Pocket PC Download
Note: please bookmark this page! This is your unique download directory for your purchase of PCDecisions. Also please note that some browsers don't recognize these file-types and will attempt to display them rather than prompt you to save the file. If that happens (you see garbled characters on the screen) you should right-click the same link and "save" the target file instead. Be sure to note into which folder you save the downloaded files, so that you can find them again and double-click them to install.
Quick Start
If you're the "I know all this stuff, just gimme the files" type, here you go:- iPAQ and other Pocket PCs running Pocket PC 2003: this.
- Dell Axim and all 2005 and later Pocket PCs running Windows Mobile 5.0: this.
Pocket PC
Note: please also see the installation sheet that ships with the CDROMs for more details and warnings.Note also that this does not work on Windows Mobile 6.0 and above. If your device runs this operating system, notify us and we will issue you a refund or offer you one of our Internet versions.
With the latest Windows version called Vista, Microsoft now has a new program to replace the old Activesync that was used to load programs and data on handheld devices of all sorts. If you have a computer that is running Vista you will need to download Windows Mobile Device Center from the Microsoft website (it is free) and this will connect with your handheld device.
To install this version of the Rules, you need to have an ActiveSync connection to your PocketPC device. This software was probably installed to your system when you first purchased your Pocket PC, otherwise you need to find the CD that came with your device and install it now. Look for the green circle in the "systray" area at the bottom right of your Windows PC; this indicates you have an ActiveSync connection. Then you simply download and run run ppcinstall.exe, which will automatically patch the Pocket PC operating system for the localhost bug, and then load the Ewe VM* and the Rules data. (Note: if this is an upgrade of a previous installation, you must shut down the server first! See below.) This is a client-server program, with the server running on the device itself as a mini-HTTP server, and the client being your web browser. The server is started automatically on a soft-reset, which on the iPAQ is accomplished by inserting the stylus into the little hole on the left-hand side, and pressing firmly, once. It takes almost two full minutes after reset before you get the popup message informing you that the Rules server is running, but meanwhile you may use your PDA for other purposes. Starting the browser before the server is running will cause a "page not found" or similar error. You will find a shortcut to the Rules in your Start menu "Programs" folder, or you can simply enter "127.0.0.1" into your browser.
If you purchased your device in 2005 or later, you may have Windows Mobile 5.0 as your operating system, which ignores the localhost patch and will not connect to 127.0.0.1. In this case, you should instead download and install wm5install.exe. It is exactly the same program, but with a different shortcut pointing to http://localhost. If you install the wrong program, all you need to is correct the shortcut, see our FAQ #4 for the correct shortcut for your operating system.
If you get a "Cannot Connect" error when attempting to browse the Rules, it means that somehow the localhost patch did not complete properly. Contact your vendor for assistance in that case.
Shutting Down the Server
If you already have a previous version of this software installed, you will need to shutdown the server before you can overwrite it with the new version. To do this, connect using ActiveSync Explore to the PocketPC, and navigate toMy Pocket PC -> Windows -> StartUp, and delete the file
Rules of Golf server by right-clicking and selecting delete
. Then you must soft-reset the device by inserting the stylus into
the small hole, usually on the left of the device, and pushing in on it
momentarily. When the device comes back online, the server will be shut down,
and you can then safely install the new version.
There is another way of shutting down the server on the device itself, but
due to the vagaries of Pocket IE, this method is not as secure. If you get
an error during installation, you will need to use the ActiveSync Explore
method outlined in the previous paragraph. But if you're a gambler, here's
how to do it. First, clear the Pocket IE cache and history: Start up
Rules of Golf from the Programs menu, and from the menu at
the bottom of the screen, choose Tools, then Options.
Using the stylus, select Clear History, and Delete Files
. Now select Search at the top right of the Rules menu,
and enter, all in uppercase, QUIT, then Submit the
form. It won't look as though it
worked, but then if you select a Rule to look at, say 2. MATCH PLAY
, or search for a known term, such as putt, you should get
the error "The page you are looking for cannot be found." This means you have
successfully shut down the server. If you use this method, do not
soft-reset the device before attempting installation, as the server will
automatically restart on reboot.
Installation Gotchas
- If you've never set up what Microsoft calls a "Partnership" between your desktop PC and your mobile device, you will get an additional pop-up window from ActiveSync. For simplicity's sake, we recommend clicking "Cancel" at this point, which will set up a "guest" connection enabling you to install the software.
- If installation seems to start, but then immediately the installer window disappears, try using "Custom" install rather than "Express". This may allow you to see what the problem is.
- Ordinarily you can skip the disconnect and reconnect of the device when you are prompted by the installer, but in case of problems, try following the instructions exactly.
- If you choose to bypass the disconnect, you won't see a "Continue" option; in that case simply select "Express" or "Custom" installation.
- You may need to clear your cache in order to see the new pages. Click "Tools", "Options...", then "Delete Files" from the menu at the bottom of the Pocket IE browser.
Updates
The email address you supplied to us will be used to notify you of bugfixes and program updates only. Downloading this software constitutes your assent to such notification. If you wish to also be notified of other products which may be of interest to you, or you do not wish to receive any notifications whatsoever, please let us know using the contact information available at the "Contact" link to the left.Definitions
- J2ME: Java 2 Micro Edition, a scaled-down Java runtime environment (JRE)
for resource-strapped devices like PDAs and cellphones.
- J9: IBM's line of J2ME Virtual Machines, available for PalmOS and Pocket PC among others.
- JRE: Java Runtime Environment. For purposes of this document, same as Java Virtual Machine, see VM below.
- VM: Virtual Machine. Examples: J2SE, J2ME, MIDP, Personal Java, Ewe, Waba. A virtual machine runs on a "real" machine such as a PDA or desktop computer, and allows programs written in the language of the virtual machine to run. A "techie" will find fault with this description but it's close enough for purposes of this document.
- J9: IBM's line of J2ME Virtual Machines, available for PalmOS and Pocket PC among others.
Resources
- Microsoft's MSDN Library: the article describing the localhost problem and how to solve it.