Hello,

I have (thankfully) installed this new rom without any issues on my MDA Vario II.

However I don't want all of the T-Mobile garbage, just a select few of the customisation files.

I know I can just run the .cab and .exe files but what about the .xml - how do I install them? Does running them install them or do I need to do something 'special'?

I was kind of hoping to create some sort of file (maybe a .cab) that contained modified version of the config.txt files so I could just run 1 file rather than multiple but I have so far failed miserably!! - I highly suspect that this is something to do with the fact I am a Spurs fan......

Hello,

Yeah I'll have one!

However just as an alternative (although it is more expensive but is shipped from the UK) is this: http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=144681.

Discount is available for ordering 5 or more and the shipping cost of £4.05 for between 1 and 4 and then £6.33 for 5 or more. So if a few of us ordered this one instead then the price would come down (probably still not as cheap as the Semsons one but we wouldn't have any shipping difficulties etc.

I have one and it works really well with my MDA Vario II.

**************************************************
GROUP BUY:

Paul (MVP)
mandt
cjgarside

Hi,

I have used the following to convert flv's to mpg's. It is freeware and does the job pretty well, there are also lots of encoding options to play around with:

http://www.erightsoft.net/SUPER.html.

However, various virus checkers do flag it up as containing a trojan but on doing some research this does appear to be unfounded (as can be the case) and i haven't had any malicious problems with it.

Hello,

I much prefer the navbar on the left side. It was a bit of shock when I first saw it on the right and couldn't find my way around!

Well I guess it's more of a 'thing I'm used to' reason in wanting to keep it on the left. Although many of the website and other online services I use have the navbars on the left. On using these I automatically know where to click without having to look (too much) in to what I'm doing - I know where the different functions are. Also IMO with a lot of applications/browsers their actions/functions are more geared to the left side as well. Meaning I am consistently drawn to the left to undertake actions/functions.

It feels to me to in having the navbar on the right to be going from using something that is natural to something that isn't and against the conformity mentioned above. I'm sure we will all adapt if it remains on the right but I like consistency.

Just my thoughts.

Hello,

Yes I am having exactly the same problem and it has been considerably worse over the last week. It sits at locating for a horrendous length of time.

Although the slow browsing speeds have been an issue for a good couple of months (just not as bad as the last week). I used to average speeds around 1.0Mb to 1.2Mb on average but recently it has been around 300Kb - 400Kb and over the last week I've been lucky to get 250Kb.

T-Mobile's solution is to hard re-set (as with everything).

I'm beginning to wonder if the surge in customers to T-Mobile is beginning to take affect any maybe their data network can't cope with the demand placed on it!

Hello,

I have great reception for the radio and good to very good reception for the TV (at home). I have to say I am really impressed with this device.

Although similarly to Looeee I have no EPG for the TV or the radio.

Had major problems a few minutes ago - thought I'd bricked it as the device appeared to be completely frozen, absolutely nothing was happening when I was trying to action things.........

.............doesn't help trying to use a stylus pen on the screen of a smartphone!!!!! D'oh.

After having an XDA IIi, XDA Mini S and now the Vario II, I'd completely forgotten that I was using a smartphone which doesn't have a touch screen. Scary thing is I want to tamper with the Lobster, not sure this is a such good idea now.

BUT really do want to get the EPG sorted!

Hello,

I received my Lobster on Friday (04/05/07) and today is the first chance I've had to play with it.

I completely agree with confucious, the information provided by Bocsta has been amazingly helpful - thank you very much.

This was my first step in configuring my new smartphone and in my opinion one of the most important!

I am also stunned that few others have posted about this information.

My next step is (like you confucious) to try and sim unlock, let the battle commence.........

Thanks again Bocsta.

Hello,

I have a black case. I am very pleased with it as it has taken some serious abuse over the last 8months or so and has importantly protected my Vario II.

Yes, I do find there is a small signal strength hit (for me anyway) when the Vario II is in it and I guess the only thing I have against it, is it's size - it does increase the footprint of the Vario II considerably but the protection the case provides far out way these. I would also agree on the weak area mentioned above but as stated you would have to be really unlucky for it to land there.

