MyVGA

MyVGA is a program to switch video-modes on the Toshiba e800/e805 Pocket PC (QVGA, VGA, portrait, landscape).

Table of contents

Abstract
Features
Screenshots
License
History
Download
Installation
Command line parameters
Profiles
Forum and reporting bugs
Source code, credits and developers area
MyVGA Team

Abstract

The Toshiba e800/e805 is the first Pocket PC that supports video-modes other than standard 240x320 (QVGA) portrait: 480x640 (VGA) portrait and landscape. Unfortunately the e80x as shipped will only run three preinstalled programs in these resolutions.

MyVGA fixes this problem; it can switch the Toshiba between QVGA and VGA modes, portrait or landscape, and permit the execution of any program.  MyVGA also allows the user to set the system-wide font sizes to larger values.  While standard fonts are too small for hi-res it is preferred to adjust them (system-wide with special tools or direct in each program, which has such options). But after switch in standard low-res mode all fonts will appear too big. MyVGA helps to fix the problem by storing settings of other programs for each video-mode independently and restoring appropriate settings while switching resolution.

MyVGA can be used solely with Toshiba e800/e805 Pocket PCs. It is not compatible with any other devices. MyVGA works perfectly with both the UnDead Hack and the D-pad Rotator utility, written by WPdaPet.

Features

• Switch Toshiba e800/e805 Pocket PC in following resolutions:
• 240x320 - Portrait, standard resolution and upside down (Rotation on the angle of 180°);
• 320x240 - Landscape, left- or right-handed (Rotation on the angle of 90° or 270°);
• 480x640 - Portrait, normal or upside down (Rotation on the angle of 180°);
• 640x480 - Landscape, left- or right-handed (Rotation on the angle of 90° or 270°).
• Change Fonts, which are used for menus, and set the sizes of scrollbars. Settings are stored independently for each video mode;
• Store/restore of registry-settings when changing video mode. This allows the user to readjust other programs to selected resolution (application must have the ability to change it's settings). You only have to specify which registry entries must be stored. You do not specify real values, only their names. Once the registry key names are entered that setting can be adjusted directly in your application. You can change settings (e.g. FontSize in Reader-program) any time, without need to adjust the settings of MyVGA. MyVGA tracks changing of registry entries and stores/restores current settings automatically and for each video mode individually.
• File-swapping. When changing video-mode, MyVGA can replace particular files with a version specially designed for the selected video-mode. So, you can use large icons in Pocket Informant when in VGA mode, and automatically use smaller icons when you switch to QVGA.
• Save/restore Today-Themes for each video-mode.
• Profiles to easy maintain settings of applications.
• Small and fast. MyVGA is written using C++, it does not require Visual-Basic- or any other runtimes to be installed on the Pocket PC and it starts quickly.
• Command line support. MyVGA detects several command line parameters and can switch video mode without using the GUI window. It is useful if you want to switch modes from your favorite launcher.
• Does not require setup. The program consists of only one exe-file, which can be placed in any folder.

Screenshots

Note: The program is distributed in three forms: 1) full source code, 2) executable file with docs and screenshots and 3) executable file with docs without screenshots. If you do not see images in this section, it is probably because you have the last form of distribution. To download the form with screenshots use links in download section.

License

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

The full text of license is available here in html format. You should also get a copy of license within distribution archive in file "LICENSE.txt".

History

Version 1.4.0 - 15 Apr. 2004.
- Profiles;
- Fix for Bluetooth-bug (BT-light was switched off on e800BT-devices);
- Dialog for changing registry data. Appears on page "Registry Entry";
- Options to disable warnings;
- Default clock-settings for VGA-landscape-left-handed mode were changed to achieve better compatibility with PocketTV.

Version 1.3.0 - 8 Mar. 2004.
- Dialog-scaling;
- Dialog for selecting files on page "Files" of "State Settings";
- Option to save/restore calibration of touchscreen for each resolution.

