Gen1, Gen2, TPT, Root, Recovery, Custom Rom, Cyanogen + Windows Flashing explanation.

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This thread is designed to explain what you're doing and how you do it. I do not claim to have made any of this stuff, and I will give credits to the various sites I learnt and found this information from, once I have finished the thread. I am also not a developer and have not coded a single android thing in my life, and while I have a fairly extensive knowledge of how this stuff works, I am still not a developer.
Before you do anything stupid, read the whole thread. Post 1 is based on rooting and installing roms. Post 2 is a quick overview of flashing custom roms, Post 3 is fixing bricks, Post 4 is Related to Windows Flashing and TPTs.

Follow these guides with caution! While with this phone in particular, it is very hard to create a genuine complete brick, it is still possible.

Section 1: Theory and Explanation

Gen1/Gen2:
The ZTE Blade / Orange San Francisco comes in two versions, Gen1 and Gen2. The difference is something in the memory layout that most people don't need to understand, Gen2 also contains an updated radio image. What it does mean is that you can't install a gen1 rom on a gen2, or vice-versa. I will post links to various custom roms at the end of this thread for both. Alternatively, you can actually change your Gen, but that will be discussed in Post 4.

TPT:
A feature exclusive to this phone, and perhaps a few other obscure ones. TPT is like ultimate Brick Protection. If you have ever looked at GParted from Linux it may be easier to understand, but essentially, it is a complete disk image of the entire phone. So no matter how messed up your phone becomes, whether you delete partition x, or remove the most important system files, you can just flash a new TPT, and your back to normal. This is not a rom, it is simply an image your phone.
Some TPTs contain only Recovery, whilst others are full systems. If you flash a TPT which contains only a recovery you should have a Rom ready to flash, which is for the correct gen of your phone.
A TPT image differs for Gen1 and 2. The layout/structure and the format of TPTs differs between Gen1 and Gen2. A TPT does not change the very lowest level firmware, however for all Rom purposes, it can serve as the TPT flashed. A TPT for a GenX will be very different and unflashable on a GenY. However a GenA TPT image can be modified so it is very similar to a GenB.

A Stock Gen1, can be upgraded to Gen2, with a TPT that is designed for a Gen1 but includes Gen2 Files.
A Stock Gen1 cannot be upgraded to a Gen2 with a TPT that is designed for a Gen2 and includes Gen2 files.

A Stock Gen2, can be downgraded to Gen1, with a TPT that is designed for a Gen2 but includes Gen1 Files.
A Stock Gen2 cannot be downgraded to a Gen1 with a TPT that is designed for a Gen1 and includes Gen1 files.

This can get confusing, but if you imagine there are two layers to the TPT. Theres the Hardware Base, and the Software Part. The base NEEDs to be for the Gen you were when you bought the phone, but the Software Part can be for either.
So no matter what you do TPTwise, your Gen1 phone cannot TPT a TPT image with a base of a Gen2. However, if you upgrade your Gen1 with a base of Gen1 but a software of Gen2, you can flash Gen 2 roms from recovery.
Note that the difference is not really hardware and software.

Post 4 Will discuss TPT and Windows Flashing in further detail, as it is risky and not really relevant for most purposes.

Root:
Root allows you to have complete control of the phone at the OS level (nothing to do with TPT or recovery). Once rooted you can browse system directories, and modify pretty much everything, and also install a custom recovery image. I will explain how to root at the end of this post


Recovery:
Recovery is one step below TPT, and is a mini system that can be used to manipulate and flash / format the other partitions. It is at the same level as the Android System, and is stored on one of the partitions. Therefore it can be modified or overwritten, either from Android, or via TPT.
Recovery can be used to flash custom roms, factory reset, wipe cache, and other advanced features.
Normal Recovery is pretty rubbish, however a custom recovery can be flashed.
One example is the infamous ClockWorkMod Recovery, which is related to the app Rom Manager.
If you are trying to flash a custom rom, I would recommend first installing ClockWorkMod Recovery, which I will explain how to do at the end of the post. If I say recovery, CWM or ClockWorDMod (my common typo) then I am referring to ClockWork Mod recovery.