The finish of the case is very good, it looks the part and suits the Vario II very well. It is beginning to show its age though as it's beginning to scuff and mark but I'm not concerned as this is due to the abuse it's taken and not due to a design/manufacturing flaw.

Hello,

Well thought I'd grab one of these beings as they are such a good price. If I only use it for 3 months then thats fine.

Although I got the 20% discount, I'm not quite sure whether I was successful in the quidco discount as well - it's not showing any tracking details yet and I have to wait until after 06/05/07 to make a transaction chase. Guess I must have screwed up placing the order even though I cut and paste the lifestyle url from the quidco page. Then again I am a Spurs fan so I shouldn't expect to much!!

Delivery is due tomorrow.

Made a quick call to virgin as checking some details and they were adamant that after the 3month trial I would be charged the £5 a month tv access charge but we shall see what happens.....

I need to look into doing some research on this phone now to see what I can do with it.

Hello,

I had a listen to this a couple of times.

It does sound like there is some sort of counting and then some screaming. But what if its some sort of count down and the screaming is actually applauding and/ or celebration - for competition/ party/ event/ race count downs etc?

Maybe somebody phoned you to celebrate something with you but for whatever reason it didn't work as planned.

It could also be like Disco Stu said - a mistaken call, maybe somebody accidentally phoned you while watching a TV programme or a young kid while playing a game or something and the counting/ screaming is part of that.

OR I could just be so far off the mark that I should get back in my box!!

Christian

Out of interest I had a look at this site. However the small print at the bottom states:

"Copyright 2007, Standard text messages to Orange, O2 (UK) and T-Mobile are free to send, other networks cost 60p to send. For Messages sent to O2,Orange and T-Mobile networks, the recipient will have the option to pay £5 to read the message. Users must be 16+, this is not a subscription service."

It's only free to send to Orange, O2 or T-mobile but the recipient has to pay £5 to read it. Or £0.60 to send to the other networks and its not clear if the recipient has to pay to read them. £5 to read a text?!?!?

This is absolutely absurd. Therefore based on that I think it's would to be a NO to using this!!!

Plus there's the question as to how legitimate the service is. Will the numbers entered/added to the phone book get spammed/hived/have premium services added etc etc.

Just my thoughts.

Hello,

I was looking for something very similar for my HTC Wizard (as I still use it) and would also like something for my later HTC Hermes.

In my search I came across a program that does everything you're asking for called Spacefinder/Spacefinder Plus, apart being able to click on the pie chart to navigate to different folders - the folders can be navigated recursively though and the pie chart will display the usage of the selected folder.

It works on both storage card and system memory.

However there is £3.60 charge (via Handango) for the plus version which gives the piechart functionality (after the trial ends) but the free version is still good and you don't loose much if you don't wish to purchase the pro version.

Maybe be this will be what you're looking for?

It's HERE

Regards,
Christian

Hello,

I have been having this trouble as well. I just want the trays to be a colour of my choosing without any gradients.

I tried many times to work with the base hue with the themes I use/created but just couldn't get a satisfactory result.

I can't help with how the system calculates the base hue values but..........

I found this little application that you have it not use base hue - I now have black trays as I wanted (or blue/red/green etc). This overrides the system settings so will keep after a soft-reset or if you turn the device off.

To remove the basehue you need to uncheck the Use Base Hue option under the TdyScheme Changer / Customise the color of the taskbar and softkeys for Windows Mobile 5 option.

No more gradients (or at least there weren't on the profiles I've tested it with) - just solid coloured bars.

It can do a few other clever things but I mainly use it to remove the gradients of the themes I use.

Its HERE

Regards,
Christian

Hello,

I have had many of the ActiveSync issues listed in this thread. The main one being that my Vario II just would not connect whatsoever after working successfully for a little while.

I uninstalled / reinstalled / changed the usb cable / hard re-set etc etc.

