New to Motorola Defy - Defy General

Hi Guys,
Previously I have had a HTC Magic, Vario II and Vario III. Am used to easy flashing and updates lol.
I know Moto have got a locked bootloader (seen the news about possible unlocking coming) however I could not resist the Defy as T-Mobile UK gave me a fantastic deal.
T-Mobile handsets come "customised" something that is not popular with me will probably debrand it.
1st question, can I flash back to the branded firmware if it needs to go back to T-Mob?
2nd question there is alot of talk over 2.51 normally I would automatically upgrade to the latest ROM however am unsure if it is worth it?
Cheers,

The easiset thing you could do it so make a nandroid backup of your current setup and then try what ever SBF you want except for 2.51 (this due to the fact that it has a non downgrable bootloader).
I bought a german defy and I installed the 2.31 firmware which I'm happy with. Since then I have also deodexed the system files and removed some apps that I dont need.
Just read through the faq/guides sections of the development board and you will be fine.

If you're new to the Defy, this guide is indispensable.
I links to a series of other guides but it lays them out in the order you should do them and the author also adds his own little notes which are very helpful.
Personally, I flashed the 2.34 ROM as it's got less Blur crap on it.
There are also Froyo ROMs kicking around but they're basically backups from other people's phones, as opposed to proper builds released by Motorola.

Related

how to undo a rom modification

first of all i'm sorry for this question :wink:
I'm really a beginner in modifying my extended-rom. I want to change my mda to a "xda". i've got the latest updates and some of the software discussed on this site but there is one question left:
Just in case i make a mistake while modifying my (extended)-rom: can i repair everything by simply installing the original update provided by t-mobile??
Thanks for any answers, help, suggestions,...
Andi
Simple answer: YES.
Before you start 'modifying the rom' or 'upgrade' you should make sure you have an upgrade package from the original operator for the rare ocasion you need to go back (then you can upgrade it back to something they will recognize. Imagine how T-Mobile personell will look at an MDAII that has all the O2 stuff on it).
In your case: Make sure you have the T-Mobile 1.72.190 rom upgrade at hand while you upgrade to a O2 rom

[Q] New Defy owner. Where do I start ?

Hi all, as you can see I've been a member here for a good while and dipped in and out as and when I've owned any devices featured here.
I have a brand new, UK unbranded, sim free and factory fresh Defy arriving tomorrow and have read with interest the various posts here, including the WIKI but I've got a bit dizzy trying to work out what's new/current/most stable/best.
I'm very happy modding and flashing custom roms and have done since the XDA1.
Could anyone please fill me in with the essential tools I need, such as the clockwork recovery version I should be installing and also the best/most recent/most stable rom - Android 2.2 preferred. Also what can I use to overclock and any other system mods that people consider essential also gratefully received.
If there's a n00b how to somewhere and I've missed it, I apologise, but it's hard to figure out what's out of date and what isn't.
Once I'm up to speed on this particular device, I'll chip in where I can.
many thanks,
malty
I'm in no means a developer and unworthy of replying...but I'll try! In the dev section, there is a 'FAQ/Guides/Tutorials' section that is pretty up to date with links to just about everything needed.
Custom Recovery: I've used both tenfar's recovery and the clockworkmod recovery 2010-12-18 version that I believe is the most updated and works well. I like the latter version best so far.
Overclocking: Only one I've used is setvsel and liking it.
Root: I think Z4 root doesn't work on 2.2 and above, so you'll have to root with special version superoneclick.
Backing up applications: Good ol Titanium Backup.
As for custom roms, I'm sure many have preferrences but from what I've gathered, the FIN and Orange deblur are working great (I have two phones, ones on stock tmous froyo, the other is 2.1 UK2.34 deblur...loving the deblur!). Check out Pays, JBoogie, and Higgsy's ROMs in dev section. Also, in the dev section you'll see the sbf file folder at top of forum to flash away with.
Again, I'm pretty much a noob so I probably missed a bunch of stuff...but this should get you started for now

[Q] Am I asking for too much?

