Rom upgrade for vodafone HTC Hero question - Hero, G2 Touch Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I have done loads of windows mobile rom upgrades in the past, however I would like to upgrade a colleague's HTC Hero rom to Andriod version 2.1 (one of the first Heros and is on Vodafone).
1) Do you know if there is an official upgrade for this now?
2) If not, is there a reliable unofficial upgrade I can do to get this to Andriod 2.1 ? If so which Rom would you recommend.
3) What guides should I use?
Obviously I expect to use HTC sync to back everything up first etc.
Many thanks

There is no official 2.1 release for the HTC Hero, check the sticky at the top of the forum.
Are you familiar with rooting? If so, you have a few very good 2.1 ROMS that work, although come with bugs.

Many thanks for your response.
I'm not familiar with rooting on the android, do you have any links / guides on how to upgrade?
Also, what bugs come with the upgrade, anything that would make it not worthwhile?
Thankss

vicious6969 said:
Many thanks for your response.
I'm not familiar with rooting on the android, do you have any links / guides on how to upgrade?
Also, what bugs come with the upgrade, anything that would make it not worthwhile?
Thankss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps its wise to wait a few weeks for the official HTC 2.1 ROM.
I can't take THAT long anymore.

vicious6969 said:
Many thanks for your response.
I'm not familiar with rooting on the android, do you have any links / guides on how to upgrade?
Also, what bugs come with the upgrade, anything that would make it not worthwhile?
Thankss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow BTDAG's guide linked in my signature,... It has all the info a beginner could ever need.
There are a few good 2.1 ROMs available now,... and many more will come in the next week or two.
I can only personally recommend Villain6 and VillianSlide as they are the only two i have played with.... But have also heard very good things about RADUG's Vanilla Eclair, and ROBIN04's AOSP ANDROBIN. But i'd hold of testing ROBIN04's until he has implemented a new kernal, cant be a long wait for that though.

Cool,
I'm going to upgrade tomorrow.
Are there any good backup tools to backup ur emails, settings and text messages then I can restore to the new 2.1 version?
Thanks

