Develop Bugs

What is a ROM?

Please forgive my ignorance, I'm a new pda user and new to this site..
I've seen posts regarding new ROM versions and installation issues etc... but I don't actually know what a ROM is.
I'm assuming it's a software update but if anyone can give me a more detailed (but easy) explanation, I'd be eternally grateful..
Thanks,
Chrono..

Strickly speaking a ROM means Read Only Memory. But in this case topics/thread regarding ROM refer to the Operating System (OS) versions which eventually reside in the ROM portion of the unit's memory.

Can I give you a 'for instance'....
I have a new XDA Mini S, my partner has an XDA II, (o2) but an older version.
My contacts list can store the photo of the contact, his can't... he wants to upgrade his software to include this feature, ... should I be looking for a ROM update or take up the issue with Microsoft / o2 ?
(Sorry for being a pants newbie, ... I'll get better in time)!

[Q] ROM backup + why win ce 5.2

Hi all.
This will be my first post in this forum, but sadly I think this subject been up here before. I've been searching these forums and the wiki for some time now and it's ALOT of information here... GREAT WORK! by the way.
But I can't really find any guide that describes why I should do a ROM update. I have learned how to flash the ROM, and that ROM's differs in speed, stability and so on.
Questions I haven't find any clear answers to:
- Clear description on how to backup the original ROM with radio (without SD-card)
- Why tf3d config themes won't work on 1.93 ROMs
- Why does many ROMs uses Win CE 5.2 instead of 6.1?
- Howto backup manila (TF3D) incase of upgrade to manilaHD?
Best regards
Bunnny

short answer
bunnny said:
Hi all.
This will be my first post in this forum, but sadly I think this subject been up here before. I've been searching these forums and the wiki for some time now and it's ALOT of information here... GREAT WORK! by the way.
But I can't really find any guide that describes why I should do a ROM update. I have learned how to flash the ROM, and that ROM's differs in speed, stability and so on.
Questions I haven't find any clear answers to:
- Clear description on how to backup the original ROM with radio (without SD-card)
- Why tf3d config themes won't work on 1.93 ROMs
- Why does many ROMs uses Win CE 5.2 instead of 6.1?
- Howto backup manila (TF3D) incase of upgrade to manilaHD?
Best regards
Bunnny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll share what i know -
1 - as far as i know, there is no way of "backing up" the existing rom, there is a ROM roll up thread here and also a radio sticky - so you see what stock ROM & radio you have and download it and keep it with you (on your computer)
2 - no idea, don't use themes
3-
windows 6.1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Mobile
windows CE 5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_CE_5.0
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=WindowsCE
one is the OS other is the platform.
4 - same as (1) above
i change ROMs because of speed & stability... some do it because of APPS, others because of support... it's what makes you comfortable that counts
hope this helps

cloudedhopes said:
i'll share what i know -
1 - as far as i know, there is no way of "backing up" the existing rom, there is a ROM roll up thread here and also a radio sticky - so you see what stock ROM & radio you have and download it and keep it with you (on your computer)
2 - no idea, don't use themes
3-
windows 6.1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Mobile
windows CE 5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_CE_5.0
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=WindowsCE
one is the OS other is the platform.
4 - same as (1) above
i change ROMs because of speed & stability... some do it because of APPS, others because of support... it's what makes you comfortable that counts
hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, I see (#3), thanks for your reply.
Sadly I havent found my original ROM here.
My OP is 3 sweden and this ROM (1.93.774.3) is not available in the wiki, maybe HTCs ROM (1.93.413.3 SWE) is no loss?
EDIT: Never mind found the rom on the forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2572811 (page 7)

Gentlemen!
Both of you are posting instead of searching. All of the above can be easily explained by ..... reading this forum.
So, plz, instead fo making traffic, reserve yourself a free evening with internet connection and mouse....
Regards....

mjaxa said:
Gentlemen!
Both of you are posting instead of searching. All of the above can be easily explained by ..... reading this forum.
So, plz, instead fo making traffic, reserve yourself a free evening with internet connection and mouse....
Regards....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you are not helping, neither with my questions or the traffic.
As I wrote in my post I've been searching and still am.
Now it's just question 2 left. And Im glad to say that I have sucessfully flashed my ROM, but I couldn't use HardSPL OliNex138 instead I used Jockyw2001's 1.24

[Newbie question] flashing with cooked ROM

hi, this is my very first post in XDA-developers. Please help me with some of my questions regarding flashing a TP2 with a cooked ROM.
I have a brand new TP2 from T-mobile USA.
and i want to flash it with a custom ROM.
i did search and read some post and i found these two threads.
Hard-SPL unlocker:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550131
and Flashing for newbies
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550540&highlight=touch+pro+rom
my questions are:
1) are these both applicable to a brand new TP2 from t-mobile USA?
2) are these two together the only TUTORIALS i will need? (if not, any other suggestions?)
3) can you please give me some keywords or tags or links on where i can find the cooked ROMs?
4) do i need to SIM UNLOCK my phone?
5) can i still fix it if i accidentally brick it?
6) what is a RADIO? (in XDA-developer terms)
i would really appreciate your help. thanks a lot!

