Need a Guidance Counselor (LOL): How to ROM swap.

[Paul_Days]

This could actually help others for I have read many threads and still don't have a clear HOW TO.

The Thread are for Elfs....from reading threads I GUESS I have an Elf(in)....My Box Reads:

HTC Touch [ROM: 256MB; SDRAM: 128MB DDR]

This is a Rogers branded Touch, grayish color. OS is Windows 6 Professional.

Now I have done some registry hacks, shut off animation and sounds (from TouchFlo too) and the Touch is far better than before, but I still find it somewhat laggy, when flipping through apps, eventhough I have the Task Manager off.

After reading many threads I have two routes that I would like help with:

- Being an Avid Palm programmer, who've done it all, including bricking one (lol), I know for a fact that a fresh, light ROM improves performance and makes the unit much zippier. So which ROM would be the best for me? There are so many around and i dunno which is best for my unit.

- Second, Should I just do the Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade, and ride off into the sunset? will it make the unit much better than a custom ROM (i doubt it)...atleast the question is out here.

Lastly, I mainly use the Touch for checking emails, browsing on Wi-fi as well as my network providers'. I use the mobile office a lot, and the messenger as well. For internet browsing I use Netfront, but hope to compare it to the new IE. My aftermarket apps are: SPB Mobile Shell 2.0, Pocket CM, PCM Keyboard, SIP Change, and Advanced Config.

Hope this helps the more experienced members lend me a hand.

Cheers,

Paul

[bereda]

yes!! you should do a rom upfgrade my advice for you is to go with the swiftblades vblue elves rom on the upgrading thread on this great site its very easy for new comers to update their rom using this rom ...its a custom wm6.1 rom :)~ so you can ride off into the sunset in style:)~ and yea 6.1 is alot better than 6,0 its got a threaded sms and it fixes the memory leak...

oh and if you have just post a reply on the forum you got the rom froum usually swiftblade himself will help who ever is having trouble and if he doesnt theres alot of other xda brothers and sisters that will help assist you were like a family here dont be affraid to ask questions theres no stupid questions just stupid people!!!! oh and stupid answers!! :)~



and here you go i will help you out with the rom updating process it is very simple but worry some... the reason im saying use blue elves is because it has a cid unlocker built into the package... and it has very clear instructions!!!

FOR FIRST TIME CUSTOM ROM UPGRADERS:

1. Copy the Cert_SPCS.CAB and EnableRapi.CAB from the zip folder to your device's Storage Card.(###*** you dont have to do this step if you have allready used the sim unlocker program!!***###)

2. Install the two cabs to your Device memory and do a soft reset.

3. Restart your PC or laptop (Optional)


USING THE INTEGRATED ROM UPDATE UTILITY WITH USPL CID UNLOCKER:

(ATTENTION: REMOVE YOUR 4GB, 6GB or 8GB mircoSDHC CARD WHEN FLASHING THIS ROM!)

1. Turn off your computer's Anti-Virus software if you can. ( not nescary )

2. Activesync your device to your PC using USB port.

3. When the connection is completed (after synchronisation), double-click on [START] batch file to begin the integrated ROM Updating Utility.

4. Now follow closely the instructions that appear on the computer screen.

5. Press [ENTER] to accept at each prompt to continue the process.

6. After Step 2/3 of USPL CID Unlocker, the device screen will turns "blank white" and your activesync icon gray (in Windows XP only).
Congratulations! You have successfully CID unlocked your device. Press [ENTER] to proceed NOW!

(NB: If you failed to see the "blank white" screen, then your CID unlocking has failed.
Restart your installation process from Step No.1)
(####**** now dont panic if you dont get the white screen just soft reset your device sticking the tip of your styulus in the hole to the right of the usb port... then you may get the tri color loader dont panic just soft reset again then you may get a screen that will prompt you on a few things ###***your screen will not respond.... this is when you remember you have HARD KEYS!!!!! youll need to use them in this if you get it***### dont panic yet just continue pmce your started again set up active sync and start your process all over again!!! your phone shouldnt be bricked :)

7. Your device will now proceed to update your rom. Select and hit [NEXT] at each prompt to continue.

8. When the rom updating is completed at 100%, your device will restart automatically.

9. Congratz! You have successfully upgraded to a new rom.

Enjoy & Lots of Have Fun!

