My company got 800 of these little gems from Vodafone, and loaded up some software from Broadbeam (now MobileAware) that is supposed to let us stay in contact with our offices no matter where we are on the planet.
It was a good idea, but was implemented poorly: roaming coverage had/has huge holes, and the little bricks were beyond the mental capabilities of many they were issued to. Some of those guys need directions operating a light switch, so you can imagine what they are like with a PDA.
Anyway, while on a 3 day layover in Melbourne in March, sitting in sight of a cell tower, I couldn't connect. That's when I discovered XDA Developers.
I spent 2 days reading, and reading, heeding Pof's advice, and finally got the nerve to flash a radio rom, going from 1.03 to 1.27. And I connected right away.
After that, I became a frequent flasher right away. It just gets simpler all the time, thanks to some hard work by the guys cooking roms (Dutty, jasjamming, Des and others), and people like Pof and MrVanx who put together excellent guides. I flashed some of the early versions of WM6, but they didn't work with our company software, so I learned how to downgrade. It wasn't always easy, some times the Hermes would freeze, but it was remedied by reading some more, and reflashing the Radio Rom.
And finally, jasjamming got Black 3.01 out, and for me, it worked like a charm. Quick as a fox, and even ran the lame company wares.
And yet, with all the reading I was doing, and seeing all the admonitions by the moderators to other noobies like me, some people just seem to want someone else to fix their little issues. Sending messages to the guys cooking ROMs, asking questions like "why doesn't my girflriend answer on the first ring since I flashed", or "Why is my battery life so bad when I have the phone, wifi, and bluetooth on"? There are places here in XDA Developers for questions like that, if you really feel you must ask. It's just not in with all the cutting edge discussions.
So, one of the best cookers has been driven away, and its a damn shame. I'm sincerely hoping that this forum and wiki will be a source of solutions and new programs for a very long time.
jasjamming, I'm scheduled to be back in in Melbourne for 3 days around the 23rd. If you see this, it would be my great pleasure to buy you all the Crown Lager you can handle. It would my way of thanking you and by proxy, all the others who have done so much work.
I'd like to also reiterate what GreatGrey has said. Many thanks to all the cookers and experts on here. I know I haven't really posted anything on here before, but that's because I never felt I had anything of value to write. However I have spent many an hour, reading and digesting the information on here, and thanks to the information on here, i have been able to make the most out of my jasjam. (and it's good to know that one of the great cookers was from Melbourne - best city in Australia - OK, maybe i'm a little biased on that comment )
What a great thread
It is a shame to see where things are heading, and I admit, despite trying other ROMs, that I end up defaulting to JJ's Black ROMs because he's a local boy (i too am from Melbourne) and his support for the Telstra network is a welcome addition.
To echo above, I havn't posted that much either, but I am the type to "read lots, speak once"
So, for what its worth, thanks for what you have given us so far JJ, the courage, the roms and the fantastic attitude
On my T-Mobile (USA) MDA, so far I've just used the standard stock ROM, the latest of them that came out.
As I'm having some problems now with my MDA (not sure if hardware or software), and would hope to keep it going until a good 3g smartphone is available on T-Mobile, I'm thinking of reflashing the ROM, reinstalling my software, etc.
So, if I'm going to have to reflash it anyhow, I might as well try one of the many cooked ROMs available on this web site.
There seem to be many of them on this site, with so many very long threads devoted to them.
I don't have time to read through all those threads, to try to determine which ROM would be best for me to try. So, if people could sum up in this thread, which are the best ROMs and why, it would make it easier for me and others.
I would want one that is very stable, used by many without problems. Having problems with the phone anyhow, I don't want to risk a ROM that will bring more problems.
Preferably WM6, even more preferably 6.1, but if those ROMs are not as stable on the MDA as the WM5 Roms, then I would go with the latter.
Anyhow, curious to hear people's feedback, regarding the best of the Wizard cooked ROMs.
me said:
I don't have time to read through all those threads, to try to determine which ROM would be best for me to try. So, if people could sum up in this thread, which are the best ROMs and why, it would make it easier for me and others.
