Database Develop

New MDA: Step by step???

I have been looking at this site (and others linked to this site) for the past three days waiting for my T-Mobile MDA to arrive.
Could someone please post a new phone, out-of-box step-by-step guide to what to do first as far as resets, ROM, unlocks, software, and tweaks??
I have at least a ream of paper with posts printed but can not seem to get it organized into what to do- when.
BTW- I had a Cingular Rzr- after I unlock SIM can I use my Cigular SIM to access my contacts saved on it with my TMobile MDA?
Thanks so much for all of your help.

nancychic said:
I have been looking at this site (and others linked to this site) for the past three days waiting for my T-Mobile MDA to arrive.
Could someone please post a new phone, out-of-box step-by-step guide to what to do first as far as resets, ROM, unlocks, software, and tweaks??
I have at least a ream of paper with posts printed but can not seem to get it organized into what to do- when.
BTW- I had a Cingular Rzr- after I unlock SIM can I use my Cigular SIM to access my contacts saved on it with my TMobile MDA?
Thanks so much for all of your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Detail will make for a long post but here is a few quick steps of poular MDA setups.
Two General Routes you can take with bringing your MDA up to date with the latest in cool additions.
Route 1: Does not require you to flash a ROM
- Apply those tweeks available here, that let you customize your MDA for performance and useability. These are in the form of Registry Modifications. They can be entered manually through one of the popular utilities like Total Commander or Resco Explorer. These tweeks are also available in the form of a .Cab file for easy installation. There is also a really nice app here for applying those tweeks on the fly (Registry Wizard)
Route 2: Requires you to load a cooked Rom (Gives you upto date versions of WM 5, Radio ROM, etc...) which gives you a better performing MDA, plus the lates capabilities.
- When going this route you have to be careful, mistakes can give you a bricked MDA.
1. Buy a 128mb MiniSD (Your going to use this to backup your original ROM incase of a mistake, problem, or you just want to revert back to the old ROM.)
2. Backup your ROM using the method described in the Wizard_Service_Manual.pdf (Found on the FTP server)
3. Now choose one of the great cooked ROMS (Xelencin, MrClean, PDAMobizEdition, etc...) Each has its own customizations. Some even include all the Registy mods.
Good luck.

I realize that it would take a while but possibly it could be added to the FAQ section? It seems that many people have asked for it in the past but one has never been provided. It would be nice not to have to be a return poster asking how to save my brick!
I definitely want to add a cooked ROM. The reason why I (and others) ask for the walk-through (in the correct order) is so we don't end up with a brick and you guys are the best!
I just don't want to unlock my CID with loki if it is unlocked in Eelencin's ROM or forget to add the java upgrade after the ROM, or when (and where computer or phone and Active Sync) I should download registry commander program... do you see what I mean.
I have the information from the forum but I have no idea when to do what-
Please help all you Obi Won's- you are our only help!
thanks again-

The problem is, what one person sees as a necessary step in setup, others dont.
Some say upgrade ROM to latest, others say dont. Some say use the latest from your telecom provider, others from hardware manufacturer. Some say set display to 10% others to 50%...and the list goes on
It is, and must, be down to the individual user. Read the manual (hehe hands up who actually has), try a few things. If it goes wrong you can always Hard Reset and start again. If you get stuck, or want to know the best setting for a particular option, come back n ask.

This is a great thread!
I'm confused about where to start, especially because i have a G4.
I decided to stay with the latest Tmobile ROM since its more difficult to unlock etc. (i couldnt find anything about unlocking a G4 here)
So i got this freeware program called TaskManager and im pretty sure i can edit the registry through it, so i decided i would just tweak the registry eg. change the cache and history to the memory card etc. to improve performance and i wont mind a little overclock either
Can you guys give me a link to a list of registry tweaks?
And do you think im making the right choice by just tweaking the registry rather than trying to unlock it or anything?
And am i missing anything? Like i said im kinda confused about where to start with a G4.
Thanks from a Noob.

hey sup. welcome. firts of all u are way behind. your rom is past due even your radio. why dont u try faria's new rom version 2 but please follow instructions clearly because u do need to unlock and downgrade and all that good stuff to get that bad boy looking sweet. hola

