yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
Not sure if this it true but thought it was worth posting anyway, I have been speaking with Orange techs everyday for this last week on another matter and have been periodically asking about the update for the hero.

This morning the agent said they got an internal update about it yesterday and we can expect an update to be rolled out starting 3rd July.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Wezternator:
Dude he is talking about a carriers update not the generic one from HTC.

So I think a separate thread is a good idea
[Hero, G2 Touch General] harsha_aithal:
Make that two.. Orange Heros seem to be struggling to get the updates
[Hero, G2 Touch General] lfvo:
I have the same problem. The first update has not yet appeared.

The info about my phone is

firmware version: 1.5

kernel version: 2.6.27-0078c992

Compilation number: 2.73.85.41 CL#72286 release-keys

Software version: 1.0.0.a6288
[Hero, G2 Touch General] polakscot:
While having everything in the one place would be nice.. I think there is still call for having separate threads on 2.1
[Hero, G2 Touch General] paulczar:
me three. You'll just get loads of orange rom threads appearing. No point in having a specific (potential) answer to a problem hidden away in a thread about the generic rom.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavinbrad71:
Me 4. I've been trawling through loads of posts to find Orange updates.

I have gone back to stock ready for the official Orange 2.1. I've had a variety of ROMs for 6 months, just want an official 2.1, as I've never been happy with stability of any, or there's always one thing that doesn't work.

Gav.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] paulczar:
Does anyone know if we will have to have the newest orange rom to get part 1 of the update, (ROM Version:2.73.61.66 released on 2010-02-04).

I never bothered with it at the time as it didnt seem to actually do anything different from the ROM they released in November along with all the other rom updates, (Rom 2.73.61.5).
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
I can see the reasons for keeping everything together and normally I would agree, but as this nugget of info was specific to the Orange build and I thought a separate thread so Orange customers can see it would be more useful, burying it on page 50+ of a thread about the generic (and rooted ) build didn't seem the right place for it.

Im running the latest version now as I thought that it might be required to trigger the part 1 of the update the other week, but so far nothing so we'll just have to wait and see.

figures crossed for the 3rd...
[Hero, G2 Touch General] frymaster.127:
me neither... guess we'll find out soon ;)
[Hero, G2 Touch General] paulczar:
think i'll just wait and see what happens rather than install the .66 rom if i don't need to.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Gazaman:
Fingers crossed for tomorrow then chaps :D

Yeah right!!!!!
[Hero, G2 Touch General] rhedgehog:
It'll be out when Orange sign it off and finish filling it up with their crap.

As for whether you'd need the latest ROM? yes you would. FOTA updates are deltas and only work from the most recent ROM.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] apprentice:
Good idea!

I am normally against fragmenting topics, but I agree, when it comes to Orange UK, the ROM updates are always a bone of contention!

I now own a HTC Desire but my partner has the HERO on Orange and I am waiting anxiously for this update to get cracking on making this phone useable again.

*** My question however is this: I have paid Orange to unlock the handset to any network. Will I still have to update with an Orange ROM or will I get the 2.1 update unbranded now?? ***
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
I dont think you will.

My contract is coming close to an end so will technically own the phone outright so I asked HTC if it were possible to flash their generic stock rom on the phone to remove the Orange branded version and they said its not possible and I will only be able to install roms provided by Orange on the handset.

I think its time to bite the bullet and get rooting...

After all this is the last chance to do it, if we install the official version we will be locked out forever and the Hero isnt going to be getting another official update after this one.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] cbailey:
I can't understand why people are still hanging on. Rooting is well easy and the roms better than the official releases.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] thevin knows nothing:
do you know?

i'm running my hero with modaco 2.8 rom

will i have to revert to the stock orange rom for the update?

sorry if this has already been asked i have been on nights all week and don't have the energy to read through all these threads

cheers people
[Hero, G2 Touch General] dyls:
Still Waiting...

I have a HTC Hero on Orange...

This whole thing is very frustrating to be honest!

I am a total noob when it comes to rooting, but I think i might just go ahead this weekend and put villain v12 custom ROM on my HTC Hero. Worth a shot¬!

