we leave/put in or out of ROM...

[Dan_Aykroyd]

Although I'd LOVE this app, can you ease your mind knowing that, f.e. you removed Addit from the ROM? I know... it's crap, it's advertising, it's listed as spyware in many sites, etc etc... but... you won't have NO MORE the ORIGINAL LIFEDRIVE. Stop. It wouldn't be as it was meant to be... :(

I only say this cause I suffer OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)... but, that'd go through my mind all the time... just wanted to know what you think.

In any case; Dmitry, go ahead and write that code for us. :)

[iemand]

Although I'd LOVE this app, can you ease your mind knowing that, f.e. you removed Addit from the ROM? I know... it's crap, it's advertising, it's listed as spyware in many sites, etc etc... but... you won't have NO MORE the ORIGINAL LIFEDRIVE. Stop. It wouldn't be as it was meant to be... :(

I only say this cause I suffer OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)... but, that'd go through my mind all the time... just wanted to know what you think.

In any case; Dmitry, go ahead and write that code for us. :)

Euhm, actually, for me, this is the exact reason I want this app; I don't think the LifeDrive is what it should be in it's original state, that's why I want to change it to my needs.
And I don't have ANY problems with that, to be honest...

[iemand]

@Dimitry:
I don't want to push my luck, but earlier in this thread you said you would make us a ROM crafting app for the LifeDrive.
This would be after you released SkinUI 2 on the first of july, and an app that would solve the digitiser drift problems.
You said that would take two weeks, but since you already released PowerDigi (works great on my old T3 by the way!), do you think you can start work on the ROM app...or did you already plan other things maybe?

Like I said, don't want to push my luck, just curious if there's any progress... :-)

[Upke]

I too am interested in such an application. What is the current status, if there is any status at all ;)

Thanks.

[iemand]

Good question!
I was about to ask Dimitry about this, but like I said in the post above, I don't want to rush him, after all, it is ofcourse up to him when and if he wants to release it.
So, in case you are reading this, Dimitry, any news?

[Bexuanmai]

Today is 7-9-2006 , I have had Life Drive for 1 day ago and I feel Addict + Quicktour + pTunes classic + Documents To Go 7 + ..... are suck . I wish I can remove them as I did on my old T|T3 . :rolleyes:

PS: Brayder Technologies has discontinued operations. ==> :confused:

[nevarDeath]

quicktour and docs to go can be deleted. I also would love a ROM editing app to get rid of Addit. It's a dumb prog and I would never miss it

[Bexuanmai]

@Dmitry : are you listening ?

[PalmSole]

Just a quick question: by removing ROM applications is it possible that the RAM size might improve as well? I read somewhere that the newer NVFS palms have to decompress from ROM so that they can be read in RAM. So it would make sense that there would be less initial demand on amount of RAM used if one chose to remove some of the oem ROM such as Quicktour, Realplayer etc...If this is the case please write this program for T5 users as well!! There are still quite a few of us around.

[archangel]

I would love to get rid of the overhead on the LD. All that junk like Addit is probably part of the reason LDs crash so often. However, I don't want a brick either so its doubtful this will happen.

[mrp123]

Don't forget the hackndev (http://hackndev.com/node/196) method. It's a completely manual process but I used it to clear out my LD ROM. The ROM editing details are a bit vague however. It's documented for a Linux environment but I did it half in Windows and half in Linux because...well, it's a long story. Anyway, I've had a great deal of success for several weeks now. The unit soft resets faster, the RAM is cleared up, the Launcher isn't cluttered, Blazer always downloads, etc. etc. If you're determined to do it, the directions are there. Nothing about it is point-click-and-go. If you have a good working knowledge with computers, it's possible. You just have to work at it.

[Bexuanmai]

@mrp123 : thank for useful link -- I gonna try this out . I have a question, how can you do this work on Windows ?

[mrp123]

how can you do this work on Windows ?I deflated Palm's cab files and then created the custom zip file (which is the foundation for the ROM) within Windows. I transferred that to Linux where I used Python and dd to actually write out the ROM for the LD.

[trallala]

Hi,

I tried the hackndev method (on Mac OS X) but it didn't work. The md5sum of the rom-partition is the same as listed in the hackndev site. Maybe my table.sct is wrong? Is there a way to check the files or the process of copying?

TIA.

[trallala]

Ok, now I managed to do the "hackndev" method !!!
But now I want to customize the file "rom partition". As far as I understand, all I have to do is to remove the applications that I don't want (like Addit), make a new zip file, make the rom-partition and copy it onto the cf card.
When I restart my Lifedrive now, it does not boot :( (If I copy the original rom-parition back , it will reboot). Do I have to customize anything else or change the parameter (like skip or seek) for dd?

