Database Users

Method of flashing?

Which is the best way to flash the Leo now?
Some chefs recommend flashing back to an original rom then to a custom.
Now we have a working HSPL, until now Bepe's custom RUU was used for flashing just the OS part (and this util is still part of the Rom's on here). Do we now no longer use this and use UDK's customRUU instead?
It just seems that when I flash one custom rom over another and one over that one etc etc, I always end up with strange rom results :-/

jonboyuk said:
It just seems that when I flash one custom rom over another and one over that one etc etc, I always end up with strange rom results :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would of thought that problems with ROMS are due more to them all being new and the chefs trying to iron out the bugs....I ended up going through most of the roms available on the site until I found one that worked for me.
The only time I install an official rom is if I have problems booting and am not able to get activesync working otherwise I just go straight over the top of whatever rom is on my device and then hard reset before booting up for the first time.

Awesome! Good advice, thank you!

Ok, just to piggyback on this. As a first time flasher (without the HD2 as yet), have i got this correct:
a) Install HSPL so I can install 1.48 or 1.61 onto my 1.43 device without goldcard by placing the HTC Rom on a FAT16 microsd card as leoimg.nbh? Then should i want to do that again I will have to re-install hspl?
b) For cooked roms, install HSPL, then use SSPL to install cooked rom. Should it all go wrong I can then put back my stock 1.61 ROM onto a sd card and voila back to work without goldcard?

chris_ah1 said:
Ok, just to piggyback on this. As a first time flasher (without the HD2 as yet), have i got this correct:
a) Install HSPL so I can install 1.48 or 1.61 onto my 1.43 device without goldcard by placing the HTC Rom on a FAT16 microsd card as leoimg.nbh? Then should i want to do that again I will have to re-install hspl?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that the micro sd card should be formated FAT32. Just remember that when you flash an offical ROM, it will also remove the HSPL so you will need to reinstall it.
chris_ah1 said:
b) For cooked roms, install HSPL, then use SSPL to install cooked rom. Should it all go wrong I can then put back my stock 1.61 ROM onto a sd card and voila back to work without goldcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only use SSPL, but I've got a Goldcard in case of problems.....just follow the guides and without the goldcard, it's a good idea to make sure that HSPL is installed so you've got a way to revert back if you have any problems. Hope that explains it a bit better

Yep, that's precisely what I thought. thanks for confirming it.
I understand that some regulars are getting irritated by general newbie questions but sometimes it is good just to confirm and understanding of how it all works before hosing a device and then asking stupid qs on how to fix rather than posting how great a new ROM is
sadly I'm a bit too lazy to do the goldcard thing. But I might get one done for safety.

chris_ah1 said:
Ok, just to piggyback on this. As a first time flasher (without the HD2 as yet), have i got this correct:
a) Install HSPL so I can install 1.48 or 1.61 onto my 1.43 device without goldcard by placing the HTC Rom on a FAT16 microsd card as leoimg.nbh? Then should i want to do that again I will have to re-install hspl?
b) For cooked roms, install HSPL, then use SSPL to install cooked rom. Should it all go wrong I can then put back my stock 1.61 ROM onto a sd card and voila back to work without goldcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need any sspl to install a cooked rom when you've hspl'ed your leo.
You can revert back to the original spl by using the sd card method with a stock rom.

chris_ah1 said:
Yep, that's precisely what I thought. thanks for confirming it.
I understand that some regulars are getting irritated by general newbie questions but sometimes it is good just to confirm and understanding of how it all works before hosing a device and then asking stupid qs on how to fix rather than posting how great a new ROM is
sadly I'm a bit too lazy to do the goldcard thing. But I might get one done for safety.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too bad you got the wrong answer. there is no need for sspl or goldcard after you use HSPL. with that you can install official and custom roms. you don't have to install hspl again. just the once. UNLESS you install a official ROM with the SD card method. that will overwrite HSPL with the original (locked) SPL. you can flash a original ROM over usb. this will leave the hspl intact.

Svenvdmeer said:
too bad you got the wrong answer. there is no need for sspl or goldcard after you use HSPL. with that you can install official and custom roms. you don't have to install hspl again. just the once. UNLESS you install a official ROM with the SD card method. that will overwrite HSPL with the original (locked) SPL. you can flash a original ROM over usb. this will leave the hspl intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Am i bad, just trying to help. Still all they were after was some reassurence they wouldn't brick there device and what i said was at worst long winded.
Didn't see anyone else rushing to help.

