Database Users

Flashing ROMs is dangerous !!!

There's two type of ROM upgrades: Operating System ROM upgrades and Radio Stack Upgrades.
Radio Stack Upgrades:
Radio Stack upgrades are distributed by the devices resellers. They come in packages with names that may or may not include "Programme B" or "RSU", and they are usually about 2 MB in size. Version numbers are a mess, and lower version numbers do not mean earlier versions. There's at least three different paths of version numbering out there, and the version number on the file doesn't always match the version number displayed at boot and by 'Device Information'.
The official Radio Stack Upgrade process is a mess. We've seen way too many people wreck their devices doing nothing weird or strange. Our advice regarding Radio Stack upgrades is to get them from your own device provider (so you know it's for you type of device: 900/1800 or 900/1900 MHz), and to only upgrade if you know the upgrade will fix known issues that are bothering you.
Operating System Upgrades:
Operating System upgrades are distributed by the resellers in packages whose names may contain "Programme A" or "RUU" (to confuse things, RUU stands for "Radio Unit Upgrade", even though they do not upgrade the Radio part but the PDA part). Operating System upgrades are usually 15 MB in size, and unless you use our utility 'adaptROM', they will only install on phones sold by specific resellers in specific markets.
In this community, the OS is sometimes also distributed as .nb1 file, for use with our XDArit tool. These files are often zipped to about 15 MB, uncompressed they are 32MB (well: 32 MB minus 256 kB actually).
We've seen a number of people doing terrible things to their devices by upgrading their OS ROMs. Here's what we've seen:
- It appears someone is distributing an EXE file for the PPC2003 ROM that contains a part of the OS in the spot where the bootloader needs to be. People that use this EXE to upgrade to 2003 may experience problems immediately or later on, possible making their device unusable.
- We've observed our XDArit tool in the hands of people that should not be using it. If you don't know what a DOS box is, or think you can rename .nb1 files to .nb0, or if you generally do not feel technically proficient, do not use XDArit. It's as simple as that.
(We also blame ourselves for this: XDArit is very counter-intuitive in some parts, and is long-due for an overhaul....)
- Apart from the above, there seem to be problems for people getting back from PPC2003 to earlier versions of the OS. We've been busy doing other things, and we haven't really researched this yet.
- It seems the exe files Jeff makes are OK, and if they aren't, people would know pretty quickly. We advise against running exe-files from others until we've found what causes this 'bootloader mangling' we've observed.

Thanks for your warnings. I just checked my device information. It reads rom version 3;14.06 ENG, Rom date 10/01/02, Radio Version T313. Being not technical at all. Your advice is not to upgrade the Rom or de radio version.
But that leaves me with some problems. F.i. when I try to synchronize with Outlook on my pc. I keep losing mails. The only mails being synchronized at all are those from my inbox. A series of attachments cannot be converted and there is no way to know which mails they are in. I was also hoping that a rom-update would solve my constant memory-lack.
Are there any other solutions?

Upgrade Fails
We have been upgrading some ATEK's with success, but we have two that don't want to upgrade. The message is:
"Can not open COM/USB port...." \\Can someine help...

Re: Upgrade Fails
scalci said:
We have been upgrading some ATEK's with success, but we have two that don't want to upgrade. The message is:
"Can not open COM/USB port...." \\Can someine help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:wink: it's same problem that i have but the slution is download the XDA-dev's XDAtools.exe and cook your ROM then save it on your SD-card
for me it's work 100% my Qtek provieder in Saudi Arbia said that you can't downgread ROM after you do upgread but what ?? it's work
:lol:
[email protected]

Upgrade radio fail
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I read it a bit too late.
I download ROM from O2 site, program A (3.20.06ENG) and program B(4.21). Upgarded my xda with program A, after reset it works. When upgrade the radio program B it hang for half hour. After reset the xda does not boot!
Is there a way i can flash back the ROM so that i can use back my xda?
Original version ROM 3.17.03ENG and radio 3.14.
Thanks in advance.

After upgrad radio from 4.16 to 4.21, My O2 does not reset or hardreset normally. After a long process, I get a blank screen with only input icon on the lowwer right corner. How to fix it now?

problem solved.

inaccess said:
problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How have you done it ?

Re: Upgrade radio fail
pcloo said:
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I read it a bit too late.
I download ROM from O2 site, program A (3.20.06ENG) and program B(4.21). Upgarded my xda with program A, after reset it works. When upgrade the radio program B it hang for half hour. After reset the xda does not boot!
Is there a way i can flash back the ROM so that i can use back my xda?
Original version ROM 3.17.03ENG and radio 3.14.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the exact same thing and had the same problem. anything I could do to had my xda up and running again?
thanx in advance

Re: Upgrade radio fail
darkdragoon said:
pcloo said:
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I read it a bit too late.
I download ROM from O2 site, program A (3.20.06ENG) and program B(4.21). Upgarded my xda with program A, after reset it works. When upgrade the radio program B it hang for half hour. After reset the xda does not boot!
Is there a way i can flash back the ROM so that i can use back my xda?
Original version ROM 3.17.03ENG and radio 3.14.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the exact same thing and had the same problem. anything I could do to had my xda up and running again?
thanx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you push the power buttom and than do a hard/cold reset do you get a bootloader ???
If so you need a storage card and put a good rom on it.
Read more on this forum

Re: Upgrade radio fail
I got a problem yesterday night, while trying to updgrade the ROM with the XDA developers Special Edition ROM v1.2, I got the message from the tool saying it will take up to 5 min and a scroll bar appeared on the XDA and not removing it from its base.
But I accidently removed it (in fact, I caught my foot on the damn wire and everything went to the floor).
Now nothing works, except the diagnostic bootloader when I reset and press on button. Hard reset changes noting.
The screen when I hard-reset it shows the scrollbar that was displayed when I tried to upgrade it.
ActiveSync does not recognize it anymore (PC beeps when the XDA is put in craddle, but it does go further).
Any idea how to put back original ROM content ? I have backup of the content made with Active Sync.
I own a SX-56 and subscribe to Rogers AT&T; I guess my config is identical to a AT&T phone, as it's written on top
Any suggestion will be welcomed
Bernard

