Database Users

What can a newbie do?

Hi all, another noob!
I've done a few searches to no avail so a simple question with lots of possible answers I'm sure:
As I have just received my O2 XDA Orbit, what, if anything, would the Moderators/Admin guys recommend I do to improve the performance of my Orbit (not that I am aware of any limits so far) or what essential bits of software should I have? Please be aware that my knowledge of computers, PDA's and all this other techno-wizardry could be written on the back of a nano-bot in large font, so please, it will have to be kept to a very very simple level.
If I am too dumb to be able to do anything other than enjoy what I have, please feel free to say so!

Garneth said:
Hi all, another noob!
I've done a few searches to no avail so a simple question with lots of possible answers I'm sure:
As I have just received my O2 XDA Orbit, what, if anything, would the Moderators/Admin guys recommend I do to improve the performance of my Orbit (not that I am aware of any limits so far) or what essential bits of software should I have? Please be aware that my knowledge of computers, PDA's and all this other techno-wizardry could be written on the back of a nano-bot in large font, so please, it will have to be kept to a very very simple level.
If I am too dumb to be able to do anything other than enjoy what I have, please feel free to say so!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try reading the wiki - or using the search button for a start.....
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Artemis
But U guess that being a noob you have the honour of asking 1 silly question!!!
Enjoy the forums.

chandlercjh said:
You could try reading the wiki - or using the search button for a start.....
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Artemis
But U guess that being a noob you have the honour of asking 1 silly question!!!
Enjoy the forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see, one stupid question and I get access to something I wouldn't have known to look for. Now all I have to do is understand wtf it's all about. Never heard of a wiki before so I'm not sure what to do about that. That link looks great, but again I have no idea how to utilise it.
Sometimes, some of you guys forget just how difficult it is for noobs to this game!
Thanks though.

Since you are not looking for anything particular, using the search would be useless - the wiki is good but has many information for advanced noobies so why don't you start with reading all the threads that you find to be interesting.
I'd recommend you to go to pocketpcmag.com and check out the "best sites" section and start reading about pdas in general, download some apps and get to know Windows Mobile. Try your first registry hack or simply take a look inside to find out how it funtions.
When you have managed this (could take a month or more) then pick a ROM and flash it to your device. Before you do this be sure to do use the USPL patch and make sure you are doing everthing right BEFORE you do it! When your device is "bricked" you probably need help from somebody in the forum. It's better to have a working backup plan before you try that.
I think Meschle's ROM is a good start if you ever wanna try because he included the USPL patch to be sure that uploading his ROM doesn't mess with your pda.
Have fun using this great pda!

Registerme said:
Since you are not looking for anything particular, using the search would be useless - the wiki is good but has many information for advanced noobies so why don't you start with reading all the threads that you find to be interesting.
I'd recommend you to go to pocketpcmag.com and check out the "best sites" section and start reading about pdas in general, download some apps and get to know Windows Mobile. Try your first registry hack or simply take a look inside to find out how it funtions.
When you have managed this (could take a month or more) then pick a ROM and flash it to your device. Before you do this be sure to do use the USPL patch and make sure you are doing everthing right BEFORE you do it! When your device is "bricked" you probably need help from somebody in the forum. It's better to have a working backup plan before you try that.
I think Meschle's ROM is a good start if you ever wanna try because he included the USPL patch to be sure that uploading his ROM doesn't mess with your pda.
Have fun using this great pda!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that...things do start to become clearer. I will check out that web site and I think I now realise that this site is more for advanced users than complete newbies like me...sorry!
I will try a registy hack (once I find out how to do it... )
Thanks for your reply! <beer>

Where to start?

Hi all,
I inherited an old Orange SPV m500, and found this forum while searching for a way to unlock it from Orange. It worked and was very helpful, so you have my thanks for that!
Then I see all this skinning business and I would love to customise the phone a bit more; there's several things I'd like to do including installing a bigger dialler, a better 'homepage', etc, etc. So I went ahead and installed what seemed to be the latest ROM I could use (the WWE_O3 Cottula rom, which is the last one with a working camera from the looks of it - I need the camera). That's all fine and dandy and worked nicely (although it often tells me I've just inserted a memory card when I haven't).
However, all this extra software is an absolute mystery. It's all circular references which isn't helped by the lack of clear English (no offence, I know it's not everybody's mother tongue). I simply can't seem to find a start point that explains what software does what, how to install it, etc. All the threads seem to assume that you already know the software and what it does. Even the 'wiki' for the magician is limited to descriptions of upgrading the ROM. JMLToday Touchflo Manilla 3d 2d etc. etc.
I don't have a very modern device, so I don't expect to be able to install all of the latest whizzbangs on it, and to be honest I don't need a huge bundle of features, but I'd love to make my phone easier and faster to use and I know you guys have put huge effort into software to do just that. I just can't figure out what I need or how to go about getting it.
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the forum xobby. First of all xda-developers is mainly a technical forum to help in upgrading and tweaking your device. There may be threads involving applications but , like you said, it's not very organized. So the first thing you have to do is use the search function to look for what you are looking for. If you can't find anything then you might ask nicely from the members in the forum for help. If you are looking for specific applications then there are other sites that is more suited for searching for applications.
I would suggest that you do a general search of the internet for programs, skins, etc that you would like to install in your unit and where to download them. It requires a lot of searching and looking I know but that is just the way it is.
Good luck!
By the way. Since you upgraded to WM6.1 by Cotulla, you will have no problem installing almost all of the newest applications available for windows mobile the same as those for the newer more expensive phones.