Hi guys,
I love my Desire HD, I really do. Great phone. I get asked all the time what make it is... very nice owning it... BUT I hate Orange UK and their pesky interfering with the ROM. Some things just plain don't work.
So (and I have looked) there are lots of ROMs out there that I can Flash, but it's all very confusing to me.
What I need clear guidance on is:
1. Can I get a nice clean Genuine HTC Rom on it (with Sense)?
2. Will that give me OTA updates to Gingerbread or any future upgrades?
Sorry, but I seem to only find Mod guidance on here, but Im one of those people who like to put things back the way they were designed to be... (Im that sad...)
Ta for any help you can offer
redspecial2000 said:
Hi guys,
1. Can I get a nice clean Genuine HTC Rom on it (with Sense)?
2. Will that give me OTA updates to Gingerbread or any future upgrades?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, if you just want stock rom you can root your UK branded Rom (if its base 1.72 you have to downgrade first check this guide, thats what i used and there's also a link to a downgrade guide in it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=964996) get S-OFF and install the official RUU (R om U pdate U tility) from 2.3.3. Or when you have root and S-OFF you can flash Clockworkmod recovery (the thing you need to flash any custom made stuff) and from there any custom rom you like. This is recommended because with it you can backup your current branded Rom in case you need to have it repaired and still want to be under warranty.
2. With official RUU you will get future OTA updates directly from HTC, but when you install 2.3.3 RUU you're already up do date. When you have a Custom Rom you will get updates from your rom Chef that you download over wifi/3g directly to your phone and flash it through Clockworkmod recovery
-> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=840040
This is stock rom with improvements. Look at the features list, it will convince you I'd say its the most popular custom rom and a good point to start.
btw Orange is the best provider in terms of Data plans in my country. You get most out of your money. But the branding and support is horrible They have absolutely no clue what their talking about. When i asked them if my DHD was branded when i bought it the sales assistant didnt even know what that is... She had to ask someone else first. If thats the same in UK you're on a good way with installing the Rom YOU want. You'll get support here from guys that do even better than the guys from HTC. Believe me.
I've only ever met one sales assistant who knew what I was talking about, I felt strangely attracted to her...
I've tried a few roms and settled on cm7 for now, best thing to do is junk the stock rom and get flashing, the improvements in battery life should be enough to convince you lol
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Thanks guys, this is really helpful....
The thing that tipped me over the edge was a trip to my local Orange Shop, where I went to get some answers as to why the Hot Spot feature wasn't working on the phone. I then had to spend 10 minutes explaining to the girl what the hotspot feature was, then DEMONSTRATE it to HER!
Orange guys must have been tinkering with the rom. Tethering and hotspot options worked out of the box for me but you better switch to a custom rom to get those features back and other goodies. Besides, it's funny .
Yep, like all the others recommended custom rom is the way forward. I was in your position before I started the flashing madness, I can promise you, you wouldn't regret it.. And we are so lucky to have such an active development section...
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Yep if you follow all the instructions it is nigh on impossible for anything to go wrong. Even if it does however, due to the active forums, you will get an answer in no time!
Don't do it, once you start you can't stop flashing save yourself and run away while you can
On a serious note, the battery life improvement and virtual 24hr help with this forum are good enough reasons on there own to do it, you won't regret it...
Ok Guys.... I'm gonna give you a laugh.
I've had my DHD since March (from Orange) and like all of you I am now not happy with (what you state is Stock ROM)
At the very tender age of 53yrs and now burnt our with computing and the like I rarely understand all the lingo/terms used Etc ;((
After calling on a phone 'expert' shop yesterday and was willing to shed cash if they could root & flash (presumably after de-branding) I saw the blank expression on their face.... "Nope... we don't know what your talking about"
Hmmm (I thought) So now I am determined to scare myself to death and ATTEMPT to get my phone to where it should be! But I am SOOoo lost on all the termanology used.
I am on 2.2.1
Kernal 2.6.32.21-g46445e7
Build 1.84.61.2
At the present time I am running on SPB 3D and have Laucher Pro installed as I was exerimenting with home page mods.
Still awaiting Ginger and can't see me getting it from Orange (UK) for any time yet. Phone does som curios things at times and seems to be getting buggy.
Phone calls drop, incomming second caller now boots me from my original call, icons vannish Etc.
Oh... Not keen on all this Facebook lark which the stock Orange thing has installed.
So.. ok, Not now happy with my DHD, but don't know where to start in geriatric terms.
Love this forum tho'
Hi
I am sending you a PM with a full guide and all the tools you require

[Q] Newbie Guidance

I just got a brand new htc touch pro2 (rhod100) that was a test unit. I think it's an international phone, but I have no idea if it's unlocked or not -- whether this would work on Sprint or AT&T or what in the U.S.
I'd like to go install a stable version of Android (2.2 is fine) and use it in the U.S. on AT&T and for international travel.
ROM is 1.19.401.0, Radio is 3.44.25.27
Any suggestions where to start?
I've rooted and flashed both Windows and Android phones before, but am not an expert.
Appreciate any help or pointers you all could give.
RS
first step in this, as you probably know, is to hardspl. Android over SD could work anyway even with stock rom, if my memory doesnt fail but it is always recommended to do it.
after that, one of the easiest ways to install android on SD is using Project Android.CAB, it install everything according to where it is supposed to be and then you just open the APP, select model and boot it. any more guidance? there are a lot of topics on the android section on TP2 but if you feel confused just ask.
i would recommend FRX07.1 Complete FroYo Bundle to start with

Confused - Do I Have All This Right???