Version 1.2.0 - 24 Feb. 2004.
- Today-Theme-swapping;
- New command line switches: "install" and "uninstall".
- Fixed bug with erroneously deleted shortcut "keylock.lnk" from StartUp-menu;

Version 1.1.0 - 22 Feb. 2004.
- Left-handed VGA-mode. This mode is still in testing;
- File-swapping;
- Timing settings;
- Reverse behavior of spin-buttons was fixed.

Version 1.0.1 - 15 Feb. 2004.
- Added fix for problem with WiFi-light;
- Default values for sizes of Scrollbars in VGA mode were increased.

Version 1.0.0 - 15 Feb. 2004.
- First release.

Download

Latest release, old releases, beta releases and source code can be reached via MyVGA Official Site.

Installation

The right way

1. Do backup.
2. Do hard reset.
3. Install UnDead Hack, available from http://www.aibohack.com/pda/undead.htm.
4. Copy MyVGA.exe to your Pocket PC in any location.
5. Run MyVGA.exe and select any of available video modes.

Note 1: It is not important what to install first: MyVGA or UnDead Hack.

Note 2: After the first switching of resolution in hi-res or landscape-mode you'll find out that background of today-screen appears to be awry and not updated correctly. Don't worry; it is normal behavior of today-application. You have to download and install today-themes with large background pictures. You'll find many VGA-Themes on www.pocketpcparadise.com: here (portrait) and here (portrait and landscape)

Installing over ResFix

1. Do backup.
2. Run ResFix and select standard QVGA-Portrait video mode, reboot.
3. Uninstall ResFix.
4. You can also uninstall VB-Runtime if no one of installed programs require it.
5. Copy MyVGA.exe at Pocket PC in any location.
6. Run MyVGA.exe and select any of available video modes.

Note 1: you must already have installed UnDead Hack. If not, download and install it before the first run of MyVGA. UnDead Hack is available from http://www.aibohack.com/pda/undead.htm.

Note 2: If you have any problems installing or using MyVGA after ResFix, please use "The right way".

Installing over ResSwitch

1. Do backup.
2. Run ResSwitch, select standard QVGA-Portrait video mode and reboot the machine.
3. Uninstall ResSwitch.
4. Copy MyVGA.exe at Pocket PC in any location.
5. Run MyVGA.exe and select any of available video modes.

Note 1: you must already have installed UnDead Hack. If not, download and install it before the first run of MyVGA. UnDead Hack is available from http://www.aibohack.com/pda/undead.htm.

Note 2: If you have any problems installing or using MyVGA after ResSwitch, please use "The right way".

Installing over previous versions of MyVGA

1. Do backup.
2. Copy MyVGA.exe at Pocket PC over the previous version.
3. Run MyVGA.exe and select any of available video modes or close the program. This step is required to activate WiFi-fix.

Note: If you have any problems installing or using MyVGA over previous versions, please use "The right way".

Command line parameters

MyVGA detects several command line parameters and can switch video mode without showing main window. It is usefull, if you want to switch modes from your favorite launcher.

Folowing parameters are supported:

• QVGA - apply QVGA mode, 240x320 or 320x240. Short form of parameter: Q.
• VGA - apply VGA mode, 480x640 or 640x480. Short form of parameter: V.
• PORTRAIT - use standard screen orientation. This parameter is used by default and can be omited. Short form of parameter: P.
• LANDSCAPE-RIGHT - rotate screen on 90°, right-handed. Short forms of parameter: LANDSCAPE, RIGHT, LR, R.
• LANDSCAPE-LEFT - rotate screen on 90°, left-handed. Short forms of parameter: LEFT, LL, L. This switch is not compatible with parameter "VGA", because left-handed VGA mode is not supported.
• PORTRAIT-UPSIDEDOWN - rotate screen on 180°. Short forms of parameter: UPSIDEDOWN, PU, PUD, U, UD.
• INSTALL - Normally the program performs several changes to system on first start. However if other resolution switcher was used after installing of MyVGA, reinstall can be required. Short form of parameter: I.
• UNINSTALL - Restore factory defaults of settings, which MyVGA changed. It is necessary if you decide to install other resolution switcher. Short form of parameter: U.
• Y - Do not show confirmation dialogs (Answer "Yes" to all questions).

