Tutorial for BEFORE ugrading from WM5 to WM6. - HTC Excalibur

Yes, we're all noobs!!!
I have a brand new Excalibur (I bricked my first one five mins. out of the box) and I attempt to upgrade following instructions on the tutorial posted on these forums.
What's not stated on said tutorial (and no one tells you, only after you bricked your phone) is that YOU MUST BACK UP YOUR ORIGINAL ROM before the upgrade, because if anything goes wrong, that is the only ROM you can flash to your phone to restore it, otherwise IT IS BRICKED. (Believe me, it happened to me).
So, to all you experts reading these, please, help us noobs and post here a complete guide on how to back up your original ROM.
We will thank and worship you forever!!!

These days, there is no need to backup your own Rom.
We have a collection of ROMs on this site alone. Or in my signature.
I do suggest to download one prior to updating your ROM.
This forum uses most of a collection of ROM i have uploaded for everyone.
Click here for the forum of original ROMS

Mikey1022 said:
These days, there is no need to backup your own Rom.
We have a collection of ROMs on this site alone. Or in my signature.
I do suggest to download one prior to updating your ROM.
This forum uses most of a collection of ROM i have uploaded for everyone.
Click here for the forum of original ROMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two questions: Firstly, there is no official O2 Xda Cosmo ROM or? Secondly, if you back up the ROM first, how can you flash it back to the device? Is there a tutorial for this?
Thanks

READ this thread

uccellino said:
I have two questions: Firstly, there is no official O2 Xda Cosmo ROM or? Secondly, if you back up the ROM first, how can you flash it back to the device? Is there a tutorial for this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i'm waiting for the official O2 Xda cosmo ROM. i need it badly because my camera doesn't work anymore with new ROM. and i am totally agree to write a clear reminder to backup your original ROM first before upgrading in the upgrading ROM thread. just in case for noob like me....

Mikey1022 said:
READ this thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After rereading, I still have the questions:
1. How is it possible to flash back a saved backup ROM image?
2. If I use a USPL and then something goes wrong while flashing a cooked ROM, can I only re-flash my original ROM (i.e. for XDA Cosmo which doesn't exist)?
Thanks

Okay - maybe I just figured out the answer to my own question: if I flash the USPL-RUU first before flashing a ROM update, maybe this means I can reflash if something goes wrong? Is this correct, or is there a chance that the SPL get overwritten before the error and I still get stuck?

Well, in fact, it is necessary...
Mikey1022 said:
These days, there is no need to backup your own Rom.
We have a collection of ROMs on this site alone. Or in my signature.
I do suggest to download one prior to updating your ROM.
This forum uses most of a collection of ROM i have uploaded for everyone.
Click here for the forum of original ROMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...When I mean original ROM, I mean the ROM that could only work on a CID-Locked-by-a-carrier Excalibur, not the HTC WW ROM release.
Also, many of us noobs are international, I doubt that on the ROM database on this website we'll be able to find, say, the Movistar Mexico HTC Excalibur WM5 1.15.0000 ROM, which in my case, is the only one I would be able to flash in case anything goes wrong on the upgrade attempt. (I dedicated a week searching this ROM for the first Excalibur I bricked, no results)
Therefore - and I really hate to contradict -, for many of us, a ROM backup IS necessary and a tutorial from you experts on how to do it would be a great, great contribution to this community. (And also to the database, 'cause I'll definitively upload my ROM once I back it up)

velascoperroni said:
...When I mean original ROM, I mean the ROM that could only work on a CID-Locked-by-a-carrier Excalibur, not the HTC WW ROM release.
Also, many of us noobs are international, I doubt that on the ROM database on this website we'll be able to find, say, the Movistar Mexico HTC Excalibur WM5 1.15.0000 ROM, which in my case, is the only one I would be able to flash in case anything goes wrong on the upgrade attempt. (I dedicated a week searching this ROM for the first Excalibur I bricked, no results)
Therefore - and I really hate to contradict -, for many of us, a ROM backup IS necessary and a tutorial from you experts on how to do it would be a great, great contribution to this community. (And also to the database, 'cause I'll definitively upload my ROM once I back it up)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it's quite easy to CID unlock your phone to load whatever ROM you want. Much easier in fact, than dumping your current ROM and restoring it. I was able to flash my first ROM within about 30 minutes of reading on this forum, and had no problems at all.

velascoperroni said:
...When I mean original ROM, I mean the ROM that could only work on a CID-Locked-by-a-carrier Excalibur, not the HTC WW ROM release.
Also, many of us noobs are international, I doubt that on the ROM database on this website we'll be able to find, say, the Movistar Mexico HTC Excalibur WM5 1.15.0000 ROM, which in my case, is the only one I would be able to flash in case anything goes wrong on the upgrade attempt. (I dedicated a week searching this ROM for the first Excalibur I bricked, no results)
Therefore - and I really hate to contradict -, for many of us, a ROM backup IS necessary and a tutorial from you experts on how to do it would be a great, great contribution to this community. (And also to the database, 'cause I'll definitively upload my ROM once I back it up)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with you
I just have no idea how to restore a backed-up ROM and I haven't read anything saying how to do it either. As you say, many of us a stuck with devices CID locked to some international ROM that is impossible to get.
So once again the question: Does anyone know how to re-flash a backed-up ROM?

