makeimg does not report ERRORLEVEL from pre-/postmakeimg.bat

The platform specific (optional) batch files premakimg.bat and postmakeimg.bat are extremely helpful to cusomize the makeimg buildstep. But what if something went wrong? Unfortunately setting exiting the script with an errorlevel

exit /B 1

doesn't help. makeimg.exe simply doesn't catch those cases. But there is a simple solution to workaround that problem: Accidentally I found out that makeimg.exe reports syntax errors. So, why not abuse that. Simply write the following lines in the error label of your scripts:

@ECHO The following lines 'if(...)' are a hack to make makimg.exe stop further processing (exit /B 1 doesn't work)
if 1==2(
)
exit /B 1

Have fun, Jürgen
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So long and thanks for all the fish!

It's time to send all our readers and followers Season Greetings and to bid farewell (but not goodbye).

I would like to thank everyone who has participated over the last 4.5 years - active as well as passive - and hope that the information provided through this blog in 580 posts, with 191 comments and over 129 thousand views, was useful.

As Vera Lynn sung back in 1940: "We'll meet again. Don't know where. Don't know when ... but I know we'll meet again some sunny day!"

To all of you Season Greetings and a Happy and Prosperous 2013!

So long and thanks for all the fish!
Damian


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Renesas DevCon - last day

Hi folks,

today is already the last day of this years Renesas DevCon. It has been a very valuable, informative and interesting event.

Thanks very much to everyone who has made this experience so valuable, especially the people at Renesas – see you at the next DevCon in 2014!

Have fun!

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Renesas DevCon Impressions

Hi folks,

welcome from the last day of the Renesas DevCon here in sunny southern California.

The exhibit ended last night, however there are a lot of interesting sessions to attend as well as a lot of interesting people to talk to.

Here are some impressions from the Renesas DevCon:

Have fun!

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Renesas DevCon Day 2

Hi folks,

Today I held my talk at the Renesas DevCon: “9L04I Developing the Next Generation Automotive User Interface”.

At the end I raffled off the XBOX 360 sponsored by Elektrobit and Microsoft – congratulations to the lucky winner!

At the exhibition I had some really interesting conversations about Windows Embedded as well as EB GUIDE and EB tresos with some of the participants while enjoying a cold beer.

See you today at the Renesas DevCon!

Have fun!

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A warm hello from the Renesas DevCon 2012 – Day 1

Hi folks,

welcome to the first day of the Renesas DevCon 2012 in Garden Grove, CA. We are showcasing our HMI development tool EB GUIDE running on Windows Embedded Automotive 7 as well as EB tresos.

Don’t forget to attend my session tomorrow, Tuesday October 23^rd for a chance to win a Microsoft XBOX 360:

4pm to 6pm: “9L04I Developing the Next Generation Automotive User Interface”

Have fun!

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Win a Microsoft Xbox 360 by attending my talk at the Renesas DevCon

Hi Folks,

I will hold a presentation with hands-on lab “9L04I Developing the Next Generation Automotive User Interface” (look under “Operating Systems”) on Tuesday, October 23^rd at the Renesas DevCon in Anaheim, CA October 22^nd to 25^th.

Simply attend my session to enter to win a Microsoft Xbox 360 sponsored by Microsoft and Elektrobit – one lucky attendant will go home with the Xbox!

Make sure to also stop by at our booth and chat about Windows Embedded Automotive 7, EB GUIDE or any other topic.

See you there!

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Visit EB at the SAE Convergence!

Hi folks,

visit EB at the SAE Convergence, October 16^th to 17^th in Detroit, MI at booth 708, where we will be showcasing Windows Embedded Automotive 7 and EB GUIDE Studio amongst other technologies.

Have fun!

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Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for August 2012 have arrived!

Hi all,

the August updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update August 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Build

120813_KB2734737 - This update addresses an issue with SYSGEN_WCELDCMD causing inclusion of SYSGEN_MINGDI and SYSGEN_MINGWES in headless device configuration.

Component: DHCP

120823_KB2740023  - This update addresses an issue with TCP stack discarding DHCP unicast packets.

Component: Kernel

120816_KB2740479 - An exception may occur in the new thread generated in CreateThread.

120828_KB2746680 - This update addresses an issue with the possibility of Kernel validating an invalid pointer as valid when the OEM RAM Table is being used on SH4 and MIPS platforms

Component: Networking

120828_KB2743480 - This update addresses an issue with the static WINS server being ignored by iphlpapi

Component: RPC

120809_KB2731955 - Memory leaks may occur in rpcrt4.dll module during suspend/resume with continuous ping operation.

Component: WININET

120814_KB2735592 - This update addresses an issue with HttpOpenRequest receiving "501 Method Not Implemented" notification.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update August 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  Base OS

120831_KB2738288 - This update addresses an issue with the DOS Copy command erroneously deleting files.

