Database Develop

Keeping it simple for the ADD crowd...

tl;dr: I want a clean wm 6.1 rom for my Tmobile Wing that is stupid simple to install.
First off, let me say I really appreciate all the work that everyone has put into these custom roms here. I used to use X's MDA custom rom (and still do on my wife's MDA) because it was a very clean rom and it was stupid simple to use. You ran it, clicked next and yes to everything and waited.
I've had the Tmobile wing since launch and I've used the stock firmware because whenever I try to digest any information that is presented in the forum post format, my ADD kicks in and I get nowhere. Now that my replacement wing is here, I figured now is the best time to flash a new rom onto it because I can't put up with not being able to do things like take a picture without soft reseting.
So, I want to get rid of this stock rom but looking at the different rom threads, I'm not sure which one I want. I want to avoid as many 3rd party applications / today screen mods / touch interfaces as possible. Any 3rd party application I need, I'm happier to install post flash.
I do like the custom roms that have the obvious tweaks built in and I really like them when everything I need is included to take me from a fresh Wing out of the box to final product.
And finally, the easier the better. The last thing I have time for is tweaking my cell phone. I've put up with the awful stock rom since the wing came out simply because I haven't had the time to mess around with it.
I thank you in advance for your advice and help.

I'll build you a clean and simple ROM when I get home. Doubleclick on one file and click enter three times. Wait. Done.

ivanmmj said:
I'll build you a clean and simple ROM when I get home. Doubleclick on one file and click enter three times. Wait. Done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. I saw some of your threads and it looked very promising. I assume that covers the CID unlock?

Yep, it doesn't unlock it per say... just goes around the lock. Just one question. What programs do you want on it? If you're not sure, take a look at my kitchen. Those are the packages I'll be using.

Ok, I checked out your thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372236
Adobe Flash
AdobeReader
MS Voice Command
Remote Desktop
I do fine with battery indicator that came with the wing.
Updated Microsoft Office
Java
Wing Keyboard Driver
I'm not familiar enough with each of the registry tweaks you mentioned.
Ivan's Tweaks sound fine, Beam disabled (since there is no IR), disable the security warnings, disable the sliding sounds, get TZ from the network, enable file cache, hide sim contacts, Increase FileSystem filter cache, INcrease font cache, and most definitely get rid of SMS sent message notification if that isn't in there. Also IE temp files on the storage card would be grand.
Ideally the Comm settings would be set for Tmobile USA. (But I don't need My5)
And whatever applications are part of the core OS. I'm not all that unpleased with the stock rom for the wing. I uninstalled a bunch of applications when I got it and haven't had to hard reset it since so I don't remember all the different bloat that came on there. I just would like a bit less of a memory leak, a few good registry tweaks, and of course an update to wm6.1.
If the stock ringtones and sounds can be cut to save space, I'm all for it. However, I read on some of your other posts that you have to get to a certain size on the ROM or it fails. So if that is the case, the sounds/rings can stay.
And as long as I can flash back to the stock rom if I have to warranty this bad boy, I'm as happy as a clam. Maybe I'm crazy but I prefer installing applications outside of the rom process. I like starting with a clean base. The only things I have installed are Google Maps, SPB Wallet and SPB Pocket Plus. Like I said, I try to keep it very simple.

