Help for a first time tweaker? - HD2 General

Hi everyone
I really want to start tweaking things on my new HD2 but am falling over at the first couple hurdles. For me it seems that the core things to know are and that I'm having problems with are how to:
'Back up the phone (ROM and data)'
- I've tried using 'Dump My Phone' to backup (dump) my mobile in case I wreck the phone with my registry tweaks. Unfortunately the backup won't work. I copy the whole folder, which includes the .cab, .bat and .dll files into a folder on my device. Then I run the .cab file (installs successfully) and finally 'try' to run Partition Addresses.bat. This is where it fails (error: There is no application with 'Partition Addresses'. Run the application first, then open this file from within the application). Does anyone know what I should do or can suggest a different free prog along with a simple guide? I would really appreciate it!
'Launch the Run command and execute'
- I'm used to using it on Windows XP/ 7 but can't find it on the phone. Could someone post the path to the 'Run cmd' so that I can launch and use it?
'Edit the registry'
-(solved - I think) Downloaded Total Commander from one of the threads in the forum. Ran the .cab, opened the prog. Eventually found that the registry is within \\Plugins.
I'd really appreciate any help/ pointers that anyone can provide and I'm sure other future newbies would too.
Thanks very much
Before replying pls keep in mind that I'm a total n00b with all the tweaking so I need really clear step-by-step adivce if possible (hopefully will help others too).

1 - Not easy, really really not easy - certainly not just a program to do it.
far simpler to look in the 'official roms' thread in the rom development section and find a copy of your stock rom to use as a backup.
Heres a starter link to give you an idea what is involved.
Dump Rom
2 - 'Launch the Run command and execute', , erm, not sure what you mean, , but if you mean how to run commands at a command prompt in windows 7, press start, type cmd in the box at the bottom left of the start menu, and voila
If you mean run it on the phone there is no cmd prompt.
3 - Total commander is good for on the phone, for editing via the PC grab CeRegistryEditor, brilliant and farrrr easier than doing it through the phone.

Thanks samsamuel for your quick reply (damn replies are fast in this forum!)
- if backup is that tough then I guess, I'll just have to go the route you suggested. I was hoping to have a way to backup (if I make many registry tweaks and the last one screws it up then it would be great if I could just fall back on the backup instead of having to do all the tweaks again due to using a stock or forum ROM)
- yeah I meant run cmd from in the phone (one of the guides on backing up the phone mentioned it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427507) or did I totally not get what was meant
-I like the sound of tweaking the phone registry from the the desktop PC although Total Commander seems quite easy
Thanks again

for backing up the phone to restore to the same rom after a hard re set, lots off people swear by spb backup, though you can have issues if you try to restore a backup to a new rom.

samsamuel said:
for editing via the PC grab CeRegistryEditor, brilliant and farrrr easier than doing it through the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, that makes it so easy. Thanks for that!

meegulthwarp said:
Man, that makes it so easy. Thanks for that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can use it to export/backup reg keys too. great software.

samsamuel, I just saw that the link u provided to 'dump ROM' guide is the one that I meant, which seems to require using the run cmd in the mobile. it states, "Run (copy paste):
“pdocread.exe -l” (it’s the letter L not a 1)".
Any idea how to do that part. if so then I can give it a go.
interestingly,in the first step of the guide it stages to change the policy value to 1 but that's already done on my phone.