So are we supposed to use UDK's RUU utility to flash now?

Svenvdmeer said:
too bad you got the wrong answer. there is no need for sspl or goldcard after you use HSPL. with that you can install official and custom roms. you don't have to install hspl again. just the once. UNLESS you install a official ROM with the SD card method. that will overwrite HSPL with the original (locked) SPL. you can flash a original ROM over usb. this will leave the hspl intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So no cooked ROM will over-write HSPL?
ah, good. I just saw some ROm page (i think Xannytech) which said use only SSPL.
I dunno - it's all a bit technical for a first timer. perhaps i should stick to official updates and CABs for now.

Hopefully someone can put down some clear methods/ways for the new people, as there seems to be a lot of conflicting ideas (or maybe i'm imagining it).
I just tried flashing stock 1.61 to my 1.48 Leo, (after installing HSPL, which seemed to install fine).
I done a bad flash though (for whatever reason) as the phone just went in to perpetual rebooting after the update utility completed. Just managed to get it started by reflashing 1.48 back on to it.

Well here is the issue Hskalay:
You are meant to be able to uninstall HSPL...but some say that flashing a stock rom does not uninstall it.
Some say that cooked roms include SPL.nbh and that it will overwrite HSPL. In fact some rom cookers have said in their posts to only use SSPL and not sd flashing via leoimg.nbh and HSPL. However others say that cooked ROMS do not (and should not) overwrite the HSPL.
From what I have gathered without clear consensus is that as long as HSPL is on the device, ANY rom can be installed from the sd card - cooked or official. Without HSPL you NEEDED goldcard. With HSPL you can still use goldcard but it isnt essential, as long as HSPL works and boots.
From what I have read, it appears that HSPL is a bootloader like GRUB or windows boot loader or LILO. The difference from SSPL is that HSPL gets written to the boot sector, and SSPL is a temporary fix as if you installed GRUB/LILO to your linux system partition and had the stock bootloader in the boot sector point to it to boot.
Goldcard: you dont need a working bootloader (Bepe's HSPL or stock), you dont need a working ROM.
HSPL: you need a working bootloader (i.e HSPL of course), you dont need a working ROM.
SSPL: you need working rom, and working bootloader.
If you ever over-write your Bepe HSPL you will need to put it back on. hence it is not a once only deal. However, it appears as said that it is not over-written.

Thanks for your reply Chris.
With HSPL - Do the rom HAVE to be installed via the SD card? Or can they be launch and installed from the PC (via USB). ie install HSPL to the phone, and then running the standard update program for say, 1.48 to 1.61 (which needed goldcard previously if I am correct).

Right just tested everything out this morning. Installed HSPL.
Can run installs either using CustomRUU or SSPLRUU tools either leaving the phone in active sync or in the boot loader menu by holding down Vol Down key.
To install new Radio ROM just use CustomRUU as this won't wipe your device
and just install the radio. There is a tread with all the Radio only roms here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=611787
Also wiped HSPL by installing original O2 ROM and this did clear the HSPL. To install original ROM, just copy the nbh to the device, rename it to LEOIMG.nbh and then reboot into the Bootloader and it will then reinstall the rom. Just to let you know I got some wiered error when doing this and it restarted the update and then completed. Hope this helps
It's been said that at the moment you shouldn't install custom ROMs by copying the nbh files to your memory card.
Update:
To reinstall HSPL again after flashing original ROM, I had to remove my memory card or it would not work.

How do I get SPL-2.00 off my phone?

