So ive been using WP7 on on HD2 on and off since it came out, but ive come to stick with it now I have an android tablet.
My question is can i upgrade a WP7 build to a later version via flashing a new version of WP7? For all intents and purposes, most different WP7 builds are the same (in terms of raw system files they remain largely identical, it mostly tweaks and appearance that differ)
Right now i use XBmod NoDo. My question is, should i choose to flash a Green Mango build over the top of my NoDo build. Would this:
1. Wipe all my data entirely (i have a working SD but syncing around 1000 songs took me 215hours as its incredibly slow)
2. Mean i have to reactivate Live services?
Also if live services have to be reactivated, before i flash an upgrade can a phone be deactivated so the code can be reused? Ive used my code 3 times already, for the second time, and microsoft were annoyed the last time i asked them as they knew id already asked for one before.
I did have a search before i posted this but i couldnt find any definitive answer.
Thanks
you install any WP7 ROM via flashing (and at the moment that is the only way to update the HD2) then it will wipe everything of the card and the device
Im not sure why you keep asking MS for activation codes, you only need one, you can use that as many times as you like (on the same device)
and it took you 9 days to sync some music!!?? something not right there my friend, zune does encode it all but it shouldnt take that long at all
i wouldnt bother with Mango beta just now, its buggy and full of debug code, wait for the RTM which is only just around the corner and save yourself some hassle
finally, there is a way of backing up your data manually, you need to use Windows Phone Device manager, now the new beta versions have the backup function, the public version doesnt, but you can copy all of the data, you would then reinstall the app manually then copy back the data from your backup afterwards
read this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1082343
joshman99 said:
So ive been using WP7 on on HD2 on and off since it came out, but ive come to stick with it now I have an android tablet.
My question is can i upgrade a WP7 build to a later version via flashing a new version of WP7? For all intents and purposes, most different WP7 builds are the same (in terms of raw system files they remain largely identical, it mostly tweaks and appearance that differ)
Right now i use XBmod NoDo. My question is, should i choose to flash a Green Mango build over the top of my NoDo build. Would this:
1. Wipe all my data entirely (i have a working SD but syncing around 1000 songs took me 215hours as its incredibly slow)
2. Mean i have to reactivate Live services?
Also if live services have to be reactivated, before i flash an upgrade can a phone be deactivated so the code can be reused? Ive used my code 3 times already, for the second time, and microsoft were annoyed the last time i asked them as they knew id already asked for one before.
I did have a search before i posted this but i couldnt find any definitive answer.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot. If the unlimited activations is true them my first code had an issue, as it was unusable after my 3rd activation (i switch between WP and android very often). I dont know about this code as i havent tried it again.
But thanks for your suggestions and help. +rep to you
Related
First - I've searched, searched and searched for my particular circumstances, so if this is the wrong place for my questions I apologize in advance. (I've seen all the warnings, in so many posts - honestly! It's kept me searching and not posting for weeks.)
I bought a G1 off eBay (no tmobile in my area); it wasn't unlocked so I bought an unlock code. So far, so good. But it took forever researching how to get my particular obscure carrier settings into the APN (Iowa Wireless) and I couldn't bypass and use wifi because it wouldn't reboot (no root workaround). So then, I flashed to the 29 rom. I had lots of problems with adb but finally found a Windows XP machine that it would work on and managed to get my phone working. I had to enter some command line intent commands (that I don't have here at work) but it's been a long complicated road. I'm not even sure I could duplicate any of it.
So now I have a G1 phone that can't get paid apps, which stinks (and yes, I installed the Market Enabler app). It isn't a developer phone. The details:
Firmware 1.0
Baseband version: 62.33.20.08H_1.22.12.29
Kernel: 2.6.25-01843-gfea26b0 [email protected] #6
Build Number: kila-user 1.0 TC4-RC29 115247 ota-rel-keys.release-keys
I desperately need ebook reading capability, so without paid apps I'm up a creek. The web browser won't even open local files that I can tell and when I click on an html file it opens in a viewer that never displays my files, which tend to have lots of javascript and css. And we won't even talk about chm files and pdb/prc compiled ebooks. Is there a rom that will get me access to the Market so I can buy a couple of readers?
When I got the G1, I was thinking that an HTC phone would be the successor to the hackable Motorola phones (I used to have an A780). But in a way, this forum is too much of a good thing. There are so many roms, bootloaders and some kind of radio thing that I'm kinda scared to mess with. So, that's my next question - is there some kind of table where I can see comparisons on which roms do what and what files go together? I'm piecing things from posts and I keep getting lost.
