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Help Difference among different software versions

N

Nahid

Member
I am in Bangladesh (Asia) and my Desire s was brought from UK by one of my uncles. when I turn on my phone it shows Vodafone logo followed by HTC logo. I think it was in contract with vodafone. I am not very familiar with this "contract" thing because in this part of world we don't go in contarct, rather we buy handset and SIM card separately. Now, I need some expert advice regarding following issues:

1. My software version (from Settings>About Phone>Software Information) is 2.10.161.3 and from some other website I found that "Unbranded" Desire S has a software version of xx.xx.401.x. What is the basic difference between them?

2. One friend of mine tells me that handset which are in contract with Vodafone or T-mobile or other operators delay giving updates. Even sometime they don't give update at all, whereas non-contract handset enjoys update. Is it true? Though I think I have the latest update Android 2.3.5 and HTC Sense 3.0. I am worried about the upcoming ICS.

3. Another friend of mine has Desire S too but his one is not Vodafone one. His one is Made in China and my one is Made in Taiwan. Does that make difference in hardware quality?

4. I don't like to see the Vodafone logo on start up. I want to install Software version with no Vodafone logo. Is it possible without rooting? And btw, Is "Rooting" and "Installing custom ROM" is same?
 
1. The main difference will be in the 'bloatware'. 'Bloatware' is the additional apps/games that the service provider (in your case Vodafone) add to the phone's ROM, so that it's personalized to the service provider and contains their brand. So you'll see the Vodafone splash screen and some Vodafone apps/games that will only be applicable to Vodafone customers. For example, with the games, you may only be able to play for a certain period of time, after which you'll have to buy it from a Vodafone source if you want to continue playing. However, you'll probably find that you can buy the game cheaper from another source! You'll probably also discover that you can't uninstall these 'extra' apps/games as they're part of the phone's ROM.

There may be other limitations or enhancements to the ROM to do with the service that Vodafone provide. For example, some providers might disable the ability to record phone conversations, allow or disallow tethering, enable the phone to boost signal reception by utilizing wifi, limit the volume, etc.

2. Generally speaking, yes. Branded/service provider ROMs take a few months longer to be released than the stock/plain HTC ROMs (because of the time it takes to write and produce the extra features/limitations I mentioned above and to make sure everything is compatible with their service.) If Vodafone ever get round to updating their ROM with ICS, then it'll be released months after the HTC stock ROM upgrade.

And, as you mentioned, service providers aren't obliged to update their ROMs. Some may not think it worthwhile updating a phone that's 18-24 months old, and that they may have discontinued selling, with the latest software.

3. I doubt it.

4. To get rid of the Vodafone logo/splash screen, you'll need to either root your phone or use a 'Gold card'. Rooting is part of the process necessary to install a custom ROM. First you need to turn the phone's security off/unlock the bootloader, then root the phone, then install a custom ROM. Making a 'Gold Card' enables users to install stock HTC non-branded ROMs (or other branded ROMs) on a branded phone.
 
notebook said:
1. The main difference will be in the 'bloatware'. 'Bloatware' is the additional apps/games that the service provider (in your case Vodafone) add to the phone's ROM, so that it's personalized to the service provider and contains their brand. So you'll see the Vodafone splash screen and some Vodafone apps/games that will only be applicable to Vodafone customers. For example, with the games, you may only be able to play for a certain period of time, after which you'll have to buy it from a Vodafone source if you want to continue playing. However, you'll probably find that you can buy the game cheaper from another source! You'll probably also discover that you can't uninstall these 'extra' apps/games as they're part of the phone's ROM.

There may be other limitations or enhancements to the ROM to do with the service that Vodafone provide. For example, some providers might disable the ability to record phone conversations, allow or disallow tethering, enable the phone to boost signal reception by utilizing wifi, limit the volume, etc.

2. Generally speaking, yes. Branded/service provider ROMs take a few months longer to be released than the stock/plain HTC ROMs (because of the time it takes to write and produce the extra features/limitations I mentioned above and to make sure everything is compatible with their service.) If Vodafone ever get round to updating their ROM with ICS, then it'll be released months after the HTC stock ROM upgrade.

