Selectively Bypassing the Extended ROM
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Device manufacturers are beginning to place unnecessary third party software preloaded onto PDA's, the same way computers come from the factory. Unfortunately, this new software is often buggy and of questionable usefulness. Also, there is no clean way to remove some of this third party software once it is installed. The best way to keep it from making your device buggy is never to install it in the first place.
Unfortunately, since many devices have no way to edit the Extended ROM since it is locked, we need a way around it. This How to details how we can get around the Extended ROM by soft resetting before it gets a chance to install and then selectively running the cab files with a nifty little program called Total Commander.
1. The first step to selectively bypassing your Extended ROM is to download Total Commander from here: http://ghisler.fileburst.com/ce/tcmdpocketarm.cab You need to take this file and place it on a storage card on your device. You can do this by syncing your device, opening up my computer double clicking on mobile device, double clicking on My Windows Mobile-Based Device, and then Double Clicking on the Storage Card. Copy the CAB file there, but DO NOT INSTALL IT ON YOUR SYSTEM.
2. The next step is hard reseting your device. Since all devices are different, I can't explain how to do this precisely. On my Windows Mobile 5.0 device, I just goto Programs then tap Clear Storage, and watch the device reset. After it resets, the Windows Mobile menu will come up and ask you to align the screen, teach you how to copy and paste. When it ends, a Screen will come up and tell you that configuration is finished and tell you to tap to continue. Now pay attention, timing is crucial. As soon as you tap to continue, you need to soft reset your device before the device customization menu gets a chance to install. You don't want the extended rom to begin installing.
3. Now after the device hard resets, you should get the today screen. If you don't and you're back in the align screen section then you should complete it again and soft reset a little bit later than when you started. If it says device customizing then soft reset immediately, before anything gets installed. From the Today Screen you need to goto Start>Programs>File Explorer. In File Explorer, navigate to your storage card and run the total commander cab. Total Commander should now install. After it's installed, goto Start>Programs and open it.
4. Now type "\Extended_ROM\" (match exact case) into the location bar of total commander to make your Extended_ROM suddenly appear. From this screen you will see the cab files :). Choose the CAB files you would like to install. You have now bypassed the Extended ROM. You have some choices now. If you are like me and don't want specific programs to install such as antivirus, skype and backgammon. Run every cab, but those specific cabs. They won't install and muck up your system and you will be all set. If you want to do research and only install the cabs you need you can do that too. Sites like XDA-Developers often keeps lists of all cab files found in device extended roms and what each file does so you can decide what you want and what you don't.
For some modern Eten devices X500 (and probably M700) you must use another way to bypass the Extended ROM.
1. Hard reset the device (power + soft reset, then hold red key. after question appears hold right softkey)
2. After windows setup you will see a countdown. Immediately press and hold camera key.
3. Now you have a clean Windows and can install applications throught Application Recovery.
Thanks to tpoltron on ETEN Users Forum (http://www.eten-users.net/topic5929)
