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>

I just ordered my 6800! So many Qs

I just ordered the xv6800, an upgrade from my Treo 650. Upon ordering, my research began (about 6 hours ago!)... It is now about 3 AM, and I am due at work in 4 hours. My questions are simple, and I know I am a noob loser, I know, but if someone could guide me to answers, even a simple answer like search words or anything, I would soooo appreciate it!
Questions/Statements:
Heres my experience level:
For my treo to support a 4gb sd card, way back in the day, I had to edit the rom and change the FAT 16 to FAT 32. There was so many guides on how to update the rom, that it was really childs play, even though I was sweating every step. So basically I know nothing, but I have fiddled.
I want to have the iphone skin/mod/theme or a "cube" theme (god I am a newb). Do I have to modify the rom? Are their any guides?
What is Flashing? Is this the same as unlocking? What is unlocking? (Guides?)
Is setting up VOIP way out of my realm? I saw this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=317070
but since it is not an idiot proof step by step, i got discouraged. What are those pictures all about, is it really as easy as just copying the configurations displayed in the screenshots?
I also want to have:
Slide to unlock (iphone function)
X closes the application (i read somewhere this is a 'must have')
MMS
SMS chat thread (like the treo's, also read somewhere this is a must have)
Another major question: Are mods for the sprint mogul, the alltell version of the phone the same as for the xv6800, or are the processes and such all way different (I am under the impression they are the same, but just checking)
I really think these are some of the basic questions that tons of NOOBS want to ask, but are intimidated to ask on such a knowledgable forum. Any help will be greatly appreciated, and I look forward to making plenty of paypal donations in the future, again and again and again haha, to all you guys (n girls) that can help pimp my ride errrr, phone.
-Nate

Welcome to XDA!
The first thing you need to do which would help expand your knowledge of the resource here is to read the General & sticky threads that relate to your application. These threads will branch off and direct you into the direction that you will want to take your device.
There is too much information here to be idealy mapped out; reading & bookmarking will become common practice and as topics, phrases and jargon become familiar, so will your speed in finding, installing and customizing...

Hello, i just want to say that it was a good move u made from switchin from 650 to 6800, i did it from 700wx to 6800. i would recommend first to check ur rom version and if it is not the newest rom which is 2.17, u might wanna check the customs roms out there or update it before staring messin with the custom apps because it happened to me, i had an old one and I installed a but of apps n then the new rom came up and it messed me up so i had to do a hard reset.
As for the cube, search keywords like cube, htc touchflo, htc apps, you might also like;
htc touch skins: touch skins
htc home plugin: Lets u mess with the htc home screen
phm reg: for all the manual reg edits and minimal hacks that r not on .cab
hidevista: cool top app with replaces the old START and adds a baterry metter
flashlight: self exp
LED Killer 3.1: to kill that DAMN BLINKIN LIGHT!
pimp backup: lets u back up ur contacts, task, calendar met, sms, mms, etc sprite backup: ($) lets u backup ur whole ppc
oxios hibernate: It helps u realease mem n make it a bit faster
oxios closeapps: Lets u close the apps instead of minimizin them,
TCPMP n Flash Bundle: lets u watch youtube,video.google, n more, fullversion MMS: A must, to send pic mail
PCMcontacts: iphone contacts like
PCMkeyboard: bigger better
threaded sms: self exp,
2slide2unlock: lock app like the iphone.
WkTASK: keeps tabs of open apps next to the START buttom, like windows tabs
total commander: another reg edit soft.
google maps: self exp
UI Tweaker: lets u customize all the colors in the ppc.
All of the above u can find it here in the forums or google search, n the best of all THEY ARE FREE! Enjoy and dont be afraid to ask around, i learned that there are no "stupid questions" if you do some research first instead of just go straight to questions cause u r to lazy to search and read.
Hope this helps.

lalord69 said:
Hello, i just want to say that it was a good move u made from switchin from 650 to 6800, i did it from 700wx to 6800. i would recommend first to check ur rom version and if it is not the newest rom which is 2.17, u might wanna check the customs roms out there or update it before staring messin with the custom apps because it happened to me, i had an old one and I installed a but of apps n then the new rom came up and it messed me up so i had to do a hard reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon doesn't have a 2.17 ROM out. That is only for Sprint. There are custom ROMS for Verizon devices that use some of the 2.17 drivers.

blazingwolf said:
Verizon doesn't have a 2.17 ROM out. That is only for Sprint. There are custom ROMS for Verizon devices that use some of the 2.17 drivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good point, forgot to mention that, the ROM 2.17 is only for sprint, and like blazingwolf said, there are custom ROMs for almost all carriers. Thanks blazingwolf for the missed point..

