Storage Card
What can I use my Storage Card for?
Differences between flash memory and Main memory
Main memory is similar to RAM on your desktop - if you lose power, all the contents are gone. Note that turning off your device in the usual manner does not cut all power - enough trickles through to keep the Main memory alive. Compact Flash (CF) cards do not need any power to retain their contents. Anything you save on your CF card will survive a battery rundown. Unlike the Visor, you can run programs on your CF card with very few limitations.
Running it all in main memory
If you don't like the extra bulk created by the CF card and sleeve, you can run most of what you need without it. Email me for more info on this.
What can't I use the CF card for?
There are very few programs that you cannot run on the CF card. These are mainly programs that depend on constant access to the CF card or programs that make use of the wireless LAN card (or other programs that use the CF card or PC card slot: GPS hardware, stuff like that.) One in particular that we have been testing and recommending to the group is RemindMe. You must install this in Main Memory.
How do I tell my programs to save files to the Storage card?
It is not immediately obvious how to tell some apps where to save their files. For Notes & Word, you use Tools | Options
and then choose the Storage Card in the Save To field.
How do I install programs on the CF card?
The first part of program installation goes as usual. Connect your device and synchronise it. Most installation programs these days, come with their own installer - an 'exe' file, named either 'setup.exe', 'install.exe' or a varient of the program name. Run this installer on your desktop - it may decompress some files first, but then it will launch the Windows CE Program Manager. You also directly launch this Program Manager by clicking on Tools | Add/Remove Programs...
After a short delay while ActiveSync examines your device to see what is already installed, the following dialog box will appear. Make sure that 'Install program into the default installation folder' is not checked off...
The installation routine will probably ask you if you wish to Install into the default folder? It is important to say No at this point, even though it would appear from the way the message is phrased that saying No aborts the installation altogether. Just Say No, as the saying goes. Next, the installer will give you the following choice of where to install the program...
Select the Storage Card. Note that, with the previous question, saying Yes to the default installation location results in the program being installed in Main Memory.