Database Users

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.

ROM upgrade - how to create your own rom-questions ???

hi i have been looking through this formu but cannot really find what i am after. sorry in advance but if it was covered in other threads please give links.
i would like to upgrade my rom (current i am using pre-installed tmobile mda pro rom) to something batter. the problem is there is so many things in this forum that makes me conufused.
Is it possible (probably it is- but how) to upgrade my ROM by creating my own ROM eg take the best radio rom and extended rom with the stuff i want eg some application i am using right now - instead of normal keyboard get resco keyboard and instead of file explorer get resco explorer and so on and on and put them to the extended rom .
is there any soft to do it ? can someone provide me with links where i can find out something more about ROM cos wiki isnt really helpful and seems to be out of date.
any help wanted !
cheers, cudo
ps. or put tomtom to the extRom...rom that would feauture all the good stuff.

what a pity nobady is willing to help me..maybe u vac just point me to some accurate threads within this forum, if ther are some.
cheers, cudo

To put another Radio ROM in is trivial.
Take out the other two (ExtROM and OS) ROM images and just flash in the Radio file. I did this and didn't even need a hard reset.
To put TomTom into your ExtROM is easy too.
Once you have done your hard reset with your new ROM images and the ExtROM has loaded, you have 10MB of space that you can reclaim. There are instructions at the top of this forum for unlocking the ExtROM and making it appear as another memory area.
Please use backup software regularly so that you don't have to reflash the unit until the next OS upgrade.
Creating a ROM image is more hard work, and I don't know for sure that all the information is accurate. This is only my understanding of the process.
Install the programs that you want in your ROM to your PDA and make a note of the locations of all files and registry entries that are installed.
Take a recent ROM image and unpack it to your desktop.
Delete the programs that you don't want to install, and then search through the hives for the entries that relate to those programs. Delete those too.
Put the files and registry entries of the programs you are putting into your ROM into their post-installed locations.
Rebuild the ROM image.
Flash it in.
Hopefully this won't break your PDA if you get it wrong, I'm guessing that this is very much a trial and error process.
I haven't tried this.
Use this information at your own risk, it could break your PDA.

how do i separate the rom images from each other..i mean radio, os and extended roms ? when i unzip the UNI_TMUK_130114_130232_11003_WWE_BL101_Ship i am getting loads of files but cannot see the right ones.
cheers, cudo

Dopod C858 WM 6.0 English ROM or CID Unlock

I have a Dopod C858 that is from China. It currently has the Chinese version of Windows Mobile 5.0 and I am looking for an English upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.0. I tried using the RUU for the HTC P4350 but it came up as a Model ID Error and I couldn't continue. I tried doing a CID Unlock using IMEI check but they don't support the Dopod C858. Does anyone have any ideas? Oh and one more thing. Currently, the Comm Manager on my Dopod does not have the WiFi option. I noticed after I did a hard reset that when it was loading the .cab for Comm Manager, it displayed something like no_wifi.cab. Did Dopod Asia purposely disable Wifi?
EDIT: I contacted IMEI Check and they helped me out by enabling my IMEI. My device is now supposedly "CID Unlocked."

QQ group 33128089

Any luck with finding this via QQ? I have the same need...

