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PAC Mate

PAC Mate Omni BX and QX 6.0 Maintenance Update

Skip to PAC Mate Omni Update instructions

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What's New in this Update?

This maintenance update for the PAC Mate Omni BX and QX is an optional update that addresses specific usability issues that were discovered after the initial release of PAC Mate Omni. Installing this update will update your PAC Mate Omni from version 6.0.285 to 6.0.1019 and requires you to perform a clean reset which will delete all data including any additional applications you have installed. Installation of this update is not required and those who prefer may wait for the release of PAC Mate Omni version 6.1 which is expected in the second quarter of 2008. Version 6.1 will incorporate all of the changes included in this maintenance release plus other improvements and enhancements.

Changes Included in the PAC Mate Omni 6.0 Maintenance Update

  • Corrected several reported issues related to using the UK keyboard layout on the QX. The keystrokes for entering the pound sign as well as other various symbols now work as expected.
  • You can now use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to navigate through items in combo boxes on Web pages.
  • Added support for the Town Compass® Dataviewer application. For optimal performance with PAC Mate Omni, visit the Product Download page on the Pocket Directory Web site and complete the form to download the latest version of the software. Once you have installed the Dataviewer application, when you install databases, uncheck the option to install the Town Compass Dataviewer application.

Note: For best performance, databases should be installed to a storage card.

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What does it cost?

The 6.0 maintenance update is a free download for PAC Mate Omni BX and QX users. Do not download this update if you have a PAC Mate BX or QX running version 4.1 or earlier.

To verify what version is installed on your PAC Mate Omni, press INSERT+ENTER, A on the QX or DOTS 2-4 CHORD, DOT 1 on the BX. If the version is 6.0.1019, you do not need to update. Otherwise, proceed to the next section for instructions on updating your PAC Mate Omni.

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How do I get it?

Download the update file by selecting the Download link near the bottom of this page. The file name is PM6.0.1019.101-enu.cab.pks. When prompted, be sure to save this file in a location where you can easily find it; such as the Desktop.

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Step-by-Step Update Instructions

Important: A clean reset is required in order to complete the update. This will cause any data you have added to your PAC Mate Omni, including third-party applications, to be erased. There are several steps you must follow to complete the installation of this update so that you do not lose data or impair programs installed on your PAC Mate Omni. Review each of the following steps, and be sure you allow yourself adequate time to complete them.

Before Installing the Update

  1. Use ActiveSync to synchronize your PAC Mate Omni with your computer.
  2. If you have the Audible Player from Audible.com on your PAC Mate Omni, start Audible Manager, open the Devices menu, and choose Activate/Deactivate. Follow the steps to deactivate your PAC Mate Omni This will redeposit your Audible authorization in your account so you can install and reactivate the Audible Player after updating your PAC Mate Omni.
  3. Store all the files you currently have in the main memory of your PAC Mate Omni onto a CompactFlash card or onto your computer’s desktop. For more information on synchronizing, refer to your PAC Mate Omni documentation.
  4. Plug in the battery charger, and connect it to your PAC Mate Omni. Check the battery status on the Today screen to ensure that the PAC Mate Omni is operating on AC power.

WARNING: Do not use <>Sprite Backup because it restores the old system files over your newly installed update.

Installing the 6.0 Maintenance Update

  1. Transfer PM6.0.1019.101-enu.cab.pks to a CompactFlash card or directly on to the PAC Mate Omni.

    • If you choose to copy the update to a CompactFlash card and your computer does not have a card reader, place the CompactFlash card into your PAC Mate Omni and copy PM6.0.1019.101-enu.cab.pks to My Computer/Mobile Device/My Windows Mobile-Based Device/Storage Card while connected with ActiveSync.
    • To transfer the update directly to your PAC Mate Omni, copy PM6.0.1019.101-enu.cab.pks to My Computer/Mobile Device while connected with ActiveSync. This places the update in the My Documents folder on your PAC Mate Omni.
  2. Disconnect from your PC and remove all peripherals from the CompactFlash slots of your PAC Mate Omni. If you chose to copy the update to a CompactFlash card, insert the CompactFlash card containing the update file.
  3. Open File Explorer, locate the PM6.0.1019.101-enu.cab.pks file, and press ENTER on the QX or DOT 8 on the BX.
    Note: The PAC Mate Omni will indicate that this file as an unknown file type. However, pressing ENTER will launch the update.
  4. The PAC Mate Omni will first validate the update, which takes a couple minutes. When the update validation is complete, you are prompted to begin the installation. Press F1 on the QX or F1+F2 on the BX to proceed with the update. During the update, you will hear progress clicks along with announcements of the percentage of the update completed.
  5. Once the update completes, the PAC Mate Omni will warm reset, then speak and display "6.0.285." At this point, you must perform a clean reset in order to complete the installation. To clean reset your PAC Mate Omni, use a straightened paper clip or a toothpick and press down gently on the reset button while simultaneously holding the power switch in the off position - away from the CompactFlash slots. Once you begin holding the power switch, you can release the reset button. For more information on locating the reset button, refer to your PAC Mate Omni documentation.

