A complete noob and the Hero ROM update

[wuthton]

Last night I updated the ROM on my Orange UK HTC hero with the hope that it would take away the lagginess and make it a much more usable phone. My knowledge of android as of last night was; I had no clue what rooted/unrooted meant(I am still not totally sure) or what a ROM was or did. I will go into the method I used further down.

Firstly, the results are amazing! The phone runs faster now with all my applications open than it did before after using task killer. When I say all applications I mean Google Maps, Skymap, places directory, robodefense, youtube, beebplayer, camera, pktauctions and many more, all open and still no lag on the phone.

The process to upgrade the Hero is in two parts both of which are domonstrated in two videos from unlockr.com.

Part 1
The first video (linked below) is relatively simple, the only pitfall I found was with the second file you need to download. It is insinuated that you need to unzip/extract the file on your pc before you copy it to your phone's sd card. This is not the case, by extract he means just copy and paste the required file from out of the zip and onto your sd.

How To: Root Your HTC Hero in One Click! | The Unlockr

Part 2
The instructions in the second video are bang on, the only detail I found lacking was that some parts take several minutes so patience is the key. Particullarly when you install the final ROM at the end of the video, also the first reboot of your phone takes ALOT longer than you would expect the phone seems to stall as it boots up but don't panic it will get there.

How To: Load a Custom ROM on Your HTC Hero (Updated 09.04.09) | The Unlockr

I would recommend watching the videos several times before you get stuck in, also make sure your phone is fully charged.

I have posted this in separate thread from the other ROM threads because they seem to have got bogged down in technical jargon/gibberish which means little to most people, myself included.

 

[trick202]

Have you noticed any improvement with the signal? I'm on Orange too.

Also: Your running beebplayer ok through orange?

 

[wuthton]

I have full signal at home so as yet I do not know. I usually only get 2/3 bars at work so I will post on Monday if nobody else has answered the question.

Never had a problem with beebplayer, always worked fine. The picture is crappy on 3G though.

 

[jimeller]

Last night I updated the ROM on my Orange UK HTC hero with the hope that it would take away the lagginess and make it a much more usable phone. My knowledge of android as of last night was; I had no clue what rooted/unrooted meant(I am still not totally sure) or what a ROM was or did. I will go into the method I used further down.

Firstly, the results are amazing! The phone runs faster now with all my applications open than it did before after using task killer. When I say all applications I mean Google Maps, Skymap, places directory, robodefense, youtube, beebplayer, camera, pktauctions and many more, all open and still no lag on the phone.

The process to upgrade the Hero is in two parts both of which are domonstrated in two videos from unlockr.com.

Part 1
The first video (linked below) is relatively simple, the only pitfall I found was with the second file you need to download. It is insinuated that you need to unzip/extract the file on your pc before you copy it to your phone's sd card. This is not the case, by extract he means just copy and paste the required file from out of the zip and onto your sd.

How To: Root Your HTC Hero in One Click! | The Unlockr

Part 2
The instructions in the second video are bang on, the only detail I found lacking was that some parts take several minutes so patience is the key. Particullarly when you install the final ROM at the end of the video, also the first reboot of your phone takes ALOT longer than you would expect the phone seems to stall as it boots up but don't panic it will get there.

How To: Load a Custom ROM on Your HTC Hero (Updated 09.04.09) | The Unlockr

I would recommend watching the videos several times before you get stuck in, also make sure your phone is fully charged.

I have posted this in separate thread from the other ROM threads because they seem to have got bogged down in technical jargon/gibberish which means little to most people, myself included.

Excellent post by the way.

I too am a noob when it comes to stuff this technical and at the moment I am completely unsure as to whether to do this update or wait for the official release. I guess I'm just a bit scared in case I mess up my phone beyond repair, but reading peoples comments and questions around this topic, I'm slightly leaning toward trying it.
I do have some questions though like if I root and upgrade and an official one is released (a more advanced upgrade than this) could I still install from htc support the newer version? Or do I always have to stick to unofficial releases?
Is it just as easy to revert back to the current configuration as it seems to upgrade?

 

[PatBateman]

Thanks for posting this, I might give it a go later.

 

[SFA_AOK]

So, if it all goes wrong, as long as I follow the instructions, I can restore my phone to how it was they day I got it?

I know this gets asked a lot but I'm worried that if something goes wrong with my phone (either because of rooting/adding new ROMs or something else entirely), T-mobile will just say "Ah, you messed about and voided your warranty" and not replace it...

 

[wuthton]

So, if it all goes wrong, as long as I follow the instructions, I can restore my phone to how it was they day I got it?

I know this gets asked a lot but I'm worried that if something goes wrong with my phone (either because of rooting/adding new ROMs or something else entirely), T-mobile will just say "Ah, you messed about and voided your warranty" and not replace it...

If you wish to have the option to restore your phone to it's original configuration a little detail needs to be added between the two videos.

Part 1.5
At the end of video one pause the player you will see that line 5 reads "nandroid v2.2 backup" If you select this option it will backup the current software of the phone. If everything then goes tits up or you wish to return your phone to tmobile you then switch on the phone pressing home and power to get the green screen, select line 6 "restore latest backup" and bingo back to where you began.

Obviously this needs to be done before you move onto part 2 which is where you wipe the tmobile branded software.

I cannot stress enough the difference this update makes to the phone, it is excellent.

