Permantly disabling games?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

How can I permantly disable the two default games that come with the pocket
pc? We have just aquired 7 barcode scanners that are PPC based and we need
to disable the games. The guys have figured out that if they hard reboot
the device the game swill reappear.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Transfer the guys to the IT department?

A hard reset should erase any preinstalled apps and registry entries in
RAM and expose the fact that the hard reset had been made after the
device had been used... would think that having to deal with expaining
that would be sufficient to discourage the practice.

You could also put something in the registry that, if absent, would put
up a screen that directed the user to immediately report to the
supervisor when your custom app was started.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

So what you are saying is that there is no way to do this? I thought maybe
a registry edit may be able to block them. What is happening is that the IT
department is removing the shorcuts form the screen but the people are
trying to find them again. Their solutions are causing lockups. So It has
to do a hard reset. IT asked me to see if I could find a way to permanently
delete the games. I wish Micrsoft had an indutrial version that did not
include the games.

Terry

"Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
message news:uYLvWVPyEHA.3376@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Transfer the guys to the IT department?
>
> A hard reset should erase any preinstalled apps and registry entries in
> RAM and expose the fact that the hard reset had been made after the
> device had been used... would think that having to deal with expaining
> that would be sufficient to discourage the practice.
>
> You could also put something in the registry that, if absent, would put
> up a screen that directed the user to immediately report to the
> supervisor when your custom app was started.
>
> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

might do a search for POCKETPC KIOSK if you are not already using the
kiosk approach.

visibly sealing the reset button might also help

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Where is the "it department" putting your software?

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

"Terry Gebhardt" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
news:%23jCJOCPyEHA.924@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> How can I permantly disable the two default games that come with the
pocket
> pc? We have just aquired 7 barcode scanners that are PPC based and we
need
> to disable the games. The guys have figured out that if they hard reboot
> the device the game swill reappear.
>
> Thanks,
> Terry
>
>

Why not pretend the guys are guys, not children. Ask them to behave
responsibly. A little recreation won't cause too much harm and may make them
think a little better about you/your company. Treat them like untrustworthy
kids and you get just what you deserve to get. Untrustworthy Kids.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

You would probably have to break the law and reverse engineer the newest rom
update for your model and remove the lines that install them in the first
place. Or perhaps there is an app out there to let you "modify" the rom and
I am sure if you went into the file for the game itself and changed a few
lines of binary to zero's they would not function any longer. Maybe even
just rename the files so they have invalid extensions?

just a few thoughts...



"Terry Gebhardt" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
news:OOyLtNQyEHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> So what you are saying is that there is no way to do this? I thought
> maybe
> a registry edit may be able to block them. What is happening is that the
> IT
> department is removing the shorcuts form the screen but the people are
> trying to find them again. Their solutions are causing lockups. So It
> has
> to do a hard reset. IT asked me to see if I could find a way to
> permanently
> delete the games. I wish Micrsoft had an indutrial version that did not
> include the games.
>
> Terry
>
> "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
> message news:uYLvWVPyEHA.3376@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Transfer the guys to the IT department?
>>
>> A hard reset should erase any preinstalled apps and registry entries in
>> RAM and expose the fact that the hard reset had been made after the
>> device had been used... would think that having to deal with expaining
>> that would be sufficient to discourage the practice.
>>
>> You could also put something in the registry that, if absent, would put
>> up a screen that directed the user to immediately report to the
>> supervisor when your custom app was started.
>>
>> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Isn't it an IT job to find a solution to an IT issue?

If you want to treat your workers like children why not contact your ppc
maker and ask them if they can provide custom ROM's, and pay them for the
work?