Related

Any advice for a Newb

I have read all of the Wiki's and quite a few other postings and will try my first flash when i get home. Does anyone have any advice for me before i try anything? I just got the Wing and it is my 1st PDA and I am very excited to start customizing it but i dont want to trash or as i've heard "brick" the thing so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
flashing a new ROM is actually wwwwaaay easier then the threads teaching you make it seems.
advice is... flash to a custom ROM.
decide what you want your phone to be able to do. compare the different ROMs before you flash. collect and organize cabs etc for the programs you will want to install after flashing. then go for it!!
Thanks for the response. How do io even start to flash do i need special sodtware on my PC. and what is SPL? i read i need 4.0 or higher or i will brick my phone. when i say i am a newb i mean complete newb. i dont even know where to start to install the files or anything.
to check your SPL, perform a soft reset while pressing the camera button. You should see a three colored screen with the words IPL and SPL and whatever. If SPL is over 4, then you can use USPL (temporary unlock) or HardSPL (permanent unlock). Note that in this case unlock means the removal of a block that forbids the flashing of custom roms. This is called a CID unlock.
SPL = Secondary Program Loader
similar to the BIOS in a pc..tells the device to load windows, etc
Hard-SPL = is a "permanent" change/upgrade..in this our case it changes your SPL to "yang4.7" or something like that
Herald-USPL = temporary upgrade to HTC Herald SPL 5+
thanks MV3 for the deffinitions and explanation it really helped alot. where can i find some .cab files at.
not like i wanted.
well things did not go like i wanted because i couldn't even backup my damn contacts because the stupid activesync wont back them up. getting tired so i will try this again tomorrow.
download and install HTC Backup
or PIM Backup..cuz they are freeware hehe
connect to your usb and transfer/install on your device. then you can run the program and backup or restore your contacts, messages, notes, calendar, etc.
if you have a data / internet package..you should be able to download through your phone....if that's not working.. you can download it to your computer..then email it to yourself... but really, via usb is much faster/easier.
cool can i active sync the files i need with this software to or no. and how exactly do i active sync a .cab or flash or anything for that matter.
well... synchronizing with active sync kinda sucks... and is rather annoying
it just synchronizes windows outlook, outlook/ms contacts, and other ms stuff.
if the file is a pc installation/setup file.. you need to connect your phone via usb.. then run the file on your computer and it installs it to your phone... your phone will ask where you want to install it.
if it's a .cab file, transfer it to your phone... then search for where you put it and run the .cab file.
to transfer files between your pc and your phone... on your pc's activesync... click "Explore"... or just open my computer/windows explorer.. and open Mobile Device..or whatever your computer named it.
to flash.. the instructions are usually on that ROM's page..
ok i got it. so i dont necessarily need to install it to a specific folder, just somewhere i will remember.
correct
mv3 said:
if the file is a pc installation/setup file.. you need to connect your phone via usb.. then run the file on your computer and it installs it to your phone... your phone will ask where you want to install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI: There is a way around this. When you execute the .exe file it does establish a .cab file in the folder on your PC for ActiveSync to use to install it on your Phone. So, what I have done in the past is go to the folder on my PC, find the .cab file and then transfer that .cab file to my SD Card and then install the .cab file on your phone. Search for where you put it on your Phone SD card and run the .cab file. It does work as I have done it many times. Then continue as stated below.
ok I will try it that way too thanks guys for all your advice. all I,ve done so far is a game and some themes.but I want to get my wing running faster so what should I install. and how can I run a app and still listen to wmedia at the same time?
asctony said:
FYI: There is a way around this. When you execute the .exe file it does establish a .cab file in the folder on your PC for ActiveSync to use to install it on your Phone. So, what I have done in the past is go to the folder on my PC, find the .cab file and then transfer that .cab file to my SD Card and then install the .cab file on your phone. Search for where you put it on your Phone SD card and run the .cab file. It does work as I have done it many times. Then continue as stated below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't see the point in that... unless you want to save the .cab file to your storage card...but if that's your point, then "i see..."
imfocused said:
ok I will try it that way too thanks guys for all your advice. all I,ve done so far is a game and some themes.but I want to get my wing running faster so what should I install. and how can I run a app and still listen to wmedia at the same time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To make it faster, you have to kill a lot of the junk that's in it from starting up, or you can use any third party ROM.
Hello fellow newbie..
Beleive me i feel u and all these questions ur asking, i was in the same boat and for the most part still am about certain things...i to wanted my device (wing) to run faster and EVERYONE advised me to flash a 3rd party rom (ttran biggy 3.0 is awesome) heres the link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=365607
not only is it fast and slick lookin but it gets rid of all that 'stuff' u dont need and frees up ALOT of memeory so u can still add stuff (cabs/programs) u want...he even provides instructions and 'how-tos' on the thread just follow exactly using USPL instructions when flashing...if u are in need of cabs go to the 'Herald' section or click here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=348) its the same device and concepts as the Wing, ull find everythin u need here
mv3 said:
i don't see the point in that... unless you want to save the .cab file to your storage card...but if that's your point, then "i see..."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many people who cannot connect with ActiveSync. I had trouble with it for months. So, that is another way of installing an application without using ActiveSync. This is also used as you said, to save the Cab file on your SD card.
Thanks Ivan i have read your "how to flash" thead alot of your other postings bro so i know you have this thing down pack and appreciate the advice.
Thank you too timace any dod and dont's advice you have feel free to Pm me or post it. I just dont want to brick my phone.
yesterday i loaded some themes and a game and some of my ringtones that i had made from my old nextel and now i feel brave enough to flash the rom.