rosewood said:
Ok, I checked out your thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372236
Adobe Flash
AdobeReader
MS Voice Command
Remote Desktop
I do fine with battery indicator that came with the wing.
Updated Microsoft Office
Java
Wing Keyboard Driver
I'm not familiar enough with each of the registry tweaks you mentioned.
Ivan's Tweaks sound fine, Beam disabled (since there is no IR), disable the security warnings, disable the sliding sounds, get TZ from the network, enable file cache, hide sim contacts, Increase FileSystem filter cache, INcrease font cache, and most definitely get rid of SMS sent message notification if that isn't in there. Also IE temp files on the storage card would be grand.
Ideally the Comm settings would be set for Tmobile USA. (But I don't need My5)
And whatever applications are part of the core OS. I'm not all that unpleased with the stock rom for the wing. I uninstalled a bunch of applications when I got it and haven't had to hard reset it since so I don't remember all the different bloat that came on there. I just would like a bit less of a memory leak, a few good registry tweaks, and of course an update to wm6.1.
If the stock ringtones and sounds can be cut to save space, I'm all for it. However, I read on some of your other posts that you have to get to a certain size on the ROM or it fails. So if that is the case, the sounds/rings can stay.
And as long as I can flash back to the stock rom if I have to warranty this bad boy, I'm as happy as a clam. Maybe I'm crazy but I prefer installing applications outside of the rom process. I like starting with a clean base. The only things I have installed are Google Maps, SPB Wallet and SPB Pocket Plus. Like I said, I try to keep it very simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can wait for open touch 4 =] that's what I am doing.
I'm currently using touch-it vista style.

rosewood said:
Ok, I checked out your thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372236
Adobe Flash
AdobeReader
MS Voice Command
Remote Desktop
I do fine with battery indicator that came with the wing.
Updated Microsoft Office
Java
Wing Keyboard Driver
I'm not familiar enough with each of the registry tweaks you mentioned.
Ivan's Tweaks sound fine, Beam disabled (since there is no IR), disable the security warnings, disable the sliding sounds, get TZ from the network, enable file cache, hide sim contacts, Increase FileSystem filter cache, INcrease font cache, and most definitely get rid of SMS sent message notification if that isn't in there. Also IE temp files on the storage card would be grand.
Ideally the Comm settings would be set for Tmobile USA. (But I don't need My5)
And whatever applications are part of the core OS. I'm not all that unpleased with the stock rom for the wing. I uninstalled a bunch of applications when I got it and haven't had to hard reset it since so I don't remember all the different bloat that came on there. I just would like a bit less of a memory leak, a few good registry tweaks, and of course an update to wm6.1.
If the stock ringtones and sounds can be cut to save space, I'm all for it. However, I read on some of your other posts that you have to get to a certain size on the ROM or it fails. So if that is the case, the sounds/rings can stay.
And as long as I can flash back to the stock rom if I have to warranty this bad boy, I'm as happy as a clam. Maybe I'm crazy but I prefer installing applications outside of the rom process. I like starting with a clean base. The only things I have installed are Google Maps, SPB Wallet and SPB Pocket Plus. Like I said, I try to keep it very simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like how I like my ROMs.
My ROMs are stripped to the bare minimum. Yes, there is a size requirement that I've been trying to find a way to bypass it but my kitchen DOES work around the problem by inflating ROMs that are too small into the correct size with empty space. I haven't had time to work on this, yet, as I'm heading to work right now, but I will try to get it done tonight.

never mind, wrong...

Thank you ivanmmj. I would say keep the sounds in then since taking them out doesn't really do anything.
Would it be possible to put something in that could be deleted post install? I am just tossing out ideas.
As for "waiting for open touch 4" and using touch-it vista style, I've looked at the threads for that and it just has a bunch of stuff, like the HTC today screen stuff that I don't ever want to use. My today screen is very clean. It has Tmobile's plugin that shows network, date, wifi and bluetooth status. It has my owner info and my calendar info. This is it. I used to use SPB Diary but it was a memory hog and I never did like the clutter.

You don't need the sounds and the less files, the faster the ROM. You can't uninstall anything that's built into the ROM, only things installed after through the ExtROM or anything else. The padding I put in makes the ROM bigger but doesn't add any files. It's all HEX.

ivanmmj said:
You don't need the sounds and the less files, the faster the ROM. You can't uninstall anything that's built into the ROM, only things installed after through the ExtROM or anything else. The padding I put in makes the ROM bigger but doesn't add any files. It's all HEX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well fast is what makes my day
I can't wait for you to work your magic.
Thanks

SMS Not Working

Has anyone managed to stop SMS from working? Something I've tweaked or installed is preventing me from sending messages - when I tap the SMS option nothing at all happens. I don't seem to be able to receive them either. With all the fiddling (Kaiser Tweak, GPRS Monitor, SBP etc) who knows what I've done. Just hoping someone else may have stumbled over the same problem before I have to reset everything back to original (It's the only fault).
Thanks

Are you able to compose an SMS at all?
Have you verified that your Text Message Service Center number is not blank?
Please provide more information. Phone, ROM, Carrier, etc...

