[GUIDE] NativeSD for Windows Mobile (WM6.5) New Users

NativeSD WM #1 Introduction
Posts:
#1 Introduction
#2 Setup Partition
#3 Install Recovery
#4 Install Native SD
#5 Applications (Run Backup Restore Delete)
#6 Updating
#7 FAQ
#8 Links to Other OS
#9 Reserved for Learning Never Ends teams

The HTC HD2 was a Windows Mobile Phone. However it can run different phone operating systems including Android. Originally the choice was to run a single version of Android instead of Windows Mobile (using MAGLDR) or to boot from Windows Mobile to Android running on the SD card (for example using Portadroid) by executing CLRCAD.exe and HaRET.exe (Handheld Reverse Engineering Tool) bootloader. The problem with running both Windows Mobile and Android on the same phone is that EXT4 had to be held as a file on the SD card (using FAT32) which is slower. With NativeSD, your SD card is partitioned, or split, into two with the first partition being the FAT32 and the second partition as EXT4. The advantages are, you can still run Windows Mobile and use the FAT32 partition, Android runs much better (faster, with fewer problems and lower battery consumption), you can have as many different versions of Android as you have space on your card and all the operating systems can use the same data in the FAT32 partition. As you keep your original data and Windows Mobile programs on the existing FAT32 partition it is very easy to try NativeSD, including different Android ROMs, but still keep Windows Mobile always available to run any legacy programs that you must have.

This thread is about installing, running and maintaining NativeSD from Windows Mobile (WM6.5). If you are running a different operating system, please visit the appropriate thread listed in one of the posts below or the main NativeSD Rom Boot Script for HD2 forum:

Forum > HTC Leo: HD2 > HD2 Android > HD2 Android SD Development >
[DEV] NativeSD Rom Boot Script for HD2
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1869673

More details can also be found in the XDA Wiki:
http://xdaforums.com/wiki/HTC_HD2/NativeSD

To get started, please see the next post for the first step:
Setup Partition

Native SD WM #4 Install Native SD

Native SD WM #4 Install Native SD

Requirements: Your Windows Mobile (WM6.5) phone should now have an SD card that has been partitioned into two with the FAT32 partition first followed by EXT4 with both set as primary. The FAT32 partition should have been formatted as FAT32 and the EXT4 partition reformatted as EXT4 using recovery. You should be running Windows Mobile and be able to run recovery. This is covered in the preceding posts.

You will also need to choose a NativeSD ROM from the XDA website. Gingerbread (GB - CM7), Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS - CM9) and JellyBean (JB - CM10) ROMs are supported. GB tends to be more stable and JB is more cutting edge (possibly not as stable). ROMs will state NativeSD in the thread title or in the first post - try searching HD2 Android for "NativeSD". They can be found in either:
HD2 Android NAND Development [http://xdaforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=928]
HD2 Android SD Development [http://xdaforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=735]

The Native ROMs are downloaded and saved to your SD Card in zip format. Usually the file name will include "NativeSD". Recommend that you save them in a folder on your SD Card called "Download" as that is where most Android programs will save them. Do not unzip the file.

In order to run recovery, from Windows Mobile, you open the recovery folder using a file manager and then press HaRET.exe. (Note to load a ROM you would normally press CLRCAD.exe first but this is not required for and does not impact Recovery). The recovery programme will launch. Some people refer to the following steps as "flashing" a ROM.

Using 4EXT Recovery:
Select install from SD card.
Select choose zip from SD card.
Choose a zip to apply for example a NativeSD.zip from your Download folder.
Continue install? THIS CAN NOT BE UNDONE. Yes.
Press next to Continue the installation...
Choose Install to SD-EXT.
Select Default Connection - leave this unchecked for PPP connection (default).
Depending on the ROM's AROMA script there may be other choices.
Click next to start the installation
Installing ROM please wait...
Installation complete... please reboot...

Windows Mobile will boot.
Open the NativeSD folder in your SD Card.
Press CLRCAD.exe then HaRET.exe in the NativeSD folder to load Android NativeSD ROM.

More details can also be found in the XDA Wiki:
http://xdaforums.com/wiki/HTC_HD2/NativeSD#Install_NativeSD_using_Recovery

When you reboot from Android, you phone will load Windows Mobile. To run your NativeSD at any time, open the NativeSD folder in your SD Card. Press CLRCAD.exe then HaRET.exe in the NativeSD folder to load Android NativeSD ROM.

Please see the next post for applications that can make it easier to run NativeSD:
Applications

NativeSD WM #2 Setup Partition

NativeSD WM #2 Setup Partition

Requirements: To get started you need an HTC HD2 phone (either European or T-Mobile US), and SD card – which you presumably have if you are reading this – and ideally a personal computer. You will need to download a “Recovery” program to run on your mobile – 4EXT is recommended. Since you will be changing your SD Card you are strongly advised to back it up first. The next step is to partition or split your SD card into two which can be done using a Windows program Mini Tool Partition Wizard Home Edition. (Apparently the partition can be done with 4EXT Recovery on the phone but the PC is easier). Of course you will also need to choose a NativeSD ROM from the XDA website.

