There seems to be some confusion as to what exactly flashing is. People talk about flashing ROMs AND flashing HardSPL...wtf?!?
well, you do flash both, but think of flashing HardSPL as you would when flashing your BIOS on your PC (if you have never done it, then think of it as a new version of the white writing that tells you your pc specs when you switch your pc on - startup screen)
Flashing a ROM:
Your phone is running Windows Mobile (6.1 or 6.5) just like your computer is running Windows XP/Vista/7 (or, if ur a real tosser, Mac OS). Now you may sometimes update your OS (that stands for Operating System) via automatic updates. you haven't actually REPLACED your OS, just added a little to it.
That is NOT what flashing a ROM is.
Flashing your ROM is like having Windows XP Home and installing Windows 7 Ultimate. You COMPLETELY take away Windows XP and ALL files associated with it and install a newer OS.
So, you cannot just "upgrade" from WM 6.1 to WM 6.5.
WHAT IS A ROM?
A ROM is practically (using above's example) a CD/DVD with Windows Mobile on it (which version of Windows Mobile doesn't matter). Now of course it IS NOT an actual CD/DVD, but rather a smaller file (where are you gonna fit a CD/DVD into your phone, huh? )
So, when people talk about choosing your ROM, they are practically saying, which version of Widows Mobile do you want, BUT ALSO how customised do you want it?
Different ROMs:
- Stock ROM/Original ROM/HTC ROM:
these ROMs are absolutely basic and come with nothing extra or edited to make them faster/change them. it is the version you can download from HTC
- Cooked ROMs/Modified ROMs/Custom ROMs:
these ROMs are prepared by the chefs in our kitchen (it's a metaphor, there aren't really chefs in any kitchen, we just call the guys who piece together the custom ROMs, chefs)
these ROMs come in many shapes and sizes, some of them offering more eye candy (that's what we call things that look pretty) and some optimized for speed and performance. You will need to read through the description the chef gives, as well as the forum feedback to be able to evaluate just how likely you are to use that ROM.
Now, once you understand those terms a bit better, have a look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=585201
for a simple step by step guide to flashing HardSPL and then your first ROM.
Good luck
Other Terms you might encounter:
Radio Version: The radio ROM is responsible for Wifi, phone signal, GPS. Changing the radio ROM can improve your phone (or make it worse) regarding Wifi sensitivity, phone signal availability, GPS satellite receiving and GPS lag. Most ROMs come with a radio that should work best for them, however, if they do not, then your old radio will simply be left in place.
Unfortunately there is no confirmed measurement available yet to tell you which radio ROM is best for you. It depends on the OS ROM you use, the region you are living in and your personal needs.
Sense/Manilla/TF3D/Touch Flo: These are words/descriptions given to the HTC Touch Flo Interface (Touch Flo 3d is the TF3D term in words)
- Manilla (BLACK AND WHITE) is the original version "old" version, whilst Sense (COLOURED ICONS) is the new one.
- So anything that is graphically NOT the standard Windows Mobile 6.1 or 6.5, probably counts towards the Touch Flo Interface.
Hard Reset: A hard reset is the same as "Restore Factory Defaults" on most cell phones. So ANY data you have added (contacts, data files - music, photos, etc) will be deleted. The phone then reverts ALL settings (any background changes you're made, any ringtones, etc will be set to the original, default ones the phone came with) *note: your phone will NOT reset to the original ROM/Windows Mobile version it came with, it will still be the same ROM you flashed with!
To perform a hard reset, you can either do so by looking for the Restore to factory settings in your menu
OR
Switch your phone off. Now hold both volume buttons down and press the power button. Your phone will now hard reset.
Soft Reset: Pressing the red button under your battery cover, or selecting the quick reset option in the menu(s). This is pretty much comparable to restarting your pc if it is running a bit slowly for some reason.
