OT: accessing files on a Windows Mobile 2003 phone
I dug out a box of old cellphones yesterday, and the first ones I grabbed were Audiovox “smart” phones that have Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition on them (version 4.21.1088) and amazingly the batteries still hold a charge *and* they still have some data on them that I’d like to copy over before giving these away. Does anyone know how I might access the files on these? They have both Bluetooth and USB (mini-B.) I can connect to a modern Mac but while the device connects I cannot access the file system on the phone. I do not have easy access to a Windows computer. Any thoughts? Will these just show up if I connect to a Windows 10/11 computer? Also, these will be available for free should anyone have a use for them. There are like a dozen phones and associated chargers/cases. I need to go through them first and reset and/or at least remove SIM cards. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks - Bob Shuster
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV. On Tue, Apr 2, 2024 at 11:24 AM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I dug out a box of old cellphones yesterday, and the first ones I grabbed were Audiovox “smart” phones that have Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition on them (version 4.21.1088) and amazingly the batteries still hold a charge *and* they still have some data on them that I’d like to copy over before giving these away. Does anyone know how I might access the files on these? They have both Bluetooth and USB (mini-B.) I can connect to a modern Mac but while the device connects I cannot access the file system on the phone. I do not have easy access to a Windows computer. Any thoughts? Will these just show up if I connect to a Windows 10/11 computer?
Also, these will be available for free should anyone have a use for them. There are like a dozen phones and associated chargers/cases. I need to go through them first and reset and/or at least remove SIM cards. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks - Bob Shuster
Agreed. Use a computer from when the phone was current/supported. It would be easier to copy the files from an Win 98/XP computer than try to make a modern computer connect to an a 25 year old phone On Tue, Apr 2, 2024 at 11:32 AM Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV.
On Tue, Apr 2, 2024 at 11:24 AM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I dug out a box of old cellphones yesterday, and the first ones I grabbed were Audiovox “smart” phones that have Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition on them (version 4.21.1088) and amazingly the batteries still hold a charge *and* they still have some data on them that I’d like to copy over before giving these away. Does anyone know how I might access the files on these? They have both Bluetooth and USB (mini-B.) I can connect to a modern Mac but while the device connects I cannot access the file system on the phone. I do not have easy access to a Windows computer. Any thoughts? Will these just show up if I connect to a Windows 10/11 computer?
Also, these will be available for free should anyone have a use for them. There are like a dozen phones and associated chargers/cases. I need to go through them first and reset and/or at least remove SIM cards. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks - Bob Shuster
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV.
Man it was so nice when cell phones would look like mass storage to computers. Just copy your data to and from no problem. Apple never was down for this since they were in the music sales business but Android did. Can't remember if my Nokia N900 used to work like that or not. There is also a specific camera protocol called PTP that was around, but not sure if Windows Mobile phones used it. Might have to spin up a VirtualBox as someone else said and run Windows + the original connectivity software for the phone. But then it becomes a question if the virtualbox host shim for USB will allow the app in virtualbox to really talk to the phone. Been hit or miss in my experience. - Ethan
Yes, I’m trying to set up emulation, but tricky on M2 Macs with ARM architecture, and I’m not sure any ports will be recognized if and when I get it running. Thanks for the input! - Bob
On Apr 2, 2024, at 1:15 PM, Ethan O'Toole <telmnstr@757.org> wrote:
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV.
Man it was so nice when cell phones would look like mass storage to computers. Just copy your data to and from no problem. Apple never was down for this since they were in the music sales business but Android did. Can't remember if my Nokia N900 used to work like that or not.
There is also a specific camera protocol called PTP that was around, but not sure if Windows Mobile phones used it.
Might have to spin up a VirtualBox as someone else said and run Windows + the original connectivity software for the phone. But then it becomes a question if the virtualbox host shim for USB will allow the app in virtualbox to really talk to the phone. Been hit or miss in my experience.
- Ethan
Well I tried the virtualization route, and while there is one solution to run XP on a Mac with Apple silicon (UTM) I have been unable to get it to share a directory so I can install a working web browser and download ActiveSync. I’ll keep at it, but ultimately I think I need to find a Windows XP machine. - Bob Shuster
On Apr 2, 2024, at 1:15 PM, Ethan O'Toole <telmnstr@757.org> wrote:
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV.
