[Touch Diamond, MDA Compact IV ROM Development] karkalanand:
Hi All,

I had lot of difficulty searching for different articles on how to upgrade my Indian Airtel Locked 2G Diamond to any of the NON-HTC ROMs.

Doubts were in mind as to which version of HardSpl, Radio will work with 2G Indian Diamond, whether Airtel lock has to be removed before upgrade, whether i'll brick my phone if i did not unlock it, so and so forth..

Hence i thought i'll share whatever i did to make my Diamond faster:

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO UPGRADE INDIAN 2G AIRTEL LOCKED DIAMONDS:

Before going to any steps please note that whenever you use the RUU (HardSpl / Radio / ROM) please wait till the install is over, do not disconnect your cable / active sync connection or use the phone.. Sometimes u may not see activity on the PC/Phone, just wait and wait and all will be fine, u touch the diamond & it may get bricked!!

This tutorial has nothing to do with Unlocking from Airtel Network, and after doing a ROM upgrade your phone is still locked to Airtel only..

There is no need to unlock your Airtel Locked Diamond before going ahead with these steps:

Step1:

BACKUP:

Backup all your files, contacts, sms, PIM etc.. (I used PIM Backup v2.8)

Tip: The internal Storage does not get formatted unless you do a hard reset (anytime later after upgrade), still i recommend to backup your Internal storage.. just in case.., then use Sprite Backup, to backup in total..

Step2:

CHANGE TO HARDSPL FROM SPL:

SPL is like BIOS of your computer, HardSpl is a customised BIOS (Like HP bios may not allow u to tweak ur computer fully, the SPL does not allow custom non HTC ROMs)

To change SPL to HardSPL, use Olinex 1.40 Unsigned, also called Unsigned Olinex HardSPL Developer Edition

From this page download - Hard-SPL-Diamond-OliNex.zip (1.92 MB, 21113 views)

Please read details of what to do and what not to do during HardSPL on this page.

Tips:

Check whether your SPL is Changed to HardSPL by going into bootloader screen - Press [Vol Dwn] & [RESET] simultaneously to enter bootloader screen

Dont go to step3 unless you have changed to HardSPL & confirmed it on the bootloader screen

Step3:

CHANGE RADIO:

Radio is the sofware that is used to control all the connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) & Phone (Which Band/ 3G/2G etc) functions

To change the Radio you have to do two things:

1. Download Custom RUU (A software to install your Radio - Like windows installer) 2. Selected Radio file

Dowload Custom RUU from here

2. Download radio from here, i preferred to use v1.00.25.05, now on v1.00.25.08

Please read details of what to do and what not to do while changing Radio on this page.

3. Extract both files into one single folder & install on your Diamond

Tips:

Changing the Radio is like getting a permission to install unofficial ROM, it wont remove Airtel Lock..

Check whether your Radio is Changed to desired version by doing a soft reset

Dont go to step4 unless you have changed & confirmed the desired Radio version with Soft Reset

Step4:

CHANGE ROM:

You can choose any unofficial ROM to install but as our Indian Diamonds are different (2G), you should be doubly sure that the ROM you select does not include a Radio (Coz all other radios will be 3G) Of course most of the ROM are devoid of Radios and SPL, but also most famous ROM cookers mention what their ROM contains and what it doesnt..

a. Select & Download a ROM, just install it..

b. Some ROMs need you to install it through RUU utility

c. Hard Reset the device once you have finished installing the ROM and make your Diamond a faster & cutomised machine..

Step 'c' is very important for your diamond to work properly

Please read details of what to do and what not to do while changing ROM on this page.

Tip:

I used SwiftBl 6.5... works like charm and flawless.., also used Dutty's ROM - not my cup of tea, as there were no updates of SwiftBL after 05/10/08, now i'm on Pistonripper.. Fast & Furious..!!

Step5:

RESTORE:

Restore from PIM Backup / Sprite Backup..

Thanks to many friends & posts who helped me use an XDA SITE ROM..

This post is mainly for my indian diamondwala counterparts & are only the main steps in brief, and mainly to mention what versions worked flawlessly on 2G version..

Please refer to more details espcially

THIS

post which gives very detailed account of upgrading..

Hope this post helps few..

Seniors / Moderators please read the article and if mistakes then point out.. I have used simple understandable words for newbies like me..