How to batch install software after flash

Hey guys,
Could someone point me in the direction of a good batch installer.
I've reflashed my phone and i don't want to spend 10 days reinstalling everything.
I tried using SDConfig.txt but it won't start.
I know there were some threads talking about this...but hey...the search feature didn't help.
Thanks
A very good question, I'd like to see what else beside SDconfig can be used. It's been rendered useless on Itje's newer ROMs.
see post#2 of the thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=509891
look for:
4- CAB batch installer by helloworld1: neat, small, smart app to automatically install all of your apps after a flash or hard reset
I did see that link since luck would have it ... I reflashed with that exact same rom
The reason why I didn't want to use that tools is
"Problems:
1. The small utility can not silently install cab files. "
For a batch installer I think that is A MAIN REQUIREMENT...
I have almost 40 cabs...using a "batch installer" thats waiting for each one to prompt me a confirmation is ludicrous...
Any other ideas?
stormlv said:
1. The small utility can not silently install cab files. [/B]"
I have almost 40 cabs...using a "batch installer" thats waiting for each one to prompt me a confirmation is ludicrous...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, it's important to have silent installation.
However, that would mean an override would need to be done so that each confirmation selection would install it to either the device or the storage memory.
gundamboy said:
...However, that would mean an override would need to be done so that each confirmation selection would install it to either the device or the storage memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something like the SDConfig mechanism would be just fine.
Plus I rarely keep stuff on my SD Card anyway (besides Tom Tom that is...and even that doesn't need to be reinstalled - you can just copy a link to the start menu and you're done)
And what about Sashimi autoinstaller? Personally haven't use it. But I saw a post in BlueAngel's XDA forum wrote by red-hanks. It installs CAB, .REG., and .XML files.
Maybe this would be helpfull.
I think SKTools should be able to do it. Read the manual (http://s-k-tools.com/sktoolsm.pdf) on page 37. There you will find the command- line parameters for silent installation.
I recommend Sashimi Auto Installer. It does what you guys want.
You put all the cabs you want to install in the CAB Folder and then start the autoinstaller. It will go 1 by 1 and install. After it's all finished, it will ask you if you want to restart the phone. It will silently install the cabs (but still shows what it's installing currently), it just won't ask you anything until the end. This goes with registry edits as well and other files.
Tri3Dent said:
I recommend Sashimi Auto Installer. It does what you guys want.
You put all the cabs you want to install in the CAB Folder and then start the autoinstaller. It will go 1 by 1 and install. After it's all finished, it will ask you if you want to restart the phone. It will silently install the cabs (but still shows what it's installing currently), it just won't ask you anything until the end. This goes with registry edits as well and other files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good. What does it do with CABs that require user input to finish installation? (For instance G-alarm, FingerKB etc.)
Thanks guys...this is exactly what I needed!
Angelusz said:
Sounds good. What does it do with CABs that require user input to finish installation? (For instance G-alarm, FingerKB etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u can stick those ones in a "Manual" install mode in Sashimi. give it a go - looks confusing but it's incredibly flexible / powerful.
With the FingerKB, it would just popup the settings and wait for you to finish.. it will only continue once you have saved the settings.
I can't seem to find Sashimi Auto Installer - the top search result points to a thread with the first posts blank ("..........................") by a user that appears to have been banned?
Here it is
Here you can find it: http://www.winmo-experts.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4

