Damsel in distress (or: idiot gir doesn't know how to ROM)

[justkim]

Hey,
I just got my (Orange UK) TYTN II. The Orange setup is downright HORRIBLE. The thing doesn't move, and their home screen really stinks.
I really need to flash the ROM. I read many topics and stickies here (such as Kaiser ROM_Flashing FAQ (http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=KaiserROM_FlashingFAQ) and SPL Questions (http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=SPL%20Questions%3F), but I feel like I'm still missing things. As this is my 1st time ever - I'm afraid I'll brick it. I really need your help guys.


I'm undecided between using an official ROM (which one?), using NoThrills_WM61_WWE_V3 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=379411) or RUU_Kaiser_HTC_WWE_3.28.405.0_radio_sign_25.83.40. 02_1.65.16.25_Ship (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=390748) . What I need is a solid, dependable PDA/Phone/mobile desktop replacement. I'm not planning on gaming etc so graphics speed (while nice) is not all important.
Which one of these ROMs or other do you recommend?
Let's assume i use NoThrills_WM61_WWE_V3 (my current favorite). Would it (or the ROM you recommend) work on the Orange TYTN II?
I never connected the unit to my PC yet, or installed anything on it. Before flashing should i install ActiveSync or anything else on my PC, or just connect HTC to USB and go?
The way I see it, these are the steps for flashing. Did I miss anything?

Take out my SD card.
Connect HTC to computer using USB cable
Run kaiser-HardSPL.exe (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334679) on desktop PC
Follow on-screen instructions for installing kaiser-HardSPL.exe onto the device.
Now that HardSPL is installed on device, copy NoThrills_WM61_WWE_V3.exe (or other ROM) to my desktop PC and run it from there, following instructions.
That's all.

Will installing kaiser-HardSPL.exe automatically remove the Orange CID-Lock, or do i have to do anything else?
To install the ROM, do I need to use HTC_ROM_TOOL.exe, or any other tool, or just work using the steps above?
Does the RUU...exe run on the desktop, or should i run it on the device?
If i brick it, is this reversible (by me or by a lab)?

I hate sending the "damsel in distress" thing - but this is just how i feel now. Would REALLY appreciate your help.
Kim

[AllTheWay]

Here is what I would do.

Since you already spent what it looks like some time trying to flash your device. I will give you a couple of hints.

First I would flash to Jockys1.1 HardSPL. http://www.4shared.com/file/46447471/7ae96b57/Jockyw2001_HardSPL_-_SuperCID.html

This will allow you to CID unlock your device really easily.

To install HardSPL do this.

1.) connect your device to you PC

2.) Copy the JumpSPL.exe to your main memory of your device. Remove any SD card you may have

3.) run the jumpspl.exe to your device. Hit continue. It will go to the bootloader (tri-color screen)

4.) When you device says USB at the bottom, unplug the USB cord from the phone and wait 10 seconds.

5.) Reconnect the phone to the PC. Run the HardSPL


It should flash really quickly.

Next to security unlock / CID unlock your device.

Follow the instructions that came with the download. Its a real simple process. Be sure that you read all instructions to a T.

Check this thread if you run into any problems. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=361236

Happy flashing.

[mfrazzz]

Ok, I'll bite...

You are definetly reading the right stuff, but I'll be honest, things have changed and evolved here (with all the new SPL's and stuff) so even for me that did hardspl back in December when I got my Tilt, I was a bit overwhelmed when I got my new replacement Tilt last week and had to start looking at doing this all again. So let me try to step you through what I just recently did and has worked for me. Remember, YMMV...

* First, I opted to go with Olipro's CID/SIM Unlocker this time:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=375583&highlight=supercid

A bonus here is that it also does Security unlock now, so its an all in one tool, and the GUI interface that Olipro put together makes this really simple and pretty flawless (just read and follow the steps in the thread and read and follow everything your PC and Phone tell you to do).

* At this point you are now unlocked and ready to start your life of flashing and tweaking. (Unless you are really strong, be prepared to become addicted to trying to find the "perfect" rom ;) ). I personally opted not to do one of the 3.x SPL's yet. Personally I've never seen the hesitation that so many complain about. I may still look at doing this to see if something improves, but for me I haven't found it necessary. But if you want to do that, do it now.

* Now hard reset your phone (good practice and I tend to do this a lot to make sure its nice and clean before AND after I flash a custom rom). Either use the Clear Storage icon in your Settings area, or hold down the two soft keys while hitting the soft reset button at the bottom. Note holding down the soft keys way can be tricky if you have big fingers like me, so I usually go the Clear Storage method.

* Now go get the rom of your choice. I would personally recommend either L26 V5, L26 V9, or Garmin DK1.2 (I'm still on Garmin DK1 and loving it but will probably move to 1.2 soon). I've found all 4 of these to be very stable ROMs (My phone is important to me for work, so stability is a must, and I can't put up with a bunch of bugs that people tend to avoid or live with in some custom roms). But the rom you choose is really a personal choice for you. What I like may be very different than what you like. So read the threads and try to find one that fits your style. (NOTE: This may be terrible for some to hear, but while I love what Garmin did with his roms and the extra work he put into it, the custom icons are a little over the top for my taste (they are wonderful, but I've used Win Mobile too long and find it hard to find things). So I pulled out the custom icons (search his thread for my post on how I did this if you want).

