Database Users

New to the whole scene, getting started

I have just aquired an xda ii from a friend and am very eager to get started but I have no clu eon what exactly I need to do.
First off I have read the FAQ's and what not and understand what everything seems to do.
However I beleive my xda is locked as when I try to put in my 3 sim card, it just says invalid sim or not recognized. Searching around the forums I have located the various unlocking tools but am not sure which one to go for. Also is there even any chance of it working with my 3 sim card?
Secondly, do I need to upgrade anything with it? Ideally what I want is to run tom tom navigation on it aswell as all the others features of the xda. (Im still searching around on how I check my version exactly >.<)
Thirdly, there appears to be a problem with the sound. Sometimes it beeps and such as normal, other times it dosent. Is there anywhere that can repair these sort of faults?
Thank you in advance for the time!
EDIT:
After playing around I found the information
ROM Version - 1.72.00WWE
ROM date - 03.15.04
Radio version 1.17.00
Protocol version 1337.28
ExtROM version 1.72.181
Is there anything I can upgrade it too? Or worth doing?

"However I beleive my xda is locked as when I try to put in my 3 sim card"
recall 3 blocking their very simcards to be able to work in no 3g phones
so it's likely that it's not your phone which is locked
you can upgrade it to wm5 if you like
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Windows_Mobile_5

Ah I see now, thank you.
I will just get another sim no problem.
I am interested in going up to wm5 but have a few more questions.
I see there are many different ROM versions, any particular one to go for? Will I still be able to use the camera & phone part? And also is there anyway to keep the ROM I have now and restore if anything nasty happens?

Hi there!
Izzy180 said:
Ah I see now, thank you.
I will just get another sim no problem.
I am interested in going up to wm5 but have a few more questions.
I see there are many different ROM versions, any particular one to go for? Will I still be able to use the camera & phone part? And also is there anyway to keep the ROM I have now and restore if anything nasty happens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a himalaya just like yours, I've upgrade to a lot of ROMs here in the forum, and currently, I decided to go to helmi AKU3.5 SP2. But this ROM lacks of software you will be needing most. But as helmi said, you can install softwares as you like, and i bet this is really fast. You can also try C_Shekhar's Rom, it has softwares built on it. But helmi's ROM is faster. you can also adjust your 15mb storage to 30mb storage so you can install more software you like. Unlike WM2003, it uses RAMdisk for the installation of your softwares and it uses 128mb. At first you will be having hard time to understand the flow, but you of course you can learn from it.
Nweiz, what country are you from?

Okay so all I got to do is install this rom, and go searching for the software to pwoer the phone, camera, etc?
Is there anyway to backup / restore my current ROM and all the other parts I should need incase the worst happens?
I only just got this and I really dont want to break it because I have wanted one for ages

"phone, camera"
is a part of the rom

Brilliant! Looks like things should be alot easier than I thought.
Still playing around, I found my bootloader version is 1.03, does this matter much?
And I have found some backup tools by searching through the wiki pages, but they dont seem to work for my smart phone?

http://en.pdamobiz.com/en/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62

Big help! Thanks!
Okay looks like im all set, back this up. Download the rom, install.
Hopefully all should go as planned.
Just one small little off topic thing, I noticed the problem with my sound is that when its in the cradle, all sounds work. However when it is out the cradle, sounds are intermittant. Software or hardware fault would anyone say?

Okay upgrade went without a problem and its now running fine.
However the only problem I noticed is that it does not detect the backup battery, im guessing this means the battery needs replacing?
I literally just noticed a problem with the charge socket too, looks like the pins on the right are slightly bent yet it still fits and charges.
Could this explain the sound issues? As when its in the cradle and on charge it works fine.

Izzy180 said:
However the only problem I noticed is that it does not detect the backup battery, im guessing this means the battery needs replacing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
man, i think its bcoz wm5 is designed for not using the back up battery. Bcoz wm5 uses storage for installation of your application (default), and even if the battery drains, it will not hard reset. i guess.

