Buzzdev.org

I haven’t been on here a while and I apologize for that. This summer has been a busy one for me – first in summer school for AP Macroeconomics for 6 weeks and then I went back to India for 4 weeks. I’m back now and of course, school starts in 2 days. But I have been doing some WinMo stuff over the past 2 months. However, I haven’t been working on my OnDemand customization. Instead, something bigger has caught my attention.

Ever since Da_G over at XDA-Developers created a thread about the Image Update system, I’ve been following and developing some of my own software. For those who don’t know, the Image Update system allows for you to update the IMGFS and XIP partition of your phone via cab files instead of flashing the device and losing all personal data/installed applications. To make this mechanism work, which has been present in Windows Mobile since WM5, all of the DSMs (Device Side Manifests) need to be in the proper MS format. Unfortunately, all of the current kitchen tools that we use for ROMs malform these DSMs or completely remove them from the ROMs. Because of that, I’ve been working on applications that will make Image Update work properly. In June, I was able to create two applications – one that regenerated DSMS from scratch in the exact same way MS’s tools are supposed to work. The other would create the Image Update packages and sign them - they produce the same results as the ones generated my MS’s tools as well. I’ve been working to consolidate them into one app that will also act as a ROM kitchen that adheres to MS’s documentation (for the most part ).

For those who are interested, you can check out Da_G’s thread in the Dev & Hacking section of XDA (I’m too lazy to link to it right now )

Good News for those of us who have problems unlocking/flashing Universal using Windows Vista!
It IS possible to do this now!

VISTA has new (WM Device Center, former ActiveSync) drivers which do not recognize the older files/software on our Universal. The key is that we force-install these previous drivers to Vista to help it let us run the RUU/Sim Unlock software. During this tedious process you will come across messages from Vista like: Windows already has up-to-date drivers, so it cannot update.

IGNORE all such msgs and don’t give up

Follow this link and download the required files:
http://www.4shared.com/file/91609041/50f8cbef/USB_MODEM_VISTA.html

Extract the USB Modem Vista in a new folder on, say, your desktop.

Strictly – AT YOUR OWN RISK

1. Your device should be in Boot Loader mode (press and hold power, light and softreset button)
2. Connect device to your computer
3. Go to Computer Management (Device Manager) in Vista, Right-click Computer in Start Menu and select manage (see step 1) [You can also go to Control Panel and click the Device Manager icon]
4. In Computer Manager open Device Manager (step 2)
5. Follow step 3 and 4

Note: It happened to me and I have no idea why. Instead of “Mobile Devices” in the device manager list, I could only see “Portable Devices”. I did see “Mobile Devices” but it kept switching between “Mobile Devices” and “Portable Devices” during the many times I tried doing it.

After step 4 browse to the folder where you extracted the USB Modem Vista and choose next.
It will install the active sync drivers to Vista and you will be able to unlock/flash.

Use Exit BootLoader file to exit boot-loader mode (you can also install drivers without flashing the device)
YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO EXIT BOOTLOADER MODE! EVEN BEVORE FLASHING!

Now run the SIM Unlocker tool or treat your device with a new ROM update following their specific guidelines.

I would like to Thank Buzz (for SIM Unlocker) and Duanes, member at (XDA Developers) for the enlightening guide and drivers/software to Unlocking/Flashing in VISTA.

I have achieved the above results using the process described above. However, use of the drivers and flash/unlock software should be made/done strictly AT YOUR OWN RISK. In no way shall I, this forum, and all names mentioned herein may be held responsible for any losses/damages incurred with the use of these utilities or software.
Regards and Happy Unlocking/Flashing in VISTA!