Audiovox Maestro

[packerbacker89]

Well, I just recently picked up this pda, and I have a few questions about it.
Is it possible to upgrade the OS? It has pocket pc 2002. I'm interested in Windows Mobile 5 or 6, and not sure if it's possible to install one of those on this. If I can, is the installation a straight-forward process, or are there some tricks with it?

Also, if that is possible, could I install it on my SD card, and just try it out before wiping the previous installation, or is that not possible?

Thirdly, I've been looking to get an SDIO wifi card, which is basically the whole reason I got the PDA. After getting it, I did some searching and found that a few people said that SDIO wifi cards aren't working on this PDA. Would that be a hardware issue, or would an OS update possibly fix it (if that is indeed a problem... I haven't gotten an SDIO card yet to test on mine).

Thanks

[yankeejeep]

The WM OS cannot be run from a memory card, it must load from the device's on-board ROM image. The only way to change the WM version is to reflash the ROM with a manufacturer-supplied OS release and each release is specific to a particular model or model line. It is important that you verify that a ROM image is compatible with your device before attempting a reflash or you could end up with a dead device. I do not know of any ROM upgrades to update the Maestro from PPC2002 to WM2003, but you could check the Audiovox site for any that may have been released. You can be certain that there is no WM5 update for the Maestro.

The SD slot on the Maestro will not support SDIO. However, you should be able to find network cards in the CF form factor. As long as you have the drivers for your OS there should be no problems using a CF wifi card on your device.

[yankeejeep]

While there was no WM2003 update for the Maestro, there were several updates to PPC2002, designated as EUUs. I think that EUU4 was the last and, as a cumulative patch, it contained all the earlier updates. While it does not seem to be on the Audiovox site now, their tech support folks might be able to email it to you or provide a download link. You should be able to see if it is installed already by checking the 'About' info in Systems Settings. You should check to see if a firmware update is required to use a new EUU.

[packerbacker89]

I'll check on that EUU4, thanks!

The SD slot on the Maestro will not support SDIO. However, you should be able to find network cards in the CF form factor. As long as you have the drivers for your OS there should be no problems using a CF wifi card on your device.
Really? Every review of it that I've seen says that it does accept SDIO.
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT8333564615.html "SD Card Slot (SD Card or SDIO Card)"

[yankeejeep]

I may be incorrect about SDIO support, but I recall people having issues with cards other than memory in the SD/MMC slot. You are safe with a CF card so long as the drivers for PPC2002 are available.

[packerbacker89]

Ok, thanks.

I have another quick question. Is it possible to install stuff (ie. EUU4, and other programs) with just the use of an SD card. I didn't get a base with the maestro, and it looks like the bases for them are going for alot of money these days. So I was hoping it'd work to just use the card.

[yankeejeep]

If I recall correctly (and it has been a while), I installed the EUU reflashes to my PPC2002 Jornada from a CF card.

Other software is distributed in one of three ways. Some is in the form of the PPC executable file(s) that you simply copy to your device. If they need to be placed in specific locations, this will typically be stated in an instruction file.

Other apps are distributed in the form of .cab files, which are run on your device to carry out the installation routine. This will result in installation to the default location in main memory. To install these to an alternate location (like a memory card), you will need to use an app like Cabinstl to manage the install. A site like Freecabs.de keeps an archive of .cab install files and is a good resource when you can't use a host PC for installs.

Many apps are distributed in a form that must install from a host PC over an ActiveSync connection. They are typically in the form of .msi or .exe files or as a compressed archive. A compressed archive may contain a .cab file that can be extracted and run directly on your device to install the app, but this is not always the case.

Make sure you install app versions that are compatible with your OS and CPU.

[packerbacker89]

Awesome, thanks a ton!!

[packerbacker89]

Hey, one more quick thing.
If I got an infrared adapter for my comp, would that would as a sync base to connect my Maestro to my comp? Or do I need the true sync base for it?
Thanks again.

[yankeejeep]

You should be able to sync through an IrDA connection. Remember to activate the port for usage in desktop ActiveSync and use the connect via IR command on the PPC's AS. You may need to check the device to make sure it is set to receive beams.

[packerbacker89]

cool, thanks :)