Advice on several items please

Hey guys and gals. Right, i'm a newbie to all this stuff. Although i have managed to change my t-mobile theme to that of the black HTC theme. I've got a t-mobile mda compact iv and i'm really keen on wanting to expand my knowledge.
I tried to download a couple of games from the t-mobile site, but couldn't quite manage to get them to work. Maybe i didn't save them to the correct place.......
Where and how do i do this.
Also can someone explain to me the 'manilla editor', 'system config', 'total commander' and the best way to get some more themes etc.
Sorry if you've all heard these requests before, but once i get to know my way round a bit more, i won't need to ask such mundane questions.
Thanking you in advance

Advice please
Hey guys and gals. Right, i'm a newbie to all this stuff. Although i have managed to change my t-mobile theme to that of the black HTC theme.
I've got a t-mobile mda compact iv and i'm really keen on wanting to expand my knowledge.
I tried to download a couple of games from the t-mobile site, but couldn't quite manage to get them to work. Maybe i didn't save them to the correct place.......
Where and how do i do this.
Also can someone explain to me the 'manilla editor', 'system config', 'total commander' and the best way to get some more themes etc. Where do i save them too etc
Sorry if you've all heard these requests before, but once i get to know my way round a bit more, i won't need to ask such mundane questions.
Thanking you in advance

Well, it's not surprising that newbies ask such "mundane" questions, as most applications really don't explain what they are, and names can be misleading
Perhaps the mods could edit certain obscure application threads so that it's not so opaque?
Anyway, manilla is the name of the touchflo 3d application - hence the manilla editor allows you to change certain functions, tabs, etc.
System config is just that, a nice pretty front end to registry tweaks for the phone.
Total commander is a decent replacement for the native file explorer, and does more too.
Most apps can be installed to internal storage - there are exceptions, especially if they tie closely into the OS (manilla, etc). As it stands though, you've only really got two choices on where to install, try internal storage first, if it doesnt work, try main memory.
Most PPC based applications are installed using a cab file - you copy this to the device, then just run it using file explorer to install. Some are windows installers that will automatically do the copy and run the cab for you.
And thats about it

Thanks very much for your reply. It's starting to make sense now

Further on to that, where is the best place to install the manilla editor, system config to

(Dumb-ass question again) is there a how-to guide....??

seasons greetings!
have another question thats been bugging me sinse getting my Touch HD. this question is probably the equivalent of potty training...One i know how to do it there's no stopping me....
i've been reading various posts on people changing the fonts on their phone (cab files?) and upgrading the ROM (?) and obviously adding software to their phone to, but i dont get any of it. the thing i dont understand is how you install software that i've seen (is there a specific place on the phone?) add cab files (to where?) and what on earth is a ROM?
the last time i did anything like this was a few years ago to Orange SPV 500 and 550, but it was much easier for me to understand back then as is was all pretty basic. but now? im confused.com
i guess what im looking for is a HOW TO guide that i can follow and understand. can anyone point me in the right direction? or am i going to have to pee and poo all over the living room carpet before i actually hit the toilet???
adios!

I am new as well, but as far as I can help:
A .cab is much like an .exe on your PC, you can put it ANYWHERE you want really. To install, you simply navigate to where you have put it on your phone through the file explorer and run the .cab from there which will install the application.
I don't know anything about Roms I am afraid.

how to
just type "install cab pocketpc" in a google field, i'm sure your find what your looking for in the first five answers. I know it's could be hard to understand but this is a though forum: if you want to learn from the beginning here you got to search a lot and read more. That's what i'vedone or you google for simple words.
PS: Put the cab in your storage card from activesync, open file explorer in ppc, click your cab, choose where to install ( on ppc for everyday use, on storage for big files). Continue to ask but in the right thread. In french : "tous les grands chenes furent des glands". Rom is the "windows" you got in you ppc, it could be arrange , or modify before by someone (adding or suppressing)
NB/ edit: apologize, you can find people like ScarySquirrel How could you have 116 posts without flashing once ?

HTC Touch HD said:
seasons greetings!
have another question thats been bugging me sinse getting my Touch HD. this question is probably the equivalent of potty training...One i know how to do it there's no stopping me....
i've been reading various posts on people changing the fonts on their phone (cab files?) and upgrading the ROM (?) and obviously adding software to their phone to, but i dont get any of it. the thing i dont understand is how you install software that i've seen (is there a specific place on the phone?) add cab files (to where?) and what on earth is a ROM?
the last time i did anything like this was a few years ago to Orange SPV 500 and 550, but it was much easier for me to understand back then as is was all pretty basic. but now? im confused.com
i guess what im looking for is a HOW TO guide that i can follow and understand. can anyone point me in the right direction? or am i going to have to pee and poo all over the living room carpet before i actually hit the toilet???
adios!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess your'e going to have to "pee and poo all over the living room carpet" as you so eloquently put it. Just read up the forum and use the search, using context clues to figure what you want to do. Around these parts, people aren't very keen on spoon-feeding info to people. Also check out the Blackstone wiki as well. The blackstone is slightly difficult to mod for newbies at this point due to it being so new, but i'm sure in a few months there will be .CAB files for pretty much everything.

Try this wiki page:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Blackstone

CABs are just like setup.exe files on Windows. I suggest you forget about ROMs if you are new for now.

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.