Database Users

The most effective guide on Flashing ROMs using Bootloader

XDArit 1.2 http://xda-developers.com/XDArit/XDArit.exe
XDArit 1.0 http://givemebeer.com:8080/warez/XDA/xdarit.exe
(Download XDArit 1.0 in case XDArit 1.2 doesn’t work)
http://xda-developers.com/XDArit/wallaby-patch-tool.nb2 (for Wallaby Bootloader 5.17 users only!!!)
For users with Wallaby Bootloader 5.15 version and below
The foremost and most important thing to do when upgrading or downgrading your Pocket PC’s ROM is by backing it up on an empty SD Card using the bootloader method, this process is achieved by accessing your PPC’s pre-installed Wallaby Bootloader (hold on/off key then press the soft-reset button). When a “GSM OK” message appear, simply click on the contact button, and it will bring you to a menu that looks like this:
Boot -> SD
CE -> SD
Boot+CE -> SD
About
Exit
Select any of the two options (CE -> SD, Boot+CE ->SD) and press the action button (rocker key under you unit’s display screen) to start backing up your ROM or your unit’s ROM together with the Bootloader to your SD card. When your systems is done backing up, exit and remove the SD card from your Pocket PC and insert it to your SD reader/writer in order to transfer the currently backed-up ROM and Bootloader file to your Personal Computer using the XDArit program.
• Open the XDArit program and choose Read from SD card, mark both
check boxes for Bootloader and Windows CE
• Create a file name for your bootloader (e.g. c:\test.nb0) and ROM (e.g.
Windows CE c:\test.nb1)
• When you are done backing up, go to
http://cuba.calyx.nl/~jsummers/ROMkitchen/ and cook a desired ROM
under zipped NK.nb1 format.
• Once you’ve finished downloading the NK.nb1, immediately copy the
downloaded ROM to an empty SD card through your SD card
reader/writer using the XDArit program .
Here are the steps on how to write the ROM to your SD Card using XDArit:
• Open XDArit and click write to SD card
• Select header 1K and check Windows CE
• Under Windows CE, browse for the NK.nb1 file that you downloaded and
select it (Please make sure that the only checked option is Window CE)
• Click OK!, and it will start writing the NK.nb1 to your SD card
(approximately 5mins)
• Remove the SD card and plug it in to your Pocket PC
(If a message “format your SD card” appears on your Pocket PC screen
just select no)
• Again, boot your Pocket PC to Wallaby Bootloader; it will automatically detect the ROM on your SD CARD.
• Just carefully follow the instructions that appears on your screen and
everything will be just fine.
For users with Wallaby Bootloader 5.17 version
Wallaby Bootloader 5.17 is such a pain in the ass! But, like any problem there is always a way around it. Wallaby Bootloader 5.17 as many of us know is incorporated with a key checker, thus it will automatically check and verify your SD Card for any special written key before getting full access on your PPC’s ROM and Bootloader. In order to bypass the key checker, simply download the Wallaby patch and write it to an empty SD card using the XDArit program (remember to choose option 1k under header). Insert the SD card to your Pocket PC and go to you PPC’s bootloader (press and hold power Button, then press Soft Reset) and wait for a diagnostics message to appear. Upon seeing the Diagnostics message, immediately press action key (core of the rocker keys under the PPC’s display screen) and it will bring you to a new window that looks like this:
Boot -> SD
CE -> SD
Boot+CE -> SD
Restore SD
About
Exit
If you don't have an extra SD card, then just simply remove the SD card on your XDA without exiting from the window. Insert the SD Card again to your SD Reader and format it. Then write the file NK.Nb1 to your SD card (under header 1K). In any case, that you don't have NK.nb1, you could simply go to http://cuba.calyx.nl/~jsummers/ROMkitchen/ and cook a desired ROM under zipped NK.nb1 format which is about 14-15mb.
Follow these simple steps on how to properly write and install NK.nb1 on the SD card to your Pocket PC
• Open XDArit and click Write to SD card
• Select header 1K and check Windows CE
• Under Windows CE, browse for the NK.nb1 file that you downloaded or
want to install and select it
• Please make sure that the only checked option is Window CE
• Then click ok!, and you will see that it will start writing the NK.nb1 to
your SD card (approximately 5mins)
• After it's done writing, Remove the SD card and plug it to your XDA
• Then select Restore SD and press action or the action or rocker key
• A message will again appear asking whether you want to abort or
continue, just select continue and it will proceed with the installation and
flashing
• It is important that you never interrupt your Pocket PC during the
installation process, wait until it finishes writing the ROM
FLASH AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
Improper flashing can lead to an unusable Pocket PC
I will not be held liable to any damages on your Pocket PC!!!

