H/PC Explorer - Desktop Software for Windows CE 1

Windows CE 1.0 was the inaugural version of Windows CE, and with it came the idea of the Microsoft Windows PC Companion. In order to achieve this Microsoft provided a gateway application to sit between the Handheld PC companion device and the more powerful host. This was named Handheld PC Explorer.

Being the original version of the Windows CE synchronisation software. Handheld PC Explorer - or H/PC Explorer for short - was to lay down the standards for successive versions. Features found in the original H/PC Explorer release are still found in the current incarnation of the Windows CE Synchronisation software some 12 years later.

H/PC Explorer 1.0 release was compiled on 10th September 1996 and simultaneously released to the public with English Language Windows CE device purchases. It was made available through the CD distribution. The first version was compatible only with the new Windows 95. Support for Windows 3.1x, Windows NT 3. Support for the 29th July released Windows NT 4 platform was not available in this release.
PIM support was limited purely to Schedule+ with e-mail provided through the Windows 95 Microsoft Exchange Client.

H/PC Explorer 1.1 was released on the 19th March 1997. 1.1.7077 was an incremental update to the original version. It was released in both English and Japanese language versions, the Japanese version specifically written to support the new Japanese Windows CE 1.01 release.
Significantly, H/PC Explorer 1.1 added support for Windows NT 4.0 as well as the new Office 97 (Word, Excel and Outlook 97). Microsoft also made EULA (End User License Agreement) changes so that the single use stipulation was removed, allowing users to install it on any PC that they dock their H/PC with.
Both versions of H/PC Explorer were developed under the code name Pegasus, the code name give to all Windows CE 1.0 development.

The main difference between H/PC Explorer and newer Synchronisation software is that H/PC Explorer was designed to access the CE 1 code base. Successive versions of Windows CE were to be given a completely revised code base. Newer Sync software is unable to access Windows CE 1. Where as the most current software is backward compatible down to CE 2.0. Allowing all successive CE versions to be managed from one universal application. So any Windows CE 1.0 and 1.01 device requires H/PC Explorer 1.0 or 1.1.
For a list of Windows CE 1.x devices click here.

This document describes the H/PC Explorer software Version 1.1

System Requirements Download Software Compatibility Installation Setting Up H/PC Explorer Uninstalling

System Requirements for H/PC Explorer 1.1

• 486 at 66 MHz or Higher
• 16 MB RAM
• 8 Mb Hard Disk Space
• Windows 95 / NT 4 or higher (see Software Compatibility table for more information)
• 1 free Serial Port for Sync Cable or Optional IrDA compatible Infrared Port
• Outlook 97 / 98 or Schedule+ 7.0a or higher for PIM synchronisation

Download

To download H/PC Explorer for use with Windows CE 1.0x based Handheld PC's Only. Please select a download server from the list below:

Software Compatibility:

For more information see CESD-S-0021 - Guide to Windows CE Synchronisation Services Compatibility.

Information on H/PC Explorer 1.0

The original release H/PC Explorer, version 1.0 was designed exclusively for use under Windows 95. No other Operating System was afforded compatibility. You should not attempt to install H/PC Explorer under any Windows NT based system. This includes but is not limited to Windows NT4, 2000 and XP.
Attempting to do so may cause damage to your system. All users can and should download and install H/PC Explorer 1.1, however ideally we recommend that you do not use Windows CE 1.0 in conjunction with Windows NT 5 and above (Windows 2000 and XP).
HPC:Factor does not provide support for H/PC Explorer 1.0 neither will we make it available for download on user request.

Installation:

For a complete overview of installing H/PC Explorer see CESD-S-0062. General installation notes for Microsoft Windows are:

• Windows 95 / 98 users may be prompted for their installation media during install. Users should upgrade Dial-Up Networking to version 1.4 after installation. For more information see the Patching section.
• Windows Millennium users may be prompted for their installation media during setup.
• Windows NT 4.0 users must select to allow the removal and reinstallation of RAS otherwise you will not be able to synchronise with your HPC.
  The Handheld PC Explorer 1.1 installer is Service Pack Destructive, after you have installed H/PC Explorer you must reapply the service pack to your system. Failing to reapply the Service Pack will result in devolved files on your system which could lead to a security flaw. HPC:Factor recommends that all users install Windows NT 4.0 SP6a.
• Windows 2000 users should follow CESD-C-0001
• Windows XP users should follow CESD-C-0002

Setting up H/PC Explorer:

For instructions on how to create a Partnership between your Windows CE 1.0x device and Handheld PC Explorer see CESD-C-0011. If you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP ensure that you have followed our Windows CE 1.0x connection guides before continuing.

Uninstalling:

H/PC Explorer is equipped with an uninstall routine. To uninstall H/PC Explorer 1.1:

1. Make sure that you have made copies of the backup files from your device, should you need to reinstall the CE 1 software and personal files onto your Handheld PC.
2. Ensure that you have completely shutdown and closed H/PC Explorer (Or the uninstall will not remove all files)
3. Click Start, Settings and open Control Panel
4. Double Click Add/Remove Programs (Add or Remove Programs under XP)
5. Double Click on H/PC Explorer
6. Follow the on screen instructions

Article by HPC:Factor with thanks to Greg Elsass for some compatibility information