[Touch Diamond, MDA Compact IV ROM Development] zamolxees:
A noob's point of view

I got my Diamond about two weeks ago, and since I'm new to PDAs and WM, I've done a lot of reading on the forums, wiki etc. At first things were quite murky for me and I know what my fellow noob here is feeling. So I thought I should share my experience (or lack there of) for the use of other noobs.

What I Know

HardSPL is needed in order to flash a cooked (non original HTC) ROM. As I understand, it is the equivalent of BIOS for PCs, mixed with a bootloader flavor. You need to first change this section of software first in order for the cooked roms to be accepted.

HardSPL comes in two flavours:

- the developer edition with which you can flash any type of roms (signed, unsigned, original) link: HardSPL dev ed

- the signed edition with which you can flash signed roms (original HTC, and cooked signed). The signed ROM versions give an added sense of reliability since they are tested. link: HardSPL signed the topic name was confusing for me at first

A list of signed ROMs: here

There are more than one "cooks" out there working in teams or otherwise. And more than one ROM you can flash. I did a lot of reading before I chose the one to use, I find user feedback the best measuring tool for quality :D .

Now for the flashing part

After you downloaded the HardSPL and the chosen ROM, you need to install ActiveSync. This is found on the CDs that come with the device, or downloadable fromo the M$ ****e aaaa site :) ActiveSync is a tool used for transferring contacts, e-mails and other outlook stuff if you use it, files, AND is needed for the flashing process. When installing, if you do not use outlook and do not like "syncronisation folders" on your desktop uncheck every "folder" option, you will be better off.

This site was very useful to me since it gave a detailed description flashing with visual documentation which (a bit uncomfortable to admit) was very helpful for me.

The HardSPL flash takes little time to complete and unless going into bootloader mode (vol down + soft reset) is completely transparent to the user.

The ROM flash takes longer 10 mins - they go by pretty slowly :D .

For safety reasons, I also downloaded an original HTC ROM just in case.

Because the flashing process once started SHOULD NOT be stopped there are a few things to consider:

- charge the battery

- firmly and directly (no hubs) plug the USB cable into computer and device.

- if you live in an area where power cuts are often consider doing the flashing on an UPS-enabled computer.

When the flashing finishes, the device will reboot and you will have to set-up again. If using TLRs ROM do not panic if you have to align the screen 6 times or so as I did. You will eventually get to the next step :)

What I don't know or am not sure of:

- when using signed HardSPL can I load an original HTC signed ROM? if so, is this enough in case of RMA issues?

- when reflashing with a newer/different ROM can I restore a back-up made with the previous ROM? I'm using sprite and I backed up everything, including what registry stuff it offered to. In this case, do i need to reapply the registry tweaks? dunno if sprite backs-up all the registry or just some of it.