Component:  Bluetooth

120625_KB2708132 - Under certain circumstances all existing RFCOMM connections are disconnected. A new registry key is also introduced 'AvoidMultipleDisconnectMsgs' [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Bluetooth\rfcomm] to turn ON/OFF the fix for this issue. The registry is set to '0' by default disabling the fix.

Component:  COMM

120831_KB2722850 - This update addresses the issue with the web server being not accessible after adding DefaultDomain registry key.

Component:  FILESYS

120809_KB2726340 - This update addresses possible data corruption that may occur when running multiple read/write threads.

Component:  Storage

120813_KB2728493 - This update enables to mount non-partitioned ExFat formatted disk.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

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Windows Embedded Standard 8 CTP 3 available for download

Hi folks,

The latest CTP for WES8 is publicly available for download via Microsoft Connect as of September 12^th 2012:

“Windows Embedded Standard 8 enables OEMs and Enterprises to create embedded devices that can use all of the powerful features that are available in Windows 8. Standard 8 also provides additional features to support embedded device requirements around:

·     Compliance, Security & Lockdown

·     Custom Branding

·     Activation, Management, & Servicing of the OS & Apps (WinRT & Win 32)

·     Modularized OS

A foundational value is allowing devices to be integrated into Intelligent Systems by ensuring compatibility with Microsoft core enterprise solutions such as System Center, and Forefront. You can create devices with the confidence that they are able to leverage the powerful enterprise & IT pro tools offered by Microsoft.

CTP3 Specific Highlights

Features Improvements:

·     Updates to existing tools: Image Configuration Editor (ICE) & Module Designer (MD)

·     New Dynamic Dependency Analysis

·     Additional Device Templates Support

·     Overall Lockdown and Branding optimizations

·     Module name changes

·     Support for 6 additional languages:

o  Arabic (ar)

o  Dutch (nl)

o  Italian (it)

o  Russian (ru)

o  Swedish (sv)

o  Turkish (tr)

Please reference the CTP3 Release Documentation download that provides more details on what's new since the release of CTP2.”

Have fun!

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Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for July 2012 have arrived!

Hi all,

the July updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update July 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: DirectX

120731_KB2735847 - A memory leak may occur when using "RenderFile" API.

Component: FILESYS

120724_KB2731516 - This update addresses the possible infinite loop in the CDirectory::Initialize() function.

Component: MSFLASH

120703_KB2728374 - This update improves error handling and provides fixes to the transaction log recovery mechanism in the Flash model device driver (MDD) module.

Component: Schannel

120621_KB2716156 - WSD is unable to create a proxy on a client using Web Service for Device APIs when hosting Web Service on HTTPS.

Component: SOFTKB

120709_KB2719060 - An input panel may disappear when changing the current SIP from XAMLIM to Keyboard or Large Keyboard.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update July 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: COMM

120724_KB2701834 - This update enables Gateway configuration in the DHCP Allocator. A new registry "DhcpDefaultGatewayInfo" is implemented under [HKLM\Comm\ConnectionSharing]. It takes an IP address as string. If the registry has an valid IP address, use it to override the gateway information. If the registry is set to '0.0.0.0', gateway information would not be sent to the DHCP clients. If the registry is either invalid or not present, the behavior will not changed, and the IP address of the adapter would be sent as the gateway information.

Component: DEVMGMT

120726_KB2736057 - This update addresses an error that may occur when SYSGEN_DEVMGMT and SYSGEN_SNMP are included with the image.

Component: Filesys

120724_KB2728496 - This update addresses the possible infinite loop in the CDirectory::Initialize() function.

Component: Fonts

120727_KB2733094 - This update adds "Arial Narrow" font to Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Component: RDP

120726_KB2719189 - Double-clicking on an icon within RDP session may not launch an application due to consecutive clicks not getting recognized as double clicks.

Component: ZeroConfig 802.11

120726_KB2730716 - This update will allow a device to check whether the most preferred Access Point is visible before trying to connect to it.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

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Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for June 2012 have arrived!

Hi all,

the June updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update June 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Catalog

120608_KB2708168 - This fix updates the CeBase.PbcXml file to include a number of Catalog items as approved content for the "C7NR" SKU.

Component: CoreOS

120628_KB2708316 - Under certain circumstances the system locale may not get updated correctly.

Component: DHCP

120608_KB2711628 - DHCP may cause an extra connect/disconnect on Media Sense event processing.

Component: Storage

120606_KB2646031 - This update addresses FSDMGR race conditions and deadlock issues between multiple threads operating on stores, partitions and PNPThread functions.

Component: Tools

120606_KB2710541 - Under certain circumstances the Kernel Tracker tool takes longer than expected to open the CeLog file.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update June 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: CoreOS

120621_KB2718736 - This update addresses an issue with the focus in the listbox.

