[HTC Sensation] xdaco:
Hi, I have seen a lot of noobs are having boot loop and other issues to install ICS. Therefore I am creating this thread for those rookie users who wants to use ICS on their Sensation. I have tried to put all the thread links which are enriched with such information. Hope this will help all the rookie sensationers.

Firmware flashing, Radio Flashing and Custom ROM installation are risky and may brick your device if you make any mistake or if there is power failure. I am not responsible for any damage caused to your device.

I am assuming that you already have S-OFF and a suitable custom Recovery installed. (CWM or 4EXT etc). If you are not sure then you must read this thread. Be very careful while perform any task related to S-OFF and custom Recovery installation.

Learn basic ADB (Android Debugging Bridge) command. A good adb how to can be found here in xda.

Please note that all ICS based ROMs require the new firmware V3.12 and above. I would recommend the latest firmware V3.32 to flash .This is the latest stable release from HTC. This firmware is not backward compatible. Remember if you do not flash this firmware and install ICS ROMs , then you will have boot loop.

The official HBOOT version in this firmware is 1.20 or 1.23, or 1.27.000 which are locked. This deprecates some extended HBOOT commands like flashing radio, splash image etc. Mike1986 has posted a patched firmware V3.32 with HBOOT 1.27.1100 Revolutionary. This removes those limitations.

******* Note: Very few users reported that even after flashing v3.24 firmware , they got bootloop. But when they flashed v3.12 firmware, they were fine. So if you fall into the category of those very few users , then try to flash v3.12 firmware. Some users pointed out that the HBOOT 1.27.1100 was the actual reason to cause the bootloop. So another solution is to replace the patched HBOOT 1.27.1100 with the older HBOOT from V3.12 firmware package. Recently released firmware V3.32 and V3.30 have the same hboot v1.27.1100 Revolutionary as in V3.24. So who ever got bootloop with V3.24 , they will be still in bootloop with V3.30 and V3.32. The advice is same . Just stick to V3.12 firmware or replace the HBOOT of V3.30/V3.32 with the HBOOT found in V3.12 or the official untouched HBOOT V1.27.000 released in untouched V3.32 firmware. Few users got ARHD 6.5.X working with V3.12 firmware too. So you can also have a try.Remember v3.12 firmware is compatible for both Gingerbread and IceCream Sandwich. But the GB ROM must be sense 3.5 based else again you may get bootloop. *******

If anyone wants to update to official untouched firmware V3.32 with HBOOT 1.27.000 , they can follow this thread.

V3.12 Firmware can also be downloaded from the same thread.

Before you begin to flash any ICS based ROM, please flash v3.32 firmware. This firmware package includes a good radio. So no additional radio flashing is required. If any ROM suggests specific radio, then you have to flash it separately.

EDIT:

New firmware V3.32 is out with release of Android Revolution HD 6.5.1 by mike1986. The firmware has minor changes from the V3.24 . Sense 3.6 based ICS ROM willl work with this firmware. ASOP ICS like Virtuous is also working. Firmware v3.32 posted by mike1986 has the same patched unlocked HBOOT 1.27.1100 as in V3.24 . So extended fastboot commands are available.

1. Firmware Flashing:

Do a NANDROID backup after booting into recovery. ( Switch off your phone. Pull back the battery. Wait a minute. Put your battery back in the phone. Press POWER+VOlUME – Key together. Wait till the bootloader is ready. Select Recovery by pressing VOLUME- key. Then Press POWER button.)

Download the right firmware from this thread.Check the MD5 checksum of your downloaded file to be 200% sure that your file is not damaged. (To see md5 checksum of your downloaded file in linux environment open terminal. Navigate to the directory where your file is downloaded by typing :

$ cd /home/your-username/Downloads/

Change the directory address as per your download location

Then type :

$ md5sum yourfilename.zip

This will return the md5 checksum value.

In windows environment download md5 checksum calculating utility from here or here . Install it and check the md5 checksum value of your downloaded file.

Now you can compare this value with the value given by the actual uploader of the file. It must be matched else redownload the file. )

Read the thread thoroughly and follow every required step to flash the firmware. Do not skip any step. While flashing firmware follow the onscreen instruction on your phone. After flashing firmware, do not forget to delete the firmware zip file (PG58IMG.zip) from your sdcard root.

Remember restore of NANDROID backup will not restore your firmware. I am suggesting it if you want to go back to your original state then you can restore it from the nandroid backup but only after downgrading your firmware into original one.

2. Custom ROM installation:

Download the ROM of your choice. And follow the specific flashing information for that specific ROM. Generally the method is as follows.

a. Download your custom ROM.

b. Check the MD5 checksum of the downloaded file to be 200% sure that your downloaded zip is not damaged.

c. Copy your ROM on the root of your SDCARD.

d. Boot into Recovery.

e. Do a nandroid backup. If anything goes wrong

f. Do a Superwipe.

g. Install your ROM.

h. Install the specific radio if required.

i. Reboot. Wait atleat for 7 to 10 Minutes for firstboot.

j. Enjoy your cutom ROM.