I think I made a grave error and updated to the TMO USA 2.02 ROM not knowing it would be watermarked all over the place. So now I'm trying to revert back to HSPL and am having no luck whatsoever. I've read and read and read but can find no clear cut path to downgrade the SPL. I really just want to get back to the WWE 1.66 official release I was running.
Can anybody please help? I've tried flashing all kinds of different ROMS including official roms but nothing works. Even from the memory card is of no help.
I hear gold card mentioned but I have no idea what that is and Google gives billions of results for gold card, nothing that explained it to me. I have to buy a gold card?
Can somebody please help?
Either downgrade my SPL or instruct me on ridding my 2.02 of these water marks. HTC Confidential is printed in the middle.
Thanks.

balane said:
I think I made a grave error and updated to the TMO USA 2.02 ROM not knowing it would be watermarked all over the place. So now I'm trying to revert back to HSPL and am having no luck whatsoever. I've read and read and read but can find no clear cut path to downgrade the SPL. I really just want to get back to the WWE 1.66 official release I was running.
Can anybody please help? I've tried flashing all kinds of different ROMS including official roms but nothing works. Even from the memory card is of no help.
I hear gold card mentioned but I have no idea what that is and Google gives billions of results for gold card, nothing that explained it to me. I have to buy a gold card?
Can somebody please help?
Either downgrade my SPL or instruct me on ridding my 2.02 of these water marks. HTC Confidential is printed in the middle.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you flash a stock 166 rom then you don't need goldcard.. especially with the 200spl in place.
flashing via ssdcard or using just running the full exe from windows should install the 166 complete including the 142 spl.
I know as I've done it a few times over the last couple of days.
the watermarking is nothing to do with the spl btw.. it's the ddi.dll that's the cause.
next time read a bit more before you go around flashing everything, it will save you some heartache, as the 202 rom has been discussed in some detail adn isn't suitable for noobs to use, as you've found out. .

Thanks. I did try flashing down to the official 1.66 rom WWE and neither the exe from the PC nor the leoimg.nbh worked.
Using the SD card method it flashes gray for a second with some red number up top and then returns to the rainbow bootloader screen and sits.
Using the PC method it boots the phone, gets to 1% of the flash, returns some error about communication and goes back into the 2.02
Honestly, if there were a way to remove the water mark I would be just fine with it all. I tried to replace the ddi.dll with the one from 2.01 earlier in the day but it just froze at the Stick Together first splash screen so I don't know what else to try in that regard.

edit -deleted in case I'm wrong (more often than not )

I just got done getting the 1.66 official WWE on there via SSPL. For some reason it won't let me install any custom rom via SSPL saying it loses communication with the phone.
So I'm OK for the time being.
Can somebody please direct me to the location of Gold Card? I'm having a bear of a time finding it.
Thank you very much for your help.

balane,
I feel your pain but as Fards has just said doing a significant amount of research first before jumping in can save hassle later on.
XDA can be a bit hit and miss to search so use this to help you out...http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=+site:http://forum.xda-developers.com&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all
If you search for Gold Card the 3rd or 4th item down is the thread you are looking for.
Good luck, hope you get it sorted.
All the best,
WB

OK, thanks for that. Now that I have some links I'll get to reading.

I'm pretty sure if you get the right official rom for your device, you can place the rom image as leoimg.nbh in your sdcard and it will flash for you including the spl.
had that before so the steps work for me

I would love to know which one. I know for certain that 1.66 did not work via this method. Do you have any suggestions as to which official ROM package to try?

zenkinz said:
I'm pretty sure if you get the right official rom for your device, you can place the rom image as leoimg.nbh in your sdcard and it will flash for you including the spl.
had that before so the steps work for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit -deleted in case I'm wrong (more often than not )
Re:Goldcards, to make one for the leo you need PSAS, which is not free. see revskills.de

samsamuel said:
I'm pretty sure sd card flashing wont downgrade spl unless the card is gold, only overwrite same version spl
(I.e 1.42.hspl can be overwritten by 1.42.0000 but 2.0 wont be overwritten by 1.42)
Re:Goldcards, to make one for the leo you need PSAS, which is not free. see revskills.de
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well it does for me... and I don't use goldcard. (unless you consider credit gold card as one)
you must make sure you are using an nbh rom that has spl image obviously, otherwise it won't downgrade (or upgrade) depending on your spl version in the nbh

zenkinz said:
well it does for me... and I don't use goldcard. (unless you consider credit gold card as one)
you must make sure you are using an nbh rom that has spl image obviously, otherwise it won't downgrade (or upgrade) depending on your spl version in the nbh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you have flashed the test t mob rom like the OP? that is the only rom to contain the v2 spl.

zenkinz said:
you must make sure you are using an nbh rom that has spl image obviously, otherwise it won't downgrade (or upgrade) depending on your spl version in the nbh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me an example please?
Is it OK to keep my 1.66 official flashed via SSPL on a phone with SPL-2.0? There is no problem with that, right?
In the future something should transpire that makes this problem easier to work with?