Component: DirectX

120620_KB2724694 - An error may occur when a corrupted WMA file is opened.

Component: GDI

120606_KB2711135 - PolyLine function may render incorrect results.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update June 2012:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Internet Explorer

120601_KB2712960 - This update addresses some Internet Explorer issues.

Component: Security

120606_KB2712421 - A device may not be able to connect to SMB share via USB RNDIS

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

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Windows Phone 8 SDK

Hi folks,

The preview for the Windows Phone 8 (WH8) Software Development Kit (SDK) will be available on September 12^th 2012 for selected developers through the Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview Program. Along with the release of the WP8 SDK preview, details on how to apply will be shared.

The final version of the WP8 SDK will be available “later this year when we unveil Windows Phone 8” according to Todd Brix.

For details on WP8, see my previous post.

Have fun!

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First Windows Phone 8 devices unveiled

Hi folks,

After Samsung unveiled their upcoming Windows Phone 8 (WP8) device, the Samsung ATIV S last week, Nokia followed today in showing their two new WP8 powered devices Lumina 820 and Lumina 920.

All 3 devices will have a Qualcomm 1.5 GHz Dual-Core processor and will be available “later this year”.

Samsung ATIV S specs

Nokia Lumina 820 specs

Nokia Lumina 920 specs

See my earlier post for details about Windows Phone 8.

Have fun!

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Windows CE SDK and Windows 7

Finally, our PCs at work have been changed to Window 7 and as expected there emerge problems running pre Windows 7 software - like VisualStudio 2005/2009/etc. Fortunately we had to switch quite late and so we benefit from the blood and sweat of our developer colleagues all over the world :-D Thank you, Simeon Pilgrim, for your excellent post (WinCE SDK problems in Windows 7) - it solved our problems straightway. Cheers, Jürgen
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Free Compact 7 July Live Meeting

Hi folks,

don’t miss the upcoming free July Windows Embedded Compact 7 Webcast held by fellow MVP Doug Boling:

Date:

Tuesday, July 17, 2012 9:00 AM Pacific Time (GMT-08:00)

Duration:

1 hour

Title:

Booting x86 systems into Windows Embedded Compact 7

           

Registration:

Here

Description:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 is a popular operating system for low cost, x86-based systems. The problem is getting the system up and running. From DOS based bootloaders to the customized BIOSLoader embedded developers have tried a number of methods to boot the operating system. This webcast will cover the various bootloaders for x86 systems and how to configure and update the loaders to customize the user experience for your system. Learn about x86 bootloaders in this example filled webcast.

Have fun!

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Ford Sync in Computer History Museum

Hi Folks,

Ford’s  Microsoft Auto based in-car infotainment system “Sync” was inducted into the permanent collection of the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. The museum officially added the 1^st generation “Sync” module which is based on the Windows CE 5.0 kernel and was first made available in 2007 as a $395 option for the 2008 US market Ford Focus.

It’s pretty cool that the project I am working on at the moment can be found in a museum!

Have fun! 

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Windows Phone 8: details revealed

Microsoft revealed the first (but not complete) details on the upcoming Windows Phone 8 (WP8) at the Windows Phone Summit in San Francisco:

• WP8 will be based on the desktop Windows 8 kernel
• WP7 and WP7.5 devices (Windows Embedded Compact 7 kernel) will NOT be updateable to WP8
• WP7.8 will provide some features of WP8 to WP7 and WP7.5
• However, WP7 and WP7.5 apps will run on WP8
• multicore processor support
• NFC-chips for mobile payment and data transfer
• Multiple screen resolutions: WVG (800x480), WXGA (1280x768) and 720p (1280x720)
• MicroSD support
• Memory will be Bitlocker encrypted
• Enterprises can deploy apps outside of Marketplace
• Metro-Style UI will be further customizable:
• Scaling of tiles
• More tile colors
• Developers can further customize tiles to better fit their apps
• Deeply embedded Skype calling

Have fun!

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Windows Embedded Compact online documentation

Hi Folks,

if you have been searching for the online documentation of Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Windows CE 5.0 look no further:

The Windows Embedded Compact online documentation includes:

·         Product documentation

·         Technical articles and tutorials

·         Code samples

·         Videos and screencasts

·         Links to community content

Have fun!

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Microsoft announces own tablet PCs "Surface"

Hi folks,

today, Microsoft announced two tablet PCs called “Surface” both running Windows 8:

One of which is running Windows RT on an ARM processor from Nvidia and is supposed to RTM at the same time as Windows 8 whereas the other one running Windows 8 Pro on an Intel Core i processor and is supposed to RTM 3 month after Windows 8.

Check out the preliminary technical specification for both “Surface” tablet PCs.

Specifics on pricing are not revealed as of yet.

Have fun!

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