Database Users

Immersed in Information (and drowning!)

Hello All,
First off, I want to thank everyone whos cooked and added information on these forums.
Also I want to state beforehand that for the past 3 days I have gone through countless pages of threads to try and learn as much as I can on ROMs & the such.... its a lot of info! Thats not so much the problem, as I have a pretty good idea now on how to do it (though haven't decided on a custom ROM yet), but the problem is some of it so scattered you can easily have 20 tabs open and either get confused or something.
I have been unable to find (and if there is forgive me for not searching well enough), a thread, topic, or FAQ which would state where you can get programs (ie. Windows Live/Messenger, Internet Sharing, etc) that some ROMs remove. Thats really what has held me back so far from flashing a new ROM, as I really like some of these, but they might be missing certain things I would need (like messenger, or even maybe 5 fav?) but I can't find exact information on all of this.
Edit: I understand if I want to find a program I can just Google it. But what if I don't know theres this awesome program I have never tried or heard before? Can't google a program I don't know! That's why I ask if there is a thread, site that would list them all, or a good amount. I know there couple threads here and there that display default HTC ones, and maybe some odd others.
If anyone can please help me out, or direct me where I can find more info on this I would be really grateful! I might have future questions from then on but i'll definitely be searching to keep the asking to a minimum.
One other question I do have right now is the Radio version. I know theres a thread on a current version, but I see some ppl already have a version higher than that.. is there a place where you can find the current version always, and also, when u flash ROM, does that update your Radio too.. or is it seperate?
Thank you in advance all who help!
I really do hope to be part of this community.

Well I took the dive (woot!) and HARDSPL my phone succesfully. Just finished flashing the default OEM rom and upgrading to the newest radio as well without any problems thanks to all the info you guys provided.
I can't wait to get home (where I have really bad reception) and see if this truely helped me. Im in the mood now to play with all your ROMs as well (I feel like a kid at christmas).
Update: Flashed Open 7.7 and loving it. just need to get used to this brave new world..
Status:
Play and get used to this!
My only concern, and one i cannot find so far is.. at the moment i have no MyFav program.. if i call my currents fav i had will T-Mobile still know, or do i have to have the myfav program installed on my phone so i don't get my minutes charged for calling them?
New concern is i keep getting a text from "4670" saying WCI 1.1 111 every so often, is that normal when you get this program?
Another question: When I install programs, must they always be installed ON the Device, or can I install them on the Storage Card? If i do will they work fine? (or some u can, some u can't.. and some examples)?
Sorry for all the questions!

I install all my programs to storage card. haven't had any problems there. I deleted myfavs because t-mobile stores your favs on their system, so when you call a fav their system should recognize the number. the myfavs program uses memory is why I deleted it.
the text you are getting I don't know what to tell you on that.
sounds like you have the rest down pretty good

????
How did you delete the my fav program? any assistance would be helpful

How ca I get the Original AT&T TILT 2 Keyboard Lyout after flashing the ROM?

I just flashed the Energy ROM 21864 on my ATT Tilt 2 and everything is great except that the keyboard layout is the one from the Touch Pro and the key do not match with the software. Could anyone please help me to get the original TILT 2 Layout back, I'm sure there mast be a way but i don't know how...
Thanks a lot in advance...

AT&T Keyboard Fix
Here is the cab to fix the at&t keyboard layout for your tilt2. Enjoy!
View attachment Tilt2HWKeyboard.cab

Thank you so much! Super fast answer too, thanks really for taking the time, this makes my life way easier...

AT&T Keyboard Fix
raullugo said:
Thank you so much! Super fast answer too, thanks really for taking the time, this makes my life way easier...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime, Hope it worked for you.

similar scene with me
i want original keyboard for gene.

need original HTC AT&T kaiser rom for keyboard
Hey guys still a little new to the forum and having a hard time finding the original HTC 8925 AT&T cabs for the keyboard. I flashed a new rom (Schaps_WM6Pro) to the phone and now the keyboard is all messed up. I also tried the (Tilt keyboard fix.cab) cab but it did not fix the problem. Only a few keys are now working and they are mapped correctly though. Im wondering if it isnt a hardware prob and not software. Only way to find that out would be to flash it with the original at&t rom but love Schaps rom. Thanks guys any help on this would be hugely appreciated.