If you still have questions, or would like to read more, Please go to the Topaz Mega Thread
(to all the (Senior) Members, if you have any tips i might have left out, please PM me with them and i'll update as necessary, as i would rather keep this thread as clear and unlittered as possible for the new guys, thanks)
Please add this guide to sticky..thank you for the guide
I second that
Thank you
Thank you so much for this guide
Doubt!
well, the guide was very useful now i kinda got the confidence to flash my diamond2 with a new dutty rom.. which rom would u suggest ? R3?
and another doubt is that after i hardspl , and flashed the rom do i hav to insta; something called the Radio?
Consider yourself Stuck.
darkmessiah said:
well, the guide was very useful now i kinda got the confidence to flash my diamond2 with a new dutty rom.. which rom would u suggest ? R3?
and another doubt is that after i hardspl , and flashed the rom do i hav to insta; something called the Radio?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey man.
R3 seems to be good from Dutty, personally, i'm still using R1 (because of the task manager, i feel it is the fastest feeling ROM i've used to date (with Sense 2.5))
Your question about the Radio is a good one. I will add an explanation above soon, but in short, don't worry about it. If you flash a ROM that DOESN'T come with a new Radio, then your phone will automatically keep the old one. If your new ROM DOES have a new Radio...well, it will update automatically
keep checking here for updates to other definitions
Success....
Drag-on..dude.. thank you so much for ur guide that helped me out in successfully flashing Dutty holy grail R3 ROM on my HTC Touch Diamond2..
Drag-On, can you clarify from where can I select the quick reset option in the menu?
can Soft Reset be done by Press the Power Button for 3 seconds and then power again without opening the cover...?? if yes can you please add to your your wonderful guide
darkmessiah said:
well, the guide was very useful now i kinda got the confidence to flash my diamond2 with a new dutty rom.. which rom would u suggest ? R3?
and another doubt is that after i hardspl , and flashed the rom do i hav to insta; something called the Radio?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dutty's holy grail R3 is stable/good
you dont need to install a radio but you can if you like a better one. 4.49.25.17 is the best for this moment check here radio list
Please continue the good work.....
geo
Thank you very much. This guide is useful.
htc touch diamond WM 6.1
Hey all,
I'm new here and have been doing a ton of research on my phone from sprint. I have a lot of questions mainly to do with enhancing my phone from default. You know all the must haves and so forth to opptimize and have some fun with it. I wasn't sure where to post but I figured this was as good as any. On a more speciffic note, Is there a way to increase the in-call volume so that botton pushes would have a greater effect on the volume level?
I installed the newest Opera and I would like to like it to the Touch Flo 3D like the current one is. Not sure how to uninstall the original if that's what it takes or even if this is my best option? Links or any assistance to get me off in the right direction would be great.
Thanks!
Thanks for the much needed idiots guide to HTC ROM stuff.
Tech Wannabee said:
Hey all,
I'm new here and have been doing a ton of research on my phone from sprint. I have a lot of questions mainly to do with enhancing my phone from default. You know all the must haves and so forth to opptimize and have some fun with it. I wasn't sure where to post but I figured this was as good as any. On a more speciffic note, Is there a way to increase the in-call volume so that botton pushes would have a greater effect on the volume level?
I installed the newest Opera and I would like to like it to the Touch Flo 3D like the current one is. Not sure how to uninstall the original if that's what it takes or even if this is my best option? Links or any assistance to get me off in the right direction would be great.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u will need to wait for a newer build/ROM that integrates Opera (the new version)
currently, Opera 9.xx is "linked" to Touch Flo 3d. it should technically be possible to "link" Opera 10, but that's where my know-how ends.
maybe others will have a better idea, but as far as i know, it's something a chef would have to do with his ROM, or/and an HTC update
HARD SPL
do i do a Hard SPL every time I flash a rom or its just one time activity?
Please Help
madz001 said:
do i do a Hard SPL every time I flash a rom or its just one time activity?
Please Help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you would read this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=585201
(it IS linked in my Original Post) then you would read that you DO NOT need to flash HSPL every time. just the first time.
flashing from device
Hi. Is possible to flash a Rom from Internal Storage like Diamond does? (Vol Down + <-- + Reset). Thanks in advance
Hi, I'm a begginer-no-idea.