Advanced Configuration Tool Install Help

I've searched and searched for ways to install this program, but all I can come up with is to sync the folder to my storage card. I can do this just fine, but I can't run the setup in the phone. The setup file opens into Opera. Could someone please help?
and I do already have the .NET Compact Framework 3.5 successfully installed.
It sounds like you're extracting the cab file instead of installing it, and then opening _setup.xml (which opens with Opera by default). Just download the 3.3 cab install version from here, put it on your device one way or another (without extracting it), and open it (from the device) with File Explorer Mobile or Total Commander for Windows Mobile.
Sweet Zombie Jesus that was easy... Thank you so much Dave. Best wishes to you sir.
Whoops...nevermind.
Your question was actually "how do I install a cab file". This did not require a new thread. It has been asked a million times and is part of mobile hacking 101. I really wish people would do a little reading before posting.
Thanks ****. I spent about 4 hours hunting down how to install that file....no where I went to told me exactly how to do it. And they're not all the same. Sometimes you have to unzip them on the computer and sometimes they go straight on the phone. I'm TRULY sorry I wasn't born with a mobile device in my hand. Please grace me with more of your bountiful intellect. I could totally use it.
Okay. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you a ****. But i think it sucks you got offended that i had to ask for help for a problem I wasn't able to answer on my own.
I also think it sucks that i let your response bother me.

Registry Editor

Can someone please give me a link of a registry editor that they recommend and preferably one that I can dl directly to my phone and install it from there. Id greatly appreciate it.
Total Commander
You'd find yourself lost for starters if you searched for the registry editor function in totalcommander.
You need to go to the root of the device, and go into "\\Plugins" from there to reach it.
Download this one. I think (besides Total Commander or so) it is a must have, because you can edit your registry from your PC, no need to install on your phone at all.
http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-and-Shell/Windows/Mobile-Registry-Editor-10636.shtml
If you're going to edit the registry, be prepared to do extra independent research to check and double check what you're changing so you don't mess something up.
aceo07 said:
If you're going to edit the registry, be prepared to do extra independent research to check and double check what you're changing so you don't mess something up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use: CeRegEditor
It is easy to use from the PC, and have great features like, import/export, backup, and the very important compare feature (e.g., you can do a backup, and than after installing a program, compare the registry to the backup, so you can know which changes the program did).
And of course its free...
The guy wants one he can use on his phone and so do I. Any suggestions? A cab link would be divine but not necessary.
on my touch diamond on Mak's ROM's thrre was an app im sure it was ph registry editor ill see if it works on hd2
maybe next time a little research and post in the right section.
freewareppc.com/utilities/phmregistryeditor.shtml
Reg Editor
The reason im asking for one to be installed on my phone is that I have it synced to a Mac.
Boot Camp
i would also like to know the answer to this... boot camp isn't the answer, nor is parallels, thats not what he is asking for...
i did use resco i think but the flashed new rom and haven't got it anymore so can't be sure. its not freeware either i believe?
any info
Does anyone recommend a program?

help..... how to dump my hd2 rom so I can flash it later.

