Determining If the Axim X50v/X50 Needs a ROM Update

NOTICE: Updating the ROM removes all existing data and any programs you may have installed on your Axim X50v/X50.

On the Axim X50v/X50, tap System Information and check ROM Version. Make sure the Axim version is lower than the update version.  

NOTE: The Dell Axim System Update screen displays both your Axim version and the update version.
NOTE: For more information regarding the following procedures, see the Dell Axim X50v/X50 User's Guide.

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Preparing the Axim X50v/X50 for the ROM Update

NOTE: Ensure that ActiveSync 4.0 or above is installed on your computer before you start the update process.
  1. Using either the cradle or the sync cable, connect the Axim X50v/X50 to a computer that is running a Microsoft® Windows® operating system.

To connect the device using the cradle:

    1. Place the cradle on a flat surface near the computer.

    2. Depending on the type of cradle that you have, connect the cradle cable to USB connector on the computer.

    3. Connect the device AC adapter to the cradle and to an electrical outlet.

    4. Align the connector on the bottom of the device with the connector on the cradle, and, keeping the front of the device flush with the front of the cradle, lower the device onto the cradle.

To connect the device using the sync cable:

    1. Depending on the type of sync cable that you have, connect one end of the cable to the USB connector on the computer.

    2. Connect the other end of the cable to the device.

    3. Connect the AC adapter to the device.
  1. If you want to save any data, back it up on your computer. Updating the ROM removes all existing data and any programs you may have installed on your Axim X50v/X50.

Use ActiveSync 4.0 or above to create backup files and store the files on your host computer. You can back up the files in two ways:

Backing Up and Synchronizing of Data

Manual Back Up by Dragging Files

Backing Up and Synchronizing of Data

Synchronization compares the data on your Axim with the data on your host computer and updates both with the most recent data. ActiveSync does not automatically synchronize all types of data. Synchronization only backs up the data types selected in the Options settings. Options are selected first when establishing a standard partnership and can be changed at any time by clicking the Options icon on the Microsoft ActiveSync window.
Select Files in the Options settings and ActiveSync automatically creates a folder on your host computer in the My Documents folder called Pocket_PC My Documents. It also creates a shortcut on the host computer's desktop to hold the synchronized data.

The two types of synchronization are:

Automatic synchronization — Data is backed up automatically when ActiveSync is activated by docking and at set intervals.

Manual synchronization — If the automatic syncing feature is turned off, you can back up files at any time by using the Sync button to start the synchronization process.

To start manual synchronization:

  1. Connect the Axim to the host computer.

  2. From the Microsoft ActiveSync screen on your host computer, click the Sync button.

Synchronization begins and the status displays at the bottom of the screen.

Manual Back Up by Dragging Files

NOTICE: You must manually back up files that are not selected in the Options settings.

Only data types that have been selected when establishing a partnership, or by changing the Sync Option selections are backed up (synchronized) automatically. You can back up other data by manually dragging files to a separate folder on your host computer.

For example, create a folder on your desktop called Other Axim Files.Use Other Axim Files to hold files that are not saved automatically.

  1. From the Microsoft ActiveSync screen, click Explore.
    The Mobile Device window appears.

  2. From the Mobile Device window, browse to any file or folder.

  3. Select the file or folder and drag it to the Other Axim Files folder on your host computer.

Confirming Backup

Confirm that all the data you want is backed up on your host computer. Any data not backed up before you upgrade to Windows Mobile 5.0 will be lost. Check the following items on your host computer:

Updating the ROM

NOTICE: After you start the ROM update, ensure that you perform all the steps in order to avoid making the Axim X50v/X50 unusable.
NOTE: You may only update your Axim with the same language. You cannot change the language installed on the Axim X50v/X50.
  1. If you downloaded the update from the Dell website, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the downloaded file and then double-click the file to open it.

    If you have the Dell Axim X50v/X50 Windows Mobile Update CD, insert the CD into the CD drive of your computer. When the opening screen appears, click Install Update.

  2. When the Dell Axim System Update window appears, click Update ROM.

  3. Ensure that your AC adapter is connected to the device, and click Continue.

  4. When the screen that displays the current ROM information and update information appears, click Next.

    The Dell Axim System Update utility begins copying the new files to the Axim X50v/X50.
NOTE: It takes approximately 15 minutes to transfer all the data using a USB connection and approximately 5 minutes to complete the update process.
NOTE: If the ActiveSync New Partnership screen appears during the update, ignore it.
  1. When the Update Complete screen appears, 

    Please perform a hard reset of the Axim, the Axim restarts and displays the Pocket PC welcom screen.

Click OK to exit the program on your computer.

  1. Remove the Axim X50v/X50 from the sync cable or cradle and follow the setup instructions on the Axim X50v/X50 screen.

  2. When the setup is complete, reconnect the Axim X50v/X50 to the sync cable or the cradle. You can now restore your data.

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Restoring Data

After updating your Axim, you must delete your previous partnership and create a new one using the same device name for your Axim. Automatically synchronized items are restored during this step. Then you can manually restore the items dragged to the host computer.

Deleting Previous Partnership

  1. Note the name of your Axim, tap Start → Settings→ System tab→ About→ Device ID tab → Device name field.

  2. Disconnect your Axim.

  3. If you have more than one mobile device, from the ActiveSync File menu, point to Mobile Device and click the name of your Axim (for example, Pocket_PC).

NOTE: Dell recommends that the Previous Partnership is deleted and a New Partnership is created.
  1. From the File menu, click Delete Partnership.

  2. Confirm that you want to delete the partnership by clicking YES.

  3. When the message, Would you like to delete the Synchronized Files folder message appears, click NO.

NOTE: If the File Synchronization option has not been used in the past, this message will not appear.

This folder displays on your host computer with the name of your Axim, for example, Pocket_PC My Documents (the default) or YourName My Documents. The folder is not named Synchronized Files.

Creating New Partnership and Restoring Items From Synchronized Backup

  1. Reconnect your Axim to your host computer. Establish a standard partnership by following the directions on the screen.

When creating a partnership, you must connect using a cable, cradle, or infrared connection.

ActiveSync automatically recognizes that a partnership does not exist and starts the Synchronization Setup wizard on your host computer.

NOTICE: To set the name of your Axim, tap Start → Settings → About → Device ID tab. Delete the name in the Device name field and type a name of your choice and then click OK.
  1. To set up a Sync Relationship click Next.

  2. When the Synchronization Set Up Wizard window appears, click Next.

  3. You can Synchronize directly with a server running Microsoft Exchange Server. To do this you will need to have the server address and your logon credentials.

  4. When the Synchronize Options window appears, chose the Information you want to synchronize with your Axim from your host computer and click Next.

  5. To complete the Synchronization Setup Wizard, click Finish.The settings you chose have been stored and will be used when you synchronize your Axim.

  6. The message Saving Settings appears. ActiveSync begins synchronizing data between your host computer and your Axim.

  7. Select Combine or Replace (for a freshly upgraded Axim, select Replace) and click OK. Synchronization continues.

  8. When all items are synchronized and copied into your Axim. Your synchronized files are restored to your Axim.


Restoring Items From Manual Backup

To restore the files you manually dragged to the folder you created on the desktop of your host computer (our example named this folder Other Axim Files):

  1. From the Microsoft ActiveSync screen on the desktop of your host computer, click the Explore icon. The Mobile Device window appears.

  2. Click the folder where you want the restored item to reside.

  3. From the Other Axim Files folder on the desktop of your host computer, select and drag the files and folders to the Mobile Device window. Your manually backed up files are restored to your Axim.

  4. Check your Axim for the restored data.


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