I'm wondering if it is possible install (and works, of course) Tom Tom 7... or not.
At the moment I tried 4 or 5 times but whitout success.
Do you have a tutorial for mono neuronal begginers?
Thanks.
malatest said:
Hi. Is possible to flash a Rom from Internal Storage like Diamond does? (Vol Down + <-- + Reset). Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TD2 has external storage card, no internal storage.
You can flash from storage card.
Hi,
I have just gone through the beginners guide and I have couple of queries.
1. I am having WM 6.5 original ROM from HTC for my HTC Touch Diamond2 and I am planning to go for cooked ROM. If anything goes wrong with Cooked ROM, Can I able to install again the WM 6.5 original ROM from HTC?
2. Whether cooked ROM have all the applications as which came from original ROM or some of application might not available in cooked ROM?
3. Mainly are we going for Cooked ROM only for look and feel and performance or anyother benefits are there like some extra built-in applications like that..?
4. How can we make sure whether particulat Cooked ROM will fit to our device. For example all the ccoked ROM in "Topaz ROM development" will fit for HTC Touch Diamond2?
Sorry for making so much questions, because it's better to prevent than cure.
and I am very much interested with the cooked ROM. thanks.
Hi, let me try to answer based on my exprerience:
1. Once you have installed Olinex HardSPL1.83 (which is simply NECESSARY), you'll be able to flash ANY ROM of ANY country, cooked or official. Just remember to re-lock the phone (see HardSPL thread) and put an official ROM back if you ever need to send the device back for assistance covered by warranty.
2. Generally, some really useless apps are removed in order to get more free memory but they still are available around , if someone really misses them.
3. Cooked ROMs main advantage is that they have updated apps,less bugs and, as you said, more speed and stability. Cooks generally tend to leave a maximum space available so that single users decide how to use it, but I guess it's also for copyright reasons that no extra apps are added. There are exceptions..for example my ROM contains a very cool app (ported from another HTC device) that allows my phone to act like a WiFi Acces Point, which wasn't there in the official build..Anyway when a ROM is published, cooks always make a list of what was removed,added or updated.
4. Only ROMs listed in their relative phone threads will work. If you own a Touch Diamond 2 (aka Topaz), Topaz forum is the place where you will find working ROMs for it.
Ciao!
thanks for kind reply, sualc.
Hi - I've tried browsing through posts to answer my question, but I can't seem to find a direct answer. Any help will be appreciated:
I have an HTC Touch P3452 (I guess this is a/k/a the Elf?).
My wish list:
1. Update Audio Manager to a version that will sort tracks by Track #, not alphabetically by Track Name as it does now. I have read that this update is available, but I don't know how to get it.
2. Accomplish #1 without losing HTC TouchFlo, bricking my phone, pulling my hair out, etc. (!)
I believe that Audio Manager is part of the ROM, i.e. not an independent application, so I guess that to update it I'll have to tamper with my phone's ROM.
HTC won't allow me to download their "official" ROM upgrade (don't know why... when I enter my S/N it says my phone is not eligible for the update).
Which leaves me browsing the web looking at dozens of different postings with home-cooked ROM's, and as I don't know who/what to trust I'm worried about ending up with a phone that is either dead or buggy/flaky.
Finally, it's not clear to me if I should (or must) upgrade to WM 6.1 or 6.5 in order to get the new Audio Manager. If I do, will I lose TouchFlo?
Any help will be very much appreciated.
Best wishes
You can get the new audio manager as a cab. And for your rom question, you will lose touchflo but gain touchflo2d like in the viva and 3g
Thanks for your reply! One more favor to ask...
Can you help point me toward a source for
1) the updated Audio Manager .cab file,
and/or
2) a safe, stable version of the 6.1 ROM upgrade?
If I do the 6.1 ROM upgrade, will I still need to update Audio Manager via a .cab file, or is it included in the 6.1 ROM?