Parameters can be specified with prefixes "/" or "-" or without any.
Examples:

Profiles

Profiles allows to change several registry-/file-settings easy. Profiles are designed to make changes for specified program. For example, profile "Resco Explorer" (profile can be downloaded from MyVGA-home page) contains settings, which change Font of the program. This work can be done througth manual configuring of MyVGA, using page "Registry" of "State Settings"-dialog. Bu it is simpler to use the profile (if it is available). Profiles are created by MyVGA-users, who want to contribute their efforts to PPC-community.

Using profiles

You will find the list of installed profiles on page "Profiles" of "State Settings"-dialog. Check profiles you want to be used during swap-process. Each profile contains description, which can be important. Please read it carefully, before checking profile. Some profiles can be used only with determainded versions of software. For example, profile "Pocket Informat 4.6" cannot be used with "Pocket Informat 5". Such information regarding compatibility should be pointed in description.

MyVGA search profiles in two Folders:
1. folder, where MyVGA.exe is located;
2. subfolder "profiles" next to MyVGA.exe.

MyVGA-profile files have extension ".myvga". Use ActiveSync to copy profile-files on your PocketPC. If particular profile requires additional files (they can be used on file-swap-process), these files should be placed next to the profile-file. Read docs, supplied with profile for more imformation.

Creating profiles

Profile file is a text-file with structure of well-known ini-files.

Let's explore the sample profile-file for Resco Explorer.

// Profile for MyVGA
// http://www.pocketpctools.com/myvga

[Profile]
Version=1.4.0
Description=This profile contains predefined font settings for Resco Explorer.
Author=NoNaMe
Homepage=www.pocketpctools.com
EMail=NoNaMe@pocketpctools.com

[QVGA]
0=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,FontSz,1
1=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,ClearType,0

[VGA]
0=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,FontSz,3
1=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,ClearType,1

Each profile should have section "Profile" with keys "Version", "Description", "Author", "Homepage", "EMail". The only required key is "Version", it has a version number of MyVGA for what it was designed. Other keys are optional.

MyVGA distinguishes four video-modes: QVGA-Portrait, QVGA-Landscape, VGA-Portrait and VGA-Landscape. For every mode profile can contain particular section. Following names should be used:

[QVGA.portrait]
[QVGA.landscape]
[VGA.portrait]
[VGA.landscape]

For names "QVGA.portrait" and "VGA.portrait" are allowed short forms: "QVGA" and "VGA".

If profile does not contain required section, the best matching section will be used. The search order is following:

1. For mode "VGA-Landscape": VGA.landscape, VGA.portrait (VGA), QVGA.portrait (QVGA).
2. For mode "VGA-Portrait": VGA.portrait (VGA), QVGA.portrait (QVGA).
3. For mode "QVGA-Landscape": QVGA.landscape, QVGA.portrait (QVGA).
4. For mode "QVGA-Portrait": QVGA.portrait (QVGA).

If none section was found, program fails with error message. If a profile does not distinguish portrait and landscape modes, two sections "QVGA" and "VGA" should be enough. If profile contains only swap-commands and therefore all commands are the same for all modes, the only section "QVGA" have to be used.

Mode-sections

Each mode-section contains sequence of commands. Commands are numerated from 0 with step 1. MyVGA read commands and executes them in this order. If the next command is not found, MyVGA stops executing. This means, that numbers cannot be skipped. For example in following section only first command will be executed:

[QVGA] 0=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,FontSz,1 2=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,ClearType,0

Commands can have parameters. The parameters are separated with comma. The list of parameters depends of particular command. Description of commands and their parameters see later in this document.

