yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wire_weaver:
modified death grip

Thanks steviewevie and 1337droid for your replies. I think I have worked out what the problem is

After doing plenty of reading and experimentation, I can now get my HTC Desire Z to display a similar signal strength to my wife's HTC Desire as long as I don't hold the DZ in some modified death grip.

Who would have thought. If I hold my DZ along its side and don't place any part of my fingers or hand against the rear (mainly lower) surface, the signal strength matches the Desire to within 1-2 asu. (the formula for asu = (Signal Strength in dBm + 113) x 2). The more I touch the rear, the more the signal strength degrades on the DZ. I don't have a rubber bumper or case for it, as this was Steve Jobs' solution for Apple's iphone 4 antenna issues.

This is not a major inconvenience to me as I have never had a call drop out yet even if I do hold the phone in a sub-optimal manner, but having it hover on zero bars during a call when inside my home or workplace is a bit unsettling. From now on I will consciously hold the phone on the edges with my pinkie along the bottom edge during a call - this is not an un-natural way for me to hold it.

The other thing which initially made comparisons more confusing for me is that the response time is slower on the DZ. This is the time it takes to increase its signal strength in response to external changes (like changed handgrip, or changes to its physical location relative to internal/external walls etc.)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] witm01:
In this case rubber cases and the likes wouldn't help improving your signal quality. The reason they help with the Iphone is that its antenna can actually be short-circuited by bridging that gap with your fingers. Obviously with the DZ's internal antenna, this is not possible here.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] moolash:
Desire Z

Is there such as stock ROMs for DZ?

Full ROM, I mean, not just radio.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] moolash:
Answering my own Q: I think I got it. Is this it?

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=822908
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] steviewevie:
There are several different stock ROMs for the DZ, depending if you've got a standard European one, various Asian models, Bell, etc, etc.

That is the RUU with the shipping ROM for the standard European model, yes.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] tun4f1sh:
I've been running the 26.04.02.17 radio for about 1 week now (latest MIUI ROM) and haven't noticed any noticeable hit to battery life. It could be placebo, but it seems like my reception has improved a bit (came from 26.03.02.26)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] kholk:
Uploadin' 128e ASAP. :)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] NetStranger:
what is it?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
From what RUU and region?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] jbenson:
New radio!? :-)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] mejorguille:
You go bro! The .17 radio wastes way too much battery for me, but it gives a considerably stronger signal than the other ones. I hope this one is a little better on battery.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] JPHCCFC:
Anyone tried out this new radio 128e yet really hoping it improves the signal and battery issues
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Armani G:
Is the new radio even posted I dont see it???
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Febby:
so wheres this so called new radio???... I'm interested lol
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
For my sold Hero,Radio.images were possible as flashable zip files.

Is this no possible with this images too?

So I wouldn`t need the "eng hboot" to flash this images.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ubernicholi:
This is how you make a flashable zip. Make sure its uncompressed.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] heybobitsme:
I think the general consensus is it's safer to flash the radio (and HBOOT/SPL) from fastboot unless it's a radio specifically for the device. With the G1, after a lot of debate, it was discovered that it was being bricked when flashing the SPL with the wrong radio in recovery, and that it was actually borking the recovery partition. I think this is the thread that explains it. Again, the above thread is in regard to the G1, but I believe a good reason why it's better to flash via fastboot.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
That doesn't apply to the G2 as all SPLs and radios are compatible, so far...

The main reason is that fastboot won't let you flash a corrupt radio where as a zip will flash indiscriminately in recovery.

It's also a good detriment from flash happy noobs. They should take the time to learn and figure out what an spl is.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Hm,ok,but confused about "gfree" and Radio S-Off!

I used the method from here,with gfree,to get Radio S-Off

http://xdaforums.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2

So I think if I flash a other Radio image I lose Radio S-Off,or I`m wrong?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Use gfree_verify and make sure eveything is unlocked. Then follow direction to install eng hboot below that.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Ok,as I understand,it`s better to have the "eng hboot",

because S-Off only with gfree and then I flashing other

radio image,I will lose S-Off!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Well you wouldn't be able to flash a new radio img without eng spl but yes, you can't use gfree with the newest radio, it closes the loophole. You need to be s-off prior to flashing it. Make sure you use gfree-verify command to check. If you are then you can safely flash the eng spl and the latest radio.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] heybobitsme:
I agree that this info is outdated and doesn't apply with the more recent HTC phones, I was more making a point as to why I thought we should use fastboot instead of recovery to flash. As you can tell, I had a G1 since it was released and still remember the old ideas and theories that seem to get in the way of my thinking about the newer stuff. Thanks for the correction. :cool:

And ya, you're right about people needing to learn what an SPL is. It's not hardly mentioned anymore except when talking about the G1.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
So this method doesn`t works too without "eng hboot"?