A good guide for ARHD ROM can be found here. If you want to use ARHD 6.5.X then flash V3.32 firmware.

REPEAT:

******* Note: Very few users reported that even after flashing v3.24 or V3.30 or V3.32 firmware , they got bootloop. But when they flashed v3.12 firmware, they were fine. So if you fall into the category of those very few users , then try to flash v3.12 firmware. Some users pointed out that the patched HBOOT 1.27.1100 Revolutionary was the actual reason to cause the bootloop. So another solution is to replace the HBOOT 1.27.1100 with the older HBOOT from V3.12 firmware package. Recently released firmware V3.32 and V3.30 have the same hboot V1.27.1100 as in V3.24. So who ever got bootloop with V3.24 , they will be still in bootloop with V3.30 and V3.32. The advice is same . Just stick to V3.12 firmware or replace the HBOOT of V3.30/V3.32 with the HBOOT found in V3.12 or the official untouched HBOOT V1.27.000 released in untouched V3.32 firmware. Few users got ARHD 6.5.X working with V3.12 firmware too. So you can also have a try.Remember v3.12 firmware is compatible for both Gingerbread and IceCream Sandwich. But the GB ROM must be sense 3.5 based else again you may get bootloop. *******

If anyone wants to update to official untouched firmware V3.32 with HBOOT 1.27.000 , they can follow this thread.

V3.12 Firmware can also be downloaded from the same thread.

3. BATTERY CALIBRATION:

After you install a Custom ROM you should perform battery calibration. To do this, charge your battery till 100%. I suggest to install app Current Widget and Battery calibration. When the current widget shows 0mAH current draw, your battery is actually charged fully. Now you can boot into recovery and then remove battery stat form the tools menu. Alternatively you can do it with Battery calibrator app on your phone itself.

Once you have calibrated , remove the charger and keep your phone into sleep for at least 1 to 2 hours. After this use your phone. I am sure you will get a good battery life.

4. ICS PROBLEM FIXES:

Read this thread. Search the forum before you post any question. May be your question has already been answered.

5. ALL NOOB QESTIONS:

Still you have questions?? Post your question in this thread.

6. REGARDING FLAMING, POSTING NEW THREADS, AND MODERATING TECHNIQUE

Please read this thread to know how to post or reply in a thread.

7. SENSATION THEMES :

Themes related post can be found in this thread. But remember most of the themes are ROM specific. So before you install very sure that it is supported by your ROM.

8. SPLASH SCREEN , BOOTANIMATION, BOOTSOUND, AND DOWNANIMATION

For splash screen customization read these threads.

a. Linux Splash tool and flashable splash.zip

b. [UTILITY][v1112.3]MySplash - Splash screen backup and flash program for Sensation

c. Change the White HTC Splash image to what you want

d. The EASISET way to flash splash screens

e. Bootsplash, bootanimation, etc

For Bootanimation, downanimation and boot sound follow these threads.

a. NEWii bootanimation "Ice Cream Sandwich"

b. |BOOTAnimation| from HD video - qHD + bootsound

c. Bootsound for ARHD 6.2.1

d. |BOOT & DOWN Animation| HTC Black

9. REVERTING BACK TO GINGERBREAD:

If you feel that ICS is not your cap of tea for time being and you need to go back to Gingerbread, then you have to downgrade the sensation firmware.

You can downgrade to v3.12 (for sense 3.5 based GB ROM only) or to v1.17 for any GB ROM.

Firmware v1.17 does not include a radio. So your present radio will be preserved. If your custom rom suggest a different radio, you have to flash it separately in fastboot mode.

You can download these firmware here. Please follow that thread for flashing instruction.

TO FLASH RADIO VIA FASTBOOT:(Remember this method will work only if your HBOOT is unlocked; official HBOOT 1.20 is locked where as Revolutionary HBOOT 1.27 is unlocked)

Download the required radio. If it is in zip, extract it . You will get a file radio.img or similar. Put this file in the folder where fastboot and adb binary is present. Generally it is in the 'platform-tools' folder. Now,

a. Connect your phone into a PC, and make sure that USB Debugging is enabled

b. Click "Charge Only". on your sensation.

c. Open a command prompt.

d. Start adb by issuing "adb start-server"command. (If you are in windows environment you have to go to the directory where adb binary is present; normally it is in 'platform-tools' folder)

e. Type: adb devices

f. If it lists your sensation, then you are connected to your sensation via adb.

g. Type: "adb reboot bootloader"

h. Once your phone is in bootloader (white screen with text), type "fastboot flash radio radio.img" . Change radio.img into your-file-name.img if required.

i. When the flashing completes, type "fastboot reboot"

j. Done. Enjoy!

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