Re: Upgrade radio fail
droletbe said:
I got a problem yesterday night, while trying to updgrade the ROM with the XDA developers Special Edition ROM v1.2, I got the message from the tool saying it will take up to 5 min and a scroll bar appeared on the XDA and not removing it from its base.
But I accidently removed it (in fact, I caught my foot on the damn wire and everything went to the floor).
Now nothing works, except the diagnostic bootloader when I reset and press on button. Hard reset changes noting.
The screen when I hard-reset it shows the scrollbar that was displayed when I tried to upgrade it.
ActiveSync does not recognize it anymore (PC beeps when the XDA is put in craddle, but it does go further).
Any idea how to put back original ROM content ? I have backup of the content made with Active Sync.
I own a SX-56 and subscribe to Rogers AT&T; I guess my config is identical to a AT&T phone, as it's written on top
Any suggestion will be welcomed
Bernard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a storage card (32 MB or more SD or MMC will do) and a reader/writer for it,
than write a rom on the card, put it in your devices an start the boot loader, than if everthing went good it will ask you if you wanted to update the rom.

Re: Upgrade radio fail
Weezer-DC said:
darkdragoon said:
pcloo said:
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I read it a bit too late.
I download ROM from O2 site, program A (3.20.06ENG) and program B(4.21). Upgarded my xda with program A, after reset it works. When upgrade the radio program B it hang for half hour. After reset the xda does not boot!
Is there a way i can flash back the ROM so that i can use back my xda?
Original version ROM 3.17.03ENG and radio 3.14.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the exact same thing and had the same problem. anything I could do to had my xda up and running again?
thanx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you push the power buttom and than do a hard/cold reset do you get a bootloader ???
If so you need a storage card and put a good rom on it.
Read more on this forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I got the Wallaby bootloader and it said GSM failed.
Pls show me where about I could get more info on the forum.
ThanX in advance.

Re: Upgrade radio fail
Weezer-DC said:
droletbe said:
...
Now nothing works, except the diagnostic bootloader when I reset and press on button. Hard reset changes noting.
...
Any idea how to put back original ROM content ? I have backup of the content made with Active Sync.
...
Any suggestion will be welcomed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a storage card (32 MB or more SD or MMC will do) and a reader/writer for it,
than write a rom on the card, put it in your devices an start the boot loader, than if everthing went good it will ask you if you wanted to update the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any place/URL to look for such thing as the ROM and the writer ? How much should I expect ?
Thanks for your help

Re: Upgrade radio fail
droletbe said:
Weezer-DC said:
droletbe said:
...
Now nothing works, except the diagnostic bootloader when I reset and press on button. Hard reset changes noting.
...
Any idea how to put back original ROM content ? I have backup of the content made with Active Sync.
...
Any suggestion will be welcomed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a storage card (32 MB or more SD or MMC will do) and a reader/writer for it,
than write a rom on the card, put it in your devices an start the boot loader, than if everthing went good it will ask you if you wanted to update the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any place/URL to look for such thing as the ROM and the writer ? How much should I expect ?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now everything works ! And this accident "forced" me to buy an SD, so I will not be so limited by the 32Mb limit
Thank you very much

help needed....
i hard reseted my qtek 1010 .... its like 30mins ....and am still gettin 4 bands white red greem blue... is that normal ...that hard reset take this much time... if this si not normal ... what should i do next

Bootloader not recognising sd card image
I am having the same problem. When pressing power and reset, bootloader shows v 5.17 GSM fail.
I have an sd card which has a new bootloader and nb1 file on it. I do a reset with the card in the slot and i get the same screen v517 GSM fail. From what i have read i should be getting an option to upload the new rom.
Can some one help me out please?
If I currently turn the device on normally activesync does not recognise the device.....
The sd card I have was configured using the xdirt programme and it appears to have worked as the sd card is shows not formatted now...

Thanks for all the info and warnings, just got my XDA II today and Im not too hot with it yet so I guess I will be leaving the ROM's alone for the time being

Peter Poelman said:
Radio Stack Upgrades:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have several system where the GSM rom is toast. Is there a way to get a GSM Rom to SD w/o using the PC Monitor program?
The systems will successfully bootup and we have tried loading the GSM rom using RSUpgrade, but it fails after 1%.
Is there any other way to recover the GSM Rom?

You may try speaking to Cgigate on this forum, he has hardware methods of programming the chips directly, whether it works for the radio stack as well as the bootloader and rom you will need to ask him.

Any other way to flash radio than SD card method?

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all of the good work happening her in these forums. It’s really amazing how much information is here. I have the following situation and wonder if anyone can help me sort it out.
I have a running qtek with an un-working radio. I have the developers SE ROM 1.2 installed and it’s running but very slow. The system can’t detect the battery and its charge. The radio is off and will not turn on. I tried to install the O2 4.21 radio update using the SD card using the repair file downloaded from your site but no luck. It stops after it reboots and start the upgrade process with the dreadful 1% can’t flash error. From what I read so far the problem hover around the radio not being able to detect the battery power so it stops the flashing process. I tried changing the upgrade file and to do it many times but still always stops at 1%.
One way I didn’t try is copying the upgrade file to the windows root directory and tries to upgrade from there instead from the card. I don’t know where to find the 2 monitors files needed to be installed there before the upgrade. Anyone knows where to get them from?
Is there any other way to flash the radio using the SD card method (I am traveling and don’t have the cradle with me.)
Thanks again.

