How to Flash / Debrand your Desire

[SJamG]

Hi everyone,

I upgraded to an HTC Desire from an iPhone 3G, and was so disappointed when I switched on my Orange phone to find they had hacked around with the Firmware! Orange seemed to have installed :

- Game Demos (Monopoly, Bowling etc)
- Ringtones
-Altered Internet application (defaults to Orange World homepage)
- Altered Maps application
- Custom installed IM client (allegedly in order to charge for IMs)
- Not allowing GTalk!

I was so annoyed by these alterations and so should HTC and Google be too. Anyway, Here is how I flashed a generic version of HTC Desire Software on my desire :

**** I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IF THE BELOW PROCESS DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU & IF YOU BRICK YOUR PHONE - DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK ****

What you need :

- MicroSD card with SD Adapter

Procedure :

1. You need to setup ADB on your PC and download the Android SDK, guide here:

How To: Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices | The Unlockr

2. Create a GoldCard here (remember to open the SD Card as a PHYSICAL DISK) :

How To: Create a Goldcard | The Unlockr

3. Download the Generic Software here :

http://androidfiledepot.com/Storage...io_32.30.00.28U_4.05.00.11_release_121865.exe

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EDIT: Attention!!!
The above software might be too old. Get the latest one from here: http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Bravo
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4. Insert the Goldcard into the Desire and connect it to your PC. Run the software downloaded in step 3.

5. This will flash your Desire with a generic HTC version of the OS.

6. Enjoy!

 

[alanswalker]

Has anyone encountered a error 131 when trying to install the new ROM? can anyone help?

Cheers

 

[alanswalker]

guys, been playing bout with it and its clearly a gold card problem!

Cheers

 

[wesbar]

How did you fix the 131 error?

 

[weirdNumber]

I was having problems with some kind of error (I forget the code) which was fixed when I installed HTC sync.

 

[lekky]

I think HTC are annoyed with them. Anyway to people reading this thread if you just want the GTalk app you can install it from here: Add Google Talk to Orange HTC Desire Nimbu

 

[Caddy]

I tried to flash the standard rom to my phone yesterday and kept getting the dreaded error 131 - wrong customer ID message.

I created 4 different goldcards on different size and manufacturer microSD cards, even went out and bought a 2 GB Kingston card like the unlocker guide recomended. Tried with HTC Sync on, with it off, with my fingers crossed, sacrificed my neighbours chickens....nothing, the same error message

Hours later when I was about to give up, I realised that the only card I hadn't tried was the 4GB card that came installed on the phone from Orange.

Formatted it, then tried to make it into a goldcard which worked no problem. Stuck it in the phone, ran the RUU and expected it to fail like all the others.

IT WORKED

No idea why this card worked and the others didn't. I used the same .img file on them all, using the same method and software. I definately think you need HTC Sync installed to get the correct HTC drivers (or source them somewhere else), but why some cards work and others don't?????

Sorry for the long post, and try the card that came with your phone if you're an Orange customer.

 

[Vertigo1]

Really don't know whether to do this or not. On the one hand I'd quite like an un-branded ROM but, on the other, I don't find the Orange stuff at all intrusive really.

How "risky" is this procedure? Is it possible to brick the device in any way?

 

[Caddy]

The orange stuff didn't bother me so much either mate, but I was a bit bored and when I couldn't make it work it pissed me off so I kept trying different things until it did.

When each goldcard failed to work and I got the error message you have to exit out of the RUU. Each time my phone just restarted with the Orange ROM no problem. I'm sure it is possible to brick your phone but if you follow the instructions you minimise the risk. Just remember to back up your contacts, messages, whatever, if you use the microSD card in your phone.

 

[Vertigo1]

Cheers. TBH I think I'll just leave it for now as I don't think there's really any point. Of course when updates start appearing them, if Orange drag their heels releasing their branded version then maybe I'll look again at going to a generic ROM

 

[alanswalker]

How did you fix the 131 error?

So the first few times i attempted this i was in a bit of a rush, had some time today and got it to work.

Using the sd card that came with the phone 4gb sd, i formated properly using this application :

SD Formatter 2.0 for SD/SDHC - SD Association

note - on the card formater select the full and erase format, takes a while.

Once the goldcard was made as per the instructions i put it in the phone where the phone told me the sd card was damaged but continue on and select htc sync option.

