MPx220 issue with Windows Media Player

[Guest VictorF]

Having owned both the Imate SP3 and SP3i devices due to operator support for new devices at my company we are now presented with the MPx220 as a replacement. Overall I find the device comparable to the Imates and going from a candybar format to a clamshell takes some getting used to but the navigation buttons on the Mpx220 are far superior to the SP3i but comparable in reliability to the SP3.

One annoying bug I have finally identified with the MPx220 is to do with when the OS reacts when the phone is closed.

On my daily commute to work I will regularly switch between reading emails (sync'd via GPRS and Activesync to Ex2003), surf websites and listen to MP3s/Podcasts on my mini-SD card all on the one device whilst amusingly, everyone else is messing around with three devices e.g Blackberry, ipod and Nokia phone.

On the Imates had no problems multi-tasking but on the Mpx220, even though there is plenty of memory free the OS struggles and can hang irrecoverably if pushed. Worse still if listening to MP3s and you then perform a sync either manually or scheduled, or call up a web page, and close the clamshell ,after a few

seconds it will all lock up.

I have the latest build on the Mpx220 but find this really frustrating. The phone is fine if I don't touch Windows Media player but awful if I do.

Any ideas or registry hacks?

Thanks

PS. Is there any way to add new words to the iTap predictve testing?

[Guest omega2008]

What is the ROM version on your phone? Are you playing media from the miniSD or the phones memory?

[Guest tendomentis]

You may have to many programs or items installed in the phone's main memory, that would cause your phone to run low on available program memory when running processor intensive tasks like communications and multimedia.

[Guest VictorF]

What is the ROM version on your phone? Are you playing media from the miniSD or the phones memory?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Windows version is 4.21.1088 (Build 14326.1.2.0), Radio Version 1.00

ROM update versions:

Operator: 0.140.4007.0

Manufacturer: 1230.0.0

Microsoft: 4.21.14326.0

It's a Vodafone UK supplied and "supposedly branded" phone. In reality all they have done is pre-loaded a cab file for the GPRS/MMS/WAP settings

In terms of apps loaded there does not seem to be a memory issue as the same occurs if I have removed all the 3rd party apps. I'm playing the mp3s from the mini-SD card and WMP randomly stops playing but hogs the system in the failed situation so much that you cannot use Resource Manager or any other tool to look at memory usage. Between the imates (HTC devices) and the MPx220 I have noticed that the OS handles memory differently between the devices. The Mpx220 tends to close apps more regularly than the imates do.

I have been doing some more tests with the SP3, SP3i and MPX220 and even though thr MPX220 is supposed to have a faster processor the overall experience seems slower :?:

When the MPX220 clamshell is shut I assume the device must have some power saving mode? Can this be overridden with a registry hack?

Thanks

PS. I have also been using the Vodafone VPA (similar to JAM) but slightly different housing. Nice device but the change in housing means more proprietory accessories. I still prefer the smartphone platform :)

[Guest omega2008]

The Windows version is 4.21.1088 (Build 14326.1.2.0), Radio Version 1.00

ROM update versions:

Operator: 0.140.4007.0

Manufacturer: 1230.0.0

Microsoft: 4.21.14326.0

It's a Vodafone UK supplied and "supposedly branded" phone. In reality all they have done is pre-loaded a cab file for the GPRS/MMS/WAP settings

In terms of apps loaded there does not seem to be a memory issue as the same occurs if I have removed all the 3rd party apps. I'm playing the mp3s from the mini-SD card and WMP randomly stops playing but hogs the system in the failed situation so much that you cannot use Resource Manager or any other tool to look at memory usage. Between the imates (HTC devices) and the MPx220 I have noticed that the OS handles memory differently between the devices. The Mpx220 tends to close apps more regularly than the imates do.

I have been doing some more tests with the SP3, SP3i and MPX220 and even though thr MPX220 is supposed to have a faster processor the overall experience seems slower :?:

When the MPX220 clamshell is shut I assume the device must have some power saving mode? Can this be overridden with a registry hack?

Thanks

PS. I have also been using the Vodafone VPA (similar to JAM) but slightly different housing. Nice device but the change in housing means more proprietory accessories. I still prefer the smartphone platform :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It could be a miniSD read/write issue. To test put your media files on the phone and then try your multitasking routine. If its faster than it could be the miniSD card or the ROM itself...this used to be a problem with the Cingular and ATT ROM's but was fixed in the latest version.

Your media files maybe encoded at to high a bit rate...if so that will eat alot of resources...encode your media files accordingly...medium quality is best with audio and video.

[Guest VictorF]

It could be a miniSD read/write issue. To test put your media files on the phone and then try your multitasking routine. If its faster than it could be the miniSD card or the  ROM itself...this used to be a problem with the Cingular and ATT ROM's but was fixed in the latest version.

Your media files maybe encoded at to high a bit rate...if so that will eat alot of resources...encode your media files accordingly...medium quality is best with audio and video.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip omega2008. I have not had the problem on the Imates but I will try it out

[Guest VictorF]

Thanks for the tip omega2008. I have not had the problem on the Imates but I will try it out

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bingo! Thanks for the suggestion omega2008. Its looking to be to be the mini-SD (Kingston 256Mb) which is a pain as the problem is not apparent on the sp3i. If I copy the the mp3 or WMA to the phones storage, no problem.

Oh well back to the drawing board.

I also tried resampling an MP3 to a lower rate and it still hangs if the music is on the mini-SD card. I also tried a WMA file and it still hangs. You can try it yourself to reproduce it if you have a mini-SD card.

1). Launch WMP and start playing an MP3 from the mini-SD card

2). Start calling up a website using IE or kick off a GPRS Activesync

3). Close the lid as you would if you were using headphones(simulating headphone use)

4). The device will hang and respond slower and WMP is stuffed until you power the device off

[Guest omega2008]

Bingo! Thanks for the suggestion omega2008. Its looking to be to be the mini-SD (Kingston 256Mb) which is a pain as the problem is not apparent on the sp3i. If I copy the the mp3 or WMA to the phones storage, no problem.

Oh well back to the drawing board.

I also tried resampling an MP3 to a lower rate and it still hangs if the music is on the mini-SD card. I also tried a WMA file and it still hangs. You can try it yourself to reproduce it if you have a mini-SD card.

1). Launch WMP and start playing an MP3 from the mini-SD card

2). Start calling up a website using IE or kick off a GPRS Activesync

3). Close the lid as you would if you were using headphones(simulating headphone use)

4). The device will hang and respond slower and WMP is stuffed until you power the device off

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I followed the steps you posted and did not have this problem. I went even further and and checked my email, played a java game and called my phone via landline phone and the phone paused the game, the music and resumed the music when I hung up flawlessly.

I its not the miniSD reader in the phone that is the problem its the miniSD card you are using. It maybe bad or the MPx 220 doesn't like it. Alot of people I know who use this phone have problems with Kingston, SanDisk and some other brands of miniSD cards. However, I never had a problem with my SanDisk 1gb miniSD card and it acutally imporved in performace IMHP when I ugraded the ROM on my phone. I think you will need to try a different miniSD card and see if the card you are using is indeed the problem. If not an upgrade to your ROM may fix the problem.

[Guest wildmanviper]

I have a co-worker that had the same problem. I successfully ran many processes and no lockup. His actually locked up. He purchased a regular mini sd card from best buy. I purchased a mini sd card with the smartphone logo on it and upon amazement, his phone had no problems when we swapped cards. Must be how they are designed.