Its taken them ni on a year to release this update, and when they finally release it, the people stuck on locked phones have to wait even longer! :(

Still, I really like HTC Devices and Google android is the shiz! So its all good! :D
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Monkae:
If I were to root my Hero, would it be unlocked from the orange network? I've been researching all the methods before I jump in to rooting it, and I've come across people having to reflash to an orange rom because they weren't able to use their Hero after updating. I was looking at VillianROM 12, but I didn't want to do anything if I had to default back to Orange after my efforts. They have a wiki with step by step instructions, easy enough, I'm just kinda weary as I've never rooted before. All I want is the newest update and be able to use an O2 sim.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] malarcy:
Unlocking the phone to use on a different network is different from installing a generic non branded rom - I have 2 mates who both have orange branded handsets running on other networks - they paid £6 each on ebay for an unlock code - send the guy you imei number he mails back the unlock code. You need to be on the feb rom for this to work.

Both are still running the standard branded orange rom.

From other threads on the board you can put a generic rom on a branded hero - but orange branded seems to have an issue-from what I read there you have to root to achieve this, wheras Tmob branded can be converted to generic without rooting.

If it was mine - I would get the unlock code, then wait a week or 2 to see if/when orange give you the official update - but it all depends on how quickly you want or need 2.1?
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Monkae:
So, do I need to unlock it to root it? Cos I've been to a few places for a code and it hasn't worked, and Orange are no help as I got the phone from someone who has since terminated their contract with them. Sorry that I've kinda made this thread go slightly of topic.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] malarcy:
Doubt it - you certainly don't need to root it to unlock it - I will PM you the link my mates used for the unlock code - no guarantees of course, except that 2 guys I know used it and it worked.

BUT - YOU MUST BE ON THE FEB 2010 ORANGE ROM RELEASE FOR THE UNLOCK TO WORK APPARENTLY.

Hope this helps.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Monkae:
Cheers, malarcy. Worked a treat, although I went with someone on ebid as I had a voucher to use up. I can now make phone calls with an actual signal and everything :P. Now just need to decide whether to wait for orange to update with their version of 2.1 or just give up and put Villain or something on it instead.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] malarcy:
Can't comment on the community roms out there I am still on stock. Now the official 2.1 is on wild I reckon they will all get a revision or two. Personally I have the option of wait 2 weeks for tmob or go stock. I am going to wait and see what the official Rom looks like then choose comunity or stock or branded.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
I've now bitten that bullet and rooted and flashed VillainRom12, best decision I've made and only took about 20-30 minutes to downgrade the orange rom, root the phone and flash the new rom. I now have all the bells and whistles that come with having 2.1 and access to root. I def advise you all do it too...

I followed the guide at www.roothtchero.co.uk
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Dougster800:
Was that on an unbranded Orange handset Gav?

I already have the lower rom version on my handset so now considering rooting too.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
No, I have the Orange Branded Graphite Hero, complete with Orange load screen, little logo on the case, etc.. or did, only orange branding left is the logo on the case :)

I'd def give it a go, I had a problem with the flashrec app in that it failed to do the initial recovery backup the first time I tired, it said something like "failed to run command" but I just waited a couple of seconds and pressed it again and it seemed to go through fine.

this is the first time I have had the courage to try to root a phone and install a custom rom, could never push myself with my tytnII, but am so glad I did. Just follow the guide on roothtchero.co.uk. and it should be fine.

if you decide to go for VillainRom, I advise going for either version 11 or 12, I initially put 10.3 on but the battery level went down like a bucket with a hole, so I replaced it with version12 and its been great.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] olisun39:
I have been trying to root my Orange branded & locked HTC Hero and I cannot downgrade the firmware to the .5 version.

I tried a few different firmwares and it gives me the "131" error.

Any ideas?
[Hero, G2 Touch General] tj80:
I've got a stock branded Orange Hero too and am wondering whether this is worth doing. Did you have to do any network specific setup to get it working (like entering server addresses, voicemail numbers, etc)? And is the Villain12 2.1 ROM really better than the stock Orange 1.5 ROM? I do have experience of custom ROMs on my old Windows Mobile phones, but with them they worked so badly to start with I nothing lose!!