When you begin holding the power switch, you will hear a low-high beep. Continue holding the switch for about six seconds until you hear a second low-high beep and release the switch. The reset process may take up to 10 minutes, depending on how much data is stored in main memory. Once completed, you will hear a chime followed by the message "JAWS for Pocket PC is loading, version 6.0.1019”, followed shortly after by another chime. After the second chime, you are placed on the Today screen with the update installed and ready to use your PAC Mate Omni. At this point, the PAC Mate Omni has been reset to default settings and any user data including programs you installed are gone.

After Installing the Update

  1. Start ActiveSync on your computer while your PAC Mate Omni is still disconnected. Your PAC Mate Omni should be listed as disconnected. If necessary, press ALT+F, and then choose Mobile Device. Select the name of your partnership using the DOWN ARROW key and press ENTER.
  2. Press ALT+F and press DOWN ARROW until you find "Delete Mobile Device." Then press ENTER. Be sure to record the exact name of the partnership you are deleting, including upper and lower case letters and underscores. Choose Yes when asked if you are sure you want to delete the partnership. Then choose No when asked if you wish to delete the synchronized Files folder.
  3. Set the correct time zone and enter your owner information on your newly-updated PAC Mate Omni. Do this before proceeding to the next step. For more information on setting the time zone and entering owner information, refer to your PAC Mate Omni documentation.

    Note: If you use any Freedom Scientific applications that require you to enter an authorization code, your owner information must be entered exactly the way it was previously.

  4. If you did not previously change the default device name, "Pocket_PC," when creating your partnership, skip to step 6. Otherwise, on the PAC Mate Omni, open the Start Menu, move to Settings, and press ENTER or DOT 8. In the Settings dialog box, move to the System page, select About and press ENTER or DOT 8. Navigate to the Device ID page.
  5. Give your device the exact name you recorded earlier. Press ESC or F1 to close the dialog box.
  6. Connect your PAC Mate Omni to the PC. The Synchronization Setup Wizard asks if you wish to create a Standard or Guest Partnership. Press ENTER or DOT 8 on the Next button to set up a standard partnership. If prompted for a name, give the partnership the identical name as the one you recorded. Press ENTER.
  7. Be sure to select the Files check box as one of the items you want to synchronize.
  8. After you have finished establishing the partnership, the unit begins the synchronization process. If you receive the message: "The following information type on your mobile device has items that have not been synchronized with this computer before." Press DOWN ARROW to select "Replace the items on my device with the items on this computer." Activate the OK button. The files that were saved to the computer are now being placed back in the My Documents folder on your PAC Mate Omni and the synchronization process continues.

Restoring Applications

Before proceeding, make sure you have any necessary authorization codes available.

To restore your previously-installed applications:

  1. Press ALT+T in the ActiveSync window on your computer to open the Tools menu. Choose Add/Remove Programs. This displays a list of the programs and drivers you have previously added to your PAC Mate Omni, if any. Move through the list with the arrow keys and press the SPACEBAR to check those you want to reinstall, and then choose OK. If you have many programs, you may want to do this only a few at a time, especially if any need additional configuration steps on the PAC Mate Omni.

Note: If one of the programs you reinstalled is the Audible Player, start Audible Manager on your computer and reactivate your device (press ALT+D, then press CTRL+A).

  1. If you installed the update from a CompactFlash card, Delete the PM6.0.1019.101-enu.cab.pks file from the card.
  2. (optional) If you use Sprite Backup, Perform a new backup of your PAC Mate Omni. Do not restore a previously completed backup, as this will undo the upgrade process.

Download the PAC Mate Omni BX and QX 6.0 Maintenance Update (9.72 MB)



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