Ok so moving from Wizard to Herald...

I upgraded from my beloved Wizard/MDA to the sexy Herald/Wing....my concerns:
- I got alot of cool registry hacks and what not from here for the Wizard. Do any of those work with WM6 or is it such a different OS?
- In general, are we looking at many programs for WM5 not working yet with WM6?
I've read conflicting info - does the Herald have A2DP or not? If not, does the .cab file that enabled it on my Wizard work with the Herald? (similar to my 1st concern, but more specific...lol)
In general - are those of you who upgraded from the Wizard happy with the changes? What do you miss from your Wizard that is not on the Herald?
Thanks!
*counting down the hours til my Wing's Thurs delivery*

it does have a2dp.

I upgraded from a Wizard, and i'm sooooo happy with my herald

I am not happy
Comparing Wing to Wizard:
Same processor
Same amount of memory
Same screen
5% heavier
10% less battery
NO IR!!!
Oh yeah, and T-Mobile really screwed up the memory:
The Page Pool is 3 times normal so it eats up a lot.
It runs a ton of T-Mobile specific crap so it eats up even more.
It then has memory leak problems so it has to be soft-reset daily to clean it up. (On one occasion, it said it had run out of memory and I had to kill an app. It listed the app I was running and 5 instances of "Phone")
The only plus in my book is that it is slightly smaller.

what you can do to kill the tmobile apps is to reset the Wing to initial factory settings then after you've done the screen calibration the customization msg will come up. at that very instant soft reset the WIng and no Tmobile crap will be installed.

New To The Herald
I just got my T-Mobile Wing today and its charging as we speak. I have been looking around in here for the unlock procedures and the custom cooked Roms that I have grown acoustomed to with my Wizard. I miss Faria! lol
Really though if someone can point out the correct thread to follow as I have read horror stories of bricked Heralds.

You just gotta check em all out lol. Theres been plenty of bricked devices, etc. but everyday we learn something new in the Herald forums. I paid to get my device CID Unlocked but its not necessary as the method of flashing is different then a modified RUU like the wizard used. Just when you get a custom rom downloaded, follow the instructions EXACTLY on what to do and you should have no problems. You should download the Tmobile RUU just incase of any problems though as I bricked my device once last week cause of simple error but the Tmobile RUU brought it back to life!

Thanks Blkout,I feel like a newbee again! lol Its like christmas all over

Complete Hermes NEWBIE, need urgent advice!

If you all will excuse my ignorance, I just purchased a Hermes with Windows Mobile 5 with practically no applications on it.
I'm leaving the country in a couple days and may not have internet access so I don't have time to look through all the threads to get all this info (my apologies!) but I'd like to know the best for the following:
What ROM for WM6 should I get? I heard some people put the WM6 from the 'Touch' on the 8525 to get the scrolling feature of the iPhone?
What programs are essential for a student? I'm going to China and would like to be able to write and read Chinese characters on the device if it has the ability to do that.
What is the best carrying case? What does everyone feel is the best way to carry the device?
What are better alternatives to the crummy native earbud/microphone accessory that came in the box? I am not much for the Motorola S9, I'd prefer something wired to the phone.
There's definitely some questions that I'm leaving out but basically I'm asking for a crash-course in the Hermes. Hermes for a dummy if you will.
Thank you and your tolerance is much appreciated!

You will need more than a couple days to get into this!

Well, first off, WPBear is right, you will need more than a couple of days to get into this.
The one urgent piece of info you need is that you can not put a Touch ROM on a Hermes . The truth is significantly more complicated - there is a patched application from the Touch loaded onto a Hermes ROM to enable some of teh TouchFLO features.
Regarding WM6 ROMs, may are good - Black Satin, VP3G, Sleuth, Dutty - I am sure there are others. However, if you have a total of 2 days and are starting from basically zero knowledge, I would not try it. There is much to learn and there is a good chance that you could do it and have no problems. However, if you do have problems, there is a good chance it could take more time than you have to recover.
Regarding the other stuff - I am sure that a search of the Hermes Accessories forum will get you good info on cases and headsets.

