Installing Custom ROMs

From Villain ROM

This is aimed at new “rooters”. The process is incredibly easy.

I also take no responsibility if you fuck up somehow, and this is for GSM Hero’s not Sprint Hero CDMA users.

In order to create this guide I downgraded my phone to RUU Orange UK 2.73.61.66 (i.e. unrooted – guide to come) then updated to the pre-2.1 release from Orange and then updated to the final 2.1 release from Orange. I then used Universal Androot to gain root access and from there install a custom recovery.

Prelude:

1. Install HTC Sync from here
2. Download Universal Androot
3. Download AmonRA Recovery v1.7.0.1.img – easier if you rename this “recovery.img” when it is on your sdcard

Place both downloaded files on your SD Card

Root & Recovery

1. Download and install Astro File Manager from the Market
2. Open Astro and find and install Universal Androot from your sdcard:

Select UniversalAndroot.apk > Open App Manager > Install > Settings> [tick] Unknown Sources > OK > Back > Select UniversalAndroot.apk > Open App Manager > Install > Install > Open

1. In the app and choose the correct version from the dropdown box:

• Superuser for Android 2.0~2.2 – if you have updated your phone recently
• Superuser for Android 1.5~1.6 – if you have refused updates recently or your country/provider hasn’t released one yet

Then choose: “Root ”

Wait until it says “Woot ! Your device is rooted !” and exit the program.

1. Download and install Android Terminal Emulator from the Market
2. Run “Terminal Emulator” the program and type in the following:

su  [enter]
flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img  [enter]
reboot recovery  [enter]

1. Your phone should now restart and place you in recovery mode. You can also do this manually by turning off your phone and press Home + Power to turn it back on.

Install Your Custom Rom

Note: This part of the guide can be repeated with as many different rom’s as you like. You do not have to repeat the previous section once you have a recovery image installed.

1. Download a Custom ROM from here to your computer (some available at http://www.villainrom.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?73-GSM-HTC-Hero-Hero.VillainROM.co.uk)

1. Make sure your phone is in recovery mode (Home + Power)

Plug your phone into your computer and select “USB-MS toggle” in recovery Place the Custom ROM on your SD card in the main directory and press Home when it has finished copying over

1. Select Backup/Restore > Nand backup > confirm with Home > Wait

(or Nand + Ext if you have A2SD setup)

1. Press back then select Wipe from the main menu, then select:
   1. Wipe data/factory reset > Home
   2. Wipe cache > Home
   3. Wipe Dalvik-cache > Home
   4. Wipe SD:ext partition > Home
   5. Press back button
   6. Select Flash Zip from SD Card
   7. Select the file
   8. Press Home to confirm

Note: Ignore any “errors”, they are normal and usually mean you’re not using that feature.

1. Once it is done, select Reboot and you will boot into the new Custom ROM.

Updating your Radio

Note: The radio deals with your signal levels and connectivity.

1. Download the latest radio from the following page

N.B. Radio’s are not region specific! Just get the latest

1. Mount your SD Card so your computer can read it and place the downloaded file in the main directory

1. Turn off your phone and boot into the recovery screen (holding Home + Power)

1. Choose:
   1. Flash Zip from SD Card
   2. Pick the radio.zip file and press Home to confirm
   3. Wait
   4. Your phone will reboot a couple of times but when you’re back on the Recovery Screen just press reboot system now and it will complete the install and put you back into your custom rom.

DO NOT PULL THE BATTERY OUT, THIS WILL BRICK YOUR HANDSET.

1. When this process has completed reboot the phone and you should have the new radio. This can be checked in Settings > About Phone

This guide has been unceremoniously copied, and was originally written by BtDaG. Thanks BtDaG =]

Calibrate Battery

It would be a good idea to calibrate your battery after flashing a new ROM. Please see the page on Calibrate Battery.