Dell will this Wednesday ship the long-awaited firmware patch that will allow its Axim x5 PDA to run Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PCs correctly, the PC maker said yesterday.

The update, which will be posted on Dell's support site, is a ROM update and is intended for Axims that shipped with the new version of the Microsoft OS. It has not been designed for Axims that shipped with Pocket PC 2002, Dell said.

It's not clear whether earlier machines need an equivalent upgrade or not, but if they do we can anly assume at this stage that Dell will include it on the Windows Mobile 2003 upgrade CD it is preparing for users of Pocket PC 2002-based Axims. Dell says the OS upgrade discs will ship in a couple of weeks, free of charge to customers who bought their Axim on or after 23 May. If you bought yours earlier than that, expect to pay a fee.

A separate CD containing only the ROM update will also be made available for users who don't want to or can't download the patch.

Dell said that it recommenced shipments of new Axims this past Friday, with orders being processed on a first come, first served basis. ®

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