Echo all of the above mate - if you've got to go away in a day or two I wouldn't start messing with your OS or you'll very likely find yourself panicking over fixing the thing instead of preparing for your trip.
It's not hard at all to flash etc if you follow instructions, but if it goes wrong you won't have time to learn how to fix it. Just install the apps you want and get into upgrading OS when you're back.
By the way, you didn't mention what kind of Hermes you've got. There are a number of WM6 ROMs out there already so your variant of Hermes might be catered for with WM6 already (though you'll doubtless want to upgrade later to a 'cooked' ROM anyway for even better usage.)
Leave it till after your trip mate.

Depend how many days you have. For best with chinese. go for Dopod 838Pro WM6 chinese rom.

If you want to keep the English ROM and still want Chinese input and display, then give CE-Star a try.
http://www.mobem.com/products/cestarwm5.php
I've found that it works quite well. It has character recognition as well as pinyin input.
But to also reiterate what was said above, a couple of days to experiment is definately not enough haha
Anyway, have fun in China

SD Card slot.

Problem just started on my Uni.
SD card will no longer stay in. I can hear the little click (though it doesn't sound as positive as it did) as it goes in, but it doesn't stay there - just springs out.
Anyone ever experienced this before?
Better still, anyone have a fix?
The Uni is useless to me without it.
Thanks.

kryogenik said:
Problem just started on my Uni.
SD card will no longer stay in. I can hear the little click (though it doesn't sound as positive as it did) as it goes in, but it doesn't stay there - just springs out.
Anyone ever experienced this before?
Better still, anyone have a fix?
The Uni is useless to me without it.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you already done this: Have you tried with another sd card?
Still same?
If yes try to see inside to confirm that nothing is broken at simple view
I´m sure someone will come with a wiser sollution
Good luck,

orb3000 said:
Maybe you already done this: Have you tried with another sd card?
Still same?
If yes try to see inside to confirm that nothing is broken at simple view
I´m sure someone will come with a wiser sollution
Good luck,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi - thanks for the reply. I've found replies are few and far between sometimes..
Yes, I've tried other cards. This latest one (the one I *think* may have broken it) is a legitimate 8GB card bought from a reputable high street store. A waste of damn time anyway because the Uni will only see 4GB of it, depsite doing something to make it see more not long ago (I forget what it was). I Googled the expansion slot problem and found a quick-fix. Add a layer or two of Scotch tape. The card becomes thicker and 'stays' in the slot. It works very well, but it's not my ideal long-term fix.
All that said, my brand new Universal arrived this morning (£60 GBP would you believe..) so I guess now I'll be reading up on how to flash the ROM.
I haven't flashed firmware on a Windows handset since my HTC Canary 7 years ago..

kryogenik said:
Hi - thanks for the reply. I've found replies are few and far between sometimes..
Yes, I've tried other cards. This latest one (the one I *think* may have broken it) is a legitimate 8GB card bought from a reputable high street store. A waste of damn time anyway because the Uni will only see 4GB of it, depsite doing something to make it see more not long ago (I forget what it was). I Googled the expansion slot problem and found a quick-fix. Add a layer or two of Scotch tape. The card becomes thicker and 'stays' in the slot. It works very well, but it's not my ideal long-term fix.
All that said, my brand new Universal arrived this morning (£60 GBP would you believe..) so I guess now I'll be reading up on how to flash the ROM.
I haven't flashed firmware on a Windows handset since my HTC Canary 7 years ago..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well hope you can solve the issue!
Good to hear that you have a new Uni!!
May I know where you´ve got that great deal? and if possible I would like to buy one!
For flashing instructions read here: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Uni_ROM_Upgrade
And personally I recommend you Tomal v.8.5 the fastes and stable 6.1!
Good luck!