And for my next question - if I do get up enough nerve to get install a non-standard rom, will my unlock code still work if everything gets wiped?
Lastly, and I know this is sensitive because it is an Android community - I found a few tantalizing posts while researching all my issues that hinted that maybe someone might be working on a non-Android solution. I don't know if was OpenMoko or something like that but seriously, I would jump at the opportunity to have an accessible Linux system.
As awesome as the G1 is (and the bar code thing was my killer app) it's a lot of hassle for a working mother and grandmother. I have 7 and 9 year old kids to hang out with instead of muttering "Frak this" after the tenth or twentieth rewording of the google search terms.
Thanks for letting me get this out of my system. I'm reading deprived and starting to reevaluate my old Shadow sitting on the shelf.
Terry in Iowa
Being the nice guy I am, this is a database listed under the Developer's section under INFORMATIVE THREADS (lots of goodies under there): http://www.simonwalkerphotos.com/android/android_build_information.asp
it lists the features of each ROM in the forums all neatly organized. =)
For your other question: the unlock code works perfectly fine after several wipes, its permanent. I unlocked my phone (from T-Mobile) and have gone through at least 8 ROMs and the unlock still works. With these new ROMs, you get developer capabilities and should be able to download that reader you're after.
Just take your time and don't rush things and you'll be fine. A piece of cake really.
Thanks. Your link is exactly what I needed. I know I missed it, whether it's because it's 11th on the list and my eyes were so glazed over, or I was hung up on getting root (the main thread for root on that page didn't work for me - the mount commands) or that I kinda expected it to be down in the actual ROM section.
I know this isn't about the ROM list but it's so frustrating to have threads marked but not work, and the solutions are often way down in the comment thread. That makes it so hard to get anywhere. I hope I don't sound too ungrateful, especially since I wanted the G1 because of the community support. It's just been way more work than I expected from previous experiences with other phones and pdas.
Well, I looked through the spreadsheet and I think I'm going to try out CyanogenMod v3.4.6 (Stable). Now I just need to set aside some time to gather everything together. (I'm learning...)
Thanks again,
Terry
No worries, we all gotta start somewhere. Once you have root, its pretty much just a straight ROM flash from there, depending on whether the ROM you've chosen needs the new Haykuro SPL or just HardSPL. With Haykuro SPL, there's really only 2 extra steps and you can just straight flash ROMs from there. Just be careful if you're flashing the Haykuro SPL because if you do it incorrectly, you'll brick you're phone. But don't be too scared, if you did everything correctly, there shouldn't be any reason why it won't work.
I had no trouble with the HardSPL, the radio update, the pimped out recovery image but the actual CyanogenMod almost gave me a heart attack. I applied the update.zip and rebooted, and it hung on a cool animated android screen (after the G1 splash). I took the battery out, wiped the phone (which I forgot to do the first time) and tried it again. Same results. I took the battery out again and applied the update.zip and the 3rd time it actually booted.
My previously installed programs were still there, so I'm not quite sure what happened but I'm not going to question it any further. ;-)
Thanks again for the little bit of hand holding.
Terry (proud owner of 8 paid apps and still looking...)
Good luck. If you use Apps2SD, after you re-apps2sd after a flash/wipe, it will take a very long time to boot and you might think that it has frozen, but in reality, its just loading all the apps over again so it could take up to 10min. But glad you got it working regardless. Have fun.
I was planning to get an HD2 soon and put android on it but I do not have data on my current plan. I know most custom ROMs on actual android phones like the g1 allow you to skip the initial account setup.
Will I have to put a data plan on my sim to register my google account or will it let me skip?
Also does the official Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM from T-Mobile ask you to register the device every time you do a hard reset?
good223 said:
I was planning to get an HD2 soon and put android on it but I do not have data on my current plan. I know most custom ROMs on actual android phones like the g1 allow you to skip the initial account setup.
Will I have to put a data plan on my sim to register my google account or will it let me skip?
Also does the official Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM from T-Mobile ask you to register the device every time you do a hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't found a way around the data-only login. I found some hacks online, but none of them actually worked.
I recommend you (1) find a friend with a data plan and borrow their sim for a moment or (2) get a prepaid sim with data on it.
I've never used Android without data plan but I have a friend who does. It kinda sucks, not being able to access the app store or use any of the social media stuff.