Custom Roms:
Before I begin I will just explain some jargon, and the terminology I will use.
For most phones, a Rom means two things. One is the system the Rom actually is (for example Android v2.3.4 with modified X and theme Y). The other is the Rom .zip that is installable via Recovery.
However the ZTE Blade includes a TPT feature, and this can make certain terms misleading and complicated.
Therefore I will use:
-Android System / Custom Rom / Stock Rom as System
-Custom Rom (the system) as Custom Rom or Custom System
-A .zip installable Rom as Rom
-A TPT image as a TPT image
-The verb to TPT as TPT
-To flash a .zip Rom as flash
-To flash a TPT as to TPT it.

Your new android smartphone is more like your computer than you may realize. The Recovery is similar to BIOS, various internal partitions are the sytem folders (Windows, Program Files... if you're on Windows) and the SD-Card are the documents on the hard drive. If you haven't already realized, you can pop any bootable media into your computer, whether its the Windows XP installation disc, or a USB disk containing a Portable OS into your computer, and you're good to go. This is what happens normally when your computer loads the System Files off your HDD. Even if you recieve a horrible virus, you can simply put in your OS installation disk, wipe, and install a clean copy.

Your phone's recovery is fairly similar, as long as you have a recovery.
You can use ClockWorkMod, to wipe your phone, flash a clean / stock or custom system, partition your SD-Card and many other features.
If you have not heard of Custom Roms / Systems before, then you should probably not be using them, but everybody needs to start somewhere A CUSTOM System is a modified version of the Android System, tweaked for performance or functionality. Stock and Custom Systems are installable and distributed via two methods
- A .zip rom that is flashable from recovery (if custom system, needs CWM first)
- A TPT image, that will completely wipe the phone, then rebuild the partitions, with all the System files already in place.

When people say rom, they are either referring to the system or the .zip method of distributing the rom. It is unlikely to be a TPT unless stated so.

Section 2: Practical Usage

Before you do anything, install "ask mr pigfish" from market, and it will tell you your Gen.
https://market.android.com/details?i...edroid.pigfish

This section is not a guide to follow step by step. Follow the sections you want to.
If you're going to do any flashing or recovery or custom rom mod stuff, you will probably need to root.

Please read the TPT explanation in Section 1, it will tell you what to flash and what to not.

Guide to Rooting:
Enable USB Debugging:
Settings-->Applications-->Development-->USB Debugging (tick)
Install this Apk: http://www.mediafire.com/?51wiupd74ws1ji8
Install Astro File Browser from the market. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.metago.astro
Download the file on your computer, then copy it across to somewhere on your phone
Browse to that somewhere and click on the file. Open app manager and click install.
After installation, click open.
Tell it to do Permanent Root
Wait for it to reboot
Done.

Installing Systems (Roms)

There are many ways to get a system onto your phone, depending on it's method of distribution. The most common is to flash a rom from recovery. Another is to flash an image from TPT which includes the system already in place. Flashing from recovery is like installing off the Installation Disc, and using TPT is wiping the phone, and putting the partitions in place with the system files already on. For example:
-You could manually install ClockWorkMod from Android, and flash ROM X from there
-You could flash ClockWorkMod from a TPT image, then flash ROM X from ClockWorkMod
-Or you could you could flash an full TPT image which already contains ROM X.

Recovery: Installing ClockworkMod Recovery
Once installed, ClockWorkMod is good brick-protection and will allow to flash custom roms and perform factory resets. Recovery is at the same level as the Android System, and is wiped when using a TPT. It is installable from the Android System or by wiping a TPT.

Gen1 Only:
3 Ways to install:
-Using ZTE Blade Recovery Manager (needs root)
-Using Rom Manager (recommended, easiest) (needs root)
-Flashing a Gen1 base TPT containing ClockWorkMod. (If you want to flash a Gen2 rom use this method. If you want to use CyanogenMod on a Gen1 use this method)


1) ZTE Blade Recovery Manager
Needs root. Gen1 Only
First Download these files:
http://tinyurl.com/clocknow mirror: uploading
http://tinyurl.com/recoverapp mirror: uploading
Extract latest.zip to give you clock.img. Copy clock.img and RecoveryM.apk over to your phone's SD-Card.
Use Astro File Browser to browse to the two files. Click on RecoveryM.apk and select open App Manager. Install the app, and once installed click open. Select the Recovery Tab, and click "Install Recovery". Browse to clock.img and click Ok. DONE.