Honestly thats really all there is. Once you complete the Olipro CID/SIM unlock, your phone is going to be very hard to brick by just flashing roms, and the security unlock on it should (SHOULD) save you from nasty radios that come out trying to lock you to them.

Good luck and welcome to XDA...

[aaronsmckee]

hard SPL is the Key (instructions above), also make sure you flash a new radio if you want to use a new rom, Death V4, L26 V9, and Garmin are good, if you want to try a really cool total makeover checkout Gullum Throttle Multilanguage

[sleeping]

I never connected the unit to my PC yet, or installed anything on it. Before flashing should i install ActiveSync or anything else on my PC, or just connect HTC to USB and go?




Everything Alltheway and Mfrazz said, but Yes you should have Activesync installed first. Right now I'm on
"[July 11] HyperDragon III WM6.1 WWE ROM 19588 - 19591 - 19915 (Diamond & Xperia ROM)"
but I've tried many of the available ROM's and most have something good to offer. Just keep trying until you find one that works for you. and pay attention to the radio and SPL recommended for the rom you use.

[zeezee]

You posted the same speel here...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=379411

Hey,
I just got my (Orange UK) TYTN II. The Orange setup is downright HORRIBLE. The thing doesn't move, and their home screen really stinks.
I really need to flash the ROM. I read many topics and stickies here, but as this is my 1st time ever - I'm afraid I'll brick it. I really need your help guys.


I'm undecided between using an official ROM (which one?), using NoThrills_WM61_WWE_V3 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=379411) or RUU_Kaiser_HTC_WWE_3.28.405.0_radio_sign_25.83.40. 02_1.65.16.25_Ship (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=390748) . What I need is a solid, dependable PDA/Phone/mobile desktop replacement. I'm not planning on gaming etc so graphics speed (while nice) is not all important.
Which one of these ROMs or other do you recommend?
Let's assume i use NoThrills_WM61_WWE_V3 (my current favorite). Would it (or the ROM you recommend) work on the Orange TYTN II?
I never connected the unit to my PC yet, or installed anything on it. Before flashing should i install ActiveSync or anything else on my PC, or just connect HTC to USB and go?
The way I see it, these are the steps for flashing. Did I miss anything?

Take out my SD card.
Connect HTC to computer using USB cable
Run kaiser-HardSPL.exe (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334679) on desktop PC
Follow on-screen instructions for installing kaiser-HardSPL.exe onto the device.
Now that HardSPL is installed on device, copy NoThrills_WM61_WWE_V3.exe (or other ROM) to my desktop PC and run it from there, following instructions.
That's all.

Will installing kaiser-HardSPL.exe automatically remove the Orange CID-Lock, or do i have to do anything else?
To install the ROM, do I need to use HTC_ROM_TOOL.exe, or any other tool, or just work using the steps above?
Does the RUU...exe run on the desktop, or should i run it on the device?
If i brick it, is this reversible (by me or by a lab)?

I hate sending the "damsel in distress" thing - but this is just how i feel now. Would REALLY appreciate your help.
Kim

Read, more and you will find everything to know about flashing ROM's and what advantages and disadvantages they have.

[resist]

Hi, in regards to the rom you choose, it's tough for anyone to answer for you. You may find it's even tough for you to choose on your own. The main thing comes down to knowledge i guess. You mentioned that you want stable...well, while most roms are fairly stable, some of the "special features" can cause instability elsewhere. Not sure how much background you may or may not have but with no knowledge of how to remedy such problems, this might prove to be a headache to get some bonus bells and whistles. On the flip side...light roms often tend to be more stable, however, you will have to spend the time seeking out and loading up the things you want. This is nice in the respect that you get exactly what you want. In the end...the real key is trial and error though.

I've tried a good portion of the roms floating around and all of the current:

If stability is your main concern right now, I'd say one of the ROMeOS roms....they seem to be rock solid and fast enough. Not really any incompatibility to speak of as far as I found (or read). However, you will most likely want to add to it as only the primary apps are included.

If special features and tons of software that you may or may not use are your thing than pretty much any of the others will suffice as they are all pretty good at this point. Just remember though, you may find some unfamiliar territory.

Personally, I like to break and fix things so I jump around a bit. But in the end, when I'm not in the mood to play, I tend to choose a stable / light rom and customize it to my preference or completely rebuild it to meet my day to day needs.

In the end, it's all trial and error to see what suits you best....keeping that in mind, you may want to look into UC (User Customization) or Sashimi. These are autmated installers that will speed up the trial and error.

Something to keep in mind though (if you are new to WM). While WM isn't much out of the box, it can virtually be anything you want it to be. However, it will require a little time and effort on your part.

Oh...and please, please, please never ask how to change time format. I swear this must be the most commonly asked question on XDA. Sometimes feels like a thousand times a day or in a single thread. (If you don't believe me, search one of the L26 Rom threads =) ). If you come across this stumbling block, here's a hint: on the time format picker, although WM only ever shows two options on screen at once, you can scroll up and down. All common format ARE included. TBH: I don't know how people don't see this one on their own before even posting despite the millions of times it's been answered here