Eng hboot is needed to flash a radio image!

Ok,Hero is not a Desire Z,but for my Hero unlocked SPL

wasn`t needed to flash radio images.

Thanks for all your answers ;)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Yeah... I remember the G1 days, lots of problems because everything was new and some things weren't thought out... many bricks.

I use the term spl because I am from the G1 days as well and just got used to it but hboot is another term for an spl.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
You can use that method without eng spl but I am not sure if it would be any better than doing it through recovery. I believe using fastboot is the only way to guarantee not flashing a corrupt radio.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] jbenson:
Sooo where is the new radio?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] heybobitsme:
Couldn't you use something like this to flash the radio in terminal app without the ENG_HBOOT/SPL:

su
flash_image radio /sdcard/radio.img
reboot bootloader (to make sure it took)

Putiing the radio.img on the sdcard, of course.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
I don't think you can. I think they disabled flashing radio partition through it but I could be wrong. Flash_image is a binary in /system/bin. Its not any better to use flash_image than using recovery to flash. Many people have problems flashing recovery partitions using the command. Amon_Ra him self recommends flashing his recoveries through fastboot as opposed to using flash_image...
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Often flashed radio zip files to my Hero,without unlocked SPL,

only via Recovery!

Compared the Hero radio.zip and looks like this: (it`s a signed zip file)

Inside the folder is the file

Radio_signed_HERO_63.18.55.06JU_6.35.08.29.img

and a "META-INF" folder with Update-Script,Cert.RSA,Cert.SF

and Manifest.MF!

So maybe it`s possible to do the same with radio images for

Desire Z/G2.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] heybobitsme:
True, it's not any better than flashing a .zip in recovery, but since the binary is there then you should be able to. Hearkening again back to the G1, I remember flashing radio as well as recovery this way, before I had the SDK and fastboot, and never had a problem. And really, it's dangerous flashing anything in any way, even fastboot. If you have a dodgy USB cable or port and it cut out at just the wrong time, you're toast! Hell, I still get some butterflies in my stomach when it comes to rooting and flashing even with a "safe" method and even with a device I'm familiar with! So live dangerously, son! :p:D
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
It is possible, just not recommeded. Why go through all that trouble and risk bricking your phone. Even if it's 1/100 chance the zip gets corrupted...
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Ok,zip can get corrupted,but never had problems with my hero!

Don`t know if I maybe will try this,but all I have to do

is to creating the same folder as for the hero and sign the zip?

Sorry,for many questions etc.!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Honestly I've never packed a zip so I am not comfortable giving you advice, especially with a radio...
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Would be easy for me, but don`t know if anything on the radio

must also be made!

I only think it would be a easy way too,to

flash radio images.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Here is a sample radio zip for the G1:http://depositfiles.com/files/mwn7ne6ts

It has an extra script to verify the correct spl is installed which can be discarded. All the partitions will obviously be different as well...

Once again, I strongly advise against this lol but if you must...
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] TheNewGuy:
Man... I keep getting teased with this "new radio" lol , is it ever going to show up? Are we sure that it really exists? Has anyone actually seen it?.....
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Febby:
I'm starting to think it was a mistake lol.. as the link on the first post mentions Vision_RADIO_12.28e.60.140f_26.04.02.17, perhaps the user who said uploading 128e meant 12.28e :confused:? lol.. anyways I sent him a private message yesterday and so far no reply.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
That was kholk, he is the OP so its credible... but he did tease us before a couple of months back :rolleyes:
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] TheNewGuy:
yea thats why I am skeptical this time.:rolleyes:

I know he is legit but you never know everyone makes mistakes.. I am still checking this thread daily, and have been since the first tease.:D
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Shaquiel Harris:
Hmm.. I have a TMOUS G2.. is it really necessary to flash a different radio? just curious.

Mines is 26.02.01.15_M2
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
Just would like to know which one is the newest radio. I haven't really messed with flashing a new one, just been reading a little about it and would like to see if my signal improves. Don't really care about battery life. Running CM7 nightly 29 w/built in cm kernel.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] tun4f1sh:
Vision_RADIO_12.28e.60.140f_26.04.02.17 is the newest.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
And this is totally cool to flash onto a tmobile G2, correct?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
I feel like I should be flashing the one on the bottom of the list. Just want to confirm before I move forward.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Yeah they all work on any Vision device.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
Ok. Thanks man. Gonna get this done today. I'm in the most prestigeous and high speed airborne infantry unit in the world, about to get out, and the most work I do during the day anymore is flashing and other mods to my phone. Its great. Gotta love the big stupid army.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] sundar2012:
Am I confused or is this the second time a new (post egypt) radio has been discussed followed by radio silence (pun intended)...
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
How do I put the android-info.zip file into the radio 7zip so that I can flash without a computer? Or did I read that wrong? I just need to know how to get the latest radio without a computer because I don't have one at the moment. Please help.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
It was here:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=9879412&postcount=122
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
That's what I read. It just says to pack it in a single zip with radio.img. I don't know how to pack a zip and I'm guessing that radio.img comes out of the initial radio download. I can't extract anything out of that file for some reason.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
I used win rar to extract the radio image which

available at first post!

