Firmware upgrade for T-Mobile Hero - Hero, G2 Touch General

Hi
I just got unlocked HTC Hero. I'm unable to download firmware upgrade from HTC because (as far as I understand) the phone is T-Mobile branded.
Will I be able to upgrade after I root it?
Can I use firmware posted at this link?
Thanks.

I also want to know this...
But I believe (don't take it for granted) that you can simply use one of the original RUU files on that link and update your Hero with them. No need to root it or anything... This is what I think, I'm not sure about it.

Well, since there are other people interested to know I will answer my own question.
I just successfully rooted and upgraded my T-Mobile Hero to Modaco custom ROM providing a great improvement to UI speed (and many other things I'm not yet aware). I used the following guides from The Unlockr.com for rooting and upgrading:
http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-root-your-htc-hero-in-one-click/
http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-load-a-custom-rom-on-your-htc-hero/

I appreciate it, thanks

Hey Jackhab,
Appreciate the postback with the solution to your own problem but was wondering how old your Hero was? I've just ordered one from Tmob which I expect to arrive tomorrow and am wondering if the steps will be as simple for me.
Not sure where you live but I'm in the UK so just hoping they don't come already updated.

Why not go to the t-mobile forum and all your answers including links to correct firmwares are there!
T.mobile.co.u.k - we are all on there!

Killian12321 said:
Hey Jackhab,
Appreciate the postback with the solution to your own problem but was wondering how old your Hero was? I've just ordered one from Tmob which I expect to arrive tomorrow and am wondering if the steps will be as simple for me.
Not sure where you live but I'm in the UK so just hoping they don't come already updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine a couple of weeks ago on eBay from some guy in California, the device is from Germany and I live in Israel (quite a trip this poor cell phone made ). I don't think you'll have any troubles with yours as long as you follow the *written* instruction (the videos are good to get the idea in general).
I also noticed this Unlockr guy(s) is a very nice person and answers to every single comment people post (see comments below the videos) so even if you do have a problem he/she will be ready to help.
Just two things to note.
First, the upgrade erases *all* your settings so don't spend days customizing it's GUI (it's so easy with Hero) just to find you need to do all over again. Upgrade as soon as you can. It will also give you better UI experience.
Second, I tried to be smart and backed up the system settings with MyBackup application. After I restored them the phone went into an endless boot and I had to go through upgrade again. If you need only backup non-system settings, bookmarks and such.

@jackhab
T Mobile ROM as in the sticky thread should be fine but if you are after rooting your device than it is poinless as you may be flashing your choice of rom......most probably MCR....

Lord Lucan said:
@jackhab
T Mobile ROM as in the sticky thread should be fine but if you are after rooting your device than it is poinless as you may be flashing your choice of rom......most probably MCR....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I used MoDaCo but since I have a choice now what would you recommend? Is there such thing as "the best ROM for HTC Hero"?

choccy31 said:
Why not go to the t-mobile forum and all your answers including links to correct firmwares are there!
T.mobile.co.u.k - we are all on there!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean the forum at http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/?
Can you show me the links?

jackhab said:
Do you mean the forum at http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/?
Can you show me the links?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click here
Download here

jackhab said:
Thanks, I used MoDaCo but since I have a choice now what would you recommend? Is there such thing as "the best ROM for HTC Hero"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once recovery flashed ,you can happily flash 2.8, which is excellent.
And after that dont forget to update radio with latest for excellent results.

Lord Lucan said:
Once recovery flashed ,you can happily flash 2.8, which is excellent.
And after that dont forget to update radio with latest for excellent results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I have 2.9. Are you saying 2.8 is better? And, by the way, what are the things radio updates improve? Is it something noticeable at all?

justbabu said:
Click here
Download here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just looked at this....
What is included in the latest download from T-M?

Amdathlonuk said:
I've just looked at this....
What is included in the latest download from T-M?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing new, I was just giving the links to jackhab.

