Database Users

ROM Situation?

Hi,
I was active in the BA forum about a year ago, and have some free time now so would like to get my BA working again
When I was here last helmi had just released his first 6.0 rom. Could anyone advise me about how the ROMs have improved since then, i.e. improvements between 6.0 - 6.1 - 6.5, and recommend which version to install?
I'm mainly looking for stability and a clean and well organised interface. I tried a ROM just now out of curiosity and found it was completely messed up with coverflow picture viewers, oversized task managers etc. which did not look good.
Thanks for any help, or just general ROM discussion
hardingt0110

maybe i will recook latest 6.1
if you really look for stability do not try WM 6.5, about the speed the 6.5 roms are quite fast
i personally use 6.5 because i can handle the crashes here and there, but it is possible you never encounter a crach on 6.5
WM6.5 is still in beta stage thats why you may encounter bugs ...
try for yourself, i recomend if you use your device on daily basis and not just for toy use 6.1 until 6.5 becomes RTM

wm6.1 build 21032 or 21038 are waiting for ya

Cheers for the help
So which ROM would you guys reccomend for my requirements of fewest bugs / cleanest interface? I guess imatrix you were talking about xtreme's ROMS there, or sun_dreams?
@xplode: once wm6.5 is stable, will it have any improvements over 6.1? Would I be better with a 6.0 over 6.1 for that matter? That would be great if you could make a new version of 6.1
Thanks

xplode said:
try for yourself, i recomend if you use your device on daily basis and not just for toy use 6.1 until 6.5 becomes RTM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I for once don't agree with you! LOL Well I use R3 Your Creation... on a daily basis and beat the cheet out of it, and have had very few crashes... So... C'mon mate, trust your work Its going great. Getting ready to flash R5.1 . I just need to sync phone first. I had to re-format my pc and haven't installed Outlook yet, so, till I can find my Office CD and can Sync my contact I won't be flashing. Oh... I hate moving... Still have 1/2 my stuff in boxes and can't remember what is where.
@ hardingt0110: I can suggest Swampy's WM6.1 : BA_M2D_CE_OS_5220275__Build_20275.1.3.3_V3 I used it for quite a while, still have it on one of my other BA's and to me, it was pretty featured and stable. Use it with his ExtROM.
If you read a little on the top 10 threads, you will find most answers to your questions about 6.0 vrs .1 and .5
Happy Flashing!
@ Explode: Like I said, I haven't flashed 6.5 R5.1 yet, but just from what you've wrote, I can already say... Thank You! You've really put your time into this last ROM. My Respects to you and all the other great cookers.
@ Swampy: You've been a little quiet my friend. Waiting to see what's New @ Swamps Cooking
@ markanthonypr: Edit your signature lazy boy, you don't have a "working Tornado" anymore LOL
@ Rafyvitto: Thanks for suggesting BA its all your fault LOL

I will always try latest ROM, though I know it could be buggy, but I feel we are the persons to give true feedback to developers to resolve build related issues and finally make them solid. Developers are working for us and we should help them by pointing out bugs in decent ways ( not discouraging ways) I have installed xplode's 6.5.1

April 1 said:
I will always try latest ROM, though I know it could be buggy, but I feel we are the persons to give true feedback to developers to resolve build related issues and finally make them solid. Developers are working for us and we should help them by pointing out bugs in decent ways ( not discouraging ways) I have installed xplode's 6.5.1
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Click to collapse
I'm totally agreed with that!
I tried Swampy's M2D CE_OS_5.2.20931, its fast but the folders are not really organized. I'm currently using xplode's Build 19209; slower but stable and looks pretty official.
Cheers to ROM developers!