Here is what I did: I CID Unlocked my phone using IMEI Check and downloaded the DOPOD Rom file located here. After that follow these directions and you should have an english rom:
Tools you need:
==============- HexWorkshop from here
- the ROM of your choice
- Winzip or Winrar
- a valid UNL file for YOUR phone
Preparation:
===========a) install HexWorkshop and Winzip or Winrar on your pc
b) in explorer on pc, RIGHT click on the ROM of your choice and use:
"Extract files to folder ..." from conext menu Now it will unpack all
the
files
c) in the new folder you will have ONE file like "HRUU_signed.NBH"
(*.NBH)
RIGHT click on the .NBH file and use: "Hex Edit with Hex Workshop" from
context menu
d) You'll see on the 5th row HERA10000
==!!! make it HERA***** (5 stars) and save the file
e) Now RIGHT click on ROMUpdateUtility.exe and use: "Hex Edit with Hex
Workshop" from conext menu
Search for text "BsaD5SeoA" (without quotes, case sensitive)
OVERWRITE "BsaD5SeoA" with "IMEICHECK" (without quotes) and save the
file
ROM-Update:
==========
1) take SIM card and SD card OUT of the phone
2) Connect the phone running windows ce to the pc (normal way).
3) Completely Unlock your phone using our unlocker **
4) After phone is unlocked run unlocker (again) BUT when the unlocker
ask
for UNL file, remove the USB cable from the phone THEN press "Cancel"
on the
unlocker select file window (unlocker will close on PC). NOTE: The
screen on
the device will not show something usefull when in this mode. Most
probably
it is complete WHITE. !!THIS IS NORMAL!! Don't touch phone, let it like
it
is!
5) After you closed the unlocker, attach usb cable again (phone has
still
white screen)
6) start (the modified) ROMUpdateUtility.exe
7) when update finished and device started you will get a message:
"Data Crashed, contact service provider" (-*!NO PANIC!*-)
==Simply fix this problem by running the unlocker again and this time
select the key file normal way (full unlock process again).
The only problem is that the ROM is WM5 and there is still no Wifi.
Credit goes out to the IMEI-Check Team who provided me with the instructions!

Great, thanks for the info.
One question -- can you use the steps outlined to upgrade to WM6?
I was able to install WM6 before, using "aserg way", but the radio didn't work b/c the radio rom was not updated as part of the flashing process.
The way I understand it, if I can unlock my device and use the process you listed, I should be able to use a RRU which has an updated radio rom. After that, I should be able to sucessfully update to wm6.
What do u think?

I tried flashing a couple of WM6 roms but both of them didn't work. One stopped at 2% (Invalid Model ID) and the other one gave me an "Invalid Command." I currently have radio version 2.71.90, do you think it will work with WM6? If so, can u provide me with instructions on how to flash to WM6 using the aserg method?

Last time I tried upgrading to WM6, I found a cooked rom posted on this forum, and used 'aserg's' method to update it w/o updating the radio rom.
The method basically involves using a tool called 'awizard' along with a few other small utilities. The instructions should be easy to find on the forum here, let me know if you can't find them.
But before you do that, verify your radio is up to date. There is a minimum radio version you need to have (a search for radio rom on the windows mobile 6 forum should turn it up) before you can fully use a wm6 rom. The only known way to update the radio rom is to install an RRU package (which it seems like you've been able to do).
Currently, I'm waiting for my purchase & id to be validated with IMEI check.
Once that's done, I'll start with the steps you listed and try to get my radio rom up to date. After that, I'll select a rom, and do whatever it takes to get the rom installed.
I'll record all the steps I take as I do it, and post my results.
Don't worry -- I won't waste any time here, I've been waiting to update my device for a long time.

i'll be waiting right here. good luck!

oh and another thing, i am currently using this rom (ROM ver. 1.8.405.1). it gives you radio version 2.71.90.

It appears we need to find an RRU which includes a radio rom of 2.79 or higher.
We both currently have radio roms at 2.71.90, which is not good good enough for WM6.

I'm guessing we could use one of the posted upgrades (look in list of available official shipped rom's) and upgrade, even if we can't find one in english.
Afterwards we should be able to upgrade to wm6 of the appropriate langauge.

i read somewhere that one of the german ones has an updated radio rom. would you be volunteering to try first?

Yah, I found a few RRU's which contain a 2.79 version of the radio. I still need to wait for IMEI to verify me before I can continue with the process though.
btw... what time zone are you in? (I also bought my device in China, I live in Shanghai right now)

i'm in shanghai right now too!

i'm wondering if you can answer this for me. i don't know why some roms work and others don't. I currently have ROM version 1.8.405.1 WWE. Before that I successfully installed ROM version 1.7.707.3. I tried to install 5.4.405.1 but that didn't work. Am I supposed to install the updates in order of their release?

The order shouldn't matter. But, now I'm concerned -- because 5.4.405.1..etc is precisely the way to upgrdade to wm6 (since it has the 2.79 radio rom).
How did that update fail? Did you try updating after first unlocking your phone, or did your failure happen before you unlocked?

it gives me this after i try to upgrade: ERROR [300] : INVALID UPDATE TOOL

I've tried the steps you outlined above against several different roms... I get "invalid command" at 2% every time.
How frustrating... I'm guessing the steps IMEIcheck provided to update the 'updater' don't work with roms newer than a certain version.
Can you ask your contact there if they can provide updated steps which work with newer roms?

