How to reset a Windows CE notebook?

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › How to reset a Windows CE notebook?

Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#55223 25-Dec-2009 14:23

I don't know if this is the right topic or not, but here it goes.

I recently bought a mini netbook, which runs Windows ce.
Well I was wondeirn gif anyone knows how to restore windows ce to default, as all the files have been lost on it. there is a small reset button on the back but I was wondeirng if there is a way to hard reset it.

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Biddle Corp

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#285128 25-Dec-2009 15:46

What sort of device?

Amzo

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Wannabe Geek

#285133 25-Dec-2009 16:09

not sure if i'm allowed to post a link or not. but it's one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270501444880&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Niel

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#285150 25-Dec-2009 18:21

Often a short push of the reset button is a soft reset, holding it for 5 to 10 seconds is a hard reset, and some kind of sequence is to load the OS fresh out of install files stored in protected FLASH. This is because FLASH is cheap, and the OS is compiled specifically for that combination of hardware and nothing else so seperate driver etc. are not encouraged. Usually to upgrade to a newer version you copy an image file to the device, but that is manufacturer specific.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#285198 26-Dec-2009 00:26

Yeah, I tried holding the reset buttong for 12 seconds, it still failed to work. :( I really have no experience with windows ce or anything.

Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#285202 26-Dec-2009 02:14

I thought maybe if I opened it up and took the battery out and left it out it would hard reset, but still no go.

I'm running out of ideas, there must be some way to restore it, it has a little reset switch, but I'm thinking maybe you have to hold some buttons on the keyboard while holding reset.

I really have no other ideas. :(

kontonnz

137 posts

Master Geek

#285203 26-Dec-2009 05:08

perhaps an email to the manufacturer or vendor would be usefull.

but as mentioned above, usually just a press of the reset button for 5 sec is enough to roll the system back to default.

does the OS not work at all?

Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#285205 26-Dec-2009 05:59

It boots up, but is missing all the applications.

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Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

kontonnz

137 posts

Master Geek

#285206 26-Dec-2009 06:07

the applications missing are they 3rd party apps or microsoft apps; i.e. can you still run the native web browser, file explorer etc;

you might find that the base OS is fine; but any 3rd party apps are completely separate, and might not be recoverable via a flash reset; if you have any distribution media that came with the system, the apps might be manually installable (if no media try manufacturers website)

Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#285221 26-Dec-2009 08:58

E ven internet explorer, the media player and all the other apps that are built into ms are gone. :(

Niel

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#285260 26-Dec-2009 14:41

When (re) installing Windows it gives you options for what you want to install. Sounds like someone was in a hurry and selected minimum install or afterwards uninstalled stuff. Contact the manufacturer to find out how to reinstall the OS, or it should be in the manual.

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Niel

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#285262 26-Dec-2009 14:50

I've just noticed there are optional downloads available from Microsoft, specifically office tools and I think a PDF reader. Google WinCE6.0.

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Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#285351 27-Dec-2009 00:05

Whenever I try to run a winCE app, it says "This is not a valid win CE app" I tried to re-install everything that was missing, but it won't allow me. :(

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#285370 27-Dec-2009 07:52

Where did you get these apps from? Are these apps for Windows CE or Windows Mobile? Note that Windows Mobile is not the same and apps are not always interchangeable.

Amzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#285378 27-Dec-2009 09:33

It was windows media player ce, i got it from the microsoft website.

Amzo

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Wannabe Geek

#285410 27-Dec-2009 12:38

I'm going to see if I can boot DSL from usb.

nvm, forgot it doesn't have any bios.:/

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