The official WM T-Mo ROM does not require registration.
---Edit---
I forgot: Here in Austin, all of the McDonald's and Public Libraries offer free wifi. Would that help?
There is a trick that you can do, don't know if it works on the HD2 builds but it did on the Kaiser, when you get to the "Touch the Android to begin" screen, simply hit the four corners of your screen and it "should" skip the registration crap.
ashasaur said:
There is a trick that you can do, don't know if it works on the HD2 builds but it did on the Kaiser, when you get to the "Touch the Android to begin" screen, simply hit the four corners of your screen and it "should" skip the registration crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you try it with some of the Android builds please. Being able to skip it will make or break the HD2 for me lol.
Snarksneeze said:
I haven't found a way around the data-only login. I found some hacks online, but none of them actually worked.
I recommend you (1) find a friend with a data plan and borrow their sim for a moment or (2) get a prepaid sim with data on it.
I've never used Android without data plan but I have a friend who does. It kinda sucks, not being able to access the app store or use any of the social media stuff.
The official WM T-Mo ROM does not require registration.
---Edit---
I forgot: Here in Austin, all of the McDonald's and Public Libraries offer free wifi. Would that help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have wifi at my house but would I be able to connect to it without signing in first?
I'm pretty surprised that you can't just skip the registration on HD2 android builds, because all of the custom ROMs on my G1 allow me to skip it
Many of the Android Roms don't even have the initial setup screen.
I am currently using Hyperdroid 1.6 and it does not require it.
Many of the HD2 android builds don't require the setup to be completed. The ones that do have the setup included have the "skip" feature. You can load without syncing anything, then turn on wifi, and sync away. I'm currently using Bangsters v1.4. Its running great.
Look through the builds and have a go. You shouldn't have any troubles.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
I went through activation without a hitch on Froyostone. There was a SKIP button if I remember right.
Alright thanks for the replies. I'll try it when I buy my HD2 off craigslist.
But one last question, do I have to install HSPL3 for Android or is that only for flashing custom WM ROMs?
HardSPL is only required for flashing ROMs or Radios, BUT, you must flash to a WinMo ROM that supports Android or you will not get correct audio, so in your case you will need to flash HardSPL anyways. Fear not, HardSPL is an extrmely simple 2 click process that takes literally 5 minutes of reading and 2 minutes of clicking to accomplish.
Hello
I have just installed HSPL 2.08 and MAGLDR 1.13 with wp7.
I installed everything correctly, but i tried to install updates using zune, and now WP7 crashes randomly and sometimes has a hard time starting up.
I would like to re-fllash wp7, but i cant get into the MAGLDR menu to select the USB FLASH MODE option (or something along those lines) In order to flash the WP7 rom, like i did to begin with.
Any help? Going into rgb mode (HSDPL) works, but i cant flash it using this method.
stevemilw said:
Hello
I have just installed HSPL 2.08 and MAGLDR 1.13 with wp7.
I installed everything correctly, but i tried to install updates using zune, and now WP7 crashes randomly and sometimes has a hard time starting up.
I would like to re-fllash wp7, but i cant get into the MAGLDR menu to select the USB FLASH MODE option (or something along those lines) In order to flash the WP7 rom, like i did to begin with.
Any help? Going into rgb mode (HSDPL) works, but i cant flash it using this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you need to start fresh. If so, and I'm understanding your situation, put your HD2 into bootloader mode (power off > hold volume-down button and tap power button wait for red, green whitescreen) and do Task 29. Then reflash magldr in the same bootloader screen after your HD2 reboots. Make sure to follow the same steps for getting into the BL screen. Then you should be able to reflash WP7 with magldr.
I'm not sure, but I don't believe WP7 can be updated in Zune. I believe the only current way of getting an updated WP7 ROM is to start fresh like described above.
stevemilw said:
Hello
I have just installed HSPL 2.08 and MAGLDR 1.13 with wp7.
I installed everything correctly, but i tried to install updates using zune, and now WP7 crashes randomly and sometimes has a hard time starting up.
I would like to re-fllash wp7, but i cant get into the MAGLDR menu to select the USB FLASH MODE option (or something along those lines) In order to flash the WP7 rom, like i did to begin with.
Any help? Going into rgb mode (HSDPL) works, but i cant flash it using this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can't update wp7 on the hd2! didn't you see the error msg that no updates were performed? the hd2 roms are not official wp7 roms.