Have you tried fixing it with the following?
http://xda-developers.com/repair.zip
Hope it helps.

I have exactly the same problem as ahmedateeq. Runnung the repair.zip files as suggested by beeheij just results in Radio Stack Upgrade failure at 1% every time the XDA soft resets (the only way to break this loop is a hard reset). I have tried two different RSU upgrade versions, but to no avail.
What else can be done?
Geoff :?

gwhitea said:
I have exactly the same problem as ahmedateeq. Runnung the repair.zip files as suggested by beeheij just results in Radio Stack Upgrade failure at 1% every time the XDA soft resets (the only way to break this loop is a hard reset). I have tried two different RSU upgrade versions, but to no avail.
What else can be done?
Geoff :?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to turn on your GSM using the bootloader, by Holding power button then Soft reset the unit, then if you see the logo "Bootloader 5.15" press the calendar button, then you will see the GSM menu, try to select GSM ON then press the action button( the middle of navigation key), when it go back to the menu then soft reset again, then check if it is working or not..Please telme the version of your unit RSU and RUU... thank i hope this will help you.
:?

Did what you said - I was able to turn on GSM in Bootloader (though there was no message to confirm) - but this hasn't improved the situation. I still get the upgrade failure at 1%.
My RUU is SER1.2 (based on O2 3.17.03. RSU is (WAS!) O2 4.21
Any more ideas? Is it worth trying to copy the upgrade files to the Windows folder on teh XDA and running it from there?
Thanks for your help.
Geoff

I tried switching the radio on as suggested, but it failes.
Can we try the windows root directory install method. I need to know where to get the 2 monitors files to be installed with the rsupgrade file. Any one know where to get them.
Any other suggestions (Gurus help needed here)
RUU is SER1.2, O2 3.17.03, RSU O2 4.21

ahmedateeq said:
I tried switching the radio on as suggested, but it failes.
Can we try the windows root directory install method. I need to know where to get the 2 monitors files to be installed with the rsupgrade file. Any one know where to get them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok here you go!
http://www.o2.co.uk/personal/xda/docs/Radio_Stack_Upgrade_v421.zip

Thanks Qman,
I have this file already and its installed, but I dont see the 2 monitor files in the programme b directory. Are they included in the rsupgrade cap file and if yes which one is which?
Thanks again and still waiting for some creative thinking how to solve this delmma that hit so many members.

ahmedateeq said:
Thanks Qman,
I have this file already and its installed, but I dont see the 2 monitor files in the programme b directory. Are they included in the rsupgrade cap file and if yes which one is which?
Thanks again and still waiting for some creative thinking how to solve this delmma that hit so many members.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeap they're included in the RSUpgrade.sa.CAB!
What I would do is copy the RSUpgrade.sa.CAB to my device and run it from there and if the upgrade fails do a search for the needed files and relocate them manually.
HTH

rom flash crash

hi folks tried to update special rom and upon where the XDa comes up with upgrading takes 5mins the software crashed out telling me to remove from cradle and do soft reset well did all that but cant get active sync to recongnise the XDA and the XDA is still on that upgraing 5 minute screen HELP

If it will not resume when you restart the upgrade program on the PC, then it's time to upgrade via the bootloader method. You need (access to)an SD-card reader/writer for the PC, and to read around on this forum a bit.

thanxs I guess thats the conclusion I came to however just to make sure do u know the steps involved in installing the special rom I have the download exe file someones put on the forum

****. I cooked a second ROM (based on testing the first one - and removing utils I didn't need)
Flashing started - but this time, ActiveSync dropped out and I was left with the 5 minutes screen.
I have tried hard reset but only the "upgrading' screen appears. Now I'm wishing I had never messed with it.
I can get the Wallaby Boot loader screen to come up (GSM OK) it says.
But I have no clue about this other "bootloader" method mentioned on this page. Can anyone please advise where can I find details of the fix? Is the ROM really wiped out and no longer recoverable?

I have the same problem as the first person who posted.

Then you will need to restore the OS using an SD card. (Min 64mb).
Probably easiest to cook a ROM at Jeffs Kitchen to your taste:
http://cuba.calyx.nl/~jsummers/ROMkitchen/
Save it as .nb1 type (bottom of that page).
Then get XDA Tools (yes I know its starting to sound complicated but its not really). http://xda-developers.com/XDAtools/
That program allows you to copy the .nb1 file you cooked to be loaded onto the SD card.
Once you have transferred the OS (.nb1) file to the SD, stick it in your XDA.
Turn on the XDA pressing simultaneously the on switch and sticking the stylus in the SOFT reset hole.
You should get a white screen saying something like flash ROM from SD. Press the JOG (navigator) big switch at the bottom to start the process.
Make sure you have mains power to XDA during this process.
When it finishes, REMOVE the SD card and press HARD reset.
Should be back to normal!

p.s. It goes without saying that you need an SD card reader !!
p.p.s I hope yours is better than mine. Try to get the latest version with drivers that can deal with big SD card sizes...

It does not say hard reset it say cold reboot to reset. So I did a soft reset and it worked after about 7 tries.
I really like what they did with this ROM Kitchen. I would think that if they can get this really stable then they should offer a service to create your own ROM's allowing the user to select what programs they want to include in the ROM.

