How I cook a ROM

My Guide to cooking requested by a few of my ROM users.


- IMPORTANT -

Make sure you have Visual C++ 2008 and M$ .Net Framework and it's Service Pack.

- NOTE TO COOK -

These Sys and Xip files are for 96 dpi devices only or commonly known as QVGA. So Please if you want to cook for your device using my guide, please make sure your device is as such.

- THE PREP _ Gathering Your Ingredients-



You can download my kitchen.
(Extract my kitchen to the C:\ directory (the root of your harddrive))

-OR-

Download the kitchen files below and create your own kitchen.

Create a directory C:\kitchens\
(Go into the C: drive and right click in an open area. Hover over 'New' and the select 'New Folder' and name it kitchens.)

Then download these kitchen files:

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Link 5
Link 6
Link 7

(These links were brought to you by JustKitchen.info)


These links are archived with 7-zip.

When you have all these files downloaded, and you have 7-zip installed, Select all of the files you've downloaded. Then right click on one of the highlighted files and hover over 7zip in your dropdown menu and then click on 'Extract Here.'


This will create a directory that looks similar to this:



As you also see in that picture (The 'Working_Folder' archive) you'll need my Sys & Xip files. And as you know me, I will always try to keep this folder updated so that when a new build comes out you guys can cook with it too, Which you guys can find HERE or any of my ROM threads. Right now I have all the newest builds. So you guys are set

_If you downloaded my kitchen instead, then it will have come with build 23545 & build 23563 only (Which are Windows Mobile 6.5.5 - the latest Windows Mobile Builds)._

After you download my Working_Folder.7z then just extract the files as shown (Just right click on the file and hover over 7zip and you can click on 'Extract Here.'



And yes, lol, my computer is names Muff - PC because me and my wife's pet names are Muffin, lol.

Now, click 'Yes' when it prompts you asking if you want to Merge the folders and then also click 'Yes' to Overwrite the files there if necessary.

Once you have the kitchen setup the way you want it, (you'll also notice the PagePool Changer I have in there) then go up one level in the folder to where you see Working_Folder and send a shortcut to the desktop as you see below:



Here is where you'll need to make changes to your files (Because my files have my background image and watermarks and all of my GUI changes..etc..).
Navigate to C:\kitchens\SuperJustKitchen\Working_Folder\SYS\23563\dpi_96\COMMON\Base_DPI_96




You can download this Base_DPI_96 folder here if you want the original files..

Just drag and drop over the Base_DPI_96 folder in the C:\kitchens\SuperJustKitchen\Working_Folder\SYS\23563\dpi_96\COMMON directory.

After you're all set in making your GUI changes then navigate to
C:\kitchens\SuperJustKitchen1\Working_Folder\EXT\SHARED\THEMES_QVGA



This is where you are going to change your background images. The most important part about making these images is the fact you need to keep them perfectly proportioned to your device. If you have a qvga, like my Wing/Herald, then its going to be 240 x 320 (portrait) and 320 x 240 (landscape).



When you're done making your images make sure to rename them respectively.

Now navigate to C:\kitchens\SuperJustKitchen1\Working_Folder\EXT\SHARED\Control Panel\HTCAnimation_1_3_5_0\files


This is where you'll change the splash screens. And Please do ^>^ because we each should have our own unique style of cooking, lol.
Just find an animated .gif image - Also 320 (tall) x 240 (width) - and just rename it Animation2.gif

Then Find a still image of whatever you'd like and rename it welcomehead.96.png
Just take mine out and dispose of them..


- End of Prep -
Part two below.
​

- PART TWO _ More Prep -


Okay. First thing is navigate to your Working_Folder, which should be on your desktop continuing from the last post. Open the ErviusKitchen.exe



Let it load, then click on the drop down menu in the picture and land it on Herald. It will go crazy for a second, but, that is normal.



Next, click on the dropdown menu for the XIP and SYS and land them on the build you're using. I am using, the included, 28223 build.



Next, you're going to add your ROM version number. In the picture is how I normally label mine.



Should look like this:



Using LZX Compression is useful when you notice your ROM is too big. The Max size a ROM can be is about 80MB or so. If you plan on not flashing by SDCard then the minimum size of the ROM should be 50.1MB. When you are ready to cook, you'll see the size in bytes. So, in bytes, 50.1MB is 52,567,531

- - -

Next, click on Show Editor.



This will bring up all the .rgu files that are located in the kitchen. Scroll down to where you see the .rgu file located in the Shell.



Double click on it and it will open up the editor. Locate line 419. This is where you can 'brand' your ROM. All my ROMs I create usually have the branding '- Trib.' Put anything you want after the '- ' (and you also have to leave space right after the '- '). Then make sure to save. Then close out of the editor. Then go back to the main kitchen window.




- - -

Next, click on Extra Buttons.



This will bring up a menu with large buttons. Click on the CABtoEXT button.



That will bring up a command prompt window as shown:



Minimize all the other windows. Then hit the Enter key. This will open up a large window.

Then navigate to any of the cab files that you might want that are not listed in the kitchen. Select and Right-Click on the cab files that you want then click on Copy.



Then Right-Click and Paste the cab files into the window that popped up.



When all the cab files have been placed go back to the other command prompt window and then press Enter where you see Press any key to continue . . .(and make sure to only put up to four at a time.. for some reason it doesn't work right).



A prompt will follow asking if it will be used for 96dpi devices. Make sure you select the respective digit for 96dpi then hit enter. Another message will prompt you to select what devices can use the programs. Make sure to select All devices.

Your cabs you import into the kitchen will be located in the 0096 Category in the list

- - -

Now head back to the kitchen's main window. Next we are going to Save the ROM so far. Make sure you save with a version number (sometimes if I save before I put a version number I'll forget to put one all together. Basically a ROM won't flash without one.



Now Close out of the kitchen all together then re-open it. Reason being is because the cab files you've just installed won't show up until you do. Then Load your previously saved ROM.




Now it's time to make your selections of what is going to go into your ROM. Double click on each file/module to toggle the enabling/disabling of packages.

These are my selections:









Once you've made your selections make sure to save once more.




- End of Part Two_ More Prep-



Cheers,
Trib


​

- PART THREE _ Cooking -


Now you are ready to cook. Press the Create ROM button.​