What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

My PPC6800 is not in download mode and I'd like to keep it that way. But there appear to be more and more posts from folks here and on xda-developers that have 'bricked' phones due to a possibly incorrect flashing procedure. As best as I can tell from reading many of the posts it occurs when attempting to revert back to an older rom but thats where the confusion for me begins. I'm not sure whats safe and whats not. ImCokeMan has been very informative and speaks from experience with two 'bricked' devices but his posts have been individual replies and are scattered among many posts with different titles. I am hoping some of the more tech savvy folks here can explain what is known so far and what can be done reasonably safely and what to absolutely avoid. There are bits of information here and there but perhaps a 'how to' compilation (maybe even stickied) would prevent further 'bricked' phones and give some warning guidelines to everyone flashing their devices. I try to read and search everything before doing anything with my phone but I am no 'tech' guy so I'm hoping those here can lay down some guidelines. Thanks

Mods: Hope the title isn't misleading...if you feel it is please retitle appropriately.

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

If you want to be absolutely on the safe side just stay with the official roms from sprint.
What rom are you currently running? The official 3.35 rom from sprint would be a great place to start.
http://www.htc.com/us/FAQ_Detail.aspx?p_id=75&act=sd

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

I have a DCD 3.0 rom on my phone with the 3.35 radio. I'm fine with it and not really interested in changing right now but I know some folks want to flash back to older roms/radios etc, and it appears the steps for reverting may be problematic in certain cases. Thats why I thought it might be helpful to have some guidelines. At some point I may wish to flash back to the stock Alltel rom (or the updated one rumored to be coming without GPS) but I'm a little apprehensive about going backwards after reading about some of the 'brick' experiences others have had.

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

I really don't mean to come down on you, so don't take it that way.

This site is for geeks. Thus the name.

I've seen many posts on here from people who want a perfect safe method for everything they try, but the bottom line is.... WE ARE HACKING THIS PHONE. Say it over and over again. Hacking.
There are no guarantees and human error cannot be 100% avoided. If you are no tech guy, then why are you in the upgrade forum, you know? If you are not sure (or don't have the hardware insurance plan, lol) then don't do ANYTHING. No one's putting a gun to your head saying you must.
I mean, with the exception of enabling GPS or utilizing the kitchen rom-building program, there is no real MAJOR UPGRADE you can do that will turn your phone into an entirely different piece of equipment from what you've had before. I play with new ROMs every week and guess what... it's still a phone... with a camera.... and touch screen.
Just stick with installing programs if there is something you'd like to try. Most programs are easy to uninstall. :D

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

No offense taken and your point is well taken. You're right this is a hacking forum and most of the time if you screw something up its recoverable. The 'download mode' currently experienced by some is not fixable and the only recourse is replacement if one has insurance. Some of the folks 'bricking' their phones I'm sure are not noobs (ImCokeMan comes to mind). I just thought it might be helpful to post some warning guidelines based on what is currently known about possible bad rom/radio combos etc. If no one thinks its necessary then this thread will die the death of all other useless posts! Either way I'm good with it...my phone works and I'll keep tinkering with it perhaps more cautiously tho!!

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

If this problem is so pervasive, why hasn't anyone come up with a 6800 for madman34 (at xda) to try his magic on?

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

because everyone wants to hold on to their hardware, in hopes someone else will post a fix

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

Or has returned it for replacement either under warranty or insurance coverage.

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

From ImCokeMan Sig

Re: What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??
 

N00B- you also forgot this ->
:evil4: :evil4: :evil4:

errrr, nice cat..........