Beware of S2U2

[WMNovice]

If you value your productivity, beware of S2U2.

S2U2 works fine most of the time. My problems began when my screen stopped responding. All of a sudden, there was no way to get into the system. I had set up S2U2 to lock automatically, and just a few days before the screen stopped responding, coincidentally, S2U2 began to act up as well, locking the screen as the phone booted up.

Here I am, without touch screen capability, S2U2 booting up right at the start and no way to get into the system since I cannot use the slider.

Finally, I got in by using the Hard keys Windows+File Manager. I deleted the S2U2 directory so that the OS would not find the program next time it started. Next, I used "Remove Programs" to remove S2U2, but strangely, the progam refuses to be removed and continues to hang around like a bad egg, even though persona non grata.

I can't edit the registry either, and S2U2 tries to launch automatically each time I reboot the phone. What's more, when it cannot (since I renamed the folder), it eats up resources in the background and the phone literally comes to a crawl.

Is there any way to get this freebie off my phone? Removing the program doesn't do it. The phone still tries to launch S2U2 each time. PHM Regedit is no help without a touch-screen interface.

Any way to proceed? Thanks in advance.

[edgie168]

Hard reset.

Did you install the latest S2U2 (v1.52)? I've never had any of the problems you listed before.

[WMNovice]

I don't believe it has anything to do with the version of S2U2 installed. The scenario I've described applies when the touchscreen stops responding. Since the only way to unlock S2U2 is via the touch slider (or at least I appear to have configured it that way), I'm effectively shut out of the phone except through a hard key such as Windows+File Manager (the other hard keys do not work).

Of course, much of my remaining touch-screen only software is by and large crippled, including PHM Regedit and MemMaid. Except for a notably well-designed Pocket Informant which provides excellent keyboard shortcuts and the native HTC programs which are also quite keyboard-responsive, most functionality in almost all the software I've installed is hosed.

Seems to me manufacturers should incorporate good keyboard shortcuts in all their touch-screen based software for just such eventualities as the touchscreen going dead, much like Pocket Informant has done.

S2U2 MUST incorporate this functionality, seeing as it is the gateway to the phone. Some kind of keyboard method to gain access must be provided, and not just the screen slider.

[kilrah]

Why not posting that in the S2U2 development thread?

[MACkjam]

I have never had this problem on my device and I have been using S2U2 since version 1.22. I now have the latest which is v1.52. Never had this problem.

There is a setting in S2U2 which enables d-pad control as well, which I use as I hate touching the screen with my fingers.

There is also a neat commercial app called SafeMode and I believe that there is a similar freeware app. SK Tools would be your best bet to completely remove any app.

Finally, I do not believe that this is an S2U2 problem at all.

[WMNovice]

I agree it is not just an S2U2 problem, but a problem for all software that uses a touchscreen. However, S2U2 is special since it locks the phone. The Slider Only setting is dangerous. By default, the D-PAD control should always be enabled and not allowed to be disabled.

It's always safer to have a spare key to a lock!

[WMNovice]

SK Tools would be your best bet to completely remove any app.

I have Memmaid. Problem is, once the touch screen stops responding, most Memmaid features cannot be accessed using the keyboard. Including the "Uninstall" function.

WM software should be designed keeping multiple and alternate user interface methods in mind as a backup. Take Pocket Informant. I continue to use most of its functionality to maintain my contacts and schedules even though some of its few touch-screen only features are now inaccesible.

[operative1]

why don't you hook up your tilt to the pc, start active sync, install MyMobiler (tool for remote controlling the pocket pc, its free).
next, rename the s2u2 folder so it can start on reboot, reboot your device... unlock it using mymobiler (it sends the mouse movements to your ppc so you a unresponsive touchscreen doens't matter) and uninstall it afterwards. that should work fine.

http://www.mymobiler.com/

[khaytsus]

If you value your productivity, beware of S2U2.

S2U2 works fine most of the time. My problems began when my screen stopped responding.

[Blah blah....blah] .

You had a hardware failure. You did not set the available options to use the dpad. Your fault.

This is a strongly worded thread, and is nonsense.