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Um, don't you think someone would have done this by now?
What you are asking (and believe me when I tell you, you are not the first, or the last, to ask it) is a subjective question, with subjective answers, no two of which will be the same.
While the idea is a noble one, it's been asked for by just about every new person on these threads (I probably did it too, once).
The simple answer: read the list of software on five or six of the most recently published ROMs at the Wizard Mobile 6 list, and flash the one you like best. These days, almost all of them are G4 safe, so you probably don't have to worry about that, and as long as you keep a copy of your service provider's base ROM, a copy of the Hard SPL, Soft SPL, and maybe a copy of Wizard Love ROM, you'll do fine.
Better yet, just stay with WM5 if you want stable. Stability's not really one of the high points of home-cooked ROMs, in my opinion.
Maybe you don't even need to flash. If you're having a hardware problem, flashing could be a bad idea. If your hardware decides to glitch while you're in the middle of a flash, you won't be waiting to get a new phone, you'll be in the store before you're ready. Why don't you try starting a new thread with your symptoms, and see if we can't help you solve your problem, instead of trying to mask it with a new ROM?
I'm sure you are right that there is subjectivity involved, that different people have different opinions. So--give your opinions.
I didn't just ask "which is the *best* rom", which would have been a very subjective question, such as "what is the best car", or "what is the best food". I specifically described my case, that I'm not interested in experimenting with 20 different ROMs, but asking which ones could be considered stable and safe (not risky and experimental), while providing better functionality than my present one.
Yes, as I wrote, I am having problems with my MDA, which I think could very likely be hardware-based, and will not be fixed with re-flashing. The only way to know is to try though. The phone is a few years old, I am thinking of getting a new one soon, but waiting until T-Mobile has a 3g WM smartphone available, that I like.
Why would re-flashing be something to try? I figure just like if one is having software problems on a computer, that one cannot fix, one thing to do is to format the hard drive, and reinstall the OS, start from scratch in installing applications, etc. A lot of hassle, but it can work, to solve problems. Re-flashing a phone is similar, wiping out all data, starting new, etc. Sure, the most stable way would be to flash back to the same ROM I'm using now, the latest official one for my phone. But while going to the trouble of doing that, it seems like an opportune time to try one of these newer ROMs, that I've been curious about for some time, but never bothered with before.
What are some of the problems I've been having? (This just started a couple days ago.) Neither Bluetooth or Wi-Fi will turn on, for instance. OS freezing up a lot. Definitely seems like I need an OS reinstallation, and AFAIK on the phone, the way to do that is through re-flashing.
True, after down-flashing to an AKU 1 ROM for the purpose of CID-unlocking, and going back to my current 2.26 T-Mobile AKU 2 ROM, I should try the phone out a little from there, make sure everything's working, before flashing to one of the newer ROMs. No use wasting my time further if the problem is indeed hardware-based.
Edit--just occurred to me--I should probably try a hard reset before trying any re-flashing. If I still have the same problems after a hard reset, I guess I can assume the problem is hardware-based. I forgot how to hard reset my MDA, and cannot find the manual at the moment. Would someone like to remind me how to hard reset it?
In any case, I would still be interested in hearing ROM recommendations, although I am aware that different posters will have different opinions.
Myrddin Wyllt said:
Um, don't you think someone would have done this by now?
What you are asking (and believe me when I tell you, you are not the first, or the last, to ask it) is a subjective question, with subjective answers, no two of which will be the same.
While the idea is a noble one, it's been asked for by just about every new person on these threads (I probably did it too, once).
The simple answer: read the list of software on five or six of the most recently published ROMs at the Wizard Mobile 6 list, and flash the one you like best. These days, almost all of them are G4 safe, so you probably don't have to worry about that, and as long as you keep a copy of your service provider's base ROM, a copy of the Hard SPL, Soft SPL, and maybe a copy of Wizard Love ROM, you'll do fine.
Better yet, just stay with WM5 if you want stable. Stability's not really one of the high points of home-cooked ROMs, in my opinion.