Thanks for the interest,
I'm using WM6 standard ROM 1.82.707.0.WWE (ie not cooked) on the Tytn2, the service centre number is there and is correct according to the carrier (Telstra Australia).
It used to work fine so I'm assuming that I've tweaked something I should have left alone, or one of these installs has jammed it up - just no idea what!
If I pull up a contact and tap the 'Send Text Message' option nothing at all happens, just sits there looking at me! I don't seem to be able to receive texts either.
Installed are the standard apps plus Google Maps, GPRS Monitor, Kaiser Tweak, Resco File Explorer, TomTom, SPB mobile Shell and Diary, QuickMenu.
I know it's a tricky one to fix from a distance (so many settings, so little patience) but any thoughts would be appreciated.

I had the same problem a few months ago and tried everything. Defaulted my tweaks and adv config etc. Eventually I had to reinstall my rom which is a cooked rom and all came back and have not had any problems since then. Hpefully you do not have to do this. You should try a cooked rom.

Ok I want to take a shot at this.....
Ok Does Telstra have the ability to send SMS to mobiles from their website? If so try sending one to yourself.
Next. Go into Messaging, Menu -> New -> SMS. Type in your mobile and Send.
Oh and Uninstall The SPB product Soft Reset and try again.
Let me know If that works.

Can't find a way to send sms from telstra (easily) so tried from another mobile. The other mobile says it can't send the message. I'm (almost) sure this is my phone rejecting it rather than a network of other phone's fault.
When I tap on Messaging in the menu nothing happens - doesn't take me anywhere at all. Same thing if I tap on 'send text message' option in contacts.
Removed the spb stuff, did a soft reset, still no go.
Keep the thoughts coming though. In the end it would probably be easier and quicker just to hard reset now, but it's the challenge of figuring it out that's interesting isn't it? It's going to be one of those dead simple slap your forehead things I reckon.
Thanks for all the help so far.

Have you tried reinstalling the Arcsoft SMS/MMS client? There are many different versions floating around XDA.

OK it's fixed. Here's what I did:
Discovered that the 'Messaging' menu item in the start menu pointed to a file called tmail.exe
Used file explorer to navigate to tmail and ran it directly
Fell over laughing when it actually ran
From that time on it works via any link, such as the start menu and contacts option to SMS
I have no idea what that's all about but I'm really happy to have it back - although I haven't tested sending and receiving texts yet
Interestingly a very similar thing happened to Mortscript - I have a script that rotates the screen and runs TomTom (not mine, found on xda-dev) and it wouldn't work either after all this fiddling until I ran it directly rather than through any links. Now it works fine too.
If anyone knows /why/ it happened I'd be interested.
Thanks for all the support. Really great knowing there's such a community around.

Alrighty then, spoke too soon. Now it works when the sd card is out, but not when it's in. Same old problem, tap on messaging and nothing. With the card out of the slot, messaging appears. What the heck is this?! Could it be something to do with where messages are stored? I'm also getting this storagecard2 problem each time I take the card in and out which is easy enough to fix but could be contributing I suppose. Any more ideas?
Edit: I repaired the storagecard2 directory issue, cleaned up all the references to storagecard2 in the registry (about 4), unticked the option to use the card to store attachments, and it seems to work. I've also re-synched and re-installed spb mobileshell. Last time it seemed to fail at that last step but this time is still working. Even after a final soft reset. I haven't reinstalled spb diary.
Has me stumped but works again now. Sorry to bore you all with this but someone may have a simple answer and the ordeal might help someone else I hope.