[denco7]

I agree , 100's 1000's maybe 10's of thousands of people use A__C's program with no problems whatsoever, I am one of them. If you did not set it up right, which you obviously didn't, that is your fault, not his.
He spends his time and resources making it better with new releases, not making it idiot proof,( a saying, no offense meant )

Starting a new thread , to trash a guy's program ( a program, as I said, that works great for 1000's of others ) gives you very little , if any , credibility at all.

Maybe you should go over to A-C's S2U2 thread in development and hacking, and try to work out the problems " you " are having with S2U2, with him in the appropriate thread, instead of starting a new thread to trash the work of a fellow member.

[WMNovice]

Any software that has the potential to lock you out of your phone should be idiot proof.

I am a software engineer. If I can make the mistake of not setting the dpad control, non software engineers most certainly can. This thread is meant to warn novices before they face a similar situation they may be unable to work their way out of, and not to disparage the writer of the program, who I am sure puts in sincere efforts to build a robust utility.

My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die on me within a year of purchase as has the HTC Tilt's.

[wolverine9827]

Any software that has the potential to lock you out of your phone should be idiot proof.

I am a software engineer. If I can make the mistake of not setting the dpad control, non software engineers most certainly can. This thread is meant to warn novices before they face a similar situation they may be unable to work their way out of, and not to disparage the writer of the program, who I am sure puts in sincere efforts to build a robust utility.

My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die on me within a year of purchase as has the HTC Tilt's.

Wow... ok. My only suggestion here would be to go found your own forum - maybe forum.nokia-developers.com where you can rip apart and disassemble different OS revisions on differing nokia hardware platforms for the betterment of all Nokia users everywhere. Good luck!

oh, and the next time I lock my keys in the car I'll call CNN and trash the car manufacturer instead of owning up to the fact that I screwed up and will have to pay the piper and then move forward knowing that I've learned from my mistake and perfectly willing to let people know that locking your keys in the car sucks out loud - maybe with a post titled "Don't do this!" instead of "ALL CHEVY OWNERS BEWARE!!!"

Bad poster! No Biscuit!! :)

[kaiserII101]

Any software that has the potential to lock you out of your phone should be idiot proof.

I am a software engineer. If I can make the mistake of not setting the dpad control, non software engineers most certainly can. This thread is meant to warn novices before they face a similar situation they may be unable to work their way out of, and not to disparage the writer of the program, who I am sure puts in sincere efforts to build a robust utility.

My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die on me within a year of purchase as has the HTC Tilt's.

How about you actually try reading a little bit like how to do a hard-reset without going into Start/Settings/System/ClearStorage because if you honestly haven't done a hard-reset than you can't say your screen died....

[kettch]

Any software that has the potential to lock you out of your phone should be idiot proof.

I am a software engineer. If I can make the mistake of not setting the dpad control, non software engineers most certainly can. This thread is meant to warn novices before they face a similar situation they may be unable to work their way out of, and not to disparage the writer of the program, who I am sure puts in sincere efforts to build a robust utility.

My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die on me within a year of purchase as has the HTC Tilt's.

If you are a software engineer, then you should know that if you just delete a program's folder, then you have just guaranteed that the program will be very difficult to uninstall. Installers copy programs to storage, create registry entries, place shortcuts, and register uninstall information. By deleting the directory, the uninstaller gets lost.

Granted, the installer subsystem should probably be a bit more robust and be able to take certain scenarios into account. However, it's not S2U2's fault.

And I have experience with a large number of HTC devices. Hell, look at how many smart phones there are that are made by HTC and branded under different names. I've never had anything but a positive experience with their devices. That's including the fact that I spend a lot of time at this site which means I do evil things to my devices on a weekly basis, and still no problems.

[denco7]

Any software that has the potential to lock you out of your phone should be idiot proof.

I am a software engineer. If I can make the mistake of not setting the dpad control, non software engineers most certainly can. This thread is meant to warn novices before they face a similar situation they may be unable to work their way out of, and not to disparage the writer of the program, who I am sure puts in sincere efforts to build a robust utility.