Er, if you read other areas on this site you will notice that this is run by enthusiasts, who are making their work available to others.
So a little please and thank you will ease your way.
Rather than... "they should" maybe "it would be nice if...."
:idea: If you really want to DIY - then follow all the instructions, get yourself a Unix platform and MKROM.
Bye
ps sorry I got one detail wrong.
pps Sorry I bothered actually

Ariel said:
Er, if you read other areas on this site you will notice that this is run by enthusiasts, who are making their work available to others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me as the owner of www.pocketpcminds.com I understand this. Back in the days of carrying a Palm OS device there a program that allowed you to add and delete things in your ROM.
What I was suggestion is a service that users could pay for that would inlude a list of Pocket PC programs that the users could choose what programs they want loaded in the ROM. From what I have seen of Pocket PC users each person has a list of programs that they find useful and use regularly.
I onlt suggest this because the people running this need to cover thier cost. Otherwise they may use intrest and stop it all together.

We're all too busy with other things to turn the ROMkitchen into a commercial thing. But if anyone else wants to do so, please contact us.
Pro:
- It would be a great sales platform for software (spb gprs monitor, PIMs, etc.)
Con:
- Available space shrinks as OS grows
- No idea how this works out on XDA II yet

Can't burn the Wallaby Patch to the SD
When I try to burn Wallaby Patch to SD the following error appears
Failed to open device \\.\PhysicalDrive8
Anyone help with this.

hi I did all that but when the XDA is being flashed it finishes but comes with achecksum error now I know I am doing everything right as I managed to reload O2 original .nb1 file and my xda is still as was however I want the forums version rom so can unlock many thanx for the previous how 2 instructions

SD card flash - 5 min screen
Ariel said:
Then you will need to restore the OS using an SD card. (Min 64mb).
Probably easiest to cook a ROM at Jeffs Kitchen to your taste:
http://cuba.calyx.nl/~jsummers/ROMkitchen/
Save it as .nb1 type (bottom of that page).
Then get XDA Tools (yes I know its starting to sound complicated but its not really). http://xda-developers.com/XDAtools/
That program allows you to copy the .nb1 file you cooked to be loaded onto the SD card.
Once you have transferred the OS (.nb1) file to the SD, stick it in your XDA.
Turn on the XDA pressing simultaneously the on switch and sticking the stylus in the SOFT reset hole.
You should get a white screen saying something like flash ROM from SD. Press the JOG (navigator) big switch at the bottom to start the process.
Make sure you have mains power to XDA during this process.
When it finishes, REMOVE the SD card and press HARD reset.
Should be back to normal!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a similar 5 min screen, and I tried as told, that is bought a card reader, cooked ROM, downloaded and transferred the nk.nb1 file to sd card using xda-tools, and entered into bootloader. But all I get is WAIT and then GSM OK message. Not the one that gives me option of flashing the ROM. How exactly to transfer the ROM image to SD card?

Rom Flash Crash
Just in case
I found that getting the XDA going initially by putting across the O2 installer programmeA onto the SD card rebootting with soft reset which installs the standard O2 locked phone system however this allows your XDA to be seen by the PC
all I did then was using the Kitchen Rom is double clicked it then goes into install mode through Programme A and does a PC to phone install.
I found I reinstalled twice and the phone now is working unlocked as required
I tried many times to do the soft reset install as instructed on the forum but it just crashed everytime

I guess the WBL version 5.15 does not identify nk.nb1 file as a rom image. it needs the rom image in raw form, the same as it is copied by bootloader that is WinCE to SD. I think the old XDArit writes it in the required format. dont know how the XDA-Tools does it.

ROM flash crash - solved!
It finally worked. With help from ntabikha, a member of this forum, I got it going. I plugged it in the cradle after hard reset. Activesync kept announcing that it can not connect to the device, and I kept clicking "Retry" (perhaps "disconnect com port" might as well have been all right, but I didn't do it. I thought it might disconnect the com port and stop the Program A from connecting to the device).
I then ran the Original Qtek Upgrade installer, and it did not connect on the first attempt. But it asked me to soft reset the device and run the program again. I did so, and whoa! it worked! It worked great! However, I don't understand why the cooked version 3.17 from Jeff's kitchen was installed instead of Qtek Upgrade Version 3.16.52. I care the least though, since I now have a working xda! Thanks to the guidance from ntabikha.

ROM upgrade help

I wanted to install one of the ROMs from www.yorch.net. But before doing so I have some questions:
1. If I choose to build ROM as an installer.exe, is installing it to my device as simple as running the .exe file? (of course with the device connected thru Activesync)
2. Is my present ROM (see specs below) supported?
3. If Murphy comes to visit and I screw up, will my phone be completely unusable or can I just reinstall old ROM, do hard reset and everything will be back to how it was?
My specs:
OS: Pocket PC ver 3.0.12039
ROM:3.20.06 ENG( 07/30/03) (O2 Asia I think since I bought it here in the Philippines)
Radio: 4.21.00.
Thanks

1 as far as i know yes havent don it to my own device yet though
2 a rom dont have to support a rom since it'll overwrite it
3 of cause merphy can also show his ugly face
but if all fails a sd flash reader writer can save many a tears
also if your phone is working ok then i would not mess with the
radio stack and beware because some roms include the radio stack
and if you try to update your radio stack to a US (900/1900) and you network is 900/1800 you could be in for a world of pain

ROM upgrade step by step
OK I'm really dying to give it a go but I'm just a overly cautious bloke. So I'm gonna outline what I interpreted (after reading lots of posts I think I'm getting it but not sure) to be the way do the upgrade. Please correct me if i'm wrong:
Equipment I have:
1. My notebook (Windows XP, Activesynch 3.7)
2. O2 XDAI
3. Cradle and USB connection.
Steps that I think I should take:
1. Place XDA on cradle and make sure it's connected with PC.
2. Backup?? (not so sure what to back up since contacts, calendar, notes are synched with outlook, docs are also synched, I have copies of cab and program files since I download them to PC before installing them to XDA.) If i'm missing something please slam a frying pan (this is a kitchen right?) on my head.
3. Go to www.yorch.net, check mark on all appropriate options, then (since I have to Unix box and dont know Unix at all) just go for the easy option of cooking the .exe install file.
4. Assuming, the .exe is downloaded to my PC. This time I just run it. I expect this to be just like installing PPC apps. If not, throw a tomato on my face
5. Assuming everything worked and Murphy's in the Arctic freezing his A**e off, then all I do now is hard reset.
6. I have a new ROM and I'm singing happy-happy-joy-joy.
To the wonderful people at xda-developers, am I in the right direction or am I as lost as Bill and Ted? If I'm lost, is there a step-by-step guide for non-unix programmers? (Sorry, there was a sticky but I thought it was for people with Unix boxes)
Once again, thanks for all your help and your patience.