xplode said:
maybe i will recook latest 6.1
if you really look for stability do not try WM 6.5, about the speed the 6.5 roms are quite fast
i personally use 6.5 because i can handle the crashes here and there, but it is possible you never encounter a crach on 6.5
WM6.5 is still in beta stage thats why you may encounter bugs ...
try for yourself, i recomend if you use your device on daily basis and not just for toy use 6.1 until 6.5 becomes RTM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@xplode,
You know mark is right, right? You should have more trust in your work buddy!! Your roms are normally great with a few bugs here and there.
@ hardingt0110
If I were you, I would jump directly to WM6.5. markanthonypr is right on the money... I use 6.5 for daily use and I beat it like a rented mule without any issues. I have had to do a series or SR in the past week, but it is not because of the rom itself but rather because of the latest release of PointUI2, which for some reason is buggy as hell. I uninstalled it and everything is back to normal. Try it, you may like it...
@ mark
Moving is always a pain in the a$$. Don't feel bad though, I moved about 2 years ago and I still have half of my stuff packed in boxes.

Thanks for all the help guys, you've saved me hours of ROM trying and the associated risks in flashing
I think I will try xplode's R5.1, as the screenshots of the interface look pretty neat. How does the honeycomb interface work? It always looks slightly too big for the screen?
Has anyone got any reccomendations for interface enhancements for wm6.5? S2P http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=417511 looks a lot nicer than WMP along with all the other apps by A_C.
Thanks
EDIT: What are the fixed themes next to the ROM download? do I need these if I download the fixed rom?

hardingt0110 said:
Thanks for all the help guys, you've saved me hours of ROM trying and the associated risks in flashing
I think I will try xplode's R5.1, as the screenshots of the interface look pretty neat. How does the honeycomb interface work? It always looks slightly too big for the screen?
Has anyone got any reccomendations for interface enhancements for wm6.5? S2P http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=417511 looks a lot nicer than WMP along with all the other apps by A_C.
Thanks
EDIT: What are the fixed themes next to the ROM download? do I need these if I download the fixed rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apps enhancements are really up to personal taste... Here's what I normally have
Main UI: Varies but currently using PointUI 2 Free v 2.018b (later releases are too buggy)
Music Player: S2P
Lock Program: either S2U2 or ThrottleLock
Browser: NetFront Browser Concept 3.5 and Iris Browser (both are light, pretty fast, and Iris can use true Flv video (youtube and such))
Contact Manager: Pocket CM
Keyboard: PCM keyboard
Mail Management: I use the stock Pocket Outlook. However, Flexmail isn't bad either (not free though)
Video Player: Either CorePlayer or TCPMP
Picture Viewer: S2P
Games: A bunch!!
GPS Program: IGo 6 (will change it to Google Navigate eventually, but this one works rather well).
Calendar: Thumbcal (not free)

Thanks i will look into those
By the way I figured out that the honeycomb scrolls
I still don't know what those fixed themes are :S can I still use my own background in wm6.5?

yes of course you can use customized backgrounds. if you pick a qvga jpg picture, open it with "pictures and videos" you can set it as today background and select transparency, that also makes it the start menu background and those abstract pictures, general dark background with colorful lightplay looks wonderful. i already tried a lot of custom backgrounds and can't even decide with which to go permanently. i wouldn't recommend .tsk today themes though, they didn't just change the title bar and menu bar, which i expected, they took away all the finger friendlyness and put back the ugly old menus and scrollbars.

Is WM6.5 worth an upgrade?

This question has been bothering me for a while now as there is nothing wrong with my current build rom with 6.1. I have been wondering if it is worth upgrading to 6.5 (apart from testing/ hassle of reinstalling all my applications).
Apart from the UI change are there any other noticable differences worth the upgrade? Would you say the 6.5 brings new life to the device (because of the UI) or are there other changes such as the way it manages the battery, gps etc.
I hear there is a small performance hit but that is understandable to power all the new ui but apart from that the new cooked up roms are pretty much there in terms of a near perfect rom.

The only things I noticed and found useful are better finger-scrolling (however, I can't select or drag&drop icons in Total commander when scrollbar is visible) and larger menus. No big changes, still "just Windows mobile".

Just like with any software upgrade, generally it's worth it - you get new features and bugfixes, etc... Likewise, the downside is higher resource utilization and new bugs What's of more value in your universe?
The answer is... 47.
You'll have to try it and then you'll find an answer that you may like better.