Hello,
my wallby version is 6.22
is there any way I can bypass the key checker?
Thanks.

I haven't gone as far as bootloader 6.22 so it would be best to ask someone else regarding this issue.

how can you write these files to SD card without a dedicated SD card reader on your pc? ive always used my XDA or SPV and windows explorer to read/write to it. do i need additional files?

I got problem when I tried to pass wallaby 5.17, I can't got boot-sd, ce- sd etc, It was auto go to diagnotics menu, anyone can help?

Jeenious said:
how can you write these files to SD card without a dedicated SD card reader on your pc? ive always used my XDA or SPV and windows explorer to read/write to it. do i need additional files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just using Windows Explorer won't put the ROM image on the card in the correct "raw" format (it needs to be on the card without the directory info to be recognized by the XDA as a ROM image).
Look at XDATools. This program will put the image onto the SD card while it's in the XDA - then you boot to the bootloader to install onto the XDA itself. This method is faster than XDArit and you don't need a separate card reader (but you still need an SD/MMC card >= 64MB).

The solution to the 5.17 bootloader diagnostics problem is already posted on this thread. Please read the instructions carefully on how to go about this problem and also make sure to download the wallaby patch whose shortcut is at the very top of the thread!

Can this thread please be made sticky? It's the only one that actually has the right info in it that's readable. Or at least copy the first post in this thread into the bootloader patch web page.

I am glad to be of help!!!
Please feel free to post questions regarding this thread in case you're having difficulties following the instructions I posted, and I'll do my best in addressing your concerns...

I'll also be coming up with an XDAtools 101 for bootloader flashing by next week or early next month!!!

Wallaby Boot Loader
Hi ohenry774!
I've found the Flash Tools after pressing the Contacts Button, but my message was GSM ERROR. I think I crashed my Radio Stack. Can I flash GSM ROM from another MDA to SD and back to mine? ould this solve my problem?
Thx for any help

Please, elaborate on your predicament and let me see what I can do...

Please can any1 tell me how to back up rom of the xda II ? I tried on/of + reset but it made a hard rest to the device. Anybody can help me? thanks

HELP !! PC REBOOTED IN MIDDLE OF ROM UPGRADE
I was upgrading my ROM for WM2003 using the Programme A when my PC rebooted.
Now my O2 XDA 1 is totally non-functional.
In the first place my reset button is not working, I've been using the software soft reset button. Now I can't get to the Diagnostic menu using the above prescribed method.
Anyone who can help please email me at [email protected].
Please help. I can't live without my XDA .

HELP !! PC REBOOTED IN MIDDLE OF ROM UPGRADE
I was upgrading my ROM for WM2003 using the Programme A when my PC rebooted.
Now my O2 XDA 1 is totally non-functional.
In the first place my reset button is not working, I've been using the software soft reset button. Now I can't get to the Diagnostic menu using the above prescribed method.
Anyone who can help please email me at [email protected].
Please help. I can't live without my XDA .

Try pressing the power and the soft reset button continuously until it brings you to the diagnostics menu. If this thing doesn't work, then I don't know what will...

I haven't tried it, but maybe you can hold down the power switch while pressing the HARD reset button (first press turns off power, then hold the power switch and press the hard reset again to hopefully go into the bootloader).