help..... how to dump my hd2 rom so I can flash it later. so everything stay the same and I don't have to install all cabs again and setting. I'm a noob, I'm also trying to find out how to make my own clock and icons. thanks
i don't think it is possible to back-up your current rom n settings.
corlygunnz said:
help..... how to dump my hd2 rom so I can flash it later. so everything stay the same and I don't have to install all cabs again and setting. I'm a noob, I'm also trying to find out how to make my own clock and icons. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the Energy ROM thread. There is some talk of it in post #5.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591784
i did it with my o2 rom just to see how to do it, but in all honesty i won't be doing it again. No point when the rom is available to download, and it doesnt save settings anyway. Ive posted teh how-to just because you asked about 'dumping the rom' so it will no doubt get hits from epople wanting to know how, and not just people like you wanting to backup, not dump.
dump the .raw partitions, reading step one in THIS first post will help.
Then set up ervius visual kitchen and use the 'raws2nbh' function to rebuild the raw files into the .nbh rom file.
BUT, it wont save your rom as it is now, with all your settings and such, it will only dump the rom as it was when you first ran the phone.
Far easier to just download the stock rom from somewhere.
Plus the rom you create even though it is stock will still be seen as a cooked rom by teh phone, so you would need hspl installed to flash it.
So, you need to look more into backup software, like sprite backup, PIm backup, or sashimi/makisu, or the like.
thanks very much. I guess I stick with backing up the settings and flashing the stock rom... thanks for the feedback again... ps: the point was to have the rom just how out was when dumped...
corlygunnz said:
thanks very much. I guess I stick with backing up the settings and flashing the stock rom... thanks for the feedback again... ps: the point was to have the rom just how out was when dumped...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, i know what you mean.
I found a cooked rom that i liked, and the chef also offered the kitchen with it. (which means i run the kitchen, press 'build' and fifteen minutes later the rom is created, ready to flash.)
Then, knowing i have a rom that i already like, i can start to make small adjustments. Progs that i normally have to reinstal every time i have converted to cookable packages, various registry tweaks that i used to instal from cab every time i have now cooked in.
A great way to get an easy intro into cooking, but because it's already built you aren't starting from a stock rom, facing weeks of tweaks. Instead i know i already like the rom, and i can slowly apply extra tweaks as i learn.
Look out for rom threads who offer 'comes with kitchen'.
ChuckyROM is the one that comes to mind, but there are others too.
I now have cookies home tab mod pre installed, and right from the start it has my layout, and all my quicklinks already there, as well as most of teh cabs i used to instal manually already built in, owner name pre set, home location/timezone etc etc all pre set, my own lockscreen, i've removed tons of unused images and language files, and such like.
My rom is down to around 145MB. (Stock is around 200MB+).
Best of all, i cooked in 'remotetracker', so if my phone gets stolen/lost, , even a hard reset wont stop it being trackable.
Fun stuff, if you dont mind spending a few hours at a time cooking/flashing/re-cooking/flashing/re-re-cooking, , , hehe
samsamuel said:
I now have cookies home tab mod pre installed, and right from the start it has my layout, and all my quicklinks already there, as well as most of teh cabs i used to instal manually already built in, owner name pre set, home location/timezone etc etc all pre set, my own lockscreen, i've removed tons of unused images and language files, and such like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can I pre install, the layout and quick links on cookie too my rom, I'm a noob, I got this new rom I like and a want to tweak it, its going to be my first rom. can you or someone direct me to tutorials for cooking and tweaking.... I'm a quick learner. lol
corlygunnz said:
how can I pre install, the layout and quick links on cookie too my rom, I'm a noob, I got this new rom I like and a want to tweak it, its going to be my first rom. can you or someone direct me to tutorials for cooking and tweaking.... I'm a quick learner. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well its not that simple. when a chef cooks the rom, it is usually protected, so you cant just dump a cooked rom. Thats why you have to get a pre built kitchen for that rom.
Sadly there is no simple step by step for all this.
THIS thread is for OSKitchen, which is pretty good, and fairly straightforward.