Seriously... i just paid like 40 bucks to unlock my phone.
I was _already_ running an english rom after flashing using aserg's way (an older htc wwe release), so I'm failing to see any advantage to having cid unlocked my phone.
I don't want to give up... I've already spent contless hours trying to figure out how to get past every minor error...

i'm in the same boat as you dude. this rom worked for me, but again, its version 1.8.405.1. None of the newer ones work. I just emailed my contact and i guess we can only wait and see what he can come up with. Another thing, have you enabled wifi on your device? I have a wifi button on my Comm Manager but when I tap it it tries to launch but then nothing happens. I read about a registry edit to fix this but my registry was different.

Can't seem to install anything on ATT Pure...

I can sync and copy files like several of the cabs from this site to the phone Storage card or My Documents in the phone and when I try and run any of them I always get an Unsuccessful .
is the ATT Pure Application locked? I did notice that all the applications I am running are not digitally signed or signed by a trusted provider and the phone complains and ask if if I still want to run. I pick yes and it still fails.
Any thoughts? I know some of you have ATT Pure devices!

FIXED
I did this and all is working...
1. Deleted my partnership with my laptop (Win 7 64bit)
2. boot my ATT Pure
3. Connect but dont establish partnership
4. copy over the cab files you want
5. use file explorer on the Topaz (Pure) to run them
6. all works fine!
7. loading EnergyROM now
the lesson to be learned if it does not work for you and it works for everyone else then go back to the basics!

Welcome to AT&T... yes all branded phones are app locked because they want to force you to use their apps.
You can app unlock it using a cab install... but some new phones are even rejecting that.
Official and Custom roms are the way to go. I recommend everyone with a Pure to at least flash to the newest Official WM6.5 build. It will work just the same but be clean of AT&T junk.

I have an AT&T Pure
I have no particular problems with installing Cabs
As another poster said copy the cab to a temp directory
and run it from File Explorer (delete the cab to save space after its been run)
Or you can use "CabviaActivesync" availabele on this site which makes it a little bit easier. (but I did have two cabs that had bad setups and needed manual install)
Bottom line the PURE does not block most cabs (I've tried)
(I only had a problem with the write protected weathercity database now ok)
Chances are something is wrong on your Pure or your method
To the senior poster that replied
Hey I've made tweeks and played with the stock ROM
I'd love to clean the bloated and unused ATT aps
incorporate weather into the clock ( TF3D 2.5+++)
and get a cleaner start menu (too many aps)
and certainly see an improvement in performance and snappiness
Id love to try a new ROM
but most new roms are written for Diamond2/Topaz
I'm not clear if the radios are the same on the the D2 and the Pure?
Can I burn WM and TF3D without affecting the radio part of the code?
Are the any other issues we need to be aware before we burn a new Topaz rom
onto an ATT variant of the Topaz ?
Is there a copy of the original Pure Rom available in case we need to return
it to ATT (what else would we need to insure we could return to ATT to fix any other later warrenty covered problems)
Of course I realize there is a risk invilved,
but whats the best safety prep?
I'm new to phones but an old micro hard/firm/soft ware and PPC guy
Thanks in advance
KJL

I haven't had a single problem installing anything on my stock Pure. Even software that normally requires an app-unlocked phone installs just fine.

I'm also curious about what Kenn asked. I'm getting a Pure tomorrow and I won't be able to get the crapware off there fast enough.
Specifically, can I flash the official HTC 6.5 rom to the Pure without having to hard spl? Is is just a straight flash?

I have the same problem with this ROM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=5743820#post5743820
Everything is OK but installing the cabs.
When I try to install any cab it wrote me "Instalation of ... was unsuccessful."
I tried a lot of cabs and all of them are the same
Any help please?

.
This particular problem gave me 4 day headache last week when i couldn't figure out why I couldn't HSPL my Pure. Had to Hard Reset entire phone, everything worked

Yes, I also hard-reseted my phone yesterday and everything works now!