What to do, in what order
nancychic said:
I have been looking at this site (and others linked to this site) for the past three days waiting for my T-Mobile MDA to arrive.
Could someone please post a new phone, out-of-box step-by-step guide to what to do first as far as resets, ROM, unlocks, software, and tweaks??
I have at least a ream of paper with posts printed but can not seem to get it organized into what to do- when.
BTW- I had a Cingular Rzr- after I unlock SIM can I use my Cigular SIM to access my contacts saved on it with my TMobile MDA?
Thanks so much for all of your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, find out if you have a G3 or a G4. Since it's new, more likely it's a G4?
First thing I would do is completely unlock it, if it's a G3 by running Lokiwiz TWO TIMES - sim unlock AND CID unlock (emphasis is intentional and very important! - and make sure you get confirmation and reboot after each unlock step). If it's a G4, you may have to pay to get CID unlock.
Next, find out what version ROM you have, and upgrade to the most recent "official" ROM from TMobile if your ROM is not as recent (see the FTP).
Then read every post by Dr. Puttingham, every post by Faria, every post by Molski, every post by Menneisyys, every post by Risidoro, every post by vijay555, every post by me (haha, just kidding - pay no attention to the man behind the curtain) - geez, this feels like my Academy Awards speech - who did I leave out? Read everything you can by every senior member, every guru who's been there, done that, tried it all.
THEN, you can start having fun. Try anything else you want to after that!

this may sound lame but just be patience and keep reading, that is the best way you are going to learn because it is more confusing when everyone tells you different stuff.
Read and ask questions as you go along. That is how most if not all of us start out. There is no dummy guide here. If you ask some people they would say this is not the beginners forums to be exact. Sorry if I sound like an A**hole but it is just straight solid advice.

Faster TILT after Hard Soft Reset for Newbies

Reason For this thread:
New easy to find Quick alternative for NEWBIES wanting to know ho to obtain a safe fast responding Tilt without messing the Device.
I THINK AT&T SCREWEDUP this beautifull piece of TECH with the Bloatware and not including HTC custom add on.
Have to say my Tilt was ok out of the box BUT NOW IS WAY BETTER.
Now I'm not expert (I'm more of a newbie) but theese is something I did and is really True and it WORKED.
I kindly ASK
***** Only people with FACTS/EXPERIENCE will POST HERE what they think is not HERE***********
****** NEWBIES with NO EXPERIENCE or with NO FACTS DO NOT POST HERE just READ, so we can keep it clean for all people without knowledge and no time to read QUESTIONS******
What to do:
Just:
1. Hard Reset
2. Soft Reset before the count down of 3 secs end.
So the AT&T SLOWING BLOATWARE (Crap Software from AT&T like Stupid DEMOS and Tricky Charging services, etc.) are not installed.
All this BLOATWARE make your Tilt SLOW.
Bennefits:
1. Faster Respponse "Overall" and I mean "Overall"
2. The so mentioned Slow DIALER, is no more SLOW, now it respond FASTER.
And let me tell you that I have over 300 contacts in my Tilt.
3. Way more free space for you to install direct to the device all Plugins and tools You Want.
4. When accessing WINDOWS folder, is FASTER.
5. Notice Faster Camera auto focus Shoot.
ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC.................................
Now I know there are some people who post already discussed topics.
How do I know this? BECAUSE I READ ABOUT IT ABOUT 100's of time about it.
And Because I read and someone should put toguether some specific threads (already saw some of them). And is very hard for me to read a thread that is maybe 80% guessing, I don't know, maybe, I heard of, etc, etc, etc.
I did this for all those people that DON't have time to go thru a Thread with over 50 posts mostly of craps and finding the answer somere in the post # 41.
NOW FOR YOU THAT HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE and PLEASE!!!! no "GUESSING" Tell us about additional beneffits, or what important APPS are missing once You REJECT the BLOATWARE if any by replying to this POST and using the Title:
Title: Beneffits
or
Title: Missing
Thanks!!! to all of you.

Thank you for your effort. I didn't know fo all the benefits from rebooting at the 3-second count, I am to used to the custom ROM's, but this is great guide for those who want to stick with the AT&T ROM.

Its already been talked out many times here and on the ATT forums. Its even been added in the Tilt Specific WiKi already at the bottom and shows the difference an whats installed before and after the bloatware removal:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=TiltSpecificWikiPage
But basically the
Benefit: It removes all the trial ware that you'd probably never buy and frees up space.
Missing: Still not as good as a custom rom that has all the performance tweaks to speed up the device (although the newest official ROM is close). If you know what your doing most of these can be fixed afterwards like the registry tweaks. But if your going to go through all that trouble you might as well just cook your own ROM or find one thats set up to your liking.

