Related
Hi,
I'm relatively new at this, so please I apolgize if I make dumb questions and /or statements. I have a Wallaby that just won't get pass the boot screen. My screen has a white bacakground and has the following message:
"Welcome to
T-Mobile
G324e4
R6.25.02
4.01.16"
I have already tried flashing a cooked rom by using XDATools; however, I can't get the rom into the SD card. The OSImageTool.exe doesn't show my SD cards at all, so I can't dump the rom to the SD card.
I've also tried docking the unit, but it just won't sync with my pc.
It may be irrelevant, but I have the BootLoader 5.15 on my Wallaby.
I have read several posts regarding similar issues, but nothing I've seen has worked yet. I need some help sometime soon. Thanks
Have you tried using a card reader/writer on your pc for transferring rom image?
Yup.
Actually, my laptop has an integrated SD card reader on it (I am beginning to think this may be the real issue - compatibility, etc). Keep the suggestions coming though.
Thanks for the help, but... and still in trouble :?
Have aou tried another hard reset of the device? Maybe it helps to start the ROM....
Integrated SD-Card Reader / writer do make often problems with the XDA-Tools. Best (and i think only solution) would be buying an external Card-Reader/Writer (should be available for about 10 Euro...) or borrow one.
Then you're able ro reflash your device using a SD-Card.
2nd Chance you have is making an SD-Card dump of the OS of any other XDA. And then reflash your device with this Backup.....
I don't think there is any other possibility....
Stefan
LumpiStefan,
I did try hard resetting the device several times, but nothing happened. I will try to get another card reader and go about it that way.
By the way, I did think about getting the rom from someone else, but I don't know anyone in this city with an XDA.
All in all, thanks for confirming my theory of compatibility issues. I will give that a shot...
I'll write again to tell the story of the final outcome... "Will it live to see another day, receive another call? Or will it just become another victim lost in the valley of the Death?" :lol:
Stay tunned...
egsthunder1 and LumpiStefan,
I have this exact same problem. This phone sat on my desk for several months, I powered it up and charged it everyonce in a while. Now I wanted to give it to my daughter and it just sits trying to boot up. I let it charge for several day, soft and hard resets. I used the boot loader from a second device to dump its Tmobile official ROM to SD. I then Flashed the frozen device with the SD card. It was uploading for a while, said the flash was successful. I then did a hard reset and the same "welcome to Tmobile screen with G324e4, R6.25.02, 4.01.16. Both devices had a 6.22 bootloader.
Any help would be great. There was nothing done to this device other than sittng on a desk, draining to zero, charging and then a lockup.
Thanks for any and all help.
Paul.
Hey guys, I've been having this problems for years and I've been waiting for someone to find a solution but I guess no one has the answer. egsthunder1, what rom are you currently using? I'm guessing 2003? I suggest you re-flash your rom back to 2002, I think ROM Kitchen carries the 2002 one for the T-Mobile or whatever service you're using. Just cook the rom, download it, upload it into your SD card, and use the bootloader to download the rom from the SD. It works for me if you're willing to use your PPC again w/o 2003.
Back from the grave!!!
Well,
After seeing the light , my phone turned away from it and decided that it wanted to stay in the world of the living once more.
I was right in my assertions (and Lumpi verified that), the integrated card reader on my laptop was the reason why I couldn't flash the rom into an SD card. So I borrowed one from a friend, and presto!!!
My Wallaby now runs on 2002 since I cannot get 2003 SE (from the kitchen) to get past the boot screen, just like XDAPDA88 said it would. It was twice the work, but in the end it paid off.
I guess it is for the better since 2002 was far more stable than 2003 SE ever was (at least in my experience with the Wallaby). However, I now have a BA, and I couldn't be happier (at least until I get my hands on the Universal, then I will truly be happy
Thanks to all of you for your input.
I've been lurking in this forum for a while now, and given HTC's "We're not updating the Hero until we've milked the market for every last Desire/Legend upgrade" stance, I've decided to take the plunge and put a custom ROM on my unbranded GSM Hero.
There's just a few questions I wanted to ask before I go ahead, and was hoping some of you would be kind enough to help:
1) If I install a custom ROM, is it possible to go back to factory state? I know some of the FAQ's say its possible to go back to the stock ROM, but does that mean EVERYTHING returns to stock? I know this is apples and oranges but when I flashed a couple of PSP's you have a recovery mode at startup, is anything like this left behind when returning to stock?
