Skeptical questions about upgrade to WM6 - 8525, TyTN, MDA Vario II, JasJam Software Upgradin

Hey guys,
I've been searching through these forums a little bit for the past couple of weeks thinking about upgrading my Cingular 8525 to WM6. However, I'm a little skepitcal of a few things. I downloaded the official WM6 release from HTC's website. Their instructions said that once this version is flashed, you can't rollback. Is there anyway I can preserve a copy of my current WM5 Cingular branded ROM so that I can just restore it back incase I don't like WM6? I'll probably like it once I flash to it, but I just have that natural feeling of being a little skeptical since this phone means a lot.
Here's my current ROM information:
ROM Version: 1.34.502.1
ROM date: 09/21/06
Radio version: 1.16.00.00
Protocol version: 32.53.7018.01H
Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0 OS 5.1.195 (Build 14955.2.3.0)
So I guess my basic question here is, how can I make a backup copy of my Cingular branded WM5 before flashing to WM6? I don't want the AT&T branded WM5 if I decide to go back. Also, should I go with the WM6 from HTC's website, or should I choose one from here?
Thanks.

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SimplyDrew said:
Hey guys,
I've been searching through these forums a little bit for the past couple of weeks thinking about upgrading my Cingular 8525 to WM6. However, I'm a little skepitcal of a few things. I downloaded the official WM6 release from HTC's website. Their instructions said that once this version is flashed, you can't rollback. Is there anyway I can preserve a copy of my current WM5 Cingular branded ROM so that I can just restore it back incase I don't like WM6? I'll probably like it once I flash to it, but I just have that natural feeling of being a little skeptical since this phone means a lot.
Here's my current ROM information:
ROM Version: 1.34.502.1
ROM date: 09/21/06
Radio version: 1.16.00.00
Protocol version: 32.53.7018.01H
Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0 OS 5.1.195 (Build 14955.2.3.0)
So I guess my basic question here is, how can I make a backup copy of my Cingular branded WM5 before flashing to WM6? I don't want the AT&T branded WM5 if I decide to go back. Also, should I go with the WM6 from HTC's website, or should I choose one from here?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to roll back, install HardSPLv7. you can flash any rom you want (as long as it's compatable with the 8525 variations)
If you want to keep your settings, use spb backup to do a full backup (you get 5 free backups, and after you flash it cant tell the difference) so that if you reinstall the stock att wm5 2.15 rom, you can put it back the way it was in minutes.
if you dont want the att wm5, then if you have hardsplv2 then you can put any one you want, you'll just have to reinstall all your progams/ redo your settings.
You can use activesync for your contacts and calendar and put those back on any rom. I use spb backup for most but nscontactbackup works great across roms (spb doesnt always play well when going to a new rom)
Do some reading around here and you'll discover the endless possibilities....
Personally I love Vp3g's att rom. All the good stuff without the bloat, and a LOT of storage!

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I had no problem downgrading or upgrading my hermes you just need to install hardspl by olipro first. I have installed that rom then didnt like it so reinstalled wm5 ,didnt like that so installed itsrights tnt rom for hermes which is wm6 and works superb. So basically as long as you flash hardspl or cid unlock then you will be fine
@ the last poster you beat me to it, because i went to make a coffee lol

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Thanks for the quick reply. Can you supply me download links for HardSPLv7 spb backup? I'm just really concerned about preserving my Cingular branded WM5 version for safe keeping. Currently I don't have a data plan and have this "Data Connect ISP - No charge" feature on my phone that allows me to get my 8525 on the Internet at not monthly charge. Someone told me that it was a design flaw in the software and that the device performs no data authentication, and if I upgraded I'd lose that functionality. Don't know if that's true or not.
So basically I'll install HardSPLv7 on my phone and it will retain a copy of my WM5 on the phone or on my computer? I want to retain all my settings and my current WM5 ROM so if I want to flash back to what I have now, it's easily doable.