I'm no expert but all I'm going to say is this. If you have a Rom from a different carrier that has not leaked to the public, then you are probably out of luck. You take the risk of hoping your phone will not have serious problems down the line of your contract or usage. You should pick up insurance on your phone depending on the stipulations your carrier has about lost or stolen or even broken phones. In that case you could return/replace your phone if need be after modifying it to your liking. I also would suggest that the entire reason we are here is that we don't want to be like the norm. We want what we paid for and don't want to be restricted. It's a risk. You must make that choice and succeed or fail that's not anyone's problem but your own. With all the Roms out there you should find one to your liking. If you brick your phone which seems so much more difficult than my razr modding days, than sell it for parts and lesson learned.
In the U.S. the Open Headset Alliance is our future so what we do to our phones in the future will be our choice.
Good Modding
Pfunk

C'mon guys...
Wy all the negativity?
I'm I conspiring against copyright laws if I want to have a backup of the ROM I paid for?
Is backing up a ROM frowned upon on this community? or is it so easy (from what I can gather it requires "dumping" and "restoring") that it is even insulting for me to ask you how to do it?
Yes, we are all here because we don't conform to the norm, but we are all HERE to help each other out. Why the closure? Why the elitism?
Like all of you, I want to take full advantage of the piece of technology I acquired without the restrictions installed on them by the phone corps. Yes, I would like to have the minimum risks while doing so, and yes, I would like to do it as cost effective as I can, just as anyone of you would.
It is a risk to upgrade a Cid.Locked phone with the bypass provided on this website, It happened to me and to many: USB cord unplugs and voila, bricked phone.
One alternative is to pay $40 bucks for a permanent Cid.Unlock, which will allow you to flash and flash and flash, even if you get stuck in the middle of one process.
The other, used by many here who wont pay, is to use the Cid bypass, while having a backup original rom "just in case".
What I only ask (for myself and my peer noobs) is to have this same other alternative as many, many of you.
Really, is it to hard to post the following?
1. Downoad these softwares;
2. Do this to "dump";
3. Do that to "restore";
4. To re-flash, do this.
C'mon, all for one and one for all right?
p.s. For my friend asking how to re-flash a backed up ROM, from what I've gathered, it goes something like this: your backed up ROM must be in a *.bn format (I still don't know how to even achieve this); then you must get a hold of any HTC RUU Software, extract it (Winrar) and replace the *.bn file inside the extracted folder with your *.bn file; with the HTC connected in bootloader mode, run the exe file in the extracted folder.

velascoperroni said:
...I doubt that on the ROM database on this website we'll be able to find, say, the Movistar Mexico HTC Excalibur WM5 1.15.0000 ROM, which in my case, is the only one I would be able to flash in case anything goes wrong on the upgrade attempt. (I dedicated a week searching this ROM for the first Excalibur I bricked, no results)
Therefore - and I really hate to contradict -, for many of us, a ROM backup IS necessary and a tutorial from you experts on how to do it would be a great, great contribution to this community. (And also to the database, 'cause I'll definitively upload my ROM once I back it up)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Official ROMs collection is as full as I can make it. To have more images, we need everyone to upload ones that are missing to something like rapidshare, mediafire, or one of a few dozen other hosting sites, then tell up here on xda dev. Or upload it to several yourself. Spreading things on the net is much easier than ripping the ROM out anyway, and you benefit from the online backups, too.
So, yes, if you aren't going to back up your ROM, hope that someone else already has. Or, even better, be that first guy who does it, to make things easier for the rest of us. Besides, we might want to see what kinda goodies are tucked in the Movistar version

Indeed!
Profezza said:
...Or, even better, be that first guy who does it, to make things easier for the rest of us. Besides, we might want to see what kinda goodies are tucked in the Movistar version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the support Profezza, indeed I intend to be the first, but in order to do that, I need to know how to do it.
I'll keep my hopes up for someone to post here the procedure for backing up my own ROM.
Also, the Movistar version is pretty lame, at least it would be a language addition to the database since it is originally in Spanish.

velascoperroni said:
Thanks for the support Profezza, indeed I intend to be the first, but in order to do that, I need to know how to do it.
I'll keep my hopes up for someone to post here the procedure for backing up my own ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My post kinda ignored that point, as... I don't actually know how it is done.
velascoperroni said:
Also, the Movistar version is pretty lame, at least it would be a language addition to the database since it is originally in Spanish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the version # system is controlled by HTC and fairly consistent across brandings, so it looks like it is a rather old one, but yeah, it could handy just for the Spanish. And ya never know, maybe a better graphic or two in some odd corner. I'll come back and bump this if it looks like it is fading away.

velascoperroni said:
p.s. For my friend asking how to re-flash a backed up ROM, from what I've gathered, it goes something like this: your backed up ROM must be in a *.bn format (I still don't know how to even achieve this); then you must get a hold of any HTC RUU Software, extract it (Winrar) and replace the *.bn file inside the extracted folder with your *.bn file; with the HTC connected in bootloader mode, run the exe file in the extracted folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi velascoperroni!
Thank you for your help - this is helping me to get closer to understanding
Basically I have my old ROM image as .img files (actually 5 of them) produced by bkondisk, together with a log file saying what goes where. So now all we need to figure out is how to turn these back into a .bn file and we'll be in business. For info on bkondisk, which lets you save your ROM (as .img files), see this wiki http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=bkondisk
Could anyone point me to some resources on these two file formats? Then maybe we could come up with a conversion program when one doesnt exist