2) Is it possible to brick my phone? If so, is it recoverable?
3) Can anyone recommend a fast, stable ROM? I was interested in Damage Control but obviously thats for CDMA Hero's not GSM.
4) I see a lot of people with quite complex issues like radio frequencies and battery problems, what are the odds of having something like that happen? Is it quite rare? Also are radio flashes undone by returning to stock?
Thanks for your time guys, I'll be updating here with my progress/Issues later this evening
Arceon said:
There's just a few questions I wanted to ask before I go ahead, and was hoping some of you would be kind enough to help,.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) If I install a custom ROM, is it possible to go back to factory state? I know some of the FAQ's say its possible to go back to the stock ROM, but does that mean EVERYTHING returns to stock? I know this is apples and oranges but when I flashed a couple of PSP's you have a recovery mode at startup, is anything like this left behind when returning to stock?
- Yes, you can return back to stock state. You are correct, we do use a 'custom recovery console' to flash custom ROMs but this is easily removed by applying one of the official RUU .exe files found at Official HTC Hero RUU ROM Links. Connect phone to PC, run .exe, DONE!
2) Is it possible to brick my phone? If so, is it recoverable?
- I personally have only heard of people bricking handsets when, (1) Installing CDMA ROMs onto GSM handsets (you already know the difference so this shouldn't be a problem now), (2) Interrupting the radio update process (when applying update, phone may reboot a few times, do not touch untill you get the lockbar to pull down to unlock).
Iv had mine for about 3 months now and started as a complete noob but my phone is still living.
3) Can anyone recommend a fast, stable ROM? I was interested in Damage Control but obviously thats for CDMA Hero's not GSM.
- Im using MCR3.2 since day one, its fast and stable, what more could I ask for (apart from android 2.1).
4) I see a lot of people with quite complex issues like radio frequencies and battery problems, what are the odds of having something like that happen? Is it quite rare? Also are radio flashes undone by returning to stock?
- I assume its quite rare, again, Ive had no issues whatsoever. I dont know if running the RUU .exe will roll back to a previous radio or not but you can manually rollback, just use the radio update.zip first, then run the .exe if you need to.
One thing I would recomend,... Make sure you'v charged your battery 100% via the mains adapter (not usb through PC) when applying the custom ROM.
ruu contains a radio upgrade. or downgrade, depends on what you have installed and what ruu you are attempting to install.
you can brick your hero by flashing either a wrong radio or a wrong spl, or by flashing the correct ones of either and interrupt it during flashing.
if it was recoverable it wouldn't be bricked, the definition of "bricked" is that it serves the same purpose as a brick. however in most cases there is the possibility of reviving it via jtag, which is a highly complicated process that involves opening the phone and manipulating with the components directly (you could say "solder in a new processor" to express it in laymans' terms). so usually not worth the effort.
@ddotpatel
Thanks for clearing all that up for me
One thing though, with the official RUU files you linked, do you always just pick the latest one? Also do I need to worry about the "No Driver" description, or is it just run and done?
@kendong2
What would consitute a "wrong radio"? Are they not region-free? Or do you mean if I install a lower version than the one I already have? Also I guess seeing as I don't know what an SPL is I don't need to worry about it?
As for the Bricked term, yes your right. Its just coming from the PSP scene they use the term bricked to describe when the firmware will no longer boot, but the hacked in recovery console will. Bad habits and all that
I dont think the nodriver thing is anything to worry about.
Check the ROM your currently on through the settings menu so you know which one to go back to should you need to. I suppose it would look odd if you tried to return a handset for repair and it had an older ROM than the one it shipped with.
If you use this link HTC Hero Radio ROM Links you will be fine. They aren't region specific, I just used the latest one.
I think what Kendong meant was to make sure its for the GSM Hero not CDMA.
And SPL is the ROM I think, so again, as long as its GSM you're good to go!
Thanks ddotpatel
One last question, on the Recovery ROM thread linked to in the "Complete Newbie Guide" it says in rather large red writing "This recovery is NOT yet fully compatible with the new apps2sd method!".
Does this mean if I install A2SD as in the newb guide it will cause issues/break?