Also extracted the "android-info.txt" from the link above!

Then choose the two files,and add them with win rar or 7 zip

(I used 7 zip) to a "zip" archive. (I chose compression strength "normal")

Some users said,if you have root and S-Off only via

"gfree" (without installed eng hboot) you will lose

S-Off,but I've tested and have still S-Off :D

I don`t have installed the "eng hboot".

And now it says "12.28e.60.140f_26.04.02.17" :)

P.S.You can also take a look into my "PC10IMG.zip"

http://www.multiupload.com/1WQXVRF5H0
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DJMartini:
I was able to flash 12.28e.60.140f_26.04.02.17 and have ENG S-OFF still, however running CM7 nightly #31 I'm getting FC when trying to open Superuser Permission. Anyone has have that problem or know how to fix?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Don`t have the "eng hboot" installed and have the same

radio now!

Only S-Off via "gfree".

No problems with Superuser permissions!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
Thx for the PC10IMG.zip. I couldn't figure out the zip stuff with only a phone. My computer is broken and I'm stuck with only a phone so I'm limited in what I can do. Just got the radio flashed and everything seems fine.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Run gfree_verify to make sure you are unlocked.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Seems to be fine,nice :)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ptesmoke:
can anyone elaborate on how to flash the radio? im comforatble with the adb method in OP but for the life of me i cannot find the mentioned "fastboot" folder anywhere on my DZ. other than that i think im good to go. or could i flash the posted pc10.zip through the fastboot menu on the phone? or recovery?

kind of new to how this htc works, came from a sony x10 and things revovle around recovery flashing...

thanks for any help guys!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Fastboot folder is at the android sdk,where is the fastboot.exe!

For the PC10IMG: (RADIO_12.28e.60.140fU_26.04.02.17_M2)

Copy it to root of sdcard

Boot into hboot by holding <Vol-Down> while powering on.

hboot should load the PC10IMG.zip automatically and the ask you if you want to update. Press <Vol Up> to start the update.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DJMartini:
gfree_verify is saying

CID = T-MOB010

SIMLOCK= 01

secu_flag: 1

However within HBoot it shows ENG S-OFF ... am I doing something wrong?

I did gfree root after flashing the new radio.

HBOOT says

VISION PVT ENG S-OFF

HBOOT-0-.76.2000 (pc1010000)

RADIO-26.04.02.17_M2
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Hboot Ok,but seems to be

something wrong with gfree and root!

Should looks like this:

gfree verify_cid returned:

CID: 11111111

gfree verify_secu_flag returned:

secu_flag: 0

gfree verify_simlock returned:

SIMLOCK= 00

Maybe read here:

http://xdaforums.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#VERIFY_.28using_.22gfree_verify.22.29
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Thats not fastboot...

Fastboot is just like ADB if you're familiar with it. There is no fastboot folder, you can place it anywhere but easiest way is to put it at the root of your drive ex. C:\ then when you boot up in fastboot mode, just like with adb, check your device is connected properly with fastboot devices command. Also, fastboot should appear in red on your phone. Then just navigate to the img location; cd C:\ and fastboot flash img...

Note: you must have android/tools and /platform-tools folder in your environmental paths to run the fastboot command (and adb) from any directory.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ptesmoke:
hmm ok m aybe i didnt download all of the sdk features when in stalled, i have a fastboot.exe but it isnt in a folder called fastboot.

flashing your PC10IMG sounds much easier, think i will go that way. will work fine on a gfree unlocked DZ right? thanks so much for your help!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
You didnt have full root before upgrading radio and uou cant run gfree with the new radio. You will have to downgrade and run gfree. Follow the wiki that Ganii posted.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DJMartini:
Yea, I've read this page and been all over it. I just can't seem to understand why my HBOOT shows S-OFF and within my Rom I can use rooted apps except Superuser Permissions FC and gfree_verify isn't saying I'm root.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DJMartini:
Downgrade radio back? ... What version can I flash back to perm. gfree root than I guess?

Thanks!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Yes,I only mean there is no "fastboot folder" only a fastboot.exe,which

is needed to do fastboot commands!