There are so many versions of these things available, and I see posts indicating that some are "better" than others, so I have no idea how to judge what might be a good, safe way to upgrade. Any help will be appreciated.
I'm Using Onyx Ultimate right now, the 6.1 one. Its a pretty good 6.1 ROM. After flashing it (remember to HardSPL before). Install Manila2d customizer and enable the music and the picture/video tab. Then you will most liekly never have to leave your homescreen again. The new audio manager is here. It might not work with 6.1 though, since I used it in 6.5.
Thank you again. I'm going to give it a try.
Ok, so I'm a new HD2 user. After using a G1 since it's release in the US (OCT 2008) I've switched to this new phone, and I know nothing about winmo 6.5 or how to tweak, move anything around. My G1 was rooted, and installing the rom was quick. Now for the questions.
1. Is it possible to put a cooked rom on my phone? I've searched around, and can't get a definitive answer. I see that the US and EU and Australian Models are all different, so I would like a definitive answer.
2. Is there a possibility of an Android Rom being cooked up for this phone?
3. Is there a possibility of a Windows 7 Rom being cooked up for this phone?
4. How do I install programs?
5. The wiki is barebones, can someone give me a small tutorial on neat tricks, tips etc. for my phone (the US model)?
Thanks, I would appreciate your help.
1. Yes it is possible, look for roms that says TMOUS compatible, I assume you know the procedure and importance of HSPL (mostly HSPL2 for your case) check (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=611433)
2. Not in a short future as there is no need, winmo is pretty versatile OS.
3. Don't know, don't want it.
4. Copy setup files on SD card and run from there.
5. All the tips and tricks listed here will work with your phone as well (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=583638)
Cheers!!
Hi all, yes sorry newbie nob here.
I have been reading this site for days & days to make sure I get it right but still not sure
If I load a HSPL and then a ROM (which one I have nooo idea) will I still have the Outlook and Office software or will that be wiped out to.
The main reason for getting the HD2 was the original functionality but I need to loose the Telstra hardcoded stuff.
thanx
There are so many Roms to choose from
Dutty, NRG, Chucky etc they are all great as they all offer different things for different users
Most will have the same stuff you are after usually called a stock Rom
others will have lots of stuff taken out LITE Roms
Choose a Rom chef and look at the Rom they are providing stick to one in the beginning to get used to flashing and read there threads they will usually have what is included at the beginning of that ROM thread if ur not sure ask in that thread most users here are very happy to help you out as we all started where you are now
To get started go to the ROM section and have a real good read at the thread on flashing your first ROM for noobs. And before you decide to do anything, re-read the first post.
Just so you get the hang of it, it is best to HSPL then flash the latest HTC ROM (this includes the main ROM and the Radio ROM). Once you feel a bit more confident, then you can go ahead any try the custom ROMs - remember that the custom ROMs will specify which Radio ROM has to be flashed prior to flashing the main ROM.
The main ROM includes the operating system, Office mobile, Manila & all the programs you already have except the operator specific ones. The Radio ROM controls all connectivity - WiFi, FM Radio, Bluetooth, GPS, telephone connections (including data) - it also has a major impact upon battery.
Thank you, thank you, thank you this answers everything (well for now)
I'll go read the Flashing your 1st ROM for Nobs AGAIN - think I've read it 10 times now lol
Oh I think I'm going to enjoy this new phone adventure
kjac014 said:
Hi all, yes sorry newbie nob here.
I have been reading this site for days & days to make sure I get it right but still not sure
If I load a HSPL and then a ROM (which one I have nooo idea) will I still have the Outlook and Office software or will that be wiped out to.
The main reason for getting the HD2 was the original functionality but I need to loose the Telstra hardcoded stuff.
thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer this question: Most, if not all, custom ROMs contain Outlook and Office Mobile -- they are essential software in WM.
On a sidenote: It's best to try out multiple ROMs. That way, you can find one that suits you best.
I don't believe it, after weeks of being a total NOB and reading and re reading I have finally flashed a rom to my HD2 -
It was easy thank you all sooo much - now I'm hooked. lol