Questions to confirm upgrade choices.

[storx]

Ok i stole the guide off the guide page and i put my remarks of a couple questions i was curious on to make sure im doing this correctly.

There are 'basically' three parts to the software that runs your phone.
1. There is the SPL / bootloader.
2. There is the Radio ROM.
3. There is the System ROM.

I understand this basicly... So i have downloaded SPL latest, currently downloading the 3.35 sprint radio rom, and the dcd alltel rom.

1. If you are using code prior to 3.35.65 then you need either have the following SPLs:
>a. The ReLocker 1.06 SPL if running official carrier released code
>b. The unLocker (original) 1.20 if running custom built roms
2. If you are using 3.x+ code then you need either:
>a. The reLocker if upgrading to the unofficial carrier released rom
>b. the unLocker (new) 2.40 if running custom built roms

I am to use unLocker correct?? since i have stock everything currently.

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Path to 3.35+ and beyond!

Special Notes:
*1: Make sure that you have a complete backup and/or sync
before proceeding.

* 2. In some cases a custom dialer will keep you from performing
the following steps. To resolve this, you must do a hard reset.

* 3. To perform a hard reset: press and hold both soft keys and then
press and hold the reset button until a screen comes up asking if you
want to perform a full reset. Press 'R' to reset. Then <spacebar>.

* 4. Once your phone reboots, press the reset prior to the
customizations. This will save you time since there is no need for
the customizations to run since you are about to blow it away.

Which key is the reset button and which 2 softkeys??? are the 2 softkeys the 2 with the little dots???

Retrieve Provisioning Data:

1. Get your ESN, MSID, A-Key, Security, and M.IP info:
>>> a. dial ##778#, that will launch the EPST configuration menu
Note: Some carriers do not need the last #, so just ##778
You will need to click edit and enter your MSL #.
Do not to edit any information at this point.
> b. select view
> c. make note of your ESN (Hex) value
> d. make note of your ESN (Dec) value
> e. make note of your MSID value (looks like a 10 digit tel number)
> f. select <view info> and select A-Key
>>>>Some carriers leave this blank, some need this info
>>>>If there is info here, make note of it now
> g. click view info and Security. Write all these settings down.
> h. click view info and select M.IP, again record these settings.
> i. click <cancel> to exit the configuration menu

I understand this basicly... phone keypad dial ##778. You will have the choice to view/edit/or cancel. Press edit if you want to make changes. The unlock code for Alltel is 000000.

2. Get your EPST
> a. download this file here .. this is the getspl file (in zip form)
> b. This program GETSPC.exe is very simple to use.
>>>>run the GetSPC.exe on your phone and in the Input field
>>>>type in your ESN(Hex) in the input field (you wrote this down earlier)
> c. press <go>
> d. the number produced in the output field is your MSLNumber (EPST unlock code)
> e. exit the application

the directions really seem to be clear on this but still dont understand what this step is for.....

**You should now have noted these 3 (4) items:
MDN: your 10 digit tel number
MSID: another 10 digit tel number (for some carriers it's the same as your MDN)
A-Key: required by certain carriers otherwise blank
MSL: a 6 digit number that you got when you ran the GetSPC.exe
Note: The great thing about using the following procedure is that typically
you won't even have to use the information you just obtained, but better safe than sorry.

Upgrade to 3.35.651.2:

3. If running pre-3.16 code,
>a. run the relocker
(don't worry about getting out of the bootloader - tri-color screen)
*Note: There has been a bit of confusion on this.
If you are running a stock (meaning factory provided) rom and have never installed a custom rom, then just skip this step since you have probably
never unlocked your phone.
* If unsure, then run this - no harm in doing so.

4. Run the Unofficial carrier released rom 3.35.651.2 (this has the radio also)
>Click here for Sprint 3.35.651.2 Release
>This has the correct radio as well --that is why I recommend going this route first
*Note: Do not be concerned if you hear and see your phone reboot
and disconnect from your computer. This may will happen multiple times as it
loads the new rom. This process can take about 10mins or so to complete.

