Although the latest version of Windows Mobile, version 6, supports high speed USB 2.0 connections, USB 1.1 is still the dominant protocol for Pocket PC/Smartphone to PC connectivity. This makes transferring large audio or video files to a Windows Mobile Device take much longer than it should.
Enter the Flash Memory Card. Flash memory cards include CompactFlash, Secure Digital, miniSD and more, each offering not only file and program storage, but also a fast and easy way to transfer files.
Note: MMC & Secure Digital cards have the same form factor. MMC cards can be used in SD card slots.
In this tutorial, you'll discover how to transfer files to a Pocket PC using a flash memory card.
Step 1: Determine Card Compatibility
In order to use a memory card to move information back and forth from your Pocket PC or Smartphone and Windows PC, both the handheld and computer must be able to read the same type of card. There are five types of flash memory cards supported by existing Windows Mobile devices:
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Secure Digital (SD) |
CompactFlash (CF) |
miniSD |
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MultiMedia (MMC) |
TransFlash (microSD) |
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Step 2: Equip Your Windows PC with a Card Reader
Once you've determined the type of card(s) your Pocket PC is equipped to access, it's time to add the same compatibility to your Windows PC. Many desktop and laptop PCs are now shipping with built-in flash memory card readers. If your PC does have a card reader, check your system documentation to see if the built-in reader is compatible with the same card(s) your Pocket PC uses.
If your computer does not have a built-in flash memory card reader, or if your Pocket PC's memory card type is not supported by the existing reader, you'll need to get a flash memory card reader for your PC.
The best choice for such a reader is usually an external USB 2.0 reader, like the one seen above from SanDisk. These can be connected to your PC via USB and can also be moved from system to system with ease.
If you need a card reader for your PC, click the type of card your Pocket PC uses to see a list of compatible USB readers:
Step 3: Connect the Card Reader to Your Windows PC
Follow the instructions included with your flash memory card reader and connect it to your Windows PC. More often than not, connecting the reader to your Windows PC is as simple as plugging it in.
You are now ready to begin using your flash memory card(s) to transfer files to and from your Pocket PC!
Step 4: Moving, Copying Files
In this example, we'll move two MP3 files, TRACK1.MP3 and TRACK2.MP3, from a folder on the C drive of our Windows PC to our Dell Axim X51v Pocket PC using a 256MB Secure Digital Card.
On your PC's desktop, open My Computer and navigate to the folder containing the files you'd like to copy to your Pocket PC. In our case, this is the C:\MP3 folder:
Highlight the file(s) you'd like to copy to your Pocket PC. On the toolbar, select Edit > Copy:
Still in My Computer on your PC, navigate to the Drive Letter given to your flash memory card. Our PC has assigned the Drive Letter F to our Secure Digital card:
Open the flash memory card, click Edit > Paste in the toolbar to copy the files to the flash memory card:
Allow the copying process to complete. The files have now been copied from a folder on your computer's hard drive to the flash memory card.
Remove the flash memory card from the reader on your PC and insert it into the reader built into your Pocket PC. On your Pocket PC, tap Start > Programs > File Explorer. Navigate to your flash memory card, usually My Device > SD Card or My Device > CF Card; the name of the card in the File Explorer program will differ from Pocket PC to Pocket PC.
You will see the files you copied:
The files are now accessible to the Windows Mobile operating system and other applications. You can play audio files in Windows Media Player Mobile, open documents in Word Mobile, etc.
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If you use your Pocket PC or Smartphone to watch movies or listen to music, investing in a memory card and memory card reader may be one of the best choices you can make.
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