[mrp123]

Do I have to customize anything else or change the parameter (like skip or seek) for dd?Don't change anything for dd. You need to inform Python that you've changed the zip file size. Python needs to know where the ROM partition will be on the disk (which is fine as it is) but also needs to know how big your ROM is (which is what you've changed). So you need to alter makecafe.py. In that file, you'll see a line that says:

DEF_LENGTH = 20479778 # in bytes

where this number is the size (in bytes!) of your zip file. You'll notice that this is the size of the zip file of the standard ROM. Replace this number with the exact number of bytes of your new zip file. It doesn't matter. I tried a dozen different zip sizes and they all worked.

Note too I used only a very light zip compression. Using the maximum zip compression wouldn't let my device boot either.

[FitoDotNET]

but how you transfer the rom image to the LD? by DD? w/ a CF card reader?

[Bexuanmai]

@mrp123 : I have only PC with Windows XP that why I asked you "How to do it on windows "

[trallala]

@mrp123: Thanks for your hint ! Do you compress von Windows and what tools do you use?
I use winzip, but I don't find an option to specifiy the compression level.
I only removed the *.gifs from the rom but it still doesn't boot......

Btw, is there a list which files can be removed safely ? I noticed a lot of language files which I assume can be removed.

[mrp123]

but how you transfer the rom image to the LD? by DD? w/ a CF card reader?@mrp123 : I have only PC with Windows XP that why I asked you "How to do it on windows "@FitoDotNETYes.

@Bexuanmai There's a way though I chose otherwise. I wrote to the CF using a Knoppix Live system CD (http://www.knoppix.org/).

@FitoDotNET & Bexuanmai: Your questions have answers here (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111497). You'll have to dig though.Do you compress von Windows and what tools do you use?
I use winzip, but I don't find an option to specifiy the compression level.
I only removed the *.gifs from the rom but it still doesn't boot......Yes, using Windows. My first attempt was removing the mp3, jpeg and avi files. I used WinZip version 9 (I think. Don't have it at this computer.) using maximum compression and it wouldn't boot. My company's laptop has an older Windows program called PowerDesk from www.ontrack.com that has a bundled zip utility. Zipped using maximum compression from there with no boot. Using PowerDesk, I zipped using the lightest compression (out of 4 or 5 options) and it booted. So I stuck with that recipe and didn't look back to WinZip because I honestly didn't have or want to commit the time to figure out why. From there I had zero problems crafting any ROM I wanted.
Regarding the compression options, both utilities offered a dropdown menu in the same dialog box that was used to specify the files to add to the zip. Also, don't save the files' directory structure in the zip either (also an option offered along with compression level). I don't know for a fact if it works against you but it certainly cannot help. I specified to not save the paths.
Btw, is there a list which files can be removed safely ? I noticed a lot of language files which I assume can be removed.I found no list of what's safe to delete. I figured it all out on my own by trial and error. I still have my stable and unstable lists from my trials. But it's no good if you can't even get a working custom ROM with only the mp3 deleted as a starting point. Keep working at it.

[trallala]

YEAH YEAH YEAH !!!!

IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!

@mrp123: Thanks a lot !!!! You really helped me a lot.

Now the important thing was:
- don't save the directory structure
- edit the boot.conf file

OK, now I start optimizing my rom....

BTW, has anybody tried to add applications to the rom (like tcpmp etc.). What settings have to be added to the boot.conf ?

[Icecruncher]

I was under the impression (per a thread on here) that Dmitry was supposeed to release a Rom-Editing app for the Lifedrive.

Has anyone heard anything new on that? It was about a month and a half ago.

[SoS]

I was under the impression (per a thread on here) that Dmitry was supposeed to release a Rom-Editing app for the Lifedrive.

Has anyone heard anything new on that? It was about a month and a half ago.

it wont happen..trust me!!

[mrp123]

Many congrats! Freedom is a wonderful feeling, isn't it?Now the important thing was:
- edit the boot.conf fileI never touched that file. I honestly don't know what it does, but I left it untouched in the ROM. Save yourself the headache as its list is huge.

[mrp123]

I was under the impression (per a thread on here) that Dmitry was supposeed to release a Rom-Editing app for the Lifedrive.

Has anyone heard anything new on that? It was about a month and a half ago.No word. However, this info is for those who don't want to wait and also have the time to do it manually.

[mrp123]

Here's another tip if you despise the animated "LifeDrive" splash screen after any reset as much as I do. Look for the file "SplashLifeDrive.prc". Replace it with this file (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&prodID=119795) which is named "dummy.prc". Just rename "dummy.prc" to "SplashLifeDrive.prc", place it in your zip file (obviously overwriting the original file) and bye bye splash. Knocks about 3 second off a reset. The only downside is you'll forever have the crash-test-dummy head in your launcher. You can manage the icon like any other icon in ROM.