*Further Explanation: The reason for this step is to easily and safely get you
into the new rom(s) with the updated radio installed. Don't be concerned if you are on another provider. You will take care of that when you download a custom rom built specifically for your provider network.

What step do i do when it finishs install i read somewere you dont want the phone to boot up and learn the sprint stuff...what do i do since its an alltel phone on this step after i run the RUU program to install this rom.

Install a Custom ROM:

5. If wanting to install a custom rom:
>a. run the unLocker for 3.x and above
(don't worry about getting out of the bootloader - tri-color screen)
**Special Note: It has been my experience that after all the preceding
steps are complete, sometimes you will need to do a full reboot of your PC.
You only need to do this if the unLocker can not communicate correctly with
your phone.

6. Download a custom rom of your choosing.
>One that is real popular is DCD's .. click here to give it a try
>Another one that is very basic (no extras) is by No2Chem .. click here (this is what I personally use)
Warning: These 'upgrade' custom ROMs may sometimes be buggy. But it can still be fun.

Alright on this step seems pretty simple i downloaded the alltel link off the DCD page.. what is the kitchen file's do i need that also?

7. Now you'll need to run a Rom Update Utility (RUU).
Some of the custom roms come as executables, so all you have to do is
run them. Others are just a single file that ends in .nbh.
For those you will need a RUU.
> a. Click here to download an empty RUU
> b. Copy the .nbh file of your custom rom into the RUU folder
> c. Make sure there is only one .nbh file in the folder
> d. Double click RomUpdateUtility.exe to begin the update

I been trying to download the one on the link but the file doesnt seem to be downloadable keeps coming up page cannot be displayed..

11. Verify your services
> a. make an outbound call
> b. receive a call
> c. connect to the Internet

12. Congratulations, you have successfully updated your phone - Have fun!

[/QUOTE]
I just hope i can get to this step successfully!!!

[Nickles]

Originally Posted by storx

I am to use unLocker correct?? since i have stock everything currently.

Correct. Use the unlocker, after you establish an USB active sync to your computer.

Originally Posted by storx

Which key is the reset button and which 2 softkeys??? are the 2 softkeys the 2 with the little dots???

the reset button is the little 'dot' next to your SD card that you press in with your stylus. it's how you do a soft reset.. the 2 softkeys are the keys that coorespond to your 'Contacts' and the other menu option on the right bottom of the screen (forget what the stock menu option is)

Originally Posted by storx

I understand this basicly... phone keypad dial ##778. You will have the choice to view/edit/or cancel. Press edit if you want to make changes. The unlock code for Alltel is 000000.

the directions really seem to be clear on this but still dont understand what this step is for.....

that is basically in there for good measure, if you'd like to VIEW your current MSL ID #'s and other junk like that. i skipped it.. when you do the over the air programming once the new rom is installed, these settings should be automatically restored for you.

Originally Posted by storx

What step do i do when it finishs install i read somewere you dont want the phone to boot up and learn the sprint stuff...what do i do since its an alltel phone on this step after i run the RUU program to install this rom.

Once the Rom has been installed and the RUU program is finished, the phone will automatically reboot itself.. don't decide to run for coffee at this point. you must stay there with your phone.. it will boot to the 'Welcome' screen.. where you will enter in the current time and date, as well as align the screen with stylus taps.
then it will in pretty short order say 'Begin customization in 3 seconds' or something like that. SOFT RESET THE PHONE when you see that message box. do NOT let the customizations run..
once you soft reset, and the phone boots back up, you are done.

Originally Posted by storx

Alright on this step seems pretty simple i downloaded the alltel link off the DCD page.. what is the kitchen file's do i need that also?

Originally Posted by storx

I been trying to download the one on the link but the file doesnt seem to be downloadable keeps coming up page cannot be displayed..

Well, you are going to need the DCD kitchen, to load his rom.
You should be able to pick it up directly, here.


good luck.. click my profile to find other posts from me, i've uploaded a pdf doc with screen prints of a kitchen and bootloader process, so you can get an idea of what it's supposed to look like.