(((####****and remember this is why you DIDNT BUY AN IPHONE!!! ****####)))

[Paul_Days]

Thank you very much Bereda, and thanks for such a warm welcome. My next question is....which of all the ROMS is the one that I want? I see several versions and only one says Touch on it, the rest say Elf, Elf(in), etc. Mine on the box says Touch, but in here it seems that the Elf is also the Touch, a bit confused...


Cheers,

Paul

[OmerS]

i also recomand this rom.

[Paul_Days]

I will go ahead and give it a go, as soon as I know which is the best ROM for my Equipment.

Thanks OmerS,

Paul

[AfflictedSatisfaction5]

I have no idea what I am doing. LOL. Why would I do a Rom upgrade??? And secondly where can I upgrade to WM 6.1. I have the HTC Touch..Please help!!!

[Paul_Days]

AfflictedSatisfaction5, Welcome to the Club. A clean ROM eliminates many apps that one rarely uses, that consumes memory and normally are replaced by other third party apps. In General, a modified ROM runs quicker and better than the OE ROM.

You can find the WM 6.1 upgrade on the Microsoft Windows Mobile Site and take it from there OR Get a custom ROM with WM 6.1 already there.

I am just waiting to see which ROM is the one for my phone, since there are several variants of internal ROM memory (64, 128, 256, etc).

Cheers,

Paul

[evilmonkey1987]

If you have a Rogers branded HTC Touch, BEFORE you do anything, try to dump your ROM. (Read around, you'll find how to do it). The community, including myself, been struggling with this for months. Thanks. :)

[Paul_Days]

Evilmonkey...will search for ROM dumping...by the way, it IS a Rogers Branded HTC....BUT...my phone will not be used for Rogers network, but for a latin american company called Viva.

Cheers,

Paul

[Ameet]

after u dump backup ur current rom.. i suggest u make up ur mind what u want :) for instance, there are many many variants of touch roms around here ranging from bare naked clean bases to fat boy mem hogging bloated ones.. u can check my thread for a clean base rom or try kokotas's new rom (its fresh) blue elves and shadow ce takes the cake like always :)

happy flashing

[bereda]

i didn't dump my rom and i have a rogers htc touch aka htc elfin... not elf so paul you have a elfin... and trust me stick with the custom roms theres no need to dump your rom due to the fact that theres like 20 of the "rogers" rom on here already just download a copy of it and your set... thats if you want to step backwards and go back to stock...if you get a stripped down rom from the windows mobile website you loose out on all the features that make this phone a touch and a iphone killer... i think its wrong to take out the cube and other programs that are made for the touch! these programs are why you bought a touch in the first place... its like buying a Lamborghini and taking the five speed and the v12 out of the car and replacing it with a automatic transmission and putting in a little 1.8 litter v4... like what would be the point of buying a Lamborghini if your going to make it just like all the other economy cars... plus you could have saved your self a ton of time and just bought a 318i bmw... and for the people that do strip it down to nothing, why didnt you just buy the htc p3300 plain and simple htc ppc like all the rest.

[Ameet]

i think its wrong to take out the cube and other programs that are made for the touch! these programs are why you bought a touch in the first place instead of making judgements, i suggest you read the specifications and reasons mentioned by the great rom builders of xda in their threads why they have striped down their roms. people may buy touch so they can get a faster 201mhz device at economy prices

its like buying a Lamborghini and taking the five speed and the v12 out of the car and replacing it with a automatic transmission and putting in a little 1.8 litter v4... like what would be the point of buying a Lamborghini if your going to make it just like all the other economy cars... plus you could have saved your self a ton of time and just bought a 318i bmw i dont know anything in detail about cars but i'll still add my 2 cents. its more like buying a lamborghini and heavily tweaking it by stripping the parts and adding some, removing some and building a entirely new car out of that to suite each one's individual likes and dislikes. having done that you get a personalised car designed by your own hands and will n wish


for the people that do strip it down to nothing, why didnt you just buy the htc p3300 plain and simple htc ppc like all the rest
two words for that one "MORE SPEED" i suggest you take a look at this http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=619&id2=947 and you'll find the answer why we dont buy p3300 against a touch. its good to retain the looks of the touch and have more speed like dual and more options for functionality as per our likes n dislikes

hope paul finds what he is looking out for. i personally dont advice and support picking up a rom from an expert and editing it to your tune. either use it as is or build your own rom :D happy cooking or flashing ;)

[Paul_Days]

Ha ha ha ha ha, thanks Bereda and thanks Ababrekar, and please...be nice :-P

Bereda: Thanks for the explanation NOW i know my is an "ELFin", LOL, only knew it as a Touch. Thanks also for the tip...so I shouldn't dump it, i don't have a lot of things on my phone....3 weeks old so..... the personal data or course is backed up.

