[TUT] Flashing your first ROM? - A guide

---

UPDATE REGARDING FLASHING OF HARDSPL - Specifically the error message "we have detected that you appear to already have unlocked another device"
- contact with the creators of HSPL has been established.
- If you have EVER used HardSPL before (on any phone BUT the one you're trying to flash) you will need to request another "license"
- OliNex will provide up to 2 or 3 licenses, but more than that is deemed commercial and you will have to purchase them thereafter.
- If you are sure you have NEVER flashed HardSPL before, then please standby until I get more information from OliNex, regarding steps we can take to resolve any conflicts.
- more to come.

Dear all,
i mentioned to some people a while back that I could send them detailed instructions via PM, helping them install their first custom ROM (available from our many fine cooks and chefs here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=486)

Now, quite a few have been pm'ing me since, asking for help, so i thought i'd make a public post for all those who are wanting to flash their phones, but are scared or uncertain of making that first step.

SO, in as simple a way as possible, here we go:

INSTALLING HARDSPL 1.83:
(note: YOU CAN NOT INSTALL HardSPL via SD Card!!!! YOU HAVE TO USE ACTIVESYNC via USB!)

- Make sure your phone is fully charged and your data backed up!!!
- Download HardSPL 1.83 from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=520312
- the page i linked does contain instructions, but i'll summarise:
1) connect your phone to your pc using ActiveSync (NOT the DiskDrive connection)
2) Make sure you have an active internet connection
3) run Topaz-HardSPL_V5_00R5.exe from your PC and follow the steps HardSPL prompts you with (incase your antivirus says something, trust me, there is no virus)
4) Press OK when asked to wait
5) everything will continue automatically (if an error pops up, STOP and mail me with your error)
6) you will see your phone jump to a tri coloured screen eventually. anything displayed on screen will be automated (again, any errors here...well let's hope you don't get any)
7) Your device will automatically reboot and you have HardSPL 1.83

Now, let's make sure it installed correctly!
- switch off your phone.
- hold down the Volume - button (minus/volume down) and press the power button. This will take you to the famous Bootloader mode. Here you should see the word Olinex somewhere. If you do, YAY, softreset your phone (the little red button under the battery cover)
- if NOT: send me a message

!!!IMPORTANT!!! You only have to do the HardSPL installation ONCE After completing the above, you can simply proceed with the following steps from now on.



OK! Now you have the means to install the ROM you want!

Step ZERO: - Connect your phone via activesync -> open My Computer -> double click on your diamond 2 -> You will now see two folders. One is internal memory, the other is your storage card -> right click on your storage card -> properties -> look for the words FAT 32 -> If it says that, proceed with "Choose your ROM!!!" below.

If it DOESN'T say FAT 32, then do the following:
- close that window and right click on your storage card again. Now click format (REMEMBER TO BACKUP)
- select FAT 32 as your File System (NOT NTFS) and then click format
- once that is complete, you may proceed with the next steps below.

Choose your ROM!!!! (I am a Dutty fan, so that's the first one i'm going to recommend...however, the method of flashing stays the same)

Once you have downloaded your chosen ROM, make sure you have the following files: TOPAIMG.nbh and TopazRUUWrapper.exe

there are TWO ways of flashing: (again, please make sure your phone is fully charged)
Method one:
- Copy the TOPAIMG.nbh file into the ROOT directory of your storage card (NOT onto your phone). (Root directory means as soon as you double click on the storage card, THAT place, that's the root directory...some people call it base directory)
- switch off your phone and enter bootloader mode (read how to in the HardSPL section above)
- You will now come to a white screen with blue writing.
- It should tell you that you can continue flashing by pressing the power button.
Once that is pressed, you sit back and wait till your phone is flashed!

watch this for help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbRboNeo2XE
(credit to wadialdoor)


Method 2:
ALTERNATIVE WAY OF FLASHING YOUR ROM WITH RUU.exe

- Turn off your device by using the Power Button
- Go to Boot loader mode. Push and hold Vol. Down and press the Power button.
- Connect your device to PC (with activesync, yes it works even if your phone is not "fully" on)
- Run the TopazRUUWrapper.exe and follow the screen instructions.

