Does anybody ever write any thing for absolute beginners or not?

[Guest RedManc]

Hi,

I'm getting a bit peed off now as everything i try to do on my omnia doesn't work. Like installing a .cab file ( what the badword is a .cab file and how the badword do you install it?), trying to install themes ( every one says use manila2d, how do i get it and how do i install it?) and so on and so on. So jus ta basic question which needs basic answers not complicated one. will any one do some easy guides to know how to do it all for normal people to be able to read?

[Guest rodrigorajao]

I really don't get this attitude from some experienced members (any forum, any topic), especialy the "NO NOOBS" some people love throwing around in some MMO games. Everyone was a beginner one time.

On to your question, a CAB file is basically an archive to install something on your device, much like a Windows CAB file. The catch is that the CAB file for your Omnia NEEDS to be run from the device itself.

You just need to sync the Omnia, copy/paste the CAB you want from the PC to the Omnia, and run it from the Omnia itself.

As for the themes, I don't really care for them, so I can't give much detail.

[Guest 3shirts]

It's cos your a dirty Red B)

As for cabs, they are kind of installers for you phone. The easiest way to install is to go into settings -> connections -> usb connections and select Mass Storage (you can do it over ActiveSync but for simplicity i'll talk you through this way).

Note what is selected in the drop down box (you can change it but it doesn't really matter, this is NOT where you are installing it, just a temporary location)

Connect to your PC and it should find your device as a USB drive.

Just drag and drop the cab file onto it. You can put it in any folder or on the root.

Now disconnect from the PC and on the phone, open File Explorer from the programs list.

Navigate to wherever you ut the cab file and tap on that cab.

You will get an installer which may give you a security warning and ask where to install. Apps can be installed on 'Device', 'My Storage' or 'Storage Card' but some specifically need to go on 'Device'. Generally I put things on My Storage unless I've been told otherwise or the program doesn't work correctly.

That's it. Once installed you can delete the cab.

[Guest RedManc]

thanks for feed back. But can anyone give me a screenie of a .cab file? as when i download all i get is an internet thing and then loads of random files.

[Guest TheDrizzle]

thanks for feed back. But can anyone give me a screenie of a .cab file? as when i download all i get is an internet thing and then loads of random files.

You should save the .cab file on your computer somewhere (make sure you do "save as", not "open file" {i.e. don't have your browser open the file after it has downloaded it})

and then follow this tutorial:

http://www.pocketpccentral.net/help/tutori...ll_cab_file.htm

Edited March 20, 2009 by TheDrizzle

[Guest RedManc]

I've just downloaded this thing... where do i upload what?

[Guest Neil5459]

thanks for feed back. But can anyone give me a screenie of a .cab file? as when i download all i get is an internet thing and then loads of random files.

Are you downloading with a PC, or are you using the mobile browser on your i900?

A lot of websites, even those supposedly dedicated to Windows Mobile stuff are optimised for PC rather than mobile device; trying to download a CAB file in these cases often results in the code of the file itself opening in a web page, which is of course totally useless!

If that happens, your options are to try and force the browser into 'Desktop' mode, which may help, but not always, or to download to a PC and transfer the whole CAB file across as the guys above have outlined.

I find that Pocket Internet Explorer and Opera often fall foul of this, though Netfront 3.5 Concept edition is generally better behaved, and does succeed in downloading the CAB file.

As far as Themes are concerned, I'm not sure what you are after. Your problemmay be that the i900 has a non-standard screen resolution, so a number of themes won't work. You need to locate themes optimiused for your phone. Themes usually have the file extension *.tsk. They should be saved in the Windows folder.To select a theme, go Start/Settings/Today. If the copy was successful, your theme should appear in the list, and tapping it should select it. OK back to the home screen; a soft reset is usually needed to activate the new theme.

[Guest maf107ezk0]

Ok, now don`t extract this .cab but copy it on your phone and start it B)

[Guest RedManc]

Pal i'm downloading from a pc.

[Guest Neil5459]

Ahh- crossed posts B)

The problem here is that you have actually opened the CAB file so are seeing its contents. I assume you havesome sort of RAR program which is wanting to open the file contents.

You need to 'go up' one level or find the location where you downloaded to, the copy the PHMSoftReset.CAB file as it is to your i900 then use File Explorer on the device to locate, then run the file

[Guest RedManc]

thanks pal i've just (i think) downloaded my first thing! thanks all that helped me i'm i na happy mood now B)

[Guest Neil5459]

We aim to please B)

Glad you're getting there! Keep asking the questions- someone, somewhere knows the answer :(

[Guest davey1980]

thought id pop in here.. we all started off as noobs i found some grt info here www.freewarepocketpc.net

also says how to install .cab files from PC or PPC. check here http://www.mobiletopsoft.com/board/2315/ho...-pocket-pc.html

:( your no longer a noob B) :(

[Guest dwethiswar]

I really don't get this attitude from some experienced members (any forum, any topic)

here's where that attitude comes from: it's not that I'm such an expert when it comes to Omnia, it's not that I never help out any noob, but sometimes they really go over the top for me.

