How to: Compress your .exe and .dll files. Save space!!

**Malatesta** · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 12:54 AM

So this is another brillant tweak. Like many I get low on Main Memory here and there and often remove things that "don't make the cut" so to speak.

This program will basically compress your .exe and/or .dll files that reside on your PPC saving a huge amount of space e.g. Opera .dll is 5mb, after compression it's 1.2mb

Now, the immediate question: Is there a performance hit in doing this since the file needs to be uncompressed to run?

NO!

In fact:

--The speed to launch a program is somewhat faster
--You save MainMemory
--You save Program Memory as well for faster Mulittasking (since it's smaller)

So how to do it?

(1) Download the attached .zip file.
(2) Extract the file UPX.exe to a new folder ON YOUR DESKTOP.
(all compression in done on your desktop, NOT your PPC!)

From your device, copy the file you want to compress e.g. Opera.dll or Skyp.exe to your Desktop (via ActiveSync or a Card Reader).

(3) Put the file from your PPC into the same folder as UPX.exe
(4) Just drag-n-drop the program ON TO UPX.exe

You should see a quick DOS screen with a meter. This is the program compressing.

(5) Take the newly compressed file and copy it back to your device, overwritting the ORIGINAL (should be significantly smaller).

You're done! Repeat for every program you want to do this for. I do NOT recommend this for System files (WM5 files), but only large 3rd party programs.

This is what it works on:

Agile messenger
wisbar advanced 2
memmaid
streets and trips
opera browser
pocketirc
resco file & photo viewer
skype
spb backup
trafficedge
virtual earth
vito sound recorder
voice command (rename folder, reboot, compress files, rename back, reboot)
pocket lan
Verichat
SplashBlog
MobiTV
PictPocket LE
CoolCamera
NewsBreak
PhoneAlarm Lite 1.52
Resco Explorer
Resco Radio

Added 7/4 (Working)
AEButton Plus (main .exe file)
MultiPad
VGSMail (control & setup)
TaskManager 1.5
Bug Me! 3.5.1

For resco explorer, only do the .exe or the .dll, not both! Always keep a backup of the file! Re-copy the original back or re-install the applicaton if it don't work! It works for others, so try it out.

Finally Here is WHERE this program comes from if you need more Information!

**Wideawake** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 12:59 AM

Im gonna have to give this a try with voice command and may even revert to try it on wisbar advanced. I am always trying to find away to save my main memory. Thanks for letting us in on this malatesta.

~mike

**Malatesta** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 01:03 AM

I think it's the best thing on the 6700 since the ROM update.

Seriously, I gained back over 7mb of space and I only did a couple of programs.

Verichat, splashblog, Newsbreak all load much faster. I was able to put Skype back into main memory again.

It's just been great!

Hey, let me know if Wisbar Advance is faster...especially in operation. I don't use it 'cause of the ever-so-slight performance hit and I wonder if this helps with that...

**Wideawake** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 01:07 AM

i will let ya know if i do indeed do that. thats what i had on my mind and the same reason i removed it myself.
~mike

**Malatesta** · #5 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 03:03 AM

Vicott (creator of UI Tweaker and other great free apps) has released a portable PPC version of UPX to compress your files right on 6700!

It can create a backup as well as uncompress. Attached is the zip.

You can read his extended post on the subject detailing how UPX works and what it does for your PPC.

I personally swear by this app as it can great shrink down programs like Skype and Opera saving MBs of space on your device. (though it is not recomended to compress skype and opera on the ppc as they may be too big, use the desktop version for those)

Give the program a shot...

Read his blog for other stuff here.

playdeep · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 02:29 AM

I agree this program works well. I found my self wanting to find more programs to compress.

Mal, you like the Rom update that much?

Paul_Hammons · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 08:30 PM

Here is a link to a newer version of this that is a little safer. It doesn't compress the icon files and allows you to back up the original.

http://mobile-sg.com/software/?p=UPX4PPC&platform=ppc

-Paul

fibrolan · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 03:53 PM

Hi,

I am new to this forum and I would like to ask a question. i have read this thread on compression. I have installed upx4ppc. can I compress files in the windows directory like PPT and PMSNserver and tmail ? it keeps telling me that it is read only. How do you get around this ?

I do not have much installed but I would like to compress to gain some extra memory.

Fibrolan

**Malatesta** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fibrolan

Hi,

I am new to this forum and I would like to ask a question. i have read this thread on compression. I have installed upx4ppc. can I compress files in the windows directory like PPT and PMSNserver and tmail ? it keeps telling me that it is read only. How do you get around this ?

I do not have much installed but I would like to compress to gain some extra memory.

Fibrolan

Not recommended.

The process would be to "copy" those files say your SD card then UPX them. Then you'd copy them to \windows overwriting the originals.

BUT...

- Make sure you keep originals or you're screwed.
- Compressing tmail.exe will break it e.g. can't be done
- Doing system files is dangerous and I'd only do 1 at a time
- This is probably not worth it

You can compress the messaging app for Threaded SMS though...

**Wideawake** · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 04:15 PM

I personally wouldn't suggest that, if do ever get it to work, but those files are read only and the u can change it properties using tc or resco. Theres other better ways of gaining memory.
~mike