Thanks! I have re-flashed it now, i think the issue was the SD card being incompatible, not the updating of wp7 using zune.
While i am here, does anyone know how i can fix the following issues?
1. I cannot log into or connnect to any services which include facebook and outlook. Well, actually i know it can connect to outlook since the status in the top left said something allong the lines of 'weve found them' but then a message appear saying ' Ooops, We're having a problem connecting you, and all i can do is cancel'
Same goes with facebook. Currently, since my MicroSD card isnt compatible, i have no means of storage, so i cant store any contacts etc, maybe this is the issue? Im sure it wasnt working even with the card in however.
2. The camera seems very bad and doesnt fit the screen. Ive seen that this is an issue, but havent been able to find any threads resolviing the issue. If anyones found one, please could you post a link?
3. The market place, ive found a thread that claims to fix the issue, however i was a bit skeptical since theres been so many people saying you cant
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10566003
Has it really been finally hacked! It would seem so!
Come to think of it, that seems like all! The major issue at the moment is the inability to store anything which i will be sorting out soon.
I have purchased of amazon a 16GB Sandisk sd card, which claims to be class 2.
Please tell me its the right one!!
But so far, comparing WP7 to Energy, its not stacking up! Obviously the energy rom has had alot more development, but i like the way in which you can always know the weather, talk on facebook easily, install loads of apps on omarket.
I think WP7 has the possibility to be great when i have sorted all the issues out, visually, i dont think its as stunning in terms of graphics, but it is alot more simplistic and easy to use, definatley the keyboard is easier!
Anyone happy with this as their primary OS?
Cheers
Also, is there any way of booting into MAGLDR without it automatically starting WP7? Would just making it easier in terms of updating WP7 when i need too.
I currently have the latest version of mango..... i think that seems to be the most developed and worked on.
stevemilw said:
Also, is there any way of booting into MAGLDR without it automatically starting WP7? Would just making it easier in terms of updating WP7 when i need too.
I currently have the latest version of mango..... i think that seems to be the most developed and worked on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Choose "Services" > boot options and then choose "always menu"...or something like that name.
stevemilw said:
Anyone happy with this as their primary OS?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am. I'm so pleased with mine that I won't delete it. It works wonderfully for me.
Where is services then boot options??? Are we talking about inside WP7, or on zune!? All i have is settings on wp7
stevemilw said:
Where is services then boot options??? Are we talking about inside WP7, or on zune!? All i have is settings on wp7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the magldr menu. Power on your HD2 from a power off state and hold the red button till the magldr options screen appears. Then at close to the bottom is the "services" option.
Make sure to hold the red button while powering up your HD2.
Thanks alot!!!
stevemilw said:
Thanks alot!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome. Please press the "Thanks" button, which is only shown in website skin "XDA 2010".
done, ive flashed blacside rom, seems to be working very well and i can connect to facebook, and outlook. Just on the phone to microsoft in their never ending validation que to get my code!
Ive got to sayy, its soo much faaster than the last wp7 rom and actually works! i think i will keep thiss one forever!
stevemilw said:
done, ive flashed blacside rom, seems to be working very well and i can connect to facebook, and outlook. Just on the phone to microsoft in their never ending validation que to get my code!
Ive got to sayy, its soo much faaster than the last wp7 rom and actually works! i think i will keep thiss one forever!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how I feel about this elfinlazz ROM. Though it has a few bugs, they don't effect its speed or stability. And the bugs are not serious nor effect the overall usability.
I plan on keeping this one until a ripe Mango is released with marketplace and Live already configured.
Well after being on the phone for 20 minuites, phone running out of battery then being on the phone for another 20 miniutes ive finally got my phonee activated with windows live services!!!
The funny this is, the man at the main switchboard who put me through the second time, said that they've had 'a high call volume regarding this issue'!!!! Just made me chuckle because its obviously everyone hacking it for their htc hd2's ! You dont need to phone up for activation if you own a genuine product!
By the way, they take your name, tel number and email and thats it, then thhey read out the code to you and send it to your email!
stevemilw said:
Well after being on the phone for 20 minuites, phone running out of battery then being on the phone for another 20 miniutes ive finally got my phonee activated with windows live services!!!
The funny this is, the man at the main switchboard who put me through the second time, said that they've had 'a high call volume regarding this issue'!!!! Just made me chuckle because its obviously everyone hacking it for their htc hd2's ! You dont need to phone up for activation if you own a genuine product!