Cheers,

Tim
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gascanieto:
i've been on custom roms, a lot of them, but always return to stock, due to stability issues. speedwise, stock feel smother.

Now, with 2.1 stock and root, my hero runs really well.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] CHR1SS:
I have a Orange branded (UK) Hero, but I've sim unlocked it because I live in Belgium. If I root my Hero, can I still use it here or should I sim-unlock it again?
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gascanieto:
Sim lock, has nothing to do with root. Try looking for someone to unlock it on Ebay, but I can't recommend anyone, as I don't need to unlock my phone.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] marky33:
I've been thinking about rooting my orange hero, there seems to be loads of info about flashing a custom rom but I can't seem to find info about flashing a generic rom, is this possible?
[Hero, G2 Touch General] paulczar:
finally took the plunge/got fed up waiting for orange and rooted and installed villainrom 12.

i'm very impressed. Runs very smooth and fast.

Only bad thing is my backup software 'sprite backup' hasnt worked. It just crashes. Luckily i had copy and pasted my sd card onto my pc so ive not lost everything. But its very annoying seeing as i paid for the app.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] pulser_g2:
This sometimes happens :( But it's the app that's the issue. If you mention to the dev, they might be able to fix it. Otherwise, I'd recommend titanium backup, although I understand you'll be annoyed since you've already bought a backup app and it would be best if it worked.

I presume you will stick rooted and custom ROM'd. I wouldn't install official one now, as you WILL lose root, and all hope of custom ROMs and rooting etc...
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
I got that too at first when trying to downgrade my rom. are you running Win7?

I noticed that the HTC Bootloader driver wasnt loading properly when the phone reset when running the official flash program, causing it to just timeout and error.

try opening device manager on your pc and expand the android tab when running the program. and see if it says HTC Bootloader with a yellow ! over it. I just updated the driver manually and choose HTC Sync instead of HTC Bootloader and it worked first time after that.

No, I was worried about that and spent ages writing it all down but when I installed villainrom first thing it asked was what network are you on, I selected orange it it seemed to auto-populate everything.

Im quite impressed with VillanROM but it is only the first one I've tried, so I dont know how it compares against the stock 2.1 rom but compared to the Orange 1.5 rom it kicks ass. it does come with a lot of apps pre-installed that I didnt need/really want but they are normal apps so easy enough to uninstall them

Im tempted to give the stock rom a go to see how it compares, do you have a link to the one you installed? there seems to be a few slightly different versions dotted around
[Hero, G2 Touch General] deed-elvis:
Ok here's the deal with me, Been on here for a while after having had an HTC kaiser that I upgraded without a problem to Winmo 6.5(josh's ROM FTW)

However at the start of this year I acquired an Orange Branded & locked HTC hero second hand. I had the intention of using it on the Sim only o2 unlimited net card I have, which has proven a good deal so far.

Before I continue with the rest of my spiel, Like everyone else in this thread I'm itching To get my hands on on Android 2.1 for the Hero, and it's proving very tricky. :mad:

Getting it successfully unlocked from Orange was a tricky process that I can't quite remember now :confused: , But it was more complicated than just using an unlock code. What I also needed was an Actual Orange sim (used a £5 PAYG one that I haven't touched since, in fact I think I have it as a spare plectrum :p ) and I also had to flash a custom rom From Modaco. Which I still have to this day (picture below for reference)

So Far I've enjoyed using android and all the apps that come with. Hell I've even got a nokia N900 on the sidelines which I don't enjoy using as much as this.

Also another titbit of information is that I have been away working (offshore on a drilling rig so no Mobile reception) for the last 3 weeks and have only got home yesterday.

Anyways the situation is this,

=> The Hero Update is Available to All unlocked handsets in the UK, And mine IS definitely unlocked NOW and has been for six months!

=> People with sim free unlocked handsets have been getting their updates as a popup on their device and are downloading through that - That hasn't happened to me... Yet... and I'm very sure it's not because I "missed" the start of the month at work, I've even tried "forcing" the update by changing the date =/

=> You Can get The roms through HTC's own site (here to be exact) but when I enter the serial in order to start downloading, I get this...

