[Touch Pro2, Tilt 2 Windows Mobile ROM Development] cajunflavoredbob:
All ROMs currently listed are GSM ONLY.

CDMA ROMs are normally hosted at PPC Geeks.

This thread is a work in progress to list all current Rhodium ROMs and keep them updated.

Not sure how to flash? Looking at all these ROMs and drooling, but don't know where to start? Well, look no further. Let's get down to business. The first thing I'm going to tell you is to read. Read, read, read, read, read. Read until your eyes, bleed, then clean yourself off, and read some more. After all, you spent good money on this device, right? We wouldn't want that shiny new toy to become a shiny new paperweight because you couldn't be bothered to understand what you're doing, would we? So, without further adieu, make sure your device is fully charged, and let's begin.

Helpful jargon

SPL

= Secondary Program Loader. This is what we refer to as the bootloader. The SPL is similar in function to the BIOS on your PC. It is responsible for loading the OS, and enabling the hardware functions. To get to this, you need to hold down the volume down button while turning the device on.

ROM

= Read Only Memory. The Rhodium has 512MB of internal storage memory including the ROM storage. This is where everything you save or install lives if you use the internal storage. It is recommended to install apps to the SD card when possible to avoid filling up the internal memory.

RAM

= Random Access Memory. The Rhodium has 256MB of program RAM and 32MB of radio RAM for a total of 288MB total RAM. This determines the amount of programs that you can have open at one time. The more RAM you have, the more things you can do at one time.

CPU

= Central Processing Unit. The Rhodium has a 528MHz single core CPU. The CPU processes every bit of information that passes through your device. It is responsible for every calculation, file, or application you open. The higher the frequency of the CPU, the faster it can accomplish each task.

Flash

= This is the basic term for loading a new ROM onto your device by means of USB or SD.

RUU

= ROM Update Utility. This is the tool that flashes the ROMs to your device from your PC. You run this program and it translates the ROM image into usable files and folder systems on your device.

SD

= Secure Digital memory card. The Rhodium supports up to 32GB capacity cards. Save your programs and files here when you can to save space on your internal storage.

A short list of common task commands.

task 0 = Hard Reset

task 8 = Soft Reset

task 28 = Flash a radio

task 29 = Wipes internal storage

task 32 = flash a ROM

Backing up Your Data

There are several ways you can back up your personal data. My personal favorite is with Sprite backup. However, this is only good for backing up the current ROM in order to re-flash the same exact ROM, unless you are experienced with it. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use Sprite backup to move from one ROM to another. There are other backup solutions that offer "Full" or "Complete" backup solutions. Do not use those either to move between different ROMs.

Now, that we've got that out of the way, let's focus on the things you can use. First of all, we're going to want to protect all that valuable personal information such as contacts, text messages and so forth. Fortunately, there are several applications designed to do just that. One of them is PIM Backup. This application will backup all of your appointments, tasks, contacts, texts, emails, call logs, and speed dials. There, now we've got that covered.

Next, you'll want to backup the application data of your apps. Well, sorry to say that application data isn't very well organized in WM. Most of the information can, however, be copied from the \Program Files directory in the device. once you copy this directory, you can then install your apps on the new ROM, and then copy this over the other files to restore the data. This is not a 100% guarantee of success, though, because some apps use the registry to store information. If you are unsure how to backup a certain app, then simply provide the cab file here, and I'll take a look at it. If I know how to back it up, I'll try my best to walk you through it.

For some common applications and settings, you could also try using EXCT2. This program backs up changes to some popular settings and applications. It is in continuing development, and more features are being added as fast as they can be tested. It will backup things like the alarms, time settings, phone identity, Bluetooth identities, Wifi networks, Exchange partnerships, Facebook and Twitter integration for Sense users, and many other things.

If you have a question about backing something up, please ask about it. Myself or someone else will try to help you through it. Please understand that we are not here to do the work for you. We will assist you in getting on track, though.

Hard SPL

The first thing you'll need is to get your device Hard SPL'd. The SPL of your device is the Secondary Program Loader. It is kind of like the BIOS of your PC. Everything is controlled and loaded from here and then passed on to the OS. It comes to you locked so that only the official ROMs of your carrier or region can be flashed. In order to get around this, we need to unlock this restriction with a program called Hard SPL. It is called Hard SPL because it does not need to be re-flashed every time you want to load a new ROM. In the early days of development for this device, soft SPL was required to be used before any unofficial ROM could be loaded. Now, all you have to do is visit the following thread and get started. Please make sure to READ all the instruction and FAQ first. If you need help with that program, please ask for help in that thread.

Hard-SPL Unlocker for Rhodium (AT&T Tilt 2) Released and Updated! New FAQ added!

Picking a ROM

Download any ROM you want from this wonderfully organized thread. Don't worry, you don't have to stick with it, once you pick one. Now that you have Hard SPL on your device, you can flash ROMs to your heart's content. Now, that doesn't mean you should take your time; hurry and pick one so we can move on. I don't have all day.