"Terry Gebhardt" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
news:OOyLtNQyEHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> So what you are saying is that there is no way to do this? I thought
maybe
> a registry edit may be able to block them. What is happening is that the
IT
> department is removing the shorcuts form the screen but the people are
> trying to find them again. Their solutions are causing lockups. So It
has
> to do a hard reset. IT asked me to see if I could find a way to
permanently
> delete the games. I wish Micrsoft had an indutrial version that did not
> include the games.
>
> Terry
>
> "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
> message news:uYLvWVPyEHA.3376@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Transfer the guys to the IT department?
> >
> > A hard reset should erase any preinstalled apps and registry entries in
> > RAM and expose the fact that the hard reset had been made after the
> > device had been used... would think that having to deal with expaining
> > that would be sufficient to discourage the practice.
> >
> > You could also put something in the registry that, if absent, would put
> > up a screen that directed the user to immediately report to the
> > supervisor when your custom app was started.
> >
> > Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Good question. With that in mind, that the apps seem to stay persistent on
the device through a reset. The app could very simply delete the shortcuts
when it starts.

But deleting the shortcuts only does that, deletes the shortcuts. It does
not delete the app itself, which is always available in ROM and can be
started by navigating to the \Windows folder. I think that you can delete
it from there (although all that really does is hid it, it is always in
ROM.) but I have not tried that.

--
Bruce Eitman (eMVP)
Senior Engineer
beitman AT applieddata DOT net

Applied Data Systems
www.applieddata.net
An ISO 9001:2000 Registered Company
Microsoft WEP Gold-level Member

Do have an opinion on the effectiveness of Microsoft Windows Mobile and
Embedded newsgroups? Let us know!
https/www.windowsembeddedeval.com/community/newsgroups

"Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
message news:O%23cagkRyEHA.824@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Where is the "it department" putting your software?
>
> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[terry]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Alan you are not giving me anything here. We are a medium size
manufacturing company that has one IT person. A lot of the jobs are cross
trained and so each of us help out where we can. I am the biggest PPC user
so I stated that I would try and find a solution. As to the suggestion of
just getting rid of the problem people...it is hard to prove that they are
doing this intentionally. It is our speculation that they are creating a
situation purposely that requires a hard reset.

I need constructive solutions.

Terry

"AlanS" <news@remove.abyz.fslife.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cn3fce$8hj$3@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Isn't it an IT job to find a solution to an IT issue?
>
> If you want to treat your workers like children why not contact your ppc
> maker and ask them if they can provide custom ROM's, and pay them for the
> work?
>
>
>
>
>
> "Terry Gebhardt" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
> news:OOyLtNQyEHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > So what you are saying is that there is no way to do this? I thought
> maybe
> > a registry edit may be able to block them. What is happening is that
the
> IT
> > department is removing the shorcuts form the screen but the people are
> > trying to find them again. Their solutions are causing lockups. So It
> has
> > to do a hard reset. IT asked me to see if I could find a way to
> permanently
> > delete the games. I wish Micrsoft had an indutrial version that did not
> > include the games.
> >
> > Terry
> >
> > "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
> > message news:uYLvWVPyEHA.3376@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > Transfer the guys to the IT department?
> > >
> > > A hard reset should erase any preinstalled apps and registry entries
in
> > > RAM and expose the fact that the hard reset had been made after the
> > > device had been used... would think that having to deal with
expaining
> > > that would be sufficient to discourage the practice.
> > >
> > > You could also put something in the registry that, if absent, would
put
> > > up a screen that directed the user to immediately report to the
> > > supervisor when your custom app was started.
> > >
> > > Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
> >
> >
>
>
>

 

[terry]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Thanks Bruce I will try that. is there other suggestions?

Terry

"Bruce Eitman (eMVP)" <beitmannospam@NOSPAM_applieddata.NOSPAM_net> wrote in
message news:%233Yy3nZyEHA.2752@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Good question. With that in mind, that the apps seem to stay persistent
on
> the device through a reset. The app could very simply delete the
shortcuts
> when it starts.
>
> But deleting the shortcuts only does that, deletes the shortcuts. It does
> not delete the app itself, which is always available in ROM and can be
> started by navigating to the \Windows folder. I think that you can delete
> it from there (although all that really does is hid it, it is always in
> ROM.) but I have not tried that.
>
> --
> Bruce Eitman (eMVP)
> Senior Engineer
> beitman AT applieddata DOT net
>
> Applied Data Systems
> www.applieddata.net
> An ISO 9001:2000 Registered Company
> Microsoft WEP Gold-level Member
>
> Do have an opinion on the effectiveness of Microsoft Windows Mobile and
> Embedded newsgroups? Let us know!
> https/www.windowsembeddedeval.com/community/newsgroups
>
> "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
> message news:O%23cagkRyEHA.824@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > Where is the "it department" putting your software?
> >
> > Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