Lord Lucan said:
Once recovery flashed ,you can happily flash 2.8, which is excellent.
And after that dont forget to update radio with latest for excellent results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stick to it! All MCR are super.
Upgraded radio will be better than last one for signal strength etc.

jackhab said:
Well, since there are other people interested to know I will answer my own question.
I just successfully rooted and upgraded my T-Mobile Hero to Modaco custom ROM providing a great improvement to UI speed (and many other things I'm not yet aware). I used the following guides from The Unlockr.com for rooting and upgrading:
http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-root-your-htc-hero-in-one-click/
http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-load-a-custom-rom-on-your-htc-hero/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info here.

Related

New G2 Touch (Hero) - need your help.

Hi guys,
I have got my G2 Touch (Hero) sat at home waiting for me and cannot wait to get back and play with it.
I was hoping you guys could help me with the following questions though:
1. How do I know if I should bother rooting it or not? If I root at a later date will I lose all of my other stuff on the phone?
2. How do I know if I have Donut on my phone and if I don't, should I root first or update to donut first?
3. Is there a list of "mush have apps" on the forum... I've spent all day reading articles on "must haves" but was hoping for "real life" feedback from you guys on what I must get.
Thanks
G
gk141054 said:
Hi guys,
I have got my G2 Touch (Hero) sat at home waiting for me and cannot wait to get back and play with it.
I was hoping you guys could help me with the following questions though:
1. How do I know if I should bother rooting it or not? If I root at a later date will I lose all of my other stuff on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
be prepared to wipe everything, as this is the solution for 95% of all problems (people not wiping before upgrade). don't you dare to ask for help before you wiped and reflashed afaik you can get root access without wiping, but i am pretty sure you are going to want a custom rom like modacos rom, and this almost inevitably means you have to wipe.
in q&a there is a thread for what you can do with root. it is not really complete, another try is to search for "root" in the market. most applications that need root access are found by this, so you can see what you could do if you where rooted.
gk141054 said:
2. How do I know if I have Donut on my phone and if I don't, should I root first or update to donut first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easy one. there is no donut rom for hero (except for a custom one here on the forum, which does not _really_ work), so you don't have it on your phone. imho: don't bother updating to donut rom, unless you know what you are doing.
gk141054 said:
3. Is there a list of "mush have apps" on the forum... I've spent all day reading articles on "must haves" but was hoping for "real life" feedback from you guys on what I must get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about the thread called "must have apps on your Hero" here in the themes&applications section? i don't think it will get any better than that... you need to do the reading yourself, you won't find a post that says "here is a zip with the ten apps you need to be happy" (well maybe you will find it, but i doubt that actually will be happy with it).
gk141054 said:
Thanks
G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're welcome.
Hi kendong2, thanks for the response...
I have read about this update on tmobile's website...
http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/help-and-support/index?page=home&cat=SOFTWAREDOWNLOADS&tab=2
If this isn't the Donut update, is it just an updated version of the original rom?
gk141054 said:
If this isn't the Donut update, is it just an updated version of the original rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't Donut - it is just the T-Mobile version of the 2.73 ROM. Since your phone is very new, it probably already has it anyway, but to check go to Menu-> Settings -> About Phone, and check the build number. If it starts 2.73, you've already got the updated ROM.
If you get a 1.xx build number, my advice would be *not* to install the T-Mobile update as it will make it much harder for you to move to a custom ROM at a later date. You should download and install a generic 2.73 that has been pre-rooted.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
You should download and install a generic 2.73 that has been pre-rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or start with modaco right away
Hi again guys...
Checked my Touch last night and it is on 1.76
I'm a bit weary about rooting and installing generic / custom roms for fear of voiding the warranty and then owning a £500 brick...
Will updating to 2.73 from tmobile really make it harder to move to a custom rom later....?
gk141054 said:
Will updating to 2.73 from tmobile really make it harder to move to a custom rom later....?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put it this way -if you upgrade to 2.73 via the T-Mobile RUU, in order to move to a custom ROM in future you will have to "downgrade" to a generic HTC 2.73 ROM via a Goldcard (see here) which is much more complicated when you've already got a ROM on your phone which is "exploitable".
The other thing you should bear in mind is that when Android 2.0 is released for the Hero, it will likely first come out as a ROM for unbranded phones with operator branded versions following some time later. This is what happened when 2.73 was released, and T-Mobile in particular was quite tardy in getting its own version out.
So, if you want to go to Android 2.0 sooner rather than later, you should look at a non-T-Mobile version of 2.73 now.
Regards,
Dave
Thanks very much for the advice guys, going to do as you suggested.
Unfortunately I have more questions though:
1. to load the generic 2.73 I just "oneclickroot" (found the video on youtube to follow) and then download the theme and rename it "update.zip" put this onto your memory card, turn off your phone then press and hold the "home" button while pressing the power button.... keep the "home" button down until you get to the recovery screen then select flash the update.zip as you would a rom. Is that right or have I missed anything?
2. Having a Tmobile G2 Touch rather than a Hero won't make any difference to the rom that I choose will it?
3. Will putting a new rom on lose my contacts or widgets / scenes etc?
4. Can you recommend a nice rom to go for, like what you guys are using? Want it to look nice, be stable but fast
Cheers again for the help guys.
Answers!
1. Can't help here as I didn't use the one-click method.
2. No.
3. Yes. However, if you've synced your contacts to Google, you will get them back again once you set the phone up again.
4. Modaco - nuff said.
Regards,
Dave
For a newbie I can recommend 'the unlockr'-Google it- they have easy to follow vids for rooting and flashing roms for the hero. It's really easy and you won't brick your phone if you have half a brain cell.