balane said:
Can you give me an example please?
Is it OK to keep my 1.66 official flashed via SSPL on a phone with SPL-2.0? There is no problem with that, right?
In the future something should transpire that makes this problem easier to work with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably don't help, anyway is your SD fat32 formatted?
if yes or not, you can try to reformat SD and flash from root LEOIMG.nbh extracted from 1.66 official .exe

To restore original SPL:
- Take any "RUU_signed.nbh" from a ship ROM and copy it to SD card.
- Rename it to "leoimg.nbh"
- Reset the device while pressing the volume down button.
How to take the RUU_signed.nbh file from the official shipped ROM file as most files are in the exe format -> you can extract the .exe using winrar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This procedure worked for me. Restored back SPL 1.42 from HSPL 2.0 (and HTC Reworked)
I used the first official ROM available on htc.com and extracted the RUU_signed.nbh from it. Renamed to leoimg.nbh, put the file on microSD card, restated while holding the volume down + power button and followed on-screen instructions.

cenzor said:
This procedure worked for me. Restored back SPL 1.42 from HSPL 2.0 (and HTC Reworked)
I used the first official ROM available on htc.com and extracted the RUU_signed.nbh from it. Renamed to leoimg.nbh, put the file on microSD card, restated while holding the volume down + power button and followed on-screen instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSPL 2.0 ?? is this out???
and HTC Reworked you mean the italian chef custom rom? the custom rom don't flash spl

STOP TRYING TO USE SSPL for this.
it works ***ONLY*** for flashing the os and splash..
it doesnt flash radio or spl
You may need to format you Sdcard or try another one..
try another 166 rom, the exe (NOT the custom ruu or sspl version) will flash this over the top of 200 spl
the 200 spl is MFGR that means it's not region locked, so you dont need a goldcard to flash it..
pm me if you want a hand

huggy_72 said:
HSPL 2.0 ?? is this out???
and HTC Reworked you mean the italian chef custom rom? the custom rom don't flash spl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe not sure about the HSPL version, it was the one from here.
And yes, the HTC Reworked was a custom rom (and very buggy unfortunatelly), with 1Ghz patch and 576 RAM enabled.

Easiest (possibly) method would be to flash HardSPL and then flash the 1.66 ROM from the SD card. HardSPL will accept an SPL if flashed from SD, and HardSPL will overwrite the 2.00 SPL.

edit -deleted in case I'm wrong (more often than not )

Question about HardSPL, VERY important.

For the past week I've been on the fence as to whether or not I would keep my HD2, and for a couple of days I thought I was going to return it. I ended up finding the source of the problem I was having, and after really getting to understand the OS, I changed my mind.
I ran HardSPL and flashed to a couple of different ROMs, but after encountering similar issues with both cooked ROMs, I decided to flash to a stock ROM and try again. By this point, I was convinced I was going to return it, so I went ahead and flashed via microSD, uninstalling HSPL.
Now that I've decided to keep it, and figured out what was causing the problems, I would like to go back to one of the cooked ROMs (Dnik and Miri's.) I'm hesitant, because I read that reinstalling HSPL after flashing to stock SPL via microSD, I could brick my device. Is this true, or could I reinstall HSPL on my device, and start flashing ROM's again?
In the meantime, I'm making due with the stock ROM (with a bunch of tweaks installed,) and I'm cool with it, but I would much rather the one I was using before.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me with this!

Okay is there any reason why you went back to SPL using that method?
All you had to do is run the HSPL program and select part to SPL.
Now that you want to keep it the best thing I can tell you is to maybe go in as a warranty exchange so you don't risk it just make something up and since you have a normal SPL they should take it back.

I was actually thinking of doing that, but would rather not if I don't have to... you know?
I will keep it in mind, just in case.