Getting closer!
Great, it seems we are getting closer to our goal!!!
But still surprises me that no one has posted a complete how to... perhaps the only few who know the deal haven't read this thread yet.
Now we know the following:
1. Bkondisk: software that allows to backup ROM in *.img format.
2. The original format of the ROM is *.bn
We don't know if the *.img file needs to be converted to *.bn or if they are compatible.
I also found out about an easier method to re-flash the ROM:
1. Format your SD Card in FAT32;
2. Copy your *.bn file to your SD Card;
3. Turn off phone, insert SD Card, Turn on phone in bootloader mode;
4. The phone should automatically recognize the ROM and start the flashing process.
Uccelino: Try placing the *.img file in the SD Card instead of the *.bn file. Maybe, just maybe the phone also recognizes *img files!

Getting closer!
Great, it seems we are getting closer to our goal!!!
But still surprises me that no one has posted a complete how to... perhaps the only few who know the deal haven't read this thread yet.
Now we know the following:
1. Bkondisk: software that allows to backup ROM in *.img format.
2. The original format of the ROM is *.bn
We don't know if the *.img file needs to be converted to *.bn or if they are compatible.
I also found out about an easier method to re-flash the ROM:
1. Format your SD Card in FAT32;
2. Copy your *.bin file to your SD Card;
3. Turn off phone, insert SD Card, Turn on phone in bootloader mode.
4. The phone should automatically recognize the ROM and start the flashing process.
Uccelino: Try placing the *.img file in the SD Card instead of the *.bin file. Maybe, just maybe the phone also recognizes *img files!

Also...
Sorry for the double post back there!!
Also check out this thread I started when I bricked my first Excalibur:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=378050
I never got a feasible response to wether sprite backup would work or not, and I did not want to spend $30 bucks to find out.

velascoperroni said:
Great, it seems we are getting closer to our goal!!!
But still surprises me that no one has posted a complete how to... perhaps the only few who know the deal haven't read this thread yet.
Now we know the following:
1. Bkondisk: software that allows to backup ROM in *.img format.
2. The original format of the ROM is *.bn
We don't know if the *.img file needs to be converted to *.bn or if they are compatible.
I also found out about an easier method to re-flash the ROM:
1. Format your SD Card in FAT32;
2. Copy your *.bin file to your SD Card;
3. Turn off phone, insert SD Card, Turn on phone in bootloader mode.
4. The phone should automatically recognize the ROM and start the flashing process.
Uccelino: Try placing the *.img file in the SD Card instead of the *.bin file. Maybe, just maybe the phone also recognizes *img files!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had an idea: I will flash a ROM, back it up, and compare the *.bn files to the *.img files I get from backing up - maybe they are or are almost the same, and we can convert them
I will try. Thanks