Task29

Now that you've backed up your data, loaded Hard SPL, and picked a ROM, we need to clear your internal memory to get it ready to accept a new ROM. We're going to do this through a process called task29. task29 is like a memory wipe tool for your phone. It is going to erase every bit of data you have stored and format the internal memory so that there is nothing left behind to interfere with your brand new ROM. Please note that while this step is not required, it is strongly suggested that you do it.

task29 can ONLY be performed via USB. You cannot perform this action via SD. The *.nbh file included in the thread is either a radio or a splash screen that will flash. The task29 command is being run from the actual RUU.

Now, for those of you who may want a simpler way to do this, I've got you covered. In the attachments to this post, I've included a VERY simple tool that will do this and more without a fuss. All you have to do is run the application, select the task29 radio button, and hit next. It will guide you through the process without having to do anything else. You need to be connected via USB for this to work as well. This is the process I recommend and personally use, but the other task 29 application works just as well.

You may flash task29 from either Windows Mobile while connected via Active Sync/WMDC or boot into the bootloader by holding Volume Down and resetting your device. This will take you into the tri-colored bootloader. Plug your USB cable in, and wait for it to change from SERIAL to USB at the bottom of the screen, then begin the process.

EDIT: After performing a task29, your device will not boot past the splash screen. This is normal. You just erased everything on the device's internal memory, including the OS. It can't boot what isn't there. Turn off your device, and boot into the bootloader by holding the volume down button while it is powering on. This will set you up for the next step.

[TOOL] Task 29 (format internal Memory) without drivers, without mtty.

Flashing a ROM

There are two ways to flash a ROM. One way is to flash via USB, which is the normal way. If that gives you trouble, you can use the backup flashing method via the SD card. This section will detail both of them.

USB

Connect your device to the PC while in the bootloader (Hold Volume Down while resetting). The text at the bottom of the screen should change from SERIAL to USB. Please keep in mind that this is the only thing that needs to happen. If Windows wants you to install drivers, allow it to do so. You DO NOT need a connection to ActiveSync/WMDC in order for this to work. Now you can go ahead and run the RUU that came with the ROM you downloaded. It will run you through the steps leading up to the actual flash. Once the progress bar gets to 100%, it will automatically reboot after a couple of seconds. It will load the new ROM and you should be able to set it all up from here.

SD

Should you not be able to flash via USB due to a faulty USB port or some other reason, there is a backup solution - SD flashing. This works in a slightly more complicated manner, but is still very simple to do. The first thing you need to do is rename the *.nbh file that came with the ROM package you downloaded. Rename this file to RHODIMG.nbh. After that, put this file onto the root of your SD card. This means do not put it into any folder, just in the main directory of the card. After this, reinsert the card into your device, if you had to take it out to load it. Reboot into the bootloader. It should prompt you to press the volume up button to continue with the flash or power to cancel. Obviously we want to continue. It will flash the ROM and then reboot a couple seconds after it gets to 100%. The ROM should load and allow you to begin setting up. I suggest if you have the option to flash via USB, you do so.

EDIT: In either instance, the device may take a while to boot, or hang for a bit on the splash screen. This is normal. Don't panic.

All about Radios

Finally, the last thing you need to do is pick out a radio. There are several things to know about radios, and it might be better for you to just skip this if you aren't having any problems, as this part is not required at all.

Some chefs ask that you flash a certain radio in order to be compatible with the cooked in rilphone.dll. What is that, and why does it matter, you might ask? Well, I'm glad you did.

Rilphone.dll sits in between the radio ROM and the Microsoft RIL, or Radio Interface Layer. It acts as the translator for the information passed from the radio to the system. It determines what the radio ROM is trying to say to the RIL and vice versa. Let's say that the RIL issues a command to update the signal strength of the cellular radio's bars onscreen. The RIL would forward the request to the rilphone.dll, which would, in turn, ask the radio ROM what the signal was like. The radio ROM says that it has IV bars of service. The rilphone.dll translates that from Roman numerals into English and tells the RIL that it should display 4 bars to the user.

Now, there is a reason for updating the rilphone.dll to match the radio ROM used. Say a new feature gets added into the radio. For example, we'll use the most significant new feature, aGPS. If the rilphone.dll does not get updated to match the new radio, it is not even aware that this new radio command exits. You would, therefore, completely miss out on the new feature.

Some carrier specific rilphone.dll's have more features in them than the generic, or unbranded counterparts. I have seen several carrier specific features fly in and out of rilphone.dll's. I'm not going to list them here since the most annoying one is that the device will simply not display the correct carrier name sometimes.

So, basically, what I would suggest to you is that you take the time to use the current ROM you've just flashed. If you find that cell service is kind of crappy now, or that you aren't getting good Wifi, BT, or GPS signal, then try replacing the radio with a different one. It only takes a couple of minutes to flash a radio ROM, and they don't require you to back up ANYTHING! All you need to do is flash it, reboot, an then test it out for a few days. The main thing to concern yourself with is the battery life and cell signal you get with the new radio. The rest of the pieces should fall into play when those two work.

Things the radio ROM controls:

1. Cellular service

2. Cellular data speeds

3. Wifi signal and speeds

4. BT reception and transfer speeds

5. GPS location fix speed and general satellite reception

6. aGPS location services.

7. FM radio reception and quality in GSM devices.

[Resources] Rhodium GSM Radio Collection - Latest: 4.49.25.95 added July 2010