With the phone connected to htc sync i ran the installer.

this one i got from Modacco, Updating to 1.15.405.4 / Generic'ifying your T-Mo handset - Android @ MoDaCo

seems to be a different version of the software and it went smoothly from here on out.

Ps this was all done on windows 7 on a macbook via VM ware.

 

[KaarmaX]

Can you get the latest updates from HTC if you do this?

 

[dolbydan]

After finding out you have to pay for the speed and traffic alerts on Orange maps, I flashed and now use Google maps, which is better but no speed camera alerts?!

Must say great guide and if you follow it step by step its easy. The phone is better without the orange junk on it. I got mine from phones 4 U so if it does become faulty I reckon they won't notice.

 

[danielccoates]

I tried to flash the standard rom to my phone yesterday and kept getting the dreaded error 131 - wrong customer ID message.

I created 4 different goldcards on different size and manufacturer microSD cards, even went out and bought a 2 GB Kingston card like the unlocker guide recomended. Tried with HTC Sync on, with it off, with my fingers crossed, sacrificed my neighbours chickens....nothing, the same error message

Hours later when I was about to give up, I realised that the only card I hadn't tried was the 4GB card that came installed on the phone from Orange.

Formatted it, then tried to make it into a goldcard which worked no problem. Stuck it in the phone, ran the RUU and expected it to fail like all the others.

IT WORKED

No idea why this card worked and the others didn't. I used the same .img file on them all, using the same method and software. I definately think you need HTC Sync installed to get the correct HTC drivers (or source them somewhere else), but why some cards work and others don't?????

Sorry for the long post, and try the card that came with your phone if you're an Orange customer.

after you did all this did you still have the sense ui???

 

[danielccoates]

does it still have the sense ui??

 

[CarsnGadgets]

yes it would still have the sense ui, just no orange junk.

 

[lambada]

If I debrand my T-Mobile UK Desire, will I get HTC official updates OTA as soon as they are released? Do HTC send these updates to all phones all over the world regardless of what network provider they're on?

 

[paul2802]

Does anyone know if i was to flash the rom would i be able to reinstall the orange maps and i get free access to it with my panther plan?

 

[ScottW75]

My orange desire should arrive tomorrow. I'm going to use this tool to create a gold card:

[PC Application] GoldCardTool - Android @ MoDaCo

I've got a couple of questions:

1. The phone will be locked to orange. Will i need to unlock the phone to create a gold card?

2. Provided it all goes well i'll have an unbranded phone. I presume when i restart after unbranding i'll have to setup the network settings manually or will the phone pick them up from the sim?

 

[tomq]

My orange desire should arrive tomorrow. I'm going to use this tool to create a gold card:

[PC Application] GoldCardTool - Android @ MoDaCo

I've got a couple of questions:

1. The phone will be locked to orange. Will i need to unlock the phone to create a gold card?

2. Provided it all goes well i'll have an unbranded phone. I presume when i restart after unbranding i'll have to setup the network settings manually or will the phone pick them up from the sim?

1. network lock has nothing to do with goldcard or unbranding. you are just removing the orange crap by unbranding. your phone will still be locked to the orange network.

3.for me it set it self up. just had to do the normal stuff wifi, google account, facebook ect

 

[ScottW75]

1. network lock has nothing to do with goldcard or unbranding. you are just removing the orange crap by unbranding. your phone will still be locked to the orange network.

3.for me it set it self up. just had to do the normal stuff wifi, google account, facebook ect

Ok cool. Looking forward to getting it.

Thanks for your help

 

[waspypc]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what I will loose doing this? Will it effect my contacts etc? Thanks

 

[stueyboy]

You will lose everything on the phone so make sure you either back up what you don't want to lose or have a way of getting them back on the phone. Thank the lord for google contacts and exchange server is all I can say..

I also flashed an orange branded phone with no problems at all. Just be careful and follow the gold card instructions very carefully.

 

[waspypc]

Thanks Stueyboy,
Does anyone know a link for the Orange branded software just in case I need to reload it to send the phone back for repair. I would imagine that debranding invalidates the warranty otherwise?

 

[slatyford]

when I bring up the command prompt it opens with:

C:\documents and setting\user\

and when I put the commands it it comes up with system canot find path specified

any ideas how to solve this so I can sort out a goldcard
Also in device manager the phone doesnt show up only Android device and when I click on that it just say My HTC
any ideas