Symbol Technologies VC5090 Non-FFS Partitions, Downloading Partitions to the Vehicle Computer

Windows CE expects certain files to be in the Windows folder, residing in volatile storage. Windows CE

maintains the System Registry in volatile storage. CopyFiles copies files from one folder to another on a cold

boot. Files can be copied from a non-volatile partition (Application or Platform) to the Windows or other volatile

partition during a cold boot. During a cold boot CopyFiles looks for files with a.CPY extension in the root of the

Platform and Application FFS partitions (Platform first and then Application). These files are text files

containing the source and destination for the desired files to be copied separated by “>”. The following example

from the file application.cpy is contained on the demo application partition included in the DCP for VC5090w. It

can also be obtained from the Symbol web site at http://devzone.symbol.com/.

Files are copied to the Windows folder from the Flash File System using copy files (*.cpy) in the following

order:

\Platform

\Application

Example:

\Application\ScanSamp2.exe>\Windows\ScanSamp2.exe

This line directs CopyFiles to copy the ScanSamp2.exe application from the \Application folder to the

\Windows folder.

Non-FFS Partitions

Non-FFS Partitions include additional software and data pre-loaded on the vehicle computer that can be

upgraded. Unlike FFS Partitions, these partitions are not visible when the operating system is running. They

also contain system information. Non-FFS partitions include the following:

•

Windows CE: The complete Windows CE operating system is stored on Flash devices. If necessary, the

entire OS image may be downloaded to the vehicle computer using files provided by Symbol. The

current OS partition on the vehicle computer is included as part of the TCM installation package. Any

upgrades must be obtained from Symbol. This partition is mandatory for the vehicle computer.

•

Splash Screen: a bitmap smaller than 16 Kb (and limited to 8 bits per pixel) is displayed as the vehicle

computer cold boots. To download a customized screen to display, see Creating a Splash Screen on

page 7-22.

•

IPL: This program interfaces with the host computer and allows downloading via serial cable any or all of

the partitions listed above, as well as updated versions of IPL. Use caution downloading updated IPL

versions; incorrect downloading of an IPL causes permanent damage to the vehicle computer. IPL is

mandatory for the vehicle computer.

•

Partition Table: Identifies where each partition is loaded in the vehicle computer.

Downloading Partitions to the Vehicle Computer

TCM is used to specify a hex destination file for each partition and download each file to the vehicle computer.

This download requires a program loader stored on the vehicle computer. The vehicle computer comes with a

program loading utility, Initial Program Loader (IPL), stored in the vehicle computer's write-protected flash.

NOTE 8 bits per pixel only applies to splash screen images. Once Windows CE is running, the color density is 16

bits per pixel.