Newbie Questions.. My vogue will be here tomorrow!!

[zerodayATK]

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum but have been lurking for about 3 weeks. My current Plan was up (Verizon) So I was in the market for a new phone. I wanted to get a smart phone as I could really use the PIM features. After Looking around alot, I decided to go with the xv6900 (Vogue) because it was free!

Now, This will be my first windows mobile phone, but I'm very tech savy and computer literate. I want some opinions on 6.5 roms and the like, as I've never flashed a phone before (Flashed multiple BIOS) and I was wondering if I should try registry tweaks first. I just want to make it "snappy". I plan on installing that iphone like slider (what's it called?) and a different keyboard (any reccomendations?)


thanks for all your help in advance & keep up the great work w/ android!

[pointui]

I got mine a month ago. After using 6.1 for two weeks, I updated to NFSFAN's 6.5 rom because it was more finger friendly, some new and better features, and I would definitely recommend doing the same.

If not, you can keep 6.1 and there's plenty of interfaces to mess around with. I like in the following order: Winterface w/ funcontact and SMS-Chat, PointUI 1.5, M2D/Manilla 2D (bit it definitely slows down the games), PointUI 2, SPB Shell, and there's some other ones but not as user friendly and takes a fair amount of tweaking and reading. If you intend to keep 6.1, I would also install Fingersuite 1.1 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=459125) to make the menus finger friendly and FingerKeyB keyboard (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=487677).

I just switched to 6.5 to keep it simple and mostly integrated well.

How to switch to 6.5 (~20min):
1. Update official 6.1 Verizon update to get latest radio. Try making a call. If it doesn't work, dial *228 (i think, if not search), then press 1, and it should re program the phone to work.
2. Use 2.31 unlocker to unlock the phone. Follow this FAQ (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3680838#post3680838) but DON'T extract the unlocker file like the FAQ says. I kept trying to and the unlocker ROM wouldn't even start. This part was the most confusing and time consuming t figure out.
3. Once done unlocking, download NFSFAN's 6.5 v10 rom, extract and run the RUU exe update utility file. The picture on the left won't be the Vogue but it's ok.
4. It'll restart and you should a brand new htc/6.5 screen. Do a hard reset by pressing red and green button while using your stylus to poke the hole on the bottom. Tweak as necessary using this FAQ (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3680851#post3680851)
As an FYI, you don't have to do the SMS160 tweak because it was changed in v10.

[zerodayATK]

Wow man,

Thank you very much for the tips. So to get the newest radio i need to dial *228 (or whatever the code is) and press 1? or your saying, Get the newest radio, and if it doesn't call, do that? Where can I get the latest radio? In this forum? I don't see it on verizons site or HTCs.

One question, IF I upgrade to 6.5 and Decide to return the phone, I can reflash to the stock rom but can I relock it? I just want to make sure if I need to return it, They won't give me flack.

[pointui]

Thank you very much for the tips. So to get the newest radio i need to dial *228 (or whatever the code is) and press 1? or your saying, Get the newest radio, and if it doesn't call, do that? Where can I get the latest radio? In this forum? I don't see it on verizons site or HTCs.

Official xv6900 6.1 update available here (http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon%20Wireless). It will upgrade the firmware on the phone plus the antenna software (radio). Everytime you upgrade the radio, you may have to dial *228 for the radio to sync with the wireless towers again. You can always test a call before dialing *228 if anything. Or if it still doesn't work, giving a call to Verizon and they'll be able to help, just tell them you updated your phone.

One question, IF I upgrade to 6.5 and Decide to return the phone, I can reflash to the stock rom but can I relock it? I just want to make sure if I need to return it, They won't give me flack.

Yes, you can always re-lock your phone. Don't know too much about the process though, if its possible to brick your phone, or if Verizon even cares when you send it back. A search for "relock warranty" should do it.


Also, here's a Rewrite up of the instructions above since I just did my friend's phone, it's still fresh in my head:

How to switch to 6.5 on HTC Touch/Vogue/xv6900 Verizon specific (~20min):
1. Install Activesync to your computer here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/help/synchronize/ActiveSync-download.mspx). Not sure if it's installed by default. If not, just download. Plug in your phone and you should be able to tell because some green thing pops up.
2. Download official 6.1 Verizon update (http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon%20Wireless) to get latest radio. Plug your phone in, run the file, and it's self explanatory. When done, try making a call. If it doesn't work, dial *228, then press 1, and it should re program your phone to work with the cell towers.
3. Download 2.31 unlocker (http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=20370) to unlock the phone, available on the first two links. Run the file. It'll tell you to plug your phone in so plug it in and hit enter. The phone screen changes to a rainbow color now. Computer will tell you to disconnect and reconnect the phone. Do so. Then follow the instructions on computer, check the box, keep hitting next. You'll see a 0% go to 100% pretty quick on the computer and your phone, and your phone will restart. Unplug phone. It'll load into 6.1 as normal. Hold down power+camera+stylus hole button on phone, you should see a rainbow screen, and the words 2.31 unlocker which indicates you've successfully unlocked it.
4. Disable activesync by going to activesync, File>Connection Settings> uncheck the checkbox "Allow USB connections". (I forget if this step is necessary if it's even during this part, but just to be safe).
5. Download NFSFAN's 6.5 v10 rom. Plug your phone (with rainbow and 2.31 unlocker still on screen). Bottom display should change from serial to USB. Run the RUU exe update utility file from NFSFAN's file. In the program, the picture on the left won't be the Vogue but it's ok. Then follow the instructions, check the box, keep hitting next, you'll see a 0% go to 100% on the computer and phone, but now takes about 5 minutes since it's a large file.
6. Phone will restart itself and you should a brand new htc/6.5 screen. Just be patient as it loads. Do a hard reset anytime by pressing red and green button while using your stylus to poke the hole on the bottom. Hit the center big button, then the green button. You'll see a status bar and once it's done will reset it self. Let it load and follow on screen instructions. First time loading always takes a bit of time but after that it's fairly quick on any reset. Note, when calibrating the stylus, try to tap as lightly as you can even though it says to press firm. Windows uses this to calibrate how hard you should press your screen so if you press it too hard, your fingers will have to smash to screen to pick up anything. Tap it as lightly as you can and it would be easier to navigate with your finger. You can always recalibrate in settings.
7. (Optional) Do stpe 5 and 6 again. Codybear, a very experienced user on this forum, says he's never had any bugs/problems others seems to get because he flashes the ROM 2-3 times. He'll flash it, go through the customizations, flash it, go through the customizations, flash it, go through the customizations.
8. Tweak as necessary using this FAQ (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3680851#post3680851).
As an FYI, you don't have to do the SMS160 tweak because it was changed in v10.

If anybody wants to copy this to a sticky/wiki/faq anywhere, please feel free to do so. I hate when go to valuable information gets lost.