Does flashing the ROM also flashes the Radio Stack?

Flashing ROM using the bootloader method does not automatically flash the Radio Stack.

Great Tutorial. The best I've found and this is the first time I've upgrade the ROM for my Qtek1010.
But for the Bootloader 5.15 version I select Header 3.5k (as you said) it doesn't boot the SD so I have to use the 1k header (before 5.17) and it works fine.
Again thanks for the great tutorial

http://www.yorch.net :::::::::TRY & DIE:::::::::::::::::

I was trying to install ROM update from http://www.yorch.net/
But (( I was waiting 60 min when installation finished.....and my Phone is doen't work...I can't used it, i can't turn it on ...there is only screen
-----------------------------
Upgrading.....
It will take about 5 minutes
Warrning : Do not remove the usb/serial cable
bla bla bla....
-----------------------------
Misters Proffesionals, if I didn't backup my previuos ROM what can I do?
-----------------------------

OK, here's what you do:
Get these tools and an SD-card reader for your PC (either as an SD-card or as a USB device). Use them to write the NK.nbf file contained in your upgrade package to an SD-card (64 MB or larger, all data will be erased). Then insert the SD-card in the device and put the device in 'bootloader mode' by holding the power button while soft-resetting. When prompted to press 'Action', press the center of the rocker keys. Wait for flashing process to finish. Cold boot (small hole). Presto.

heh
SD-card reader for your PC (either as an SD-card or as a USB device)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you get a sd-card reader for a pc which have sdcard interface ?
well ok i asume you mean pcmcia

Trying Trying....
:? I was downloaded this tool adn see screenshots what i got...
----------
If I create new upgrade from http://www.yorch.net/
as zipped [ NK.nb1 (SD-card flashing) ] and then unpack and put on my SD card....
Reboot as You said - It helps?
----------
In this morning I got SD card Reader this is good news
Thanks For advice
---------
Please keep in mind I am not proffi in this staff

Rudegar said:
heh
SD-card reader for your PC (either as an SD-card or as a USB device)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you get a sd-card reader for a pc which have sdcard interface ?
well ok i asume you mean pcmcia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Duh, ofcourse I meant PC-card (formerly PCMCIA).

Re: Trying Trying....
violatordead said:
:? I was downloaded this tool adn see screenshots
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you running 'fixbootloader'? That's for people that have a running WinCE and no bootloader anymore, or for people that wnat to get rid of their 5.17 bootloader. This is not your problem.
You need to write the OS image to a card using OSImageTool, selecting the .nbf or .nb1 file as the source, and the SD-card as the destination. You can only use an SD-card reader attached directly to the PC, you cannot use the one in your XDA because the OS isn't running there.

...Hmm
When I triyng run this app [OSImageTool] I got error message [see scrennshots].
I already create from Yochi nb1 file, if I put this file on SD card and then put SD card into my Pocket PC, then make reset it helps???
-----------------------------

Trying
Ok I put NB file to SD using this application....what next?

I am confused...
So I got Card Reader and SD card for 128 MB
I put NBF file using application XDAtools-Jeff Image on SD card,
than put SD card inside Pocket PC, made soft reset and........
Everytnig the same nothing happened.......
I still have the same [image see first image on topic]
Also If i am using this tools I can't access to Device using Active Sync....
so see my screenshoots...... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

It's not that difficult JUST READ
http://www.zensay.com/qtek/ceupgrade.html
Tuurtje
Insert your SD Card into your device and reset (soft reset while holding down the Power button) to enter your Bootloader.
When you do this, the Bootloader will automatically detect that you have a CE ROM in your SD Card and will ask you to press the Action button to flash the device with this ROM. Press the Action button and wait for the flashing process to complete.