2. Backup?? (not so sure what to back up since contacts, calendar, notes are synched with outlook, docs are also synched, I have copies of cab and program files since I download them to PC before installing them to XDA.) If i'm missing something please slam a frying pan (this is a kitchen right?) on my head.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i can think of one thing to backup and thats your current rom
so if you dont like the new rom you are getting you have the option to go back
of cause if the rom you have now is downloadble from a place you know like your isp then maybe it dont matter

Thanks for the reply. That's a good point. Question: When you back up old ROM, is it just the ROM that gets backed up or is it the whole content of the device, like how you do in PCs?
Also, since no one, besides you, has made any comments regarding the steps that I outlined, is it safe to say that they are the correct steps?
Thanks

When you backup your ROM, no stuff that you customised will be in the backup - the backed up ROM will be the same as when you received it from your retail shop, or if you upgraded, it will be the upgraded ROM without any of your stuff. Do a backup and store it on your hard disk.
DON'T use the .exe cooked ROM, use a .nb1 or .nbf, and use XDA Tools from this site to do the upgrade. It's very easy that way, and less dangerous. Don't upgrade your radio stack unless you know exactly what you're doing, or your phone supplier has made an update available just for you.
If you use a T-Mobile ROM above version 4.00.05 it blocks the XDA-Tools from updating the ROM. At that point you need to use XDARIT (from this site) to low-level write the ROM image you have onto your SD card using an SD card reader which shows the card as another drive on your computer. Once you do that you need to boot into the boot-loader (press the reset button while holding the power button) and follow the prompts to restore from an SD card. If you're unlucky and are running bootloader 5.17 (or above I think) you need to write the bootloader diagnostics patch (wallaby patch from this site) onto your SD card first before doing the boot into the bootloader thing. You can then remove the SD card, write the O/S ROM onto it with XDRIT, and put it back into your phone while it's still sitting on in diagnostics mode. Then you can restore from the SD.
It sounds complicated, but it's easy, as long as you have an SD card reader, and as long as you don't mess with trying to update the bootloader or do an unknown radio update. There's lots of info in these forums if you get stuck.
I made a thread that summarised all the steps using the new tools and ROM's at this address : http://xda-developers.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3860. It's for Asian/European users, but if you are in the US the instructions are the same, except instead of using European 900/1800 radio you use 900/1900.

Further questions on ROM update
Thanks. It's becoming clearer and clearer. Have more clarifying questions:
1. How do you know whether or not you're including the radio stack with the ROM upgrade at yorch.net. I did not see any options there.
2. At www. yorch.net, nothing happens when I press the "Build ROM Now" command button. Is the download supposed to happen in the background or is there something wrong with my PC or the site?
3. I dont think I'm using the T-mobile ROM but how do I know if I'm runing bootloader 5.17? Is bootloader 5.17 only for T-Mobile users or all?
Once again, thanks for the help and bearing with a newbie.

2. At www. yorch.net, nothing happens when I press the "Build ROM Now" command button. Is the download supposed to happen in the background or is there something wrong with my PC or the site?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it should start to write some text about the progress of making the rom
and when it's finished then it should init a std download dialog

The meter down at the status bar does move, same as when you're loading a webpage, then it says Done. That's about it. Didnt see any other messages or dialogue boxes.
Can anyone confirm if it's up today or has it been down?
Thanks
PS. Tried to email using the email utility at the website but getting errors there as well.

OK, firstly to answer your question about Yorch's site... well it worked for me in getting all the ROM's I wanted, then when I went back again the download didn't work. I guess it's just on and off, so unless Yorch finishes getting married or someone else makes another kitchen it's a matter of pot luck. You can get away without using the kitchen if you can find another download source for ROM's, whether it be FTP or whatever. Just remember if you get an exe you can usually pull it apart with winzip to get the .nb1 or .nbf out of it.
Now, for Q1 :
An operating system ROM is generally just under 32MB, but when zipped from Yorch it's usually about 14 or 15MB - the operating system ROM will NEVER be smaller than that. I'm not sure about the exact radio stack size but I know it's a lot less than that. Also, doing some homework about the operating system ROM helps. eg. reading about the 4.01.00 ROM tells you that it's not a radio stack upgrade, it's an operating system upgrade - and the filename and the size of the file you receive reflects that.
Q2:
answered above...
Q3:
I think the bootloader is just pot-luck depending on when you phone was released. To check your bootloader it will reset your device completely, but I read somewhere that if you turn the radio (phone) off it doesn't hard reset. If you're worried, do a full backup first. But basically when you're ready to look, reset your phone while holding the power button and it will tell you the bootloader version. Don't be too turned off by that, I have read that SD card readers can be picked up very cheap if you look around, and that's all you need to get you out of trouble regardless of the bootloader version.
There's no real risk (but I won't guarantee anything), just make sure your phone is fully charged before mucking about with SD upgrades. Also make sure the radio (phone) is switched off before upgrading... using the bootloader/sd card method you shouldn't need to be concerned. I'm not sure what effect having your phone on and receiving a call while using XDA-Tools can have, but someone did mention it somewhere.
I'm a newbie too, but there's really not much you need to know, just a few caveats.