Arceon said:
Thanks ddotpatel
One last question, on the Recovery ROM thread linked to in the "Complete Newbie Guide" it says in rather large red writing "This recovery is NOT yet fully compatible with the new apps2sd method!".
Does this mean if I install A2SD as in the newb guide it will cause issues/break?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no,... If you follow the instructions in BTDAG's guide to setup apps2sd all will be ok.
The warning is referring to CM5.0.7 which I think is a HTC Dream / G1 ROM so that doesn't affect us guys.
Oh good, bid red text has a tendancy to put me off somewhat!
I've plumped for SLIDEVILLAIN 1.1.0 RC, and have a shiny new 8GB class 6 card on the way, should help with the craving to upgrade to a new phone for a while
Thanks for all your help, I'm sure you'll see more threads from me in the not to idstant future
Arceon said:
Oh good, bid red text has a tendancy to put me off somewhat!
I've plumped for SLIDEVILLAIN 1.1.0 RC, and have a shiny new 8GB class 6 card on the way, should help with the craving to upgrade to a new phone for a while
Thanks for all your help, I'm sure you'll see more threads from me in the not to idstant future
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't suppose you could send me a link of the memory card you'v ordered,... I think I'm gona start researching prices, speeds etc and get a new one myself.
Best I found so far was an 8gig Class 6 Transcend for £14 off Amazon but it doesn't state read/write speeds so am a bit reluctant.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-m...USDHC6/dp/B001IAMME8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Yeah, Iv had mine 3 months, initially bought as a temp handset to replace my Nokia 5800. Was planning to sell it on again this month and get myself a Desire for my birthday. But you know what,... I'm still really really happy with it. I think I'll be keeping it for another 6 months or so, at least until we get something similar to the HTC Evo 4G or the HTC Incredible in the uk.
I ended up ordering the Samsung one:
Urgh I can't post links, search for "Samsung 8GB Micro SD PLUS memory card Class 6" on Amazon
The read write speeds are in the comments, but to be honest I didn't pay that much attention to them knowing that the class 4 was the recommended speed and that class 6 is 50% faster.
Pretty much the same here, I was happy with it until the boss ordered a Desire and I had to set it up for him. The screen size combined with 2.1 was seriously making me consider one, but I realised if I could just have 2.1 I could hold out another few months.
And yes the Evo is awesome, can't wait for something like that over here, If it doesn't come then I'll be holding out for Froyo instead
SPL is the secondary program loader. Think of it as the bootloader. You don't need to touch it unless you want to replace the initial static bootscreen image.
I recently got a hd2 off of craigs list for a steal, and the ONLY reason why I got it is to run android on it. But I am having problems getting a android rom to boot, and getting one stable. I have double checked all of my intructions to the T, and I am coming down to two reasons why I cant get mine to work properly.
1. sd card problems, Do I really need a class 6 card? Right now it hangs where the linux boot says, creating a new data store.. it just counts down from 99 very slowly.....
2. I did buy the phone used. so one of my battery prongs on the phone is off set a tad. loose a little. will that affect my android loading?
I have tried to search long and hard before I made this post, but honestly THERE IS ALOT OF INFORMATION TO READ THRU and i justget confused.
if anyone can shed some light on these two questions, i will appreciate it.
You don't really need a class 6. I'm using a class 4 just fine and there are many people who've said the stock 16gb card works. I would suggest pulling all files you want saved off the card and do a fresh reformat to fat32. Then move your files back over and download the version of Android you want to run.
Are you using a stock or custom Rom?
Have your tried different radios?
Have you tried a different build of Android?
All of these variables come into play. Can you provide some more info about your setup? Thanks and good luck. I hope the reformat solves your problems.
Sent from my HTC HD2 via XDA App
I am using the latest energy froyostone rom with his custom wm rom for android. I have only flashed one radio, the one that went with a chucky rom gtx.
the wm rom boots up no problem, i always reformat when I try to flash a new rom, I always wipe the sd card before I try.
Now I need a working phone, so I have my sim in my vibrant when I flash, does that make a problem?
I really cant think of anything else that I have tried. I have gotten a couple of rom's to boot up with android, but when I reboot and install my sim card, the phone will freeze upon wm boot up, and sometimes load android again but goesinto a boot loop within 5 minutes. I am really looking for a good wm /android combo, if I get it running stable the first time, I probably wont flash again until some major breakthru happens.