Have you checked your respective forums? My guess is that they have .cab's listed in those areas for this.

forums
Do u have a link you could possibly post for me, sorry im still slightly the newbie at all this.....thxs in advance

dan2pk said:
Do u have a link you could possibly post for me, sorry im still slightly the newbie at all this.....thxs in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't sweat it dan...we're all new at some point. You were close though, you needed the section for the Tilt, you ended up in the section for the Tilt2. Try here instead:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=376
Good luck!

I tried using the cab in the first post and it fixed the keyboard but it removed all my home quick links (running Energy w/ Cookie homepage) . . . anybody got any other suggestions?

the cab for me always worked. i have noticed theres places where you still get the original touch pro keyboard layout. such as in phone or remote desktop. its nothing you cant figure out around.

thxs Sirphun that was a lighting answer and i hate to say but im thinking you nailed it. i have'nt had time just yet to sit down for another round of upgrading but i will keep u posted. thxs to all the helpfull people in this forum, its been a great help.

sirphunkee said:
Don't sweat it dan...we're all new at some point. You were close though, you needed the section for the Tilt, you ended up in the section for the Tilt2. Try here instead:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=376
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there i know its been a while since i posted on this thread but hey i've had alot of time to experiment and flash a whole lot more roms......been great so far so good especially with the new WM6.5 and even some WM6.1 but no matter which rom i try (after successfully flashing and following all the directions posted) i always end up with the same frustrating problem....the physical keyboard only has 3 or 4 keys that are functional. This even despite a few posts for these roms telling me they were specifically fixes for the att tilt model that i am using. None of them worked. I also followed the directions for re-flashing a new HardSPL to match the rom i was using. Still no luck. From what i read this can be somewhat tricky. Maybe im not truly upgrading the HardSPL?? When i check the version on the tri-color screen it shows the version i wanted to upgrade to???? Confused, Dan.

if you are using NRG rom u can go to start then go to tools then select carrier provisioning then choose the setting ur are needing to get the keyboard. for all other roms can us the cab. hope this help.

Here's the solution whis is posted on the FAQ section of the Energy ROM thread- "Wrong physical keyboard configuration: If you are using AT&T or T-Mobile, and you are experiencing issues with the physical keyboard key configuration (FN not working, for example), you need to run the Carrier Provisioning that can be found at Start > Tools. Another alternative is to use a key remapper program ...."

dan2pk said:
Hey there i know its been a while since i posted on this thread but hey i've had alot of time to experiment and flash a whole lot more roms......been great so far so good especially with the new WM6.5 and even some WM6.1 but no matter which rom i try (after successfully flashing and following all the directions posted) i always end up with the same frustrating problem....the physical keyboard only has 3 or 4 keys that are functional. This even despite a few posts for these roms telling me they were specifically fixes for the att tilt model that i am using. None of them worked. I also followed the directions for re-flashing a new HardSPL to match the rom i was using. Still no luck. From what i read this can be somewhat tricky. Maybe im not truly upgrading the HardSPL?? When i check the version on the tri-color screen it shows the version i wanted to upgrade to???? Confused, Dan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you've HardSPL'ed, you should never have to again. I've only ever used the one posted here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550131
On the tri-color bootloader, one of the numbers should say "Olinex" at the end of it, if you're HardSPL'ed properly.
Have you run Task29 before flashing a new ROM?

New to everything regarding PDA and XDA (looking for noob friends ;) )