ferdiebaq said:
Welcome to the forum xobby. First of all xda-developers is mainly a technical forum to help in upgrading and tweaking your device. There may be threads involving applications but , like you said, it's not very organized. So the first thing you have to do is use the search function to look for what you are looking for. If you can't find anything then you might ask nicely from the members in the forum for help. If you are looking for specific applications then there are other sites that is more suited for searching for applications.
I would suggest that you do a general search of the internet for programs, skins, etc that you would like to install in your unit and where to download them. It requires a lot of searching and looking I know but that is just the way it is.
Good luck!
By the way. Since you upgraded to WM6.1 by Cotulla, you will have no problem installing almost all of the newest applications available for windows mobile the same as those for the newer more expensive phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the advice!

ROM Questions

Hi There!
I am trying to decipher the massive amount of information about all the ROMS available, but I am confused.
I know I need to update my Radio, and I'll likely just grab the latest and see how it does. I know I need HSPL so I'll grab that and do that first.
There are SOOO many ROMS around, but I am struggling to correlate which OS versions are 6.5.5 (I presume this is the most preferable one) over 6.5.3 which is what I think is what ships with the device? Some ROMs say 6.5.x which I am not sure how to interpret?
Are there some newbie guidelines to particular modders being known for certain things? I don't care about twitter, facebook, or any other social networking crap, but I do want excellent call quality, blisteringly fast, and a good web browser.. I like things that make the phone more usable, such as the 4 column start menu, more accessible unlock screens etc (would be nice if the unlock part was middle of the screen), 1% battery life etc customizations.. I dislike the clock adjusting every time I unlock the phone and I know I can fix that with a cab, but are some roms shipping with these fixes?
Sorry I know some of these questions may have been answered in the other posts but there are so many and it's hard to correlate. I did read the FAQ.
With my thanks for any information anyone is prepared to supply...
Big on my list is anything that makes the keyboard faster to input text for and I prefer horizontal qwerty over the default portrait which I can't seem to input quickly for.
Anyone able to personally recommend something that meets some or all of these needs?

WinMo 6.5 ships with the HD2 from factory, WinMo 6.5.x is the latest release of WinMo which is on the HTC HD Mini. It has the start button at the bottom and large buttons for the 2 softkeys (which personally I think look terrible).
6.5.x is usually put as it's either or - don't worry about it.
Best thing is to just try some ROMs (if you're sure the stock ROM doesn't do what you want it to do). All the features you've said you want aren't in the original shipped ROMs hence why they are only in shipped ROMs (although you can just CAB a stock ROM to do most of what you asked).
If you want a FAST ROM then I'd say have a look at the one in my signature - CleanEx. It's pretty much stock but has performance tweaks you've mentioned and most of the 'crapware' removed from it so you have tonnes of memory left to install your own apps.
Welcome to the forum and make sure you understand what you're doing (and what to do should it go wrong) before you take the dive into cooked ROMs

Anyone else have any other ROMS to recommend or any other comments to make?

Hi Networkn,
Am afraid no one is going to recommend a rom for several reasons:
1) At the end of the day the rom that works best is the one that suits the initial criteria you set out or which comes closest to that criteria, i.e its a personal choice
2) We have clamped down on "Best ROM" threads like this one because of all the firestorms that they have raised on here and point 1 above.
My advice to you is to sit down with a simple spreadsheet, list what you are looking for in a rom then visit each rom on here in turn (you probably only have to read the first 2 posts of each) and map out what they offer on your sheet.
From that decide what comes closest, read that thread thoroughly, understand what you are doing and go for it.
Hope this helps a little. PM me if you need more help and I will see what I can do.
For now this is being closed.
ATB
WB

I'm new to this

well I'm to this l and i was just wondering a couple things like what is a ROM and how do i get the new windows mobile 7 theme stright on my htc hd2 or how do i get the games for my ps1 games stright on my phone without hooking it up to a computer .

