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How to debrand your Virgin/Bell Legend and get Froyo at the same time.

stewy

Member
So, I got tired of waiting for the update from Virgin and decided I'd try to debrand the phone and get the OTA directly from HTC. It didn't go exactly as planned but I got the end result I wanted. Please keep in mind these directions are much more direct that what I did myself, but I was experimenting. This is what I would do knowing what I know now. As always, proceed at your own risk. I did this on version 2.02.666.3 and hboot version .43.003 with a Windows 7 machine.

1. Set up the Android SDK and ADB using this guide:
How To: Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices | TheUnlockr

2. Create a goldcard using this tutorial:
How To: Create a Goldcard | TheUnlockr
In step 4 make sure that you replace mmc1 with mmc0 when typing it into the adb shell.

The first time was unsuccessful. I used a 2GB duracell SD card and it just didn't take. The second time I used a 4GB lexar card that worked just fine. I was able to mount my duracell sd card but it still didn't work for me.

3. Once you have the goldcard in the phone you can use the RUU to update your phone to Froyo. The Froyo RUU on shipped roms doesn't seem to be complete (it is only 4.5mb). I was able to find the complete file with google's help: RUU Legend Froyo S HTC WWE 3 15 405 3 Radio 47 51 35 17 7 13 35 05 release 160328 signed - Download from rapidshare.com - Filestube.com

Other info:
- This will reset your phone, so if there is any important information on there you'll need to back it up!

- I had trouble and ended up installing the older version of htc sync as suggested somewhere (can't find the link right now). At the same time I made the second goldcard and it finally worked so I'm not sure which one actually fixed it. My guess it was the goldcard.

- When I tried this I loaded 1.31 onto my phone first as an experiment to see if i would get the OTA updates. On first attempt running the ruu I got a usb connection error. Unplugging the usb cable showed the screen with the android robots and some red or orange text that said "RUU". If this happens just plug the phone back in and try it again. It worked for me. After that I got an ID error 130... I think this was caused by my non-working goldcard (or possibly the htc sync drivers)

- After I successfully installed 1.31 I did get an OTA update to 2.05, the update took just fine. When I restarted my phone I checked again and it saw the update to Froyo. I tried to install this OTA update but it failed every time. Still not sure what caused it to fail. That's when I searched and found the Froyo RUU on google. It took a few minutes but loaded just fine without any errors at all.

- Because I have the RUU from HTC I now have mobile hotspot enabled! My guess is bell/virgin will disable this with the official update. There's also a pretty useful flashlight app that uses the camera's LED and of course I have the ability to move apps to the SD card. The phone runs very smoothly and video playback no longer suffers from out of sync audio. The exchange support for calendar also seems better.

- Video playback is much better. All of my videos used to play with the audio out of sync. It doesn't do that anymore.
 
I just did this, got things updated eventually *except* 3G. Wi-fi works fine but no 3G. When I turn mobile internet off and back on, it just sits there saying "turning on..."

Not sure where to turn.

Update: Yup, the problem was lack of APN data. Though the phone is Virgin, I entered the data for Bell and all works.
 
Make sure you enter the apn settings for your network.

I had to add the APN settings for fido. I just searched google and was able to find them. Just google them and you should be able to find them. Or if that fails just call your provider.

Nice! glad you got it fixed!
 
Does this require a total reset of the phone? I'd love to do this, but i really don't want to have to re-install and configure everything again. I mean, With the OTA coming at some point, I'd rather wait if that's the case.

Thanks.
 
Does this require a total reset of the phone? I'd love to do this, but i really don't want to have to re-install and configure everything again. I mean, With the OTA coming at some point, I'd rather wait if that's the case.

Thanks.

Yes, it will delete everything on your phone.
 
Can you clarify the steps after creating a goldcard? My problem is whenever I try to install the RUU you posted (RUU Legend Froyo S HTC WWE 3 15 405 3 Radio 47 51 35 17 7 13 35 05 release 160328), I get the "error [130]: Model ID error" .. The ROM Update Utility cannot update your Android phone .. and something about using the wrong RUU..

So do I download the RUU 1.31 and use that first to upgrade the firmware to 2.05. Meaning I just double click on the 1.31 and follow the instructions to downgrade the firmware to 1.31?

After loading 1.31, reboot the phone and then check for update (I presume 2.05 will be pushed to the phone?).

Only after 2.05 firmware is installed, I can try to install the froyo RUU (RUU Legend Froyo S HTC WWE 3 15 405 3 Radio 47 51 35 17 7 13 35 05 release 160328) on my Legend? Fyi, I have a bell branded unlocked Legend and I used a kingston 2 gig micro sd card. I tested the goldcard kingston card on windows 7 and xp and both machine recognizes the card (does not give a format the card error).

Please advice. Many thanks!!!
 
Hey Netbites,

I think you should be able to jump straight to froyo if you have a working goldcard. On my first attempt at making a goldcard I couldn't get it to work... even though it did not throw me an error when windows 7 mounted the card.

I think your goldcard might not be working, either that or you need a different version of htc sync installed. I did both at the same time so I'm not sure which one actually corrected my problem. I can post the htc sync files if you need them. I've still got them on my hard drive. Just let me know if you want them.
 
I just re-read the goldcard tutorial and they say that a 2gb kingston card should work just fine. So either you didn't create the card properly or the version of htc sync you have on your computer isn't the right one.