That link to zensay.com doesn't work anymore
What was that link for ? All it says is that the QTEK site is closed indefinitely.
:twisted:

can i upgrade roms more than once?

hello,
i upgraded my ppc from windows 02 to 03 with a rom from : http://xda.weblink.net/ rom kitchen. everything worked, except now all my files on my memory card are gone. where the files used to be is now some invalid files with jumbled up names.
When I tried to upload the rom again, it gave me a connection error.
I completely removed active sync 3.7 and reinstalled it and hard reset my ppc, same error.
I even installed it on another computer and once again, same error.
Can I only upload a rom once, or is there something wrong with my pocket pc?
Is there any way to get those files back from my memory card; like put it in a ppc with 02 operating system, or are they gone forever?

A rom upgrade should not affect your sd card files, have known wm2003 to delete files but not heard of corruption. You can use the sd card method of flashing by using xdatools, this will overcome your problem. You could try removing and reinserting the memory card or maybe slot it to a card reader writer on your pc and see if it still shows corrupt.

please forgive my ignorance.
what are the steps to using the sd card method to update rom, or is there another thread that has these steps?
i am not familiar with xdatools
thank you very much for your help

i copy pasted this from another thread way back it's a pretty good description
Ok here you go, its a little outdated but its what I still use:
Qman's how to use XDArit to write nk.nb1 or nk.nbf to your SD card aka the Bootloader Method!
1. Place XDArit and the nk.nb1 or nk.nbf file in the same folder and start XDArit.
2. Select your SD card (disk drive) from the drop down menu.
3. Select Write to SD
Notice that the Windows CE box is already checked so just click the browse button at the end of that window.
4. Select your (nk.nb1 or nk.nbf) image and then Open
Notice by default XDArit will open looking for a *.nb1 file but if you're going to use a .nbf file you'll have to manually change the "Files of Type" to *.nbf
Notice that nk.nbo / nk.nbo was automatically added as your boot-loader and its check box is unchecked so leave it that way and click OK. XDArit should start writing to the card.
When XDArit has finished writing the image put the SD-card into the XDA and hold the power button and soft reset. You'll be taken to the below screen:
SD DOWNLOAD
Card Type:
CE OS & BOOT
Press action to Download
Or
Press REC to Exit
Press action to download and it will start the download/restore from the SD card.
Follow the on screen instructions once its "Completed" which will consist of a "Soft Boot/Reset".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Remember to make a copy of your SD-card if you have anything you want to keep before using it for upgrading as everything on the card will be deleted by XDA-tools.

Problems Flashing with SD

All right, I've been surfing there forums for about a week, and never found anything relating to my problem.
Firstly, I can't seem to flash via USB because ActiveSync disconnects.
So I resorted to using the SD method.
I've tried both XDA-Tools and XDArit, with no success.
What happens is, when I get to the bootloader screen it picks up that the SD is bootable, and I then proceed to click ACTION to DOWNLOAD.
Thing is, nothing happens it just goes to the normal GSM OK screen.
Any help ?
Bootloader 5.15
***I have also found, that if you press RECORD in the diagnostics menu, you get to a USB FLASH SCREEN, how can one use this?***

*bump
Even when using the ROM I created by using the bootloader, I still can't get it to boot the SD, it just skips to the GSM OK screen.

Have you another card you can try? If you insert the card into the pda without entering bootloader does it offer to format the card? And I presume when you say action key that you are pressing the centre of the 4 way navigation switch?

Yeah, I have tried different cards of different brands.
It does ask to format when going into the normal O/S.
And yes, I do press OK on the 4-way pad.
Here is the exact procedure.
1. Hold Power Button and Press Soft Reset
Screen says the following:
SD Download
=========
CARD TYPE:
CE OS
Press ACTION
to Download
or
Press REC
to EXIT
I then press ACTION (4-way pad)
Immediately goes to WALLABY Bootloader v5.15 GSM OK.
Currenlty running XDA Special Edition 1.2 if that makes any difference.

