General ROM Flashing Questions

[NeMisiz]

I'm pretty new to the subject of flashing ROMs but I've been researching because I would like to unlock the GPS on my phone; however I will take no chances in screwing my phone up until I feel that I know the necessary precautions.

First off the instructions at theidoctor.org say to hard reset the phone first, but does this mean just the internal memory or do you have to format the storage card also?
If I update to this ROM with the unlocked GPS and later replace it with another ROM will the GPS be locked again?
Is there anything (programs, utilities, settings, etc..) that will be permanently lost from the stock ROM that may later cause inconvenience?
Will this cause any incompatibilities with verizon(or any other programs) and is there somewhere with the original ROMs available if I decide to revert?
I also read somewhere that before flashing you have to do a CID unlock which wasnt mentioned in any of the instructions I've read through. Some clarification on this maybe?

I could just follow exact directions and hope things work out but I'd really just like to gain a better understanding of how it all fits together before messing with my phone. If there is already a guide in the forums here I'm sorry for a repost and I would be much obliged if you could direct me somewhere that answers many of these general questions and need-to-knows. Thank You

[seanosaur]

Flashing really isn't as bad as some people think. Yes, it can be fatal to a phone but I've only heard of a few cases where that happens and it's usually the people that blatantly disobeyed the rules.

Originally Posted by NeMisiz

First off the instructions at theidoctor.org say to hard reset the phone first, but does this mean just the internal memory or do you have to format the storage card also?

It's always a good idea to hard reset just to have a stock system with the flash. Personally, I've never felt the need to HR and I haven't had any problems.

Originally Posted by NeMisiz

If I update to this ROM with the unlocked GPS and later replace it with another ROM will the GPS be locked again?

The ROM with the GPS unlock is basically upgrading the entire system. Custom ROMs (Adryn, bgill55, etc) are just the PDA aspects of the phone. The GPS will still be there.

Originally Posted by NeMisiz

Is there anything (programs, utilities, settings, etc..) that will be permanently lost from the stock ROM that may later cause inconvenience?

I didn't notice anything missing when I flashed to the Beta ROM. Just upgrades.

Originally Posted by NeMisiz

Will this cause any incompatibilities with verizon(or any other programs) and is there somewhere with the original ROMs available if I decide to revert?

From what I've read here and at modaco,I do not believe the stock ROM is available to revert back to. I could be wrong, though.

Originally Posted by NeMisiz

I also read somewhere that before flashing you have to do a CID unlock which wasnt mentioned in any of the instructions I've read through. Some clarification on this maybe?

Don't know anything about a CID unlock. I didn't change anything before I flashed...

[gruven98]

just to add to what seanosaur mentioned here, i personally haven't been over to the doc's website, but i find it interesting of all the different instructions that are out there.

basically i followed the pdf instructions that came from the "unofficial rom" post over at modaco and flashing my omnia worked like a charm. then i went to Adryn's 1.0 base, and now i'm on 1.3. i haven't had any issues with mine.

when you flash to the unofficial 6.1 rom, you won't lose anything, and you'll have gps unlocked for good.

however, when you flash to a custom rom, you will lose some programs, but they can be put back in. you just have to look for the cab file and install. it's that's easy to do. if you look at the release notes for each rom, the chef will tell ya what's been removed/installed. then just take it from there.

hope this helps, happy flashing, and welcome to the community.

[blazingwolf]

Originally Posted by NeMisiz

somewhere with the original ROMs available if I decide to revert?

I also read somewhere that before flashing you have to do a CID unlock which wasnt mentioned in any of the instructions I've read through.

There is no original ROM to flash back to. The closest to stock you will get is the leaked CC20 ROM.

You do not need to CID unlock the i910. That is for the i900 which is a GSM phone.

[xPosTech]

Originally Posted by blazingwolf

There is no original ROM to flash back to. The closest to stock you will get is the leaked CC20 ROM.

You do not need to CID unlock the i910. That is for the i900 which is a GSM phone.

The supposedly stock ROM with locked GPS that Azintegra leaked (along with CC20) is CB06. I say supposedly because my Omnia arrived in Feb. with BJ28.

When I inquired about a replacement for my phone in late Mar. I was told by VZW Tech Support that the latest was BJ28. I chickened out and kept my CC20 flashed phone rather than take a chance VZW would charge me retail on the replacement.

Ted

[NeMisiz]

Thank you all, you've been a great help.