Related

Stupid noob needs help

Hey guys !
I've been around here for many years but have allways been using Windows Mobile phones. I've had a Hero for about a year and i must say that i am very pleased with it. It works so damn good ! I've been flashing roms on windows mobile phones and even created roms my self.
However this Android / Linux world is so new to me that i have no idea what i need to do in order to simply flash a rom on my Hero!
What i get is that i need to root my device. There are some few guides for this in the wiki but i still do not know if my Hero is a Virgin og a Telus. How can i see this?
Also i see a lot of Linux based talk and commands (i presume) that i do not understand anything of. Do we have any desciption of the most common used commands and such stuff so new people like me can get a better understanding of what you guys are actually talking about?
When i learn all this i will edit the wiki with the information. And as i am new it is easier for me to fill in what is missing if you understand
.. And yes i have searched!
Da9L said:
Hey guys !
I've been around here for many years but have allways been using Windows Mobile phones. I've had a Hero for about a year and i must say that i am very pleased with it. It works so damn good ! I've been flashing roms on windows mobile phones and even created roms my self.
However this Android / Linux world is so new to me that i have no idea what i need to do in order to simply flash a rom on my Hero!
What i get is that i need to root my device. There are some few guides for this in the wiki but i still do not know if my Hero is a Virgin og a Telus. How can i see this?
Also i see a lot of Linux based talk and commands (i presume) that i do not understand anything of. Do we have any desciption of the most common used commands and such stuff so new people like me can get a better understanding of what you guys are actually talking about?
When i learn all this i will edit the wiki with the information. And as i am new it is easier for me to fill in what is missing if you understand
.. And yes i have searched!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theunlockr.com is an excellent source of information on rooting/flashing your Hero.
nprussell said:
Theunlockr.com is an excellent source of information on rooting/flashing your Hero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconded.
And when you're unlocked, check out Villain and Vanillain ROM's (check out previous post), definitely two of the best
if you want to know if your phone is rooted download and install "Super user" and run it,you will then know if your phone is rooted or not.
I,like you,was a WM user and found android to be more complicated,but in fact it´s not...once you root your phone and install Amon-RA recovery ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4549551&postcount=1 ) its much easier and simple to do things.
theres a sticky in this sub-forum with wiki-guides,read it!
Branwen said:
Seconded.
And when you're unlocked, check out Villain and Vanillain ROM's (check out previous post), definitely two of the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True used a lot those roms.
Waiting patiently for a Vanillain rom based in eris dump.
Right now im still using AychTeeSee's just to be able to use the Buuf Theme
I'm in the exact same situation as Da9L . Could you please let me know if flashing a new ROM will also change the Firmware version?
Currently my firmware is 1.5. I've seen on a friend's G1 the voice search widget and I'm dying to get that on my device. From what I've been told, i need to get a newer firmware, but I've got no idea on how to do this.
Any help would be appreciated ^_^
Some questions:
So the short line of the process of flashing a custom rom is when using unbranded htc hero:
1. Downgrade my software to 1.76, as iam using the newest
2. Root the device acording to _this_ guide
3. Perform a backup
4. Flash the custom rom as i flash a stock rom?
Is that it? It leads me to some more questions
What is this "recovery image" and is there any reason to flash a new one?
And why is there any reason to change this at all ?
How do i get danish xt9 for sms?
And please i have a feeling that i am getting this wrong.. Can you please explain to me the procedure of doing all this ?
Is there any benefit by flashing a rom?
I mean the stock rom actually runs pretty good and is stable. A custom rom is likely to be a little more unstable than a stock rom, but often give you more speed and newer features. This is when we are talking Windows Mobile, but is it the same here? What are the pros and cons by flashing a custom rom over the stock rom?
Da9L said:
Is there any benefit by flashing a rom?
I mean the stock rom actually runs pretty good and is stable. A custom rom is likely to be a little more unstable than a stock rom, but often give you more speed and newer features. This is when we are talking Windows Mobile, but is it the same here? What are the pros and cons by flashing a custom rom over the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It varies depending on the ROM tbh. It's a bit like the high-tech version of 'how long's a piece of string'?
Really, you're likely to get improved performance, root permissions, user interface tweaks, different versions of applications that are better than the default ones, maybe a custom kernel (if it's a 1.5 release you're looking at).
The custom kernels can have better performance due to optimisations in them. Not sure how much of this is like winmo (never had a winmo phone, all I know is that you are able to install alternative ROMs on them), but with android the core OS is open source, so you get more performance boosts under the hood.
Anyone able to add to that?
anon2122 said:
It varies depending on the ROM tbh. It's a bit like the high-tech version of 'how long's a piece of string'?
Really, you're likely to get improved performance, root permissions, user interface tweaks, different versions of applications that are better than the default ones, maybe a custom kernel (if it's a 1.5 release you're looking at).
The custom kernels can have better performance due to optimisations in them. Not sure how much of this is like winmo (never had a winmo phone, all I know is that you are able to install alternative ROMs on them), but with android the core OS is open source, so you get more performance boosts under the hood.
Anyone able to add to that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds great. However, since this is so new to me i do not know what new tweaks and apps i will be able to use and get if you follow me? When i have flashed a new custom rom, propably android 2.1, i do not know what new things it has and therefore where and how to use these new functions. And does the real advantage in a custom rom also get to a normal user or is the advantages more directed at the developers or?

Stupid question?

Hi all
I'm a complete newbie to the Android, but in the four weeks I've had the HTC Hero, I've set up email, downloaded loads of apps etc, but I've started to notice some problems.
I was advised to upgrade from Android 1.5 to Android 1.6 ahead of the upcoming release of 2.1, but I want to backup all my apps, email settings, messages, etc. so I don't have to start again after the upgrade.
I've been reading through the forums for a few days, and can't find a simple guide. I've found a lot about "root" but nothing about what root is! (As I said, I'm a complete newbie)
Any chance someone could post an idiots guide?
Many thanks
You know...The problem doesn't even exist!! Are you happier than before huh? ...Why? What? Didn't you know? F***ing HTC won't release ANY 2.1 update for our Heroes until 26th of April! Oh sure, you could upgrade to 1.6 but....NO! You can't! Because HTC has decided that 1.6 upgrade will never be released! Oooorrr...You could read some guide about "rooting" your Hero and installing a custom rom This is the best and quickest way to get 2.1 features without waiting for official HTC upgrade. Even because when the new firmware will be released maybe there won't be the possibility of rooting again the phone! So you're forced to use stock rom! And if you don't like it...Well...go to hell! XD (By HTC, not by me obviously...). I can only suggest you some "short" readings and a particular 2.1 rom:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superuser (aka root user)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=654030 (The most stable and fastest 2.1 rom at the moment)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=561124 (The most powerful and friendly modded recovery)
So read, read and read! Then, when you think you're ready, try to root your Hero, if you're not able to do it maybe you've got a perfect SPL...But this is another story...
Oh..and (google)search, (google)search, (google)search //A sort of casting....
+1 MARDURHACK.
A few more things here,...
Have a read of What Can I Do With Root - INFO
Then check out [Guide] Newbie Guide to Install a Custom Rom
....Then when you get to the bit about installing your custom ROM, use the link that MARDURHACK provided if you want to try out a 2.1 ROM. Or you can have a look at the other ROMs available in the development section here at XDA.
I had my Hero for about 3 weeks but wanted a 100% stable ROM, so have opted for the MODACO 3.2 ROM. It is Android 1.5, not 2.1. You can get that from HTC Hero section @ MoDaCo.com
.... I can confirm, its the dogs bollocks!

