[Windows Phone 8 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] misterxp:
Custm ROM

Hello,

It is the first time I write a custom ROM and want to share my experience in case it helps you:

I used the ROM of WojtasXDA vers 1.32 and works perfectly. I even upgraded to windows phone 8.1 update 2 using the method in this thread (change registry values). This is my experience when try to write the custom ROM (first time I ever did this)

I was not able to use WojtasXDA's tool for step one and was not able to use the other method (jumper pins and fix bootloder method) either (using laptop computer) because neither method recognised my phone. After many various trials, I was going to give up and then dcided to try on a desk top computer ;) with clean install of Windows 7 - 32 bit.

WojtasXDA's programme still did not work (did not see my phone) so I tried the other methode as last attempt too.

It seemed quite complicated but I followed the instructions exactly, having read them and watching the video several times beforehand, and it worked!

(I did not make hard reset before starting though....I read after that it is often better to o so.)

After completing the "fix bootloader" proceedure, I was able to put the phone in mass storage mode and used WojtasXDA's programme for step one in his instructions. It worked immediately! I booted to the start screen and then made hard reset.

I then tried to do the second step and was horrified I could not unzip the ROM and progame file! I tried on different computers and then realised the original file was zipped with 7zip.

I installed 7 zip and managed to unzip the programme and ROM. The final part was very easy from then on with WojtasXDA's progamme.

I booted to the start and then made another hard reset..

I then re booted and logged onto my microsoft account, and downloaded previous apps etc. All perfect except whatsapp. I forgot to copy he backup files onto the SD card immediately and it did not update the previous chat. I tried to disinstall whatsapp, copy the backup files on the sd card and re install the app but whats app still does not find the back up files. The ther strange thing is that it des not make back up to sd card either. I tried to look in all the folders on the phone and SD card but can't find it. Hence I don't know where it makes back up now. If I do back up manually and remove whatsapp and re-install, it retrieves a back up from somewhere but I don't know where. I tried to search all files and folders but no luck....anyone have any ideas about this? I tried to write towhatsapp support but got no reply. I have not made another hard reset yet though either.

All other functions works perfectly: apps are installed to SD card, wifi, 3G, aiplane mode, Cortana (8.1 update & update 2), apps from microsoft store etc work well.

I started to do the above at 16.00 hrs and finished at 4.00 hrs next day!

I managed to get 8.1 update via Developer preview and then update 2 by changing registery value method mentioned in this thread. I used WojtasXDA's CustomPFD_0003_MOD .AXP app and sent it to the phine using visual studio 2012. This was also not so easy because it takes all day to install. I installed it on mydesktop computer first (seeing it worked before to install the ROM) but guess what? My phone was not recognised!! Hence I tried on my old lap top and after many hours, was able to send the file to the phone and changed the registery values. In approx one hour I had update 2

To be honnest I don't want to push my luck and want to see how windows phone 10 behaves before upgrading. I may try in Oct./ Nov ;)

Thanks again to WojtasXDA for his hard work, XDA developers and the all the other people who contribute to XDA,