New Touch HD User - advice needed please

Good evening,
I've just had my Touch HD delivered today, its not brand new, its a used item but is in perfect condition.
Anyway, the previous owner has obviously removed all of his details, pictures etc etc. However there are still a few apps on the device. Tom Tom for example, a screen rotate app and a few others.
Although they are useful, I'd quite like to have a fresh start with it.
The last owner installed a fresh windows 6.5.5 (?) before he sent me it, but I dont really know the difference, I'm a beginner when it comes to windows mobile.
So anyway, is it worth me doing a full reset on the phone? So its a cleans slate? And then updating the operating system (I need to learn about ROM and things etc), and downloading the apps that I'd like?
Things like the home screen, is the clock meant to be white and black? Because mine is like a see through bluey grey colour and I dont think the default theme is installed.
Anyway, any advice will be happily received
Thanks
Chris

anyone got any advice for a new wm user?

Any comments are appreciated

You could hard reset, but then you would no longer have whatever applications he left on there (like TomTom etc). However, it could be that he left TomTom on the SD card, and that you could simply reinstall it. That might also be the case with whatever other apps are on the phone.
The Touch HD original came with Windows Mobile 6.1. The previous owner flashed a newer custom ROM that has WM 6.5 on it. There are different versions (or "builds") of WM 6.5, but in general they look the same and they are better than 6.1.
To "update" the version of windows, would require you to flash (i.e. "install") another ROM on the phone. There are no "windows updates" via internet like on desktop computers.
Hard reseting basically brings the phone back to the fresh ROM installation state (of whatever was the last ROM someone flashed on there). So, you could do that and then you could begin to install whatever apps you want.
After you get the phone the way you like (with apps, contacts etc) you could use a program like Spb Backup to backup the entire phone. That way, if later on it gets a bit sluggish, you can hard reset and do a backup restore so that within a few minutes, you will have all your apps and contacts etc. right back on there. It saves you the time of reinstalling everything. Keep in mind that it is not always recommended (although possible) to restore a backup onto a ROM different from the one used when the backup was created.
If you are curious about what apps to install, I just posted a list of my favorites in another thread. Link here (second post)

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
Firstly, things like tomtom were on the memory card as you said, so they still work.
I've actually done a hard reset on the phone and its come back exactly the same.
So I'm guessing its had another ROM update in the past? I've been searching around for the original ROM and have managed to download one. I just dont know how to install it (done a few searches already).
I guess I'd just like to start fresh with it, and modify it in my way
Thanks again for the reply.

I would not recommend going to an original (stock) ROM. Custom ROMs are a lot better. There are some very talented people here who make changes to original ROMs in order to make them faster and to improve many of the features (as well as include new features).
I bought my HD in Nov 2008, and within a couple of weeks, I flashed a different ROM on it. It has been almost a year and a half, and I could not picture myself ever going back to a stock ROM.
You can see the ROM development section here in XDA dev. or you can visit htcpedia.com to look at other options. ROMs from Dutty, Energy, MaryOne, and Miri are among the most popular. They each create different ROMs and each has ROMs with different versions of Windows Mobile and HTC Sense (Manila 2.1 or Sense 2.5). Some have the regular HTC text messaging app, while others have removed it and include the Windows Mobile messaging app (since there have been problems with the HTC app becoming extremely slow when you have lots and lots of messages - i.e. for those "text message power users").
To flash a new ROM (takes about 10 minutes), you have two options:
1. Flash from your PC
2. Flash from the SD card in the phone
I have always done it from PC, but flashing from SD card is a safer method. If you flash from your PC, it is very important that, once the flashing starts, you never ever unplug the phone from the PC until it is totally finished and it restarts (or else you will kill your phone permanently). But, just do the SD card method and you'll be on the safe side.
The first thing I would do is to start your phone in bootloader mode (= hold volume down key the whole time and tap the power button; a red-blue-green-white screen will appear) to see what type of SPL you have (original SPL or HardSPL). You probably have HSPL, which would allow you to flash any ROM. If you have original SPL, you will need to either install HSPL to permanently have the ability to flash other ROMs or install USPL to have the ability to flash a ROM in that particular moment only.
Read more about SPL here (great tutorial).
My guess is that since the previous owner installed newer ROMs, then you probably have HSPL and you probably have a version 1.56 ROM installed. If this is the case, you would not need the upgrade steps discussed in that thread. Those are for people with 1.54 ROMs (the older, not so common ROMs). But it is still good to read as it describes installing new ROMs.
Here is a quote from Dutty about quick ROM flashing instructions:
*Flashing Guide
SAFEST WAY TO FLASH YOUR ROM IS THROUGH STORAGE CARD METHOD:
* Copy BLACIMG.NBH into the root dir of your Storage Card.
* Be sure to have at least 30% of charge.
* Turn off your device by using the Power Button.
* Go to Boot loader mode. Push and hold Vol. Down + press Power button.
* After that your device with have a white screen with text " Press to power button for continue upgrade or Press Volume down button for cancel upgrade , select press to power button and it will start upgrade Rom.
ALTERNATIVE WAY OF FLASHING YOUR ROM WITH RUU.exe
* Extract Rom download Folder.
* Be sure to have at least 50% of charge.
* Turn off your device by using the Power Button
* Go to Boot loader mode. Push and hold Vol. Down + press Power button.
* Connect your device to PC
* Run ROMUpdateUtility.exe and follow the screen instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