2) Using Rom Manager
Needs root. Gen1 Only
Install Rom Manager from the Android Market -
https://market.android.com/details?i...tta.rommanager
Open Rom Manager and Select "Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery" then "ZTE Blade". It will then proceed to flash.
Note!!: You may be asked for root permissions. Just click allow.
Done!

3) Flashing a Relevant TPT
This is For Gen1 Only

This option is to flash a complete image of your entire phone that will include ClockWorkMod as the recovery. It will wipe everything
. You will need a Rom ready to flash on the SD-Card, in the form of a .zip. For example this:

Rom - Orange San Francisco Stock Rom OUKB20 (for either Gen) - http://www.mediafire.com/?782mu11hu7d62ax

TPTs do not change the very base of the phone, and a TPT with a base of a Gen2 cannot be flashed on a Gen1, unless you use strange and dangerous Windows Flashing Tools. However, a TPT with a base for a Gen1 yet other files designed for Gen2 would allow you to emulate a Gen2, and install Gen2 Roms.
First Off decide which Gen you would like to install / emulate. This is the Gen you will be able to install Roms for.
Then download one of the two files below
TPT - BASE GEN1 - Gen1 - ClockWorkMod ONLY - http://www.mediafire.com/?l3yi7d8k2drddp5
TPT - BASE GEN1 - Gen2 - ClockWorkMod ONLY - http://www.mediafire.com/?v54spzfp537ub0b

Extract the archive and copy the image folder to the root of your sd card. Turn off your phone then take the battery out, then put back in. Turn on with Menu and Vol + Held. Your Phone will now flash the TPT. ClockWork Mod is now the only thing installed on your phone and you will need a Rom ready to flash.

Gen 2 Only
Install Rom Manager (free or premium) from the Android Market -
https://market.android.com/details?i...tta.rommanager
Open Rom Manager and Select "Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery" then "ZTE Blade". It will then proceed to flash.
Note!!: You may be asked for root permissions. Just click allow.
Done!
Alternatively you could flash a Gen2 TPT including CWM, however these TPTs are in shorter supply and as I do not have a Gen2 I cannot provide much information. I will post alternative links and methods here.

How to flash a rom (overview)
First off, you need to know how the Rom is distributed / packaged / installed. Also what Gen it is for.
If a TPT, the archive will include a folder named “image”. The TPT can be flashed using the methods explained in the TPT Section. It does matter what Gen you currently are. Unfortunately it is often not clear as to which Gen Phone you need for the Rom, as Gen2 is less common, and most are designed for Gen1.
If a Rom, you will need CWM. The two methods of installing ClockWorkMod are described in the next section.
Once CWM is installed, provided you are the right Gen for the rom, reboot into CWM, by turning off, removing then putting the battery back in, then turn on whilst holding Vol Down. You should then choose “wipe data/factory reset”. Use the volume keys to move up and down, and the home button to select. Select Yes. Do the same for cache. Open advanced and wipe dalvik cache. Use the back button to return. You should then choose Apply/Install zip from SD-Card, and select the Rom you wish to flash.
Done!

Cyanogenmod
IF you want to use Cyanogenmod and you are Gen1, you have two options.
Either flash Gen2 CWM TPT, then flash the Rom from ClockworkMod, Or you can simply flash the full CM7 TPT, which includes the system.

If you want to use Cyanogenmod and you are Gen2, simply install ClockWorkMod Recovery (as explained earlier), then install from ClockWorkMod Recovery (as explained earlier).