Whichever method you choose, once you get the message that everything was successful, open your battery cover and press the red reset button once. THEN, as soon as you have entered your pin code and your phone is on, switch it off :P
Now hold volume up (+) AND volume down (-) and press the power button. You are thereby doing a "Hard Reset".

Once that is done, CONGRATULATIONS! your new ROM is ready to go!!!

I hope this proves useful to some!

-Simon

Good and Clear

Thanks for including some missing points which some of our members missed/or/got questions during flshing (first flash ).

Thanks.

great job. it will be very helpful for the first time flashers

Sorry for the double post dont know what hapend!

great job. it will be very helpful for the first time flashers

Another tip fort first-time flashers:

Do not forget your silk underwear and trenchcoat!

Seriously though, this is a great simple guide for newbies like me. I'm still in the process of exploring the standard WinMo 6.5 as well as Manila, trying to decide what I want as it is and what I want differently.

Hey guys, if you are having trouble with some of the content in this guide, please check out my other "pre-guide guide" over here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...13#post4963913

also, if you have any questions, you can post them THERE (above link) as i would like to use that post as a Q and A place (and not my inbox :P )

Thanks for all the help, ive sucessfully installed my first ROM
Very helpful, The pre-guide and this.. both helped a LOT.
Thanks

One more thing, do i have to do the HardSPL 1.83 flashing part everytime i want to install a new ROM, or is that enough if its done once, and then only do the RUU.exe from the pc?

Originally Posted by Drag-On

Once you have downloaded your chosen ROM, make sure you have the following files: TOPAIMG.nbh and TopazRUUWrapper.exe

there are TWO ways of flashing: (again, please make sure your phone is fully charged)
Method one:
- Copy the TOPAIMG.nbh file into the ROOT directory of your storage card (NOT onto your phone). (Root directory means as soon as you double click on the storage card, THAT place, that's the root directory...some people call it base directory)
- switch off your phone and enter bootloader mode (read how to in the HardSPL section above)
- You will now come to a white screen with blue writing.
- It should tell you that you can continue flashing by pressing the power button.
Once that is pressed, you sit back and wait till your phone is flashed!

watch this for help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbRboNeo2XE
(credit to wadialdoor)


-Simon

Only one thing, the SD must be formatted in FAT 32

Originally Posted by htcdiamond8

Thanks for all the help, ive sucessfully installed my first ROM
Very helpful, The pre-guide and this.. both helped a LOT.
Thanks

One more thing, do i have to do the HardSPL 1.83 flashing part everytime i want to install a new ROM, or is that enough if its done once, and then only do the RUU.exe from the pc?

I am very glad you managed to get it all working!

the answer to your question: NO HardSPL is done and over with, you only have to do it once. I will update this in the guide, to reflect the once off HardSPL'ing.

Also, thanks rspillo:

Originally Posted by rspillo

Only one thing, the SD must be formatted in FAT 32

i will update this too.

Excellent guide, I wish I have seen it before flashing my first ROM, it is always comforting to have a step-by-step guide to follow even if the process is quite simple.

After some research on xda, I have followed the same steps you mention, and the ROMS are working perfectly, so I guess I have done it right....still there was some anxiousness at the end of the flash that is not mentioned in your guide: HardSPL stop telling flashing the ROM went OK, but never reboot....basically, to reboot it i am forced to use the soft reset button behind the back cover, all the hardware buttons including power button are not responsive. This is worrying for a first timer and should be mentioned somewhere (or is it just me, the normal behavior is auto-reboot?)

Other thing worth mentioning in your guide is the hard reset after a flash: you may add that it s advisable to do, and explain how to do it (power off, then power up while holding volume-up AND volume-down pressed simultaneously). This has taken me 2 customs ROM to figure out ;)

Originally Posted by gkai

Other thing worth mentioning in your guide is the hard reset after a flash: you may add that it s advisable to do, and explain how to do it (power off, then power up while holding volume-up AND volume-down pressed simultaneously). This has taken me 2 customs ROM to figure out ;)

I did not know this thanks for this