Hi folks,
The following is recommended only for power users and techies:
While I was going through verifying steps for an upcoming
article, I found a neat trick to access ROM image files on the
Apex (under KeySoft 9.2). The trick is using printer setup to
modify file system variables.
But first, a bit of explanation is in order (mostly for newbies):
In most embedded systems, system files are stored on what's
called ROM (Read-Only Memory) chip. This is usually a flash chip
that can only be modified by specialized programs such as
firmware upgraders. To help with this task, a user downloads and
runs a special program, which in turn would "burn" or write
system files to the ROM chip (a lot of high voltage is involved)
which are stored on a ROM image file. Under Windows CE, a
device's ROM files are stored on "Windows" directory, availible
under a "hidden" partition (usually called "root partition,",
otherwise known as RAM Disk.).
Since Apex is considered part of this embedded device category,
one can assume (and have confirmed) that Apex does have ROM flash
space (and definitely greater or equal to 64 MB). And because
Apex runs under Windows CE, one can also assume that system files
can be found under Windows folder on the root drive (formerly
called "KeySoft System Disk" under previous platforms, refered to
as RAM Disk). But we have a problem: ever since KeySoft 9.0, an
Apex user cannot access KeySoft System Disk, whereas under mPower
and before, one can access it "freely."
So how can a user view files stored on ROM directory? Quite
technical in concept but with a number of simple tasks (and as I
said above, please don't do this if you eon't know what you're
doing (usual cautionary notes)). The algorithm for this can be
divided into two stages:
1. Tell the file system to update the last accessed directory
variable.
2. Use directory traversal to access ROM files.
Stage 1: File system manipulation:
1. From Main Menu, go to KeyWord/Print.
2. At "print or setup" prompt, press s for setup.
3. Navigate through the settings until you see "printer type."
Press y to change it.
4. At the list of printers (technical printer files), select a
printer to use (preferably HP DeskJet) and press ENTER.
5. Then press SPACE with E (ESC) to exit the setup list and, if
asked to confirm your changes, say "yes."
Stage 2: Accessing ROM directory:
1. Back at Main Menu, go to File Manager then select Directory
9.1(/Browse (9.2).
2. At the drive prompt, press ENTER to select "backslash."
3. At the folder prompt, switch to directory mode (SPACE with T
or CTRL with T); KeySoft says, "directory name."
4. At the directory prompt, type "/windows" (without quotes)
then press ENTER.
If all goes well, KeySoft should say "list of files in Windows."
Voila - you've just accessed ROM image files that you had access
to freely under mPower.
Note: If you attempt to delete any ROM files, it'll not work
simply because its "read-only." Also, this manipulation is only
used to browse the ROM content, not run programs stored there (to
do this, you have to perform slightly more complicated steps
which I'll entrust others to have a field day with).
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Joseph
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