HTC HD2 Windows Mobile 6.5 Requirements
In order to run Android, your HTC HD2 will need to have:
Radio: 2.08 or higher - download from [RADIO] The HTC HD2 Master Radio Thread

The following three somewhat old threads have more information about Android on HD2:
[REF] The Definitve Guide To Android On HTC HD2
[REF] A Brief guide to Installing and Maintaining Android [SD/RAM] on HD2
[HSPL/HSPL2] HowTo flash everything
Bear in mind that they do not refer to NativeSD.


The steps to take on your PC are:

A) Backup your SD Card - for example copy all of it to your PC or use a new SD card. This step is optional but strongly advised.

B) Format your SD Card to make sure it is in good shape and has a primary FAT32 partition. Cards that are larger than 32 GB will not necessarily have a FAT32 format. For example a 64 GB card will usually be formatted to have an "exFat" partition and needs to be reformatted to FAT32. At the same time you can also choose a cluster size but the default should be fine for now. See the thread [GUIDE] [INFO] All about SD CARDS - which one, why and how!. If you format your SD Card, then restore the data from the backup. These steps are optional but strongly advised. Recommended Windows program for formatting your SD Card as it does not format the "Protected Area":
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/

C) Create an EXT4 partition on your SD card. There are two methods.

i) On your PC using MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition (MTPW)
This is a video showing how to use the program but note that we need EXT4 NOT EXT2 shown in the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cygl0qZnbaM
Note that you can use other partition managers but Minitool Partition Wizard works and is the method recommended by Xylograph

ii) On your HD2 using the 4EXT Recovery Classic program by madmaxx82 mentioned in the next post #3 Install Recovery. Check in the thread for your chosen NativeSD ROM to see if it supports automatic creation of EXT4 partition using Recovery. If it does, then install 4EXT Recovery, copy the unzipped Android Native SD build to this folder and execute CLRCAD.exe and HaRET.exe from the recovery folder and the card will be partitioned and the Native SD will be installed automatically. Caution though as these ROMs may not install to NativeSD folder and as a result you may not be able to use some of the other items in this guide. Always backup your SD card before trying this.

D) The size of the EXT4 partition is up to you. The minimum is probably 500 kb but 1 GB is advised and it does depend on the size of ROM you are using. If you have a larger SD card then 2 GB is recommended. Larger than 2 GB may be difficult to backup in one go. A rule of thumb is 0.5GB for NativeSD and 0.5 GB for each ROM you want to have available in EXT4. So the minimum advised is 1 GB. Another rule of thumb could be no more than 25% (one quarter) of your SD Card for EXT4. I only use half of the FAT32, leaving half the card free to backup either FAT32 or EXT4. For example I have a 32 GB card with 24 GB for FAT32 and 8 GB for EXT4 with 14 ROMs (14 * 0.5 = 7GB +0.5).

D) Double check that the first FAT32 and second EXT4 partitions are both 'primary' and that FAT32 is first and EXT4 last partition.

More details can also be found in the XDA Wiki:
xdaforums.com/wiki/HTC_HD2/NativeSD#Format_EXT4_Partition

Please see the next post for the next step which is done on the mobile phone. This is a good time to check that Windows Mobile still works properly for you:
Recovery

Native SD #3 Install Recovery

Native SD #3 Install Recovery

In order to install a NativeSD on your Windows Mobile (WM 6.5) you will need to put a "Recovery" program onto the SD card of your phone. For Windows Mobile the recommended Recovery programme is 4EXT Recovery Classic. This can be downloaded from the link provided by Xylograph on the NativeSD thread
[http://goo.im/devs/Xylograph/Various/Recoveries Download 4EXT Recovery from here]
Although Xylograph provides several different recoveries, the one you want for Windows Mobile is in home » devs » Xylograph » Various » Recoveries » SD >> recovery_4EXT2.2.7_leo_sd.zip
Size: 5.53 MB
MD5: 142c324022b7ea77c3a7ca8d2fcabb70
Link: http://goo.im/devs/Xylograph/Various/Recoveries/SD/recovery_4EXT2.2.7_leo_sd.zip

Download this to either your mobile phone or computer. Create a folder on the SD card of your mobile phone called "4EXTRecovery". (Although you can name the folder anything you want, it is useful to use the same name as the win android program listed below). The 4EXTR.zip file contains five files which should be unzipped into the 4EXT recovery folder. These files include CLRCAD.exe and HaRET.exe. In order to run recovery, from Windows Mobile, you open the recovery folder using a file manager and then press HaRET.exe. (Note to load a ROM you would normally press CLRCAD.exe first but this is not required for and does not impact Recovery). The recovery programme will launch.

As this is a text based recovery programme (in other words, you do not touch the screen), there are a few keys that you need to know in order to navigate around the screen.