Based on all of these issues, I would definitely suggest re-flashing your current ROM again (not just a hard reset), and do a full format of your SD card outside of the phone. It sounds like you've got some major corruption going on...

drmc said:
Alrighty then, spoke too soon. Now it works when the sd card is out, but not when it's in. Same old problem, tap on messaging and nothing. With the card out of the slot, messaging appears. What the heck is this?! Could it be something to do with where messages are stored? I'm also getting this storagecard2 problem each time I take the card in and out which is easy enough to fix but could be contributing I suppose. Any more ideas?
Edit: I repaired the storagecard2 directory issue, cleaned up all the references to storagecard2 in the registry (about 4), unticked the option to use the card to store attachments, and it seems to work. I've also re-synched and re-installed spb mobileshell. Last time it seemed to fail at that last step but this time is still working. Even after a final soft reset. I haven't reinstalled spb diary.
Has me stumped but works again now. Sorry to bore you all with this but someone may have a simple answer and the ordeal might help someone else I hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes delete the storage card directory, if it gets corrupt the unit won't send or receive SMS.
Speaking from experience here

Thanks guys,
I've re-done the storage card and all is still working ok. I'm reluctant to reflash while it's working so I'll wait to see how long it keeps up.
Thanks again.

Can't run Messaging app

Hey gang,
HELP! I'm trying to figure out how to fix my Messaging application, it is currently broken. All of my other apps seem to be working.
I am not blaming Throttle Launcher, but it got broken sometime shortly after uninstalling it; I tried to fix my problem by reinstalling it, but no go. So I don't think it was the root cause.
If I click the messaging icon in Programs nothing happens. If I try to run tmail.exe from \Windows, nothing happens. Checking my task manager process listing, I see poutlook.exe running, but with 0KB for Memory and only 1 thread. I do not see anything related to tmail.exe listed in my task manager.
I have soft-reset with no change in behavior.
I would just hard-reset but I want to use PIM backup first, and of course, since it can't talk to pocket outlook, I can't backup my messages.
Any help here? What can I look for? Registry settings? Specific files? I do not have another device here to compare with.

pim back up will back everything even in the absence of some messaging components
i advice to run a back up and perform hard reset then restore
curwiler said:
Hey gang,
HELP! I'm trying to figure out how to fix my Messaging application, it is currently broken. All of my other apps seem to be working.
I am not blaming Throttle Launcher, but it got broken sometime shortly after uninstalling it; I tried to fix my problem by reinstalling it, but no go. So I don't think it was the root cause.
If I click the messaging icon in Programs nothing happens. If I try to run tmail.exe from \Windows, nothing happens. Checking my task manager process listing, I see poutlook.exe running, but with 0KB for Memory and only 1 thread. I do not see anything related to tmail.exe listed in my task manager.
I have soft-reset with no change in behavior.
I would just hard-reset but I want to use PIM backup first, and of course, since it can't talk to pocket outlook, I can't backup my messages.
Any help here? What can I look for? Registry settings? Specific files? I do not have another device here to compare with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jahrami said:
pim back up will back everything even in the absence of some messaging components
i advice to run a back up and perform hard reset then restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I tried PIM backup 2.8 and it doesn't allow me to backup the messages, which is really the only thing I want besides the call history.
I've used PIM backup many times before, so I can see that it really wants to use the MAPI components to do the messaging backup.
I wonder... does pim.vol hold messages, too?

Solution found
Well, I tried searching before my original posting and didn't find any solution.
A fresh search this morning turned up this answer, which (YAY!) worked for me:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=370691

manilla

i recently installed manilla 2D and i cant seem to unistall it. has anyone found a way to uninstall it sucessfuly without a hard reset?
i heard somewhere that a hard reset will remove your custom rom is this true? i dont want to have to re flash my phone.
thanks in advance for any help.

RubberDucky451 said:
i recently installed manilla 2D and i cant seem to unistall it. has anyone found a way to uninstall it sucessfuly without a hard reset?
i heard somewhere that a hard reset will remove your custom rom is this true? i dont want to have to re flash my phone.
thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think a hard reset is the recommended way to remove it. And no, a hard reset will not remove your rom, it will put it back like you just finished flashing.

