Hello to all. I am a new user and I just received my HTC 8925, bought as an upgrade to my old HTC 8525. I was interested in upgrading my phone's appearance through applications, etc. I have browsed through the related threads, and I am not sure of some of the terminology. ROMs and flashing are a few terms that I'm unsure of. Also I could use some knowledge on how to modify the registry on my phone. Any insight on any of the above would be helpful.
Audio Alchemist
ROMS refer to Read Only Memory. This is the software that's resident in the computer when the power is off and usually includes the operating system (Windows Mobile) and a suite of applications selected by your carrier. A portion of the ROM also contains the instructions for running the phone's radio.
Flashing is the process of putting different programs into the ROM.
There is much you can do to change the appearance without resorting to flashing the ROM. I'd recommend working with various launchers and today screen plug ins first. (HTC Home, Ultimate Launcher, etc)
There's a great wiki on the forum that has instructions for flashing if you decide to go that route. There are also links to most of the major applications too.
Cheers!
Related
Hey guys!
I've got the i-mate Jam... can I install the S100's ROM on it?
What's the difference between these two device's ROM?
There are quite a number of threads discussing this. Basically they are almost the same. It's more on what additional software is in the Extended ROM. I've used both I-mate and Qtek ROMs in many instances but see no big difference. I immediately make the BigStorage ROM and install Extended ROM software that I like.
How can I make the BigStorage ROM? What is this?
Sorry boys, I'm new to PDA I tyry to gain more infos as possible
Thank you
The standard configuration of a Jam/S100/Mini is that a certain amount of storage memory is reserved for carrier/brand configurations and is totally inaccessible to the user. The BigStorage ROM is a hack which gives the user access to this storage for installing software to this memory area keeping the main memory area more free for running programs. It also becomes more flexible since the user can decide which carrier/brand configuration apps to install. There are many threads about this topic, or checkout the topic "Upgrade to 1.13 WWE in 10 easy steps".
As always suggested, please search more on this topic and before you decide to jump into the band wagon, be sure to make a backup of your data and current ROM.
Thank you zerimar, you're very polite to explain me the way.
The point is that here all the users knows a lot about the PDA, how is its internal structure and what kind of tricks we can do to take it @ best.
I'm novice and I'd like to read a very small and concise guide that can explain me the basic things like how much amount of ROM we have instaled and if it is simply flashable (as "storage") or only during flash-upgrade, how it is divided and what tasks any section has, where stores WM and where the other custom software from carriers ("third part").
If it it possible to update olny some parts of the ROM a time.
Thank you for support and answers (could be very short)
Search!
Excuse me, search for what (which search key?)?
May I've to read all the forum?
All Your questions are already answered across this forum
All you have to do is to use the SEARCH option because everything is already answered across this forum. If you dont like to read, imagine if You need to write!... LOL
Seriously: Please how You ask somebody to write if You are not willing to read... :wink:
Hi,
For the rom-layout go to the wiki, it contains a complete description. & yes you can update eg. the splash-screen & radio separately.
You must use sd-flash method or shippedlrom method to apply BS.
Howto's are available in other threads, like the one suggested earlier.
Cheers, M
Hi all,
since I am new to this PDA stuff (got my first HTC Magician last week), I have a question: what are those different ROM version and editions on your FTP site for?
I noticed, there are several different directories, for example:
* BigStorage
* Extended ROM
* Shipped ROM
* Modified ROM
* ...
Could someone explain this do me please? For example, what does this "BigStorage" mean, what are "Modified ROM"s?
Greetings and thanks for your help in advance, Matthias
Hi haimat,
- The shipped roms are the roms are unmodified like they can be downloaded from the various providers.
- The extended roms are a part of the shipped roms. Normally you don't see them on your device, but they are out there somewhere hiding and sneaking upon you when you perform hard-reset (powerbutton & soft-reset at the same time). Sorry got a bit carried away here. You can make them visible with the loadvdisk.exe, a hidden rom file in the windows folder, either create a shortcut to it with your PC explorer via the Act.Sync. or get something like total commandef or resco file explorer. Last option is to do a hard-reset and after you finished the init.proc with time-zone etc. perform a soft-reset. This will prevent the autoexec. from the extrom & the loadvdisk.lnk in startup won't be deleted then.
- BIG Storage roms are patched romdumps from other people's magician's (made one myself for 1.13WWe). These roms don't have an extrom anymore. The extrom is about 20Mb & can be combined with the Storage folder you have at this moment (approx. 7Mb). Get the picture? A lot of space to install programs & store data that doesn't disappear after hard-reset or powerloss.