Hi again.
It was a UK eBay "Buy It Now" offer.
I was browsing Uni/Exec/SPV etc and refreshing waiting for a particular auction to end when this one just popped up with charger, new battery, leather case and 3 x stylus. It looks/smells brand new. Incredibly lucky I know.
Thanks for the advice on the ROM. I'm just reading through where/how/why and whatnot now. I have a G3 device so I think I can just go ahead and flash.
But as I say, I'm reaqding through the Wiki and the threads. I have seen others mention Tomal's ROM. I'm looking for as Vanilla as possible. This unit for me will ideally run TCMP as best as it can and Vijay's FullScreen along with terminal services. Everything else is a very distinct second priority. I have a Wizard I use for TomTom and a Nokia N95 for an everyday phone. This just needs to be a media player and a remote access unit for my desktop machine. Apart from a file explorer, I could pretty much do without everything else.
Thanks again.

Orb, that Wiki entry needs updating somewhat. There's loads of issues not covered there. The Tomal is a single installer and presumably doesn't need the programs mentioned (though it briefly mentions that at the end). There should be a distinction made there. Some ROM's need these programs, some are single installers, if so ... ... ... ... etc. Not some half-assed brief mention with no other instructions. I presume I just double click the installer in Bootloader and leave it to it???
It says I need to CID/EROM unlock but fails to explain what these are?! More searching shows that it's extended ROM and SIM lock that need removing. What point is there using acronyms for a supposed 'newbie' tutorial..
My unit won't run the EROM program complaining of needing a new NET framework.
This isn't mentioned. Not that you may get this error, what it is, or what you need to do if you do.
The SIM unlock won't run either. Once my unit is in bootloader mode and showing 'serial' I plug in the USB lead and it shows 'USB'. I run the SIM unlocker and it eventually says 'this is not for your device'. More searching and I find I need to be using XP to do this, not Windows 7 or Vista.
Searching about I see loads of people with similar problems. If the Wiki was updated, then when people pointed users to it, then it would do it's job (which is presumably to help people and prevent the forum being full of questions, which it obviously is..).
Looks like I need to get onto an XP machine and do some serious searching through the sometimes 50 page long threads before I risk bricking my Uni.
I'm more than happy to do research if that's what I need to do, but what's the point in promoting a Wiki if you have to ignore half of what it says and find out for yourself anyway?
Not a rant at you by the way. Just a post made from observations.
Cheers.

Hi kryogenik!
I completely agree with you. My Uni came to me from uk with WM6.0, so I supposed it was unlocked and I made various flashes with no fear.
With a friend of mine Uni things were different: it had a stock WM5 and I tried reading wiki to get some answers, but the only thing I obtained was confusion.
I'm really not a newbie on computer systems, and I assure that the wiki has to be freshed out!
Turning back to the wm5 uni, I simply ran the executable from Tomal (8.2) and everything worked fine. So... what is really needed to?
@orb3000: when a newbie comes here asking for instruction on how to flash you always make a ctrl+c ctrl+v with wiki link... Why don't you try reading it with "newbie's eyes"? As kryogenik said, I won't attack you, it's just my thought...
Cheers...

kryogenik said:
Orb, that Wiki entry needs updating somewhat. There's loads of issues not covered there. The Tomal is a single installer and presumably doesn't need the programs mentioned (though it briefly mentions that at the end). There should be a distinction made there. Some ROM's need these programs, some are single installers, if so ... ... ... ... etc. Not some half-assed brief mention with no other instructions. I presume I just double click the installer in Bootloader and leave it to it???
It says I need to CID/EROM unlock but fails to explain what these are?! More searching shows that it's extended ROM and SIM lock that need removing. What point is there using acronyms for a supposed 'newbie' tutorial..
My unit won't run the EROM program complaining of needing a new NET framework.
This isn't mentioned. Not that you may get this error, what it is, or what you need to do if you do.
The SIM unlock won't run either. Once my unit is in bootloader mode and showing 'serial' I plug in the USB lead and it shows 'USB'. I run the SIM unlocker and it eventually says 'this is not for your device'. More searching and I find I need to be using XP to do this, not Windows 7 or Vista.
Searching about I see loads of people with similar problems. If the Wiki was updated, then when people pointed users to it, then it would do it's job (which is presumably to help people and prevent the forum being full of questions, which it obviously is..).
Looks like I need to get onto an XP machine and do some serious searching through the sometimes 50 page long threads before I risk bricking my Uni.
I'm more than happy to do research if that's what I need to do, but what's the point in promoting a Wiki if you have to ignore half of what it says and find out for yourself anyway?
Not a rant at you by the way. Just a post made from observations.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, as dear Admin said "Wiki is a strange place"
Why not try to post this request on the proper place on general section
"request to mods by users"
I think that will be the place to have an answer
Cheers,