Edit# switched sd cards. got it to load up one time, then tried to reboot and put my sim card in, phone goes into a boot loop before I can finish set up.
Now it is taking me forever just to boot up to WM
I am experienceing freezes on start up, freezes once WM boots up.
thanks for your advice
I'm assuming you have hacked with hspl.
Check the pins on the battery and try not to pull the battery out as those pins are really fragile. If one is bent it and shorts it puts the phone in a continuous boot loop, not a big deal just straighten the pin out and you should be fine.
I'm using the latest mattcfroyo sense rom ver 16 and had a similar issue where the linux boot would just freeze past a certain point. There is a modified zimage that was posted that completely solved that problem, again an easy fix, just swap out the old for the new. But I have to admit spending about a half day messing with this to get it to work, at one point I almost thought about moving back to wimo - after that nightmare thought I dug in and found the fix.
ok, another update, and thanks for the advice, I took my simcard out, and it booted up android fine, its been up for 10 minutes , no problem.
Are there any sim card issues I need to know about? Should I head to tmobile and get a new one>?
I think I am really close, and I thank you two for tryng to help.
It couldn't hurt to get a new sim. There could be a corruption on your card causing the boot loop.
*Edit: head to any TMO corporate store and they will give you a new sim for free.
Send from my HTC HD2 via XDA app
Devin5277 said:
I recently got a hd2 off of craigs list for a steal, and the ONLY reason why I got it is to run android on it. But I am having problems getting a android rom to boot, and getting one stable. I have double checked all of my intructions to the T, and I am coming down to two reasons why I cant get mine to work properly.
1. sd card problems, Do I really need a class 6 card? Right now it hangs where the linux boot says, creating a new data store.. it just counts down from 99 very slowly.....
2. I did buy the phone used. so one of my battery prongs on the phone is off set a tad. loose a little. will that affect my android loading?
I have tried to search long and hard before I made this post, but honestly THERE IS ALOT OF INFORMATION TO READ THRU and i justget confused.
if anyone can shed some light on these two questions, i will appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this simplified step by step guide:
Devin5277 said:
I recently got a hd2 off of craigs list for a steal, and the ONLY reason why I got it is to run android on it. But I am having problems getting a android rom to boot, and getting one stable. I have double checked all of my intructions to the T, and I am coming down to two reasons why I cant get mine to work properly.
1. sd card problems, Do I really need a class 6 card? Right now it hangs where the linux boot says, creating a new data store.. it just counts down from 99 very slowly.....
2. I did buy the phone used. so one of my battery prongs on the phone is off set a tad. loose a little. will that affect my android loading?
I have tried to search long and hard before I made this post, but honestly THERE IS ALOT OF INFORMATION TO READ THRU and i justget confused.
if anyone can shed some light on these two questions, i will appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used a cheap 4GB Micro-SD card and it seems okay. I think its recommended just to have a fast card to improve performance. The best thing to do is to try a different build. Ensure you did the following steps:
1. Flash HSPL(2 or 3, I personally used 3)
2. Flash a Windows Mobile ROM(I am using a barebone version of Energy by NRG28)
3. Flash a radio(Version 2.08.# or higher, i'm personally using 2.12.#)
4. Flash a build of Android(Any is fine, i'm personally using Darkstones Froyo 2.1 but try a few)
5. Take SD Card out, launch into Energy, insert SD Card, use file explorer to go SDCARD\Android\ and launch CLRAD.exe(Wont show anything but press a few times to make sure) and launch HaRAT.exe, wait until you get into Android(may take some time on the building data store text) then restart phone by doing step 5 again
^ don't think i've missed anything
******Edit******
Didn't see your post about SIM card until i posted this, try a free Pay as you Go sim or another spare SIM you may have, or maybe put SIM in when Androids loaded?
i would also look into starting from scratch , like going back to stock rom and working your way back up
Well before everyone attacks me with "try searching on forums" responses, i have done that already. So here is my problem. no matter what build i use i will occassionally get sod and have to remove the battery to power it back on. the button lights turn on like its going to power on but no matter how long i wait it wont come out of sleep.