• Volume up + to move cursor up
• Volume down - (or Windows key) to move cursor down
• Left call phone button to select
• Back button to go back
• Windows menu key to move cursor down or quit AROMA Installer

The first action is to format the EXT4 partition (created by Minitool Partition Wizard) using the recovery tool. Even though Minitool Partition Wizard creates the 4EXT partition, some people have experienced problems until they reformat EXT4.

a) Scroll down to ext3-4ext-ext4
b) Scroll to wipe / format
c) Format sd-ext
d) Exit recovery and then restart it to be safe.

More details can also be found in the XDA Wiki:
http://xdaforums.com/wiki/HTC_HD2/NativeSD#Format_EXT4_Partition

Please see the next post for the next step which is also done on the mobile phone, using Recovery. This is a good time to check that Windows Mobile still works properly for you:
Install Native SD

NativeSD WM #5 Applications (Run Backup Restore Delete)

NativeSD WM #5 Applications (Run Backup Restore Delete)

Windows Mobile 6 programs

CLRCAD and HaRet
CLRCAD.exe needs to be run in Windows Mobile to enable sound for HD2 Android. See post by DarkStone1337 who comments "Don't worry if nothing happens, this is normal." HaRET (Handhelds Reverse Engineering Tool) is used to boot Linux from within Windows Mobile. More information is available in this thread Linux and Android on the HD2. Both executables are provided in the above link #3 Install Recovery

There are a number of Windows Mobile 6 programs that will automate the task of running CLRCAD.exe and then HaRET.exe from the correct folder in order to load Android on your HTC HD2 Leo. A list can be found in the XDA Wiki:
http://xdaforums.com/wiki/HTC_HD2/Android_Loader
Notable is the WM .exe file created by o82239 called "Multiple Android-Starter (WinMo 6.5 + NativeSD-Android)" that allows you to select which NativeSD Rom you want to run from WM (assuming you have more than one ROM stored in a sub-directory of "NativeSD") or to run any one of 4 different Recovery programs (assuming you put them in the directory "4EXTRecovery", "twrp2", "twrp2.3.3.0.ex" or "recoverytytungbackup").
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1951897


Recovery scripts

Tytung has written a "NativeSD Touch Recovery" [http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=33668198#post33668198] tool that runs in Recovery to allow you to Backup, Restore or Delete a NativeSD ROM. It saves the backup to your SD Card in /sdcard/NativeSD/Backup/
https://sites.google.com/site/nativesdtouchrecovery/
It works perfectly for Windows Mobile WM6.5 users who boot 4EXT Recovery from SD using the 4EXT Recovery. To use it, from Recovery, flash NativeSD_Touch_Recovery_v1.0.zip. More details can also be found in the XDA Wiki:
http://xdaforums.com/wiki/HTC_HD2/NativeSD#NativeSD_Touch_Recovery

Tytung Softkeys_Switcher_for_NAND_and_NativeSD works for all kinds of ICS/JB NAND/NativeSD ROMs. Use Recovery to Flash Softkeys_Switcher_for_NAND_and_NativeSD.zip to enable/disable the virtual softkeys after installation. See his post #11593.

TWRP Team Win Recovery Project 2.3, or twrp2 for short, is a custom recovery that now has Extended Features including Built-in NativeSD manager. See [RECOVERY] Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) | Extended

kokotas Extended TWRP is touchscreen and supports NativeSD. See Extended TWRP

Android Apps

datagr has created an Android app for "nativeSDMultiBoot" that allows you to choose which NativeSD ROM you will boot next. He has expanded it to include backup and restore running from within Android. Search for his posts on the main NativeSD thread:
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=31110691&postcount=1

c1cl0n has written an Android app "CM9 NIGHTLY Port Manager" for his [NIGHTLY] CyanogenMod 9 [tytung HWA R3.5] [SD/NativeSD] thread. Using this manager you can change your system values of DPI & make Softkeys visible. It works on most NativeSD ROMS, not just CM9. After making the changes, you have to reboot.


Titanium Backup root is one of the most popular Android Apps (free or paid) as it allows you to backup apps and data from one NativeSD ROM and restore them to another NativeSD ROM. Unfortunately it is not easy to restore the icons on your Android Desktop and care should be taken when restoring Apps from one version of Android to another. This wiki may be helpful:
http://xdaforums.com/wiki/Android_ROM_Update

One of the main reasons for running Android on your Windows Mobile HTC HD2 is the apps that are available from the Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps - to get you started, a few favourites include:
XDA-Developers https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkxda.activity
gReader (Google Reader | RSS) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noinnion.android.greader.reader
Opera Mobile web browser https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.opera.browser amongst others such as Dolphin and FireFox
Navigation apps (paid including TomTom and Sygic https://play.google.com/store/search?q=tomtom&c=apps) including free programs such as Google Maps and Waze
Google Apps https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Google+Inc
Games include the ubiquitous Angry Birds https://play.google.com/store/search?q=angry+birds&c=apps
Social Apps include the inevitable Facebook, WhatsApp Messenger, & Twitter https://play.google.com/store/search?q=social+apps&c=apps&sort=0
but watch out for battery eating synchronization.
BetterBatteryStats will help to identify and guide you how to stop applications that eat your battery when your phone should be sleeping. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1179809
Most of these have free and paid versions.

Please see the next post for information on NativeSD:
Updating