True
PsyOpWarlord said:
Its already been talked out many times here and on the ATT forums. Its even been added in the Tilt Specific WiKi already at the bottom and shows the difference an whats installed before and after the bloatware removal:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=TiltSpecificWikiPage
But basically the
Benefit: It removes all the trial ware that you'd probably never buy and frees up space.
Missing: Still not as good as a custom rom that has all the performance tweaks to speed up the device (although the newest official ROM is close). If you know what your doing most of these can be fixed afterwards like the registry tweaks. But if your going to go through all that trouble you might as well just cook your own ROM or find one thats set up to your liking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the Problem is that some like to play safe, and I think those are the people without time to read long threads because all the questions.
Then after alot of time reading (again long confusing threads) when you think you found what you where looking for, somewhere appears a known problem you don't want to have.
In my case for example wouldn't like to lose Basic Dialer Alternatives and still confused if it will aslo remove those options if I install any of the dialers or if it will create conflicts and so on, like ohhh!!!!! I install some app and now I'm having problems with something, and then GUESS WHAT, somtimes people end up HARD RESETTING.
Another thing is for example pop up messages that are shown in a specific color that match your theme, then you install something, and BAM POP UP MESSAGES WITH PINK COLORS and so on.
My intention was to make an easy to find info for newbies. Believe me I have read but not alot of time to play, and try to go thru previous POSTS but no response.
Now I put this new threads and for the replies I recived I think I had better results than by going thru old post and actualy thanks for the replies I know that probably people will read this and now will be directed to the wikki.
Like I will do, just Hopping it is complete and accurate info.
Thanks for replies.

I just updated my rom to
RUU_Kaiser_CINGULAR_WWE_3.57.502.2_radio_sign_25.88.40.05_1.65.21.18_Ship.exe
I'm trying to remove the bloatware BUT it reinstalls it everytime. Is there something in the new ROM that prevents me from removing it or is there something new I need to do.
I had no problems removing it from the previous ROM. Thanks

JerryG said:
I just updated my rom to
RUU_Kaiser_CINGULAR_WWE_3.57.502.2_radio_sign_25.88.40.05_1.65.21.18_Ship.exe
I'm trying to remove the bloatware BUT it reinstalls it everytime. Is there something in the new ROM that prevents me from removing it or is there something new I need to do.
I had no problems removing it from the previous ROM. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must do the soft reset before the 3 second countdown.

From what I know of the trick to soft reset worked only with WM6 ROMS, not with the newer WM6.1 ones.

soft reset works with WM6.1
I am one of the "play it safe" guys and the soft reset does work with WM6.1, you just have to catch it BEFORE the customize 3 second countdown even appears. I have used registry tweaks and jacked up my phone plenty, resulting in hard resets and each time i catch it before the countdown. if you miss it, just soft reset and start over again.
Newbs Unite!

Its really not that hard to flash a custom rom, besides you think your device is fast now? Well flash a rom.

kilrah said:
From what I know of the trick to soft reset worked only with WM6 ROMS, not with the newer WM6.1 ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll second that. I've tried soft resetting at every imaginable point after the restore and every time it just resets and goes right back into the customization garbage.
**After reading Stu's post I'm going to try it one more time. I'll post my results.**
Yessir..it does work. Thanks Stu!

this works on dutty's rom even while it shows the countdown...

Complete dummy (guide)

Please can one of you clever people help me. I have read loads of posts and sticky's but remain totally confused. Let me lay it out:
The first smart phone i had was a motorola A1000. using a symbian operating system. This was a quite a few years ago and I played with this loads, flashing it, making it a remote for my tv, etc. Since then I have got married, had kids, got two jobs, blah blah and totally fallen out of the loop. I used an SPVM500 on Orange as standard for a couple of years and then an HTC Touch as standard for the last couple of years. Never bothering to play or flash or fiddle.
Two days ago I upgraded to the HD which I was happyish with until someone told me I had a great phone, the best phone, infact even better than an Iphone, but within a month it would be out of date because it uses an old operating system (which lets be honest, isnt great) and I would have no access to a new iphone type store, easier menu's, iphone rival home screen etc
Now reading on here, it seems i need to flash my phone to a new Windows Mobile 6.5 release, which I assume will then make it the best phone ever again!!
Right, if thats correct and I have understood right so far I have only two questions
1. Why so many of these roms - is there not a simple list where the best one goes on top when its released
2. Is there a link to a very simple, some may even say slightly retarded, explanation on how to hold phone in one hand and magic rom impregnator in the other and let them bump uglies? I have seen a post by crackwhore (I assume you arent really one, althuogh if you are will you sort my phone for me for a small rock?) but still remain unsure of some of the language, processes and of course, which ROM to use
Basically, I want the ROM that makes everything work to the best of its ability. I also need and use office apps and want to put my tomtom mobile 6 on to it too
****** DISCLAIMER ******
Please accept my sincere apologies for being inexcusably slow - I am starting to feel like my dad needing to be tought how to text.

