*Newbie* Custom ROM Flashing Guide
Just follow the steps start from 1. Don't skip step unless it is an optional step.
PC Requirement: Windows XP, ActiveSync
[Don't try to flash with Vista if you are new], 7zip Installed (Google it)
Connect your device to your computer and make sure the ActiveSync icon appeared on your phone before proceeding. 50% or above bettery is a must. Your phone won't charge when flashing.
1. HardSPL (A Big Big Must)
I asume you are using the original ROM from manufacture as HardSPL won't work with custom ROM.
Download HardSPL V7 from
here. Unzip the whole things. Execute the "RUUWrapper" thing and select
"Force Using SSPL". Check all the boxes in all the steps and continue with updates. Look at your phone and press "Yes" to everything that prompted. Then your phone will restart in Tri-Color mode [a.k.a bootloader] and start flashing HardSPL.
In this case if any errors appear on your computer screen before the update progress start, soft reset your phone, let it boot into Windows and start RUUWrapper again.
If error appear during flashing progress, then you might in deep hell. Try not to worry. Manually put your device into bootloader (Hold On/Off Btn + Left OK Btn, then push the soft-reset btn). Then start the RUUWrapper again.
End of the step you should see 'HardSPL 2.10Olipro' in bootloader mode.
2. Radio Flashing *Optional*
You can choose not to flash your Radio Stack if you satisfy with the existing. Additional, Radio Stack flashing is the main cause of device bricking (the death of your device)
Choose and download your Radio ROM
here. Do some research about the Radio ROM that fits you and your country. Recommended the latest 1.56.70.11. Unpack everything and you will see something similar to HardSPL (RUUWrapper).
Don't run RUUWrapper this time.
Let's do the safe way. Format your MicroSD card into FAT32 (Kill yourself if you don't know). Then copy the RUU_signed.nbh into your MicroSD. Then rename RUU_signed.nbh to
hermimg.nbh. Put your MicroSD into you phone.
Manually put your phone into bootloader mode. Then a different screen with grey background should appear shortly. Press On/Off btn to start flashing. After the process done (it will tell you when it is done, don't try to judge yourself if you feels that 50% is done), soft-reset your phone.
During flashing, put your phone aside and enjoy your coffee. Don't touch it before it ends as this is dangerous. Don't ever fail radio flashing. Careful, careful and careful.
End of this step, you should see
R 1.56.70.11 during Windows Boot.
3. Custom ROM Flashing
First, download
Dopod 838 Stripped ROM. Then unpack it. Delete your previous hermimg.nbh in MicroSD which you use to flash Radio Stack. Then copy RUU_signed.nbh from Dopod 838 Stripped ROM to your MicroSD and rename it to hermimg.nbh. Put your device into booloader and start flashing like how you flash you radio rom. After it done, give your device a Hard-Reset (Hold Left + Right softkey and press Reset. Slide you keyboard then press R and SPACE). This official ROM from Dopod is very important which need to be flashed before you flash your custom ROM.
Then the last step is get your custom ROM loaded. Download custom ROM from this forum (Recommended from TAI_sw or JoshKoss).
Then simply follow the steps in Dopod 838 Stripped ROM Flashing.
(Then copy RUU_signed.nbh from Custom ROM to your MicroSD and rename it to hermimg.nbh. Put your device into booloader and start flashing like how you flash you radio rom. After it done, give your device a Hard-Reset (Hold Left + Right softkey and press Reset. Slide you keyboard then press R and SPACE).)
Yes. I have grammar mistakes. Sorry!
That's your ROM and don't expect every ROM is stable. You will see some bugs in Custom ROM. Post your bugs at their own thread.
Anything just PM me.
Thanks
-Ziv-