My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die on me within a year of purchase as has the HTC Tilt's.

I guess as much as A_C tried to make it idiot proof, he obviously didn't succeed.

Having looked at your history of " 26 " posts, and all your,help me sync my phone, help me sync skype contacts, help me load apps onto my phone, help me, my touch screen doesn't work , help me ...help me ...help me threads and A_C's 1000 + posts of helping people and writing great apps, and updating and supporting them and this community, let me be the first to say.........

See ya ! We in the HTC community are going to miss you and all the help that you have provided. All the factual insight you have given us on the programs we use every day. But I guess our loss is Nokia's gain.:eek:

[cbass]

Appropriate username, though!

[stylez]

Appropriate username, though!

Defo :D

People who scream help all the time often get unheard, not as in heard as in sheep but as in listened to....
Oh i wonder why as when i read the first post it reminded me of working with el noobus students who always say "This doesn't work" so my answer "What have you done?"
Why is it what have you done? instead of what doesn't work........ 99% of all computer issues are user errors 1% is Bill Gates getting back @ you for choosing M$ :D

Anyway i'm talking tosh just like the OP.

[msd24200]

Any software that has the potential to lock you out of your phone should be idiot proof.

I am a software engineer. If I can make the mistake of not setting the dpad control, non software engineers most certainly can. This thread is meant to warn novices before they face a similar situation they may be unable to work their way out of, and not to disparage the writer of the program, who I am sure puts in sincere efforts to build a robust utility.

My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die on me within a year of purchase as has the HTC Tilt's.

poor choice of words indeed i to am a LONG time user of S2U2 and have never had problems, and i've NEVER had problems with HTC products (other than the price) and as far as nokia goes they are good phones if you want something that has LIMITED POTENTIAL/UPGRADABILITY!!! :D

[WMNovice]

Sheesh! You guys sure are a a touchy bunch. Here is a well-meaning individual trying to warn you all of a hazardous situation that could cost you hours of productivity, and what do I get? Calls to leave!! :) How juvenile. I'm glad at least one of you are concerned about productivity and the loss of time such unnecessary lockout entails.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have D-Pad control enabled on S2U2? Be honest now. And the analogy with losing car keys that someone made earlier just doesn't cut it, buddy. As we all know, car owners are supplied two sets of keys when they purchase a car.

Sure, S2U2 provides the second set (D-pad control). All I'm saying is that it should be enabled by default, with a strong warning to anyone who tries to disable it.

And don't tell me I didn't warn you all if you're locked out of your phone due to screen failure.

I'm just not the 'buy and throw away' type of guy, so I'm not going anywhere. I still have a life to squeeze out of this contraption so I can justify its high cost. And oh, I intend to remain a WM novice! :p I have no time for amateurish OSes.

[WMNovice]

How about you actually try reading a little bit like how to do a hard-reset without going into Start/Settings/System/ClearStorage because if you honestly haven't done a hard-reset than you can't say your screen died....

Thanks, I'll try this out. In my case, the time factor is a constraint on how much time I can spend in fixing the phone, but I have no choice, so I'll give it a shot.

Thanks again!!

[WMNovice]

How about you actually try reading a little bit like how to do a hard-reset without going into Start/Settings/System/ClearStorage because if you honestly haven't done a hard-reset than you can't say your screen died....


Just tried that, and I get this welcome screen:

Tap the screen to set up your Windows Mobile based device.

BUT the screen doesn't respond? Is there any way to get in now?

[bronx]

then I believe Your digitizer is f****d and unfortunately there is not much You can do now. those are quite cheap, so if You are ready to replace it by Yourself, then it won't ruin You.

btw: have You dropped or bumped Your phone? that's the typical cause of broken digitizers.

[WMNovice]

why don't you hook up your tilt to the pc, start active sync, install MyMobiler (tool for remote controlling the pocket pc, its free).

http://www.mymobiler.com/

I did a hard reset, and also installed MyMobiler. Now while other mouse presses do reach the Tilt, mouse presses on the Align Screen do not! This means the Align Screen requires a physical touch of the screen. There doesn't appear to be a way to bypass the Align Screen via MyMobiler. There may be another way using some Welcome file I read about, so I'll give that a try.

