Anyone tried the Stock Telecom Windows 6.5 rom

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Anyone tried the Stock Telecom Windows 6.5 rom

BigRed

20 posts

Geek

#56583 18-Jan-2010 11:53

Hi guys

I hope someone with more knowledge and experience than myself can help to clear some things in regards to updating my Telecom HTC Touch Pro 2 to a new rom.

Firstly, has anyone tried the 6.5 rom upgrade that is available on the HTC website? If so, what are your impressions of it. I know I could easily just try it myself, but the thing holding me back is that it's not an easy process to down-grade back to 6.1 if I don't like it.

This brings me to my second lot of questions that involve using custom roms like those found on xda etc. It seems that a lot of the custom roms on this site specify other network based roms, e.g Sprint, T-Mobile etc. What base of rom do you guys (anyone who's done this) use for your Telecom Touch Pro 2s? I guess you just go for an unbranded rom - any suggestions on a 6.5 based rom that you find works well on Telecom?

Also, I know one of the main problems with doing the Hard SPL process and flashing a new rom is that it voids the warranty on the product if you need to take it in for repair. I know that there are ways around this, but it requires loading on the stock rom - does anyone know where to get this stock rom (it may not even be possible.)

Any comments you could make on this are very much appreciated

Thanks

Jamie

digitaldivide

94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#290867 18-Jan-2010 12:49

Telecom NZ has a Windows Mobile 6.5 update for both the HTC Snap and HTC Touch Pro.

Both of these have been tested by Telecom NZ prior to being available for Customers to use.

You can obtain the Windows Mobile 6.5 update here:

HTC Snap Windows Mobile 6.5:
http://www.htc.com/nz/supportdownloadlist.aspx?p_id=262&act=sd&cat=all

HTC Touch Pro Windows Mobile 6.5
http://www.htc.com/nz/supportdownloadlist.aspx?p_id=250&act=sd&cat=all

Windows Mobile 6.5 looks better: It’s more touch-friendly, eye-candy, finger-swish-scrolling, etc.

But, 6.5 is an incremental upgrade, not a revamped, built-from-the-ground-up platform. That's what Windows Mobile 7 will be.

There’s no question that Microsoft is moving in the right direction with Windows Mobile 6.5 - the interface is easier and other bonus "candy" such as Internet Explorer Mobile improved with Adobe Flash Lite - you can get the complete features list from the Microsoft website.

In regards to Custom ROMs: For WCDMA devices, I think Telecom NZ will make available any patches/updates as they become available, so you should be able to rely on that for future updates. Check out the URL above for those.

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 37

#290952 18-Jan-2010 20:07

I strongly recommend the WM6.5 update, not just for the improved TouchFlo3D/Sense UI interface, but most importantly for the upgrade of the radio ROM, for improved network capability and also GPS/WiFi/Bluetooth functionality.

Downgrading back to 6.1 after 6.5, would be a step backward in all around functionality for the TP2.

As far as custom ROMs go, Im one of those "flashers" hehe! Most custom ROMs are generic eg a GSM ROm will work for all, however, some are customized specfically for carriers eg AT&T users need a specific keyboard configuration to work correctly. Also there are CDMA ROMs for the likes of Sprint and Telus etc in the USA.

Flashing the Hard SPL, even with the stock Telecom ROM, will void your warranty, as it is an unauthorized modification. As far as access to a stock ROM, then that would only come from Telegistics and i very much doubt they would give that out.

There are instructions at XDA for dumping the stock ROM. If you need to reload a stock ROM, then you also have to relock the TP2 to the original SPL.

My recommendation, get the WM6.5 update and enjoy it. Flashing a custom ROM, means you have to put up with bugs, lockups for the sake of access to some customized programming, themes, functionality etc.

I've been an HTC user with the Apache, Titan and now the Touch Pro2 so flashing custom ROMs is a regular thing for me. I bought a Telstra Touch Pro2 from aussie and if at some point i do experience hardware failure, then it must be returned to Australia, that means i would need to reload the stock ROM, relock it and then send it back. The likelihood of me ever doing this is pretty much Nil, so that's the price I pay for flashing/customizing. I've managed to run a reasonably working version of Android 2.0.1 also on my TP2.