Hi all,
Yeeeah, so the Leo was finally announced at the major/best 3G network in Denmark, the worldwide operator "3". And thats awesome, so of course I hit my wallet and cashed out and got the phone yesterday. Brilliant.
Got the phone in my hand, my god, its beautiful and all, its my first PDA phone so I'm very noobish and overwhelmed by everything, but I'm lovin' it so far! Okay, well I started looking around on the big www and came across this fantastic site and now I'm thinking, I wanna get involved with this shizzle and start cooking - or at least start looking at the menu!!
But I realize that I don't know anything about how to do all this, so started looking around in the Leo Wiki, Tips and Tricks sticky and so on but I feel that its all very comprehensive and I simply don't know where to start, and I don't think the (otherwise awesome) guides are as extensive as could, at least not for my understanding. I haven't come across a newb forum/thread where all the very, very basics are introduced/discussed, so I'm thinking: any noobs out there? or post-noobs? who wanna share some of their mighty wisdom and experience with me? (yeah, I want some Leo-friends)
Okay, so I found a few things I wanna try:
From Leo hints and tricks sticky:
7. Get the old Task Manager Back
To be able to really close programs using the X instead of just 'minimizing' the program and leaving it in memory,
install Duttys HTC Task Manager (attached below), restart and the X is back. Also in Settings you can configure its function.
8. Add Task Manager to Home Screen Quick Links
Copy the hidden TaskMgr.exe file from your Windows folder to your Start Menu/Programs folder. Now it's possible to place a shortcut on your Manila today and you can open/close running programs with ease.
So how do I install this dutty cab? I mean I downloaded it, but where do I unpack it, and how do I run it on my phone?
Okay, next thing:
The location on "my today" is wrong, I saw in the tips and tricks that a lot of users had issues with this, but how can that be? There isn't any way to fix it, cause mine is showing that i'm about 15 clicks away from where I really am, but the navigator works fine? :S
3rd thing:
My network only provided me with a 2gb sdhc card, so if I want to tuck in a 16gb baby how will it work because the OS is stored on the sdhc card, or is it only in the ROM?
Another thing, I see the ROM upgrade from the danish HTC website is newer than the one installed on my phone, but do you think that I should upgrade to the 1.6 which is leaked here, or should I start with the HTC official rom from the website?
WARNING: some danish might appear when clicking here (this is the danish HTC ROM link, look at bottom of page)
I have about a zillion other questions, but my mind is empty right now. I really hope that I'm not out of line when posting this topic, and I hope to hear from some friendly HTC lovers Please let me know if this topic is not appropriate and I'll edit/delete it. (yes I did read the RULES)
Kind Regards

Welcome and Hello
I`ll take 5 minutes to write a reply seeing as no one else can be bothered.....
Welcome to the forum, you`ll find all you need here, My advise would be to READ READ READ , and if you have any questions SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH, you`ll get flamed if you post something thats been posted before, even though if you do post, it moves from the first 2 pages so fast hence no answers......
16gb sd card will work fine,
Read carefully the goldcard method for updating ROMS and only if you feel confident enough would i recomend it...I`ve flashed 1.61 no issues....
Richie

same as i am......i am currently waiting for my beast and been reading and reading and reading this forum all this while........but the problem is.....i am a really3 noobie person on IT....some topic that were discuss here i can understand but some of have no idea at alll...hehehheh hopefully can get some knowledge from u guys.......[please forgive my english...heheheh]

Hi WildL,
I understand the noob feelings. Although this site has a wealth of information, it's not the noob friendliest place.
.cab files are like .exe files for your pc. You don't unpack it anywhere, simply copy/download to your device and run (click on it through file manager) it from where ever you saved it. It will unpack itself and install. Your only option generally is to install directly onto your device or onto your SD card.
Not sure on the location thing as I haven't experienced it.
For your SD card, there is nothing on there you have to worry about. The ROM is stored on the device and the card is simply additional storage. Feel free to shove a new one in there.
As for changing ROMs. As a noob, stick to stock updates for now. You're on the newest device with all the newest features so custom roms won't offer much except little tweaks (but the phone is fast enough already) and additional apps you can just install yourself. Some MAY be more stable but current it's not worth the risk of bricking your device. Read read read and when you feel comfortable and think your ready, then start looking into cooked roms.
Good luck!