Yes,no problems,as I said,I have only S-Off and root via gfree!

No "eng hboot" installed.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
As Vlad83 said downgrade to,example,

Vision_RADIO_12.28b.60.140e_26.03.02.26,

then try to root again!

Root isn`t possible with the newest radio!

As far as I know,gfree can`t edit the config partition at the newest

radio.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DJMartini:
Thanks going to go back and try this and I'll post back
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ptesmoke:
ok now your scaring me lol, i dont lose root do i? you just cant root on this new radio if you werent rooted??
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
You should have root and S-Off via gfree!

If you don`t have this and flashing the newest radio,you can`t

root again!

First you have to downgrade the radio!

And for myself,I still have Root and S-Off ;)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ptesmoke:
ok im good then, all i have done so far (only hae the phone less than 24hours lol) used gfree to temp root, them perm root, then subsidy unlock, s-off, super cid, running now on cyanogen 6.1.1 on the rogers network :) so i should be ok to update radio safely. thanks for all your help m8 :)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
Just run gfree_verify, make sure you are completely unlocked. Then flash eng hboot (recommended) and you can use the fastboot command. You can also do it the pc10img way but thats riskier. Once you have eng hboot you can easily flash any radio you want with 1 command without having to worry about packing the zip or it being corrupted.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
That`s all!

I had no problems.

But if you unsure,and too risky for you,

read last post from Vlad83!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ptesmoke:
hmmm really? i was kind of deterred from eng hboot, as the wiki stated it wasnt nessesary and ive read a few users stating theyre' "scared" to try lol.

what advantages would eng hboot give one?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
The advantage is you have all the fastboot commands at your disposal which are otherwise unavailable. To put it simply, flashing hboot and radio can both brick your phone if the flash fails or the file is corrupted. You can flash the hboot once and then safely flash any radio as many times as you want through fastboot (which will not allow you to flash a corrupted radio) or take a chance each time you flash a radio in zip...
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
I only know too,

it`s useful for flashing unsigned updates,images (custom splashes too)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] ptesmoke:
roger that, understood.

i just successfully flashed radio with hboot, but i will more than likely flash the eng hboot when im home. thanks for all your help! def a good first experience in this forum. x10 dev forum id get flamed for not knowing exactly what to do lol. cheers guys
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Other question to this!

Via gfree S-Off and eng hboot too I can`t flashing

a corrupted radio!

But if I flashing a corruped radio and only have S-Off via

gfree,there is no way to go back,phone is bricked?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] jbenson:
No I did this and my phone wouldn't pass the first boot splash or boot into recovery. But my phone would boot to the eng hboot. So I flashed the original tmobile pc10img and it totally reset my phone to stock. You can only do this if you rooted using gfree though. If you rooted any other way it will brick your phone beyond repair.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
Ah,ok,you did this via

adb push PC10IMG.zip /sdcard/PC10IMG.zip

then booting into hboot
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] jbenson:
Nah my phone wouldn't register as an adb device so adb commands were no good. It would not boot far enough to use adb commands. I took my sd card out and used a car reader to place the pc10img on the root then put it back into my phone and booted into eng hboot and it ran an update as usual. It scared the crap out of me because I was sure that I had bricked my phone...thank God for gfree! :-)
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] wayde187:
I didn't read all the way through to see if there were anymore people having trouble. The way gani did it works just fine. He did all the work for you. Go back in the thread and download the PC10IMG.zip file, put it on root of SD card, then if you are running a cm rom, hold down on power and select reboot, then bootloader, then when it loads into the bootloader screen with the three androids at the bottom, select bootloader again and it will automatically update. Power is the selector button in bootloader unless prompted otherwise by the screen. Radio will automatically flash and propt you with (ok) when finished. Click ok and it will reboot. All done.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DJMartini:
Yeaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Got this to work! Thank you for everyones help.

I didn't originally have permaroot with gfree. Had to work with Scotty on IRC and flashed back stock rom/kernel and fallowed the direction to permaroot with gfree and re-flashed upgrade radio and worked like a charm!

Thank you!!!
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] tookewl4skewl:
What's the deal? Still no new radio?

Sent from my htc.desireZED
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Ganii:
As far as I know:

The radio firmware controls basic low-level functions like network connectivity, Wi-Fi, and GPS.

Upgrading your radio will fix connectivity issues, increase range or performance, decrease battery usage, or the like.

Sometimes new radio firmwares add features for some network providers that result in worse bandwidth,

disconnections and other disagreement if you use them on another network.
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] sundar2012:
is there any advantage to flashing a newer hboot if im coming from the eng-hboot .76?
[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] Vlad83:
No, keep the eng spl.