Develop Bugs

how to change files in windows directory

I connect universal to my pc w/ usb and want to rename/delete files in windows directory. It told me some pemmisson error. How can I do such things?
I can create new folds in the directory.
Seems a new bie question. thanks in advance.

Files in the windows folder are generally ROM files, so you can't really delete them, they'll just come back from ROM when you reset.
So - you can use the old technique, normally, of using something like gsfinder, rename the file you want to change, eg ctlpnl.exe to ctlpnl.orig, then copy a new file into the windows folder and rename it to ctlpnl.exe.
That works well with some files, but not all.
To do some heavy duty modding, you would have to make your own rom. Find RomTools by Mamaich.
V

But I can't rename any files belong to original rom. When I use GSfinder to rename the file, it also reported "Cannot rename file.". I checked the property of the file, it has "rom" property and the checkbox of "rom" property is gray.
How?
I attached a jpg file when I want to change the name of "smartdialing.dll".

My device info:
ROM: 1.30.111 WWE
Radio: 1.11.00
Protocal: 42.45.P8
ExtROM: 1.30.230 WWE
T-Mobile Germany version

As you say, if it's a proper ROM file that wants to be stubborn (it may already be in use. Try closing the app using a good task manager first) then your other option could just be burning a new rom.
Why do you need to rename it?
V

vijay555 said:
As you say, if it's a proper ROM file that wants to be stubborn (it may already be in use. Try closing the app using a good task manager first) then your other option could just be burning a new rom.
Why do you need to rename it?
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems that's not the reason. I can't even rename a htm or gif file with ROM property.
I want to localize smartdialing.dll.
Thanks for your quick response!

I think there's already a tutorial/solution to a localized smartdialler.
Can't remember the poster, check Buzz's site.
V

yes, I want to create a Chinese version of smartdialing based on their tutorial.
However, I tried to replace the original dll with my modified one, and FAILED. That's really troublesome. Seems nobody else has the same issue as mine.

Got a simular problem.
I'm trying to install OZVGA and according to the instructions you need to copy some files (Backlight.exe Camera.exe etc.) into the windows directory, but i'm not allowed to do so. Files are read only or in use.
Some suggestions?

Use TotalCommander.

ady said:
Use TotalCommander.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
useless.
Any one knows why?

I had the ozvga issue. I installed the extended ROM unlocker (from buzzdev.net I think) and then it let me replace them.
Hope this helps.
Coincidentally, I've just upgraded to the latest T-Mobile ROM and need to re-apply ozvga but I can't find the files/instructions anymore. Got a link handy?

How to delete/modify a wm5/wm6 windows rom file ?

Hi guys,
I'd like to modify a file from the windows folder.
I tried with TotalCommander and as the file is on the ROM, it says unable to delete/replace file
Is there a way to modify or replace this file ? I heard about making a cab file to replace the file but some help would be great
Thanks for your help

There is no way to delete or modify these files.
What you can do is copy your own file with the same name over it. The copy will actually reside in your storage memory and the system will use it until deleted or until you hard reset.
Note that if you want to replace system files on WM 5 / 6 you will need to sign them.
I think it would be better if you tell us what exactly you are trying to do as there may be a simpler way or an existing solution.

It's solved I tried with another rom and it works, I can replace the file.

Changing Welcomehead.png question.

Hi,
I would like to change the green Windows Mobile screen when i boot my device. I have extracted the Welcomehead.png from my device and made another in Photoshop. Saved it as Welcomehead.png. I paste it in the windows folder and overwrite the original png. When i reboot i thought i would see the new picture but no luck here. Still the same green WM picture. What can i do to make this work for me?

make sure its not READ-ONLY(chk its attributes)

are you sure you replaced it? you can't replace it with Active-Sync, use a filemanager on your PPC to copy/cut the file and then paste it in the windows folder.

@ ather90
How do i check if it's read only or not?
@ me_
Yes I'm sure. This is what i did. I made the new png-file and made a rar-file, I copied it to my Card and extracted it there. From there i pasted it into the windows folder. I just did it again and it asks me if i want to overwrite it, yes in this case so it must be overwritten. Again, after reboot nu luck.

If you have an image viewer on your device, check that the file in the \Windows directory is now showing your new image.

Biomehanika said:
If you have an image viewer on your device, check that the file in the \Windows directory is now showing your new image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reaction, had to work.
I have checkt this and no it does not show up when i scan the images in the Windows-folder. Can anyone tell me what the right procedure is to make this work?