Play station info:
I went into the Apps part of this forum and searched for PSX
I would suggest you read the sticky threads at the top of each section on this forum it will tell you lots.
Good luck

curtismeulen said:
well I'm to this l and i was just wondering a couple things like what is a ROM and how do i get the new windows mobile 7 theme stright on my htc hd2 or how do i get the games for my ps1 games stright on my phone without hooking it up to a computer .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about using the search function, looking at the stickys and using Google to find the answers to your questions? It gets a bit redundant replying to the same questions from lazy people that cannot be bothered to invest some time into the forum.

If you don't want to answer the question then perhaps you should save your time even more and not reply? I'm no stranger to forums, but I do find this one particularly hard to follow/read/search.
From what I understand of how search engines work (for example Google's pagerank system) the search results would be dramatically improved if people posted links to relevant pages. This would also be a much better use of time than repeatedly having a go at new visitors for not searching. The more places that point to the answers, the easier it is to find them.
Some people are also happy to reply, because they know the answer straight away and it will take 60 seconds to reply. I don't see that it hurts to ask, in the hope that it will avoid 30 minutes of searching, which of course, is probably going on at the same time. If you are looking for something, do you not ask around whist you look yourself?
Anyway, more constructively back to the original question... @curtismeulen
Basically the ROM is the operating system that your phone runs on. You can install apps on to your phone (which mostly come in .CAB files) and most ROM come with a load of apps preinstalled.
HTC make the standard ROM for the HD2, but also phone companies (O2, T-mobile, etc) make slightly customised versions for the phones they sell themselves, - for e.g. adding/removing particular apps, or a special startup screen or background image, etc. If you have one of these kind of ROMs then you can't install the HTC one without running special programs.
The third kind of ROMs are 'custom ROMs' made by experts who want to always have the cutting edge software, have the phoen set up exactly as they prefer and to improve on what HTC do. Again special programs are required to install these, and always when you install a new ROM there's the risk of something going wrong and your phone not working any more.
Here's some links to useful info:
The HD2/Leo page on this sites wiki:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Leo
a list of ROMs for the HD2 (though it's not quite up to date):
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Leo/ROMs
Stuff about installing different ROMs:
Changing "official ROMs" from one to another: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591314
Installing any ROM you like: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=606713
Personally I use this ROM:
Artemis HD2 ROM Family Ver 15.5: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=612580
The instructions there are also quite useful to give you an idea of the differences between ROMs, etc.

mpaxton said:
If you don't want to answer the question then perhaps you should save your time even more and not reply? I'm no stranger to forums, but I do find this one particularly hard to follow/read/search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be obtuse, the stickys tell you everything you need to know with regards to ROMs and ROM flashing. Google search 'ps1 emulator for windows mobile' and FPSEce and a number of other emulators are listed in the first link.
It probably took him longer to register to ask the question than it would have done to research it for himself.

I dont undertstand why people get so offensive, i thought forums like these were made to help people with questions, even noobs?

nirvanafreak919 said:
I dont undertstand why people get so offensive, i thought forums like these were made to help people with questions, even noobs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, this forum is call xda "DEVELOPERS".... name clearly means it's full of developers.... not really a place for newbies. There are plenty of help forums out there. This forum is for the advanced user who wants to learn to hack and help develop. I didn't even post for the first year or 2 that I was a member... not until I felt comfortable with my knowledge. I used other help forums that are meant for newbie questions and just watched and learned from this forum.

Help form
For friendly site try htchd2forum.com They are great, but as stated, this is dev site, theirs is help site, big difference,, good luck

mpaxton said:
Anyway, more constructively back to the original question... @curtismeulen
Basically the ROM is the operating system that your phone runs on. You can install apps on to your phone (which mostly come in .CAB files) and most ROM come with a load of apps preinstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually ROM is Read Only Memory
It has come to be used as short form for the coded OS that is used in the ROM and that specifically is the "ROM image" of the OS in use.
So any cooked (or otherwise) "ROM" we are talking about is not the same as the "ROM" within the device.

