Updates for International Version

JRakes · 10-26-2009, 07:06 PM

I'll pass that along to some of my long-time Aussie friends. Who drive big, classic Cadillacs. And have big guns.

HAHAHA!!!

Hey, maybe that's what HTC was afraid of...

JRakes · 11-05-2009, 06:59 PM

Well... As of today, I have the WM 6.5 ROM update downloaded and ready to roll for Touchie. It's the correct update per the device serial number and all that. Soooo... You just know I have some cautionary questions!

I've got Spb Backup installed (and use it regularly.) For the ROM update, should I just do a complete backup, run the flash utility, then restore from the backup? That's certainly my preference, as I really don't want to start all over with what I've done over the past month. Besides, considering the amount of time I have for an exercise like that, I'd more likely wait until, oh, perhaps 2 years from now to take on that sort of task.

Is the backup / reflash / restore approach a "Really Bad Idea?" A recommended route? Am I a total wack-job for asking? Wait, don't answer that last one...

Mi An · 11-05-2009, 08:51 PM

I imagine there are at least a few regulars here with that type of experience, but I don't think there is anywhere on the web with more cumulative WinMo ROM flashing experience than xda-devs. They aren't as nice on average as BH'ers, but there are some exceptionally nice folk among them, and technical expertise over there is very high and winmo specific.

Here's a quick Rhodium flashing guide that doesn't answer your specific question. Just so you have it. It does mention a backup utility, but it isn't spb and it seems to focus mainly on user data stored in stock applications, not user apps and associated data. I don't know if there might be additional concerns about restoring that to a different version of the OS.

Quote:

Am I a total wack-job for asking?

Of course not. That can't possibly be what makes you a total whack-job.

JRakes · 11-05-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi An

Of course not. That can't possibly be what makes you a total whack-job.

You might have a point there!

JRakes · 11-06-2009, 06:52 AM

So, before everybody trots off for the weekend, a couple of specific questions regarding flashing Touchie's ROM to upgrade from WM6.1 to WM6.5:

- Would the backup / flash / restore option be reliable for me? I've not installed / deleted a lot of apps, so I don't think there will be a lot of detritus floating around in the current config...

- Will restoring from SpbBackup get me back where I am currently, with the newly flashed OS version, a la BackupMan on a Palm device? Will all of my settings, reg codes, apps, and (of course) data be restored? What did you ultimately do, QF, and how did it work out?

I'm looking at this as a weekend project, so any feedback beforehand would be much appreciated.

Thankie, Gang!

questionfear · 11-06-2009, 09:37 AM

I would avoid restoring everything from the backup. You're fine to restore PIM data and some app data, but (and I don't have a phone with SPB Backup in front of me at this moment) you want to avoid restoring anything registry related...just in case 6.5 tweaked things a bit.

In the past when I've done updates, I've just bitten the bullet and started from scratch, usually by writing down all important settings and registration codes, setting up a file on my storage card with cabs, and then wiping the device. That way when I have to redo it all I can rebuild in less than an hour.

I think you'll be ok just restoring from backup, like I said the only thing that worries me is registry changes. On the other hand 6.5 is not a huge update, so it might be ok...

Maybe set up a contingency plan like I described for my clean restores, then do your backup and restore after the install. If anything goes wrong, hard reset it and just build fresh then.

JRakes · 11-06-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by questionfear

Maybe set up a contingency plan like I described for my clean restores, then do your backup and restore after the install. If anything goes wrong, hard reset it and just build fresh then.

Thanks, QF!

I was thinking along those lines, actually. Be prepared for a "start from scratch" approach, but try the restore approach first. If things go badly, I can then hard reset and start over. But the very thought of that is, well... Not what I need right now.

questionfear · 11-06-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRakes

Thanks, QF!

I was thinking along those lines, actually. Be prepared for a "start from scratch" approach, but try the restore approach first. If things go badly, I can then hard reset and start over. But the very thought of that is, well... Not what I need right now.

Eh, once you go through your first hard reset and restore from scratch you'll feel differently...you get it down to a science.

JRakes · 11-06-2009, 10:25 PM

I've been digging into this a bit... My biggest concern, frankly, is time. I simply don't have any. I've spent the equivalent of an entire month in a second full-time job getting to where I am. I simply do not have the time to go through that again. (That whole exercise was one of my biggest aversions to switching devices / platforms to begin with...)

The biggest question, of course, is the registry. I have no idea what in there might be tied to the OS stuff, so your point about not restoring that is well made. BUT, if I restore, say, the \Program Files\ folder, the apps won't have their registry entries, Start Menu entries, etc. So I was thinking...

If, after the upgrade (and resultant "wipe" of the device,) I reinstall the apps to get their registry keys set, then restore their app folders over the newly reinstalled stuff, I should get at least most of the settings back. For example, in looking in the PI folder, there are a couple of "settings" .dat files which, I assume, have at least most of those settings. (I looked at PI intentionally, as it is by far the most complex of the lot, but also the app I use most.)

Does that sound like a reasonable approach? If I'm truly facing a likely "total rebuild," it will probably be months before I'll have enough time to do that. And investing two or three full-time work weeks into the exercise seems utterly ridiculous to me. There's got to be some sort of "streamlined" approach. Otherwise, my take on it is that OS upgrades are only for folks who don't do anything but "out of the box" stuff with their devices, or folks who don't actually work for a living and have plenty of time to burn. Makes me wonder what the point is...

A question: How "selective" can I be with a "selective restore" from SpbBackup? (I know you said you don't have it installed currently, but...)

Thoughts?

questionfear · 11-07-2009, 07:36 AM

Unfortunately I don't remember...the last time I looked into a selective restore was when I had my epix. And from what I recalled it wasn't quite what I needed.

I think you'll be ok because 6.5 is not a huge difference from 6.1...but I just don't want to send you off with false expectations.

And sadly I'm actually not using the propel pro now, hence not having SPB Backup. Propel Pro was NOT getting along with my BT car kit, and my car costs a lot more than a Propel Pro, so the car won for now. When I have time in a week or two I plan to troubleshoot it and try to fix what the BT issues are.