How to install applications and games on a PocketPC
How to install applications and games on a PocketPC
To install applications on a PC is quite simple, and there are 2 ways that are the most used, one method is just run the setup and you are done, then there is another method of having a Zip file and just extracting it.
Well on a PocketPC there are more steps to be included, to start off with there are 3 mostly used methods on how to install applications on a PocketPC. Although it is pretty simple, still you need to make certain steps, and take precautions too!
All these methods need that the PocketPC is first of all connected to the computer via Bluetooth, Infra-Red, Cradle, or USB cable. Then it needs to be synced with ActiveSync or similar programs, if this is not done, of course nothing will be installed on your PocketPC
Anyways, to start off with you need too see if the program you are going to install is compatible with your PocketPC, because PocketPC’s are not as compatible as normal Windows computers are, for example most, nearly all the programs are compatible with Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP and nearly all the other Operating Systems, but to PocketPC’s it is different, a program might or might not be fully compatible with your PocketPC. There are various factors that affect this like, what ROM version you are running, your PocketPC processor and much more things.
Secondly you need to have one of the following to install a program on your PocketPC, you need either a Zipped version of the program (or standalone version), or a CAB installation file, or a normal Setup (the same as when installing a normal PC application)
Thirdly check that you have enough Memory for Storage on your PocketPC and that after installation you will have enough memory for Programs to run (like RAM) the program. It is highly advisable to buy a Storage Card, something like SD, or miniSD or whatever your PocketPC takes.
Now as to the actual installation, so check that the program is compatible and that your PocketPC is synced with ActiveSync. Now that everything is ready here are the main 3 ways of installation:-
If you have a Zipped, therefore a .zip compressed file, version or a Standalone version of the Program you just need to *extract the zipped file to somewhere you want, let’s say Desktop*. Then just Copy the extracted folder/file onto your PocketPC to where you want it, Storage Card is advisable, although some programs might not run well from the Storage Card, but most programs are most likely to work. Then open that folder from your PocketPC with File Explorer, copy the main .exe program (the main file that will run the program) and create a shortcut on the start menu by going into the Windows Folder and select Start Menu, the go into Programs and press right click and select ‘Paste as Shortcut’, and you will have s shortcut into the Start Menu/Programs directory, just as normal installation setups will do.
*If you have a standalone version skip this step.
If you have a .CAB file then you have to copy that .CAB file onto your PocketPC with ActiveSync, then just run the .CAB file from your PocketPC, if you want to install the application into a different location apart from the Main Memory, like Storage Card then you have to install a program like ‘CAB installer’ and choose a different location from the CAB installer (nearly all, if not all, have this option).
Now for the most common way of installation, the Setup file. Most of the people try to copy the whole setup file on their PocketPC and try to run it from there (it will show an error), well no, that is wrong, totally wrong. You have to run the Setup file from your Desktop Computer or Laptop, then if your PocketPC is synced, ActiveSync will popup and it will ask you if you want to install the program into the default folder (Meaning into the Main Memory/Program Files) well if you want to install it into the main memory then press OK or Yes, if you want to install it into the Storage Card then press Cancel, or No. Then another window will pop up with a drop-down box, select Storage Card and press OK, and the program will be installed into the Storage Card, then the .CAB file will be copied and ran into your PocketPC, you might ask.. What .CAB, I have the setup file, yes indeed, the setup file just extracts a .CAB file, then the .CAB will be copied to your PocketPC and ran and the installation destination will be the one you chose from ActiveSync (Main Memory or Storage Card), then it will be installed.
As a last tip, if you intend to install a lot of programs on your PocketPC then use a Storage Card, you can buy one for a few bucks from eBay, or you will end up using all the Main Memory of the PocketPC and end up with no ‘RAM’ (Program Memory) and then you will not be able to run any programs, try leaving the Main Memory for Program Memory, and use a Storage Card as Program Installation Memory.
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