Auzman said:
I tried reading wiki to get some answers, but the only thing I obtained was confusion.
I'm really not a newbie on computer systems, and I assure that the wiki has to be freshed out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. There are some very odd ideas about what a tutorial is.
I'm hardly a newbie myself, but when there's something so valuable at risk it obviously makes sense for things to be right? Why bother otherwise.
Turning back to the wm5 uni, I simply ran the executable from Tomal (8.2) and everything worked fine. So... what is really needed to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I've got the extended ROM showing. I can understand that needing to be done - perhaps the new ROM needs it writable. I can't for the life of me imagine why the unit needs to be SIM unlocked though?? I have seen posts from people who have SIM unlocked AFTER a ROM flash so I'm thinking perhaps this isn't the case?
Did you do either of these? Or maybe your unit was already in this state?
orb3000 said:
Yeah, as dear Admin said "Wiki is a strange place"
Why not try to post this request on the proper place on general section
"request to mods by users"
I think that will be the place to have an answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Orb. But it's not a request. I have a feeling it wouldn't be acted upon anyway. I can't be the first to point out inconsistencies.
I run a website and Vbulletin forum too. The day I have to rely on someone else to tell me it's not right is the day I give it up.
It sounds like I'm bashing XDAD. I'm really not. It's been a lifeline for me numerous times (the forum I must stress, not the WIKI).
I'm just surprised that such a fantastic resource is being let down by the one thing it should be proud of.

Auzman said:
Hi kryogenik!
I completely agree with you. My Uni came to me from uk with WM6.0, so I supposed it was unlocked and I made various flashes with no fear.
With a friend of mine Uni things were different: it had a stock WM5 and I tried reading wiki to get some answers, but the only thing I obtained was confusion.
I'm really not a newbie on computer systems, and I assure that the wiki has to be freshed out!
Turning back to the wm5 uni, I simply ran the executable from Tomal (8.2) and everything worked fine. So... what is really needed to?
@orb3000: when a newbie comes here asking for instruction on how to flash you always make a ctrl+c ctrl+v with wiki link... Why don't you try reading it with "newbie's eyes"? As kryogenik said, I won't attack you, it's just my thought...
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also was a newbie sometime, and I found that if everybody gives me easyly all my questions and problems I will not learn never! and I will get used to demand that people has to give me the answer right away!
So no my friend, I understand is not an attack and I´m also friendly:
But said that I´ll push newbies to do it by themselves, even if it´s a little bit more difficult
At the end they as me wil apreciate it, because we learn to SEARCH and READ

lol.
Cute idea but there's a big difference between encouraging someone to help themselves and pointing them to articles that do the exact opposite to what they're supposed to do (i.e. confuse rather than assist).
Everyone needs to start somewhere, but you NEED to have at least some correct and up to date information to send you on your way.
You wouldn't give someone a manual for a 1972 Ford and tell them to read it so they can fix their 2009 model.
Anyway, that's my opinion on it. I hope one day someone has time to add missing bits to the Wiki. I appreciate it could be a major task. As I said, essentially this will save on hundreds of people posting the same problems over and over again and people getting sick of replying to the same posts over and over again.
It's simple common sense.
OUT

