Another 15 minutes » windows mobile

Howto flash your HTC Touch HD with custom ROM

Draupner — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:03:21 +0000

Ever since I noticed that TouchFlo 3D (also known as Manila) got updated on newer phones, but not on my HTC Touch HD, I have been thinking of doing it myself with one of the multiple custom ROMs available for this phone, made by enthusiasts of the Windows Mobile community. The newer versions of Manila has alot more nice functions and much better looks that I want, my phone comes with version 1.3 so it’s pretty basic. The procedure seemed a bit complicated though, and I didn’t want to risk my warranty on the phone. But after e-mailing HTC asking whether or not the HTC Touch HD (Blackstone) would ever get an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5 and newest version of Manila and they replied…

- We currently have no knowledge of any planned updates for the HD. It is unlikely to be updated to 6.5 or beyond as Microsoft have made some hardware restrictions on devices that can use 6.5 that the HD does not meet.

… I decided to go ahead with my plans, since I know that many people use Windows Mobile 6.5 and later versions of Manila on their Touch HD’s and it runs just fine. I’m gonna go for Dutty’s “Leo” ROM with Windows Mobile 6.5 and Manila 2.5, since Dutty seems to be the most popular and skilled ROM cook out there, and here’s a step-by-step guide on how I did it.

First off, let me just say that I take no responsibility in any damage done to you or your phone for following my example, just in case.

Now, you need to decide if you want to use HSPL (Hard SPL) or USPL (User SPL). USPL is a temporary upgrade in memory only, to make the change permanent (survive a reset) you should use HSPL, and so I will.

You also need to check what SPL version you have, boot the phone holding the volume down button. This will put the phone in it’s “bootloader” screen. My phone had version 1.54 and I have a 1.56+ version ROM. In order to upgrade to a custom ROM you must change your SPL to allow uncertified upgrades, such a SPL has been made by “Olinex” and you must first install/flash this to you phone.

A guide and all the files you need are found in this tutorial; http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=505377. This will explain the terms more in details if you want.

I got an error when first trying to change the SPL (connection problem), but there is a troubleshooting guide just for this scenario. The solution is to download a program file to launch on your phone instead, then flashing the new SPL worked great.

TouchFLO 3D (Manila 2.5)

Once you have the new SPL in place, you can flash any ROM you like. I chosed Dutty’s Leo R2 ROM (Windows 6.5 and Manila 2.5). Just put your phone in bootloader mode again just as before, connect the USB-cable to your computer and wait until “USB” pops up on the screen. Then just launch the “BlackstoneRUUWrapper” program which usually is distributed with each ROM package, then flash your phone as you would with an official release.

After this it’s recommended to do a hard reset/factory reset twice. Do this by holding both volume up and volume down button while turning on your phone and follow the instructions on the screen.

All set, worked great for me! Just sync back all your contacts and files, install the CABs and customize your phone again. Programs you should install one by one and test them, to make your they are working correctly with the new ROM.

To sum up:

Backup your phone using Activesync etc.
Go for HSPL method.
Flash new SPL, if it fails then use SSPL (running boot loader from phone).
When SPL version is “1.56 (Olinex)”, flash new ROM.
Hard reset.
Hard reset.
Restore backup.
Done!

Good luck! I can really recommend this if you’re getting abit tired of the same old user interface on your phone, this is close to getting a new phone, and much cheaper :).

Best applications for HTC Touch HD & Windows Mobile

Draupner — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:52:58 +0000

Here is a small collection of applications I recommend and find either very cool or useful for your HTC Touch HD or any other Windows Mobile phone. These applications will unlock hidden powers inside your phone and make it even more user friendly better looking. So here’s my list, in no particular order…

FingerKeyboard 2
This great program replaces the onscreen keyboard on your touchscreen phone with one that is very handy and good looking. You can chose keyboard colors, create shortcuts and hotkeys for often used. For example you can by only one click write a smiley. Very useful, and free.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=501122 (added 20090722)

Auto Call Recorder
This application allows you to record both incoming and outgoing calls and save them, either automatically or by asking every call.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=536472 (added 20090722)

Change Screen
This application will rotate the screen automatically and you can configure it so exempt any program you like from certain rotations that perhaps does not support landscape mode. The program is launched at startup and is hidden from task manager.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=468488 (added 20090722)

mToolbox
This program has an angle ruler, water level, light sensor and shock sensor that might come in handy sometimes. It seems abit buggy, especially the ruler when calibrating, but I think it’s worth mentioning anyway.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535944 (added 20090722)

15 tabs
This modification of the TouchFLO3D interface adds tabs like call history and calendar. It comes in many different languages but there might be some small issues with it, for example one cannot change the order of the tabs it seems.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450278 (added 20090722)

Use HTC headset to play/pause/next song
Install this program to allow yourself to play, pause and move on to the next song in the TouchFLO3D music player by using the button on the headset.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=502881 (added 20090722)

Advanced Configuration Tool
With this program you can modify alot of hidden settings in Windows Mobile that will come in very handy. This requires .NET 3.5 for Windows Mobile.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=418151 (added 20090722)

CorePlayer Mobile
This is probably the best media player for movies out there right now for Windows Mobile. If you watch alot of movies with your phone this application is probably worth it.
http://coreplayer.com/content/view/28/69/ (added 20090722)

Diamond Light Saber
The famous light saber app for Windows Mobile.
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-diamond-light-saber.html (added 20090722)

Garmin Mobile XT
This is a very good GPS navigator software that works well with Windows Mobile and HTC Touch HD. Another alternative is to you the built in Google Maps if you have a flatrate deal for data traffic with your mobile.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=138&pID=11413 (added 20090722)

StopWatch
A pretty good and nice looking stop watch. The only problem is that if the phone goes into sleep mode (screen goes black), the timer will stop or significantly slow down. So if you want to time something the screen must be on, that’s not good.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=421812 (added 20090722)

Nimbuzz
In my opinion the best and best looking instant messaging software for your mobile phone. It can handle MSN, ICQ, Facebook, Twitter and much more. Very nice interface. For my HTC Touch HD I used the CAB-file for HTC Touch Pro, worked just fine.
http://www.nimbuzz.com (added 20090724)

More apps will be added as I find them. Feel free to enter your own suggestions in the comments.