How does Windows Mobile 6 handle memory??

aclinml · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 03:49 PM

Hi, just waiting on my first Windows Mobile phone. I am familar with Windows for PC, but not Windows Mobile. How does Windows Mobile use the different kinds of memory?

My phone will have 128mb of ROM and 64mb of RAM, and then there is a onboard memory card. Can someone tell me what goes on in each of these types of memory? I know most (if not all) application programs run in the RAM, but I do see somes comment about installing some software into your attached memory card. Can some software run there?

What happens in the ROM?
Can you install more RAM into your phone?
I know Windows in PC has a SWAP file to utilize 'Virtualization' of memory. Does Windows Mobile do anything similar?
In windows for PC, if you have too many programs running, everything slows down, I assume the same is true for WM?
How much of the RAM can be used before things slow down?

Thanks for any help. I'm sure I'll have some followup.
Mike

**Pibe38** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 04:40 PM

This has been discussed a couple of times, remember the search feature is your friend

It basically works like this, the phone has 2 types of memory:

Storage: This is where programs can be installed to. It can also get filled up with temporary files, Pocket Internet Explorer cookies and caches, etc. Keep an eye on these temp files, delete them and clean up often.

Program: This is your RAM. The more apps you have open at a time, the lower it will go. If it goes to low, consider closing some programs.

Your SD card will basically be an extension of your Storage memory, yes, you can install some programs and run them from the SD card.

A main rule of thumb is that any program/plugin that runs on your Today screen should not be installed on the SD card.

Hope this helps...

aclinml · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 02:06 PM

What is actuallly in the
ROM? Also, is there a way to backup WM5 before updating WM6 in case I want to restore to WM5? I thought SPB backup would do this, but I emailed them and they said NO.

thomson · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 02:13 PM

I use Sprint Backup which will backup both rom and ram. Great Program.

JimSmith94 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomson

I use Sprint Backup which will backup both rom and ram. Great Program.

I think you mean Sprite Backup, right?

**Pibe38** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 03:31 PM

The ROM is stored in the Storage memory and, as suggested by the name, it is a Read Only portion of the Memory. This is where the OS, carrier settings/apps, and extra crapware is stored. When you perform a hard reset, the phone will restore its initial state from it.

If you were ever going to downgrade from WM6 to WM5 I would never recommend doing it from a backup image, if it's even possible at all. Major OS changes require you to flash a new ROM image to your device and should not be taken lightly.

I'd recommend finding out more information about your device, what custom ROMs if any are available, and take it from there.