I have all display settings turned off in windows mobile before i boot into android, and i have auto like turned off in both windows and android. I have auto rotate turned off, and screen time out set to 30 min, which actually fixed my problem for a while. it always seems to happen that something happens that i have to power off my phone, and as soon as i do that is when it starts acting up and i get sod. it takes a few tries of taking out the battery for the phone to stop getting sod but after a few days it seems to come back.
I have even tried reformatting my sd card and still had the problem. i have the stock 16 gig sd card it came with. i havent flashed anything on the phone because i dont want to risk screwing up, so you guys are my last resort because i have tried everything.
Time to try different sd card.
In both windows and android, Auto light is off and you manually set the display backlight?
Have you tried the hyperdroid 1.7 version??
Vaizard84 said:
i havent flashed anything on the phone because i dont want to risk screwing up, so you guys are my last resort because i have tried everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im pretty sure this is ur problem. Lots of things go wrong with stock.
its not as hard as it seems. just follow the intructions for ur specific hd2.
(look in the usa hd2 forums) if ur a usa hd2 user. IM SURE ITS A STICKY.
IF U WANT TRY THE OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM T-MOBILE!
i have heard good things about it
Unfortunately you have no choice but to flash the HSPL, a custom rom, and a radio. these are easy. ive flashed my phone countless times. I've also flashed other peoples HD2's countless times. Even when the phone was in the middle of flashing and the power went out at my house it did not brick the phone.
If you want to run android as a daily driver (like I do) my best advice is to flash the following.
HSPL (duh lol) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6891358&postcount=1893
Radio version 2.12.50 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9GU2FF3X
WinMo rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734238
(click on the first 'ChuckyDroidRom' picture under downloads in the first post.
You will use this utility to flash the 3.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=575524
when/if you download the 3 items, create a folder on your desktop. Name it something simple. Then inside that folder create 3 folders. name them HSPL, Radio, WinMo Rom. extract the downloaded items to their respective folders.
with the customRUU utility. extract the file to each of the folders.
Then,
Flash the HSPL first, the radio second, then the winmo rom.
when finished with those use the format sd card app in windows mobile to format your sd card (the program is set to format to android specs)
then copy whatever android build you want to the sd card.
Enjoy!
if you have any questions you may feel free to PM me. I will be home all day and would not mind helping you.
wow that is a lot easier than i thought well so far its working really nice, i havent got any sod yet, keeping my fingers crossed lol. thanks everyone for the help!
Vaizard84 said:
wow that is a lot easier than i thought well so far its working really nice, i havent got any sod yet, keeping my fingers crossed lol. thanks everyone for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I promise you it was your radio/rom version. I had the EXACT same problem and nothing fixed it until I flashed and updated my radio. sometimes you just have to bit the bullet and dive deep!
cheers on your fixed phone, and knock on wood for no more SOD!
If you do experience SOD again. I recommend a faster SD card. I was having issues with any build I was using. Up to date flashed radio and lite WM rom, my only cure was faster SD card. I went from the stock 16GB C2, to an 8GB C6 (17.99 from Amazon), and I have not experienced SOD anymore. I have issues where sometimes the screen will not come back on right away, and I have to wait a few seconds, but it never sleeps on me anymore.
Hi, I'm completely lost I'm also a Noob I haven't flashed a rom since I owned a HTC vogue which was a very long time ago and I can imagine it isn't the same.
My mom's HD2 is running wp7 I don't know the name of it but it don't work too good no market, she can't get texts because of a space issue and apparently she can't set up her internet for Simple mobile..
Now we're stuck she loves wp7 so we found a Tiger rom but we get an error every time (something about sd card init)?
She wants either WP7 (working) or Android
So far we have
Magldr 13
HSPL or whatever and a 5.51 radio
and I cannot figure out if we can even flash a rom because everything says 2.08 and I don't want to brick her only phone.
We are super lost I saw the noob video and yes I am I noob but I just want her phone working by tonight shes in school and I don't know a thing about Flashing and I don't understand none of this I have a Samsung Infuse.
Help us please I searched all on google about going from Wp7 to android and I could not get my answer.
I would THANK anyone who offers some kinda help tonight.
You should try this ROM. I use it on my HD2 and it's really good. It's updatable via Zune or via cab sender.
What you need to know about WP7 is that the type of SD card you're using matters a lot. It can give you all kinds of problems.
Do some reading on that thread and have a go at it. So long as you've got HSPL 2.8 and magldr installed, you should not be able to easily brick the phone.
