[Hero, G2 Touch Android Development] cristianbdg:
Next week I'll be receiving my GSM HTC Hero and I'm doing a lot of reading in this great forum so that when it arrives, I'll be able to get the most out of my device.

What I'm planning to do is:

1. Use the "One click root method" (described at http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-root-your-htc-hero-in-one-click/) to:

a. Install the latest FlashRec (1.1.3 from http://zenthought.org/content/project/flashrec)​

b. Use FlashRec to:​

I. backup the current Recovery Image​

II. install the latest Amon Ra's Hero Recovery image (1.5.2 from http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=561124)​

2. Use the Amon Ra's Hero Recovery image to:

a. Back up the current ROM using Nandroid​

b. Install:​

I. MoDaCo Custom ROM 3.0 (from http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=552591)​

II. The latest Radios (version 63.18.55.06JU_6.35.09.26 according to http://android.modaco.com/content/h...-24-11-hero-roms-radios-in-update-zip-format/)​

Now for my questions (some may be silly, but remember I'm just starting with all of this):

1. I want to do this with a Spanish HTC Hero. Now in the MoDaCo ROM post, there is a link to different "locales". Do I need to install these if I want the phone to be in Spanish? I'm asking this because the link seems dead.

2. Do I lose the HTC Sense interface if I change to MoDaCo's ROM?

3. Do I need to "wipe"? between steps 2 and 3? I saw from the Recovery Image screenshots that there are many "wipe" options (Wipe data/factory reset, Wipe Dalvik-cache, Wipe SD:ext partition, Wipe battery stats, Wipoe rotate settings). Which one(s) should I use?

4. I have read that the "One click root method" has been patched in the newest versions of the HTC Hero, but I can't seem to find the specific version after which it doesn't work anymore. Is it safe to just try step 1a, and if it doesn't work try an alternative method?

5. I believe the easiest alternative method is to use adb, but the specific command seem to vary. According to the forum post that contains the Recovery Image, the commands would be:

adb shell reboot bootloader

fastboot boot recovery-RA-hero-v1.5.2.img

adb shell mount /sdcard

adb push recovery-RA-hero-v1.5.2.img /sdcard/recovery-RA-hero-v1.5.2.img

adb shell flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery-RA-hero-v1.5.2.img

adb shell reboot

I have also seen other commands. Would the ones above be the correct ones?

6. If I flash MoDaCo's ROM, do I have to enter settings specific to my operator (Orange Spain) to be able to use the phone and the Internet? If so, can I look up these settings before starting? And again, if so, where do I find them?

7. I'm going to buy a new (bigger and faster) MicroSD card than the one I have now to take full advantage of the Apps2SD later on. For now, I'll just use the 2GB card I have to be able to flash the updates, etc. Will a card with just one FAT partition work as simpe storage for updates? Can I enable the Apps2SD functionality later by inserting a correctly partitioned MicroSD card? Can I then uninstall and reinstall the apps so they get installed on the SD card?

8. If you can use FlashRec or ADB to change the Recovery Image and you can then use the Recovery Image to change the ROM to a rooted one, what is the Goldcard method for?

9. What are the risky parts of the process? (as in "if this fails you can throw away your phone" risky)

Thanks so much in advance for you help answering these questions. I really love the forum!