Related

Step by Step from box to rocks

First let me apologize for the title of this thread, I really couldn't resist. I just bought a i-mate jasjam and have spent the last several days reading these forums, the wiki, and all the other places that clicking things here will take you. I want to say right out that EVERYTHING I know about the Hermes I learned from this site, and that I am a complete beginner, and please do flame away if i am wrong. I'd rather get insulted online than have a brick in my pocket.
THe one thing that there isn't in the wiki (that I found anyway) is a current, step by step for total noobies like me who don't know what to do first and get scared by dealing with more than three file types in one sitting, that uses the SD card method. It seems that the SD method is faster, easier (especially if you run Vista), and even a little safer that the "old school" RUU method.
Soooo, I'd like to write a new wiki page to this effect, and am more than happy to put in screenshots, links, host file downloads, etc. What i'd REALLY appreciate is if you senior types could take a look at this simple outline and tell me if there is something drastically wrong with it. After a good schooling I'll post a complete article with more copied info from the threads and complete sentences and punctuation and stuff.
PROPOSED "DAY-ONE, JUST OUT OF THE BOX CAN"T WAIT TO" UPGRADE
1.enter bootloader mode to check sp version
2.format an SD card to FAT32, checking card integrity and fixing errors
3.Use Winar to Extract the .NHB file from Hard-SP-v7.zip, transfer to SD card with card reader and rename to HERMIMG.NHB
4.put the card in the phone and enter the bootloader by pressing side OK, Power, and soft reset button (with stylus). Once in bootloader mode accept the upgrade
This safe-nates things up, and CID unlocks the phone, right?
5.re-format SD card to FAT32, checking card integrity and fixing errors
6. Use WinRar to Extract the .NBH from HERM_Radinly_1.41.00.10_CustomRUU, transfer it to the SD card and rename it HERMIMG.NBH
7. put the card in the phone and enter the bootloader by pressing side OK, Power, and soft reset button (with stylus). Once in bootloader mode accept the upgrade
8. check the radio version in system info
9. re-format the SD card for FAT32, checking integrity and fixing errors
10. Use WinRar to Extract the .NBH from WM6 ROM of choice, transfer it to SD card and rename HERMIMG.NBH
11. Put the card in phone and enter the bootloader mode as above, when in bootloader accept the upgrade. Follow instructions from mrvanx for activesync
12. transfer my CAB files for applications to (Temp?) folder on card and then run each of them to install my apps (Skype, CeStar,TengoThumb,etc.)
Does this sound about right? Thoughts? Flames?
Thanks to all for such fantastic work, donations on the way for all who wrote files I have downloaded over the past few days, you guys rock!
whats with the SD card upgrading?
you can run HardSPL by itself, you dont have to extract and put the nbh file on ur storage card.. unneccesarry steps if you ask me..
Midget_1990 said:
whats with the SD card upgrading?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I run Vista, and I like the idea of not having to fiddle with the drivers in order to do RUU, and I saw a few posts that some people had difficulty getting things to work with Vista. Also, posts have led me to beleive that it is faster to do it this way, which would lead to less chances of things going wrong (it's really hard to make Vista stop doing things in the background all the time). Also, there are already really awesome guides for doing it the RUU way, but not one for a complete SPL/Radio/ROM upgrade using this method, I think it appeals to a lot of people, including the dreaded Mac user. If it's not actually a good way please do explain, and finally, to me it just seems plain easier. I've only found a few posts that had troubles with the method and dozens that praised it. thanks for replying!!
Madcap, thanks for the input, I was going for continuity but I take your advice, keep 'em coming!!!
oh...you didn't mention Vista in your original thread.. lol .. best advice I can give you ... Throw vista in the trash.
Madcap180 said:
oh...you didn't mention Vista in your original thread.. lol .. best advice I can give you ... Throw vista in the trash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I ll drink to that
ugh .. u mentioned the D work.. great.. now I'm going to relapse..
Step 4 does not CID unlock the device. It looks like it just installs Hard SPL which will allow the user to recover from a bad radio flash.
Of course this should not matter as there really isn't a need to CID unlock any more (unless you want to unlock/unhide your EXT ROM)
HardSPL just makes your phone Temporary superCID right or something to that effect.
Zzan said:
Step 4 does not CID unlock the device. It looks like it just installs Hard SPL which will allow the user to recover from a bad radio flash.
Of course this should not matter as there really isn't a need to CID unlock any more (unless you want to unlock/unhide your EXT ROM)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, it was my understanding that Hard SPL temporarily makes you super CID (as Madcap said) allowing you to flash on any ROM you want, for all intents and purposes is this not pretty much the same thing as unlocking? Not arguing, just trying to clarify. A lot of noobs know that CID is an issue and that they need to disable it somehow when they flash......
Please keep comments coming,Thanks!!!!
P.S. MOD, in my sleep addledness I think I posted this in the wrong place, should it be moved to the UPGRADE forum? THANKS!!
P.P.S. Drinking is the only way I can tolerate having a Vista machine, we all were so happy about getting our new laptops this year, and then we turned them on....it's like getting a christmas present in the shape of a new bicycle, but when you tear off the wrapping paper there's really a tetanus shot inside.
SUCCESS!!
I followed the OP steps (with very minor modification) and was able to go from a completely new, out of the box, never even put in a sim card phone to HardSP-V7, upgraded radio, new WM6 ROM (Schaps, this ROM is awesome, thanks!!!). All without using a cable or upgrading any drivers. From beginning of first download to totally upgraded was one hour. Why anyone would ever do this the old-fashioned way is beyond me, especially if you are running Vista. I'm making a tutorial and have collected the few little things you need to do this and will add a wiki article with pics ASAP.
Thanks to everyone for all the great info and hard work here, a complete noob like me can go from 0-60 entirely by reading this site. I am loving this phone more by the minute!!
A noob who has read the posts and wiki, and then created and tested a step by step routine for others like himself in order to address something that the wiki doesn't.
A fine example that a lot of others should note.
crazyC said:
A noob who has read the posts and wiki, and then created and tested a step by step routine for others like himself in order to address something that the wiki doesn't.
A fine example that a lot of others should note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes only thing left is posting in the Hermes Upgrade forum.. ;-)
jompao said:
Yes only thing left is posting in the Hermes Upgrade forum.. ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, i deserved that
mlalahoi said:
Cool, it was my understanding that Hard SPL
<CUT>
P.P.S. Drinking is the only way I can tolerate having a Vista machine, we all were so happy about getting our new laptops this year, and then we turned them on....it's like getting a christmas present in the shape of a new bicycle, but when you tear off the wrapping paper there's really a tetanus shot inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry man, I just couldn't help myself. I am in love with Vista. No problems whatsoever with it. Have had it installed since it came out and never had to re-install. Speed is the same as when I installed it. Can't say that for XP! LOL. I forget how many times I had to install that piece of........................
LOL
p.s no flames........please.
I love Vista. Its given my two year old laptop a new lease of life.
Hi mlalahoi,
I am getting a lot of issues after installing CE-Start. Played virtually with every WM 6 ROM arround and still experiencing freezing.
Have run Shadow and LVSW without CE-Start for couple of days and both ROMs was very stable and fast. After CE-Start lot of problems.
Will be nice to hear your experience with the Chinese characters
crazyC said:
A noob who has read the posts and wiki, and then created and tested a step by step routine for others like himself in order to address something that the wiki doesn't.
A fine example that a lot of others should note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm drinking to that CrazyC - my first couple of posts made me look a total ARSE (But I've learned loads since then...Honest)
marttin said:
Hi mlalahoi,
I am getting a lot of issues after installing CE-Start. Played virtually with every WM 6 ROM arround and still experiencing freezing.
Have run Shadow and LVSW without CE-Start for couple of days and both ROMs was very stable and fast. After CE-Start lot of problems.
Will be nice to hear your experience with the Chinese characters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you download the 2.8 Suite from the mobem website here AND use thier installer to install TO THE PHONE (install to SD doesn't work)?
I had similar problems when I went through the process of getting my hermes to be dual English and Chinese. THe first time I tried to manually install some cab files I found on a chines forum somewhere, totally jerked my normally very good Shaps ROM. I ended up having to do a hard reset, trying to uninstall the cabs just caused an unrecoverable hang. Make sure you use the official, latest install program and install to the phone, mines been flawless ever since.
Without registering you don't get the dictionary, but you can get a really good free version of CEDICT for mobiles here, it allows you to search by pinyin w/wo tones, english, or chinese characters. If you have trouble getting it to copy-paste between other apps try this app from the Wiki.
I have a collection of good ppc Chinese learning tools, pm me if you want to set up a file transfer, and do check out www.mandarintools.com for all your CHinese computing needs, no affiliation, just a great site.
Hi mlalahoi,
Thanks for the links! Actually I was using all the time v2.8 of Ce-Star, including the original installer - never used cabs to install. I found that "my" version of Ce-Star package is 6KB less than the one you recomended - here might be the problem. During the weekend will flash a new Rom and will play with the "new" Ce-Star 2.8 -- hope it will rock
I am using the ppc version of 金山 (PowerWord) and it serves me well. My Chinese characters needs are very simple ones - to be able to reed text and e-mails in Chinese, and rarely to answer using characters.
Will send you feedback about stability of the ROMs with "new" Ce-Star

