Benefits of Hard Reset After Flashing New Rom?

[tk123456789]

Hello, I have an AT&T branded Tilt, and I flashed the original HTC TYTN II rom on it. I thought I followed all the steps to flashing a new rom correctly. I realized today that I didn't do a hard reset once the screen came up saying “Tap the screen to begin to set up your windows-mobile device”. I just went ahead and let everything install and installed all my apps and settings. I have never performed a hard reset on this device at all. So my question is, if I do a hard reset now is that the same as if I was to do it when the “Tap the screen to begin to set up your windows-mobile device” dialog was showing? Or do I have to flash the same rom again and do the hard reset when I was supposed to?
The reason I ask is that I am having some issues with activesync, and some wifi issues that I just resolved. Also, sometimes the device screen seems to freeze up for a few seconds, and then recognizes the tap on the screen later. I don't know if these are common issues, or is it because I didn't do the hard reset.
So again, do I need to flash the same rom again, and then do the hard reset when I was supposed to, or should I do a hard reset now?

Thanks!

[tk123456789]

At first when I read about the hard reset after flashing for some reason I thought it only applied to cooked roms. Is that right or wrong?

[jarek91]

Doing a Hard Reset after flashing is a "best practices" step. It isn't mandatory and failing to do it doesn't mean your phone will suddenly implode. It's just that doing the Hard Reset clears up so many weird problems that can crop up after flashing a new ROM, cooked or otherwise. If you aren't having any problems, then don't fret over it. Wait until the next time you flash a ROM to do it.

And yes, the Hard Reset will erase everything back to the beginning (i.e. when you unboxed the phone or when you flashed the new ROM...whichever is more recent).

I also suggest you read through the thread for whatever ROM you flashed. Many times things like WiFi and Activesync oddness is specific to that ROM's build and will be discussed there. That is also the reason to post problems in that thread...you'll be talking to others running that same ROM.

As for the screen tap issue...it's common and should be around here somewhere on these threads. I would point you to the search function and to the wiki...but I'm sure you've alread used those.

[tk123456789]

Het thanks Jarek91. I read the link for "ROM Flashing FAQ for Newbies" found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=356895
And I didn't find anything saying to hard reset, that is why I didn't do it. I only came across this link today which is the "things to do before and after flash": http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1846653&postcount=800

I wish it had been in the instructions for the rom flashing faq for newbies.

So with my issues do you suggest re-flashing the rom and doing the hard reset method?

[P1Tater]

Het thanks Jarek91. I read the link for "ROM Flashing FAQ for Newbies" found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=356895
And I didn't find anything saying to hard reset, that is why I didn't do it. I only came across this link today which is the "things to do before and after flash": http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1846653&postcount=800

I wish it had been in the instructions for the rom flashing faq for newbies.

So with my issues do you suggest re-flashing the rom and doing the hard reset method?

reflashing more than likely will not benefit anything. however HR is really to clean out any small hang-arounds and tidbits from the previous rom. You can HR at any time. However, remember by doing so you will have to reinstall all apps previously installed.

[jarek91]

I wish it had been in the instructions for the rom flashing faq for newbies.

We're trying to drum up more community participation in updating the Wiki...I'll add that one to my to-do list for this evening unless someone gets to it first (hint hint...if you feel comfortable with wiki editing :D)

So with my issues do you suggest re-flashing the rom and doing the hard reset method?

You don't have to flash again to do the Hard Reset, you can do that at any time...it just takes you back to the base flash (in your case, the base HTC Kaiser ROM) without any additional programs or changes. So if you do that, make sure you backup any data you want to keep that is stored on the phone itself like contacts, sms, mms, etc...

[tk123456789]

Even though I would like to, I don't think I am ready (noob) to edit the wiki, sorry :(
I know that the hard reset will erase all my settings and apps, but my main concern is that even if I do the hard reset now, I didn't do it at the “Tap the screen to begin to set up your windows-mobile device” screen.

[jarek91]

Even though I would like to, I don't think I am ready (noob) to edit the wiki, sorry :(
I know that the hard reset will erase all my settings and apps, but my main concern is that even if I do the hard reset now, I didn't do it at the “Tap the screen to begin to set up your windows-mobile device” screen.

The reason we say that is it's right after you flash and before you actually go through any work setting up all the customisation you're going to do. After all, there's no need to set your timezone and install apps and align the screen if you're just about to reset the device and have to do it again...now is there? So the timing isn't critical to it fixing things, it's just the best way to do it so you don't waste effort with configuration that will be lost in the reset.

[tk123456789]

Oh Ok! Thanks! I will post my issues with activesync and the screen freeze in the appropriate place and see if they can be resolved. I really don't want to hard reset because I will lose all my settings and apps.
Thanks again!

[jackleung]

As rom flashing will remove everything already, I really don't see the point to HR after rom flashing.

[HHumbert]

As rom flashing will remove everything already, I really don't see the point to HR after rom flashing.

Actually, I think that's the point and was mentioned in several posts above. HR will remove the sniggling remnants that could be left over from the flashed over ROM. Apparently, flashing doesn't necessarily do it.