Welcome Rakcs,
As far as flashing a cooked ROM goes. It looks way more complicated than it really is.
First you need to download and flash the HardSPL(Follow the instructions and you will be fine)
Quick note though.. When flashing the HardSPL your screen will go black, this is normal.
This allows you to flash your cooked roms.
Once you have the HardSPL flashed, download your choice of ROM and flash it.
But to more accurately answer your questions...
1) are these both applicable to a brand new TP2 from t-mobile USA?
--Yes
2) are these two together the only TUTORIALS i will need? (if not, any other suggestions?)
--For the most part.
3) can you please give me some keywords or tags or links on where i can find the cooked ROMs?
--Check the ROM development page for the Rhodium http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=490
4) do i need to SIM UNLOCK my phone?
--No, not unless you feel the need to switch to a different carrier
5) what is a RADIO? (in XDA-developer terms)
RADIO refers to your Radio (ie Phone/GPS "radio"). You can update the driver for the radio for better functionality.

wow.. thanks for the quick response. since it says in your sig that you also have tp2 from tmobile usa. i wanted to ask which ROMs are safe to use on it. it's because it says on a video guide on youtube that some ROMs are carrier dependent. thank you so much for your help!
another question:
what's the difference between the standard cooked ROM and Manila 2.5?

Well once you get used to the flashing process it really comes down to personal preference.
I have tried most if not all of the ROMS on the forum and I personally like Monx ROMeOS.
See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=570407
To be able to download his ROMs you have to sign up at his website here: http://romeos.monx.biz/
It's well worth it.
It's a very friendly rom for someone who is flashing for the first time.
Ok.. Manila refers to the Touchflo 3D (just a fancy name for it).
Anyway, there are essentially 2 versions for it. 2.1 and 2.5
2.1 supports the landscape mode for when you slide out that beautiful keyboard. 2.5 only supports landscape on the music/pictures tabs.
For you I would suggest sticking with roms cooked with manilla 2.1

frenchie746 said:
Welcome Rakcs,
But to more accurately answer your questions...
1) are these both applicable to a brand new TP2 from t-mobile USA?
--Yes
2) are these two together the only TUTORIALS i will need? (if not, any other suggestions?)
--For the most part.
3) can you please give me some keywords or tags or links on where i can find the cooked ROMs?
--Check the ROM development page for the Rhodium http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=490
4) do i need to SIM UNLOCK my phone?
--No, not unless you feel the need to switch to a different carrier
5) what is a RADIO? (in XDA-developer terms)
RADIO refers to your Radio (ie Phone/GPS "radio"). You can update the driver for the radio for better functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you skipped one, proly the more important question too
5) can i still fix it if i accidentally brick it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Need Stock-ROM for P8000(B)

Yesterday I bricked my brand new P8000(B) - the new version with Marshmallow 'out of the box' (and the new SIM slots etc...)
I tryed to reflash several stock- and custom ROM's but they don't work because they are made for the 'old' version and there must be major differences in the hardware. At the moment the main problem is that the LCD driver is wrong and the display shows only lines and blurry spots
The Phone was running on ROM "P8000_6.0_20160516" - this ROM is not available at needrom or bbs.elephone.hk even Google doesnt know
It would help a lot if some could supply the ROM "P8000_6.0_20160516" - thank you!

FrauHofrat said:
Yesterday I bricked my brand new P8000(B) - the new version with Marshmallow 'out of the box' (and the new SIM slots etc...)
I tryed to reflash several stock- and custom ROM's but they don't work because they are made for the 'old' version and there must be major differences in the hardware. At the moment the main problem is that the LCD driver is wrong and the display shows only lines and blurry spots
The Phone was running on ROM "P8000_6.0_20160516" - this ROM is not available at needrom or bbs.elephone.hk even Google doesnt know
It would help a lot if some could supply the ROM "P8000_6.0_20160516" - thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can do nothing else than blaming you, I wrote a reply yesterday to the eragon forum that there's someone else who flashed -not even a custom rom- just the root .zip that was for the "old" p8000 and got his phone bricked the same way as you (LCD driver problem). That's why I asked for a dump/backup. It could have been useful for you too (as in this case) and for the other guy too. But nevermind, I hope that you learn from this for later things... anyways, the other guy has contacted elephone on their facebook, so I hope you'll get the rom so you can use your device again. Good luck!