WildL said:
7. Get the old Task Manager Back
To be able to really close programs using the X instead of just 'minimizing' the program and leaving it in memory,
install Duttys HTC Task Manager (attached below), restart and the X is back. Also in Settings you can configure its function.
8. Add Task Manager to Home Screen Quick Links
Copy the hidden TaskMgr.exe file from your Windows folder to your Start Menu/Programs folder. Now it's possible to place a shortcut on your Manila today and you can open/close running programs with ease.[/I]
So how do I install this dutty cab? I mean I downloaded it, but where do I unpack it, and how do I run it on my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd recommend you use this instead...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=584415
It means you have the X which you can configure to close apps or minimize them (you can open settings for it by tapping it on the sense ui and going to the wrench). You can also list open apps from the sense ui by clicking it and simply switch to or close anything in the list. Have a play - it's the best all-round solution.
WildL said:
Okay, next thing:
The location on "my today" is wrong, I saw in the tips and tricks that a lot of users had issues with this, but how can that be? There isn't any way to fix it, cause mine is showing that i'm about 15 clicks away from where I really am, but the navigator works fine? :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least your location works! lol
It uses your provider's network to get your location - not GPS. It's always going to be within a mile or 2. Since it's only meant for general info, it doesn't really matter much. I doubt the weather 2 miles down the road is much different than it is where you are
WildL said:
3rd thing:
My network only provided me with a 2gb sdhc card, so if I want to tuck in a 16gb baby how will it work because the OS is stored on the sdhc card, or is it only in the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SD card is purely for storage. You can take it out and the phone will still function properly. This obviously changes if you install software on the card. Unfortunately, the HD2 has a pitiful amount of internal storage memory, so I'd actually recommend using the card to install stuff on. With this in mind, I got myself a 16GB SD card and use that, treating it as if I'll never remove it. I'd obviously recommend this, cos it's what I do
WildL said:
Another thing, I see the ROM upgrade from the danish HTC website is newer than the one installed on my phone, but do you think that I should upgrade to the 1.6 which is leaked here, or should I start with the HTC official rom from the website?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone is pretty new and you've not done much setting up, it's probably the best time to make sure you've got the most up-to-date ROM. If you got the phone from a provider then you can officially only upgrade using ROMs that they supply. If you got it completely SIM free, then you can use the HTC ones that are out there. The current new one (1.61) is actually an official HTC one, so it will be as risk free as flashing a ROM can ever be. It's just not officially released yet. (I believe HTC "leak" their ROMs so that this community can beta test for them, before they release to the general public, but that's just my belief )
Since the phone is still so new though, I don't really think that it makes much difference. The ROM upgrades seem to be doing so little at the minute that you may well not notice any benefits.
Either way, if it's official, you've at least got some comeback if it bricks your new phone!
Basically, this is just a preference. Do what you think feels right. Just bear in mind that a ROM flash means a hard reset, which means setting EVERYTHING up again, from scratch.
WildL said:
I have about a zillion other questions, but my mind is empty right now. I really hope that I'm not out of line when posting this topic, and I hope to hear from some friendly HTC lovers Please let me know if this topic is not appropriate and I'll edit/delete it. (yes I did read the RULES)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you're in the best place to ask your zillion other questions. This is the right place to ask this kind of question, and I'm sure that there'll be plenty of people to follow me in welcoming you here. I've been a member of this community for just over 18 months now, and it's been great. There's a lot of good people on here who are more than happy to show off their knowledge er... I mean be helpful! lol
Have fun with your new toy

Im new and need advice

Ok first off this is my first winmo phone which is the T-Mobile HTC HD2. The phone is great. The first issue I have on all phones is that I like bein able to customize it to the max!!!
But IDK were to start and how to do anything But I would really like some input and advice and be pointed in the right direction to make this phone my perfect for me!!
PM me anytime.
Thanks

Im the same way... I want to be able to customize it how I want! Sometimes I feel like I could develope apps better than the manufacturer themselves! lol But no not really... I'd have to teach myself first.

get started in the regular hd2 section 'themes and apps' thread. Co0kies home tabs and max manilla will probably be your first stops.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=535
dont worry that you have a tmous and not a regular hd2, its only roms and radios that know the difference between the phones.

MODS
Definitaley you have to get ahold of cookies home tab and editor. They are a must have!!! try this site.... http://hd2apps.blogspot.com/ make sure you read carefully before you install anything...it will help you from having to do a factory reset....

Please help this beginner.

Hello guys ,
I bought new HTC HD2 today. I am using symbian all my life and switched to Windows mobile now . I am slowly trying to adopt to it.
I dont understand terms like "Rom" , " Custom Roms" , "Rom update" , .I see them every where ...
Can a hard core WM user help me understand what these terms mean .
Thanks
Davie

First of all a ROM is what the phone runs ie, WM (windows mobile 6.5, 6.5.x)
custom ROM is something a chef on here or other various sites, has taken the ROM and made it better the way they like it and made it available for everyone else to use,
ROM updates are usually put out by the networks for stock ROM's i.e. what came on the phone first, have a read in the ROM section thread to get more knowledge.
and this is a very helpful thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=609477
oh and please just use a normal font it will still be answered lol

Like you I came from a symbian device to an HD2 (about 6 months ago) and the only way to get to grips with it is just by reading through the forums endlessly, the best place to start is the wiki and the sticky threads in the various forums. It might be hard to find what your looking for sometimes but trust me anything you'll ever need to know is on here somewhere.
I think you'll be glad you made the switch.........
Happy reading

