Windows Mobile 7: R29 stuck at startup
R29 passed 50 checks and 264 shell tests, and both builds match. It still hangs at the X50v screen, so I’m digging into early boot.
The custom ROM project
Windows Mobile 7
My WM7 project gives the X50v a new desktop and tools. I’m working on getting R29 to boot, then I can test graphics, memory and Dell’s factory CPU controls.
Latest build: Windows Mobile 7 · X50v custom ROM.
R29 passed 50 checks and 264 shell tests, and both builds match. It still hangs at the X50v screen, so I’m digging into early boot.
R29 passed 50 checks and 264 shell tests, and both builds match. It still hangs at the X50v screen, so I’m digging into early boot.
WM7 is my name for this custom ROM. It’s an independent project, not a Microsoft release.
WM7 demo
See all the photos and videoVideo
windows mobile 7 demo
a sneak into mw7
What I’m working on
| Area | Work so far | Progress / next up |
|---|---|---|
| Handhelds | R29 is for the X50v. The X51v and iPAQ have their own builds, but I’m keeping this test to one model for now. | X50v first Get it booting before moving on to the other devices. |
| Building & recovery | Two R29 builds came out byte-for-byte the same. Payload and checksum checks passed. | Build checks pass Get a clean boot, then try recovery. |
| ROM base | Built on the Dell X50v’s WM6.1 A09 ROM. R29 is on the test card. | R29 on card Find what holds startup at the Axim screen. |
| Graphics & memory | The 2700G gets smaller screen updates; the shell also clears cached graphics when memory runs low. | Host-tested · device results needed Measure speed and memory on the X50v after it boots. |
| Desktop & taskbar | R29 has a desktop sizing fix and boot-stage logs. The screen still gets stuck before they appear. | Boot still stuck Find where startup stops before the desktop loads. |
| Storage & SD cards | The new tools read SD-card and flash details using Dell’s drivers. | Built · device check pending Check the reports in normal use and after sleep. |
| Power & connections | The desktop reads battery and power events; USB, Bluetooth and buttons still use WM6.1. | Built · device checks pending Check charging, sleep, touch and buttons after boot works. |
| ROM testing & release | All 50 host checks and 264 shell tests passed, and both R29 builds match. On the X50v it sat at the Axim screen for an hour. Not ready to share. | Boot blocked · not released Fix the startup hang, then check recovery and daily use. |
| Explorer & file tools | Explorer scrolls and has the usual file actions: open, copy, paste, rename and delete. | Built · device check blocked Try the file tools once the X50v gets past startup. |
| 2700G overlays | A separate ARM test draws on two 2700G overlays and checks cleanup. It’s not in the ROM yet. | Separate test build Test overlays on the handheld before adding them to the ROM. |
| Volume & sound | Volume and mute are there. I’m still checking which audio formats the driver handles. | Device sound test pending Check sound and volume on the X50v once it boots. |
| Memory use | When memory runs low, the shell clears cached graphics after painting and redraws them when needed. | Host-tested · device results unknown Measure memory use on the X50v. |
| CPU speed controls | Found Dell’s factory speed-profile path. I’m still tracing the kernel call, and haven’t enabled overclocking. | Research · not enabled Work out the kernel side and safety limits first. |