New to smart phones: TP is 1st - these things "normal"?

[fenixjn]

Originally Posted by snipper_cr

0Gravity, thanks for the link to the USCC posts. I knew there were others here but a rare breed. That's very helpful.

Just to be sure, when I "unlocked" my phone, is that considered HARDSPL-ing? I followed this walkthrough http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=42503 and it looks like I did, but I dont want to get things confused (IE HARDSPL-ing versus something like HARDSDL... some minor difference to me but huge in practice).

Following that link 0Grav posted, it goes into a long discussion about flashing via SD Card (step 4). When I flashed the last one, I ran a .exe on my main computer with the phone attached, and it was all done. Flashing via SD card looks a bit more indepth. Any reason I would want to do that?

Finally, it seems a lot of people talk about after flashing a new ROM, flashing BACK to the stock one, then to the new one again. What is all this about? Why would one want to do that? When you flash a ROM doesn't it hardreset anyways - isnt that good enough?

Thanks all in this thread! Specially 0Gravity and philliyxx (your avatar just makes me smile)

Yes, when you unlocked your phone you had to use hardspl... it basically makes the phone near un-brickable allowing you to load any ROM and having a fallback chance in case your recent flash didnt work properly.

Flashing via SD card is useful if you want to try a ROM right away but dont want to use a computer, it also helps prevent an issue: if you are flashing via USB and disconnect the cable by mistake... well... you'll have to reflash again. Also, SD card flashing is useful for some users with computers that have problems recognizing the phone when connected.

And the flash dance (Stock > HR > Custom > HR)... well the thing is sometimes some data becomes corrupt, mostly on the radios (BT/Phone/Wifi), in order to restore this data, you must flash to stock and then hard reset and then flash your custom. The idea is that the stock rom restores some data that is for the radios. Custom ROMs do not have this data but there is a possibility of corruption, small but it is there.

[snipper_cr]

So I dont get something. I've now tried a few ROMs and so far I like Energy for looks but its layout with TF3D2. However, with ALL the ROMs, I cannot use MyContactsBackup from USCC. The way it works, is go to their site, https://mycontactsbackup.uscellular....ctsbackup.html enter my cell phone number and they send me a text with a URL.

With the stock/shipped ROM it works just fine and downloads the .CAB and alls good. However, with any other ROM, it doesn't seem to understand the link and downloads some unusable file that is not a valid windows mobile program. No idea what's going on with that. The URL is something like http://mcb.uscc.com/download?v=somes...bersandletters and the error is "download" is not a valid application. So it tries downloading "download" and saves it as a small 288byte file...I dont know. Not sure why but 3 ROMs I've used its done this but when I put the stock/shipped back on, works fine. Maybe they can tell I am using a modded ROM?

[0Gravity]

Originally Posted by snipper_cr

So I dont get something. I've now tried a few ROMs and so far I like Energy for looks but its layout with TF3D2. However, with ALL the ROMs, I cannot use MyContactsBackup from USCC. The way it works, is go to their site, https://mycontactsbackup.uscellular....ctsbackup.html enter my cell phone number and they send me a text with a URL.

With the stock/shipped ROM it works just fine and downloads the .CAB and alls good. However, with any other ROM, it doesn't seem to understand the link and downloads some unusable file that is not a valid windows mobile program. No idea what's going on with that. The URL is something like http://mcb.uscc.com/download?v=somes...bersandletters and the error is "download" is not a valid application. So it tries downloading "download" and saves it as a small 288byte file...I dont know. Not sure why but 3 ROMs I've used its done this but when I put the stock/shipped back on, works fine. Maybe they can tell I am using a modded ROM?

I wish I could help with this one but I have no Idea what to tell you....Maybe that uscc app requires a file that the Rom Cookers have taken out, because it was not needed for there use...If you can find out what it is you might be able to ask your favorite Chef to put it in his next Rom for you...Other then that, there are other programs that you can use to backup and sync your contacts and appointments with...Do a search for Contact Sync and see what comes up! I personally just use Active Sync and Microsoft Outlook to keep my appointments and contacts and Calendar all in sync and tidy, And I own a business and have about 600 contacts on in my phone!
There is a program on the Psyki Rom calle PIM Backup, that looks like it backs up you Contacts, Appmnts, Call logs, Messages, Speedials, Tasks and Custom...whatever that is. I am not sure if this program is freeware or not but it is worth a search.

[0Gravity]

snipper, check your PM's

[philliyxx]

PIM backup IS freeware. I use it and its very simple.

[ramiss]

Originally Posted by snipper_cr

Overall, I am liking what I'm seeing of WinMo6.5 + mighty rom. I turned on TF3D and messed around with that. Surprisingly I do not like it.

You aren't alone. I cannot stand TF3D. Have you looked at Mobile Shell?
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobileshell/