[Touch Diamond2, Pure General] Drag-On:
There seems to be some confusion as to what exactly flashing is. People talk about flashing ROMs AND flashing HardSPL...wtf?!?

well, you do flash both, but think of flashing HardSPL as you would when flashing your BIOS on your PC (if you have never done it, then think of it as a new version of the white writing that tells you your pc specs when you switch your pc on - startup screen)

Flashing a ROM:

Your phone is running Windows Mobile (6.1 or 6.5) just like your computer is running Windows XP/Vista/7 (or, if ur a real tosser, Mac OS). Now you may sometimes update your OS (that stands for Operating System) via automatic updates. you haven't actually REPLACED your OS, just added a little to it.

That is NOT what flashing a ROM is.

Flashing your ROM is like having Windows XP Home and installing Windows 7 Ultimate. You COMPLETELY take away Windows XP and ALL files associated with it and install a newer OS.

So, you cannot just "upgrade" from WM 6.1 to WM 6.5.

WHAT IS A ROM?

A ROM is practically (using above's example) a CD/DVD with Windows Mobile on it (which version of Windows Mobile doesn't matter). Now of course it IS NOT an actual CD/DVD, but rather a smaller file (where are you gonna fit a CD/DVD into your phone, huh? :P)

So, when people talk about choosing your ROM, they are practically saying, which version of Widows Mobile do you want,

BUT ALSO

how customised do you want it?

Different ROMs:

- Stock ROM/Original ROM/HTC ROM:

these ROMs are absolutely basic and come with nothing extra or edited to make them faster/change them. it is the version you can download from HTC

- Cooked ROMs/Modified ROMs/Custom ROMs:

these ROMs are prepared by the chefs in our kitchen (it's a metaphor, there aren't really chefs in any kitchen, we just call the guys who piece together the custom ROMs, chefs)

these ROMs come in many shapes and sizes, some of them offering more eye candy (that's what we call things that look pretty) and some optimized for speed and performance. You will need to read through the description the chef gives, as well as the forum feedback to be able to evaluate just how likely you are to use that ROM.

Now, once you understand those terms a bit better, have a look here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=585201

for a simple step by step guide to flashing HardSPL and then your first ROM.

Good luck

Other Terms you might encounter:

Radio Version: The radio ROM is responsible for Wifi, phone signal, GPS. Changing the radio ROM can improve your phone (or make it worse) regarding Wifi sensitivity, phone signal availability, GPS satellite receiving and GPS lag. Most ROMs come with a radio that should work best for them, however, if they do not, then your old radio will simply be left in place.

Unfortunately there is no confirmed measurement available yet to tell you which radio ROM is best for you. It depends on the OS ROM you use, the region you are living in and your personal needs.

Sense/Manilla/TF3D/Touch Flo: These are words/descriptions given to the HTC Touch Flo Interface (Touch Flo 3d is the TF3D term in words)

- Manilla (BLACK AND WHITE) is the original version "old" version, whilst Sense (COLOURED ICONS) is the new one.

- So anything that is graphically NOT the standard Windows Mobile 6.1 or 6.5, probably counts towards the Touch Flo Interface.

Hard Reset: A hard reset is the same as "Restore Factory Defaults" on most cell phones. So ANY data you have added (contacts, data files - music, photos, etc) will be deleted. The phone then reverts ALL settings (any background changes you're made, any ringtones, etc will be set to the original, default ones the phone came with) *note: your phone will NOT reset to the original ROM/Windows Mobile version it came with, it will still be the same ROM you flashed with!

To perform a hard reset, you can either do so by looking for the Restore to factory settings in your menu

OR

Switch your phone off. Now hold both volume buttons down and press the power button. Your phone will now hard reset.

Soft Reset: Pressing the red button under your battery cover, or selecting the quick reset option in the menu(s). This is pretty much comparable to restarting your pc if it is running a bit slowly for some reason.

If you still have questions, or would like to read more, Please go to the Topaz Mega Thread

(to all the (Senior) Members, if you have any tips i might have left out, please PM me with them and i'll update as necessary, as i would rather keep this thread as clear and unlittered as possible for the new guys, thanks)