Microsoft KB Archive/824409

= You receive an error message when you try to install a mobile software application on a device =

Article ID: 824409

Article Last Modified on 3/27/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Smartphone

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to install Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC 2003 or Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Smartphone 2003 on a supported device, you receive the following error message on the desktop computer:

Unsupported Device Type

does not support the connected device type. Application Manager will make the application available for installation when a supported device type is connected.



Alternatively, you may receive the following error message on the device:

App Install

Info .CAB failed to install on your device.





CAUSE
This problem occurs only if the CAB file was generated by using either the Cabwiz.exe tool or the Cabwizsp.exe tool and the PlatformString directive.

This problem occurs because the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Microsoft Pocket PC device has not implemented the SPI_GETPLATFORMVERSION input/output control (IOCTL). Without this IOCTL, the Application Manager tool (CeAppMgr) and the device Application Installer (Wceload.exe) cannot determine the platform version of the device. This lack of information causes the Application Installer to report that the application does not support the device.



WORKAROUND
You can restrict CAB platform support without using the platform section. Use a setup DLL for Microsoft Windows Installer, determine the type of connected device, and then install only the CAB file that you want. Alternatively, let the user choose the specific package to install. To work around this issue, follow these steps:  Name the CAB files uniquely. This important step enables the user to choose the correct package to install either manually or by using the Add/Remove Programs item in Control Panel. If you are using a Windows Installer (.msi) package setup DLL, follow these steps:  If a device is connected, use the Remote access API (RAPI) to obtain the version of the platform (CeVersion), and then run the CeAppMgr tool to install only the appropriate .ini file.

Note CeVersion 4.20 corresponds to platform 3.0 of either Pocket PC or Smartphone. Regardless of whether a device is connected, register all packages by using the CeAppMgr /register command.

Note If the user has multiple mobile devices, this important step enables the user to install different packages by using the ActiveSync Add/Remove Programs tool. </li></ol>

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STATUS
Microsoft is working with OEMs to make sure that all new Windows Mobile devices implement the SPI_GETPLATFORMVERSION IOCTL.

This problem occurs in some of the early OEM releases of Windows Mobile 2003. This problem is not expected to occur on later versions of read only memory (ROM) images.

If you are experiencing this problem, contact the OEM of your Pocket PC or Smartphone device to determine whether an updated ROM image is available.

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MORE INFORMATION
The platform section of a CAB information (.inf) file is new for Windows Mobile 2003.

For more information about the Cabwiz.exe tool, the Cabwizsp.exe tool, and the platform information, see the software development kit for either Pocket PC 2003 or Smartphone 2003, or visit the following MSDN Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com

For more information about the implementation of the SPI_GETPLATFORMVERSION IOCTL, visit the following MSDN Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms903617.aspx

For information about how to contact the OEM of your device, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Additional query words: PlatformMin PlatformMax version switch

Keywords: kbtshoot kbprb KB824409

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