Hi,
Flashing a ROM is now childs play. All you need to do is put Hard SPL on your phone (See Crackwhore's step by step guide or the wiki articles on the Blackstone), and then download and flash your ROM. Hard SPL allow's you to flash custom ROMs BTW.
There is no best ROM by the way. It's too subjective, Alice's favourite ROM maybe nothing like Bob's, etc... I'd try one of the more popular ROM's on the Front page (Personally I started on Dutty's ROM's many years ago). There are so many ROM's because different people like different things (some are WM6.1, some are 6.5, some have lot's of apps, some have none).
Take your time to read through wiki articles, they go through ROM flashing step by step. All the information is there.
Thanks
Dave

1. There is soo many roms because everyone has different likes and dislikes. Some are based on WM6.1 and either 1.19, 1.56 or 1.57. Some are based on WM6.5
People have tried previously to make a list, but to judge which is better is a different story and a whole new can of worms.
Check out the wiki and section on roms. You'll find a list (slightly out of date) listing roms. Link to wiki in my signature
2. If you follow cRaCKwHoRe's guide you'll have no problems. If you don't want to follow the whole guide, I'd recommend using new HSPL 1.56. Someone on "cRaCKwHoRe's guide" thread will help you out if you get stuck. Link to guide and HSPL in my signature.
EDIT
Arrrgh!!!........I see DavidShaw beat me too it!!!! LOL

Then again if you just got your phone, why the need to flash it right away?
I would play with it for a while, install a few apps here, read through some tweaking guides there. Eventually you will learn to use the phone, and thus also learn how to use your phone. If you have been out of the loop for some time, let it grow on you before you manipulate your newly acquired device. It is a great phone, even without all the roms out there. Many aspects of the newer roms out there can be achieved by installing some apps. Granted not all of the newer features are available on the stock rom (calendar tab for example).
Once you start flashing you will always want more, let me tell you that . So enjoy your phone for a while before you start experimenting.

Ati75 said:
Then again if you just got your phone, why the need to flash it right away?
I would play with it for a while, install a few apps here, read through some tweaking guides there. Eventually you will learn to use the phone, and thus also learn how to use your phone. If you have been out of the loop for some time, let it grow on you before you manipulate your newly acquired device. It is a great phone, even without all the roms out there. Many aspects of the newer roms out there can be achieved by installing some apps. Granted not all of the newer features are available on the stock rom (calendar tab for example).
Once you start flashing you will always want more, let me tell you that . So enjoy your phone for a while before you start experimenting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice.
Yes definately get to know your device and read up on the wiki. If after all of this you want to flash, at least you'll be prepared

great advice, thanks all - will try and get tt6 working first as thats what is really annoying me most!!

mineistaken said:
great advice, thanks all - will try and get tt6 working first as thats what is really annoying me most!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your problem is that your most likely not using correct version of tomtom. TT7 is out, but you'll need to check which build or version of 7 works on the HD.
Go to Themes, Applications and Software forum and do a search for tomtom. I've started you off with these 2 threads:
TomTom On HD
TomTom - What Version??
Hope this helps

fantastc - thanks so much. will be bedtime reading for me tonight
(its the same tt6 i had on my touch. i have just taken the mini sd card out of one and into the other which has the .cab files and maps already on it)

mineistaken said:
fantastc - thanks so much. will be bedtime reading for me tonight
(its the same tt6 i had on my touch. i have just taken the mini sd card out of one and into the other which has the .cab files and maps already on it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd keep all your files, especially the maps etc. Go onto one of the threads I listed above, probably the first is the best one and they'll be able to guide you in the right direction. I'd imagine your maps should work on another version.
I have version TomTom 7_910.9185 working with no problems. If you PM with your email address I'll happily email it to you. I do however believe their is some newer versions, though some have had problems with them

What is flashing and how does it work?