this guide 100% worked for many people using a sd card reader and a sd card and when the rom is on the sd card the sd cardreader should not be able to read it at all when you enter the bootloader you should not have to do anything it should start itself
also maybe you should look into if your bootloader is the right version
Ok here you go, its a little outdated but its what I still use:
Qman's how to use XDArit to write nk.nb1 or nk.nbf to your SD card aka the Bootloader Method!
1. Place XDArit and the nk.nb1 or nk.nbf file in the same folder and start XDArit.
2. Select your SD card (disk drive) from the drop down menu.
3. Select Write to SD
Notice that the Windows CE box is already checked so just click the browse button at the end of that window.
4. Select your (nk.nb1 or nk.nbf) image and then Open
Notice by default XDArit will open looking for a *.nb1 file but if you're going to use a .nbf file you'll have to manually change the "Files of Type" to *.nbf
Notice that nk.nbo / nk.nbo was automatically added as your boot-loader and its check box is unchecked so leave it that way and click OK. XDArit should start writing to the card.
When XDArit has finished writing the image put the SD-card into the XDA and hold the power button and soft reset. You'll be taken to the below screen:
SD DOWNLOAD
Card Type:
CE OS & BOOT
Press action to Download
Or
Press REC to Exit
Press action to download and it will start the download/restore from the SD card.
Follow the on screen instructions once its "Completed" which will consist of a "Soft Boot/Reset".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I followed that guide EXACTLY.
And my Bootloader is definitely 5.15

elf rom update and not working

hi
i had rom 6.1 and flashed ahen series rom 6.5 (AHEN 6.5-E6h FULL )
everything was fine and after finishing the flash i got a error message device start up failed due to sudden loss of power "yes" to continue. i gave yes but it is not loading it again says storage memory is low delete some files or move to storage card other programs may not start but could not delete or move .
most of the program are not loaded. it shows storage memory is 16.22 and in use 16.22 phone is not working inculding active sync.
can some one help me ? to sync my phone to pc .

First try hard reset. I think you have to flash again the rom. Since active sync is not working you'll have to flash from memory card
Flash from the SD card:
1. turn down the phone
2. take your sd and sim card out of the elf
3. copy a rom file (the .nhb file) to the root of the SD card and name it "ELF0IMG.nbh" exactly.
4. now insert the sd card back in the phone.
5. while holding the camera button, insert the mini usb cable, wait for a while a white screen will ask you if you want to flash the new image..

hi
thanx for the quick reply
when i press the camera button it says "error opening the shortcut or locating the target file name" and then when i connect the mini usb it is asking connection type 1. active sync 2. disk drive 3. internet sharing.
i did not choose anything but active sync is selected by default and i was holding the camera button for few minutes but nothing happened .
help me to sort out this

Why do you press camera ? Did you try hard reset?

HI
i tried hard reset but having the same problem.
u said to hold camera button and insert mini usb cable .

I didn't tell you, you prob read it somewhere...
Hold down send/reject buttons (green/red at the front) and reset with the stylus; release the stylus but keep holding the buttons till you get 'this will erase all your personal data' message, then press 'action' (big front button) to hard reset.

hi
thanks again
i tried hard reset but having the same problem.
can you please tell me how to flash from sd card

ELF0IMG.nbh on a FAT32 filesystem
1 .Empty (erase the contents of) your microSD card using the Windows Mobile file explorer or format it from your computer using a card reader (in some cases format doesn't work).
2. Extract the .NBH file from your prefered ROM upgrade: In windows use winrar (right click) to extract the contents of the exe file. In Linux / MacOS use cabextract.
3. Rename the .NBH file to ELF0IMG.nbh and copy it to the root folder of your microSD card.
4. With microSD card inserted in the phone, start the bootloader (The bootloader is invoked by hold down the camera button and reset device with the stylus).
5.Confirm flashing on screen by pressing the power button (or the volume slider down).
6. Flashing might hang after some time but this is normal. Just wait. Complete flash takes about 30 minutes, so check your battery or connect to charger before the flashing process starts.

hi
thanks very much
i flashed as you said
now my htc is working
thank you for your step by step guidence.