Flashing How To

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=17473
well im changing this because of a request that a lot of people supposedly dont know how to flash. but i dont think that the link was doing anyone much good. so here is what is at the link (right now at least).
THIS IS ONLY FOR THE HTC CDMA TOUCH (VOGUE) !!
i know this first post here is now real long, but READ IT ALL before posting/pm'ing anyone. trust me, you will get through it all...every last word.
(dont get all scared either, this cant ruin your phone. if you are stuck at the htc boot screen, your device is not bricked. if you are stuck at a rainbow/tricolor screen, your phone is not bricked. have faith and patience! )
this method is for a pc running Microsoft Windows XP. if this is not your situation, still continue reading as there are methods for virtually every case.
ive been told that imcokeman's vogue unlocker will not work from a partitioned drive, though im not sure if thats the case.
if you know what flashing/the benefits of flashing are, skip this paragraph; if not, read on. flashing could be likened to installing a different Operating System on your PC. keep in mind, however, that when flashing roms to phones/pdas, the roms ARE DEVICE SPECIFIC. if you find an awesome rom for the titan and LOVE it, but you yourself have a kaiser, forget it. only roms made specifically for your device (and no, even if you have a cdma device, and they make a gsm version of your device, it still will not work) will work for your device. the benefits/advantages of flashing a custom rom onto your device are speed enhancements, addition/removal of programs/settings/reg settings you want or dont want.
now for how to..
for some slight insight on using a Mac, have a look down to the bottom where it says "HERE IS THE BOTTOM" after reading everything else, and/or go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...ighlight=macos
for how to on Vista: look down to the bottom where it says "HERE IS THE BOTTOM" after reading everything else, and/or simply remove any sd cards you might have and follow below directions as normal, and/or go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=292631
linux users: still read everything here, but have a look down at the bottom where it says "HERE IS THE BOTTOM"
for those who don't know this, flashing your phone also performs the same functions a hard reset would. all your previous apps, contacts, registry tweaks, etc will be gone. also, when you flash someone elses custom rom onto your device, keep in mind that they may have cooked in their own apps and registry tweaks.
ok, go ahead and go to this http://rapidshare.com/files/88767429/RUU.zip.html rapidshare link, and download the ruu.zip there. (if this does not work, navigate to \vogue\users on the ftp, and you should find "RUU.zip" there. if not, go to the folder there titled "jim256-jim2561" and you should find "RUU.zip" there.)
if for some reason you are unable to download the ruu from the above link/location, try my ftp dir here: ftp://up.ppcgeeks.com/Vogue/Users/jim256 - jim2561
download whatever rom image you want
if the rom you download is in nbh format (something.nbh), read on and skip step 7.
if the rom you dowloaded is an exe (something.exe), read on and skip steps 5 and 8 (or use winrar or a similar program to extract the .nbh from the .exe)
then, get imcokeman 's latest vogue unlocker tool.
for those who arent sure, you never have to have ActiveSync synchronized for this to work. you just have to have it connected, with ActiveSync recognizing that the device is there and plugged in.
1. backup all contacts/data/etc..
2. ensure your device is connected to your pc via activesync.
3. run imcokeman 's vogue unlocker and follow ALL instructions in the command prompt exactly .
4. once you have booted back up into wm and are connected to activesync again (dont worry about setting up your device again because you're just going to flash it again and erase all that in a second anyway) extract the ruu.zip to somewhere convenient.
5. (FOLLOW THIS STEP ONLY IF THE ROM YOU DOWNLOADED IS AND NBH) stick the rom you downloaded (should be something.nbh -- if the file extension is NOT NBH, stop; this will get you nowhere. as i stated above, roms are device specific, you cannot install another devices rom to your vogue.) into the RUU folder from the rapidshare/ftp link.
6a. (power-camera reset) press and hold both the camera button and the power button (top), and poke the stylus into the reset hole. you should then be presented with the tricolor screen and near the top you should see something like coke 0.4.0 ( if you do not see the coke 0.4.0, then dont bother trying to flash your device. if it does not say coke 0.4.0, the device is not unlocked, and you need to start at step 3 again).
7. (FOLLOW THIS STEP ONLY IF YHE ROM YOU DOWNLOADED IS AN EXECUTABLE). run the exe!
8. (FOLLOW THIS STEP ONLY IF THE ROM YOU DOWNLOADED IS AN NBH) run ROMUpdateUtility.exe in the ruu folder you downloaded and extracted.
9. follow the steps, be patient, be careful, and whala!
10. thank imcokeman and whoever you downloaded your rom image from.
good luck.
also, for all those that keep asking about this and are worried about this, yes, the version discrepancy is completely normal in the ruu before updating. it just means v1 of the cookers rom, so even if it is a version lower than 1.12.651.1, that is ok.
whenever you flash a custom rom, it says whatever they want it so say in the ruu, so even if it doesnt say 1.12.651.1, that doesnt mean that it is downgraded, it is just the version of the custom rom builders rom.
HERE IS THE BOTTOM
ok, for those vista/mac/linux users, there is another method of flashing., courtesy of pnyce777 in post #42 and on. this method is via the sd card. it is not required that you do step one if your card is already fat32. i will update this post as we gain more knowledge
1. Format your MicroSD card to FAT32 (YES - FAT 32 32 32!! not just plain old FAT) (again, this is not required if your card is already fat32; it is ok to have other data on the card). I have read that the card needs to be 2gb or smaller, though I'm not sure how much truth, if any, there is to that...
2. Extract the .NBH you desire to flash from the exe or zip or w/e put it on the microsd card rename it from RUU_signed.nbh to VOGUIMG.NBH
3.Put the MicroSD card in your phone and Get To the BOOTLOADER screen (camer+power+reset) it should then start updating with the .NBH on the SD card and the procedure should begin automatically.
you can also use this procedure to unlock your phone by flashing the .nbh from Cokemans unlocker just extract it and rename it VOGUIMG.NBH or if your stuck at that HTC screen and cant sync because your phone wont boot up.
i will try to provide support on this as i can, but as i have never used this method myself, pnyce777 is probably a far better resource if he is available and willing.
sorry this is now so long, wasnt supposed to be in the first place. but if you're not already used to a lot of reading, this is a good first step, because you will need to be doing a LOT of reading.
----------------------------------
If I've helped you out, $1 would be more than appreciated! donate. thanks
bump for same reason as above.