Ababrekar: Thanks for the encouragement pal... Like Bereda said, I'd like the HTC pack that is offered on the Blue Elves ROM, plus if you read my initial post.. most of the apps i used (SIP Change, PCM keyboard,etc) are already in that ROM so....

I take it this is the ROM I want....right? :

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364901

Can never be too sure...

Thanks for taking the time.

[evilmonkey1987]

i didn't dump my rom and i have a rogers htc touch aka htc elfin... not elf so paul you have a elfin... and trust me stick with the custom roms theres no need to dump your rom due to the fact that theres like 20 of the "rogers" rom on here already just download a copy of it and your set... thats if you want to step backwards and go back to stock...

Can you please point me to at least one? Also, it's a "step backward" for warranty and de-bricking purposes. :)

Paul, it's okay that its from Latin America, as long as the phone says rogers. Thanks.

[bereda]

evilmonkey1987... umm im not sure but i think that flashing will void warentee iwith any rom even plain wm6.1 because the elf and the elfin and the voque(sprint version of elfin) are all standerd
wm6.0 but heres the good part you can allways flash back for warntee purposes say you need to send it back and they cant
tell at all hehehehe!!! its a sneaky move but its well worth it!!!

sorry i thought you ment point you to a plain wm6.1 hahaha sorry ill find one


PAUL... yea thats it had it when i first flashed to wm6.1 and loved it but make sure you flash a radio with it!!!!!! its very simple to do ... heres the radio link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=342265

and
heres a little step by step

1. connect using active sync (after youv flashed the new rom of course )

2.remove sim and sd card

3. locate elf uspl and open it it will bring you to a dos screen *(windows command screen)*

4.press enter continue until you get to step 2/3 press enter then your elfs screen will turn white just like when your flashing the rom then !!!!!!STOPPPP!!!!!!! do not continue to press enter make sure your screen is white!!!!

(####****if your screen doesnt turn white start proicess again****###)

5. open up the radio folder while still keeping the dos screen up

6. youll find a operation call ruu which stands for rom update utility start that

7. follow the on screen steps and it will work fine :)

8 enjoy :)




*****#### in bothe the uspl unlocker and in the start batch file it will say elf... dont panic you have the RIGHT!!! FILE AND OPERATION....####****

[Paul_Days]

Will do it tonight, btw.....STUPID QUESTION NO.1:

What is a Radio?

[bereda]

the radio is what is used to get your calls its what gives you your signal and there are every now and then a update for the phones which will either give you more signal or better call quality

[spookydownunder]

Thanks for asking these questions, I had the same ones in my head :)

[Paul_Days]

Installation Froze. I am on step 2, 75%...Touch/Elfin Reads:

Welcome to Haret
VRAM ADDR: 0X200001020

CREATING PRELOADER 1:1 MAPPING.
PREJUMPER IS AT 0X17EF40000
JUMPING TO SYSTEM MODE...
LOADING SPL TO RAM....

waited 10 minutes, nothing has happened. I removed the USB cable
the program on my screen stated that the Touch should have a white screen, if not, to repeat steps. SHould I restart/reset the Touch?

Help needed, I'll wait a while see if I get a response from one of you

[Paul_Days]

Removed Battery, Restarted Phone, everything seems as before i did anything....gonna re-try the ROM upgrade from Step 1.

Restarting Computer....

[Paul_Days]

This time step 2 ran all the way to 100%, my Touch screen has the linux logo and the same text as above, but the DOS app did not freeze, will try again.

[bereda]

`hey sorry about not getting to you fast enough yea keep trying sometimes it takes a few tries i know your scared thinking it might not work and youll brick it but just keep trying until you get the white screen


if no white screen after a few times ill guide you through the uspl cid unlocker method i used for flashing other roms

[bereda]

its good that you got 100% one the second step but we just need for that screen to turn white on that step then were set

[Paul_Days]

I tried 3 times.... No luck....the Touch's screen still keeps the penguim, the DOS program concludes and my screen is not blank.

Well, i'll wait for your responses.

[bereda]

ok just keep trying a few more times...

