Note: This thread has been posted here aswell as in the hx4700 forums, as users of any iPAQ should be able to use it now, So it's referenced in the general HP topic.
iPAQ stuck in a bootloader loop?
Can't flash using HP's tool due to wrong version no. or corrupted rom?
You're in luck. This is the Universal BootLoader Tool.
--
This new version should be used instead of the hx4700 bootloader or the old universal bootloader, It's far superior.
It is a build on the Universal BootLoader,
It accepts servicepack/.exe files, aswell as .rar, .zip, .cab, .nbf, and .nb0 files.
What has changed since the last Universal BootLoader version:
Now supports flashing under Windows Vista.
A dialog box will prompt you to install them automatically if it detects you are running vista.
"Auto-find header length" is now the default option.
-In the past I only added this as a method that was still being tested, But recently I've looked at alot of different iPAQ roms,
and found that all the headers would work using this method.
this means there is no longer a need for the BootLoader launcher too.
you should be able to use this for all iPAQ's without setting the header length or any other manual options.
Warns if there are spaces in the nbf file path and the temporary directory of the archive's extracted nbf, then exits.
-There were reasons i didn't do this before. But too many people forget about removing the spaces.
Fixed the UltraEdit Associations screen popping up.
-Sorry guys, I didn't realize this was happening until i uninstalled UE.
Default directory is up one level.
Download: BootLoader.exe
How to use:
Put your device in bootloader mode by pressing ITASK+CONTACTS+RESET, and put it in the sync cradle.
Select an .nbf/.nb0/zip/rar/exe/servicepack file, and let it do the rest.
Notes:
Make sure the .nbf filepath you select does not contain spaces or it will warn you and exit.
e.g. C:\some folder\wm5 os.nbf << WRONG
C:\some_folder\wm5_os.nbf << CORRECT
If you are extracting the .nbf from an archive, the path to the bootloader application must also have no spaces, or it will warn you and exit.
e.g. C:\Boot Loader\Boot Loader.exe << WRONG
C:\Boot_Loader\BootLoader.exe << CORRECT
If using Windows Vista, You will need to install these drivers:
Windows Vista VS Flashing Firmware or Radio ROMs! - xda-developers
(you won't need to kill any processes as mentioned in that thread though, as my bootloader will do that automatically)
Custom settings:
You can customize settings in the bootloader by creating a settings.ini file in the same folder as bootloader.exe.
This example shows the options available in the ini configuration file and how they work-
[hexedit]
bytes = 500
<< this specifies you want to remove 500 bytes from the nbf file. (default = null)
nbf = C:\CE_OS.nbf
<< this specifies an absolute file path to an nbf file. if specified it will skip the inital selection screen and use this file. (default = null)
findheader = 1
<< if set to 0, it will use the 'bytes' setting. if set to 1, it will search the nbf's header to find where the nb0 image begins. (default = 1)
[mtty]
port = \\.\WCEUSBSH001
<< specifies the port setting to use in mtty. (default = \\.\WCEUSBSH001)
BETA Apps:
What todo: If you have recently flashed your iPAQ so you're willing to flash it again to help out,
Please download the beta app, use it normally and perform a full flash,
and note down how the new features do/don't work. then make a new post here about it.
You won't risk damaging your iPAQ any more than with the stable bootloader versions. Nothing has been changed in the method of which it is flashed.
BootLoader with GUI interface -
BootLoader_GUI.exe
It includes a GUI showing the percentage of the rom transferred instead of the mtty console.
PLEASE test this. I'm looking for people who've recently flashed and don't mind flashing their rom again to help with this.
It's beta, but you won't risk flashing your iPAQ in a wrong way or anything, it's only new gui features, but they need the terminal of a working iPAQ to test it.
Currently the "Show/Hide Terminal Window" button does not work so don't worry about that.
But what should work is everything being done in the background with only the GUI window showing the entire time,
it should update you on the status of what it's doing,
and, most importantly, should tell you the percentage of the rom transferred to the device, accurately, and show a dialog after the rom has been flashed.
--Update, 8 July: A brighthand user has tested this through 2 full flashes and found no problems, and the 'percentage of rom flashed' function has worked.
--Update, 8 July: Just updated the GUI version. added alot of manual checks of the terminal to check for errors and warn you, and also to make sure the rom has definitely been flashed right.
BootLoader with possible spaces fix (no gui) -
BootLoader_Spaces_Fix.exe
This may possibly be a fix for having spaces in the filepath.
It uses short names (AKA DOS names) to replace the spaces.
Please test and report back here if you've been able to upload a file with spaces in it.
A copy of the terminal log for this one would be good too.
Previous version (not recommended):
Up until recently there has only been a HX4700 bootloader that was stable, making it the most used.
This has changed now, but if you would like to check out the thread, it's here:
[REL]HX4700 BootLoader Tool - Brighthand.com Smartphone and PDA Discussion Forums
Credits/Thanks to:
Chris Malone (Me) - Developing the bootloader, updating threads etc.
Doug Markell, Jon Reed - Kindly donating to help me get closer to paying for the repair for my iPAQ, as this will alow me to work alot better on the bootloader.
Ishman - Re-flashing his iPAQ for the sake of beta testing the GUI version to help out.
Jim (a.k.a jiminy68) - Providing the link to the thread about the USB drivers for Windows Vista.
Menneisyys - Providing users of his blog with links to, and information about the bootloader.
Holvoetn (BH admin) - Allowing another bootloader thread and stickying it.
Other BrightHand admins - Allowing the thread even with the legal issues it imposes by the ability to even flash HP's 'update' roms. (mobilitysite admins allowed this to start, but new admins deleted the threads about a year later)
All forum users from BrightHand, Mobilitysite, etc. - Contributing to provide useful information, and supporting the project.
Universal BootLoader Tool - Flash ANY valid rom to ANY iPAQ.
Re: New/Stable Version Universal BootLoader