thanks for the gudie dude
Jim, great how to. As a noob, I have a qstn about different carriers. I just got a VZ touch and want to know which roms are best to use with which carrier? Some roms seem carrier specific... others seem like they will work on anything. How do you tell whats wat? I have been waiting for someone to post a ROM specifically for VZW, but I haven't found it yet.
It might also be helpful to add a glossary. Like I have read how some folks have taken a sprint kitchen moved it to a new directory (?) and merged it to make a verizon kitchen. With that people have flashed their VZ phones but it doesn't seem like something a noob should try
PapaDocta said:
thanks for the gudie dude
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem
insol said:
Jim, great how to. As a noob, I have a qstn about different carriers. I just got a VZ touch and want to know which roms are best to use with which carrier? Some roms seem carrier specific... others seem like they will work on anything. How do you tell whats wat? I have been waiting for someone to post a ROM specifically for VZW, but I haven't found it yet.
It might also be helpful to add a glossary. Like I have read how some folks have taken a sprint kitchen moved it to a new directory (?) and merged it to make a verizon kitchen. With that people have flashed their VZ phones but it doesn't seem like something a noob should try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. so as for different roms saying they are for different carriers, they are most likely just referring to having the different directories (/folders) for the carriers. so what that means is that a sprint rom would actually work just fine for you, but it may have things like sprint tv or on demand on the cube or other places. it will still function just fine and everything though. it would probably look a little different than the stock vzw rom (im not sure really how it looks) and such. the only way that you could get screwed having the wrong rom for your carrier is if you were flashing the radio as well. but since you're not (in most cases), it doesnt matter really. just be sure to check the roms threads about whether they include a radio or not.
as for the glossary thing, that is probably a great idea. thanks for the tip i will get working on that.
so what you will need to do is:
1) download a kitchen: set of tools for creating/editing roms. dcd just finished his vogue kitchen; available here on xda in this vogue upgrading subforum. there is also lattisimo's older vogue kitchen available on the ftp site over at ppc geeks ("qlinks" at top of page, ftp upload/download, vogue -> users -> lattisimo? (i think?)).
2) download a verizon titan/mogul/ppc 6800 kitchen from somewhere, look in the "sys" folder contained therein, and copy the "carrier vzw" or "verizon" or "carrier customizations - verizon" folder (it will be something like that) into the "sys" folder of the vogue kitchen you have downloaded.
3) delete whichever other carrier customization was already in that folder (such as alltell or sprint or bell etc..)
4) run "buldit.bat" or "buildnb.bat" (or something similar) and flash your new rom that will be located in the "ruu" folder after the batch file (xxx.bat) is finished!
feel free to ask any more questions if that wasnt too clear (sorry :S) .
good luck!
jim256 said:
ok. so as for different roms saying they are for different carriers, they are most likely just referring to having the different directories (/folders) for the carriers. so what that means is that a sprint rom would actually work just fine for you, but it may have things like sprint tv or on demand on the cube or other places. it will still function just fine and everything though. it would probably look a little different than the stock vzw rom (im not sure really how it looks) and such. the only way that you could get screwed having the wrong rom for your carrier is if you were flashing the radio as well. but since you're not (in most cases), it doesnt matter really. just be sure to check the roms threads about whether they include a radio or not.
so what you will need to do [for verizon] is:
1) download a kitchen: set of tools for creating/editing roms. dcd just finished his vogue kitchen; available here on xda in this vogue upgrading subforum. there is also lattisimo's older vogue kitchen available on the ftp site over at ppc geeks ("qlinks" at top of page, ftp upload/download, vogue -> users -> lattisimo? (i think?)).
2) download a verizon titan/mogul/ppc 6800 kitchen from somewhere, look in the "sys" folder contained therein, and copy the "carrier vzw" or "verizon" or "carrier customizations - verizon" folder (it will be something like that) into the "sys" folder of the vogue kitchen you have downloaded.
3) delete whichever other carrier customization was already in that folder (such as alltell or sprint or bell etc..)
4) run "buldit.bat" or "buildnb.bat" (or something similar) and flash your new rom that will be located in the "ruu" folder after the batch file (xxx.bat) is finished!
feel free to ask any more questions if that wasnt too clear (sorry :S) .
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great! I will also post it over on PPCgeeks. Huge help for me to get started and hits right at the real bricking fear... if the radio is not in the user-made custom ROM it seems safe... and avoid OEM carrier ROM unless it is for your carrier.
insol said:
This is great! I will also post it over on PPCgeeks. Huge help for me to get started and hits right at the real bricking fear... if the radio is not in the user-made custom ROM it seems safe... and avoid OEM carrier ROM unless it is for your carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep exactly good deal
Thank you for the great guide. flashed my rom for the first(and probably not the last) time last night.
i have a sprint vogue and want to use it for verizon, can someone make me a rom that i can just flash and have it working for verizon? if so thanks, if not can you please tell me what i need to do, thanks!
this should be a sticky!
well it is over at ppcgeeks...
but this isnt the most updated copy though..
thx tho, glad it could help ya
Makavelifaison said:
i have a sprint vogue and want to use it for verizon, can someone make me a rom that i can just flash and have it working for verizon? if so thanks, if not can you please tell me what i need to do, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will need to exchange that cdma vogue for a gsm model that will work on verizon.
aecabanaboy said:
you will need to exchange that cdma vogue for a gsm model that will work on verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint and Verizon are both CDMA.
Makavelifaison said:
i have a sprint vogue and want to use it for verizon, can someone make me a rom that i can just flash and have it working for verizon? if so thanks, if not can you please tell me what i need to do, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't just "make" a ROM for a different carrier. The phone itself won't work because it's registered for one comapny.
Great Thread!
Good to see there are some thorough instructions out there for noobs... Howabout an unlocker for Vista 64??? Any advice? Thanks.