Using TPTs:
Firstly, TPT installations are outside all partitions and recoveries, its like God. It is not affected by the Android System, and has nothing to do with root or recovery.
Read the section on TPTs in section 1. It will explain what you should and should not TPT.
You need to get the TPT "image" folder on your SD-Card. If you are bricked, you will need to take it out and use a card-reader or other device. Download the TPT you want, extract it, and copy the “image” folder to the root of your SD-Card. Power on with Menu and Vol + held. It will begin wiping, and repartitioning + Flashing your phone. If you choose an image with simply ClockWorkMod installed you will also need a Rom ready to flash if you want to use your phone.
You can flash any Gen, just make sure you only use roms for that Gen.
If you have TPT enabled, you can use TPT to switch between Gens. If a rom is provided as a TPT, but is said to be for the other Gen you do not need to worry as the TPT will change it anyway.
To recap:
TPT is disk image, will wipe + repartition the phone
May or may not include a System
Gens can be switched between
Image folder must be at SD-Card root.
Boot holding Menu and Vol+ held.
Gen2 Phones need to re-enable TPT, by following steps in Post4
If or once you have TPT, you are 99.9999999% unbrickable
If or once you have TPT Gen does not matter.


Roms:
Roms are not to be confused with TPTs. Roms are flashable from recovery, and include all the files neccessary for the Android System. They are like an OS installation disc.



ROMS and TPT Files

TPT - The Stock Gen of the device originally - The Gen the TPT flashes - What the TPT is - The Link.

TPT - GEN1 - Gen1 - ClockWorkMod ONLY - http://www.mediafire.com/?l3yi7d8k2drddp5
TPT - GEN1 - Gen2 - ClockWorkMod ONLY - http://www.mediafire.com/?v54spzfp537ub0b

TPT - Orange San Francisco Stock TPT Image (OUKB20 (OUK_P729BV1.0.0B20)) - http://www.mediafire.com/?uxiixxp3a5wmbqy
TPT - CyanogenMod (Gen2)- http://www.mediafire.com/?9cr7w4a61cc93my


Rom - Orange San Francisco Stock Rom OUKB20 (for either Gen) - http://www.mediafire.com/?782mu11hu7d62ax
Rom - Cyanogenmod (for Gen2) - http://www.mediafire.com/?ny86vce2f2w61jp







Sorry for my inactivity, I was away for two weeks over the summer.

Summary of installing Custom / Stock Roms:

If a TPT:
Extract and copy image folder to SD-Card root. Boot with Menu + Vol+ held.

If a 'normal' rom:
Put the .zip on SD-Card
Install ClockWorkMod using either way:
Either Flash ClockWorkMod TPT (make sure correct Gen)
Or Root, and use manual method.
Then boot into ClockWorkMod, (Menu + Vol-)
Wipe Data/Factory Reset
Wipe Cache
Advanced-->Wipe Dalvik Cache

Apply zip from SD-Card, and select the rom you want to flash.

If you brick:

You WILL need to be able to access the SD-Card (external) from your computer, either by card-reader, another device, or something else.

First

TBC

Restoring tpt functionality

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FOR THE MOMENT DO NOT FOLLOW THIS:
http://android.modaco.com/topic/3390...ed-gen2-blade/

I have just found out that I am in fact mistaken in my knowledge of Gen2s and TPTs, and I hope to update the guide soon.

Thanks to...
Coming soon

These are good explanations, very thorough.

I've picked up on a few things that could be added/edited.

1.) Gen 2 is a newer version of the radio firmware, as well as the different memory map

2.) Add Amon Ra Recovery as an alternative to CWM, I know it's not very popular but I find it good for partitioning.

3.) Add link to Mr Pigfish, https://market.android.com/details?i...=search_result

4.) On the Flashing ROM's section, I'd also add 'Go into Mounts and Storage and Select Format System'. Not needed, but recommended for the cleanest installation and hopefully fewer problems down the line.

5.) There's the CM7 Converter thing for people to use CM7 on a Gen 1 phone. It can be flashed via recovery.

6.) Add TPT link for Ginger Stir Fry (Over on MoDaCo) since it's popular.

7.) Remove or clarify 'Gen does not matter' under the TPT section, a few may take this that Gen 1 ROM's can be flashed on a Gen 2 device :/

8.) Put warnings/important things in big scary red writing.

9.) Bold and underline the headings e.g. Gen 1/Gen 2, TPT, Root etc.

10.) Personally, I'd say that the Firmware is more similar to the BIOS than Recovery. Recovery is probably most similar to Windows Recovery Environment.

