Error: "not a valid Pocket PC application"

[Navodit]

I have been given a .exe which is supposed to work for Pocket PCs. Along
with this exe, I copied a .dll and .ini file to the Pocket PC. however when
I try to load this exe it gives the error message that this exe "is not a
valid Pocket PC application". Can someone guide me :

1. as to why this error could be taking place ?
2. where shd I start to resolve this error ?
3. any general way to track these kind of errors ?

I am new to pocket pc development so i might be missing some basic steps.
Any help/hints wd be appreciated. Thanks.

Navodit

Note: I am using a HP IPaq h5150.

[Tony A.]

Post by Navodit
I have been given a .exe which is supposed to work for Pocket PCs.
Along with this exe, I copied a .dll and .ini file to the Pocket PC.
however when I try to load this exe it gives the error message that
this exe "is not a valid Pocket PC application". Can someone guide

me

Most Pocket PC software is distributed as an executable installer
(exe) that you execute on your Windows desktop PC, with the Pocket PC
in the cradle. The software will then install to the device via
ActiveSync. So run that exe on your desktop PC.

My magic 8-ball can't tell me what the ini and dll files are for
unless you want to get get more specific about the software you are
trying to install, which would be a good idea. One would guess they
should be placed in the same location as the exe file on your desktop
PC, before you run the exe.

[Navodit]

Post by Tony A.

Post by Navodit
I have been given a .exe which is supposed to work for Pocket PCs.
Along with this exe, I copied a .dll and .ini file to the Pocket PC.
however when I try to load this exe it gives the error message that
this exe "is not a valid Pocket PC application". Can someone guide

me
Most Pocket PC software is distributed as an executable installer
(exe) that you execute on your Windows desktop PC, with the Pocket PC
in the cradle. The software will then install to the device via
ActiveSync. So run that exe on your desktop PC.
My magic 8-ball can't tell me what the ini and dll files are for
unless you want to get get more specific about the software you are
trying to install, which would be a good idea. One would guess they
should be placed in the same location as the exe file on your desktop
PC, before you run the exe.

Sorry for not giving more details. I was not sure about what to mention and
what not to. So here's the scenario:

I am working on a client-server application which needs to be deployed to a
Pocket PC. To deploy this application to a Pocket PC, a windows ce exe was
written (not by me). The steps given for installing this executable on the
pocket pc were as follows:

//
Please download the following files into the given directories in your
casseopia.

1. inmeetingCEv1 -> /windows directory of device
2. msp.ini -> / directory (root diretory of device)
3. vncdll.dll -> /windows directory of device

To run the demo launch the inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory. Once
you run it once it will be
in your recently used apps in the start menu of the device.
//

When I launch inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory, I get the "not a
valid Pocket PC application" error... Unfortunately I donot have access to
the source code for writing this CE application. I am not sure if I should
try and get this CE application working or it wd be faster to write a new
one from scratch ! If writing a new one from scratch would be faster then
what would be the steps to go about this ? Thanks.

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

see http://BevHoward.com/bhhpj.htm#Cabs

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Navodit]

"Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in

Post by Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]
see http://BevHoward.com/bhhpj.htm#Cabs
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

The instructions here seem to indicate that I shd run the .exe from the
desktop. However when I attempt to do this, it gives the error that this "is
not a valid win32 application"... I believe this is not an installer
executable. Any other ideas ? Thanks.

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

Any other ideas ? <<

First guess would be that it is either corrupt or compiled for another
platform such as palm or symbian.

Might take a peek at the binary ascii using a hex editor... there are
normally strings (after decompressing) which may offer clues.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Edgar]

Is it possible it might be for a different processor as well?
--
Edgar
"Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in

Post by Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]

Any other ideas ? <<

First guess would be that it is either corrupt or compiled for another
platform such as palm or symbian.
Might take a peek at the binary ascii using a hex editor... there are
normally strings (after decompressing) which may offer clues.
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

different processor normally gives a different error message, something
like "not compiled for this device"

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Tony A.]