First I heard of this...
I went to a HSPL'able rom with stock SPL, then I HSPL, task29, flashed new cooked rom, voila.
So if you return back to SPL from HSPL, then go back to HSPL, it could potentially skew your device??? Doesn't sound legit to me..

glcK23 said:
First I heard of this...
I went to a HSPL'able rom with stock SPL, then I HSPL, task29, flashed new cooked rom, voila.
So if you return back to SPL from HSPL, then go back to HSPL, it could potentially skew your device??? Doesn't sound legit to me..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the same, but it specifically says this in the tutorial on flashing for newbs. It sounds logical that if I flashed to a stock ROM with a hackable SPL version, I should be able to reinstall HardSPL... but I'm not taking the chance without confirmation.

glcK23 said:
First I heard of this...
I went to a HSPL'able rom with stock SPL, then I HSPL, task29, flashed new cooked rom, voila.
So if you return back to SPL from HSPL, then go back to HSPL, it could potentially skew your device??? Doesn't sound legit to me..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read in this Thread by mskip ( senior Moderator) he explains on how to flash custom roms and if you flash a stock rom via microSD the HSPL2 would be over written by the SPL that is attached to the stock rom which means you would not be able to HSPL and could possibly brick the phone.
Flashing Via MicroSD Card
NOTE (PLEASE READ): If you flash a Stock Rom via microSD Card then it will overwrite your HardSPL with a stock SPL included in the nbh file. If you flash a v2.01 or later Rom (with SPL2.*) you will NOT be able to reinstall HardSPL onto your device and could end up bricking it. This does not apply to custom roms as they do not include an SPL. BE CAREFUL!!
1. Make sure your microSD is Formatted to fat32 (you dont have to delete all files but it is safer if you do)
2. Download your prefered Rom from the LEO Rom Develpoment Page and unzip/unrar it to your PC
3. Goto the Roms Folder and rename the .nbh file to LEOIMG.nbh
4. Copy the LEOIMG.nbh file to the root of your MicroSD Card
5. Plug the MicroSD Card into the phone
6. Reset the device while pressing the volume down button to enter the BootLoader screen, you will first see a tri-color screen with the phone and SPL Information at the top
7. Follow the On Screen instructions to start the update
8. After flash has completed, press the reset button with the stylus to reset the device.
Edit: & after reading that all over again to make sure I don't sound like a stupid idiot i still did. I guess as long as you did not install "If you flash a v2.01 or later Rom (with SPL2.*)" you will end up with an SPL so you will need to HSPL it again. Guess I should have read that more carefully sorry

rlacsamana1989 said:
If you read in this Thread by mskip ( senior Moderator) he explains on how to flash custom roms and if you flash a stock rom via microSD the HSPL2 would be over written by the SPL that is attached to the stock rom which means you would not be able to HSPL and could possibly brick the phone.
Flashing Via MicroSD Card
NOTE (PLEASE READ): If you flash a Stock Rom via microSD Card then it will overwrite your HardSPL with a stock SPL included in the nbh file. If you flash a v2.01 or later Rom (with SPL2.*) you will NOT be able to reinstall HardSPL onto your device and could end up bricking it. This does not apply to custom roms as they do not include an SPL. BE CAREFUL!!
1. Make sure your microSD is Formatted to fat32 (you dont have to delete all files but it is safer if you do)
2. Download your prefered Rom from the LEO Rom Develpoment Page and unzip/unrar it to your PC
3. Goto the Roms Folder and rename the .nbh file to LEOIMG.nbh
4. Copy the LEOIMG.nbh file to the root of your MicroSD Card
5. Plug the MicroSD Card into the phone
6. Reset the device while pressing the volume down button to enter the BootLoader screen, you will first see a tri-color screen with the phone and SPL Information at the top
7. Follow the On Screen instructions to start the update
8. After flash has completed, press the reset button with the stylus to reset the device.
Edit: & after reading that all over again to make sure I don't sound like a stupid idiot i still did. I guess as long as you did not install "If you flash a v2.01 or later Rom (with SPL2.*)" you will end up with an SPL so you will need to HSPL it again. Guess I should have read that more carefully sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, are you confirming that flashing a stock ROM with a hackable SPL, then running HardSPL again will brick my phone?
I actually flashed to stock ROM 2.10.0 via microSD, then updated to latest stock ROM... if that makes any difference.
Edit- Just found this in the "how to flash via microSD" sticky at the top of this forum... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=681317
"If you are flashing an "Official" ROM direct from HTC or T-Mobile, you will more than likely over-write your SPL (Second Program Loader). This means, even if you have HSPL installed now, you could be reverted back to SSPL, rendering you unable to flash custom ROMs.
To make matters worse, if you flash an ROM higher than 2.10 and you attempt to install the current (as of 5/21/10) HSPL, you will brick your phone. Yeah, it's bad.
So, assuming you have flashed an official ROM over 2.10 via the SD card and you decide you want a custom ROM, follow these simple directions:
(You do not have to have your phone connected to your PC for these steps)
Download the "Official" ROM from here. (Thanks to zelendel for the upload!)
Follow the instructions above to flash your phone with this image.
Once you phone has fully booted, I recommend doing an extra hard-reset.
Next, visit mskip's thread to download the latest HSPL and flash that (you can flash it either via RUU or via microSD).
If done properly you should now be able to once again flash custom ROMs. Congratulations!"
So, this contradicts what is in the "flashing for newbs" thread in the ROM development forum. Hopefully someone notices this and corrects the information accordingly... as this is can really intimidate new users.