I, too, initially thought that this might be a "belt-and-suspenders" and totally redundant step, but it seems to make my Dutty 6.1 ROM work perfectly. I used not to do it (but found the advice suggesting me to do it in Dutty's latest ROM post), and usually ran into problems.

Doesn't hurt, and I'm just guessing that the chefs who suggested it might have a good reason.

But what the heck, I still throw spilled salt over my left shoulder, so perhaps I'm the wrong person to be commenting...

-Humbert

[jackleung]

Actually, I think that's the point and was mentioned in several posts above. HR will remove the sniggling remnants that could be left over from the flashed over ROM. Apparently, flashing doesn't necessarily do it.Rom flashing is just like formating yr hard drive (flash rom in our PDA). Nothing is left, and the flash rom will be rewrite by the rom image you supply for the flash process. HR simply goes back to the state right after the flashing, and there's really no point to HR after flashing.

[tk123456789]

Hi Jackleung. Since I am a noob, no i am even more confused about the Hard reset benefits. You say it is pointless, and others say it is beneficial? Is there anyone else out there with an opinion?

[tk123456789]

Anyone at all??

[jarek91]

Hi Jackleung. Since I am a noob, no i am even more confused about the Hard reset benefits. You say it is pointless, and others say it is beneficial? Is there anyone else out there with an opinion?

He can say what he wants. He is entitled to his opinion just like everyone else...but I have seen both personally and by posts of others that HR after flashing does indeed fix a wide range of odd problems that crop up. I couldn't tell you why it does...because Jack is essentially right. Flashing is like formatting a hard drive and reinstalling the OS and apps...but doing a HR does make a difference for some reason.

Perhaps someone with OS experience could give you a more detailed answer. I can only offer what I've seen.

[P1Tater]

I got a question, what does it hurt to do a Hard Reset after rom flash and prior to setting up your phone? Absolutley nothing. So why not do it? Exactly, there is no reason why it shouldn't be performed. As for me, it has helped out many small issues, such as screen freeze, lags and the likes. It has now become a standard for me and it takes up all of about 5 seconds after a rom flash. So again I ask, why not do it? What can it hurt? Now, I say, if you don't want to perform a Hard Reset, then don't but I will say that if you have problems right off after a rom flash and you post your question, then more than likely the first question asked back to your question will be "Did you perform a HR at the "tap to align" screen?", to which your answer will more than likely be no and at which point the suggestion given to your problem will be to perform a HR.

In other words, do what you want but remember it sucks having to do one once you have already set everything up.

[aruppenthal]

He can say what he wants. He is entitled to his opinion just like everyone else...but I have seen both personally and by posts of others that HR after flashing does indeed fix a wide range of odd problems that crop up. I couldn't tell you why it does...because Jack is essentially right. Flashing is like formatting a hard drive and reinstalling the OS and apps...but doing a HR does make a difference for some reason.

Perhaps someone with OS experience could give you a more detailed answer. I can only offer what I've seen.

I agree with Jarek and I can also give you some of the reason why. I have done countless flashes and can tell you that it makes a difference. I would love to do a poll of all the people on xda that have had a bug on a fresh flash and hard resetted and then not had the bug anymore.

Think about a hard drive. If you reformat a hard drive you are NOT completely erasing it. The information on a hard drive is always there. You are freeing the space but the information is still there. Ask anyone that works in any upper tier law enforcement agency and they will tell you that it can be extracted with the right tools. I had some friends in the military that did exactly that. The only way to erase a hard drive is to smash it with a hammer. On our phones even after reflashing bits of the old rom can still be behind. By hard resetting you are in a sense defragmenting the information and writing it into a more orderly fashion. A hard reset statistically increases the chance that the information is written to the exact location in memory that the designer intended.

Thats the best explaination I can give its been a long time since college.;)

[tkalli]

I got a question, what does it hurt to do a Hard Reset after rom flash and prior to setting up your phone? Absolutley nothing. So why not do it? Exactly, there is no reason why it shouldn't be performed. As for me, it has helped out many small issues, such as screen freeze, lags and the likes. It has now become a standard for me and it takes up all of about 5 seconds after a rom flash. So again I ask, why not do it? What can it hurt? Now, I say, if you don't want to perform a Hard Reset, then don't but I will say that if you have problems right off after a rom flash and you post your question, then more than likely the first question asked back to your question will be "Did you perform a HR at the "tap to align" screen?", to which your answer will more than likely be no and at which point the suggestion given to your problem will be to perform a HR.

In other words, do what you want but remember it sucks having to do one once you have already set everything up.
I have to agree with doing a hard reset. I am by far, not an expert, but when flashing a new ROM, I now always do a hard reset. In the beginning, I sometimes didn't do a hard reset. There always seem to be a little bug pop up here and there.
Since I having been doing a hard reset, the ROM's work like the creators have stated.
Plus with most of the ROM's using UC, it makes it very easy to reinstall your apps.

[GSLEON3]

Believe me. Things from oprevious ROM's can get hung up in NAND. Some times you can have provisioning issues as well. It's always best to HR before & after a ROM flash.

If I go directly from an AT&T ROM to a WM6.1 romm occasionally I'll have 2 system message accounts. If I HR before & after, this issue never occurs.