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Frustrated Axim users are once again complaining on Internet message boards and forums about the lack of a patch from Dell to correct performance problems in their Windows Mobile 2003 handhelds.

It now appears they will have to wait a while longer, as Dell distributes the ROM update via CD, a Dell spokesperson says.

Patch Promised

Dell was supposed to post a patch online July 30 to correct performance problems that stem from faulty firmware shipped with Dell's Axim handhelds sold after Microsoft launched its Windows Mobile 2003 operating system on June 23. That patch never appeared, but some Axim users were able to find it on Dell's FTP site on July 30, and fix their Axims.

Other Axim users who found the ROM update that day were unable to load the new firmware due to a problem with the installer, the spokesperson adds.

Dell needed to fix the installer problem before shipping both the ROM update for Windows Mobile 2003 users and the OS upgrade for Pocket PC 2002 users who purchased it, the Dell representative says. In July, Dell said those CDs would ship in two to three weeks.

Now, Dell has decided to not release the ROM update online, the spokesperson says. The ROM update was only supposed to fix the problems on the limited number of Axim handhelds shipped with Windows Mobile 2003. However, several users found ways to hack the patch to give themselves free upgrades from Pocket PC 2002 to Windows Mobile 2003.

Illicit Upgrades

The company pulled the ROM update from its FTP site after it discovered the software was being used to upgrade older Axims, and promised to release a new patch through a targeted download. That targeted download will not happen, and users will have to get ROM or OS upgrades on CD, the spokesperson says.

Dell was unable to provide a time frame for when users would receive their CDs.

Windows Mobile 2003 users who successfully downloaded the ROM update will not need to install the CD version of the ROM update, although they will receive it anyway because they are on Dell's distribution list, the Dell representative says.

Dell does not plan to go after Pocket PC 2002 users who managed to obtain free upgrades to Windows Mobile 2003 by hacking the ROM update, the spokesperson adds.

Dell's much-awaited entry to the personal digital assistant market was well-received, but troubled. The company initially had trouble ramping up production of the PDA. Then, the company briefly halted shipments to deal with the software compatibility problem.

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