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ok.. you've GOT to do some reading around here before you take the n00b plunge! HardSPLv7 and SPB Backup are different things....
SPB backup is at http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com
hard splv7 is a sticky on the upgrading sub forum.. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=296722
now the tough part....
saving the exact version of the rom on your phone (i don't believe it's possible.)
again your best bet is to redownload the version you are running currently and then doing a full spb backup of your phone. if you don't like what you have then it should put it all back just the way it was, including data settings.
PS- thats friggin sweet how you get data without a data plan! wish I had that!

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hardspl is here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=296722
at the bottom of the first post
spb backup is here
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/download.html?en
as for your old rom you should have that on cd or you will be able to download it from there website as spb backup will simply backup the data that is on the storage part of your rom not the Windows OS

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intrglctcrevfnk said:
ok.. you've GOT to do some reading around here before you take the n00b plunge!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know I'm going to tomorrow so I have a good idea of what I'm getting into before I wind up totally screwing my phone up. I just wanted to get a broad idea of the backup/restore methods before I got into anything too major.
intrglctcrevfnk said:
again your best bet is to redownload the version you are running currently and then doing a full spb backup of your phone. if you don't like what you have then it should put it all back just the way it was, including data settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, this is where I get a little lost. "Redownload the version you are running currently" Where can I get that from? I haven't been able to find an original WM5 ROM that is Cingular branded instead of AT&T branded.
cousemartin said:
as for your old rom you should have that on cd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to dig out the CD that came with my 8525, but I don't remember that being on there. It seemed like it was only the ActiveSync installation. I'll check tomorrow.
As to what WM6 version to install, I think I'm leaning towards the "Windows Mobile VI Pro - BLACK 3.0.1" ROM I saw on here. It looks really sleek. Is that a good one, or can I just install the one you're running, intrglctcrevfnk, and add that theme and whatnot?
I've been reading about the different radio versions and what not, and bad battery life, so I'm wishy washy.

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here is a link to the cingular roms if you cant find them
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Hermes_Upgrades
just find out from your device what version you have and you will be good to go

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Yeah! Good job! We all start somewhere!
Above post should take you to all the roms. HTC removed the 2.15 rom right before they put up the wm6 rom.
It looks like you want the 1.34 rom (that was the cingular rom that came with the phone originally), should be there.
Here's the thread for the 1.34 rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=278386
Here's the link to rapidshare for the rom: http://rapidshare.com/files/17338966/RUU_HER_Cingular_1.34.502.1_1.16.00.00_wwe_cws_ship.exe
I tried Black Majik, but found it troublesome...
All of schaps' roms are great.
I went on a rom spree but I really liked vp3g's... had the att feel without all the bloat.
And yes, you can put any rom you want on and then download a .tsk skin file and change the bars and menus and background to what you want.

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Mine question is similar, i have Cingular 8525 with Cingular WM5 rom, but my device is bought unlocked, and I want to put WM6. Is it enough to put HardSPL, then when its done, to put official HTC WM6 rom, or there are more actions necessary? I know this has probably been covered in many topics, but I didnt find a definite answer, plus there isn't an official HTC reseller/supporter in my country, so nowhere to go if I brick my phone.

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Highl1 said:
Mine question is similar, i have Cingular 8525 with Cingular WM5 rom, but my device is bought unlocked, and I want to put WM6. Is it enough to put HardSPL, then when its done, to put official HTC WM6 rom, or there are more actions necessary? I know this has probably been covered in many topics, but I didnt find a definite answer, plus there isn't an official HTC reseller/supporter in my country, so nowhere to go if I brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check out THIS LINK . No extra steps. That simple.
Of course, I probably wouldn't recommend the official WM6 release, but I know some people prefer to go that way.