gilla409 said:
So, are you confirming that flashing a stock ROM with a hackable SPL, then running HardSPL again will brick my phone?
I actually flashed to stock ROM 2.10.0 via microSD, then updated to latest stock ROM... if that makes any difference.
Edit- Just found this in the sticky at the top of this thread... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=681317
"If you are flashing an "Official" ROM direct from HTC or T-Mobile, you will more than likely over-write your SPL (Second Program Loader). This means, even if you have HSPL installed now, you could be reverted back to SSPL, rendering you unable to flash custom ROMs.
To make matters worse, if you flash an ROM higher than 2.10 and you attempt to install the current (as of 5/21/10) HSPL, you will brick your phone. Yeah, it's bad.
So, assuming you have flashed an official ROM over 2.10 via the SD card and you decide you want a custom ROM, follow these simple directions:
(You do not have to have your phone connected to your PC for these steps)
Download the "Official" ROM from here. (Thanks to zelendel for the upload!)
Follow the instructions above to flash your phone with this image.
Once you phone has fully booted, I recommend doing an extra hard-reset.
Next, visit mskip's thread to download the latest HSPL and flash that (you can flash it either via RUU or via microSD).
If done properly you should now be able to once again flash custom ROMs. Congratulations!"
So, this contradicts what is in the "flashing for newbs" thread in the ROM development forum. Hopefully someone notices this and corrects the information accordingly... as this is can really intimidate new users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well according to your post you updated a stock rom higher than 2.01 but I do not know if that rom had an SPL2 because then it would over write your HSPL2. that initially what you need to find out to see if that stock rom had an SPL2 attached to it.

If you read the quote above, it specifically says "So, assuming you have flashed an official ROM over 2.10 via the SD card and you decide you want a custom ROM, follow these simple directions." This obviously means that HSPL has been uninstalled, and is now SPL2. The link he gives for the "Official" ROM is 2.10... which you can use HardSPL on (which I had to do to flash in the first place, and worked fine.)
I believe the warning in the other tutorial is to warn users, and ensure they don't try to run HardSPL on a device with a ROM version later than 2.10 (which will brick your device.) If I'm reading correctly, this means that as long as I revert back to the stock 2.10 ROM, I can run HardSPL again safely.
This is exactly why I'm hoping someone in the know will shed some light on this subject, and set things straight.

Bumping this to the top, can anyone sort this out? Today is the last day of my buyer's remorse period, so I need to know if I should exchange my device or not.

gilla409 said:
If you read the quote above, it specifically says "So, assuming you have flashed an official ROM over 2.10 via the SD card and you decide you want a custom ROM, follow these simple directions." This obviously means that HSPL has been uninstalled, and is now SPL2. The link he gives for the "Official" ROM is 2.10... which you can use HardSPL on (which I had to do to flash in the first place, and worked fine.)
I believe the warning in the other tutorial is to warn users, and ensure they don't try to run HardSPL on a device with a ROM version later than 2.10 (which will brick your device.) If I'm reading correctly, this means that as long as I revert back to the stock 2.10 ROM, I can run HardSPL again safely.
This is exactly why I'm hoping someone in the know will shed some light on this subject, and set things straight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are understanding this correctly.
If you run the 2.10 ROM from the SD card then it will remove the HSPL2 from your device (if it is the official version w/ SPL)
If you update to the 2.13 ROM from the SD card and it changes the SPL to 2.1 (the tri-colored screen), then DO NOT try to run HSPL2 (this is bad).
If you have 2.13 ROM installed and 2.1 (2.10) SPL installed onto your phone then you can install the 2.10 ROM and it should overwrite the SPL to 2.08.
Now you can install the HSPL2 again.
So to recap; get into your bootloader and find out what SPL you have 2.08 or 2.1; (You can install the 2.13 ROM without it updating the SPL).
2.08 and the word Couletta= you are good to go
2.08 and no Couletta = you can HSPL2 your phone
2.1 downgrade to the 2.10 ROM from the SD card before you even attempt to run HSPL2. and before you try make sure the bootloader shows 2.08!!
hopefully this clears it up for you.