When it was connected to a hub I was getting the non connection error message plus finding that my connection tray was becoming corrupted and I had to sometimes re-start my 'puter. I finally resolved this by doing a combination of the suggestion from Dr Who plus making sure the Vario II was connected directly to my 'puter - these issues no longer occurred and ActiveSync has behaved. I have seen references somewhere on a MS support site that ActiveSync and WM5 devices do not like hubs!!

So you could maybe try connecting direct to your 'puter, doing Dr Who's suggestion and unticking the box in Connections/USB to PC/Enable advanced network functionality to see if that helps before doing a hard reset - good luck!

As for the Backup/Restore option being removed:
AFAIK its because MS in their (alleged) unwieldy godly wisdom decided on behalf of the consumer that as WM5 devices have non-volatile persistent storage there is no need for such a facility. The registry / filesystems etc 'persist' through loss of battery power so therefore we (again allegedly) don't need a backup/restore option. My 'puter has persistent storage yet I have to back that up..............

I'm sorry I can't help with the reasons to the reduction of the available syncing options in ActiveSync other than to say I agree with you

Regards,
Chris

Hello,

@Jonhitch - My bad, I thought the M3100 was a Herm200 - apologies for the inaccuracy.

@pob:
Good luck with that. I hope you get a later build handset that resolves these issues. I would imagine so as they are still very popular, demand is high and later build handsets should be filtering through by now.

I had to have a 2nd replacement of my Vario II for which I dropped lucky in that a new batch had very recently come in so I got a HT642 build.

Regards,
Chris

Hello,

Voicemail Notification
I have had this problem. I read on a different thread (that also solved it for me) to call your own phone from a different number and leave yourself a voicemail. Then call your voicemail from your handset, listen to the message and delete it. Wait a few seconds then end the call to voicemail.

It was suggested that sometimes the voicemail service doesn't send the command over the network that a voicemail has been acioned on and so the voicemail notification is still present. Doing the above should work and remove the notification. AFAIK its a network issue rather than a handset/operating system issue.

Activesync Self Starting
As for activesync, I did the following which helped (again from a different post):
1) Connect and start up AS on your handset.
2) Tap the menu tab/soft key and tap "Add Server Source".
3) Configure a server source with a dummy IP address, user id, password and domain name; these do not have to be real.
4) Once configured you should have another sync source show up on your main AS screen...continue on.
5) Tap the menu soft key again and you should see that the sync schedule option is no longer greyed out.
6) Change your schedule from a timed automatic start of AS to manual under both fields
7) If you try to sync now, AS will try to contact your imaginary exchange server and that will take forever until it times out, so you can now delete the exchange server from your list of sync sources. Your changes to the sync schedule will remain and will survive soft resets too.

Regards,
Chris

Well unfortunately one of the items wasn't in stock (passive holder), however I was impressed as I had an email advising so within a very short time and also after normal working hours - very impressed Plus it looks like the stock is due in a couple of days so even taking that into consideration I will get the items really quickly

Why why why, can't more businesses be like this??!? I'm not asking for much but it would just be nice to be treated with a little more respect and consideration (I guess) from other businesses when I want to part with my hard earned pennies.

Regards,
Chris

Hello,

Its not so much a version but when the phone was manufactured. There are however 3 versions of the hermes:
+ Herm100 (HTC's flagship handset) sold as the HTC TyTN (amongst others),
+ Herm200 sold as the Vodafone v1605 (amongst others),
+ Herm300 (sold exclusively as the T-mobile MDA Vario II).

AFAIK there is no difference in terms of specification for the different versions, its only cosmetics - button layouts, inclusion/exclusion of a hardware video call button and 'styling' etc.

If you pull of the back cover and battery and look at the label inside. Look for the serial number. The first 5 digits are what's of interest as this indicates the year and week number of production of the handset.

My MDA Vario II (Herm300) is HT642 therefore meaning it was produced in week 42 of 2006.

Regards,

Chris

Edit:
Changed due to incorrectly labelling an M3100 as a Herm200 when its a Herm100!

Hi,

I agree that its not good that they have sent you a faulty replacement that is in itself a re-conditioned handset. However as previously discussed I don't believe there is any comeback on this, this is how repairs are done and I'm sure it will be in the small print of the repairs procedure.