I suggest you just get a kitchen, dump a stock rom into it, and just have a look around it for a while first, so you get the idea of what you are facing.
Follow posts 1 - 4 and that should give you an evenings tinkering to get started.
Or there is ervius' visual kitchen, which isn't quite so straight forward, but works really well for me.
Reading HERE and HERE and HERE
and lots of reading in 'Chef Central'
However, to get immediate results, i found it far better to start with a pre built kitchen.
HERE is the one i first started to tinker with.
I gave up on kitchens a half dozen times in the past months, it just seems so overwhelming, which is why a ready made rom i could make minor tweaks to came in so handy.
thanks allot, I'm going to get to it right away. I'll post if I hit a wall.
how do i cook cooki home tab. is not working, is the anything i got to do?
corlygunnz said:
how do i cook cooki home tab. is not working, is the anything i got to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
convert it to an ext package, which will generate a folder with various files/subfiles, one of which is a reg file, edit that, add your registry entries (extracted from your currently running phone, using ceregistry editor ((if you dont already have them, immediately you finish reading this go get wincecab manager, ceregistry editor, and look up CAB_Converter too.)))
Use cab converter to change the cab into an ext.
as always, the best advice is to read everything, then read it again, hehe.
A working example.
connect your phone to usb, open ceregistry editor, click connect, browse to HKLM\software\HTC\manila\Home There are 80 or so numbered folders, Thats for the quicklinks.
In the tree view on the left, right click the folder Home and choose 'export'. A file save dialog will open, call it something like home, OK. You should get something like '81 keys exported'
Now, browse to the folder where the converted cookies EXT is, find the file 'app.reg'. Double click to open it in ceregistry editor, you will see a similar registry view as you saw on the phone, except with loads less entries. Find HKLM\software\HTC\manila\Home, select the home folder, hit delete, confirm, its now gone.
Go to top of ceregistry editor - hit Edit - Import registry keys from file.
Now, by default it will be looking for .reg files, but we exported ours as .cereg, so change the filetype dropdown to 'all files'.
Find your 'home.cereg' file we exported, click it, you will get a 'sucessfully imported,....blahblah', hit save, and now, when you cook the rom, your quicklinks will already be there as soon as the phone first boots.
Use SPB backup
Use SPB backup. Works wonders. I have a backup for the 3 or 4 roms I run. So all I have to do is load the rom, load spb backup and restore the backup and all my settings, email accounts, facebook and the such is ready to go.
fhaines
fhaines said:
Use SPB backup. Works wonders. I have a backup for the 3 or 4 roms I run. So all I have to do is load the rom, load spb backup and restore the backup and all my settings, email accounts, facebook and the such is ready to go.
fhaines
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just got me the spb backup, and is working great for me. thanks.
The simple solution here is SPB Backup...
EDIT: oops, jumped the gun. was already suggested. xD
glad you got it figured out
samsamuel said:
use the 'raws2nbh' function to rebuild the raw files into the .nbh rom file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This step is much more complicated than it sounds. Any possibility that you could include instructions for this?
Thanks!
ohiosux said:
This step is much more complicated than it sounds. Any possibility that you could include instructions for this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure you want to bother? it wont save your settings as they are now, so you are essentially dumping the stock rom as it was when you got the phone (Assuming you're running a stock rom that is, if its a cooked rom it probably wont convert anyway)
All (most) of teh stock roms are available to download, so its an accademic task only, , , ,
samsamuel said:
sure you want to bother? its an accademic task only, , , ,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, yes. I realize its redundant work, but I don't see how I could ever become a proper "chef" if I can't even manage to dump a ROM.
ohiosux said:
Actually, yes. I realize its redundant work, but I don't see how I could ever become a proper "chef" if I can't even manage to dump a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe, well, ive only done it once, so you know as much as me, , get ervius vis kitchen (im sure other kitchens can do it too, just i use evk) click extra buttons, top left button is raws2nbh, follow the prompts.
You dont need to do this to cook, you know that? the kitchen will import a downloaded stock nbh, no need for the dump to get a kutchen working.

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