Post by Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]
different processor normally gives a different error message,
something like "not compiled for this device"

If it's compiled for the old x86 emulator, it gives the "not a valid
Pocket PC application" though.

[Navodit]

"Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in

Post by Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]

Any other ideas ? <<

First guess would be that it is either corrupt or compiled for another
platform such as palm or symbian.
Might take a peek at the binary ascii using a hex editor... there are
normally strings (after decompressing) which may offer clues.
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Is there a general way to determine if the file was compiled for another
platform ?

I download XVI32 and tried to take a look at the file but it had only
numbers and I could not make out anything from it ! Is there something
specific that I should be looking for here or do I need a different hex
editor ? Thanks.

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

if you want to send me what you got, I'll take a look... send private
email to me with your address and the subject line of [BEH CE App
Problem] ..."at" the nospam

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

Wonder if it's not even a WinCE app... the only clue I could find points to

http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&catid=0&area=software.developer&searchtitle=Applications%20by%20Inblosam%20LLC&searchterm=&step=1&orderby=downloadtotal&direction=asc&userid=1000081008&prodid=39951

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Tony A.]

Post by Navodit
"Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote in

Post by Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]
see http://BevHoward.com/bhhpj.htm#Cabs
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

The instructions here seem to indicate that I shd run the .exe from
the desktop. However when I attempt to do this, it gives the error
that this "is not a valid win32 application"... I believe this is

not

Post by Navodit
an installer executable. Any other ideas ? Thanks.

You'll really have to get in touch with the developer. If it's not a
valid pocket pc application, and it's not a valid win32 application,
then it's completely useless to you. Possibly it's a pocket pc app
that the developer compiled for the wrong processor architecture (the
instructions mention a casseopia, which I believe is a MIPS device,
while ARM is standard for modern PPCs), but in any case there's
nothing more you can do with it without access to the source. You
could probably confirm the processor architecture by examining the exe
with a hex editor, but I couldn't tell you what to look for.

[r***@pen_fact.com]

On Tue, 11 Jul 2006 19:14:18 +0100, "Tony A."

Post by Tony A.
in

Post by Navodit

Post by Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]
see http://BevHoward.com/bhhpj.htm#Cabs
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

The instructions here seem to indicate that I shd run the .exe from
the desktop. However when I attempt to do this, it gives the error
that this "is not a valid win32 application"... I believe this is

not

Post by Navodit
an installer executable. Any other ideas ? Thanks.

You'll really have to get in touch with the developer. If it's not a
valid pocket pc application, and it's not a valid win32 application,
then it's completely useless to you. Possibly it's a pocket pc app
that the developer compiled for the wrong processor architecture (the
instructions mention a casseopia, which I believe is a MIPS device,

Cassiopeia was the generic name Casio used, much like Jornada for HP.
Some were HPCs with SH3 CPUs. Some were Palm-size PCs with MIPS CPUs.
Some were Pocket PCs running MIPS CPUs. And some were Pocket PC 2002s
running ARM CPUs.

Post by Tony A.
while ARM is standard for modern PPCs), but in any case there's
nothing more you can do with it without access to the source. You
could probably confirm the processor architecture by examining the exe
with a hex editor, but I couldn't tell you what to look for.

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 478
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

[Clint]

If it was me, I'd be in touch with whoever did up the original application.
It may be something simple, or it might be something complex (or even
impossible to solve).

Rewriting from scratch could be simple or complex as well, depending on the
functionality of the application. You'll need to post the details on your
system before an accurate answer is given as to the steps required.
Basically, though, you can do your development in a version of Visual
Studio. Check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/ for more clues.

I'd guess that if you're not a developer, building from scratch will be a
fairly painful process, and the path of least resistance will be talking to
the original developer. If that's not an option (developer's died, cashed
his check and run, etc), then look at re-writing the application or having
it written for you.

