First, a little background on what a registry is and what it does. The registry is a directory which stores settings and options for your Windows Mobile OS. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, operating system software, most non-operating system software, and per-user settings. The registry contains two basic elements: “Keys” and “Values”.

Registry “Keys” are similar to folders. In addition to values, each key can contain subkeys, which may contain further subkeys, and so on. Keys are referenced with syntax similar to Windows’ path names, using backslashes to indicate levels of hierarchy. For example, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows refers to the subkey “Windows” of the subkey “Microsoft” of the subkey “Software” of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key.

Registry “Values” are name/data pairs stored within keys. The name portion is basically that, the name of the action. The value is what tells the OS what to do with an app or function when it is called in to action by the OS.

Now a little bit on how the registry is structured. The Registry is split into a number of sections or folders. The folders are named for their windows API definitions, which all begin “HKEY”. They are abbreviated to a three- or four-letter short name starting with “HK” (e.g. HKCU and HKLM). On the Treo 800w, the registry is split up into 4 folders.

1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR) stores information about registered applications, such as file associations and OLE Object Class IDs (We won’t be using this one.)
2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU) stores settings that are specific to the user. This is where settings like what ringer you have set for an unknown caller, alarms……. are stored. (Things to be tweaked here.)
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) stores settings that are system specific. (Lots to tweak here)
4. HKEY_USERS (HKU) contains information gathered at runtime and boot up. (We won’t be using this one.)

To do a registry hack, you need to have these three things:

1. A good backup app. I use the Sprite backup for all of my system things. I also use Daswire for all of my contacts, SMS, and ringtones just incase the Sprite backup file gets corrupted. It happens and it’s always good to backup your backup’s right. Use any backup app you like. Just remember to backup!
2. A good registry editing app. There are a lot of good ones out there. I use PHM RegEdit, it’s free and does everything you need. Again, just use what ever app you’re most comfortable with.
3. A pad of paper and a pen. As you’re doing edits, write down what you change. That way, if you change something and it doesn’t work, you will be able to change it back without having to do a hard reset.

Now we are ready to do some hacking! First things first, back up your device and make sure you have a good charge on your battery. I’m going to go step by step on how to do the “Disable Connect\Disconnect Sound” hack. This hack kills the beep and vibration function when you connect or disconnect the AC or USB cable.

Note: I’m using PHM RegEdit to do these edits, so some of the shortcuts I use may be different if you’re using another editing app.

Here is how a hack looks on paper:

Disable Charger Connect/Disconnect Sound

HKCU/ControlPanel/Volume/

Find the folder named ChargerConnectSound, put quotes around the file ChargerConnect.wav. Do the same for the ChargerDisconnectSound folder.

Here’s how it should unfold.

1. Open PHM RegEdit
2. Click on Device and open it.
3. Second folder down is HKEY_CURRENT_USER, open it. (With PHM RegEdit push the 5way button to the right) That opens it up to another set of folders.
4. Find the folder call “Volume”; it’s the 16th one down. (With PHM you can hit the first letter of the name of the folder you’re looking for to make it a little easier.)
5. Now open the “Volume” folder. In that folder you’ll see the folders we are looking for.
6. Highlight the folder named ChargerConnectSound
7. In the window below the folder window there is one file named “ChargerConnect.wav”(no quotes), highlight it. A new window pops up. Under “Value Data” you see the ChargerConnect.wav. You can delete this or just put quotes (”-”) around it. Putting quotes around a value data field will keep windows from seeing it. Also if you decide you don’t want that hack anymore, it’s real easy the change back.
8. Click the ok button and save.
9. Now do the same routine for the ChargeDisconnect folder.
10. You have to give the OS a little bit of time (a minute or 2) to rewrite the registry. Then, soft reset.

Done!! Your edit is now set.

Note: Some registry edits are effective immediately, whereas others will start working after you reset. Also, you can do all of your edits at one time then reset, or you can reset after every one.

So that’s it. Not real hard right? Hope this will help you get a little more out of your Windows Mobile device. Have fun and remember, backup is your friend!

Related Links

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Filed under: How-to guides