>> But deleting the shortcuts only does that, deletes the shortcuts.
It does not delete the app itself, which is always available in ROM and
can be started by navigating to the \Windows folder. I think that you
can delete it from there (although all that really does is hid it, it is
always in ROM.) but I have not tried that. <<

You can't delete files in rom, but you can "replace" them by using the
PC's file explorer to write a new file "on top" of the rom image (it's
actually in RAM)

So, if this is the case, the easiest approach would be to write either
an empty file with the same file name or write an executable that would
do something else such as launch your app when the game is started.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 20:03:24 -0000, "AlanS"
<news@remove.abyz.fslife.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Terry Gebhardt" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
>news:%23jCJOCPyEHA.924@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> How can I permantly disable the two default games that come with the
>pocket
>> pc? We have just aquired 7 barcode scanners that are PPC based and we
>need
>> to disable the games. The guys have figured out that if they hard reboot
>> the device the game swill reappear.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Terry
>>
>>
>
>Why not pretend the guys are guys, not children. Ask them to behave
>responsibly. A little recreation won't cause too much harm and may make them
>think a little better about you/your company. Treat them like untrustworthy
>kids and you get just what you deserve to get. Untrustworthy Kids.
>

Check my 3 Apr 2003 contribution to a thread called "How to disable
Games in PocketPC?" and my 6 Jan 2003 contribution to a thread called
"Is there a way to remove Solitaire?" in this newsgroup
(microsoft.public.pocketpc).
-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
500 Harrison Ave., Suite 3R
Boston, MA 02118
www.penfact.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

What is not constructive about:

why not contact your ppc
maker and ask them if they can provide custom ROM's, and pay them for the
work?

And I'm sure you will have outsourced work in the past if it is beyond
your (companies) resource(s).


"Terry" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
news:eIIX5ocyEHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Alan you are not giving me anything here. We are a medium size
> manufacturing company that has one IT person. A lot of the jobs are cross
> trained and so each of us help out where we can. I am the biggest PPC
user
> so I stated that I would try and find a solution. As to the suggestion of
> just getting rid of the problem people...it is hard to prove that they are
> doing this intentionally. It is our speculation that they are creating a
> situation purposely that requires a hard reset.
>
> I need constructive solutions.
>
> Terry
>
> "AlanS" <news@remove.abyz.fslife.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:cn3fce$8hj$3@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > Isn't it an IT job to find a solution to an IT issue?
> >
> > If you want to treat your workers like children why not contact your ppc
> > maker and ask them if they can provide custom ROM's, and pay them for
the
> > work?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Terry Gebhardt" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
> > news:OOyLtNQyEHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > > So what you are saying is that there is no way to do this? I thought
> > maybe
> > > a registry edit may be able to block them. What is happening is that
> the
> > IT
> > > department is removing the shorcuts form the screen but the people are
> > > trying to find them again. Their solutions are causing lockups. So
It
> > has
> > > to do a hard reset. IT asked me to see if I could find a way to
> > permanently
> > > delete the games. I wish Micrsoft had an indutrial version that did
not
> > > include the games.
> > >
> > > Terry
> > >
> > > "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
> > > message news:uYLvWVPyEHA.3376@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > > Transfer the guys to the IT department?
> > > >
> > > > A hard reset should erase any preinstalled apps and registry entries
> in
> > > > RAM and expose the fact that the hard reset had been made after the
> > > > device had been used... would think that having to deal with
> expaining
> > > > that would be sufficient to discourage the practice.
> > > >
> > > > You could also put something in the registry that, if absent, would
> put
> > > > up a screen that directed the user to immediately report to the
> > > > supervisor when your custom app was started.
> > > >
> > > > Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Reply to message from "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]"
<BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> (Fri, 12 Nov 2004 20:37:40) about "Re: Permantly
disabling games?":


BH> might do a search for POCKETPC KIOSK if you are not already using the
BH> kiosk approach.