NO U DONT HAVE TO HARD RESET
why go thru all that when there's an easier way.
what u need to do is:
1. dl and install sktools
2. make sure its not active on ur today screen
3. use sktools to uninstall it and soft reset once its done.
tadaaaa

Trial and error method!
Hi all,
My trial and error method which worked is to uninstall all the apps which came with Manilla2D, e.g. new comm manager, audio manager, etc. Ignore any messages that say "not completely uninstalled". Then, uninstall Manilla2D in the normal way, you will of course get the usual "not completely uninstalled" message. Select "No" to removing from list of installed applications. Then re-install the same Manilla2D cab file that you installed before. You will see the message: "The previous version will be uninstalled..." select to continue, then you will get a second message saying: "The previous version was not completely uninstalled...do you want to continue..." at which you should select to do so. The "install" will take about 3 or 4 minutes then if you are not prompted to restart your device at the end of the installation, you should do so anyway. When your device restarts it should be M2D free. N.B. one thing that seemed to help this process was preventing the device going to stand by during the whole process, by plugging it in or changing the power auto-off settings.
This method is not proven so it may not work on your device.
N.B. I am using ROMeOS 4.6.0. If you do need to hard reset your device I recommend this ROM anyway.
Best wishes,
andrew-in-woking

JstarLuvsTina said:
NO U DONT HAVE TO HARD RESET
why go thru all that when there's an easier way.
what u need to do is:
1. dl and install sktools
2. make sure its not active on ur today screen
3. use sktools to uninstall it and soft reset once its done.
tadaaaa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, after trying various things to remove Manila (including trying to install it again as suggested in another post) the only thing that worked for me was sktools BUT - even after SKTOOLs removed it, it left behind various side effects which took me two more days to get rid of
(i) I use Nadavi_Task_Manager_2_0_31261 . Its onscreen quick menu was spoiled. I had to remove and re-install it to get it back to normal
(ii) HTC Home - many things were screwed up, all teh phone numbers i had set up on the Favorite People tab were gone and I could not add any number. The weather tab had stopped working altogether. I had to install a patched version of HTC Home I found on these forums (not because I knew what I was doing but because I did not know what else to do!!)
So after all that I am wondering whether it would have been just easier to do a hard reset and restore from a back up (which as it happens I had taken just minutes before installing Manilla)

smjoshi said:
Yes, after trying various things to remove Manila (including trying to install it again as suggested in another post) the only thing that worked for me was sktools BUT - even after SKTOOLs removed it, it left behind various side effects which took me two more days to get rid of
(i) I use Nadavi_Task_Manager_2_0_31261 . Its onscreen quick menu was spoiled. I had to remove and re-install it to get it back to normal
(ii) HTC Home - many things were screwed up, all teh phone numbers i had set up on the Favorite People tab were gone and I could not add any number. The weather tab had stopped working altogether. I had to install a patched version of HTC Home I found on these forums (not because I knew what I was doing but because I did not know what else to do!!)
So after all that I am wondering whether it would have been just easier to do a hard reset and restore from a back up (which as it happens I had taken just minutes before installing Manilla)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow the first i heard of anything like this before..thats just crazy
ive de-installed and re-installed plenty of times prior to having manila on a rom with no issues, even during the opening hours of the coding release we had.
did u run the sktools clean up after de-installing?
registry cleaner as well?
and i presume u soft resetted as well? as the instructions say to do.
also u have to understand m2D isnt just a theme..its an app that takes over whatever else u had on ur today screen, just like any other app and also its not perfected we're still trying to get there, we're damn near close..but not at 100% just yet.

Whenever I get the "not completely uninstalled, would you like to remove from list of programs?" message, I just choose "No", soft reset, then uninstall the program once again. Works every time.

Hi guys,
I tried to uninstall Manilla2D too, and I used Sktools. But when i came to "Installed Programs" i couldnt see Manilla there. There were only 2 programs there: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, and SK Software SKtools.
Please tell me how to uninstall it. Im really sick ot it now...
Thanks

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.