I'm glad you explained what recovery is since it's a bit annoying when people don't know and don't bother to Google it, hopefully they'll read this and understand. I hope you find my comments constructive.

Partitioning your SD Card.

Why?

To create an EXT Partition for A2SD (Not to be confused with the Froyo Apps2SD).

Why do I want this?

For more space on the phone's internal memory and to allow certain apps like widget's to reside on 'internal' memory which may not be available if they were on the FAT32 Partition used by the Froyo Apps2SD method.

How do I do this?

There are a few ways to do this, I found this method the best. I'd recommend doing this before flashing a ROM with a full wipe to avoid issues.

1.) Create a full Backup in Recovery in case something goes wrong
2.) Mount the SD Card on Windows/Linux/Mac
3.) Copy the contents of the SD card into a folder on Windows/Linux/Mac
4.) Download Amon Ra Recovery - Gen 1 Gen 2 Ensure you download and verify you download the correct version. Flashing the wrong version i.e. Gen 1 on a Gen 2 will cause a lot of problems.
5.) Flash it with your existing recovery e.g. Clockworkmod
6.) Go back to Advanced > Reboot Recovery
7.) Scroll down to Partition SD Card
8.) Select Partition SD
9.) Swap Size 0 MB EXT Partition Size 512 MB/1024 MB - depends on the size of your SD card and the number of apps you have.
10.) Press Home to Confirm. ALL Data on your SD will be erased.
11.) Press back and select EXT2 to EXT3 for the best compatibility with A2SD scripts.
12.) Select USB-MS toggle
13.) Drag and drop the ROM you want to flash on your SD
14.) Disable USB-MS toggle.
15.) Flash .zip from SD Card.
16.) If you intend to use CM7 download S2E from the Market to enable A2SD. Tick the first two boxes in the app. Alternatively, if you want to ensure you have enough space for when the Google Backup & Restore happens I've uploaded the APK of S2E to install BEFORE you flash Gapps.

Enjoy.

BTW are you going to post the guide that you wrote in the first post on MoDaCo? It'll get more views there and subsequently be of more use.

If you have any further questions you can find me on MoDaCo with the same username, I'll do my best to help. I'm not a developer either for that matter.

Hello, hedgepigdaniel from modaco here.

Nice guide, I have a couple of suggestions/comments

I don't know if you are aware, but Gen2 blades do have TPT, they just use a different file format (image.bin rather than the .img and .mbn files). There are not as many custom layourts and such around, but I have just put one up for the purposes of unbricking. For that reason, I don't think its a good idea to recommend flashing via windows as protection from a brick anymore (especially because windows flashing goes horribly wrong every so often).

In the rooting section, why don't you link to kalt kaffes modified z4root instead - since it can root Gen2 blades aswell. For Gen2 blades, ROM manager from market is the the easiest way to install recovery.

I've written an unbricking guide in the last few days (that's where the Gen2 TPT is). You are welcome to make use of that if you like.

Glad I finally got enough posts to post in the development section...

Originally Posted by danielplayfaircal

In the rooting section, why don't you link to kalt kaffes modified z4root instead - since it can root Gen2 blades aswell.

Thanks a lot , it was a long time ago I rooted mine and I am not aware of these newer methods.

Originally Posted by danielplayfaircal

I don't know if you are aware, but Gen2 blades do have TPT, they just use a different file format (image.bin rather than the .img and .mbn files). There are not as many custom layourts and such around, but I have just put one up for the purposes of unbricking. For that reason, I don't think its a good idea to recommend flashing via windows as protection from a brick anymore (especially because windows flashing goes horribly wrong every so often).

I am sure you're right, but in your guide over at Modaco you say
"Windows upgraded/stock Gen2 Blades have a wasteful partition layout, no fastboot mode, and are incapable of flashing TPT images. Some are sold with 256MB of RAM hidden by software. Depending on which files you flash, you can:"

Also in wbaw's guide, which wasn't writtten that many months ago, it says
"It is reversible using any Gen1 full TPT (links below), but this will only work on phones that have been upgraded using this method, not phones bought with Gen2 or upgraded with the windows software."

are there TPTs for a stock Gen2 user capable of taking him back down to Gen1? I have not found a thread discussing that so-far.??