Course you need a copy of an extrom when you apply BS to get all your default MMS & gprs settings etc from your provider.
-Modified roms, well the name says it all. Haven't tried those yet, you'll need out what is changed before applying those.
Just a little warning about the BS patch, before you think I WANT THAT read everything in the thread's for ways to solve any probs. encoutered with them. It's not without risc & you can end up with a not working device. So take your time to get used to the terms etc. Gather all the tooling & read everything again.
There's a lot of info at the fora here, reg.hacks useful apps. how to's. I'm sure you can find everything you need.
BTW welcome to this sharing and very useful community.
Regards, M
-
Hi, thanks for your good explaination of the different types of ROMs!
I will look into them...
Greetings and thx again, Matthias
Hello my friends,
I picked up my HTC Wizard (T-Mobile MDA) yesterday, and I want to modernize it with the latest software. I've spent all day (since 9AM, it's not about 9PM) reading these forums, and I'm insanely confused, probably due to the fact that I'm reading stuff from different times.
I need my wizard to have the following:
-WM6
-Reliable Wi-Fi (i.e. no wifi bugs in the rom)
-Super Reliable phone, working with Rogers Canada (i.e. REALLY no bugs in the phone functionality)
-Bluetooth with A2DP
-TouchFlo capability
-Mobile Office (2007 would be cool, but I'll settle for 2003)
-Preferably free of all t-mobile junk
-MP3 and video player
-Ability to install other software
I am currently using a t-mobile ROM, version 2.26.10.2 WWE and Windows Mobile 5.1.195 Build 14955.2.3.0. I would like to back up this ROM before starting. I read something about putting in on an SD card, but that was I'll need to keep a mini-SD card just for the backup. In there any way to dump the data into a file that can be stored on the PC (even to the point of dumping it to an SD card and using linux's dd function to create a file on the hard drive)?
My device is SIM unlicked (I'm using a t-mobile device with Canada's Rogers), not sure about a CID unlock.
I ask for links to most recent ROMs that would fit what I'm looking for as well as most recent tutorials. I'm nowhere near the point of trying to create my own ROM, so a kitchen is out of the question. Maybe later.
Help appreciated. Thanks.
This is where you should start:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=310831
Follow that and Dr. P's thread. If you can't follow those guides, don't attempt to install a custom ROM on your phone.
Read it already. It doesn't make suggestions as to which ROM to use though.
There are already tons of "which ROM should I use?" threads, and the consensus from all of them is: read about each ROM and then try the one you like the best.
There are no "more recent" upgrading threads. The link I posted and Dr. P's guide are the best. Those guides are meant to explain how to unlock a phone, not which ROM to use.
Follow those guides, unlock your phone, and then experiment with the different ROMs. Oh, and one other thing: before you even attempt to mess with your phone, spend a few days looking around and reading. Trying to read, absorb, and understand all of the posted wisdom on these boards in 12 hours just isn't possible. I spent 4 to 5 days reading and taking notes before I did anything to my phone.
Alright, I see where you're going with this. I'll take a look around, if anything, I'll post back here. Thanks.
Hi,
I am about to purchase an AT&T Tilt and I would really like to learn how to modify this thing. I've been surfing the forums and there all these these different types of ROMs and all of that. I have a basic understanding but I just had a few questions:
1) Anyone have a generally recommended ROM? Dutty's looks like to be a popular one so far.
2) What does "radio-only" and radio in general mean in the context of the Tilt?
3) Can I Sync this thing with a Mac?
Thanks a ton for the help!
Noob myself but here is your answeres i am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong!
1. There is too many to choose from, currently i am sticking to official roms
2. Radio roms are like radio drivers and you should use the one recommended for the rom you are going to choose.
3. Of course (software required)
Dutty version 6
Me a WM noob too!
Be sure to keep a backup of your official ROM in case you want to go back to it. Use Sprite Backup that's available on the HTC CD.
There are far too many ROMs floating around. Schaps is unable to provide much support, I gather. I'm still learning myself about the others.
I have used Dutty's Full version 6, it is extremely stable and lightning fast. v 7 has too many issues, and I had to go back to v6 after installing v7 on my TyTn II, but I'm sure Dutty the Master will turn v7 into as fine a ROM as v76 in due time. Till then, I would stick to v6.