Flashing ROMs (Newbie)

Alright... I've pretty much lurked around here for the past month or so, reading everything I can about the subject, but I still have a few questions I haven't been able to find answers too.
1- If I flash my rom... will a hard reset return it to the original firmware, or whatever I flashed with? If not, is it possible for me to backup my original Telus firmware before flashing?
2- As noted above, I'm on Telus, but I see most roms are based upon Sprint, is this a problem?
3- What are the real advantages, honestly. I know picking and choosing your apps and such, "de-branding" the phone, but is there any performance enhancements, new features, etc?
Thanks for the time, and I appologize if this has been asked before. I did use the search button, I swear =D
Hi,
I too have a similar query. I tried finding it using the search function, but was unsuccessful in finding out how to backup my O2 XDA Trion ROM, as well as how to go ahead with installing a new one (an english ROM on a German XDA). Any tip will be helpful. In the meantime, I will go ahead and search some more. Thanks.
Depending on which rom you choose, you will be replacing the firmware on your phone. So if you ever want to go back, you will need to re-flash with the OE data/file.
OE roms consist primarily of 6 things:
1. SPL/bootloader
2. Radio
3. First splash screen
4. Second splash screen
5. Operating System
6. Extended Rom (carrier customizations)
Typically, to unlock a device, you will replace the bootloader with a hacked version that allows you to install roms that were not signed by the manufacturer for your device.
Most of the roms you'll find floating around are just OS and ExtRom updates, although some also include the radio. The splash screen is fairly irrelevant, and some cooks will replace it, while others don't even bother.
BobSlob said:
...1- If I flash my rom... will a hard reset return it to the original firmware, or whatever I flashed with? If not, is it possible for me to backup my original Telus firmware before flashing?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alright, as for backing up your telus rom, be sure to check out dcd's vogue rom thread here, the last page says for you to pm him, and he will help you out there. there may now be one on the ftp however, since at least two others have already requested that he help them with the rom dump.
and no, a hard-reset will not restore your rom to the original. flashing your phone goes farther than a hard reset, and that is sort of one of the beauties of a custom rom as well; you can hard-reset at any time (to clear out footprints, screwed up files/reg keys/etc...) and not have to worry about installing all your apps again, re-setting up your email, re-editing your registry...etc.
hope that helps a slight little bit.