No!
The answer is 42!!!
Know the facts...

i think i know exactly what you mean, oh well i will have a look tonight at the 6.5 roms and see what has been cooked up. Who knows i may like it.
Does the touchflo work on 6.5 or does it use the default windows system?

A|ex said:
i think i know exactly what you mean, oh well i will have a look tonight at the 6.5 roms and see what has been cooked up. Who knows i may like it.
Does the touchflo work on 6.5 or does it use the default windows system?
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Click to collapse
I think that Duttys 6.5 ROM includes TF3D 2.5 - the latest - but don't quote me.

TF3D (ver 2.0 and 2.1) works with WM 6.5. if you don't want/like TF3D, there are several cooked ROMs that exclude TF3D.

Definately flash this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=524032, i did a couple of months ago and been updating regularly, the speed difference is awesome.

I have had major issues with battery life since I upgraded to the new SPL and WM 6.5.
I have noticed no less than a 40% decrease in battery life standby and talk time.
I have tried to go back to wm6.1 but still have the same issue so maybe its something to do with the SPL level?
Is there an easy way to go back to the original factory load? (warranty load)
G

i think the 6.5 interface is awful, with icons spread all over the place. Not clean at all. i think its a step backwards. dutty 3.9 is my fav rom

I tried it out last night for a few hours and i have to say with the HTC touch flo and other things there is not much difference really to make me want to stick with 6.5. Ok there is a new menu system and the windows have a little ui improvement. Other than that its all the same + with the new bugs that xda devs are dealing with.
I am too going to stick with 6.1 as its been out longer and more bugs have been ironed out.
If it had some worth while features apart from ui i would give it a longer try and post bugs to chefs etc but its hard to test and continue using my phone, especially when i use constantly for call, txt, email,web and gps. It takes ages to reinstall all my apps and apply config.

i say it is worth it....... i hav the energyrom which in my own opinion is the best...... energyrom 6.5 with titunium

The only interest would be to access the "settings" menu in 2 clicks.
But I hate titanium and their ugly honeycomb menus.
I stay on Manila.
So for me : no interest.

i tried it and got a little confused with the menus as i did not know where anything was, the new menu system is also finger friendly but a sure waste of space.

ekerbuddyeker said:
i think the 6.5 interface is awful, with icons spread all over the place. Not clean at all. i think its a step backwards. dutty 3.9 is my fav rom
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Click to collapse
I agree, step backward's,like it's been changed,just for changes sake.

But you can organize them, using reSTART or do it manually

Ok then,an organized bunch of icon's all over the place.
6.5 seems to me,to be trying to appeal to both finger and stylus camp's,and doing neither particularly well.......TF3D on 6.1 is far better compromise for finger and stylus imo.
I use WM because I like the vastly larger amount of info that can be viewed and used on screen that stylus use afford's,bloating the size of menu's for finger use like in the app drop down menu's so that I have to scroll to find what I want and move twice as far up the screen because of the oversized space's,is not what I want....thus backward's step for me.

There's also a CAB makes the menu smaller too.

No doubt,probably will be one to give back the list start menu also.......question is "is WM6.5 worth the upgrade"
If they had gone back to pre WM5 volatile storage,and sped it up 50% it would for me,as it stand's,it's just the same 6.1/6/5 OS with a few more changes

Is there a way to change the start menu in wm6.5 back to 6.1 style? I like the scrolling and a few little effects but apart from the ui i do not see it worthwhile.
Its good to have something new and playwith but from the roms being released, the bugs still need to be ironed out.

WM6.5 and TouchFlow

I have a T-mobile Compact 5 (aka Topaz) running wm6.1. I understand that in the near future 6.5 will be made available. With this, will there be a new touchflow interface? I have seen screenshits of 6.5 and I cant say I'm over excited about it. I hope very much that TF is not discontinued on 6.5. Anyone knows?
regards

Personally I suspect it'll look like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igRAl0swRsI. I hope it does.

