Optimize Database

The internal structure of the device database can become fragmented over time and, after much use, this can result in wasted memory.  If the database fragmentation is excessive, performance can deteriorate.  To remove fragmentation and improve performance, the database should be periodically optimized.

Sufficient storage memory must exist on the device in order for the optimization to run.  The memory required is typically 1.25 times the size of the current database.

The Optimize Database window displays the device's main memory status as well as the current database size and the estimated amount of memory required to perform optimization.

• As shown, the main memory for a Pocket PC device is divided into two segments: one segment is for storing application and user files (Storage), the other is for program execution (Program).
• Under the Storage column, the amount of memory shown for Available must be greater than Required.  The application will not allow you to run the optimization if insufficient storage memory is available.

If your Available storage memory is less than the indicated Required memory, try one or all of the following:

• Delete temporary files
• Delete HTML print files
• Increase storage memory

Delete temporary files
Many applications, including the Pocket PC operating system, create temporary work files while attempting to accomplish their designed tasks.  These temporary files are not always auto-deleted when they are no longer needed.  Storage memory can be reclaimed by deleting any temporary files that exist.

1. Exit the DPS PocketFlash™ application.
2. Open the File Explorer program (Start > Programs > File Explorer).
3. Navigate to the device's Temp folder (\My Device\Temp).
4. Delete each file in the list using the tap-and-hold popup menu:
   • Tap on a file and continue to press.  A circle of red or blue dots is drawn where you are pressing.  A popup menu is then displayed.  Select Delete on the popup menu to delete the selected file.

Delete HTML print files
If your configured printer is set to Print to HTML, files are created for each report that is printed.  These files are not auto-deleted by the application.  Storage memory can be reclaimed by deleting any report files that are not needed.

1. Exit the DPS PocketFlash™ application.
2. Open the File Explorer program (Start > Programs > File Explorer).
3. Navigate to the \My Documents\Reports folder.
4. Delete each unwanted file in the list using the tap-and-hold popup menu:
   • Tap on a file and continue to press.  A circle of red or blue dots is drawn where you are pressing.  A popup menu is then displayed.  Select Delete on the popup menu to delete the selected file.

Increase storage memory
The Pocket PC 2002 and 2003 operating systems allow you to temporarily "borrow" memory from one main memory segment in order to increase the memory for the other segment.

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Memory.
2. A Memory Settings window is displayed.
3. On the Main tab, main memory status numbers are shown, similar to those shown on the Optimize Database window.
4. In the middle of the window is a slider control.  Moving the slider to the right will decrease Program memory and increase Storage memory.
5. When the slider has been moved to where a sufficient amount of available storage memory exists, tap on the OK button (in the upper right-hand corner of the screen) to save your changes.

Actions

• Tap to begin the optimization.  A completion message is displayed when the processing has finished.  The main memory status numbers are then updated to reflect the results of the optimization.
  • The amount of time required to complete the processing depends on the size of your device database and the amount of fragmentation that has occurred.
• Tap to return to the Functions Menu window.

See Also
Contents By Function
Contents By Window

 

---