thanks for another very useful post
Ok I've checked out the device information etc.
If I show you them here would you be able to possibly point out if I'm running a good setup?
Ok on the bootloader screen it reads this..
Blac100 32M
SPL-1.56.0liNex
MicroP-Blackstone (LED) v6
When I start the phone up the first screen displays this in the bottom right...
1.17.25.09
52.69.25.37U
Also after that it shows a screen saying HTC and then Energy underneath.
Is Energy one of the ROM types?
And lastly in the device information it shows this.....
OS Version - 5.2.21901(21901.5.0.92)
Manilla Version - 2.5.20121255
ROM Version - 23.Apr.2010.WWE
ROM Date - 11/20/09
Radio Version -1.17.25.09
Protocol Version - 52.69.25.37U
Also when I press Start it shows a new page rather than a drop down programs menu....is this a part of an updated ROM?
I hope you dont mind me bombarding you with all this info.
I guess I just need an experts help
Thanks again
Chris

No problem. Glad to help.
SPL 1.56.0liNex shows that you do have HSPL and that it is upgraded to install 1.56 ROMs. That's good. It basically makes it easy to quickly flash whatever ROM you want to try out, without having to do any extra steps. So, the instructions on how to flash from memory card (above) should work for you.
Yes, you have an Energy ROM installed. You can continue to use it or you can flash another ROM if you want to try something else.
Your OS version shows you are running WM 6.5 build 21901 There are different builds out there. Some are more buggy than others, but I don't know how much they all differ from each other. The newer ones have the start button and OK button at the bottom of the screen instead of at the top, and the menus look a bit different. These versions are often referred to as WM 6.5.x instead of 6.5
Manila shows you have the latest HTC Sense version 2.5 (build 20121255)
ROM version shows WWE (world wide english) language and the date from about a week ago. I don't know if that is how new the ROM is or if that is the date the ROM was flashed. On my phone, it says "Dutty HD HG R2 WWE" (that's my ROM) but no date, so I don't know what your date means.
ROM date - 11/20/09 This is probably when the ROM was released.
Radio version: I have an older version 1.13.25.24. I believe this can be changed separately from the ROM, but if you are not experiencing any issues with bad connections etc, then don't worry about it. I have never done anything with my radio version, and I have no idea if the ROMs I have installed have ever changed that. I've never had a problem. Sorry, don't know much about the different radio versions.
Start menu opens up a new page..... This is part of WM 6.5 If you don't like it, there is an app out there that can bring back the old drop-down menu, but most people prefer the new version.
I hope that helps.

Yet again, thanks for the help.
I'm starting to understand how this little device works now.
I've decided I want to start from a fresh with the phone and attempt to restore it back to "factory" settings (if possible).
So I assume I'll be need to get hold of an original rom file?
And flash it with that?
I know newer roms are better etc, but I want to set the phone up to my specifications if you know what I mean.
This shouldnt cause any problems should it?
Also do you know where I might be able to download an original rom from?
Cheers
Chris

Sure, if you want to flash a stock ROM, you can try it and see how you like it.
You can find a lot of info about flashing on the XDA Wiki page for the Touch HD. Save it in your favorites because it could come in handy later.
In that page, you will find this link to available stock ROMs in the various languages.