Yorch's Kitchen has been working OK for me the last couple of days. It takes maybe about 5 mins to "cook" before telling me that the ROM is ready. The 4.00.05 ROM gave me a lot of ActiveSync problems, so I went to the 4.00.16 ROM tonight and it looks like it's behaving better.
My SD reader is a Microtech Zio. It appears as a disk drive in windows, but the newer XDArit can't initialize a connection to write to the SD card. I used the "dangerous" older version of XDArit instead (available on Yorch's site), and it's worked OK for me (so far?).
One thing I wish I had realized before I started playing - going into the bootloader will reset your phone most (some?) (all?) of the time.
While I was flashing the ROM tonight I could see the GSM light flashing - I had the same "hope no one calls" feeling tht others must have had. Note that this was while I was flashing from an SD card in the bootloader - so apparently the process doesn't deactivate the phone while it's ongoing.

Muchas Gracias!
Ebswift, if ur a newbie then ur the god of the newbies. Thanks for all the help and for making me see the light. Much appreciated...

A quick Q:
Is the process for installing an .nbf file the same as that for installing an .nb1 file?
I have cooked a few ROMS to an .nb1 format and installed those OK, but now I have one in .nbf that I'd like to install.
So what I'd plan to do is put the nbf onto an SD card using XDArit, and then stick the card in the PPCPE and reboot to the loader. Is that it?

So what I'd plan to do is put the nbf onto an SD card using XDArit, and then stick the card in the PPCPE and reboot to the loader. Is that it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do it that way (onto the SD card), or if you're not already using a T-Mobile ROM you can use XDA Tools which is easier. Basically the capabilities are spelled out for you with the available file types in the drop downs when you select a source.

The KEY to the White Screen / Radio Upgrade / 1% Hang

I am writing this because the previous posts were very confusing to me and I think, made it seem more complicated than it needed to be. Probably because there are so many variables to this puzzle and it sucks having a potential $300 paper weight.
My apologies if step on anyones toes by reposting this. It seemed like a very pressing issue that A LOT of people are having.
It's not that big a deal, if you have the key.
The problem:
After an unsuccessful radio stack upgrade my XDA had the white screen. Then the unsuccessful upgrade due to the 1% problem.
The situation:
I purchased an unlocked T-mobile, upgraded to the ppcpe2003 4.00.05 off the Yorch site. I am using an AT&T sim card I was experiencing some dropped calls so I thought I would upgrade to the latest AT&T radio stack. I mistakenly ran the upgrade while connected to my Active Sync/cradle connection. Needless to say, the upgrade did not take and I had a dead XDA.
After reading various forum posts I decided to go back to my original t-mobile ROM, luckily, I had saved the nb1 file to my computer using the XDA developers latest tool. After using the bootloader to install from the sd card (holding the power button during a soft reset), I got the perenial white screen. during reboot I saw only the 3.56 (I think) with the radio version indicators coming up blank.
Without that original ROM file I don't think I could have pulled off this save.
Tools:
Hardware:
(1) SD reader
(1) SD Card
(1) Direct Power cable
(1) Syncing Cradle
Software:
1. Your original ROM (I think, it might work with an upgraded one)
2. Radio Stack Upgrade Files (monitor, RSUpgrade, etc.)
The Solution: (long version)
1. I had the White Screen of death.
2. through a series of soft resets, pressing the volume button ( read that in one of the forum posts) I finally got the Today screen to appear. During the boot process I still received empty radio stack info.
3. I had obtained the REPAIR files from this website and prepared those onto an SD card, which was in the unit. The xda immediately went into T-Mobile Upgrade process. I am not sure if the unit went into repair mode because of the sd card or because it was in the start up menu (read further for explaination). DO NOT OVERWRITE THE CARD!
4. the upgrade finally started its process and I got the 1% stoppage problem. After numerous trials and tribulations I was given the solution by MrDollyMaker from this forum.
!!!! THE KEY IS THE FACT THAT YOU CAN USE THE START MENU WHILE ITS IN 1% HANG !!!!
5. While the 1% hang is on the XDA, I clicked the start menu, and got into file explorer. I navigated to the /Windows/Start up/ menu on the device. I CUT/PASTED the T-mobile upgrade program into my documents (just to be safe). And soft reset the device. Sure enough, no upgrade.
6. I put the device into the Sync Cradle and performed a Guest Partnership. Using this partnership, I was able to Explore the device from my PC.
7. Using the PC, I copied the RSUpgrade files from the new AT&T radio Stack A.20.10 from my computer to the devices Windows directory: monitor_ul_bs.m0, monitor_ul_bs.map, RSUpgrade.cp64, RSUPgrade.exe
I tried to put these files on the storage card and do the compying in the device itself but I got an access error. It would not let me overwrite one of the monitor files. That's why the Sync connection to the PC is so critical.
8. I took the device off the Cradle and connected the Direct Power Cord and ran the new RSUpgrade.exe file from the device's Windows directory. Everything went swimmingly.
9. Next I re-ran the ppcpe2003 upgrade from Yorch, and I'm golden.
The Solution : simplified
Simplified Steps from White Screen:
1. get to the automatic upgrade screen by soft resetting / pressing volume button.
2. let it get to the 1% error.
3. use Start menu and file explorer and remove the upgrade from the windows start folder (I'm not sure this is required, but it worked).
4. soft reset the device and connect to sync cradle.
5. establish guest partnership.
6. copy your radio stack upgrade files to the devices Windows directory.
7. take device off cradle and connect direct power cord.
8. run RSUpgrade.exe
9. Upgrade PPC OS
Enjoy.
Comments:
- I AM NO EXPERT, just a guy with a newly fixed $300 ex-paperweight.
- You may not have to delete the Upgrade program in the startup menu. I think it makes things easier because you aren't dealing with the 1% error if your device never gets to that point.
- You may not have to go back to your original ROM
- This is my experience with my T-Mobile device purchased in the US. Your results may vary
remember the key: at the 1% error, your device is NOT LOCKED, you can use file explorer.
I would just like to thank everybody at XDA-developers, Yorch, and especially MrDollyMaker who gave me the key to unlock the puzzle.
I hope this helps simplify the matter.
Regards,
Matt
one happy guy...again.

