WM5 vs. WM6 for 8525?

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I read that there's lots of tweaks for WM5 for the 8525, but then I seen mention of a WM6 available, too. I presume it's a free upgrade on the AT&T website, or elsewhere online.

Now for the questions. Which OS works best for this device? Do the tweaks made for WM5 work with WM6 as well? Should I upgrade to WM6, or stay with WM5? For the GPS (maps), does it work with both or just one of the options?

Now for other (off-topic) experiences I have with my new [reconditioned] device.

a) After inserting my SIM card, about an half hour later, I attempted to call an 800 number (to activate a new bank debit card), which it didn't fully connect the call, although the call timer was running. It wouldn't let me end the attempted call, either, so I removed the battery and reinserted it.

b) Exploring the device further, I noticed that some menus didn't close when I tap the "red X" in the corner. I even tried to expand (pull out the keyboard on) the device, but it shows the "red X" of the location from portrait. as well as from the landscape! For example, it wouldn't close the "selecting which size to send photos" option screen. After waiting about a minute, I had to remove the battery to get rid of those screens, which is a major pain to keep removing the battery!

c) Later on, the last phone call that I made wouldn't hang up (end call) -- I even tapped 'End Call' about 5 times, not to mention pressed the red phone icon on the main navigation keys about 3 times. I haven't used the device since, except to place my old Samsung Sync's memory card with pictures, songs, and videos inside it.

The device seems very slow to close/end programs, and I've just received it yesterday! [I have not hacked, tweaked, or done anything else to it, either; I've only set the time, date, and owner's info.] Is this normal for the 8525? Would installing the WM5 tweaks [HTweakC 2.1b] -- or updating to WM6 -- increase the device's response time and overall performance? Or do I have a still faulty, reconditioned 8525?

Sorry for the long questions, I just wanted to give background into the device. Thanks in advance for all help in this matter!

You seem to be way behind as you use WM5. First thing you do after reading this: UPGRADE TO WM6.1

Most tweaks of WM5 will ofcourse work on WM6. WM6 is faster and much much better.

Do you know about soft-reset? No need to take out the battery! Just soft-reset.

And most of your problems of hang-ing can be solved by newer version of Windows Mobile! WM6.1

In case if your new to upgrading, you may read my small guide. If your completely new to Pocket PC, this might help you too. Also, consider using a free taskmanager such as wkTaskMan to close applications completely.

Regards,
Carty..

Carty, thanks for the quick reply!

As a brief background, for about the past 6 months, I was infatuated with the HTC Tilt [8925], because of the built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, 3-MP camera, & media player. Later, from reading other opinions on the 8525 on this board and discovering that it was compatible with GPS services, I decided to "sacrifice" the 3-MP camera, as the 8525 was about $100 cheaper on eBay.

I am pretty new to the Pocket PC, as my cellular device; I have used computers since 1996, though. That being said, it's not even been 24 hours since I've tinkered with the 8525 (as the eBay one never worked at all). I take it that the 8525 is an older device, as I've seen posts dating back to 2006. I just bought one on eBay 2 weeks ago, and had it replaced at an AT&T repair/replace shop yesterday.

I see the reset button on the bottom of the device; I just didn't know when to use it. I presumed it could only be used if the device wouldn't turn on at all. [As you can tell, I'm overly cautious with my new cellular equipment.] Also, I read about the "hard reset" -- holding down the 2 option buttons on the front and then the reset on the bottom of the device; however, I didn't know when to use the hard reset, either.

I will read your tutorials, then will install WM6 ASAP. Then, I will return with my findings. Wish me luck!!

Now I'm having issues with the update of WM6! The device stalls at 11%, then the software returns with the following:
"ERROR [262]: UPDATE ERROR
The ROM Update Utility has encountered communication errors during the update process. The program will guide you step-by-step to recover from the errors so you can continue with the update."

I tried the [Recovery] button 2 more times, following the screens to the letter, but with the same result . . . the software stalls at 11%.

Any ideas? This is very frustrating!!

Man, I finally got it to install WM6! I had to literally remove every single program that was running under my "name" with the XP-MC OS. I even had to "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" the Explorer program and then "open" it (via Task Manager) again! [I didn't restart Windows, though.]

So far, it's back to the align screen, so I'll hope all goes well from there! Be back with more later!

I've made one phone call so far, and it actually did the end call promptly! Thank goodness for small favors! I thought having to do the "flash" about 6 times would have fried the device!

Now that I have the WM6, how do I install the tweaks? Do I copy them to a memory card, to the cell ROM, or something else? I already downloaded "HTweakC 2.1b" but haven't done anything with it yet. What would be my next step to correctly hack the WM6 8525 that I have now? I am a novice at hacking, so talk in layman's terms and please bear with me!