EDIT: as is my usual, I forgot to put the link in.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1236027
Abyykinns said:
Hi, I'm completely lost I'm also a Noob I haven't flashed a rom since I owned a HTC vogue which was a very long time ago and I can imagine it isn't the same.
My mom's HD2 is running wp7 I don't know the name of it but it don't work too good no market, she can't get texts because of a space issue and apparently she can't set up her internet for Simple mobile..
Now we're stuck she loves wp7 so we found a Tiger rom but we get an error every time (something about sd card init)?
She wants either WP7 (working) or Android
So far we have
Magldr 13
HSPL or whatever and a 5.51 radio
and I cannot figure out if we can even flash a rom because everything says 2.08 and I don't want to brick her only phone.
We are super lost I saw the noob video and yes I am I noob but I just want her phone working by tonight shes in school and I don't know a thing about Flashing and I don't understand none of this I have a Samsung Infuse.
Help us please I searched all on google about going from Wp7 to android and I could not get my answer.
I would THANK anyone who offers some kinda help tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds to me like somebody has been messing with moms phone and screwed it up
Mate...there are so many posts on flashing what and in what order in this section alone it is pretty pointless me typing them out again.
But in direct response to the issues you mentioned.
SD card . You need to make sure your SD card is clean and formatted (FAT 32)before you flash a WP7 rom. Unlike other phone OS's , WP7 has to have a good working SD card in order to work.
As many members (including me) have recommended in the past. The best starting point is to TASK29 it (wipe) and install an original WP6.5 rom first.
That way you can make sure all the hardware is working properely.
Then go download all the software you need ( HSPL 2.08, MAGDLR, Radio, Rom of choice) Plenty of links scattered all over this forum.
And remember to always hard reset your phone after you have flashed the ROM !!! Not doing this can give all kinds of grief.
Your moms market place probably isnt working because the phone isnt activated with micro soft. Loads of threads on activation. take a few mins to read them.
There are other markets ( for apps) that don't require activation. Some roms included them "in" the ROM.
Good luck
Abyykinns said:
Hi, I'm completely lost I'm also a Noob I haven't flashed a rom since I owned a HTC vogue which was a very long time ago and I can imagine it isn't the same.
My mom's HD2 is running wp7 I don't know the name of it but it don't work too good no market, she can't get texts because of a space issue and apparently she can't set up her internet for Simple mobile..
Now we're stuck she loves wp7 so we found a Tiger rom but we get an error every time (something about sd card init)?
She wants either WP7 (working) or Android
So far we have
Magldr 13
HSPL or whatever and a 5.51 radio
and I cannot figure out if we can even flash a rom because everything says 2.08 and I don't want to brick her only phone.
We are super lost I saw the noob video and yes I am I noob but I just want her phone working by tonight shes in school and I don't know a thing about Flashing and I don't understand none of this I have a Samsung Infuse.
Help us please I searched all on google about going from Wp7 to android and I could not get my answer.
I would THANK anyone who offers some kinda help tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all read the 'how to' links in my signature. Secondly, sounds like whoever installed wp7 on the phone never entered the required activation code to access marketplace from the phone with a windows live id.
Thirdly, sounds like you have Yuki/XBmod's ROM. This ROM locks the SD card for security in case of a lost phone. Go the WP7 development forum and read the first post in both Back To The Future thread and the companion SP1 threads to learn about how to unlock the SD card. Or the other path is to use a new SD card.
You can either install Yuki/XBmod again which is the current version of WP7 Mango v8107. If you don't want to worry about locking SD issues try flashing one of the other ROMs. I've tried Pjad..something's ROM and.it's pretty stable even with the beta v8773. I've heard good things about HD2O's ROM too.
The thing about Yuki/XBmod ROM is it is updatable via Microsoft update. The other's are updatable unless you flash again and setting up your phone from scratch everytime. The only other ROM I know of that is updatable like Yuki's is the HD2O ROM.
It's up to you which you choose.
As for setting up for Simple...there is a new updated cab that has Simple setups for you to use. I think that once you install Connection Setup from the HTC Marketplace it'll have the setup you need regardless of which ROM.
Also, read the General Questions forum for information on obtaining a WP7 activation code.
I would recommend the real MS Marketplace for relatively less risky WP7 apps....so get an activation code. It's not difficult.