Neon400 SuperCID Guide

I've been looking for a HardSPL for my CDMA Touch Dual (Neon400/P5310) for a while and it doesn't look like it's coming. It seems that there is nobody skilled enough with access to the phone to unlock it.
I have access to the phone, and I have some tech skills, just not in this particular department.
Can anybody point me to a guide for unlocking the CID on phones so that I can start learning how to do this? Otherwise, can somebody guide me or give me some tips on how to begin?
I would be greatly appreciative.
Unfortunatly the NEON400 CDMA is the bastard child of a Nike and a Diamond on a hot drunken night.
Since this phone is really only available in Canada to Telus and Bell (I've also heard Asia but can't confirm), that really limits the number of developers who can work on it.
Hang in there buddy and keep searching (which so far I've done weekly without any results)
Did you try Goldcard? If it works, you'll be able to flash official ROMs for other CIDs (if any are available).
stepw said:
Did you try Goldcard? If it works, you'll be able to flash official ROMs for other CIDs (if any are available).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain Goldcard a little more? I haven't heard of it. Wait, is it a SIM card thing? the NEON400 is a CDMA phone.
Check the wiki; I've never used one myself, but it's some sort of patch you put on your sd card that allows you to flash a stock rom from another carrier off of your sd card. You need to use QMAT or something like that to make the gold card. Just do some searching, but it may not be all that straightforward (big surprise, huh?).
Farmer Ted said:
Check the wiki; I've never used one myself, but it's some sort of patch you put on your sd card that allows you to flash a stock rom from another carrier off of your sd card. You need to use QMAT or something like that to make the gold card. Just do some searching, but it may not be all that straightforward (big surprise, huh?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I looked into it and I have downloaded QMAT. I feel that I'm in WAAAY over my head here.
Also, I don't want a stock ROM, I want a custom ROM.
Can anybody tell me what is required to make a HardSPL install? If I dump a ROM from my phone, can somebody do something with that?
88fingerslukee said:
Yeah, I looked into it and I have downloaded QMAT. I feel that I'm in WAAAY over my head here.
Also, I don't want a stock ROM, I want a custom ROM.
Can anybody tell me what is required to make a HardSPL install? If I dump a ROM from my phone, can somebody do something with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You pretty much have to be a hacker extraordinaire to write a hard spl. Just get the gold card to work and live with a stock rom. A stock HTC would probably be fine; I don't think that they are loaded with bloatware the way carrier roms are.
Farmer Ted said:
You pretty much have to be a hacker extraordinaire to write a hard spl. Just get the gold card to work and live with a stock rom. A stock HTC would probably be fine; I don't think that they are loaded with bloatware the way carrier roms are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never seen a stock HTC ROM. Just the ones that the carriers give out. Where does one find a stock HTC ROM?
I have just purchased a P5310 on EBAY
HTC appears to have a generic rom but requires a SN to access it (which i dont have yet)
if it is available please post it here.

Dump Rom?

Sorry for the newb question guys. Yes i have used the search but it doesn't seem to be specific to excaliburs and I perfer not to brick my phone.
I'm looking for a way to dump my rom, and use it to flash another persons phone. He saw how I have mine and is eager to clone it. Which I have no issue with, as i'm just beginning my customization. I perfer not to start from the beginning with his, as I have with mine. It has taken alot of time and learning, and I figured there is a simple way to just dump the rom and flash his with all the currect apps I have installed and such. Any point in the right direction will help, and thanks in advance.
rave2n said:
Sorry for the newb question guys. Yes i have used the search but it doesn't seem to be specific to excaliburs and I perfer not to brick my phone.
I'm looking for a way to dump my rom, and use it to flash another persons phone. He saw how I have mine and is eager to clone it. Which I have no issue with, as i'm just beginning my customization. I perfer not to start from the beginning with his, as I have with mine. It has taken alot of time and learning, and I figured there is a simple way to just dump the rom and flash his with all the currect apps I have installed and such. Any point in the right direction will help, and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the Excalibur Wiki... (or click here)
on the root of your phone should be the bkondisk.exe file already, but if not there is a DL link there i believe. That will get you to DUMP YOUR ROM,
however, i think there is a smarter way.
1)Download the ROM you are using from the XDA Site
2)Using a backup too like Sprite Backup or other similar
2b)Tell it to backup all your files, and your registry...EVERYTHING
3)It should have created an executable file now...
4)Flash your friends phone with the ROM you downloaded
5)Put the EXE Backup on your friends memory card and run it...it should replace everything on the phone as if it were a clone of yours..
*REMEMBER, the ROMS MUST BE THE EXACT SAME, or else you could get serious glitches....*
*If anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to ask or check out the Unbricking Tut*
Hope this helps you out
Ty sir. I will give this a try.

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