My guess is because The Serial for mine is still logged with HTC as "locked to orange", and hence won't allow the ROM to be downloaded for this phone. :(

I think I can see one way Around this, I need to get hold of That/Those HTC android 2.1 update files by a means other than going through their site, and since this phone is unlocked I expect it should work easily. Does anyone know of anywhere where they are hosted? or CAN anyone host them? even temporarily? ;)

OR does anyone have any other suggestions on what someone in my situation can do to solve this? =/

Thanks in advance.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] tilley123:
I too have finally gone for it following the above link will let post how I get on, got fed up waiting for Orange to release the update
[Hero, G2 Touch General] tilley123:
Rooted using that link provided in previous post simple to follow glad I done it.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] deed-elvis:
Update, it seems that HTC's hands are tied

in light of my situation above (IE hero handset that WAS locked to orange) it seems that HTC are unwilling/able to give the likes of us access to the Stock Android 2.1 Roms, :mad: :mad: :mad:

I've screenshotted the interchange I've had with an Ireland based tech, it's too big to attatch on here so I've uploaded it to my flickr

I followed an angle of attack based on pure logic at first, and kinda continued the theme as someone who can - and should - have access to the software :cool: :D :P
[Hero, G2 Touch General] captainstu72:
First off, I don't want to flame/troll/annoy you....

Your phone is unlocked. That doesn't mean it is unbranded, thus generic. HTC are right. Your phone is still an Orange phone, and always will be. I personally agree with HTC.

If you really want this update so bad, flash the generic rom. I have seen links flying around.

HTC have done their part, the Android 2.1 update is now in the hands of Orange who are doing their testing to make sure they are happy with it, and bundling stuff in (Possibly). Direct your complaints at Orange and you may get more of a response. But try not to base your "logic" on something thats is flawed in that your phone is unlocked, but not unbranded.

(Mods, feel free to delete, edit this post as you see fit)

/me back to waiting for the FOTA....
[Hero, G2 Touch General] yrreP:
You misunderstand what the term 'unlocked' refers too, Laurence.

Your device is SIM unlocked.. not CID unlocked.

Mobile devices have been software locked in this manner since the dawn on mankind..
[Hero, G2 Touch General] deed-elvis:
Hmmm, Ok, I may have been guilty of getting on my high horse there :o :rolleyes:

Like I said before my memory of getting the device unlocked is a bit hazy. But When I put the device through the unlocking process I did perform some kind of software unlock (CID unlock?) in order to flash that modaco rom, which was what I needed to then perform the sim unlock.

But I Still reckon if I can get hold of that android 2.1 rom outside of the HTC site, I should be able to get it on my device without any trouble :)

TO GOOGLE!!
[Hero, G2 Touch General] dyls:
Custom 2.1 ROM

If like me, your tired of waiting for orange, htc whoever to update ROM on the HTC HERO, stick a custom ROM on your device. Took me 20 minutes.

Not allowed to post link but if you google "newbie guide villain rom htc hero" its the second result down, then click on page 1. I am newbie with this sort of thing, but this guide is to the letter and it works a treat!

Now on 2.1 Custom ROM on my HTC Hero on Orange UK Network. :D Its good! :D
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Dougster800:
See post #26

Already another guide which I am trying tonight.

EDIT

Can't get Clockwork link to work on the link posted on thread #26
[Hero, G2 Touch General] peterc10:
Hmmmmmm ..... pot, kettle and black comes to mind methinks.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] captainstu72:
http://androidforums.com/htc-hero/107856-orange-uk-2-1-update-news-4.html

RUMOUR

has it it may be out today at noon on orange!
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Gazaman:
Anybody know if its available yet? If there is nothing by the end of the weekend then i'm going to seek elsewhere:D

Gaz
[Hero, G2 Touch General] marky33:
Its not out yet, I got bored today, rooted, villaninROM 12 and flashed a newer radio, seems good so far :)
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
which radio did you flash?
[Hero, G2 Touch General] marky33:
update-hero-radio-63.18.55.06PU_6.35.15.11-signed.zip
[Hero, G2 Touch General] harsha_aithal:
Yes, It has been asked many a times, And the answer is "Orange is yet to release the update for its Hero".
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Cstark:
Theres a Facebook group called "Orange UK - Give HTC Hero owners the 2.1 Update - NOW."