Restore original ROM?

I still have the original Android that came with my Sprint Hero. Is it possible to got back to the original ROM after flashing other versions onto the device? Sorry for the newbie question but didn't see it asked and answered anywhere spelled out.
--- edit ---
crap.. clicked the wrong thread icon...
bsnipes said:
I still have the original Android that came with my Sprint Hero. Is it possible to got back to the original ROM after flashing other versions onto the device? Sorry for the newbie question but didn't see it asked and answered anywhere spelled out.
--- edit ---
crap.. clicked the wrong thread icon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doesnt make sense? explain more.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=618874
I would recommend reading everything in this thread. yes you can revert back to stock after flashing new ROMs. I highly recommend doing research before you start...that means searching. All the answers you will need are contained within existing threads.
Yes, you can restore the original ROM. In the guides to root it tell you to make a nandroid backup. That'll let you restore the original ROM.
RUU_Hero_C_Sprint_1.56.651.2_signed_release.exe
careful with RUU's!!!
ARoiD said:
RUU_Hero_C_Sprint_1.56.651.2_signed_release.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah he definitely shouldn't be playing with that yet...
ARoiD said:
RUU_Hero_C_Sprint_1.56.651.2_signed_release.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont play with this.......
It may brick your phone if you are on different radio version.
Yeah, the RUU really got me good. I will never use that again. My phone was useless until I got some help from a member on here to get me back.
i have had no issues going back to stock with this ruu sending in many heros in for replacement
How To - Unroot Your HTC Hero (www.TheUnlockr.com)
How to unroot the cdma hero " 3/22/10 "
How to Un-Root Sprint HTC Hero!
Download: RUU_Hero_C_Sprint_1.56.651.2 signed release.exe
110 Error RUU 1.56 Fix - 100% unroot too!
mrcharlesiv said:
Yes, you can restore the original ROM. In the guides to root it tell you to make a nandroid backup. That'll let you restore the original ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to all and that is exactly what I was looking for. I have done some mods with a Tilt in the past but nothing with my Hero. Now to choose a ROM that still lets the Sprint Navigation work - don't care about most of the other apps that came with it.
bsnipes said:
Thanks to all and that is exactly what I was looking for. I have done some mods with a Tilt in the past but nothing with my Hero. Now to choose a ROM that still lets the Sprint Navigation work - don't care about most of the other apps that came with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just about any of the roms out there have a working sprint nav.

