[HD2 Windows Phone 7 Development] Alcatrazx:
DISCLAIMER - I am just putting this in here so that if anyone gets any funny ideas ... Whatever you read/use in this How-TO Post is at your own RISK. The aim of this post is to help others who had the same issues as me when they were abroad ... and were stuck without a mobile Running MGLDR 1.13 and DFT stock ROM (WP7) and a USB cable but no other chargers ... If the OS doesn't boot you WON'T manage to charge via USB UNLESS you follow this HOW TO GUIDE (it's the ONLY ALTERNATIVE YOU HAVE OTHER THAN BUYING A CRADLE CHARGER) ... it WORKS 100% but I am fed up of finnicky people emailing /posting / trying to play the "experts" on the matter when they know nothing about the matter

Dear all

After going through all sorts of Registry fixes which were momentary in nature. I decided to find a viable alternative which does in actual fact work with all current WP7 builds and all MGLDR's provided with a USB Storage option.

It has been said that the WP7 Software does not charge the battery to its full potential. I also incidentally ran into the problem of charging the mobile when the battery died. Primarily because the mobile loads ... restarts ... loads ... restarts and you keep on "praying" until the OS boots to get it charged.

Alternative fixes so far which worked for me were:

- Adding android to your SD Card ..booting in android and charging it in android mode

- Charging it in Cradle Charger

- Some people even pulled out 2 wires from a USB cable (+ve and -ve) to get their phone on again (crazy and dangerious)

- MGLDR 1.12 hangs when trying to charge mobile while it is off.

- MGLDR 1.13 reboots (as a momentary fix) in order to avoid the hanging caused in 1.12

Problem is

- I can't stand the fact that we have to have 2 OS'es to get it charged properly

- I can't stand the fact the we have to remove the battery in order to get it charged externally via cradle charger

So we have to adapt to the present circumstances unfortunately. If nothing, and the fix does not give you more battery life, this method avoids you from

- buying/carrying a cradle charger with you when abroad.

- having a dual boot system (WP7 / Android) on your phone

- making you do crazy/quick fixes such as the USB cable thingy mentioned above ... (don't try it)

no need for anything of that!

HOW TO:

So in a nutshell if you drained your battery too much and don't have a cradle charger ... with the added bonus that you may get improved battery life out of WP7 is the following.

- Boot into MGLDR setup menu (hold the end call button at start up)

- Boot your mobile and hold the "End Call button" to go into the MGLDR setup screen.

- Choose USB Storage menu

- METHOD A - Let the mobile Charge for 6 hours (typically overnight would be ideal) (Note: It will

not

over-charge and it will not damage your battery.

OR

- METHOD B - Charge the mobile for 4 hours (to keep mobile on overnight) and charge the last hour in usb-mass storage mode. This has the added benefit that you do not get your screen on for a long time. This will not damage your battery and those of you who are worried about over-charge can go for this alternative and not take any risks.

- NOTE that you will NOT get the charging indicator ON in this mode. PRECISELY that's the whole point of charging in this mode, the battery will charge to its fullest as it is not under the influence of the WP7 software. It is like as if you put the battery in a cradle charger and charged it outside.

- When you wake up ... hit the back button to go to main menu and choose RESET option to reboot your mobile : ) and voila!

RESULTS:

- I got improved battery life charging the mobile in this MODE. I got 36 hrs + of battery life (normal usage) which is very good.

ADDED BENEFIT: QUICKFIX FOR DEAD BATTERY - NO CRADLE CHARGER - NO DUAL BOOT

- There seems to be mixed feelings about this as some of the readers have reported no discenable difference in battery performance. While I will not contradict these people, I got improved longevity from the HD2's battery. Clearly the OS is reporting the battery level badly. If NOTHING this method still serves as a quick fix

- if you drained your battery and cannot get your HD2 on again

AND

- You Do not own a cradle charger

- Registry did not work for me.

SETTINGS - WHICH IMPROVE BATTERY LIFE:

- You can optimise settings as follows in order to get my same results, again I hear many of you not wanting this as it turns of features from their PDA but as I said above, we have to adapt for the time being:

Settings are -

- ROM DFT Stock ROM original build (issued 13/01/2011)

- Radio 2.15

- Screen timeout 30 seconds

- Screen brightness set to auto

- Wifi turned off (on only when needed)

- Bluetooth turned off (on only when needed)

- Location turned off (on only when needed)

- Data Connection turned off (on only when needing to check mail)

- Email sync turned off (not every 30 mins)

- 3g turned ON - UPDATED - I got better battery life with 3G ON but this may change from country to country so I suggest that you have a go with 3G being ON or OFF and see which is better for you....)

IF YOU USE THIS POST - HIT THE THANKS BUTTON - IT's the LEAST you could do!

Regards all

Alcatraz