[Hero CDMA General] navalynt:
Before I even begin the tutorial I need to point out something:

THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY AND YOU MAY LOSE SUPPORT FROM YOUR CARRIER. THIS ALSO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK YOUR ABILITY TO UPGRADE TO YOUR CARRIERS OFFICIAL 2.1 UPDATE WHEN RELEASED

What is an RUU?

RUU (or radio unit update) is a factory restore update which will wipe your handset and re-program it. Sometimes this is done as a troubleshooting step to fix a corrupt operating system, sometimes it is done as a clean update.

How can a Sprint RUU break your ability to update to 2.1 from your carrier?

Most RUU updates include updates for the bootloader (HBOOT). HBOOT does NOT take kindly to being downgraded. If you run an RUU from Sprint then find out that the RUU from your carrier for 2.1 has an older version of HBOOT then your official RUU will fail with an error of "Main version is older!"

Why does using a Sprint RUU void my warranty or remove my carrier support?

You are removing the software which was tailored specifically for your carrier. This can have undesirable results and potentially break things. You can't expect your carrier's technical support to help you with Sprint software or with bugs because of a custom ROM from the XDA community.

Anytime you mess with your phones operating system and firmware you also have the potential to cause serious problems.

DO NOT

attempt this process unless you are certain you know what you are doing!

THIS SHOULD WORK ON ALL HTC HERO PHONES CURRENTLY RUNNING OS 1.5 (CUPCAKE)​

LINK IS FINALLY UP! CLICK HERE FOR THE ZIP FILE

Documents in the linked ZIP file (in the order you should use them)

Android - Setting Up ADB Access

HTC Hero - Installing Sync and Drivers

Android - Creating a GoldCard

HTC Hero - Flashing RUU from microSDHC

Android - Flashing Custom Recovery Image

HTC Hero - Flashing 2.1 ROM

Files in the linked ZIP file

HERCIMG.zip (RUU rom.zip from Sprint's latest 2.1 test build)

flash_image

recovery-RA-heroc-v1.6.2.img

READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED!​

DO YOU REALLY WANT A $500 PAPERWEIGHT BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO IMPATIENT TO SPEND 10 MINUTES READING?​

GETTING STARTED

There are

THREE

things you must have to proceed:

A CDMA HTC Hero (not a GSM version)

The ZIP file linked to above

Your MSL code*

*The MSL code is a six digit code used to access your phones programming. Some carriers use a generic 000000 or one code for all of their devices. Other carriers have an MSL which is device specific. I am NOT going to help you find your MSL code! If you don't know it, contact your carrier and ask for it or search the forum for other means of obtaining it.

Basic Setup

Complete the steps in the following guides (which are in attached zip)

Android - Setting Up ADB Access.docx

HTC Hero - Installing Sync and Drivers.docx

Before you begin following the rest of the guides in the attached ZIP file you will need to backup your PRL. PRL is the preferred roaming list and tells your phone which carriers/towers it can use. If this file is incorrect you could end up with poor service or potentially roaming charges.

WHEN YOU USE A SPRINT RUU YOU WILL END UP WITH A SPRINT PRL! YOU MUST BACKUP YOUR PRL BEFORE GETTING STARTED SO YOU CAN RESTORE IT AFTER THE RUU.

PRL Backup

(the following instructions are adapted from THIS link)

1. Download and install the latest version of QPST from HERE

2. Dial ##3424# on your Hero to put it into diagnosic mode and connect to your computer via USB

3. Open QPST Configuration and go to the PORTS tab

4. Click on "Add New Port".

5. Select the port listed as USB/QC Diagnostics (may vary, just don't use the data modem one)

6. Go to Start Clients Dropdown and select Service Programming

7. From Service Programming your phone should be selected - Click OK

8. Click "Read from Phone" and Enter MSL. Various fields should populate, don't worry about what tab you are one

9. Click "Save to File" and save to wherever you want (just remember where)

The prl will be located in the directory you saved the file in and labeled as <yourphoneesn>_sp.rl0

Advanced Tasks

Complete the steps in the following guides (which are in attached zip)

Android - Creating a GoldCard.docx

HTC Hero - Flashing RUU from microSDHC.docx

Android - Flashing Custom Recovery Image.docx

HTC Hero - Flashing 2.1 ROM.docx

EDIT:

Because the RUU file updates HBOOT before it goes on to update the system it's possible that this will invalidate your current goldcard. DON'T FREAK OUT IF THE RUU FAILS AFTER THE FIRST TWO STEPS! Just pull the battery to reboot and redo the goldcard from scratch again. You should find that this time the RUU will complete.

PRL Restore

Copy the PRL file to the root of your microSD card

Dial ##775# on the handset and enter the MSL code when prompted for password

Tap on Update PRL

If it read your microSD card correctly your PRL file should be listed in the bottom half of the screen to select

Select your PRL and click OK

Press the MENU button and tap on Commit Modifications (which will reboot the phone)