By the way, they take your name, tel number and email and thats it, then thhey read out the code to you and send it to your email!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first time I tried for a code...I did it through chat...they asked me what brand and model phone I had. I didn't lie and told them an HD2. After a minute or two they came back and said they can't give me a code for the HD2 because it isn't an official WP7 phone....or something along those lines. I said okay, thank you and closed the chat. I was going to let it go. Then after about a day I decided to call again and see what would happen; if I would get a different person. I did get a different person, and they only asked me for my name and phone number...don't recall if they asked for an email. Once I gave them my name and number, they welcomed me back...LOL. I was about to hang up but nothing came of it and after a few minutes, they came back with a code.
And from what I understand, the code is permanent for that phone. I suppose that means it will work on any WP7 ROM on that specific phone, which is good because I plan to upgrade to a ripe Mango when available.
Yea its pretty stupid how they will just hand out the codes, whats the point in even having activation AT ALL??
Im guessing the code will be locked into your windows live ID, so you can only sign in with that acccount. Would make sence, because then you can only use it on one person.
stevemilw said:
Yea its pretty stupid how they will just hand out the codes, whats the point in even having activation AT ALL??
Im guessing the code will be locked into your windows live ID, so you can only sign in with that acccount. Would make sence, because then you can only use it on one person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. I tried to use my Live ID I have with my Samsung Focus and it worked okay and all, but I couldn't install any apps because it saw them already installed on another device. I then made a new Live ID and reset my HD2 and and signed in with that new Live ID. It went well and I could install apps from then on. But it means that the apps I've bought with my original Live ID will have to be bought again.
Maybe there is a bug in Live, I don't know, because Zune says you can have up to 5 devices on one account. But when I bought my HD7, I replaced it 3 times till I got one not faulty. When I tried to install an app on my HD2 with the original Live ID, it popped up a message saying I already have 5 devices activated and I need to delete them before I can use another. I then tried to delete the false ones but it will only allow you to delete one phone a month. I could only delete one, but it still wouldn't let me install apps.
See...the thing I think is the issue is that Windows Live doesn't communicate very well with other services or features. Example: In Gmail, if I make a change to a contact, immediately that change shows up on the Android phone. In Live, if I make a change to a contact, that change rarely ever appears on the phone. I think this is what the issue is between Live and Zune. They just aren't communicating well.
Hi,
I have an HD2, and a couple of months ago, I installed android on it.
But recently, it gets annoying... it has robotvoice, the signal strength always drops completely and comes back, and often, the touchscreen just hangs and does nothing...
Now Im think about installing a new version.
But I have some questions.
Oft I read that some builds have a "hacked market" or "black market"... what is that? I dont want "bad" software in my phone...
And, maybe I got a bit paranoid after reading about the HTC Logger and CarrierIQ.... but can one be sure that recent Androidbuilds and/or Mods are free of such things? Is somebody testing this?
(Is the recent CyanogenMod safe concerning this?
And one last, very newbie, question. If I synchronise my contact and my calendar with my gmail account, I can safely install a new version and have all contacts back, right?
Thx.
ArpX said:
Hi,
I have an HD2, and a couple of months ago, I installed android on it.
But recently, it gets annoying... it has robotvoice, the signal strength always drops completely and comes back, and often, the touchscreen just hangs and does nothing...
Now Im think about installing a new version.
But I have some questions.
Oft I read that some builds have a "hacked market" or "black market"... what is that? I dont want "bad" software in my phone...
And, maybe I got a bit paranoid after reading about the HTC Logger and CarrierIQ.... but can one be sure that recent Androidbuilds and/or Mods are free of such things? Is somebody testing this?
(Is the recent CyanogenMod safe concerning this?
And one last, very newbie, question. If I synchronise my contact and my calendar with my gmail account, I can safely install a new version and have all contacts back, right?
Thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First Black Market is an app, different from the android market place. It has alot of the apps that are on the android market but all the paid ones are free. Its warez, and that is not allowed on this site.
What you are reading in rom infos is about a hacked market with is just the normal android market usually an old version as it is faster that won't update itself. Or a new version but is hacked to work on a different screen density not usually available with the market. Both of these "hacked" versions are safe to use 100%.
HTC Logger and Carrier IQ are part of the stock kernels when the phone ships and not all carriers use that software, there is no chance any dev of this site would allow such things on our phones.
Second yes if you backup everything with your google account it will all be back as long as you use the same google account with the next rom you use.
Cheers,
Evil.