Personally I think this one should get the sticky as it is so oftenly run into by new upgraders!
And not just because I came up with the menu function still working even with the 1% error death bit... 8)
And thanks, Matt for noting that. My instructions were given both from learning on here what to do (the RSU upgrade copying bit) and figuring out how to get past that damn 1% error bit when I forgot to copy one file over of the 4.

Something I found after testing out this method last night several times by causing a bad RSU install and getting the 1% screen of death....
As long as the ROM installed fine, don't re-install a new rom. Simply when you get the 1% error, go to the menu and get in to your file manager.
From there go to your Start folder inside the Windows folder. From there find the link to the RSUpgrade file and delete it. (Don't worry about deleting a file, this is just a link to it and we will re-install a good copy of this file)
Now, restart your PDA. It should return to your normal desktop but with no phone connection as the Radio Stack is not installed. From here, place it back on it's cradle/usb connection.
Just as stated above by Matt, you need a copy of the RSUpgade installation or a ROM upgrade insallation that includes the RSUpgrade. Unpack this, I used Winzip to do this. Find these files:
monitor_ul_bs.m0
monitor_ul_bs.map
RSUpgrade.cp64
RSUPgrade.exe
Now, using Activesync, explore to your Windows folder on your XDA and copy those files from your Computer to there. They must over write all the old files.
Disconnect from your PC and run the RSUPgrade.exe file from file manager. It worked 10 for 10 when I did it this way so it should work for you also.
The key is like Matt stated to remove the RSUPgrade.lnk file from the Start folder in Windows when you get the 1% death screen than manually copy these 4 files over. What I found was happening when you did the upgrade and got that 1% error, one or more of those 4 files corrupted or were not copied to your device. Once it has upgraded the rom, it seems to delete these files automatically also.
Goodluck and thanks for posting all of your experiance Matt. I'm quite sure it will help others A Lot!
MrDollyMaker

I only have two things to add:
1. RSUpgrade _fails_ much more often without SIM card inside the phone;
2. Your battery should be fully charged (100%) before you start the upgrade, since if it does fail, the battery will stop charging, and the next time you attempt to upgrade, you may not be able to get past 1%, even if you have power adapter plugged in. If you happen to have another XDA, you could swap batteries, or use an extended battery, if you have one.
Good luck...

lbazil said:
I only have two things to add:
1. RSUpgrade _fails_ much more often without SIM card inside the phone;
2. Your battery should be fully charged (100%) before you start the upgrade, since if it does fail, the battery will stop charging, and the next time you attempt to upgrade, you may not be able to get past 1%, even if you have power adapter plugged in. If you happen to have another XDA, you could swap batteries, or use an extended battery, if you have one.
Good luck...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:shock:
I never do the RSUpgrade with a sim in my phone.... Never failed unless I tried to do it with the EXE thing. But I do agree to make sure you have a full battery, but since it already is at the 1% error, you can charge it with the charger if you do not do anything when the error comes up. just let it sit and charge.
MrDollyMaker

Strange, because at some point I've had consistent failures at 13%, 16% or 21% until I put the SIM card in. Then it worked twice in a row. Maybe just a coincidence.
Also, are you sure the battery charges when the error message is up? The led stays off, and after a while the phone won't even turn on without external power.

Не помог способ с заменой батареи.
The way with replacement of the battery has not helped.

lbazil said:
Strange, because at some point I've had consistent failures at 13%, 16% or 21% until I put the SIM card in. Then it worked twice in a row. Maybe just a coincidence.
Also, are you sure the battery charges when the error message is up? The led stays off, and after a while the phone won't even turn on without external power.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, every time I plugged it in or sat it on the cradle(USB power modified as listed in this website) the LED turned yellow...
But as for the SIM, yeah, that needs to be in. I was thinking SD card. I never leave my SD card in but as for the SIM, that I never take out.
MrDollyMaker

I have same 1% flash error but no succes
Thank you guys for your effort.
I have followed all the instructions step by step and I still cannot flash the radio part. It's hanging at the 1% even the files required for flash are in the windows device folder.
I have tryed to charge the baterry from the special connector on the back cause it seems not charhing trough the normal connector but I am not sure how long and what should ne the final voltage.
Please advice what should I have to do before I declare my XDA a normal pocket PC( radio part is not working )
Thanks
Silciu C.

I am now in the same boat. I tried every step as per the instruction in this forum, but had no luck at all.'It seemed I also had more problems as I tried to flash the ROM and always got an ERROR message saying that the system could not determine the data connectivity type (this messsage was in the DOS black screen, wheneever you run the Programme A/ xdatools). However, I could back up the device and the Active sync seemed to be working fine ...
I hope someone could help us ...thanks a lot in advance..
cheers...