Demon_man said:
First of all a ROM is what the phone runs ie, WM (windows mobile 6.5, 6.5.x)
custom ROM is something a chef on here or other various sites, has taken the ROM and made it better the way they like it and made it available for everyone else to use,
ROM updates are usually put out by the networks for stock ROM's i.e. what came on the phone first, have a read in the ROM section thread to get more knowledge.
and this is a very helpful thread
oh and please just use a normal font it will still be answered lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u for the quicker response !!! I think its prety much like installing another OS everytime I switch to a new Rom . Pls correct if I am wrong.
Also I believe Stock Rom is what I get with the phone itself when I buy and is it possible for me to switch back to the stock rom from a custom rom. And will i be able to install a stock rom update on the custom rom .
thank u

you can still enjoy a lot your device without paying too much attention to these terms. just play around with it and install apps that you like. there are lots of apps here and in other websites. some of them for free. one of my these websites is www.freewarepocketpc.net. just make sure that the apps you install have the same resolution as your device, i.e. wvga. and as suggested, browse through the forums and you'll learn a lot.
welcome to the wm world!

conantroutman said:
Like you I came from a symbian device to an HD2 (about 6 months ago) and the only way to get to grips with it is just by reading through the forums endlessly, the best place to start is the wiki and the sticky threads in the various forums. It might be hard to find what your looking for sometimes but trust me anything you'll ever need to know is on here somewhere.
I think you'll be glad you made the switch.........
Happy reading
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for ur advise. I will do that .. Its kinda completly looks alien to me but still impressive than the boring symbian ****.

daviefl86 said:
Thank u for the quicker response !!! I think its prety much like installing another OS everytime I switch to a new Rom . Pls correct if I am wrong.
Also I believe Stock Rom is what I get with the phone itself when I buy and is it possible for me to switch back to the stock rom from a custom rom. And will i be able to install a stock rom update on the custom rom .
thank u
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You basically have 2 flavours, 6.5 which more than likely came as standard (Stock) where the start button is on the top left, and 6.5.x where the start button is on the bottom left where most of the custom ROM's are 6.5.x (not all though). yes you can put a stock ROM back on after custom ROM but you wont lol its that simple you will prob just flash (install a new ROM) to something else like the rest of us, the stock ROM updates are not needed on custom ROM's as there all upto date, and the chefs's(the people who create them) are often updating them.
as joshzzz2001 said you can use that website for all your free apps its a very good site and there is also a mobile app, so you can browse on your cell,
All i will say though is if you do Flash make sure you have read through and understand it all, once you have read it and wanna ask a question to double check people are good enough to help but its the people that dont read and fully understand that will screw up, once you have read its a piece of cake.

I know what you mean, it all seems hellishly complicated if your not used to it. Like the guy above said just start installing things and getting to grips with the basics, if theres one thing I would advise its that you reguarly backup your settings/data.
Get microsoft myphone from the marketplace, there are other more in depth backup apps out there but myphone will do the basics. Its quite likely that once you get hooked on tweaking your phone (and you will) that you might have to hard reset (factory reset). I've lost count of how many times I've had to do this. Mainly due to my own lack of knowledge
Its worth it though.... lol
Edit;
Forgot to mention this, Cookies Home Tab.
Absolutely fantastic app for customising your home screen, a must have for any HD2 if you ask me, well worth looking into!
Download here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=625483
Good youtube vid of it in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9LoBv8D76Y&feature=related

conantroutman said:
I know what you mean, it all seems hellishly complicated if your not used to it. Like the guy above said just start installing things and getting to grips with the basics, if theres one thing I would advise its that you reguarly backup your settings/data.
Get microsoft myphone from the marketplace, there are other more in depth backup apps out there but myphone will do the basics. Its quite likely that once you get hooked on tweaking your phone (and you will) that you might have to hard reset (factory reset). I've lost count of how many times I've had to do this. Mainly due to my own lack of knowledge
Its worth it though.... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for myphone only good thing to come from MS

conantroutman said:
I know what you mean, it all seems hellishly complicated if your not used to it. Like the guy above said just start installing things and getting to grips with the basics, if theres one thing I would advise its that you reguarly backup your settings/data.
Get microsoft myphone from the marketplace, there are other more in depth backup apps out there but myphone will do the basics. Its quite likely that once you get hooked on tweaking your phone (and you will) that you might have to hard reset (factory reset). I've lost count of how many times I've had to do this. Mainly due to my own lack of knowledge
Its worth it though.... lol
Edit;
Forgot to mention this, Cookies Home Tab.
Absolutely fantastic app for customising your home screen, a must have for any HD2 if you ask me, well worth looking into!
Download here
Good youtube vid of it in action
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app is really cool . .. I love it ... Thanks for the info...