Maybe you don't even need to flash. If you're having a hardware problem, flashing could be a bad idea. If your hardware decides to glitch while you're in the middle of a flash, you won't be waiting to get a new phone, you'll be in the store before you're ready. Why don't you try starting a new thread with your symptoms, and see if we can't help you solve your problem, instead of trying to mask it with a new ROM?
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This question have been asked and answered hundreds of times,if you cared to read and searched the forum,sure you cud have decided which version best suits you,but if you are looking for shorcuts,well,no one can help you here.Just an example check out this link ,there was no need to start a new thread for this :-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371223
Hard Reset
Press and hold the Comm Manager button and Voice command button,keep the two buttons pressed and at the same time,use the stylus to press the reset button.
zabardast_1 said:
This question have been asked and answered hundreds of times,if you cared to read and searched the forum,sure you cud have decided which version best suits you,but if you are looking for shorcuts,well,no one can help you here.
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Unfortunately, this kind of snide reply seems to occur on every kind of forum--people who think it more important to criticize those asking for help, rather than helping them.
Was I looking for a shortcut? Damn yes I was! Anything wrong with that? Hell NO!
I have read a lot on this forum. There are probably hundreds of threads and thousands of posts devoted to the subject of the many alternate ROMs for the HTC Wizard.
Yes, I have other things to do with my life, than spend 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, researching the different ROMs for the HTC Wizard. My whole life is not devoted to the Wizard. If that is a problem for you, so be it.
Not having time to read every ROM thread, trying to decide which might be the best for me, I described some of what I was looking for, my preferences, etc., and asked the knowledgeable people here, to perhaps summarize a little, what are a few of the best ROMs, how they compare with one another, to perhaps make suggestions for ones I might be interested in, etc.
I think that would probably be of interest to others as well as me--to see a Wizard ROM summary thread--contrasting and comparing what might be considered some of the best of these ROMs, what advantages and disadvantages one has over the other, etc. I think such a thread would be very useful, and could even be made a sticky.
Yes, I'm sure others have asked similar questions before. Is that a problem? No. Every forum has similar questions that are asked. Every time new people see the new thread, there are new contributions and point of views expressed, new insights brought to light, etc. Even if the question is similar to those asked before, there will be new answers.
So, if you get your kicks making snide comments to everyone who asks for help, go ahead and do so. That is not a very useful way to contribute to a forum, however, IMO.
HOA!!!
Grrrrr8 lecture,I'm impressed.
But when there already is a thread started for the specific purpose,there's no need to start a new thread for this.If you don't have the time to read and search,than this forum is not for you,coz this forum believes ib 'Search & Seek' and BTW! respect for others and particularly seniors,I believe.
As for giving my help to others,you are most welcome to search and read all my threads,you'll appreciate its full of help and appreciations from the members whom I have tried my best to help and solved their problems.The thing is not to criticize,but to direct to the right solution,there was nothing in it which might have offended you.
How important was your question,you can judge by the response it got in 5 days,only 2 ? you posted on 10/9/2008,that proves its importance,got my point,there was no need to post such a question ,which has been posted and answered hundreds of time,its just merely wastage of forums resources!!!
me said:
So, if you get your kicks making snide comments to everyone who asks for help, go ahead and do so. That is not a very useful way to contribute to a forum, however, IMO.
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It's too bad (and more than a little ironic) that what you are doing now is exactly the same kind of NOT CONTRIBUTING to this forum in any positive way that you accuse him of, opinion or not. In fact, looking through the threads you've started, it appears you have never contributed anything .
You might feel too busy to read the posts that others took the time to write (just for people like you, I will point out), but don't expect sympathy when you get the ban-hammer for starting a flame war because you think somehow your time is more valuable than everyone else's time here.
...a Wizard ROM summary thread--contrasting and comparing what might be considered some of the best of these ROMs, what advantages and disadvantages one has over the other, etc. I think such a thread would be very useful, and could even be made a sticky.
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There is a thread like this already, and zabardast_1 already gave you the link. Try to pay attention instead of just starting up your buzz saw. Again, you'll be the one that gets banned, not him.