[khaytsus]

Sheesh! You guys sure are a a touchy bunch. Here is a well-meaning individual trying to warn you all of a hazardous situation that could cost you hours of productivity, and what do I get? Calls to leave!! :) How juvenile. I'm glad at least one of you are concerned about productivity and the loss of time such unnecessary lockout entails.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have D-Pad control enabled on S2U2? Be honest now. And the analogy with losing car keys that someone made earlier just doesn't cut it, buddy. As we all know, car owners are supplied two sets of keys when they purchase a car.

Sure, S2U2 provides the second set (D-pad control). All I'm saying is that it should be enabled by default, with a strong warning to anyone who tries to disable it.

And don't tell me I didn't warn you all if you're locked out of your phone due to screen failure.

I'm just not the 'buy and throw away' type of guy, so I'm not going anywhere. I still have a life to squeeze out of this contraption so I can justify its high cost. And oh, I intend to remain a WM novice! :p I have no time for amateurish OSes.

I've always had DPad turned on, it's easier..

And BTW, you can always get out of S2U2 by holding the power button for >3s and waiting for the reset dialog, then hitting the Start Menu button.

[myteematt]

This is definately a hardware failure issue. I hope you have insurance on this device or another option to replace/fix it. Another possible solution would be to import registry settings that contain screen calibration settings. You would need a registry editor and a cab file creator. Way to much drama in my opionion but just a consideration. Also you could use someone elses backup to restore but make sure same rom version.

[ThaGeNeCySt]

What I would have done was connected the phone to the PC via activesync, then going into the windows folder, than startup and deleting ilock.lnk (had to do this when i had both s2u2.lnk and ilock.lnk in there and couldn't unlock my phone.. it would come back up everytime i unlocked) then soft reseted and voila, no more lock from the start

[parleyp]

I did a hard reset, and also installed MyMobiler. Now while other mouse presses do reach the Tilt, mouse presses on the Align Screen do not! This means the Align Screen requires a physical touch of the screen. There doesn't appear to be a way to bypass the Align Screen via MyMobiler. There may be another way using some Welcome file I read about, so I'll give that a try.

Put a file on the root of your sd card called welcome.not. that will bypass alignment. Hard reset again and it will go right in.

Updated==corrected the file name.

[bluedragon1971]

I agree it is not just an S2U2 problem, but a problem for all software that uses a touchscreen. However, S2U2 is special since it locks the phone. The Slider Only setting is dangerous. By default, the D-PAD control should always be enabled and not allowed to be disabled.

It's always safer to have a spare key to a lock!


Tell me something, Einstein. How the hell is S2U2 any different in this respect than the default lock feature of WM? You can't unlock that without the touchscreen working either. Stop blaming S2U2 for a hardware failure that would have also disabled the default lock.

[wawashere]

i think its not S2U2 fault, but its hardware...i have the autolock on start up setting and i dont have the dpad settings...but my touch screen is still woking properly..except for the air bubbles on the screen protector T_T :eek:

[kaiserII101]

Hardware failure, can't be S2U2 because registry settings are deleted after a hard-reset. As parley said you may be able to Put a file on the root of your sd card called welcome.not. that will bypass alignment. Hard reset again and it will go right in. If your sceen still doesn't work then it is most assuredly a hardware problem.

[tsfatt]

"My real mistake lies in believing that HTC phones are of a high quality. They are not. They are relatively flimsy compared to Nokia. I never had a Nokia screen die "
=>I dont think so ... there are many nokia phone hang/ can not send SMS some can not received SMS .. .many silly problem ..but once restart the phone ok ..If u ask me ... I would say is the OS problem ... I being using symbia, linux & WM ..find out the best is linux.

"You would need a registry editor and a cab file creator."
=>I saw internet got free registry editor which open at PC then connect/view & edit your phone registry through usb connection ..might help u.

"hardware problem"
=>might be or might not ..b'cos I also experience before some S... software will lock up the screen & button then no choice take out battery will do.