I have this version too, just got it today.
If someone can explain to me how to create the scatter file and the backup, I'll do it.
I have some experience with this stuff, but MTKDroidTools tells me unknown rom structure.
Any help?

I do have the same problem (see here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/elephone-p8000/general/rom-p8000-t3431571 ). I just wanted to root the phone because I liked to change the wifi modem file but i didn't even realize that I got another version of the phone at this point, so I bricked it.
I also contacted the support via facebook, but the support guy had to ask the engineers for help.
But maybe someone can help Emileh taking a dump of his phone, that would be really great!

@ardrift
you are sooo right but I have'n expected that two phones of the same type contain conplete different hardware respectively the firmware is not supporting both hardware versions. Even the manufacturer does not metion to check the hardware version before flashing...
@Emileh @flo1k
I do have a second 'untouched' P8000(B) too - and I'm starving to copy the firmware from this working phone to the faulty phone if someone could explain how...

problem solved
flo1k managed to get a stock ROM for this hardware version - the softwarepackage is named K06TE-A.A.vR14.E1.160707 and should be available at the elephone forum soon....
Further information you can get here http://forum.xda-developers.com/elephone-p8000/general/2016-version-fingerprint-scanner-t3436270

URGENT HELP: pre-purchase questions

hello
i read a lot bout this mobile and its price is awesome for someone like me who's ready to purchase mid-range mobile for close price...but i lost with ROMs and i'm afraid to buy it and experience hell with it.
i'd purchase it from chinese online store which provide some ROM supports google play and semi translated ROM , so for sure i must be sure to have necessary knowledge before purchasing .
1- what's with heating issue? is it from ROM or the mobile ? cause i read a lot of threads worldwide regarding this matter, and i dont know if it's reasonable or unbearable all the time heating?
2- official ROM is indian one here which should be ZUI 2.0.093_ST_16081 , so im assuming it's %100 english language which is perfect, but i'm from arabian country so i need arabic keyboard and encoding.
i believe arabic keyboard is easy to obtain once i download google keyboard and add language, but for encoding i need someone to confirm it, cause i want to browse arabic contents from apps like whatsapp or from chrome browser, i want to know if arabic would displayed correctly or it won't be supported and appears like rubbish?
ps. i dont want arabic UI for the device.
3- GPS, i read some threads saying that official ROM is the best , and some/most custom roms have some issues, is that so far ?
4- i love STOCK ANDROID experience, never interested with extra customization whether it was official OEM rom or 3rd party ROM, especially avoiding bloatware as possible, who's giving me such a STABLE experience, is it... ?
A- official indian rom?
B- official 3rd party ROMs like cosmic-os 7.1.1_20170317_1.4 , CitrusCAF-3.1-TANGERINE or mokee MK60.1-z2-170413-RELEASE ?
i know there's other roms like lineage , but i wont use something unofficial.
5- is this the correct official indian rom that if installed, would support OTA and receive nougat in may? Z2132_Q01017.1_M_ZUI_2.0.093_ST_160811
sorry for long thread , please help me ASAP if possible, shipping is taking 3-4 weeks so i must order soon before offer/stock finish.
regards

First of all, hey there, glad to know you're wondering buying this phone. Actually, it's not a mid-phone, I guess, 'cause many other (like Huawei P9 Lite, Galaxy S6 Edge) phones are weaker than the ZUK comparing their specs.
1. Not sure where you have read about heating, but I'm not having such a problem. Using stock China version Nougat ROM just with unlocked bootloader and rooted. I haven't tried any custom ROM yet, so cannot answer if it heats with custom ROM. So to conclude, the heat depends not only on the phone itself or the ROM that's installed, but it's important where you'e living too, e.g. in hot countries or so increases your phone temperature.
2. Yeah, after everything you can set up your own language using G-board, btw, encoding is fine, I'm Lithuanian and it has many letters that other countries doesn't have, for example, ąčęė and so on, and the phone displays it perfectly, just unsure how recipient sees it, but I assume it's upon recipients' phone settings.
3. It makes sense - Custom ROM aren't officially released and it's created by some developers; and this is the reason why some custom ROM may have certain problems. On the other hand, GPS /w official ROM works flawlessly.
4. About bloatware.. There's lots of it on stock ROM. Some of them you can delete, some of them you cannot. The only way for now is to unlock your bootloader (otherwise you won't be able to root your phone - and I don't know why when many other phones can be rooter without unlocking bootloader, but whatever..), then root your phone and remove manually using some kind of app (System APP Remover, etc) or just download AdAway. It's all upon you.
5. Nougat is already released, you should receive it either with China or Indian version ROM. But yeah, you must be on that kind of stock version that you've written (I upgraded from that version to Nougat)
If you've any other questions quote me, 'll give a try to answer ASAP.