Read the threads behind each of the ROMs. The posts detailing the bugs found will give you some idea of the stability of that ROM. You're on your own, now, since you copped an attitude. Staying friendly is the only way to get help around here, from now on.
Myrddin Wyllt said:
It's too bad (and more than a little ironic) that what you are doing now is exactly the same kind of NOT CONTRIBUTING to this forum in any positive way that you accuse him of, opinion or not. In fact, looking through the threads you've started, it appears you have never contributed anything .
You might feel too busy to read the posts that others took the time to write (just for people like you, I will point out), but don't expect sympathy when you get the ban-hammer for starting a flame war because you think somehow your time is more valuable than everyone else's time here.
There is a thread like this already, and zabardast_1 already gave you the link. Try to pay attention instead of just starting up your buzz saw. Again, you'll be the one that gets banned, not him.
Read the threads behind each of the ROMs. The posts detailing the bugs found will give you some idea of the stability of that ROM. You're on your own, now, since you copped an attitude. Staying friendly is the only way to get help around here, from now on.
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I did not start a flame war. I started a thread,asking for opinions on the different ROMs. It was he who started to personally criticize me, not the other way around. It wasn't I who "copped an attitude".
I never said that my time is more valuable than anyone else's here. I don't think that at all, and did not imply it in the least. However, some people apparently spend many hours per week on this Wizard ROM stuff. It seems to be a major hobby with some here. That's great! But I don't have the time to get involved to that degree. As said, I don't have the time to read thousands of posts about different ROMs. So, I think it would be good for many readers, to have a summary thread about them.
my favorite
After flashing over 50 different phones, the one I use most often is TNT's Official Wizard. But again, thats personal preference.
HAHAHAHA
Dsbtwins said:
After flashing over 50 different phones, the one I use most often is TNT's Official Wizard. But again, thats personal preference.
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This men is lazy and always needs the things easy, let him search... if not... let him with his wm5 or his wizard bricked, hope it wont happend.
all the web is full of his threads... saying stupid things , then said i dont want to start a flame...
HAHAHA
but he has the exactly words to tell you stupid like a gentleman!!!!
Hello everyone.I apologize if this is posted in an improper place,however i did not see an introduction type section/thread.Well, as my title shows,i am rather new to the forum and wished to introduce myself and my situation. I stumbled upon this forum after exhaustive Google searches, for what i no longer remember, and settled in to browse.Here it is a mere 3 hours later and i sit with 77 opened tabs in Firefox,and an overflowing ashtray.Nasty habit, i know, but we all have our vices.Speaking of which, i appear to have begun a new vice here this evening amongst your informative and sometimes confusing words of wisdom.You see i recently purchased a used HTC Hermes mobile device and have spent countless hours in search of upgrades/improvements.After some research it appears my device was flashed to a WM 6.5 cooked ROM.I have decided that I want to learn how to flash it myself again and again and again.So there you have it; A rambling post from a newbie in the truest sense of the word.I am most certain i will require help along the way, however i have no desire to be spoon fed.I have 76 pages to read thru and i am quite certain that pages will beget pages will beget pages.I would like to thank you all in advance for any, and all, information i obtain over the next few days/hours/weeks/months.I am sure you will see me again shortly, infecting the Hermes board with stupid noobish questions.
Hello
Welcome to the forum.
If you really want to be a flashing freak, LOL, follow the instructions given in this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=299462
This will surely help you realising your dream of flashing your hermes 50 times a day(thats being conservative)
I personally love Josh,Abu for their work, but we got lots of other master chefs working day & night to you the maximum pleasure out of your device.
Good Luck.
Regards
Saksham Katyal
Well, 24 hours after first stumbling on to this board, I have managed to flash my Hermes to a new rom.The guy i bought the phone from had already flashed it to a TAI rom 21222 V17 lite.after some reviews on the board i decided to stick with TAI and went with his 23009 WWE Lite ROM V24 - TAI Edition.I could not be happier with how smoothly everything went,thanks to those of you who have spent your precious time writing up guides and instructions.I would also like to deeply thank TAI for his countless hours of work in cooking these ROM,many many thanks TAI.