It should be named welcomehead.96.png not welcomehead.png - you should use total commander to overwrite the file and the welcomehead.96.png should be no larger than 100kb to work.

meschle said:
It should be named welcomehead.96.png not welcomehead.png - you should use total commander to overwrite the file and the welcomehead.96.png should be no larger than 100kb to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this time it works. Thank you Meschle and others.

How to change start menu button image on wm6.1?

Hey! Can I change my start menu button image on wm6.1? I mean is there this image exist somewhere in the windows folder so I can replace it like the boot screen? (without any 3rd party apps like wisbar)
Thank you!
TKL

any idea?

2 ways useing the program called wisbar google it
or make your own rom from scratch and hack some dll which include the image you can also find a description somewhere in the forum which dll not for most peoples though

but which dll..I'm gonna search the forum for this. Thank you!

Rudegar said:
2 ways useing the program called wisbar google it
or make your own rom from scratch and hack some dll which include the image you can also find a description somewhere in the forum which dll not for most peoples though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can't say for sure but i think its the shellres.dll file that has the image in it

Where is shellres.dll located?? I can't find it.
Edit: I found it And how can I replace the image in the dll? I can't even copy it out from the windows folder... I tried with total commander but no luck :S

as i said you have to cook your own rom from scratch on the computer to get the dll into it
pretty much what all the people who make roms in this forum does so as i said it's not something for the most users
you can prob read about how start learning to cook roms in the wiki pages of your device

you can do this without cooking it into the rom. With WM6 the file is shellres.96.dll. Use reshacker to replace icon number 288, then you must "sign" the DLL using this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1262575&postcount=1
finally, copy it into the windows folder (you may have to rename the old one first)
soft reset and you should be good to go!
since you're having problems copying it I've attached a copy
BTW if you do this and it screws up your title bar icons it probably means that WM6.1 uses a different DLL. To fix it just delete or rename the DLL and reset.

i looked for this file on my wing (it has wm6) and there is a file named shellresapps.96.dll, so i am sure that it's probably not the same file....and it will not allow me to copy it to my pc so i can look inside of it, any ideas?

More help
I tried with replacing icon but it seems rshacker doesn't save that.
i mean icon not changed.
i used a 21x21 icon its of same size of original one.
please help

joemanb said:
you can do this without cooking it into the rom. With WM6 the file is shellres.96.dll. Use reshacker to replace icon number 288, then you must "sign" the DLL using this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1262575&postcount=1
finally, copy it into the windows folder (you may have to rename the old one first)
soft reset and you should be good to go!
since you're having problems copying it I've attached a copy
BTW if you do this and it screws up your title bar icons it probably means that WM6.1 uses a different DLL. To fix it just delete or rename the DLL and reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna give this a try later, thx!

mailforkrishna said:
I tried with replacing icon but it seems rshacker doesn't save that.
i mean icon not changed.
i used a 21x21 icon its of same size of original one.
please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm..? my icon is 21x18 and it worked in ResHacker

Delete File in Windows Mobile 6

Hi, how can I delete a file in \Windows folder? it seems complaining that the file is in ROM, I had tried many way even using other File Explorer or via ActiveSync. None of them work.
How can I delete a file in \Windows folder in my Microsoft Windows Mobile 6?

Maybe Resco Explorer or Total Commander CE will help.

if it's built in the rom, you might be unable to delete that file.
Please be more specific: which file do you wish to delete?
Maybe you'd have to recook the ROM without that file.
Regards,
EquinoXe

Things built into the rom are "READ ONLY MEMORY" therefore cannot be deleted. if the file is only marked as system and readonly though you can change its atributes using total commander. just long click on item to bring up menu and go to properties. there you need to uncheck everything and delete

I had downloaded Total Commander and installed it, the checked file attributes are 'read only' and 'in rom'; so I guess the file shall be consider undeleteable.
Now I had to learn how to recook, any good guide how can I recook the ROM that I have?

similar problem
I downloaded some software and it came up as being faulty software. The file was a zip folder titled : res_ppc-custom.icons
I tried through my windows mobile device center to uninstall it, but it was never actually installed completely in the first place.
I then tried to delete the file a few times. Once directly from my pda, once through the device center and again through my pc windows explorer. All three attempts were unsuccessful.
How can I get rid of this thing?
Thanks in advance

perhaps you may want to check if the file being accessed by other software, easiest way is to soft reset and try to delete it.

That did the trick! Thanks so much

Move files to storage card
OK I want to move some files (not ROM) in Windows and keep getting error. For example Opera.exe is not marked as anything in properties yet I can't seem to delete the file. I did copy it to my storage card without any issue but can't delete the original from Windows directory. Any suggestions since Total Commander won't delete it. Will edit registry to find it on the Storage Card.