 

[Slug]

If everything then goes tits up or you wish to return your phone to tmobile you then switch on the phone pressing home and power to get the green screen, select line 6 "restore latest backup" and bingo back to where you began.

I've highlighted an important detail often overlooked; using this method Nandroid will restore the most recent backup found in /sdcard/nandroid/HT*/. If you subsequently make further backups remember to keep track of which ones are which.

Btw, Nandroid can be invoked from the CLI to restore any backup set found in the sdcard/nandroid/ folder if necessary.

/Al

 

[G8D]

What benifit comes from custom ROMs?

 

[Slug]

What benifit comes from custom ROMs?

Details here

 

[G8D]

Details here

Is there any danger in it?
Is it completely undoable?

 

[Slug]

Is there any danger in it?

I'd be lying if I said no, as nothing is infallible. However, if you follow the instructions it can't cause permanent damage.

Is it completely undoable?

Again, if all the correct steps are followed then yes. You will have a backup image of your handset so you can revert to that and everything will be as before.

 

[G8D]

I'd be lying if I said no, as nothing is infallible. However, if you follow the instructions it can't cause permanent damage.



Again, if all the correct steps are followed then yes. You will have a backup image of your handset so you can revert to that and everything will be as before.

I dont know if you have any experiance with iPhone OS jailbreaking.. But is this similar to the whole "if anything goes wrong, turn it off, hold these buttons to get into *insert recovery mode name here* and follow these instructions to reset everything" scenario?

Do you need to undo it before updating officially?

What custom ROM would you recommend?

 

[trick202]

rooted, flashed and happy.

dead easy.

 

[Artaq]

I am still not convinced. The US has had the Magic Rom upgrade so far. So I know it should be this week maybe for the Hero update.
I guess it takes a lot more before I just jump at the current Roms.

 

[Dallasguy]

rooted, flashed and happy.

dead easy.

I was going to try this until you used the word "dead", jk!

I want to try this but I do not have warranty as I am using it in the U.S.A. I wish someone here that tried this lived in Plano, TX.

 

[trick202]

I understand your caution.
I went ahead because there were people on here with the same device, locked to the same carrier, operating on the same carrier as me.

If any of those things weren't right, I would not have gone ahead.
Take a look at the videos though - they really are foolproof. Much easier than jailbreaking my iPhone, and quicker too.

The speed is really nice. I was getting so annoyed with the delay on the "phone" app (dialing numbers etc). Now it's great. Was playing with a friend's iphone this morning (damn they're nice to use) - now the hero is every bit as good. Very fluid.

I'd also like to say how grateful and impressed I am with the guys that build these ROMs.
HTC should be VERY grateful too!

 

[Slug]

is this similar to the whole "if anything goes wrong, turn it off, hold these buttons to get into *insert recovery mode name here* and follow these instructions to reset everything" scenario?

More or less. If it somehow screws up, for example 'cos you didn't wipe as advised prior to the update and get stuck at the boot screen, then you pop the battery, reinsert it, hold down HOME while pressing POWER and boot into the previously-installed recovery image. Then you select the menu option "Restore latest nandroid backup". After a reboot you'll be back where you started.

Do you need to undo it before updating officially?

As the 'official' release hasn't materialised I can't say. I've no prior experience of Android updates.

What custom ROM would you recommend?

Well, there's only one right now..... the MoDaCo one. I wouldn't recommend it though - it's up to the user to decide whether they need the additional features/tweaks. Tbh, if all you're interested in is the performance improvements then the stock HTC package is probably the best fit.

 

[Artaq]

Oh I have looked at all the vids and what has been said here. Not saying anything bad on that at all.
I only hope that HTC look at what been done to said Roms and take note and futher fix said issues. Apart from that I am happy with the phone, Ok it needs a slap every now and then from stalling or doing something odd. But I do expect that from such a new device.
All I will say is I am glad you are happy with the results.

 

[G8D]

More or less. If it somehow screws up, for example 'cos you didn't wipe as advised prior to the update and get stuck at the boot screen, then you pop the battery, reinsert it, hold down HOME while pressing POWER and boot into the previously-installed recovery image. Then you select the menu option "Restore latest nandroid backup". After a reboot you'll be back where you started.

As the 'official' release hasn't materialised I can't say. I've no prior experience of Android updates.

Well, there's only one right now..... the MoDaCo one. I wouldn't recommend it though - it's up to the user to decide whether they need the additional features/tweaks. Tbh, if all you're interested in is the performance improvements then the stock HTC package is probably the best fit.

I want more than just the performance boost, but I will wait for the next stock update and then assess whether I am happy or not.

Thanks for your help.

 

[gspcdman]

Hi, Im new to the Hero and Android system in general but I wanted to speed up and hopefully get better reception on my 2 week old Hero. But, I'm having problems with the back up. It keeps failing and I dont know what to do, any suggestions?

 

[trick202]

When rooting?
mine did this. Just keep trying.

 

[gspcdman]

Er... I got through it, thanks.... now I turned it off, then hit Home and Power to bring it back up and I got an image of a phone with a Warning sign next to it. Any help?

 

[trick202]

I would try starting again as normal (don't hold down home).
I'd also do a quick battery pull for good measure.

 

[gspcdman]

Im a bit stoopid... i got this now:

E:Can't open /cache/recovery/command

--Install from sdcard...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E:No signature (5files)
EVerification failed
Instalation aborted.