Clint

Post by Navodit

Post by Tony A.

Post by Navodit
I have been given a .exe which is supposed to work for Pocket PCs.
Along with this exe, I copied a .dll and .ini file to the Pocket PC.
however when I try to load this exe it gives the error message that
this exe "is not a valid Pocket PC application". Can someone guide

me
Most Pocket PC software is distributed as an executable installer
(exe) that you execute on your Windows desktop PC, with the Pocket PC
in the cradle. The software will then install to the device via
ActiveSync. So run that exe on your desktop PC.
My magic 8-ball can't tell me what the ini and dll files are for
unless you want to get get more specific about the software you are
trying to install, which would be a good idea. One would guess they
should be placed in the same location as the exe file on your desktop
PC, before you run the exe.

Sorry for not giving more details. I was not sure about what to mention
I am working on a client-server application which needs to be deployed to
a Pocket PC. To deploy this application to a Pocket PC, a windows ce exe
was written (not by me). The steps given for installing this executable on
//
Please download the following files into the given directories in your
casseopia.
1. inmeetingCEv1 -> /windows directory of device
2. msp.ini -> / directory (root diretory of device)
3. vncdll.dll -> /windows directory of device
To run the demo launch the inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory. Once
you run it once it will be
in your recently used apps in the start menu of the device.
//
When I launch inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory, I get the "not a
valid Pocket PC application" error... Unfortunately I donot have access to
the source code for writing this CE application. I am not sure if I should
try and get this CE application working or it wd be faster to write a new
one from scratch ! If writing a new one from scratch would be faster then
what would be the steps to go about this ? Thanks.

[Navodit]

I dont think the person who wrote the original application is around. Since
I am a grad student (non-CS) getting the application written wd also not be
an option I guess ! So I figure that I will have to write the application
myself ...

More details about the system:

Basically it is a distributed application which provides functionalities
like chatting, whiteboard, application server, polling etc. Clients are
expected to login to the system based on the servers ip address and are then
able to communicate with each other via text chat, whiteboard, polling
(posting messages etc), application server (applications like word, excel,
autocad etc.), audio conferencing. I hope this gives a reasonable picture of
the application. If there is some more specific information that wd be
needed before providing the steps required then please let me know.
Thanks...

Navodit

Post by Clint
If it was me, I'd be in touch with whoever did up the original
application. It may be something simple, or it might be something complex
(or even impossible to solve).
Rewriting from scratch could be simple or complex as well, depending on
the functionality of the application. You'll need to post the details on
your system before an accurate answer is given as to the steps required.
Basically, though, you can do your development in a version of Visual
Studio. Check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/ for more clues.
I'd guess that if you're not a developer, building from scratch will be a
fairly painful process, and the path of least resistance will be talking
to the original developer. If that's not an option (developer's died,
cashed his check and run, etc), then look at re-writing the application or
having it written for you.
Clint

Post by Navodit

Post by Tony A.

Post by Navodit
I have been given a .exe which is supposed to work for Pocket PCs.
Along with this exe, I copied a .dll and .ini file to the Pocket PC.
however when I try to load this exe it gives the error message that
this exe "is not a valid Pocket PC application". Can someone guide

me
Most Pocket PC software is distributed as an executable installer
(exe) that you execute on your Windows desktop PC, with the Pocket PC
in the cradle. The software will then install to the device via
ActiveSync. So run that exe on your desktop PC.
My magic 8-ball can't tell me what the ini and dll files are for
unless you want to get get more specific about the software you are
trying to install, which would be a good idea. One would guess they
should be placed in the same location as the exe file on your desktop
PC, before you run the exe.