My recommendation, get WM6.5 which is essential and enjoy the peace of mind of a stable rom and getting warranty repairs with no issues :-)

- Telstra HTC Touch Pro2 - Energy ROM WM6.5.5 20 Oct/Cyanogen Mod Froyo 2.2 - R.I.P
- AT&T Galaxy S Captivate 16GB on XT (now with brother)
- Samsung Galaxy S2 on XT- Runs ICS 4.0.3 Resurrection Remix 9.2
- Business Hours - Work In The Electricity Industry, After Hours - DJ/Turntablist - Will Scratch Vinyl For Free'
- What's next??? S3?

BigRed

20 posts

Geek

#293410 27-Jan-2010 13:06

Just a follow up message.

Thanks for the comments guys. I ended up flashing to the 6.5 stock rom and I'm very happy with it. I've noticed the the battery doesn't seem to last as long as the 6.1 rom, but I may just be using (playing) with it a bit more - mmmm animated weather.

My overall impression is that 6.5 is more functional and if it's anything to go by Windows Mobile 7 should be very good. I know there are many detractors of Windows Mobile, but for my purposes (business) it really excels. I tried the E71 (a couple of the guys at work have got them) and just didn't find it quite up to the task. Plus with all the knowledge, tweaks and apps on xda etc Windows Mobile is very customisable.

Thanks again for your input

Big Red

w00t

51 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#293487 27-Jan-2010 15:17

I'm generally happy with the 6.5 upgrade on my TP2... it does look and feel just that bit cleaner.

But replacing the "Camera" option on the home screen with "T World"? Dude - not good

digitaldivide

94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#293502 27-Jan-2010 15:52

BigRed: Just a follow up message.

Thanks for the comments guys. I ended up flashing to the 6.5 stock rom and I'm very happy with it. I've noticed the the battery doesn't seem to last as long as the 6.1 rom, but I may just be using (playing) with it a bit more - mmmm animated weather.

I recommend

* Turning off any automatic weather updates
* Any external interfaces such as Wifi, Bluetooth or SD card, all use power.
* Adjust power-management settings to decrease screen brightness and also how long the backlight and screen displays stay on.
* Check email less frequently (for example, once every hour or two, instead of once every five minutes)
* Check for any location update apps
* Check for how many apps your running - when you exited that app, is it actually still running? Kill 'em.
* Bluetooth is changed abit in 6.5; if you use this device in your car hands-free then this will reduce available battery power
* If you live in a a fringe area of the Telecom XT network - or spend a large amount of time travelling in a vehicle - this will reduce available battery power

If after upgrading to 6.5 and you experience poor battery life, and none of the above are a culprit, post back.

BigRed

20 posts

Geek

#293760 28-Jan-2010 08:49

w00t: I'm generally happy with the 6.5 upgrade on my TP2... it does look and feel just that bit cleaner.

But replacing the "Camera" option on the home screen with "T World"? Dude - not good

I know what you mean, but I installed a cab somewhere and in addition to the fix that I was after it also restored the "Camera" button. Sorry, but I can't remember what cab it was. It may have been when I installed an HDWall cab?

digitaldivide:

* Turning off any automatic weather updates
* Any external interfaces such as Wifi, Bluetooth or SD card, all use power.
* Adjust power-management settings to decrease screen brightness and also how long the backlight and screen displays stay on.
* Check email less frequently (for example, once every hour or two, instead of once every five minutes)
* Check for any location update apps
* Check for how many apps your running - when you exited that app, is it actually still running? Kill 'em.
* Bluetooth is changed abit in 6.5; if you use this device in your car hands-free then this will reduce available battery power
* If you live in a a fringe area of the Telecom XT network - or spend a large amount of time travelling in a vehicle - this will reduce available battery power

Yeah, I'm aware of those things but my point is more a comparison between how my battery lasts on 6.5 vs 6.1 - not just on how to conserve the battery. I have set up all of the things above on my 6.5 rom the same as was set up on my 6.1 rom (ie email checks, Comm connections (wifi and bluetooth off), automatic weather, power settings.)

I guess the only one that I can't definitvely discount is the location update apps, but I doubt that's it as I certainly don't run any - and I don't think any run from a restart do they?

Lenovo

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Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 37

#294891 31-Jan-2010 14:10

With the T-World link, did it provide a link for Mobile TV?