Thanks again

TPT is not able to change the lowest level firmware file - partition.mbn. If you try to flash a TPT with a different partition.mbn then it just wont flash. You need windows to change the entire firmware. What wbaw has done (and I just repackaged his work as "custom") is create a mixture of files from Gen1 and Gen2, partition.mbn and the few files that have to match from Gen1, and the rest from Gen2. This makes it possible to TPT a Gen1 phone to a mixture that for all intents and purposes is Gen2. wbaw's TPTs can't be flashed to a real Gen2 phone because they have a Gen1 partition.mbn, but It would be equally possible for someone to make the opposite of what wbaw has made - a image.bin TPT with a Gen2 partition.mbn and co and Gen1 everything else (or just with a different partition layout), but no one has yet done so (and I haven't taken the time to work out how). So right now windows is the only way to go back to Gen1 from Gen2, but it doesn't have to be. More to the point, it isn't the only way to re-flash real Gen2 firmware, because I've now put a Gen2 image.bin in my unbricking guide. That's why I wouldn't recommend that people flash anything via windows with the aim of avoiding a brick.

You can use this tool by fonix232 to convert between multi-image TPTs and image.bin TPTs. If you start out with the multi image files from stock Gen2 firmware then you can create a image.bin that will flash on stock Gen2 phones as I have done.

EDIT: jsut to clarify, It's still fine to flash via windows as per my guide if you want to be able to flash all the TPTs that are out there on forums now, or to repartition or enable fastboot, its just not necessary as a safety measure.

Not sure if this is the best idea for 'n00bs' but there's an excellent partition tool for custom partitions.

http://android.modaco.com/topic/3374...5#entry1672185

By Ricardopvz

It works with the Windows Flasher and the TPT's.

Instructions for use:

1.) Open the program
2.) Drag the sliders or enter values for the partition layout you want
3.) Press Create files
4.) Open the TPT .zip
5.) Navigate to the directory with "partition_zte.mbn" and "appsboot.mbn"
6.) Replace the existing "partition_zte.mbn" and "appsboot.mbn" with the new ones.

Done.

Also, add How to flash the Gapps package/Where's my Market gone and difference between Stable, Nightlies etc. under the CM section since some people can't be bothered to Google it.

1.) Place the gapps file that you downloaded on the root of your SD Card
2.) Reboot into recovery
3.) Select Flash .zip from SD Card
4.) Confirm
5.) Reboot
6.) Done

What's the difference between Stable, Nightlies, Experimental and Alpha?

Stable versions are those where all known issues have been addressed and resolved. This version is for everyday use.

Test / RC versions are similar to the experimental versions, but are in the final stages of testing before being "stable". There may be a few bugs left, but this version is usually stable enough for everyday use.

Experimental / Alpha versions are those where new features are being added, modified, and tweaked, and there are known bugs that are being worked on. This version is for beta / alpha testers.

Nightly builds are daily compiled builds from source. This version therefore has the latest bleeding edge features & tweaks, but it is also the mostly likely to have bugs and issues.

CyanogenMod Tips/Solutions, some from the CyanogenMod Wiki here.

It's slow!

Remove stock launcher "ADW". It slows down the homescreen badly.
Recommended: "Launcher Pro" or "Gingerbread Launcher" from Market.

Omg I flashed CM7 and now I don't have Market!

You need to install the Gapps zip. Sign into your account on the First Time Setup screen and Market will activate

My Wi-Fi doesn't turn off/it's draining my battery!

The workaround for Wi-Fi sleep policy that doesn't seem work is download Green Power from the Market if you want your Wi-Fi off when your screen turns off.

Help, Nightly 1xx doesn't work properly/There's a bug!

They're nightlies, sometimes they don't work properly. Use the recommended Nightly from the Wiki Page or another ROM. Also, refer to the CM7 thread on MoDaCo linked below for possible fixes/workarounds.

I don't know what nightly to choose!

First check the CyanogenMod Wiki listed above the CM7 thread on MoDaCo here.

Read the last five pages on that thread for up to date info and feedback on the latest nightlies.

If you still don't know then post in the CM7 thread. Don't create an entire new thread to ask that question please.