Sorry for not giving more details. I was not sure about what to mention
I am working on a client-server application which needs to be deployed to
a Pocket PC. To deploy this application to a Pocket PC, a windows ce exe
was written (not by me). The steps given for installing this executable
//
Please download the following files into the given directories in your
casseopia.
1. inmeetingCEv1 -> /windows directory of device
2. msp.ini -> / directory (root diretory of device)
3. vncdll.dll -> /windows directory of device
To run the demo launch the inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory.
Once you run it once it will be
in your recently used apps in the start menu of the device.
//
When I launch inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory, I get the "not a
valid Pocket PC application" error... Unfortunately I donot have access
to the source code for writing this CE application. I am not sure if I
should try and get this CE application working or it wd be faster to
write a new one from scratch ! If writing a new one from scratch would be
faster then what would be the steps to go about this ? Thanks.

[Clint]

Well, that shouldn't take you any more than a year or so. Let us know when
it's done, will you?

:)

Seriously, that sounds like a pretty major undertaking. Unless you want to
get very involved in PDA software development, I'd look for an alternate
solution. If you can't get this one to work, do some searching for a
different program. Sending messages is pretty straightforward (MSN for
PDA's, for example), but application sharing, white-boards, etc would be
much more difficult.

Clint

Post by Navodit
I dont think the person who wrote the original application is around. Since
I am a grad student (non-CS) getting the application written wd also not be
an option I guess ! So I figure that I will have to write the application
myself ...
Basically it is a distributed application which provides functionalities
like chatting, whiteboard, application server, polling etc. Clients are
expected to login to the system based on the servers ip address and are
then able to communicate with each other via text chat, whiteboard,
polling (posting messages etc), application server (applications like
word, excel, autocad etc.), audio conferencing. I hope this gives a
reasonable picture of the application. If there is some more specific
information that wd be needed before providing the steps required then
please let me know. Thanks...
Navodit

Post by Clint
If it was me, I'd be in touch with whoever did up the original
application. It may be something simple, or it might be something complex
(or even impossible to solve).
Rewriting from scratch could be simple or complex as well, depending on
the functionality of the application. You'll need to post the details on
your system before an accurate answer is given as to the steps required.
Basically, though, you can do your development in a version of Visual
Studio. Check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/ for more clues.
I'd guess that if you're not a developer, building from scratch will be a
fairly painful process, and the path of least resistance will be talking
to the original developer. If that's not an option (developer's died,
cashed his check and run, etc), then look at re-writing the application
or having it written for you.
Clint

Post by Navodit

Post by Tony A.

Post by Navodit
I have been given a .exe which is supposed to work for Pocket PCs.
Along with this exe, I copied a .dll and .ini file to the Pocket PC.
however when I try to load this exe it gives the error message that
this exe "is not a valid Pocket PC application". Can someone guide

me
Most Pocket PC software is distributed as an executable installer
(exe) that you execute on your Windows desktop PC, with the Pocket PC
in the cradle. The software will then install to the device via
ActiveSync. So run that exe on your desktop PC.
My magic 8-ball can't tell me what the ini and dll files are for
unless you want to get get more specific about the software you are
trying to install, which would be a good idea. One would guess they
should be placed in the same location as the exe file on your desktop
PC, before you run the exe.

Sorry for not giving more details. I was not sure about what to mention
I am working on a client-server application which needs to be deployed
to a Pocket PC. To deploy this application to a Pocket PC, a windows ce
exe was written (not by me). The steps given for installing this
//
Please download the following files into the given directories in your
casseopia.
1. inmeetingCEv1 -> /windows directory of device
2. msp.ini -> / directory (root diretory of device)
3. vncdll.dll -> /windows directory of device
To run the demo launch the inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory.
Once you run it once it will be
in your recently used apps in the start menu of the device.
//
When I launch inmeetingCEv1 from the /Windows directory, I get the "not
a valid Pocket PC application" error... Unfortunately I donot have
access to the source code for writing this CE application. I am not sure
if I should try and get this CE application working or it wd be faster
to write a new one from scratch ! If writing a new one from scratch
would be faster then what would be the steps to go about this ? Thanks.