Man it was so nice when cell phones would look like mass storage to computers. Just copy your data to and from no problem. Apple never was down for this since they were in the music sales business but Android did. Can't remember if my Nokia N900 used to work like that or not.
There is also a specific camera protocol called PTP that was around, but not sure if Windows Mobile phones used it.
Might have to spin up a VirtualBox as someone else said and run Windows + the original connectivity software for the phone. But then it becomes a question if the virtualbox host shim for USB will allow the app in virtualbox to really talk to the phone. Been hit or miss in my experience.
- Ethan
Dude If you need a Windows XP machine I have them on here my goodness Mike Rosen Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Apr 2, 2024, at 5:12 PM, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Well I tried the virtualization route, and while there is one solution to run XP on a Mac with Apple silicon (UTM) I have been unable to get it to share a directory so I can install a working web browser and download ActiveSync. I’ll keep at it, but ultimately I think I need to find a Windows XP machine. - Bob Shuster
On Apr 2, 2024, at 1:15 PM, Ethan O'Toole <telmnstr@757.org> wrote:
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV.
Man it was so nice when cell phones would look like mass storage to computers. Just copy your data to and from no problem. Apple never was down for this since they were in the music sales business but Android did. Can't remember if my Nokia N900 used to work like that or not.
There is also a specific camera protocol called PTP that was around, but not sure if Windows Mobile phones used it.
Might have to spin up a VirtualBox as someone else said and run Windows + the original connectivity software for the phone. But then it becomes a question if the virtualbox host shim for USB will allow the app in virtualbox to really talk to the phone. Been hit or miss in my experience.
- Ethan
This is mine currently on Facebook marketplace https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1470039946924702/?mibextid=6ojiHh Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Apr 2, 2024, at 5:12 PM, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Well I tried the virtualization route, and while there is one solution to run XP on a Mac with Apple silicon (UTM) I have been unable to get it to share a directory so I can install a working web browser and download ActiveSync. I’ll keep at it, but ultimately I think I need to find a Windows XP machine. - Bob Shuster
On Apr 2, 2024, at 1:15 PM, Ethan O'Toole <telmnstr@757.org> wrote:
If memory serves, I remember connecting those phones to WinXP laptops via USB and being able to transfer files without issue. Not sure about anything newer, YMMV.
Man it was so nice when cell phones would look like mass storage to computers. Just copy your data to and from no problem. Apple never was down for this since they were in the music sales business but Android did. Can't remember if my Nokia N900 used to work like that or not.
There is also a specific camera protocol called PTP that was around, but not sure if Windows Mobile phones used it.
Might have to spin up a VirtualBox as someone else said and run Windows + the original connectivity software for the phone. But then it becomes a question if the virtualbox host shim for USB will allow the app in virtualbox to really talk to the phone. Been hit or miss in my experience.
- Ethan
Hello! Bob, when you're ready to give them, plus associated items away, you've got one taker. Myself. I'll let everyone else work out with you how to recover data. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8@gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again." On Tue, Apr 2, 2024 at 11:25 AM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I dug out a box of old cellphones yesterday, and the first ones I grabbed were Audiovox “smart” phones that have Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition on them (version 4.21.1088) and amazingly the batteries still hold a charge *and* they still have some data on them that I’d like to copy over before giving these away. Does anyone know how I might access the files on these? They have both Bluetooth and USB (mini-B.) I can connect to a modern Mac but while the device connects I cannot access the file system on the phone. I do not have easy access to a Windows computer. Any thoughts? Will these just show up if I connect to a Windows 10/11 computer?
Also, these will be available for free should anyone have a use for them. There are like a dozen phones and associated chargers/cases. I need to go through them first and reset and/or at least remove SIM cards. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks - Bob Shuster
participants (7)
-
Bill Degnan -
Bob Shuster -
Dean Notarnicola -
Ethan O'Toole -
Gregg Levine -
Sentrytv -
Wil Birkmaier