Deleting files in Windows folder
mynullvoid said:
Hi, how can I delete a file in \Windows folder? it seems complaining that the file is in ROM, I had tried many way even using other File Explorer or via ActiveSync. None of them work.
How can I delete a file in \Windows folder in my Microsoft Windows Mobile 6?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem - I have colpilot.wm6ppc.cab in my Windows directory. It's 12.6mb, I don't want it, and it's taking up a lot of storage space. My phone is a T-Mobile MDA and it obviously came with CoPilot as an option, but I think it's really unfair that the cab is right there in the Windows dir and I can't get rid of it....
Any help gratefully received....
Cheers,
Ed.

The cab is cooked in as part of the rom; there's nothing you can do about it, except flash a custom rom (this is one of the main reasons people flash custom roms). Be glad it was installed as a cab and not as a full package-at least cabs are compressed are a single file.

Farmer Ted said:
The cab is cooked in as part of the rom; there's nothing you can do about it, except flash a custom rom (this is one of the main reasons people flash custom roms). Be glad it was installed as a cab and not as a full package-at least cabs are compressed are a single file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the issue is not on the files in ROM.
I have the same problem. I've copied a file under Windows folder and after that I'm unable to delete it.
Strangely I'm able to rename it, which should mean that file is not in use, however deletion is not possible.
I've used TotalCommander, the built-in Explorer and also connected the phone via ActiveSync, but still nothing happens and access seems to be denied.
The exact message is "deletion error".
Any idea?
Thanks.
Cheers...
-nOra-

A very common problem with Windows explorer is reported on all Windows help forums. I've seen people complaining about problem with long path files deletion.
Some common problems with Windows Explorer people talk about:
- Doesn't allow to delete files with long path names
- Pops up error while deleting unwanted files or unnecessary files
- Errors like: Access denied, sharing violation, source in use etc.
I've found a very simple but smart solution for all these above mentioned common problems. A very simple but powerful tool to overcome these problems. Everyone who plays with the files must have this tool. Its compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows.

johnylog.software said:
A very common problem with Windows explorer is reported on all Windows help forums. I've seen people complaining about problem with long path files deletion.
Some common problems with Windows Explorer people talk about:
- Doesn't allow to delete files with long path names
- Pops up error while deleting unwanted files or unnecessary files
- Errors like: Access denied, sharing violation, source in use etc.
I've found a very simple but smart solution for all these above mentioned common problems. A very simple but powerful tool to overcome these problems. Everyone who plays with the files must have this tool. Its compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell us the name of this wonderfull tool, and how to have?

djulen said:
Could you please tell us the name of this wonderfull tool, and how to have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on how he said it, I have to really wonder if he really does have such a tool...

badbwoydes said:
Based on how he said it, I have to really wonder if he really does have such a tool...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Total Commander to modify the contents of the \Windows directory.

Yes, but you won't be able to delete a ROM file anyway.
In the \Windows folder, you commonly encounter three kinds of files :
- Pure ROM files (can't be deleted nor renamed nor moved, nor even copied, but can be overwritten, consuming internal storage memory space in the process to store the new copy, that will become used instead) ;
- Files put there by installation CABs or else (can be freely deleted, renamed or moved, provided they're not currently used by a running process) ;
- Files put on top of previously existing ROM files, wearing the same name (deleting, renaming or moving them will thus make the original ROM file undertneath to reappear with its original contents and attributes).
Once you've understood that, you'll be more aware of what's cooking there.
ROM files can't even be copied, but you can use ROMExtractor to copy them elsewhere, in case you want to study them, or use them in your own ROM (useful to get up-to date versions from another HTC device to cook your own ROM).
Since ROMExtractor is a very minimalistic tool (you have to type in all the files names with their path, same for the target copy, all one by one !) manually extracting hundreds (even thousands) of files is a very tedious taks, I made a MortScript to automate the process in order to extract all those DLLs, EXEs, MUIs, etc. files that can't be directly copied from a phone's ROM.
On the other hand, you absolutely can't delete a ROM file to make room. Overwriting it with a file wearing the same name will jut result in actually adding the new file, thus consuming even more room. The new file will just be used instead of the original one (so you can still update or personalize the ROM).
As a direct consequence, the only way to get rid of unwanted ROM files or permanently replacing them with up-to-date ones is to cook a ROM and flash it to the device to replace the old one.
That's way how operating systems can become better and better, and save space at the same time.
And no, Windows Mobile isn't dead : I'm not quite finished with fixing it until it's perfect, so it's not over yet. LOL