Hey guys, I am new here and have no idea how all this stuff works. This probably sounds pretty stupid, but could anyone explain all this stuff to me?

You need to start your education here.

we could, buuuut, theres a wiki for that. ;].
A rom, to a phone, is like every thing you know in your brain. It has all the information the phone needs to function. without it, youve got an expensive paper weight, as everyone likes to say. When you change roms, you flash them to your phone. "Flash" is a term synonymous with change or rewrite, if you will. And its fairly quite simple to execute.
Before we start, I'm not responsible if you don't read my directions carefully or mess it up. So read and re-read, then ask if you're still unsure.
First, you need to flash the HardSPL if youve never devirginized your TP2. Maybe someone could help with that step, as i only flash the hardspl when i absolutely need to which has been... 3 times.
After you flash the HardSPL, download a rom from here. now, i know youre gonna ask "which one?".. its trial and error, find one that works for you and then follow that cook and his/her updates. I find that NRGZ Photon rom is very stable for 6.5. Everyone else seems to be in the market for 6.5.1, or Manila 2.5 as featured on the HTC Leo, which isn't completely stable or functional. I'd recommend that you start with a 6.1 or 6.5 rom, and stick with that until you pick up stuff and learn more. So stay away from the 6.5.1, as it is still very beta.
Before you open the file that youve downloaded, you need to download a program that will unpack the RAR file, which should hold the NBH file and the RUU. [ill get to that in a sec.] I find that the best program to use is WinRAR, which can be downloaded for free. Open your file with WinRAR and extract the files. Make sure your NBH file and your RUU are in the same folder, or else you will get an error. For me, I organize all of my downloads. optional: create a folder "roms" > photon, leo, or some other version > and the builds... Every time you extract a file to a folder, itll overwrite the existing file, and thats why i have it all organized.
Whats in the file: NBH file. This is the knowledge needed by your TP2 to function. Connect your phone to the computer and let it sync with activesync. Click on explore and it should bring up a folder with an orange phone, and the path name at the top should read Mobile Device. Drag and drop the NBH file on that page. The files name should be RHODIMG.NBH.
Once you've done that, double click on the RUU [rom update utility]. The name of that should read CustomRUU.exe, double click... once you do that, read all of the directions it displays.
Just a quick note, make sure your battery is at least halfway full, so your phone won't die in the middle of the flash, as it will not charge during this time.
Everything from there on is very, very simple. Once you get through all of the steps, [clicking all the check marks, making sure you've gone through the steps], you're phones screen will display three different colors, red, white and blue, i believe. Don't be alarmed, this is normal. It will start to flash, and a status bar displaying a percentage will display both on your computer and your phone. IMPORTANT: DO NOT DISCONNECT YOUR PHONE DURING THIS PART. If you disconnect your phone, its done, dig it a grave, for the most part. Make sure your cable is of good quality, and that your phone will not fall or get yanked and disconnect.
Once it has finished and the RUU displays a message with "custom rom has finished" or something of that nature, click finish at the bottom right, and your phone should restart and start to configure itself. I wait til it's done configuring to disconnect, just to be safe. And that should be it. :].
i know its hard to understand some of the directions around here, whether it be from lack of definition or complication. I hope this helps a little. Sorry for the length. I had trouble understanding what to do when I first started because there wasn't any clarification.
Happy Flashing,
-josh.
reply if you have questions, or PM me.

What is flashing and how does it work?
You take off all your clothes and put on a long rain coat. You then go down to the park and wait in the bushes for someone to walk by. When they do, jump out and open your coat!

This is real flashing

josh_prayyforplagues said:
we could, buuuut, theres a wiki for that. ;].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good answer
cjm1979 said:
What is flashing and how does it work?
You take off all your clothes and put on a long rain coat. You then go down to the park and wait in the bushes for someone to walk by. When they do, jump out and open your coat!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better answer
Don't forget to say got any leaches for this??
sgsdebruijn said:
This is real flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best answer.
But children use this forum too, link removed.
@OP
Have read of the stickies and the wiki. A lot of what you want to know is already explained, you have to read, and find out.
A starter... flashing is the process of updating the phones software (everything, including the OS)

Suggest a Rom and GUI for me.