[Q] Ultra-n00b: what ROM or firmware do I need?

Hi, all.
First timer here. Got the wife a Hero for X-mas. Notice it's slow sometimes, so thought I'd upgrade. It's on 1.5 now. I ultimately want to get on Android 2.1. However, in the phone settings info screen, there is no update option. I thought this might be due to the firmware not being up-to-date so was going to start by upgrading that. But I don't know which ROM to use.
I bought the unlocked phone in Switzerland, but it was clearly imported from the UK. I see on the HTC site there are several ROMs which are carrier specific. There seems to be a generic ROM on the bottom of the HTC page which says "ROM Upgrade for HTC Hero" with no specific carrier. This one looks to be the generic ROM, which I should use. Is that the case?
I've tried looking for a general tutorial, but they all also seem to be tied to carriers (Sprint, T-Mobile, etc).
Cheers.
Hi Bozo,
firstly do not be tempted to update your firmware to the latest one on the HTC web site, if you do that and also update to the HTC 2.1 ROM, you will not be able to ROOT your Hero without firstly downgrading again.
ROOTing your Hero will allow you to go beyond 2.1 to 2.2 ROMs, these are mostly in development at the moment but I've tried several so far and have settled on Android Version Froyd Villain1.6 (2.2.1) which has been great for several weeks with no crashes and plenty quick.
Hope this helps!
There are plenty of web guides on how to ROOT your Hero also Youtube videos.
CobraKev007 said:
Hi Bozo,
if you do that and also update to the HTC 2.1 ROM, you will not be able to ROOT your Hero without firstly downgrading again..
...
There are plenty of web guides on how to ROOT your Hero also Youtube videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Is it the firmware that prevents rooting, the ROM, or both?
I've seen several of the videos on rooting. But again, they often reference a specific carrier model Hero, mostly Sprint.
I'd check out this post. Ignore the stuff about updating RADIO though.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827593
Personally I use Cyanogen 6.1.0 with FlyKernel 12a (applying the FlyKernel CM fix first). Then custom tweaking the Cyanogen setup. If you were UK I'd offer to do it for you
takuhii said:
Ignore the stuff about updating RADIO though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another noob question for you.
Why ignore the radio update?
Betty_Swallocks said:
Another noob question for you.
Why ignore the radio update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't think of any reason to ignore the radio update, it's made a big difference for a lot of people.
CobraKev007 said:
Hi Bozo,
firstly do not be tempted to update your firmware to the latest one on the HTC web site, if you do that and also update to the HTC 2.1 ROM, you will not be able to ROOT your Hero without firstly downgrading again.
ROOTing your Hero will allow you to go beyond 2.1 to 2.2 ROMs, these are mostly in development at the moment but I've tried several so far and have settled on Android Version Froyd Villain1.6 (2.2.1) which has been great for several weeks with no crashes and plenty quick.
Hope this helps!
There are plenty of web guides on how to ROOT your Hero also Youtube videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to root my phone after upgrading to the official 2.1 ROM.
There are many great ROMs to choose from; CM6.1, Froyo 2.2.1 Final (by Elelinux), FroydVillain 1.7.0 My personal preference would be Elelinux's one.
Just go for Feeyo's 2.3 1.0.1 best one ever.
ikmax said:
Just go for Feeyo's 2.3 1.0.1 best one ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second that!
I am a flash-aholic and have tried nearly all the 2.3 roms. By far the best is cronos 1.0.1 It is uber fast (faster than any 2.1 I have tried) and has a brilliant forum community, with the dev responding quickly to any bugs.
Have fun!
Why shouldn't he update to the official 2.1 Rom? It is said to be rootable with Universalandroot! (see http://blog.23corner.com/2010/08/30/universal-androot-1-6-2-beta-5/#more-407) So getting the official 2.1 would also be a reasonable step towards more speed!
And I don't see a downside of doing so...
Thanks for all the info guys.
Is it possible to brick a Hero when attempting to root it?
Cheers!
HomerJayS said:
Why shouldn't he update to the official 2.1 Rom? It is said to be rootable with Universalandroot! So getting the official 2.1 would also be a reasonable step towards more speed!
And I don't see a downside of doing so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will update his HBoot to 1.76.007 which is a perfected SPL.
awaisj said:
That will update his HBoot to 1.76.007 which is a perfected SPL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what does this exactly mean?
Or in other words: What are the consequences thereof?
Sorry, I'm also just getting into the whole Rooting stuff
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App
it's up to you to decide what rom you want.
you have to test it for yourself, and see if you like it or not.
All we can do is point out some possible candidates