In my opinion, THE number 1 rule on any forum, and that any sane human being is expected to know, is "use the search function" or "use google". It has been un unwritten, and unfortunately written, rule forever.

A lot of newbies seem to think they can get away by starting topics with stuff that has been asked and answered before a thousand times, if they just start with "hi newbie here" or something like that. Like being a newbie or noob or whatever term is popular nowadays is an excuse for acting like a dumbf* and purposely disobeing THE rule.

Now tell me, isn't it just logical then that more experienced people simply get tired of answering the same question over and over again?

Everyone was a beginner one time.

sure thing but when I was, I used search, because I knew I was a beginner, because I knew the answers to all my noob questions were out there already, and because I didn't want to waste other people's time by asking what had been asked before.

[Guest davey1980]

OOOOooooW hit an nerve there.lol

theres a side to both stories tho. search is grt BUT i found sometimes digging through the 40 pages in 1 thread to fine abit of info can sometimes really be a hassel. no harm posting to see if info be ans straight away, but also every 1 should make the effort to search google or this site etc 1st.

B) :( :( :( :(

[Guest dwethiswar]

OOOOooooW hit an nerve there.lol

yeah sorry I'm having a bit of a bad day ;P

[Guest 3shirts]

yeah sorry I'm having a bit of a bad day ;P

I thought you made a valid point in a balanced way personally. No anger to it

[Guest demon-knight]

Ask the mods to make some stickies for noobs even if it is just a collection of links to threads explaining the basics.....

[Guest Hellbender]

OOOOooooW hit an nerve there.lol

theres a side to both stories tho. search is grt BUT i found sometimes digging through the 40 pages in 1 thread to fine abit of info can sometimes really be a hassel. no harm posting to see if info be ans straight away, but also every 1 should make the effort to search google or this site etc 1st.

B) :( :( :( :(

There's no harm in asking, but you can't pretend to be helped, I myself was a complete nub about WM and pda's in general when i bought my omnia, back in september 2008. Now i'm not a cooker or something, but JUST READING around i'm able to flash my phone succesfully, install and configure programs etc. I understand is difficult to be patient when you have your new toy in your hands, but you have any privilege toward others to being help. If you want help, document yourself, and when you can't really find an answer to your question ask around, someone will help you.

As for the cab question, a simple google query would give a lot of answers to read and to teach you something.

Edited March 21, 2009 by Hellbender

[Guest Jokes On You]

here's where that attitude comes from: it's not that I'm such an expert when it comes to Omnia, it's not that I never help out any noob, but sometimes they really go over the top for me.

In my opinion, THE number 1 rule on any forum, and that any sane human being is expected to know, is "use the search function" or "use google". It has been un unwritten, and unfortunately written, rule forever.

A lot of newbies seem to think they can get away by starting topics with stuff that has been asked and answered before a thousand times, if they just start with "hi newbie here" or something like that. Like being a newbie or noob or whatever term is popular nowadays is an excuse for acting like a dumbf* and purposely disobeing THE rule.

Now tell me, isn't it just logical then that more experienced people simply get tired of answering the same question over and over again?

sure thing but when I was, I used search, because I knew I was a beginner, because I knew the answers to all my noob questions were out there already, and because I didn't want to waste other people's time by asking what had been asked before.

I completely agree. The Omnia is my first Wimmo phone and before I began asking a bunch of random questions I read through the forums. I am more experienced now and I try to answer as many questions as possible but some of the questions are so ridiculous and could be answered by reading the manual or doing a simple forum search. I think that you should start a new topic when you have a legitament question not "how do I send a message"

[Guest Neil5459]

I think the point about being a 'noob' or simply inexperienced, is that sometimes using the Search function, or Google is not even within the users mindset. When these tools are used, they sometimes return so much irrelevant information that it can be overwhelming. Forum search functions are notoriously inaccurate anyway unless the user is experienced in advanced search functions.

Here on Modaco, and other UK sites, we have no problemat all with 'noob' questions, even if they have been asked before. OK, the responders may point out that a search can be fruitful, but we try not to make the user feel uncomfoirtable about asking questions.

WinMo phones are gradually gaining wider acceptance, and garnering users who are from a 'standard phone' background and have little or no experience of even PC computing,let alone mobile stuff. They may arrive here as a result of a Google search.

So, asa Modaco moderator, all i ask is some patience and understanding. If you think the question is too 'noob-ish' then ignore it. Hopefully someone will be along with a response!

[Guest davey1980]

well i gotta admit that search aint always that great..some1 searched on here to unlock the omnia, found a post and replied to it..HOWEVER it was a yr old and well i still posted with the updated links, so how easy is it to found the correct UPTO DATE INFO? i do always search and still think every1 should b4 posting but sometimes we do have to post to find out the latest info.

however if u see the same question 1000's of times and it gets to u, lets just skip to the next thread B)