Copy and Paste....lol
shanman-2 said:
Copy and Paste....lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HUH??
10chars
Hi,
Its me again
I would post in the Hyperdroid thread, but I am not allowed to, so I hope somebody will read it here.
I want to install Hyperdroid, and for that I need the clockworkmod. I already have magdlr 1.13. As far as I see, I should get the 150 mb file for clockworkmod, but all the links in the original thread are dead.... where can I get the appropriate file?
And, does the Hyperdroidmod support other languages?
Thx.
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
It depends.
skathed said:
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all depends how open minded you are for radical changes in some aspects, Android is a more messed up OS, you have plenty of options(many of which you never use) on the other hand WP7 is a more restrictive OS, you can't do many things here without a full unlock or in other cases (like notification center) even a full unlock won't help(well there is a notification center in the workings on this site(www.windowsphonehacker.com), but i'm on WP7 from the beginning and actually never quite needed one as live tiles are very functional and are capable of storing great amount of information(of course if the developer wasn't lazy and implemented this).
All in all, a fully unlocked device will give you the kind of freedom( sideloading apps, even installing apps from the browser, storing apps in the internal memory of the phone, messing up with the background colors, tiles of the screen, lockscreen customization, creating folders with apps on the start screen, changing values inaccessible for non unlocked devices(like adding *never* option to the lockscreen timeout, and many others).
But you will find and many things that you didn't experience on android, like the search experience, the integrated office experience(a very useful thing if you work with documents), facebook, twitter, linkedin and mail integration and the feeling of security you don't expect from another OS, no bloatware and the stability no other OS can offer, as the speed of the system isn't changing over time )).
Thanks that helps heaps. Im getting less confident in Androids safety since they have the largest slice of the consumer pie. I have ordered one from overseas (dont sell this model in my country) and hope to see it soon.
Some help.
skathed said:
Thanks that helps heaps. Im getting less confident in Androids safety since they have the largest slice of the consumer pie. I have ordered one from overseas (dont sell this model in my country) and hope to see it soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Well i can give you some useful advices )) , when creating your live id select your country as US or UK as this setting determines your marketplace region and if the marketplace isn't present in your country you will literally have no apps to install ))
2) As you get your device, don't bother with official updates, install a custom bootloader from here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1485569 , but BEWARE --> check your device revision( 1.3 or 1.4) if you get a 1.3 revision device you're lucky as these usually get more custom love )) and after you install the bootloader you can install this great rom for revision 1.3 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2016769
or this rom for 1.4 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024825
3) In settings of the device there is the Region+Language option, there you select your region for correct date/time/currency and other stuff BUT for the Browser & search language select English United States as this setting will give you the full Search experience( i mean Local Scout/Music/Vision and Voice, these functions are very neat, you'll understand ( search youtube for WP7 search )
4) Make sure you install these great homebrew apps :
- Bazaar
- Bt File transfer
- Blue Manager(requires the previous to work)
- Call Manager
- File Manager
- Folders( www.windowsphonehacker.com )
- Marketplace Config( helps changing marketplace settings so you can download other OEM's goodies )
- Nokia apps( must have)
- Program Manager
- WPH tweaks ( again www.windowsphonehacker.com )
5) The device has a microsd slot, but BEWARE, not any microsd will work for it, you will find a list of working cards here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Focus , i myself added there the A-Data 16GB Class 4 (AUSDH16GCL4-RA1) as this is what i use now in my Focus, and it's working fantasticly well for 2 years already.
And there is one more thing you need to know about the microsd, it will not work as it used to work on android phones, here you must install it from the beginning because the OS formats it and it merges with the internal memory, so in the end it behaves like one unified memory, you can't access it aside from your device, and you can't swap cards, ass swapping cards requires HARD REST of the device, so if you plan to put a microsd card doit from the beginning.
Well, good luck ))
If you really can't wait for a Windows Phone 8, Samsung Focus is still available on eBay for about $125. It's worth the money without doubt. The only problem is that it comes with no warranty whatsoever.
Wait and get a WP8?
skathed said:
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
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The Focus is a solid phone (I'm still using mine and I've gone through 3 custom ROMS - I'm currently using Voluptuary's clean WP7.8 ROM), and it's pretty simple to root it and install a custom ROM on it. That said, it's probably worthwhile to get a WP8 device if you can manage the extra cash. Nokia has some cheaper WP8 offerings, if I'm not mistaken. I think the Lumia 620 is $250 or so.