noob questions (upgrading)

Hi, I've done tons of Windows mobile upgrades in the past but despite reading through the posts on here, I'm still stuck.
1) I have a HTC Hero (UK Vodafone with the original rom) and want to upgrade to 2.1 in the quickest / smoothest way
2) I'm not bothered about keeping anything at all on the phone
3) Can I use one of official HTC 2.1 roms? If so, will that be easier? i.e. will I need 'rooted' ROMS etc?
Many thanks
vicious6969 said:
Hi, I've done tons of Windows mobile upgrades in the past but despite reading through the posts on here, I'm still stuck.
1) I have a HTC Hero (UK Vodafone with the original rom) and want to upgrade to 2.1 in the quickest / smoothest way
2) I'm not bothered about keeping anything at all on the phone
3) Can I use one of official HTC 2.1 roms? If so, will that be easier? i.e. will I need 'rooted' ROMS etc?
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are remotely interested in rooting or using custom software, then DON'T TOUCH OFFICIAL UPDATES. If you install an official HTC update, you won't be able to root again.
TBH, you are better installing a rooted custom ROM. If you choose to go down this route, you have come to the right place.
In terms of ROMs which are very close to the official HTC update (ie. have HTC Sense), take a look at (in no particular order, all are pretty similar)
VillainROM 10.2
Cronos 1.x (can't remember what is latest version)
42Turkey's ROM
Modaco Custom ROM 4.0
etc.
or just browse round the site till something takes your fancy.
Thread moved to Q&A.
and use BTDAG's guide linked in my signature for step by step instructions on how to do it.
Many thanks for all your help.
I followed it to the letter (using gold card method)
and it worked a treat.
Used Villain Rom in the end.
I've flashed loads of windows mobiles and iphones before but never an android device. This was my boss's phone so was a bit nervous.
It's certainly more complicated than flashing windows or iphones but just as satisfying!
Cheers
Now you'v done the hard leg work it'l be much easier for your boss from now on.

[Q] Flashing New Radio

I just purchased a 512Leo Hd2, unbranded SPL 1.42. Now this site has been an amazing resource. I have been thinking about flashing a new ROM but I'm not sure about it yet. To tell you the truth I don't really mind the stock HTC ROM. However, I'm dying to run Android 2.2, problem being is that my radio version is 2.06.51.07 now from what I understand that version won't allow me to run Android. And I've tried it, Linux starts to load and either it freezes or the screen slowly blacks out. I've tried the formatting and it doesn't work. So my ? is this. After running HSPL, also don't know which one to run 1,2 or 3?, will the stock ROM still be there? IN which case I can then go ahead ad flash a radio version that will allow me to run Android? Or do I have to find a stock ROM from somewhere and load that? Can I save the ROM version that is on my phone now then reload it? How do I do that? If someone c an fill these blanks in for me I'd appreciate it!
Cheers
htchtchd2 said:
my radio version is 2.06.51.07 now from what I understand that version won't allow me to run Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
htchtchd2 said:
don't know which one to run 1,2 or 3?, will the stock ROM still be there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing HSPL will do absolutely nothing to your ROM. It simply unlocks the phones SPL and allows the flashing of non-branded or unofficial ROMs.
More about HSPL 1&2 and HSPL 3
Which one you need depends on your device. I think HSPL3 might work for all but to be honest I've never bothered to look at it since I have HSPL2 and it works for me.
htchtchd2 said:
IN which case I can then go ahead ad flash a radio version that will allow me to run Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can. One of THESE will do the trick.
htchtchd2 said:
Or do I have to find a stock ROM from somewhere and load that? Can I save the ROM version that is on my phone now then reload it? How do I do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android works perfectly for me on my stock ROM with radio 2.12.50 For some people, the stock ROM does not work so the short answer is: "it depends". I say try a new radio ROM, leave the stock ROM alone and see if it works. If not, then look into flashing a custom ROM also. As for saving your current ROM, that's a bit more tricky, and more trouble than it's worth since you can find pretty much all the stock roms in the rom development threads such as THIS one.
If you have any other questions or need more clarification ask away (or PM me).
One more thing about flashing ROMS... Use caution and ask questions if you are unsure about something. Make sure you read and understand the threads dedicated to flashing in the links provided... Otherwise, you will have an expensive paper weight on your hands.
Faelok said:
One more thing about flashing ROMS... Use caution and ask questions if you are unsure about something. Make sure you read and understand the threads dedicated to flashing in the links provided... Otherwise, you will have an expensive paper weight on your hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
I've been reading all your posts and i have a similar problem with my Leo.
I'm new at this so i am affraid to, like you said, have an "expensive paper weight".
I tried running the "FLASHAHOLIC RUU.." via USB but it keeps hanging while running task29. I then tried the official HTC web site but i doesnt work either.
I baght my device on amazon so it comes with WWE and o want to change it to Portuguese specially because of some keybord letters like "ç" for example.
Can you please give me a step by step guide so i can instal a new rom?
Thanks in advance.
Bitas said:
Hi!
I've been reading all your posts and i have a similar problem with my Leo.
I'm new at this so i am affraid to, like you said, have an "expensive paper weight".
I tried running the "FLASHAHOLIC RUU.." via USB but it keeps hanging while running task29. I then tried the official HTC web site but i doesnt work either.
I baght my device on amazon so it comes with WWE and o want to change it to Portuguese specially because of some keybord letters like "ç" for example.
Can you please give me a step by step guide so i can instal a new rom?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything you need to know - about flashing the HD2 - * HERE * (to the Mods, andchange this vauable info can be made a sticky in the ROM section?)