Nibbley15 said:
You are understanding this correctly.
If you run the 2.10 ROM from the SD card then it will remove the HSPL2 from your device (if it is the official version w/ SPL)
If you update to the 2.13 ROM from the SD card and it changes the SPL to 2.1 (the tri-colored screen), then DO NOT try to run HSPL2 (this is bad).
If you have 2.13 ROM installed and 2.1 (2.10) SPL installed onto your phone then you can install the 2.10 ROM and it should overwrite the SPL to 2.08.
Now you can install the HSPL2 again.
So to recap; get into your bootloader and find out what SPL you have 2.08 or 2.1; (You can install the 2.13 ROM without it updating the SPL).
2.08 and the word Couletta= you are good to go
2.08 and no Couletta = you can HSPL2 your phone
2.1 downgrade to the 2.10 ROM from the SD card before you even attempt to run HSPL2. and before you try make sure the bootloader shows 2.08!!
hopefully this clears it up for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That clears things up perfectly, THANK YOU!
I'm getting ready to flash back to 2.10 now, and reinstall Dnik & Miri's ROM... so stoked!

Never been flashed

Hi all
I se a T-Mobile HD2. Although I've used winmo for years its only recently I've discovered the wonder of custom roms. Before I was a bit chicken at doing anything that heavy as I did not want to brick my phone but now I've read up as much as I can on it and I'm confident that I can now flash hspl and a new rom to my device. However....
I have updated my HD2 to the latest T-Mobile ROM and I have read that the new ROM cannot accept hspl. Is this true and if so, what can I do about it?
Many thanks in advance!

Just write up a sign saying, "Flash if you love [insert things a girl would love]" and put it up on your car window when you drive next to a car driven by an attractive woman.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
But if it's t-mous hd2, hspl2 is one you should look into, not hspl.

spfraggle said:
Hi all
I se a T-Mobile HD2. Although I've used winmo for years its only recently I've discovered the wonder of custom roms. Before I was a bit chicken at doing anything that heavy as I did not want to brick my phone but now I've read up as much as I can on it and I'm confident that I can now flash hspl and a new rom to my device. However....
I have updated my HD2 to the latest T-Mobile ROM and I have read that the new ROM cannot accept hspl. Is this true and if so, what can I do about it?
Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True and false.
You must downgrade back to 2.10 which gives you a SPL of 2.08. Luckily someone has posted a thread on how to do this and it is quite easy.
First your going to go to this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=691779
This will explain how to downgrade from 2.13 to 2.10.
Once you have downgraded you will want to check that your SPL has been downgraded also by booting into bootloader (Hold vol down+power)
Once you have this you can download the HSPL2 Program which can be found here.
After you follow that you will then have an HD2 with HSPL.
To flash a custom rom this guide is a great one to follow.
FYI. Make sure you only flash roms that say they are for TMOUS and only stock roms higher than 2.08 and do not flash radios with .51 AT ALL
Basically gave you all the guides to keep you safe to flash. Quite easy once you get a hold of it.
Edit: Also never flash a stock rom via MicroSD that has a SPL attached to it as it will overwrite your SPL2 and you will no longer be able to HSPL your SPL

rlacsamana1989 said:
Once you have this you can download the HSPL2 Program which can be found here Make sure you download HSPL2_RUN (second file on the dowload list on that guide)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong. hspl 2, the second one in that thread won't work on tmous. you need hspl_2_1024 (hspl1024 for short) which is on page 990 of that thread. (or see my sig for a link)

samsamuel said:
wrong. hspl 2, the second one in that thread won't work on tmous. you need hspl_2_1024 (hspl1024 for short) which is on page 990 of that thread. (or see my sig for a link)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry thought I switched that last night before I went to bed. Its fixed now so its all good. Thanks for that