[bereda]

ok ill wait for your response because this next step by step is a little more tricky its kind of like updating your radio actually it is upgrading your radio only insted of using a radio were flashing a rom

[bereda]

heres the step by step

heres a little step by step

1. connect using active sync

2.remove sim and sd card

3. locate elf uspl *in side of the blue elves folder*and open it it will bring you to a dos screen *(windows command screen)*

4.press enter continue until you get to step 2/3 press enter then your elfs screen will turn white just like when your flashing the rom then !!!!!!STOPPPP!!!!!!! do not continue to press enter make sure your screen is white!!!!

(####****if your screen doesnt turn white start process again****###)

5. open up the blue elves folder while still keeping the dos screen up

6. youll find a file called ruu, start the operation called ROMUpdateutility

7. follow the on screen steps and it will work fine

if you dont get the white screen keep trying either one way or the other....... also this method is how you flash other roms like shadow te by cloudyfa or any other rom but for now stick with this one...

[Paul_Days]

Hey Bereda,

It worked......Not your new method, but for some reason, I skipped the first steps. I simply plugged in the Touch, then I ran the START batch file and all worked like a charm....wierd huh. Now I am going to install the Radio.

For Everybody Else:

This ROM is BY FAR superior to the OE ROM. It is much faster, threefold than how the Touch is shipped. Some apps there I don't even know what they do. Now gonna do my Power Management Teaks (Advanced Config) and set my TouchFlo Threshold to 14,500.

By the way...I am still dissapointed with the Connection Manager, isn't there a way I can just log in to an open network WITHOUT flipping through 3 pages worth of clicks? Also I am gonna ask the General Forum, isn't there an app that automatically connects me to any available Open network w/o me having to select it?

Thanks for all the Help Bereda. Gonna do now the Radio install.

Cheers,

Paul

[Paul_Days]

I downloaded the ELf_Radio 03.07.90 files and which do I run? the ROMUpdateUtility?

Cheers

[bereda]

hi im glade!!! to hear it worked i knew something was wrong but not major wrong
... run the ROMupdateutility.exe but just follow my directions on page 2 of this thread... and isnt the 6.1 alot better

[bereda]

by the paul use the search button and type bereda in the search tab and youll find some registery hacks... that fix alot of stuff and also speed up the display... trust me the hacks make it even better of a phone i usually post what my settings are set at

[Paul_Days]

So I went to do the Radio Update (03.07.90) as I told you before, the only application on the folder is ROMUpdateUtility, but you tell me to follow your directions.....this Utility is Windows-based not DOS, so I think I have the wrong one. The phone I am using has no SIM, but doesn't this Blue Elves ROM bring a Radio?

Anyways, please tell me which file i need, and which one do i do the double click on.

Will search your registry hacks.

Cheers,

Paul

[bereda]

what do you mean your not using a sim ?... i think you have the right radio since you see the rom update utility... any thing that is being flashed is usually in a romupdateutility... thats what you double click it should have like a picture of a little phone with green in it...but remember you have to first use the elf uspl cid unlocker that is given to you in the blue elves folder...ill do the step by step again

[bereda]

1. connect using active sync (after youv flashed the new rom of course )

2.remove sim and sd card

3. locate elf uspl cid unlocker (**inside the blue elves folder**) and open it it will bring you to a dos screen *(windows command screen)*

4.press enter continue until you get to step 2/3 press enter then your elfs screen will turn white just like when your flashing the rom then !!!!!!STOPPPP!!!!!!! do not continue to press enter make sure your screen is white!!!!

(####****if your screen doesnt turn white start proicess again****###)

5. open up the radio folder while still keeping the dos screen up

6. youll find a operation call ROMUpdateutility (there should be like a little phone icon) which is actually the radio...double click that

7. follow the on screen steps and it will work fine

8 enjoy

[Paul_Days]

Bereda,

Did the Radio Update, understood, didn't use the DOS Utility....Now the what I think is the LAST problem.....My screen says SIM Locked. So i guess I locked the phone. I bought it unlocked but I never got the code. Can u help me unlock it please?

Thanks,

Paul

[bereda]

yes i can help you unlock it....theres a program on here ill find it... i had to use the same program to make mine sim unlocked...

[bereda]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=328221 thats the thread with the sim unlocker.... its simple to use theres a video some where in that thread download and watch it ummm i dont know which page its on...ill help you on that also