...and even though it's called read only memory, it can still be written to, otherwise we'd not be able to install different kinds of operating system, etc. So to me it's an arbitrary set of letters used to describe something that's vaguely relevant to the original usage of them!

mpaxton said:
...and even though it's called read only memory, it can still be written to, otherwise we'd not be able to install different kinds of operating system, etc. So to me it's an arbitrary set of letters used to describe something that's vaguely relevant to the original usage of them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't install anything to the ROM.
ROMs are flashable, which is different to installing things to. OSs are flashed, not installed, to devices.
The internal memory part of the device is different to the ROM, it is an 'open' writable section. It may well be on the same memory chip, but is different in terms of usage available to it.

mpaxton said:
...and even though it's called read only memory, it can still be written to, otherwise we'd not be able to install different kinds of operating system, etc. So to me it's an arbitrary set of letters used to describe something that's vaguely relevant to the original usage of them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And as a follow on from rp-x1 and also as a quick history lesson to you "youngsters" the correct term is actually "EPROM" chips (Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory) and when they were first used you couldn't write to them unless you had the appropriate equipment and that included UV "fixing ovens"!!!!!!
So, it's not an arbitrary set of letters, but, more a corruption of a very precise acronym which is now used in completely the wrong way.

[Q] How to Install WM7

Hello there
I am new here, I have HTC hd2 with Andriod Nand installed on it, Can some one please guide me how i can install WM7 on it, whats are steps to followed
Thanks

+1 I've read somewhere that there was an Windows Phone 7 ROM for HD2 and was linked to this thread. But there was several faults, like making the SDcard useless, no why to save anything because of no storage and other things.
So I wanted to check out this forum to see if any new Beta2 had been made, but its just a chaos of threads and versions. Trying to read through the first sticky thread, but it links to a ton of other threads and no one mentions a second release/ BETA2 for the WP7 Mango ROM.
Am not the only one given up on these forums, so is it possible to make one stickythread with the latest ROM-update, with a guide to install, the faults in the ROM ++?
EDIT:
Realised I might be in the wrong forum, and should have gone to the Q&A and general one. But even though thats a more general thread explaning alot more, it doesnt give a good guide to what you need to know, do, and fix. Am used to Windows Mobile 6.5 and do not know anything about activation, app store, updates and stuff like that.

Are you guys really serious? Is it indeed too difficult to read through some threads? Those which offer ROMs usually are titled exactly using this title...
Also, inside those threads, you´ll find short tutorials how to install a WP7 ROM on your HD2 - some flashing experience will definitely be helpful.
WP7 does not destroy your SD card, it formats it WP7-specific; if you later want to use Android or Windows Mobile, just re-format the card with SD formatter software (which is a free app).
Before you start, 3 key things:
- HSPL 2.08 must be on your device
- Radio ROM 2.15 must be on your device
- MAGLDR 1.13 must be on your device
The january/february ROMs are the very first ones, the may/june ROMs are the latest official WP7 build (called "NoDo"), there is even a brand new "beta" ROM with the upcoming "Mango" build (not yet available officially from MS).
All "NoDo" custom ROMs are jailbroken. If you want to use Live services and/or Marketplace, you need an activation code from MS. You´ll find tons of threads on how to get that code (it takes just a few minutes). For starters, maybe its best to select a ROM with WP7 build 7392 (NoDo), those run nicely.
However, if all this is too much for you, I think it might be better if you don´t flash your devices.

Hello TICTAC
I have a question to you.You have made some awesome looking Clocks for WiMob.Big thanks for that.But,is there any possibility to make something in this way for WP7?In the look of Lumetec.That was my favorit clock.
Or is this to complicated to make?

quentin.0160 said:
Hello TICTAC
I have a question to you.You have made some awesome looking Clocks for WiMob.Big thanks for that.But,is there any possibility to make something in this way for WP7?In the look of Lumetec.That was my favorit clock.
Or is this to complicated to make?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is, the clock would have to be an app, not just a widget like for CHT (or even a part of the CHT home screen). I read somewhere that a tile would not work, it would consume too much energy.
There are actually a few analog clock apps in the marketplace, maybe one of the makers of those would agree doing something with my graphics. I´ll have to check this, since I move to WP7 with my HD2 now, too (got navigation running, finally).

Yeah WP7 rocks.
Thats a pity that we have no good lookin clocks for WP7.
What woul it be to make a livetile like HTC Hub or something,but in the look of your Lumetec Flip Clock.
The other clocks that you´ve ment are like APPS,like night stand or smt.

What and absolutely ridiculous question to ask when there is an abundance of info and guides on how to install WP7.
Also this is the wrong place to post questions anyway, This is the dev section not the n00b help desk, If you want to ask question do it in the Q&A forum.
The 10 post rule is bloody useless, It really needs to be 100 to make any real difference, It would stop 99% of these silly topics instantly.