Each to his own ... can't say the new manila is doing much for me, as evidenced on latest custom roms. Just looks like clutter, especially on the home screen.

chris5s said:
Each to his own ... can't say the new manila is doing much for me, as evidenced on latest custom roms. Just looks like clutter, especially on the home screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im with you there however theres a few improvements that i prefer over the original touchflo, such as the favorite contacts screen. I also like the landscape photo gallery however at the moment that still runs a little chunky for me

Thanks for your replies.
I look forward to it. The short cuts on the home screen will be a BIG help for the way I use my phone.
Cheers

how can i have sense (weather) on my tp2 using only winmo 6.1

Hi,
my os is still winmo 6.1 and i don't really want to upgrade to 6.5 yet (because the next g rom isnt out yet and i dont want a different version). but i do like the htc sense UI with the weather in the middle of the time animated and the colourful task icons.
i want something like this:
http ://www . redmondpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/HD21.jpg
is it necessary to upgrade to 6.5 to have this? or can i have it and still have 6.1?
thanks

Jackos hybrid rom includes WM6.1 and Sense 2.1... He is also working on Sense 2.5 for WM6.1, I believe. Check it out, I tried and it's really stable. Only a couple minor bugs. But there's a ton of free RAM and it's really quick! Link below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=618063

Showtime7 said:
Jackos hybrid rom includes WM6.1 and Sense 2.1... He is also working on Sense 2.5 for WM6.1, I believe. Check it out, I tried and it's really stable. Only a couple minor bugs. But there's a ton of free RAM and it's really quick! Link below:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay COOL! thanks
but will you tell me what kind of bugs are there? thanks again
AND another thing - will i be able to still keep my old touchflo3d interface (like i can choose either this jacko rom or the one i have now on the today settings), or will this completely change my interface? thanks

Jacko ROM rocks.. I have been using it intensively for a whole week...
and frankly... together with the Tarkim's Keyboard Configuration Apps... they save my TP2 from being dumped into the drawer... You must try it out if you want Sense on 6.1 (I don't want 6.5 too.. as I hate that stupid honeycomb interface which takes away my keyboard quick selection ...)

is there any way to get the sense with the weather without flashing a new rom?? if not is there any way to flash roms on a mac and or unlock my tp2 on a mac? what about backing up/syncing my tp2?

SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 and choosing the right ROM

Done a little bit of searching but can't seem to find an answer to this question.
I've already flashed to HSPL and basically I'm now looking for a stable leaked or cooked ROM that works well with SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 on my HTC HD2. A WM 6.5.3 or 6.5.5 version is preferred so that its possible to get the taskbar, start menu, etc altered to the way I'd like it, as that doesn't appear to be possible with the bog standard 6.5 release I think?
Does anyone have any suggestions or use a leaked/cooked ROM with SPB 3.5 with no major issues?
Many thanks.

All versions of spb have been power sapping in my experience so I wouldn't recommend any.

Anyone?
I've seen some videos on YouTube etc where people are using 6.5.3 on SPB 3.5 but they don't mention the actual rom.
Some info would be helpful as I don't want to have to test numerous roms or potentially harm my phone.

you will have to test it yourself by the looks, i would have thought the cooked rom wouldnt an the issue

I've tested SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 with most of my earlier custom ROMs and never had any problems. To be honest though I've fallen out of love with it: some aspects such as the contacts list are really ugly compared with Sense, and there is a lot of superfluous iconage that you can't hide or remove...it seems very cluttered and clunky since I've gotten used to Sense. I did notice a performance hit when using SPB as opposed to Sense too.
Out of interest, what is it that you prefer about SPB? I found that the only reason I was persevering in the end was because I had paid for the software!

leoni1980 said:
I've tested SPB Mobile Shell 3.5 with most of my earlier custom ROMs and never had any problems. To be honest though I've fallen out of love with it: some aspects such as the contacts list are really ugly compared with Sense, and there is a lot of superfluous iconage that you can't hide or remove...it seems very cluttered and clunky since I've gotten used to Sense. I did notice a performance hit when using SPB as opposed to Sense too.
Out of interest, what is it that you prefer about SPB? I found that the only reason I was persevering in the end was because I had paid for the software!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The level of customization possible with SPB Shell 3.5 (together with Mskip ultimate) puts this interface light years ahead of SENSE in terms of functionality.

