I understand I must upgrade. Honestly, I had come to that conclusion a long time ago. I was/am avoiding this because I've been looking for a solution/upgrade from my service provider. As it turns out, Qwest is supposed to get this software from UTStarcomm/Audiovox. It appears that I'm just turning blue from holding my breath so long.:angry7: I have no more patience left.

I looked at the "kitchen" forum and needless to say - TMI!!!! I've downloaded a .rar file and well, I'm just waiting to build up the courage to actually do it. I fear I'll just end up bricking the Apache. ](*,)

BTW - I used the FTP link to get this .rar. I sure hope to heck(!) it has the latest/greatest ROM...

Here to Help
 

I know it might look like a daunting task to use the kitchen and build your own ROM, but it really is quite painless.

First make sure you downloaded two files. The first file is the kitchen itself and the second file holds the OEMs for the kitchen. You can find both files on the first post of this thread:

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=11074

This is Helmi_C's kitchen, with alot of help from his friends.

Explode the first file and it will create the folder structure for you. It will also create a BuildOS icon on your desktop. Use this to access the kitchen. The second downloaded file goes right in the BuildOS folder and you are good to go.

The first thing to consider is what version of the bootloader you are running. If you dont know what this is the way you can find out is to put your 6700 into bootloader mode, which means hoild the power button and the voice record button at the same time and insert the stylus into the soft reset button at the bottom of the 6700. The screen will go dark. At the top of the screen will be the word SERIAL. At the bottom of the screen will be something like 2.02 or 1.04. Jot down that number.

Now hookup your 6700 to your PC with the USB cable. This will change the SERIAL designation to USB. Click on the BuildOS icon on your desktop and you have begun the process to cook your own ROM. You will notice that there are several drop down boxes at the top. Two of them are very important. One is the carrier drop down, which you need to pick Qwest. The second one is the RUU option. This drop down box directly relates to your bootloader version. If you have say version 2.02 you should pick standard. If you have 1.04/2.04/2.05 you should pick 04+.

Pick a few options you would like in your ROM and hit the green arrow at the top left. Follow the bouncing ball and in less than 15 mins you should have cooked your first ROM. Disconnect your 6700 from the USB cable, and then hard reset your 6700, this is done by holding down the left and right buttons, next to the OK and Windows Start buttons, and inserting the stylus again into the reset button. Follow the bouncing ball again and you will have booted your 6700 with your new ROM.

PM me if you have any other questions before you start. If you would like more personalized help you can try the chat forum here, or PM me with a number I can call you on so we can discuss this over the phone!

Its really simple....time to take the plunge!

Steve

It's the latest/greatest stable base.

Kewl.

I'm actually starting to feel better about all this. I think my Apache knows something is up as it has not disco'd at all from its data conn today. (It's been up for 7.5+ hrs) :disgust: Go figure.

But, neverless(!) it will be done.

To all who responded, thanks for the info.

Steve, I may just take you up on your offer. I have to perform some data recovery on two SATA drives tonight (side job). If that goes smoothly, I will then turn my attention to the Apache.

Just a side note, when moving the PPCGeeks_OEM.rar file, drop it in the BuildOS ROOT folder. There is a subdirectory with the same name in that root folder......it don't go there.

Hats off to spetrillo and GA Medic and gguru and all the others that take us nOObs by the hand and walk us thru the dungeons of our despair to the light on the other side!

Semper Fi!

Sarge

if it makes you feel any better i have personally used the kitchen to flash my apache dozens of times and never had a problem if you follow the directions and pay attention to what your doing you should be fine the guys here at PPCGeeks are really good at what they do

I'm on my 3rd flash, and I've only been here 2 weeks or so. It's the real deal.....this thing is SWEET.............Thanks for all the help, fellas.

Where's the information on how to upgrade the radio???

*Update: Nevermind, I found Phoenix's upgrade.

Does anyone know where I can find the courage to perform these seemingly irreversable hacks to my Apache?

Take the plunge...the water is warm and the people are friendly!

Easy as pie - you'll find it in your pointer finger...the one over the enter key.