I'm uploading the two versions I have right now to dropbox. It's going to take a while and you may have to experiment to see which one works.

I'd try the htc sync thing before I tried making a new goldcard.
 
Hey Stewy,

Thanks for the htc sync files. I was about to install RUU 1.31 and I noticed you replied on my post. Thanks!

I will try using the older htc sync and see if the froyo RUU will work. I redid my goldcard 3 times already and used 3 other micro sd. The kingston brand is the only card that does not give me the "format" error after creating a goldcard. Wish me luck!
 
Success! My legend now has android 2.2! The issue I was having is with my goldcard. I was using the mmc1 as you stated in your guide. I tried mmc0 after trying both version of htc sync and I keep getting error [130]. After I used mmc0 CID values, the froyo RUU successfully installed in my Legend. I'm loving my Froyo Legend!! Thanks Stewy!
 
Fantastic! Glad you got it working!

...and you helped me realize that my note about mmc1/mmc0 was in the wrong place!
 
Hey, I followed the tutorial and stuff and got 2.2 on my legend successfully, but I can't seem to get the APN settings for the bell network to work. I found some on a forum and tried that but it didn't seem to work and I copied down the settings from the APN before I put 2.2 on it, but must have made a mistake or something because it didn't work. Does anybody have the APN info for bell?
 
Sorry, I don't know myself, I'm using my Legend on Fido.

Have you tried calling Bell? The guys in the retail stores might know too.
 
I too got tired of waiting for virginmobile.ca to push out the update. So using these instructions, I was able to update my legend to froyo. Just a few things from my experience:
  • I created the gold card in linux with help from here ??? ????: How to create a goldcard with Ubuntu Linux, it seemed a little more straightforward to me. I used the 2 gig SanDisk that came with the phone and it worked fine. I did have to boot into my Windows partition to load the new ROM.
  • I did have to use HTCSync to connect the phone with Windows, thanks for uploading that.
  • I used the app Backup Everything before the update and it certainly helped getting back up to speed afterwards.
Thanks so much, Stewy, for starting all this, your instructions were very helpful. I should have done this long ago, just simply having the ability to move apps over to the sd card means I no longer have any memory issues. It's like I have a new phone!

ps - fishcardgame - the APN settings should be up somewhere on the Bell site, but I believe there are the same for Virgin mobile. In my case they are:

APN - inet.bell.ca
Proxy - web.wireless.bell.ca
Port - 80

I guess its too late now for you but Backup Everything copied all those settings over for me.
 
I too got tired of waiting for virginmobile.ca to push out the update. So using these instructions, I was able to update my legend to froyo. Just a few things from my experience:
  • I created the gold card in linux with help from here ??? ????: How to create a goldcard with Ubuntu Linux, it seemed a little more straightforward to me. I used the 2 gig SanDisk that came with the phone and it worked fine. I did have to boot into my Windows partition to load the new ROM.
  • I did have to use HTCSync to connect the phone with Windows, thanks for uploading that.
  • I used the app Backup Everything before the update and it certainly helped getting back up to speed afterwards.
Thanks so much, Stewy, for starting all this, your instructions were very helpful. I should have done this long ago, just simply having the ability to move apps over to the sd card means I no longer have any memory issues. It's like I have a new phone!

ps - fishcardgame - the APN settings should be up somewhere on the Bell site, but I believe there are the same for Virgin mobile. In my case they are:

APN - inet.bell.ca
Proxy - web.wireless.bell.ca
Port - 80

I guess its too late now for you but Backup Everything copied all those settings over for me.

No problem, thanks for posting your results!
 
Wow thank you for these instructions, I upgraded my phone over the weekend and its been the best decision yet! No more crashing, stable as a rock, and its fast!

Bell APN Info:

How to configure your mobile phone or smartphone for tethering on the Bell Mobility HSPA network

Note this is for "Tethering" style access. If you do not have a regular data plan (i.e. 250mb, 500mb, 1gb, etc.) do not use this! If you have the 'unlimited mobile browser' you will want:

How to configure my HTC Magic for the Bell Mobility 4G network
 
I just got the legit 2.2 update today and lost the ability to change the Lock Screen Wallpaper.

I miss that.

Got that "battery sucking" live wallpaper feature now though.

A bunch more apps (that I don't regularly use) load all the time now.. Facebook and Flickr to name a couple.

Not overly impressed so I'm about to root.
 
Wow thank you for these instructions, I upgraded my phone over the weekend and its been the best decision yet! No more crashing, stable as a rock, and its fast!

Bell APN Info:

How to configure your mobile phone or smartphone for tethering on the Bell Mobility HSPA network

Note this is for "Tethering" style access. If you do not have a regular data plan (i.e. 250mb, 500mb, 1gb, etc.) do not use this! If you have the 'unlimited mobile browser' you will want:

How to configure my HTC Magic for the Bell Mobility 4G network

Glad it worked for you, thanks for the links!
 
My Legend is working great with the generic 2.2. I would have done well to backup everything, but I've recovered most contacts etc.

A big question here: Does this unlock the phone from Virgin/Bell as well? If I dropped an overseas SIM card in it would it still work?
 
Yeah, pretty sure it does... I originally used an unlock code before I debranded... but after I unbranded i did not have to re enter the code... I'm using mine on fido.
 
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