OK, my first post so be gentle.
I have MDA Vario that has been flashed with TPCElite series V11 MEGA wm6.5 23017. It also has the touchflo GUI running. Now having tried it for a week (only just purchased it a week ago) I can say that I'm not a fan of the touchflo prog. It seems to hang on occasions and I often end up selecting something I didn't want only to find the phone connecting to the net. So I have switched it off. There is a windows default one that is working fine, but I can't see a way to customise the menu so I can add what I want to it.
So my dilemma. Do I flash with a "lite" rom and add a GUI myself afterwards - this way I can uninstall it if I don't like it. Or should I just leave it deselected and install a new one? Will this have any performance/memory issues - ie is the lite rom a better way to go.
I had a Mio PDA with iLauncher on it and I liked the ability to add my own shortcuts etc.
If I should flash can anyone recommend a stable reliable rom. Also is there a better GUI? Been looking at Manila 2D v2 but I want to be able to customise the main menu and I don't want it sluggish.
One final thing. Is it possible to get the phone to ask permission before connecting via gprs rather than scurrying around for the disconnect. I've looked through the menus but can't find anything. Don't mind using it if I want it, just fed up of it dialing it by mistake -(I have sausage fingers.)

i recommend the t.i.r element v5 rom. ive been thru many roms including the tpc series that you have tried and i find that t.i.r element v5 is the best w/ smooth graphics, great gui (full landscape support etc.) i cant post a link as of now since i am new to posting on xda so please look it up and give it a shot!

Is there a CLI version of a rom for this phone or is someone just trying too sound fancy? Since when is touchflu a GUI? I am totally confused.
Do I flash with a "lite" rom and add a GUI myself afterwards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh my head is hurting make it stop.. SOMEONE REPLIED TO THIS?? awmg
If I should flash can anyone recommend a stable reliable rom. Also is there a better GUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am so confused, it's like trying to mess with a womans bra (Full Landscape support) for the first time, what do I do.. do I call her new hair doo a pair of panties? AAAHHHHHHHH
Stylez close this **** down.. REASON.... Doesn't make any sense at all..
I used the GUI version of this forum to reply.. Thanks.

hi DTBrum,
touchflo - i never liked it too, don't know which files are responsible for its running and if it could be removed, seems like it's part of needed htc drivers to me, but this will switch it off completely:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\OEM\TFLOSettings]
"EnableScroll"=dword:00000000
"EnableCube"=dword:00000000
you need a registry editor to change those values.
===
you can't replace gui, or you can theoretically but what you mean is sort of launcher, or today manager. I tried more and didn't like any, they all seems to be laggy to me.
windows in default uses today screen and start menu, it's the same way as in pc edition, there are folders with shortcuts in them for start menu
look in \windows\start menu folder. and on today screen, you can set what you want to see there in settings/today
I use start replacement called quickmenu which is a very small prg with lots of tweaks.
if you don't like those fancy launchers and controls, better you make your own rom. it's very easy with tools from xda. nearly all custom roms lite or full you'll find here have some kind of launchers and today replacement already in them and it's hard to remove or disable them.
there is a lot of different apps like iLauncher, you can install/uninstall.
no one will recommend you any custom rom here, you need to go through trying one after another because everybody's preferences differs. look in wiki.
automatic connect. no, there is no way to disable this. you can use app called 'nodata' but then you'll have to run it to enable/disable every time you want to use internet. But it solves problems in roaming.
Some programs can be set to not auto dial. and another option is, you can set a fake internet connection, make it default and then when you want to go online you'll dial the real one manually. But you may find that some programs would not want to use other then default connection.
and don't get discouraged here on forum, some people are smart here, true, but not all of us here get born that way.

Thankx for the replies.
What I found with touchflo was that there are occasions where I try to scroll from left to right and nothing happens, then all of a sudden I find it has selected something like maps or internet and the phone is trying to connect to the net. Then it starts responding normally. So as a front end user interface for me I'm not that keen on it. Also I can't see a way to remove the categories sucj as maps, and add my own. I have a registry editor and will try changing the values suggested and see if that helps. I'll do a search for the other bits recommended.
Apologies ChumleyEX, not sure if I used the correct terminology. For me a program such as touchflo is an alternative GUI that sits on top of the windows GUI. Just want to know if there are better, more reliable ones. Doesn't have to be fancy. I want to be able to customise it and for it to be quick and responsive.

Sorry I'm sure I was too harsh, I was feeling a little too good last night.