The radio essentially refers to the phone hardware drivers on the unit that handles all calling, including video and wireless, but not the software diallers.
WMNovice said:
Me a WM noob too!
Be sure to keep a backup of your official ROM in case you want to go back to it. Use Sprite Backup that's available on the HTC CD.
There are far too many ROMs floating around. Schaps is unable to provide much support, I gather. I'm still learning myself about the others.
I have used Dutty's Full version 6, it is extremely stable and lightning fast. v 7 has too many issues, and I had to go back to v6 after installing v7 on my TyTn II, but I'm sure Dutty the Master will turn v7 into as fine a ROM as v76 in due time. Till then, I would stick to v6.
The radio essentially refers to the phone hardware drivers on the unit that handles all calling, including video and wireless, but not the software diallers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Schaps might not be able to provide too much support - but his roms are very good. I've been using them since his first Hermes Rom. Besides, his threads are usually very active and others provide the support when he isn't able to (as with all roms).
The radio is basically the part that allows your phone to talk to the cellular network. A "radio only" rom includes only the radio upgrade and does not include any operating system. This is good if you want to upgrade the radio without having to completely re-install applications, settings etc on the phone. BUT if anything fails when flashing a radio it is easy to brick your phone. For this reason you should install hardSPL (in my signature) which will allow you to recover your phone if anything else goes wrong.
Wow thanks! Someone mentioned software dialers. What is that exactly? I'm assuming its just a front-end for dialing numbers on the phone like how they look and stuff. Am I correct?
Hiya's, I found this site while looking up info on the HTC cruise as I have just received a hand-me-down Cruise from a friend (had a very old nokia..). This is a major upgrade for me (it has a 2 camera's unlike my nokia which has none). I am keen to get the most use from the phone as possible and at the moment it seems to be going ok but having read a couple of the forum messages it seems that there are various upgrades that can make it a better phone.
I have been accused of being a semi-ludite when it comes to using technology so would appreciate any advice on what can be upgraded as far as the operating system and other programs are concerned. I have used the CoPilot program this morning and think is is the greatest thing since individually sliced and packaged cheese..
The settings on the phone indicate it is ROM 1.26.710.1 WWE (date 12/17/2007), Radio Version 1.58.21.23 and Protocol Version 25.65.30.04H.
If any advice is forthcoming, please keep things as simple as possible or I will have to get one of my neighbors kids to come over and explain..
Cheers
Ian
Welcome to the wonderful world of a touchscreen windows mobile device.
Of course there are a lot of things you can improve, thousands of programs are waiting to be installed and so on.
IMHO the most important thing is: If you are satisfied with your current system DO NOT change it. If everything is running smooth there is no need to flash a new operating system or radio. If you notice slowdowns during using the device or if the radio in your area is not running perfect you should flash the latest upgrade from HTC. They are offering WM 6.1 (WM = windows mobile, the operating system) and a new radio. Its very easy to flash but you will loose all your data on the device.
If you don't like your today screen, you can check some replacements, Mobile Shell is one of it:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/pocketpc-software/mobileshell
And if you like this shell you can change its look with upgrades like this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3904948&postcount=2513
Of course you can flash one of the Roms created by one of the devs. You will find an overview here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=521961
But you should be aware that many of these roms are using stuff from other devices like Manilla, this might cause problems. And you have to be very careful if flash a self created rom, its not that easy like flashing an original HTC rom.
Last but not least you have to think about the way you want to use your device. If you just need a phone you need nothing else. If you want to read ebooks like wikipedia you need a reader and so on. Here you can find tons of programs for your device:
http://www.handango.com/homepage/Homepage.jsp?storeId=2218
You will also find a lot of freeware apps here:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/
And a very important thing is: Backup your device often if you are trying different applications, you are having a windows device
For a list of recommended software check my signature.
All are freeware except iGO, and easily found on this forums (or links from here lead to authors pages).
And welcome to Polaris owners club...
Thanks very much for the replies..
It seems to be going ok at the moment. I am not too sure whether it is slow or not (nothing to compare..) but opening an application only takes a couple of seconds so I am happy with that. I have been using it primarily as a phone (of course) but have been using the camera like mad. I even made one of my friends give me a video call..very cool...I have tried to use the voice commander application but it doesn't seem to want to do anything and eventually just says "Goodbye" and closes. I am going to look at the list of applications at some of the website that are list above and see what is available.
Cheers and thanks again..
IJ