I can't add the link as not permitted :(

A letter has also been sent to Orange referring to the Facebook group - For what it's worth!
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Kazior:
I work for orange and spent today an hour on the phone to different departments regarding the update.. nobody has a clue when its due to come out.. it is clearly not a priority especially with orange's recent network problems..
[Hero, G2 Touch General] captainstu72:
Thank you very much for spending so long on the phone trying to find out what we all want to know. I hope that wasn't your lunch break.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] olisun39:
It's not only Orange but T-Mobile also...

The network merge doesn't seem to be going well...
[Hero, G2 Touch General] frederikk:
Here in France, orange, still no update.

Ciao

Fred
[Hero, G2 Touch General] radine:
HEROIMG method for safely rooting Orange UK Hero [2.73.61.66 Firmware]

HEROIMG method for safely rooting Orange UK Hero [2.73.61.66 Firmware]

I got bored waiting for orange but as a total newbie I was scared of bricking my phone. I pieced together this method from various clever people and I think it is the simplest and safest way to root an Orange UK hero.

One way to root your hero is to downgrade to the earlier firmware which is easier to exploit.

Backup everything as this method will flash your phone and wipe everything.

Download the Orange RUU 2.73.61.5 from:

tinyurl DOT com/2w65q83 (you will need to remake the links as newbies cant post links)

Do not connect your phone to the PC. Run the RUU application. It will tell you it cannot connect to the phone. Leave the program open and do a windows search for rom.zip in the appdata folder of your windows user profile. Copy this file to your desktop and rename it HEROIMG.zip.

Format your sd card on the phone then hook up your phone to the pc. Mount the usb drive and copy HEROIMG.zip to the root of the sdcard.

Unmount usb drive and disconnect from PC.

Turn off phone. Power phone into hboot by holding volume down when pressing power button. Hboot will check for certain files on your SD card the last of which is HEROIMG.zip.

The phone will load HEROIMG.zip – look out for the vertical progress bar at the top right side of the screen. When loaded you will be asked to press home to continue the upgrade.

When the upgrade is done you will have Orange firmware 2.73.61.5. This can be rooted using the instantroot app. See here:

tinyurl DOT com/yblyf6a

Then follow this noobie guide to flashing a custom rom from point 1 to Apps2SD inclusive:

tinyurl DOT com/2eperug

Personally I flashed villainrom 12 with the latest villainrom radio - 63.18.55.06PU_6.35.15.14. It all works very well.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gascanieto:
good guide, and there's no need to worry about wrong driver issues that happen in windows 7
[Hero, G2 Touch General] captainstu72:
Orange Uk Part 1 is OTA :)
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
Looks like the way to get things done these days is start up a Facebook Campaign. They sent a letter to the CEO and a day later he replies promising action, then later that day the update is released... Is just a shame that this was needed at all.

The group is called Orange UK - Give HTC Hero owners the 2.1 Update - NOW

Unfortunately for Orange, this is just too little too late... for them anyway, my Hero is extremely happily chugging along on FroydVillain, wouldn't dream of slapping that Orange branded **** on it now.

Just need someone to strip the radio off it so we can update...

Here are the emails off Orange regarding the update, you can read the conversation on the discussions tab on F'Book

and this one arrived last night
[Hero, G2 Touch General] jake_in_notts:
Oh good thats all nicely sorted now then !
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Kazior:
too late! rooted mine yesterday and thank god for that!

amen
[Hero, G2 Touch General] gavtaylor:
As I started the thread, only right I follow it to its conclusion... although I do recommend anyone waiting for this to root annd dont look back!

here is the latest email exchange from Geoff and Connor from Orange,

looks like Orange are blaming HTC for the delay???
[Hero, G2 Touch General] captainstu72:
Check for updates, and it is there now :) Part 2 downloading.
[Hero, G2 Touch General] Lennyuk:
Last I heard it was due out next week, strange :)

Please let me know the baseband when its done
[Hero, G2 Touch General] JTHM:
Hi captainstu72,

How did you kick the first update off? My wife's Hero is on the 04-Feb-10 (2.73.61.66) update but hasn't had any notification of any new OTA updates available yet.