MAGLDR has a SD format option incase peoples SD cards stop working properly. Also, anyone calling Windows Phone 7 "WM7" shouldn't install it as they clearly not paying attention.

Before you guys go piling up on this dude, I have to actually agree with him!
This is the 4th type of Windows phone I have had, and thus, the 4th forum I have been on this site. I am telling you guys right now, this is also the POOREST information about flashing a device I have seen on this site.
I mean, I am not clear if I have to install WM7 on my micro SD card? I have a LOT of experience flashing other Windows phone, yet, I have read, and re-read the "How to" for WM7, and I still am not clear about the proper steps.
Sorry guys, but simply, the information is NOT very clear. I certainly appreciate those that are putting in the time to develop the ROM's, and to write tutorials, etc... I really do! YOU GUYS ROCK!!! BUT......I think those of you who are writing the FAQ and what not need to take a step back and re-read your work and consider: "Would a guy who knows nothing about flashing his phone be able to follow this". Easily, you should come to the conclusion that it is not that easy to follow, simply by the fact that a few WITH flashing experience are complaining that they are not clear about the info.
With regards..............

I too find it difficult at times, could do with a simple wiki with basic flashing and rom guides, maybe just the top 5 roms.
I've also been messing around with computers, satellite boxes and phones for 30 years now....i know a bit, but not a lot....

Hello, I will ask my question here, it's regarding installation of jailbroken rom... I installed NoDo rom, and I couldn't get activation over email, is it possible to install apps without activation? my main apps would be Facebook and some app for Flickr, don't need anything else...

sonusman said:
Before you guys go piling up on this dude, I have to actually agree with him!
This is the 4th type of Windows phone I have had, and thus, the 4th forum I have been on this site. I am telling you guys right now, this is also the POOREST information about flashing a device I have seen on this site.
I mean, I am not clear if I have to install WM7 on my micro SD card? I have a LOT of experience flashing other Windows phone, yet, I have read, and re-read the "How to" for WM7, and I still am not clear about the proper steps.
Sorry guys, but simply, the information is NOT very clear. I certainly appreciate those that are putting in the time to develop the ROM's, and to write tutorials, etc... I really do! YOU GUYS ROCK!!! BUT......I think those of you who are writing the FAQ and what not need to take a step back and re-read your work and consider: "Would a guy who knows nothing about flashing his phone be able to follow this". Easily, you should come to the conclusion that it is not that easy to follow, simply by the fact that a few WITH flashing experience are complaining that they are not clear about the info.
With regards..............
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for starters you will have a hard job installing "WM7" because it doesn't exist. So that shows how much reading you have done.
There is plenty of info on how to flash WP7, I find it absolutely amazing that you are finding it hard to flash it.
You simply load magldr, select usb flasher and then load your DFT flasher up that you downloaded and flash. If you dont know how to install magldr then you should go to the magldr thread.
And FYI , WP7 goes onto NAND.

Well.......you can lead a horse to water.....

lol
setup.exe---> next--->next---> yes----> ok
copy and paste crack

sonusman said:
Before you guys go piling up on this dude, I have to actually agree with him!
This is the 4th type of Windows phone I have had, and thus, the 4th forum I have been on this site. I am telling you guys right now, this is also the POOREST information about flashing a device I have seen on this site.
I mean, I am not clear if I have to install WM7 on my micro SD card? I have a LOT of experience flashing other Windows phone, yet, I have read, and re-read the "How to" for WM7, and I still am not clear about the proper steps.
Sorry guys, but simply, the information is NOT very clear. I certainly appreciate those that are putting in the time to develop the ROM's, and to write tutorials, etc... I really do! YOU GUYS ROCK!!! BUT......I think those of you who are writing the FAQ and what not need to take a step back and re-read your work and consider: "Would a guy who knows nothing about flashing his phone be able to follow this". Easily, you should come to the conclusion that it is not that easy to follow, simply by the fact that a few WITH flashing experience are complaining that they are not clear about the info.
With regards..............
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, i dont think they care. If they have gone into the effort of developing it, which isnt easy, i think they would at least expect you to do a little work, rather than them spending another few hours writting a tutorial for noobs!
I found it very easy, all i did was type in google 'wp7 and hd2' and i got a youtube video easily explaining it!! If you really want to know, you will find out.
Dev teams rely on the community, other people helping others, such as those on youtube.
You clearly havent even looked into it, otherwise you would have picked up that its WP7 and not WM7, may be trivial, but it shows that you havent really searched because entering this into any search engine and it would almost correct you!

Noob to Noob
Try here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1021837
and here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=971478&highlight=install+Windows+Phone+HTC+HD2
Hope this helps