BH> visibly sealing the reset button might also help

BH> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

That gives me an idea. If some or a Registry change could created that
would disable the key combination used for the hard reset, tnen you should
be able to block it. If a hard reset is needed for reason, then the IT
person could undo it.

JPinOH
Jon Porter <jporter@netwalk.com> Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:28:32 -0400

=== Posted with Qusnetsoft NewsReader 2.2.0.8

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

It is clear that deleting the shortcuts only does that and the actual
executables are in ROM and you can't get rid of those. You did indicate the
users are messing around trying to find the games. Do they have any need for
File Explorer? If you delete that shortcut as well as the games, they can't
get to the file system to mess things up. The IT guys can always get back in
from the desktop via AS, and the shortcut deletions will not be restored by
a soft reset. Of course if the users have AS on their desktops, they could
restore the shortcuts, but it doesn't appear they are that savvy.

I'd have to ultimately agree with the earlier posts. Either leave the games
open and trust your folks not to access them inappropriately. Do you have a
written policy? Alternately, set some examples. Policy violation is
typically grounds for dismissal where I've worked.

--
Sven, MS-MVP Mobile Devices
"Terry" <tntgeb@cablelynx.com> wrote in message
news:%23PU$4pcyEHA.1392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Thanks Bruce I will try that. is there other suggestions?
>
> Terry
>
> "Bruce Eitman (eMVP)" <beitmannospam@NOSPAM_applieddata.NOSPAM_net> wrote
in
> message news:%233Yy3nZyEHA.2752@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > Good question. With that in mind, that the apps seem to stay persistent
> on
> > the device through a reset. The app could very simply delete the
> shortcuts
> > when it starts.
> >
> > But deleting the shortcuts only does that, deletes the shortcuts. It
does
> > not delete the app itself, which is always available in ROM and can be
> > started by navigating to the \Windows folder. I think that you can
delete
> > it from there (although all that really does is hid it, it is always in
> > ROM.) but I have not tried that.
> >
> > --
> > Bruce Eitman (eMVP)
> > Senior Engineer
> > beitman AT applieddata DOT net
> >
> > Applied Data Systems
> > www.applieddata.net
> > An ISO 9001:2000 Registered Company
> > Microsoft WEP Gold-level Member
> >
> > Do have an opinion on the effectiveness of Microsoft Windows Mobile and
> > Embedded newsgroups? Let us know!
> > https/www.windowsembeddedeval.com/community/newsgroups
> >
> > "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in
> > message news:O%23cagkRyEHA.824@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > > Where is the "it department" putting your software?
> > >
> > > Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

"Jon Porter" <jporter@netwalk.com> wrote in message
news:1100507479@jporter.netwalk.com...
> Reply to message from "Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]"
> <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> (Fri, 12 Nov 2004 20:37:40) about "Re: Permantly
> disabling games?":
>
>
> BH> might do a search for POCKETPC KIOSK if you are not already using the
> BH> kiosk approach.
>
> BH> visibly sealing the reset button might also help
>
> BH> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
>
> That gives me an idea. If some or a Registry change could created that
> would disable the key combination used for the hard reset, tnen you should
> be able to block it. If a hard reset is needed for reason, then the IT
> person could undo it.
>
> JPinOH

Is it a removable battery?

 

[marc]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Terry Gebhardt wrote:

> How can I permantly disable the two default games that come with the pocket
> pc? We have just aquired 7 barcode scanners that are PPC based and we need
> to disable the games. The guys have figured out that if they hard reboot
> the device the game swill reappear.
>
> Thanks,
> Terry
>
>
they are hardly Halo or GTA - give it a week and they'll get board of them.

--
Marc
See http/www.imarc.co.uk/ for contact details.