No problem ChumleyEX - no harm done.
Papo - thanks for you time and help, you cleared a few things up for me. Registry edited and touchflo now disabled.
As I said I've only had this device a week and only just found this site recently, so I'm not really up on the terminology so I'm hoping you can look past my shortcomings please. I'll get there. I'm no novice with pc's or pda's but I'm not in the same league as most people on here I admit.
My question about installing an alternative to touchflo was because some of these other programs such as ilauncher like to be installed to the device memory rather than storage card. I don't want to find I start running low on resources so I was contemplating flashing the phone with a wm6.5 lite version with all the MS bloatware removed and adding a launcher/today screen manager afterwards. At least this way if I don't like a particular one I could un-install that. I have no option to remove touchflo.
I was hoping that by describing what I was after people would recommend something that fits the bill. But for now I keep looking at the roms and reading the comments until I find one I like the look of. There is some really nice work here on this site - so tempted to give it a go. I guess we all like different things so it's a matter of personal choice really. Key for me is functionality/responsiveness. It's no good if the interface gets in the way no matter how good it looks.
Off to read some reviews of roms on here now. I'll check out t.i.r element v5 as suggested by agent1001 first.

dude, stop fretting and just try out as many ROMs as you can...and remember to search and read a LOT! it will help in the long run to build your concepts.
i have TWO more suggestions/clarifications for you:
1. you might have big fingers, but what i suspect is that you are using your device as if it has a capacitive screen...which it doesn't. the kaiser (like many htc phones) has a resistive screen. essentially, what this means is that the screen will respond best with a good amount of pressure, applied at a point. so the best suggestion i can give you that will tremendously improve your experience with the device is...use your finger NAILS! the effect is as if you are using a stylus and once you get used to it, any "GUI" will become usable.
2. what you call a "GUI" is not a GUI, technically. this is what chumleyex was alluding to. these "GUIs" run as today screen plugins. they are just that...they are "today screen plugins"...also called "home screen" in other contexts of discussion. you can have many such plugins installed on your device. you can even have many such plugins running at once on your today screen. however, some take over the today screen completely, so you can only use them exclusively. manila2d/manila3d, spb mobile shell, and quite a few others are such kinds of today screen plugins. installing multiple such plugins only takes up storage space. RUNNING multiple such plugins is like running many applications at once...which will consume memory and may slow down the phone, etc, etc.
as always, you should have read the forum rules...which clearly state that "best of" threads or "suggest me a <insert requirement here>" style threads are against the forum rules. which leads me to believe that you probably haven't read the other "stickies" and "wikis" either. start there and then you'll find yourself asking a lot less basic questions that clutter up the forum. don't be surprised if this thread is closed soon by a forum mod. cheers.

Thanks ASCIIker - screen is more responsive with more pressure. Guess I was worried about cracking it.
I did do loads of reading before posting - mainly to do with how to, hard spl, soft spl, roms, radio threads. Sorry if I missed the bit about asking for recommendations.

DTBrum said:
I don't want to find I start running low on resources so I was contemplating flashing the phone with a wm6.5 lite version with all the MS bloatware removed and adding a launcher/today screen manager afterwards. At least this way if I don't like a particular one I could un-install that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the feeling that you think those fancy things in full custom ROMs are taking up space. they are not. and not using them, disabling them, or deleting shortcuts from start menu would do the same as uninstalling.
you've got:
flash memory - (ROM)
int. memory - think about it as HDD: depends, typicaly little over 100MB
RAM, operating memory, like on PC another 100MB: to be used by progs.
those names differs, to add confusion, some refers to int.memory as ROM
MS bloatware & fancy stuff from custom ROMs which you don't want could still rest in peace in ROM and not bothering you. you'll still have your 100MB int.mem. And as long as they are not actively running you still will have 100 RAM and no processor power used. but exactly like mentioned every plugin on today screen means it's running too. get an fdc task manager or alternative to see all processes and other stuff running. (not just tasks) You can find a way to disable nearly everything.
I have no option to remove touchflo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is any. even with ultra lite, i could be mistaken with this, but i tried hard and it looks like it's part of required htc drivers. so you only could disable it...at least! i hated it too no matter about fingers. it seems better on htc pro2 anyway.
But for now I keep looking at the roms and reading the comments until I find one I like the look of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, the look would be the main difference i'll say.
but if you want functionality/responsiveness, than you probably better stick with using start button and today screen without unnecessary additions.
* installing on SD card means it will go much slower and (at least on my kaiser) will sometime create errors on card from crashed apps and when I dropped phone or it died w/o shutdown or when contacts on SD card get loosed. many times I even lost complete SD contents.
You have 100MB of int.mem!! it would love to be used by progs.
I suggest you to try all of available and up-to-date custom ROMs then after getting an idea of what is doing what, just mix your own rom. it's a matter of check-in what you want inside basically. and you can add your own stuff too. like programs you buy or are not in any ROM. I have over 110MB of programs fitted in ROM and still 100MB int.mem. and speed of the device and ram is not affected too, because i let only 3 - 4 apps from that running in background.