And, as you mentioned, service providers aren't obliged to update their ROMs. Some may not think it worthwhile updating a phone that's 18-24 months old, and that they may have discontinued selling, with the latest software.

3. I doubt it.

4. To get rid of the Vodafone logo/splash screen, you'll need to either root your phone or use a 'Gold card'. Rooting is part of the process necessary to install a custom ROM. First you need to turn the phone's security off/unlock the bootloader, then root the phone, then install a custom ROM. Making a 'Gold Card' enables users to install stock HTC non-branded ROMs (or other branded ROMs) on a branded phone.
Click to expand...


Thanks you, you are always helpful. Thanks for your detailed answers. Now I will research further on this "Gold Card" can you please give any link wher I'll find the procedure of doing HTC Non-branded ROMS?
 
GoldCardTool will only partly work cause it only gets mmc0/1 CID's, ours (at least mine) is mmc2.

So use goldcardhelper app to get the mmc2 CID, then get the img (from here and then you can use the tools second part.
 
Hello again, my "Volume down+Power button" menu shows following:

*** LOCKED ***
SAGA PVT SHIP S-ON RL
HBOOT-2.00.0002
RADIO-3822.10.08.04_M
eMMC-boot
Aug 22 2011, 15:22:13

What this *** LOCKED *** means. Do I have to do anything before doing Revelutionary S-off? I am looking for installing ICS after rooting. will you advice or is it too early? I want it because I've seen in one of my friends Nexus One with ICS and he can see Bengali (complex script) that's the main reason of doing ICS.
 
@Nahid

It means your bootloader is locked.

So as said in many a thread;

You can either unclock your bootloader with HTCdev or downgrade to a older hboot that can be unlocked via revolutionary. See here and here

By using HTCdev you are possible voiding your warranty.

I am sure though you can see somehow get bengali font to sisplay, not really knowledgeable in this area.

The ice cream roms are sort of everyday usable.... Some say more battery drain, some say less, camera is so so working, some are in RC stage but I think they rushing them. Later once we get the kernel from HTC when they release ice cream for us they will be a lot better. Till then we hope they keep perfecting them.

But regardless the current alpha/beta/RC roms are still a way off from a perfect everyday roms. Worst thing you can do is try.
 
notebook said:
Forgot to add this...

After you've created your Gold Card, you can then install an RUU. Your Gold Card needs to be in your phone for the installation. You can then remove it once installed. It's best to keep it should you want to install another RUU.

See here for a collection of RUUs and here for a guide on installing RUUs.
Click to expand...

thanks for the RUU collection link,I'll take Asia_India and hope I'll get my Bengali language there and I've read the RUU update instruction to and what I've understood is: I can install RUU even being ***LOCKED*** and S-ON and unrooted. correct me pls if I'm wrong. two more questions:

a) what is the purpose of creating goldcard, is it ONLY for getting back to original ROM for warranty or anything else like backing up the stock ROM if installing fresh RUU doesn't work?

B) if I install RUU_Saga_S_HTC_Europe_2.10.401.8 (or something like that) then will I be able to get OTA update of coming ICS
 
@Nahid

When installing a RUU two things are looked at;
1) Your phone has "apparent" version (called main/misc version), its the version that is reported to the RUU when it tries to install. The trick is that if this number is higher than the RUU you wish to run you WILL need to change it, i.e. downgrade.
2) You phone has a branding, this is called the CID (It can be best described as a validation check, i.e. that the RUU you are installing is the right one). So it insures that say a vodafone phone can only have a vodafone RUU installed on it.

If you live in the Asia area it should be okay.

Yes you run the RUU from the PC, it will only run/install if 1) If your misc version is lower than the RUU you are installing, and 2) If your CID is a match for your phone (however using a goldcard during the install will bypass the CID check)

a) It "bypasses" the CID check. Can be used to to go from a vodafone branded phone to a unbranded phone, can be used to downgrade your phone, install a RUU not meant for your phone.

b) Yes you will get the OTA, you may need to have the gold card installed for the update though.
 
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