Re: I have same 1% flash error but no succes
codectelecom said:
Thank you guys for your effort.
I have followed all the instructions step by step and I still cannot flash the radio part. It's hanging at the 1% even the files required for flash are in the windows device folder.
I have tryed to charge the baterry from the special connector on the back cause it seems not charhing trough the normal connector but I am not sure how long and what should ne the final voltage.
Please advice what should I have to do before I declare my XDA a normal pocket PC( radio part is not working )
Thanks
Silciu C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, first thing you need to do is turn your unit on and let the 1% screen of death come on than stop and do not do anything!
Next click in the upper left corner where the menu comes down. It will still drop down. Find your File Explorer program and launch it.
Now, browse over the the Startup folder located in your Windows folder. Inside the startup folder you should find some file refering to install or upgrade like "RSUgrade.lnk" or something like that. DELETE IT. Now let your unit reboot.
Now it should return to your normal desktop. go in and find those 4 files that caused all this hell and delete them. They are as follows:
monitor_ul_bs.m0
monitor_ul_bs.map
RSUpgrade.cp64
RSUpgrade.exe
Now that you have deleted those files, just to make sure they are cleared from memory restart the unit again.
Download a good copy of a radiostack that works with your location from yorch.net. If you wish to get the latest one, I would suggest that unless you are with T-Mobile, stay clear of it. You can also extract these 4 files from an upgrade patch file from your provider using WinZip.
Once you have a good copy of those 4 files copy them directly from your PC to your unit through active sink and into your Windows directory.
Restart your unit to clear any programs out, plug the unit in to your ac charger (not the cradle and not connected to your pc) than using File Explorer locate RSUpgrade.exe and run it. This will restart you unit but should have no problems upgrading your unit.
If you prefer, after you get it back to desktop, stop and charge it than copy the files over.
MrDollyMaker

andhy said:
I am now in the same boat. I tried every step as per the instruction in this forum, but had no luck at all.'It seemed I also had more problems as I tried to flash the ROM and always got an ERROR message saying that the system could not determine the data connectivity type (this messsage was in the DOS black screen, wheneever you run the Programme A/ xdatools). However, I could back up the device and the Active sync seemed to be working fine ...
I hope someone could help us ...thanks a lot in advance..
cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safest way to upgrade the ROM is using the SD card method. It is more reliable and doesn't get Errors caused by activesync.
MrDollyMaker

MrDollyMaker:
SD method has not worked for me so far...
I am not able to patch 5.17 nor downgrade to 5.15.
I used xdarit and osimagetool to write to the SD card without any luck.
Could please share some light in this matter?
Cheers...

andhy said:
MrDollyMaker:
SD method has not worked for me so far...
I am not able to patch 5.17 nor downgrade to 5.15.
I used xdarit and osimagetool to write to the SD card without any luck.
Could please share some light in this matter?
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried using the OS Image Tool to write directly to the ROM?
Also, when you used XDArit, did you select that it was 5.16+ image you were writing? (when you used/didn't use the patch)
MrDollyMaker

MrDollyMaker:
Thanks again.
Yes, I selected the 5.15 ROM image to write to the SD card.
The OSImage file only accepted nb1/ nbf file types. I was not able to write the wallaby patch tool nb2 file nor wallaby 5.15 ROM image nb0 file through Osimagetool.
As you might remember, I always got an ERROR message about activesync connection whenever I tried to flash directly to the device ROM.
The first step I believed is to patch the 5.17 then either downgrade to 5.15 or go straight with the nk.nbf flash.
Is this correct?

1% ERROR PERSIST
lbazil said:
I only have two things to add:
1. RSUpgrade _fails_ much more often without SIM card inside the phone;
2. Your battery should be fully charged (100%) before you start the upgrade, since if it does fail, the battery will stop charging, and the next time you attempt to upgrade, you may not be able to get past 1%, even if you have power adapter plugged in. If you happen to have another XDA, you could swap batteries, or use an extended battery, if you have one.
Good luck...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in situation that I still have the 1% error even I have followed all the instructions from the forum.
The power led is not lightning and I can confirm that is not charging the batery. I have tryed to charge the battery using the special hole from behind but still no success.
Do you have an oppinion?
Thanks in advance,
Silviu C.

Re: 1% ERROR PERSIST
codectelecom said:
I am in situation that I still have the 1% error even I have followed all the instructions from the forum.
The power led is not lightning and I can confirm that is not charging the batery. I have tryed to charge the battery using the special hole from behind but still no success.
Do you have an oppinion?
Thanks in advance,
Silviu C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One question..... What "special" hole are you talking about?
MrDollyMaker

andhy said:
MrDollyMaker:
Thanks again.
Yes, I selected the 5.15 ROM image to write to the SD card.
The OSImage file only accepted nb1/ nbf file types. I was not able to write the wallaby patch tool nb2 file nor wallaby 5.15 ROM image nb0 file through Osimagetool.
As you might remember, I always got an ERROR message about activesync connection whenever I tried to flash directly to the device ROM.
The first step I believed is to patch the 5.17 then either downgrade to 5.15 or go straight with the nk.nbf flash.
Is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, since you have a 5.17 BootLoader, you can't use the 5.15 image write. You have to use the 5.16+ due to it is coded differently. When you write the SD card, include the patch for the 5.17 BootLoader as well with the rom so it can bypass the security feature.
MrDollyMaker

T-Mobile/MDA/O2/yadda yadda....
You know, I feel like I should be getting paid for all this advice! 8)
(J/K!)
MrDollyMaker

thanks for the advice again.
I am getting confused, really. Just repeated the same thing over again and again the past 3 days and suddenly I managed to patch the 5.17 for the second time (after over 50 tries). THis time I kept the SD with the patch tool and got another SD card to try to write 5.15 in it. After 4 hours, I managed to got it written then eventually downgraded the wallaby to 5.15. Now, the challange is the device is stuck in the wallaby screen everytime we turned it on. I had about 10 different ROMs originals as well as cooked ones from the kitchen, but had not been able to "write" one in the SD card. I used all OS image tool as well as xdarit, without any luck. the device wont recognized the ROM in the SD. I think the Wallaby 5.15 is working fine as I tested with the other SD card with the patch tool in it, the device still recognized the card as a diagnostic card.
I cant think of any mistake that I might have made in the procedure as I had (I think) followed every step of the procedures and had read different postings over and over again. :?