Thanks for all the help. So far I have gone back to my old tmo rom and installed hspl. I've also looked through for some ROMs I like and when I downloaded the one I wanted to use, it saved a .rar file. What is a rar file and how do I run it?

spfraggle said:
Thanks for all the help. So far I have gone back to my old tmo rom and installed hspl. I've also looked through for some ROMs I like and when I downloaded the one I wanted to use, it saved a .rar file. What is a rar file and how do I run it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A rar file is a compressed file like a .zip , use winrar to uncompress it ...
just google .rar or winrar ....

I like using Rarzilla. Its free and it extracts the files as simple as right clicking the file and choosing RarZilla and it goes to work.

I cannot thank everyone enough. After following all the instructions to the letter I have now flashed my first rom. I have a few other questions:
The rom didn't come with the IM program that was on the tmo stock rom. Is there anywhere I can get that?
If I want to return to the original tmo rom (for warranty purposes) do I just load it up from the storage card liike I did when I went back to it before flashing to hspl?
And if I want to change to another custom rom, do I have to remove the one I have first before flashing to a new one or just flash it onto my device and it replaces the old one?

spfraggle said:
The rom didn't come with the IM program that was on the tmo stock rom. Is there anywhere I can get that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about that, but i would expect there is a thread somewhere with all the packages.
At a long shot the 'ext' package can be converted into a cab.
Do some hunting.
If I want to return to the original tmo rom (for warranty purposes) do I just load it up from the storage card liike I did when I went back to it before flashing to hspl?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need for storage card flashing at all nowadays.
run hspl3, choose 2.08.0000
now, because the spl is stock, when you run the 2.13 rom exe, it will flash over usb and reset the rom, radio and spl to stock.
And if I want to change to another custom rom, do I have to remove the one I have first before flashing to a new one or just flash it onto my device and it replaces the old one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is recommended to do task29 between different roms. This formats the memory area where the rom is stored. (Think formatting your system disk on your PC before installing a fresh OS)
However, if you are trialling a lot of roms in quick succession, task 29 isn't actually necessary, but you are more likely to get odd bugs creep in after a while, so it's a good habit to get into.

Restoring to stock

Quick one:
I've got the WWE HD2, sending it to HTC repair tomorrow so I need to flash it back to all stock firmware. What exactly do I need to do ? I'm asking cause I've heard of some bricked devices cause by restoring to stock the wrong way and wanted to be sure.
Do I need to flash back first the SPL from HSPL or the ROM to 1.66 I've had ?

flash 1.66 rom, then run hspl2 and choose 1.66.0000.

Where can I find one to download ? the ROM that is

leo official roms thread in rom development section (it will be on page 1,2 or 3, or use the stickies sticky at the top of the list), first post, first link, 1,66 folder.

Ok cool, but which one should I get ? what are the differences ?

just pick a stock rom that has been released in your region. Take the .nbh, rename it to LEOIMG.nbh and drop it on the root of your storage card.
Put the phone into bootloader, and it will flash the stock ROM and relock the phone, all in one step.

I've downloaded the most popular ROM there and executed it, I didn't move any files to my SD. So now I've got the stock ROM loading but the it's not with the original SPL yet right ? I need to flash that back too ?

moav said:
I've got the stock ROM loading but the it's not with the original SPL yet right ? I need to flash that back too ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
samsamuel said:
flash 1.66 rom, then run hspl2 and choose 1.66.0000.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats what the red bit is for

Sorry I'm such a noob but the disclaimer says :
5) Uninstallation
Only way to remove the HSPL is to flash an original SPL from SD card.
- Take any "RUU_signed.nbh" from a ship ROM and copy it to SD card.
- Rename it to "leoimg.nbh"
- Reset the device while pressing the volume down button.
So I need to put this file on my device first and then use the HSPL2 utility ?

no..thats only for HSPL.
hspl2 can install SPL's as well.
so, you've got your stock rom and only need your stock spl...
do, what samsamuel says!
DN41

Thank you, just wanted to be sure I didn't brick anything.