Packed profiles

If profile swap files, it can require additional files to be supplied with it. For better handling all files can be packed into one "packed-profile". "Packed-profile" is a zip-file, for which following are applied:

1. It contains file "profile.myvga", the profile-file.
2. All additional files are packed next to profile file or in subfolders within archive.
3. For creating of zip-archive compression method "STORE" had to be used.
4. Packed profile-file should have extension ".zmyvga".

Profile commands

RegSwap
The command swap registry setting. Current setting will be stored in "stored registry data"-section under MyVGA-settings. Old previously saved setting for selected video-mode will be loaded and applied to registry. This command works in the same way, as work settings on page "Registry" of "State Settings"-dialog. The command has two parameters: key-name and value-name.
Example:

[QVGA] 0=RegSwap,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,FontSz

RegWriteDWord
The command write DWORD into registry. The command has three parameters: key-name, value-name and value-data. You should use this command only for registry entries, which user cannot edit through user-interface of a program. It's because a changes made by user, will be always overriden by profile on next swap of video-mode. For such user-configurable settings command RegSwap is preferred.
Example:

[QVGA] 0=RegWriteDWord,HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Resco\Explorer\Options,FontSz,1

RegWriteString
The same as RegWriteDWord, but write character data.

CopyFile
The command copy one file. If destination file exists it will be overriden. If destination file is locked by other processes, the command terminates all running applications and tries to copy file again.
Example:

[QVGA] 0=CopyFile,PIResources.dll.qvga,%WINDOWS%\PIResources.dll

CopyDirectory
The same as CopyFile, but copies whole directory with all subdirectories.

ShowMessage
This command is used for debugging. It has one parameter - message string.
Example:

[QVGA] 0=ShowMessage,Applying QVGA mode!

Special strings in commands

Sample proiles

On MyVGA home page you will find some useful profiles ready for download.

Forum and reporting bugs

MyVGA Official Site

Source code, credits and developers area

Source code of MyVGA can be downloaded from MyVGA Official Site.

The author of initial source code is hugbug. The author of ChooseFontDialog is João Paulo Figueira. Here is the article http://www.codeproject.com/ce/CeChooseFont.asp. MyVGA's authors express huge gratitude to João Paulo Figueira for the opportunity to use his code in this program.  The authors would also like to thank the many programmers who have supported the Toshiba e800 since its release, especially WPdaPet and Deez.

Compiling - step by step instructions

MyVGA is written using Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0.

All required software for compiling MyVGA is available free of charge. But please have it in view, that you have to download about 500MB. If this is not a problem, following these instructions:

1. Download and install Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0 from this link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?...
2. Download and install eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0 SP2 from this link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?...
3. Download and install RTTI-patch for Pocket PC 2003 SDK from this link http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...
4. Download the Source Code of MyVGA from link provided in download section;
5. Unpack Source Code in any folder on your computer.
6. In Windows Explorer navigate to folder "<MyVGA>\src" and double click on the file "MyVGA.vcw". Visual C++ must start and open MyVGA-project.
7. In Menu "Project" select "Set active project" -> "MyVGA" (if it is not selected).
8. In Menu "Build" select "Set active configuration". A Window appears. Here select "MyVGA - Win32 (WCE ARMV4) Release" (if it is not selected).
9. In Menu "Build" select "Build MyVGA.exe". The successful compilation ends with following lines in message window:
   
   ...
MyVGA.exe - 0 error(s), 0 warning(s)
Downloading files
Checking remote file: \MyVGA.exe.
Downloading file <MyVGA>\dst\armv4rel\myvga.exe.
Finished downloading.
10. In the line "Downloading file..." you will find the full path to compiled exe. That's all.

MyVGA Team