[mrp123]

I dont see any Powerdesk in the ontrack site,can you specify more clearly on what is this powerdesk program?I don't see it there either. Like I said it's an older program (last revision was around 2000). PowerDesk was an alternative to Windows Explorer. It can have multiple navigation panes open in one window, it has their own integrated viewers and utilities for many different file types, etc. Anyway, try other zip utilities. They'll probably work. I'm clueless how the zipping algorithm works but I imagine they're standardized between programs by now. I'm just sharing my experiences. Maybe someone else can explain them.

[loc4me]

Does anyone know what the function of all the extra language files are? Can they be removed?

[SoS]

maybe there should be another choice in the poll

'I wouldnt want to do anything to it that would brick my device!'

Im sure that would get a lot of votes!!

[FitoDotNET]

if i get a CF reader i'll doit ... and i already edited the rom (i delete all the additional locale files, and replace the dxgo of the rom with the new one, and I edited the boot.conf, because there are the names of the pdb's)

[mrp123]

'I wouldnt want to do anything to it that would brick my device!'Easy there. ;) Don't spread fear based on the unknown. Removing apps from ROM won't brick your device. I can attest that writing an unstable ROM many times over didn't brick my device; just write a known good one back. Not following instructions or physically damaging the hardware by error could. Similar to the risks when altering your desktop computer.

[mrp123]

What is the version plzPowerDesk PRO, version 4.0.9.1. Don't know anything about it. Good luck. Again, certainly try other zip utilities. WinZip may very well work. I didn't try WinZip's minimal compression option because testing simply would've taken longer than I could afford at the time.

[loc4me]

Hi All,
I have been messing with creating my own rom by the HacknDev method. I know there were several people out there who were wanting to know how to do this on a windows machine. I have done the complete process. Except for writting to CF b/c i dont have CF yet, but I am sure you can do that b/c many people have already attested to DD for windows working. If there is any interest I can put together a How-To for Windows users.

Then all we need is someone to let us ALL know what is safe to remove and what is not.

-Mark

[trallala]

I used OS X and the command "zip" in the terminal window. No further options regarding compression level, just "zip * brahma-palmos.zip". And it works like a charm....

What is the best strategy now ?
1 . remove all unnessary files from the rom and restore DocsToGo, PTunes, ... from a backup
or
2. to enlarge the rom adding favorite (most-used) apps like tcpmp, agendus, etc.

[mrp123]

One of you guys start a new thread listing the manual methods. Just list step by step what you did, what OS you used to do it in, what hardware you used and what you ultimately did to the ROM. This way, people can find this info in the future rather than keeping here and off topic in this thread requesting an app to do the same. I'm gathering my records so I should have something to contribute too.

[loc4me]

I will start a new "How to" thread on tools needed to edit the LD rom on Windows.

[loc4me]

I have almost completed the "How to" for Installing the LD Rom (and editing) using only windows. I will probably not post it today b/c I am leaving on a trip untill Sunday. I will post it as soon as i can, but it is not much help posting one that is only half done. Stay tuned.

[Bexuanmai]

I have almost completed the "How to" for Installing the LD Rom (and editing) using only windows. I will probably not post it today b/c I am leaving on a trip untill Sunday. I will post it as soon as i can, but it is not much help posting one that is only half done. Stay tuned.
No problem men
Have a nice trip

[iemand]

WOW!

I'm the one who started this thread quite some time ago, and at first it didn't really get as much reactions as I hoped.
My hope was that, by getting lot's of reactions, Dmitry would maybe be challenged to write the ROM-editting app we all want. At ones time, as I'm sure you all know, he said he would release it sometime later, but he has since said it was harder than he thought it would be, so it's not gonna happen.
I haven't been checking these forums for a while, because I recently bought a Mac mini, so setting that up and getting to know that new toy (I mean productivity tool, of course) had me looking at different forums for a while.
Now it's time to give my LifeDrive the attention it deserves again, and to my surprise I saw this thread being back alive again!
That's great.
Even though I am on a mac now, it would be super to get a how-to for editing the ROM with just Windows. I'll dust my old Dell off a bit and hook it up again for that!
Goog te be back! :-)

[loc4me]

I finished a rough draft of the "how to" for editing the LD ROM using only windows. You can view it here (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119585).

-Mark

[iemand]

Great! Gonna check it out right now!

[fransiscomentir]

if i ever get my ld running again i would like to remove "addit" i hate that icon in my ld.