Well I've tried flashing it and had to visit the toilet as things didn't go well.
I flashed with a lite rom, plan being to leave enough free space on the device to install a nice front end/today screen/touchflo etc to the device when I settled on one I liked.
Rom flashed fine - quite like it.
Radio didn't go well. Got stuck at the dreaded tri coloured screen.
Mtty.exe didn't recover it either.
Visited toilet.
Flashed back to standard rom from manufacturer. All now back up and running.
Have changed underpants.
At least I was able to use the info on here to get it back up and running OK.
Problem was a write error flashing the suggested radio - at 99% got an error 226.

DTBrum said:
plan being to leave enough free space on the device to install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check my previous post.
try flashing from SD card, a lot of troubles with cable/pc/connector
format small (256MB) SD card with FAT32,
rename ruu_signed.nbh file to KAISIMG.NBH place on root of SD
hold camera button and start or reset pda

I think to be honest I'm a little paranoid about keeping the device memory free. The reason is my wife has an O2 Orbit which was running wm5. It has been updated to WM6 and she has very little free storage memory at all on the device to the point where we have struggled getting some programs installed. I know most give you the option to install to storage card or device, but some don't. Also the ones that do install on the storage card often put some files onto the device, such as help or configuration files.
I know this HTC has a lot more memory so it probably isn't an issue in reality.
I'm up to speed about the different types of memory and whether an app is consuming processing power or just storage space depending upon if it running or not. I just didn't have a chance to read your reply before I posted- wife wanted the PC back. And I was relieved just to have the phone back working.
Papo - thanks for you help. Really appreciate it.

I had my tilt for 2 years and never worried about memory.

OK, flashed the phone a couple of times yesterday and I've now found a rom I like a lot. Even the GUI - touchflo - works like a dream and with the programs that came with the rom I can even customise it how I like. It's smooth, quick and I am yet to discover a bug.
I'll give it a run for a couple of weeks and if I decide to keep this then I'll donate.
Interestingly I flashed back to stock rom from T Mobile through links I found on here. Worked without a problem, provided a 6ft+ 16stone bloke is happy with everything in pink. So I then flashed back to the standard HTC rom wm6.1 and had lots of problems. Basic things like selecting tick boxes didn't even work well.
I understand that everyone wants different things from their phones, how they look etc and that is why it is impossible to say which rom is best. But through this site, I have a customised phone that runs so smooth and quickly and looks damn smart. So at the moment I am well chuffed.
The only really difficulty I encountered was I lost all my contacts. Activesync wouldn't restore them and the backup I took was incomplete as I only backed up the sim and not the phone. D'oh. Anyway I've now sorted this out as I found all the old contacts in outlook deleted items. I restored them back to the contacts folder and synced them again and it's all now back up and running.
Off to have a play
If she lets me I may even flash the wifes O2 Orbit XDA. It's been upgraded from wm5 to wm6 and the new rom leaves very little free memory on the device itself and we do struggle at times getting some software onto it. The version of TomTom I have doesn't let you choose where to install it to, it just goes onto the device. I have manually moved it back to the SD card and made new shortcuts etc, but I feel a new rom from this site would be the way to go.
Thank you to all who helped me.

DTBrum said:
difficulty I encountered was I lost all my contacts. Activesync wouldn't restore them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
activeSync & outlook played tricks on me too, deleting or doubling all contacts... even easier than backing up by backup program, is to copy 'RAW' database in pda before re-flashing. it's all in one file called PIM.VOL in root of phone. calendar is there as well. you can copy this to SD and upon reflashing copy back to root of pda and see what PC's outlook will have to say to it. or just keep on SD as 2nd backup.
note, the file may be locked by running programs (contacts, messages, home plugin) kill them from taskman in that case.
The version of TomTom I have doesn't let you choose where to install it to, it just goes onto the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tomtom app is two files tomtom nav.exe and data.chk, put them anywhere you like and the rest, config files, will be created by it.
but it runs really slow from SD. and taking 13MB, so again, it's best to have them in ROM.