Noob looking for a path to follow - what to get

I have an HTC EVO 4G LTE loaded with DigitalKarma that I bought from a friend.
When I look at Software Information it says that the Android version is 2.3.5 which I believe is what the phone launched with. The Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE spec page on this site says that it's Android 4.0.3. Should I infer that I could just upgrade to Android 4.0.3 rather than a mod?
I'm looking for the latest greatest stable mod out there but I'm not finding any reviews or anything. What mod(s) would you recommend for someone that never wants to change mods again? These mods fall into different families that I know nothing about yet, so suggestions for mods of the different types might be good. Mods that seem to stand out in my searching are Dirty Unicorns, Beanstalk, and Viper 4G.
I'm not a developer or tester or anything; I'm just a guy that wants a good end user experience without a lot of complication and heartache.
Thanks people.
I must have asked a touchy question. The internet is too full of opinions to not yield one after a few hours. Let me start over:
It looks like my choices are Sense based (stock?) or AOSP based. People seem to be very happy with some of the AOSP roms but I've also seen that there have been problems with camera functions and menu buttons. Are there any AOSP builds out there that have solved these problems? And to what extent? Perhaps sense based is better for a noob like myself. I've read of some Sense based roms being as configurable as AOSP roms.
Most of what I have read about OSs for the 4G LTE were written before 2013. I get the impression that development has stopped for many of the mods that are out there. Maybe they were complete, or maybe the developers got new phones; idk. I'm looking for ROMS that are the most fully developed. I don't want to install a ROM that stopped development before it could reach its full potential (lacking features that hadn't been figured out at the time).
Do you have any suggestions on which mods I should try? Tell me what you like about them if you can. Or tell me that I'm a dumb ass and that I should've searched the forums and found the thread where someone asked the same exact question last week.
Thank you everyone. If it wasn't for you developers I probably wouldn't be able to have a smart phone at all.
Hartlus said:
It looks like my choices are Sense based (stock?) or AOSP based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO, Sense is the most stable on this device. The last official RUU that HTC released was 4.3. You'll find all the instructions you'll need in my guide down in my sig. There are more current Lollipop roms you can flash, but aren't as stable.
IMO, Sense is the most stable on this device. The last official RUU that HTC released was 4.3. You'll find all the instructions you'll need in my guide down in my sig. There are more current Lollipop roms you can flash, but aren't as stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't done anything yet but this helps a lot. Thanks also for the version recommendation.
I have one more question regarding the process. Since someone has already loaded DigitalKarma on this phone, should I follow one of the guides from the beginning of the process? Are there different instructions for a phone that's already been flashed?
Hartlus said:
I haven't done anything yet but this helps a lot. Thanks also for the version recommendation.
I have one more question regarding the process. Since someone has already loaded DigitalKarma on this phone, should I follow one of the guides from the beginning of the process? Are there different instructions for a phone that's already been flashed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what you want to accomplish. I suggest that you follow the guide from the beginning. The 4.3 RUU has an updated partition table for the phone which newer roms use. By flashing the RUU, you will unroot your phone. The rest of the guide will get you back to root. It's a little bit of work, but it should be fairly simple since the guide walks you through it all. If you really don't want the stability issues of Lollipop right now, there are quite a few stable KitKat roms that are really good.

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