I understand that there are customisation options that Sense doesn't have but what exactly do they give you in terms of day-to-day usablilty?
I'm not criticizing your preference, I'm just interested as I find the simplicity of Sense to be deceptive as in terms of raw USABILITY it offers just as quick access to core functions as SPB but also FEELS nice. Many of the functions of SPB seem a little too showy and slightly pointless - like the spinning cylinder thing - and there is no way to remove the icons that lead to them. Maybe I should try SPB again but...Hmm well it just seems a little out of date, and I'm not keen on those Androidy cartoon icons that Mskip offers
Looking forward to V5 coming out though, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.

leoni1980 said:
Many of the functions of SPB seem a little too showy and slightly pointless - like the spinning cylinder thing - and there is no way to remove the icons that lead to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but the idiotic cylinder is the only idiotic feature you can't disable in SPB.
Maybe I should try SPB again but...Hmm well it just seems a little out of date, and I'm not keen on those Androidy cartoon icons that Mskip offers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, Mskip is nothing about cartoonish icons, rather it gives me the ability to get rid of the lower bottom bar which originally links to things I don't need. Also, it gives me to use invisible icons, which I use on top of widgets to gain extra functionality.
I understand that there are customisation options that Sense doesn't have but what exactly do they give you in terms of day-to-day usablilty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In terms of day to day usability, well, let's take the main screen. In SENSE, a huge part of it is taken by a useless clock, you also can't watch more than 1 appointment (and even with the recent extension to watch more, you still need to slide your finder to see more than 1), you also can't see your tasks at all. In my main screen I have a preview of several appointments and tasks with very functional widgets. I've customized it using an invisible icon so that clicking on the appointments widget takes me directly to Thumbcall's "make new appointment" link, and the same for tasks. I also get mail/sms/missed phone call/voicemail notification on the main screen using widgets.
After some tweaking, SPB Shell 3.5 feels like a glove on your hand, yet with the SENSE UI I never get this feeling, it's more cumbersome and things aren't exactly where I want them to be. Also, I hate the stupid swipe in order to switch between tabs, it's slow and inaccurate.
Looking forward to V5 coming out though, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't, V5 offers nothing above V3.5, apart from some nice 3D effects. It really should have gotten a V3.6 mark (But "5" is simply stupid).

The reason they skipped ahead to 5 is something to do with the number "4" being unlucky in eastern countries, or so I've read.
I got pulled in and paid for 3.5 after seeing seeing some HTC HD2 devices on youtube with different themes using its shell. But I am eagerly awaiting SPB MS 5 myself as I am a sucker for eyecandy with the ability to have as much custimization as possible a big plus in my eyes. It's a matter of taste.
All this aside I've been trying numerous 6.5.x roms and I have yet to find one that does not have some glitch somewhere or work seamlessly with SPB 3.5.
So again, if anyone out there is using a cooked rom that is 6.5.3 onwards with SPB 3.5 with little trouble, I'd be greatful to know which one.

i have used spb 3.5 withe the miri xtra light roms. currently on 5.1 but will be flashing 5.2 tonight. only one from the range i have had issues wih is 5.1. hope that

I'm using Leo Lite V2.5 ROM with SPB Shell 3.5 and have no problems...
What problems are you talking about ?

Spb 3.5 problems resolved
HI , I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY HTC HD2 A FEW DAYS AGO ND I RESOLVE WITH THIS PROGRAM (PocketShield_Setup) IS A LOCK AND UNLOCK APP. AND U CAN CHOSE MANY FUCTION ON HOW TO LOCK OR UNLOCK UR DIVICE AND ONE OF THOSE FUNCTIONS GIVES U THE OPORTUNITY TO EVERY TIME THAT U UNLOCK YOUR HD2 WILL TAKE U BACK TO THE ORIGINAL HTC SENSE SCREEN WITH ALL THE SETTINGS WORKING AND BACK TO UR MB 3.5 IF UR WANT WITHOUT A PROBLEM.
I HOPE THIS HELP U AND SORRY FOR MY INGLISH