Android version update on HTC G1 steps

I`ve been searching all day for the steps I need to perform in order to update my Andoid version on my HTC G1.
I`s appreciate all the help in finding the topic if it does exist or to tell me all the steps and software I need to perform in order to get this done.
Thank`s
cangri12 said:
I`ve been searching all day for the steps I need to perform in order to update my Andoid version on my HTC G1.
I`s appreciate all the help in finding the topic if it does exist or to tell me all the steps and software I need to perform in order to get this done.
Thank`s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in other word you want to root your phone and install a custom rom, did I get that right?
First find a thread in g1 that explains rooting process, Then go to 'G1's android development' and pick a custom rom that you would like to try, and follow the instructions give in the first post of the custom rom, good luck and happy flashing!
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using XDA App
I would like to add, do research on the ROM before you decide which one you will flash. See which one you like the best before you install the ROM. It will be a lot easier in the long run. But of course, you can try each one to see what you like best about them. And then go with the best one (That's a long way and a lot of flashing to do).
This is from my experience (even with the research I did), I currently have a ROM that I might not keep. But it suit me for now until I do more research on what will be the best one for my use.
azrash said:
So in other word you want to root your phone and install a custom rom, did I get that right?
First find a thread in g1 that explains rooting process, Then go to 'G1's android development' and pick a custom rom that you would like to try, and follow the instructions give in the first post of the custom rom, good luck and happy flashing!
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooted or non rooted I don`t care,as long as I can update the version.
i`ma take a look to see what I can do.
cangri12 said:
rooted or non rooted I don`t care,as long as I can update the version.
i`ma take a look to see what I can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way is to rooted. Especially if you want to get the latest Android 2.x.

Need some help...

hi there everyone,
I had been a keen follower of xda n other communities for the SGSII however, due to being really busy and commitments, I have not been in touch with the SGSII world for the last two-three months...
I have been running litening rom version 2 (just shows how out of date I am ) but now I need to get back to the stock rom...
I know how to flash and am not a newbie when it comes to odin, download mode etc however, I would be grateful to whoever can point to the most recent version of the stock ROM and also the link to the thread where I can download it from...I know its in android development but no idea exactly where...
I have a UK SGS2 originally locked to o2 but now unlocked (thanks to o2..)..
..thanks a lot!!!
superutp said:
hi there everyone,
I had been a keen follower of xda n other communities for the SGSII however, due to being really busy and commitments, I have not been in touch with the SGSII world for the last two-three months...
I have been running litening rom version 2 (just shows how out of date I am ) but now I need to get back to the stock rom...
I know how to flash and am not a newbie when it comes to odin, download mode etc however, I would be grateful to whoever can point to the most recent version of the stock ROM and also the link to the thread where I can download it from...I know its in android development but no idea exactly where...
I have a UK SGS2 originally locked to o2 but now unlocked (thanks to o2..)..
..thanks a lot!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look in this thread...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113928
I'm fiddling with this myself atm and I found stock firmwares in the below thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Bergaliden said:
I'm fiddling with this myself atm and I found stock firmwares in the below thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm i have been looking at that thread also....have downloaded XWKI4 CPW(UK) version....will flash it tonight and see how it goes...
jhernand1102 said:
Look in this thread...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113928
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually searching for an unbranded firmware (dont know if it really makes a diff though)...

Categories

Resources