Agree mate
I´ll try to find out how we can update the Wiki
Have a good day

Mic not working on phone, but does work on other functions

Hello - I've been searching these forums and the wiki and Google too looking for a solution to this but so far, can't find a solution so hope members here can help:
I recently got another XDA Exec and a week ago, the phone mic stopped working. I know its not a hardware problem as the phone can record my voice for notes.
I've done a few hard resets and each time, nothing changes, so am truly baffled.
I'd be very grateful for any answers to this, and apologise in advance if I have missed an answer that has already been posted - I have tried searching, honest!
Cheers,
JB

Jon Brown said:
Hello - I've been searching these forums and the wiki and Google too looking for a solution to this but so far, can't find a solution so hope members here can help:
I recently got another XDA Exec and a week ago, the phone mic stopped working. I know its not a hardware problem as the phone can record my voice for notes.
I've done a few hard resets and each time, nothing changes, so am truly baffled.
I'd be very grateful for any answers to this, and apologise in advance if I have missed an answer that has already been posted - I have tried searching, honest!
Cheers,
JB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try another ROM...perhaps?

I could do, but before I attempt anything like that - something I've not done before - I wanted to figure out how to remedy it with the existing ROM, which is the O2 one installed without all of O2's own stuff.
It was working perfectly well with this ROM before....in fact the only thing I can think of that might somehow have caused this was me pairing the XDA with a bluetooth handsfree set the same day. It might just be coincidence, it might not - I can't tell.
I suppose what I'm hoping for is some guidance re any settings on the device that I don't know about that have caused this, or the necessary registry edit to remedy the problem. Its odd that the phone mic worked before then stopped working, despite hard resets with the same ROM. Forgive my naivety, but I thought ordinary user-level tweaks didn't affect the core settings of the ROM....or am I wrong?
Cheers,
JB
PS - Lower Hutt! I remember seeing it through the mist one day after catching the ferry from the South Island before heading off to Cuba Street for a boozy afternoon...

Yup, got exactly the same problem before buying my HD.
I thinked that my micro was dead and didn't try to fix it before.
Just now i got here to search another rom to test and i saw this thread highlighted
The rom on my universal is TOMAL 8.0 or more i don't exactly remember the version, what's yours ?
I will download another version to check if the micro will be alright and give some feedback

Jon Brown said:
I could do, but before I attempt anything like that - something I've not done before - I wanted to figure out how to remedy it with the existing ROM, which is the O2 one installed without all of O2's own stuff.
It was working perfectly well with this ROM before....in fact the only thing I can think of that might somehow have caused this was me pairing the XDA with a bluetooth handsfree set the same day. It might just be coincidence, it might not - I can't tell.
I suppose what I'm hoping for is some guidance re any settings on the device that I don't know about that have caused this, or the necessary registry edit to remedy the problem. Its odd that the phone mic worked before then stopped working, despite hard resets with the same ROM. Forgive my naivety, but I thought ordinary user-level tweaks didn't affect the core settings of the ROM....or am I wrong?
Cheers,
JB
PS - Lower Hutt! I remember seeing it through the mist one day after catching the ferry from the South Island before heading off to Cuba Street for a boozy afternoon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be a range of reasons, from some program install or addition to the software set to files going missing. Trying a new ROM or reflashing with the original (but believe me, once you try new WM6.1 You'll probably never go back) might be one of the solutions. Flashing of ROM is a piece of cake, however, I recommend reading as much as possible on the procedure and ways to remedy the unexpected situations before you begin. Everything you may possibly need and answers to all your questions is contained in a Wiki - have a look and ask questions if you cannot find answers and are completely stuck.
Heh, Lower Hutt is on the opposite side of the harbour, coming from SI.

I reflashed with TOMAL 8.9 and micro works very well now
i readed too fast yesterday and didn't see that you're using the original rom, like enigma1nz suggest you, i suggest you too to try a 6.1 rom, it's really great and improve a lot the speed/touch felling/etc for the universal.
Plus it's really easy to flash a rom, it's not necessery to read a lot of documentation,
you just need to connect your universal to pc with activesync (4.5)
and launch the exe file from the rom