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so what one would you suggest, like being most stable, no bugs etc? I don't need extra apps built in the rom, just regular one

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As "official" a ROM as your gonna get here
If you want to keep the look and feel of the official ATT ROM, but take out the bloat then i think vp3G is the one for you. The best part is you can try any/all of them. Once you go hacked you never go back. I tried nearly all of them. I didn't bother backing up as i looked at it as a test drive, when i found the one i liked i stayed with it. Although i did have Schaps's for a while i ended up with vp3G's. Something about the ATT branding.
vp3G ROM thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334946
Some important notes
You will have to upgrade your radio at or above 1.48

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I'm not into AT&T, cause I am not that user and I don't need their GPRS and other settings, I was thinking more of some modification of official HTC WM6 rom, if there are any?

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Highl1 said:
I'm not into AT&T, cause I am not that user and I don't need their GPRS and other settings, I was thinking more of some modification of official HTC WM6 rom, if there are any?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really cannot go wrong lately. Most of the current cooked ROM's are very stable. I most recently used vp3G's as well, but I know that most are very solid. If you do not care about AT&T, then definitely don't use the official AT&T ROM - lot's of AT&T bloat - you will hate it. I know that many users like Schaps also. I tested one of his a while back and it was great. I have not tested many of the most recent batch.
edit: OK, I am dumb. Just noticed you said official HTC WM6, not official AT&T WM6. Cool. Anyway, most of the cooked ROMs have updated versions of apps from other devices that make the cooked ROMs superior to the official Hermes releases. It is not usually about extra apps, but about the latest and greatest versions of the core apps. Give any one a try, you can always change.

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Thanks a bunch for all this answers

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before you flash
go to mr vanx's guides. Follow his instructions for flashing, and you will be fine. this is the least risky way to flash that i have encountered. You may also want to download RUU 5.2.Do a search, and you will find it. The link to mr vanx's guide is in vp3g's signature in the first one or two posts. I think you will find vp3g's roms to have the most polished oem feel without all of att's garbage. Also, in this last version he created a full version that you can easily remove umwanted aps from.
DO NOT flash without hardspl installed. It is the smoothest, most reliable way to recover your device in the event of a bad flash.
Make sure your computer will not be interupted during the flash process.
Have fun

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intrglctcrevfnk said:
Yeah! Good job! We all start somewhere!
Above post should take you to all the roms. HTC removed the 2.15 rom right before they put up the wm6 rom.
It looks like you want the 1.34 rom (that was the cingular rom that came with the phone originally), should be there.
Here's the thread for the 1.34 rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=278386
Here's the link to rapidshare for the rom: http://rapidshare.com/files/17338966/RUU_HER_Cingular_1.34.502.1_1.16.00.00_wwe_cws_ship.exe
I tried Black Majik, but found it troublesome...
All of schaps' roms are great.
I went on a rom spree but I really liked vp3g's... had the att feel without all the bloat.
And yes, you can put any rom you want on and then download a .tsk skin file and change the bars and menus and background to what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link to the 1.34 ROM. It seems to be the exact one that I have right now, so if I want to downgrade, that will be perfect.
I'm downloading vp3g's latest ROM as well. However, how do I get the black theme from Black Majik theme? Do I just download the copy to my computer and extract it out of the file or do I actually have to load the ROM on my phone?

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Black Theme
There are a couple of black themes here that i posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1644791#post1644791

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scousemartin said:
There are a couple of black themes here that i posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1644791#post1644791
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that link. However, I'm looking for this exact thing:
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"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
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I went ahead and sync'd my 8525, and I got kind of frustrated with that, considering it took all my Outlook contacts and imported them to my phone and also put all my phone numbers from my phone into my Outlook contacts. So now I have at least 100 numbers to delete from Outlook I didn't want. I wanted it to just export one big backup file. So I downloaded SpbBackup and it did about a 7MB backup file. But now it has that annoying icon on my Today screen.
Is there anyway to easily extract that Black Majik theme? I know it's a very minor thing at the moment.