I have spent a few hours reading the forums and getting understand things, but one never knows if one really understand things until one summarizes it themselves and asks others to confirm it. So, my situation and summary are below. Do I understand???
I live in South Korea and got the MB525. I like it very much, but I have SK Mobile. The last straw came when they installed even more stuff on my phone (like Korean social network programmes) without my permission, using some form of auto-update even though I had that disabled, and now will not even let me turn off auto update on those programmes. Also had a problem on a trip to Malaysia where the Korean emergency number (119) was the customer service number for Maxis - hence calling customer service got me the fire department!! I am just tired of having so many junk programmes on my phone and not having real control over the phone.
The phone runs 2.1-update1 and I would like to instal a generic version of 2.2 or 2.3 (that is cy7, an unofficial version of 2.3 right). I would like a version that is not country specific, but in English. By doing all this I hope to be able to have complete control over my phone, not have troubles using it internationally (sim is already unlocked but things like emergency numbers being programmed in), and be able to install and uninstall any programmes. I hope that by doing this SK Mobile will not be able to install any of their own software and that I can uninstall anything I do not like. I do not think I need moto-blur (do I???), so a version without that is better, I think.
While new to phone technology, I am good with computers and have my own web site, so I think I have the ability to do the upgrade per the 'All in one Defy Beginners guide' (Serious thanks for that). I'm sure I can figure out how to flash it properly, so no worries there.
My first question is what version/package would others recommend so that I have an English version that works internationally / meets my requirements. My second question is do I understand thing right above and am I on track, and my third question is what am I not thinking of?
Thanks a lot, and sorry for such a long post but too much is new all at once.
TME
haha... yes CM7.1/MIUI or pretty much the other roms wont give you any trouble using it internationally, and yes if you install cm7.1 they(SK mobile) wont be able to 'update' your phone... and yes just follow the guides carefully and your good to go... Good Luck
Since your phone is for SK, then I'm sure that most of the ROMs in here won't have no problem with your Defy.
I suggest CM7 for the function, and MIUI for the theme lovers.
DeBlur is absolutely, since that function just make troubles instead of goodies. Emergency Calling ? Um... not tried editting yet.
OK, thanks for the help above
But, next question. My phone runs 2.1 - update 1, but is I think Eclair version. I bought it in Dec, 2010. I have decided my first step is to upgrade to 2.2 and see how that goes.
But from the how to guide the bit below is very confusing:
CG Version 2: SBF 2.21 / 2.34 / Chinese (Éclair)
CG Version 3: SBF 2.51 (Éclair)
CG Version 4: SBF 3.4.2 (Froyo)
CG Version 5: SBF 4.5.0 / 4.5.1 (Gingerbread)
How do I relate version numbers listed on my phone (2.1) to the list above? I assume I want 3.4.2 but how can I understand version numbers so i do not make a mistake?
As my goal is to upgrade to a version that I can downgrade to 2.1 if needed for warranty reasons, I need a fixed SBF for Froyo. Can anyone give me a specific link to such a SBF version?
Thanks and sorry for all the questions. The learning curve is a bit steep.
TME
teachmeenglish said:
OK, thanks for the help above
But, next question. My phone runs 2.1 - update 1, but is I think Eclair version. I bought it in Dec, 2010. I have decided my first step is to upgrade to 2.2 and see how that goes.
But from the how to guide the bit below is very confusing:
CG Version 2: SBF 2.21 / 2.34 / Chinese (Éclair)
CG Version 3: SBF 2.51 (Éclair)
CG Version 4: SBF 3.4.2 (Froyo)
CG Version 5: SBF 4.5.0 / 4.5.1 (Gingerbread)
How do I relate version numbers listed on my phone (2.1) to the list above? I assume I want 3.4.2 but how can I understand version numbers so i do not make a mistake?
As my goal is to upgrade to a version that I can downgrade to 2.1 if needed for warranty reasons, I need a fixed SBF for Froyo. Can anyone give me a specific link to such a SBF version?
Thanks and sorry for all the questions. The learning curve is a bit steep.
TME
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you upgrade from official site.....
can you provide link to the guide you mentioned...
Root your phone (using superoneclick), install 2nd init, after that just flash CM7.1, no need to worry about sbf for CM7, although there is a recommended base ROM, im using it just fine flashing it over my original rom... dont know about others though...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1054447

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