Can u tell me where I can get more apps like that ....thanks

My phone is carrier (T-Mobile) locked. Will I still be able to install custom roms ..
Thanks

like what lol? cookies home tab will let you change near enough the whole of the main screen, in the themes and apps section you can get different clocks, wallpapers, etc, you just have to have a look around this leo section mate, may take you a few days to figure it all out but its a great forum and loads of stuff on here, to do anything, if you look through this thread you can see what can be done
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=582619
do you have the 1024MB ROM?? use this thread = http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=653614
if you have 512MB use this thread = http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=609477
if you not sure, slide the slider all the way to the end and scroll down to the bottom and click on about phone then hardware information, and look at flash size that is the ROM size then start reading either thread

Demon_man said:
like what lol? cookies home tab will let you change near enough the whole of the main screen, in the themes and apps section you can get different clocks, wallpapers, etc, you just have to have a look around this leo section mate, may take you a few days to figure it all out but its a great forum and loads of stuff on here, to do anything, if you look through this thread you can see what can be done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank u .. will check out ... This forum is great .. can get help in minutes ...
Thank u again ...

I have been trying to figure out what is HSPL , SPL ,SSPL and OSPL
What is the differnce
Could u help me with that ...
Thanks

this is where you will get me lol, right hspl is hard sspl is soft, i think and dont quote me but hspl is only needed once its needed for custom roms, you need hspl or sspl to be able to install a custom tom, what you have to do though is work out which model you have i edited my post look up, once you no thar there is 2 links you will need 1 of them and then it will near enough talk you straight through.
ok just realised the 2 links above i posted if you look at post number 2 in either of them it explains hspl and sspl

u r help ful my friend ...Thank u ..

if your on t mobile in the uk i'd reccomend the rom update thats available on the htc site (if your gonna stick with the stock rom) Its a lot less buggy. If your in the US then ignore this!

conantroutman said:
if your on t mobile in the uk i'd reccomend the rom update thats available on the htc site (if your gonna stick with the stock rom) Its a lot less buggy. If your in the US then ignore this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the us version T-mobile devices have 1024MB roms.
SPL (secondry program loader aka the boot loader) is basically the bios of the phone. The SSPL is the soft secondry program loader and the OSPL is the original secondry program loader (ie the stock spl). HSPL is the hard (or hacked) secondry program loader and this is required to install custom roms. There are 2 versions of this (hspl and hspl2) the second is applicable to all devices including tmous devices and is recommended. if you want to use hspl, use the same hspl version as your ospl. The ospl/hspl can be upgraded but i havent done this. There is also another application that may interest to you and that is customruu. This allows you to update the radio firmware for your device to a newer version. This has advantages such as better effiency for the GSM, wifi and bluetooth chips thus extending the battery life.
Most of the cooked roms out there are based on the tmous (T-mobile US) 2.10 and above roms. These are WM 6.5.3 and 6.5.5 based and feature better finger support. They also feature seveal fixes including an updated camera driver to fix the camera flash over exposure problem.
I, personally, prefer to stay with the stock roms and tweak them as i don't take many night photos and speed for me is the main thing. You can do this by runnning through the 2 tweaks sticky threads and with the help of phm registry editor. On the speed front there are (for me atleast) a couplel programs that are must haves. These are, netrippers LCS and chainfires 3D gfx driver. Combined with the performance tweaks these eliminate the lag of the stock UI and go as far as making it very fluid and responsive.
I hope this helps
M3PH

there are three hspl versions, not two.
the tmous (t mobile usa hd2, the one with 1024 rom) has its own variant of hspl2, usually referred to as hspl1024.
you said you were on t mobile but not which tmo. is very important to distinguish between tmous and all the others. if it IS a tmous then you need to be really sure about the pitfalls before you flash.if you have a normal hd2 (512 flash size in settings about phone hardware info) then things couldn't be simpler. hspl 2 then any rom you like.
is handy to have your country flag and carrier logo on in your profile, as that can usually tell us which phone you likely have.