I'm presuming you're using HTC own repair centre for this? How come you have not gone back to the retailer that sold you the phone? It is the seller that has the legal responsibility to deal with this.

I was lucky in that I never suffered from the screen alignment issues as I started with a HT632 handset. Although this had to be replaced and I got another HT632, however this was also faulty and I got a complete handset change (the entire box and all accessories rather than just the handset) with a HT642 version.

All these exchanges were done through T-Mobile, I had to fight for the second replacement. They wanted to send it off for repair which I rejected.

How long have you had the latest faulty handset? If its under 2-4 days you could argue that as you have only had it for 2-4 days then acceptance has not yet occurred and that you are not accepting it. There is only a short timeframe for acceptance.

You could also argue that under the Sales of goods act you have received an item that is not of satisfactory quality and is not fit for the purpose. Therefore you are not willing to accept a repair but only a replacement for a new handset.

If you use the above then it needs to be in writing making sure you use something like Royal Mail Recorded Delivery to prove it was received and give them 7-10 days to respond but also phone them to see what they say and back it up with the highlighted letter.

All of the above may not be valid or of use but thought I would mention it.

If you have phone insurance, you could 'loose' the handset and get a new one but you will probably have to pay an excess in doing that but it would guarantee a new phone.

If you just send the phone off for repairs via your insurance company by telling them its damaged then you will be back where you started in that they will just send out a reconditioned model.

I have a MDA Vario II and the keys are backlit, however the endcall button is substantially duller than the accept call button but not enough to be a problem for me.

Regards,
Chris

Hello,

AFAIK, the call duration cannot be wiped. Its coded in so that its a complete permanent list of all incoming/outgoing calls regardless of hard rests & activity etc. It's a good way to determine whether you do have a new handset or not.

It does sound like you have received a handset that had been returned / repaired and shipped out again.

As for returning the one you have, I suspect you will only effectively get a reconditioned / repaired one again. As mentioned in a previous post I also think that when you return a handset for repair you will get a repaired one in return and not a brand new one. So I guess it depends on whether there is an issue with the current handset as to whether you return it again.

I can't help with the reference to the HT626 versions having issues or not.

Regards,
Chris

Hello,

To view the extended_rom type: \extended_rom in the total commander address bar and the contents of it will be displayed for you.

Be aware though that the T-Mobile customization appears to be in 2 procedures, the second being the extended_ROM. The first procedure is run immediately after screen alignment has been completed and then this procedure calls the extended_ROM.

The first procedure is run via the PreConfig.txt file in the Windows folder and consists of (as per my MDA Vario II, serial starting 642):
+ Windows\cusTSK.exe.
+ Windows\T-Mobile.tsk.
+ Windows\SetHSDPA.exe.
+ Windows\MMS_APCSP_20060425.CAB.
+ Windows\MP_CVSDcpl_20060523-02.cab.
+ Windows\MP_DRMfilesave_WWE_TMO_060505.CAB.
+ Windows\MP_EmailWizDB_PPC_TMOUK_060216.CAB.
+ Windows\MP_MMS3.2_TMUK_Hermes_060609.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_CommMgrCustomize.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_Fix_Customization_issue.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_Remove_UMTS_Only_(Network_Band).CAB.
+ Windows\P_TMO_WIFI_SSID_UNI.CAB.
+ Windows\Signed_DiscoButton8.sa.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_BeepMode_longtones.xml.
+Windows\PP_Connection.xml.
+ Windows\PP_EnableDTMFSupport-1.xml.
+ Windows\PP_GPRS_CSD_TYPE.xml.
+ Windows\PP_ONS-SPN.xml.
+ Windows\PP_Other_Conn.xml.
+ Windows\PP_Regional.xml.
+ Windows\PP_RingTone.xml.
+ Windows\PP_ShowPIN2Page.xml.
+ Windows\PP_ClockAlwaysOnTop.xml.
+ Windows\PP_WMODEM_Registry_key.xml.

The Extended_ROM is then run:
+ MP-Hermes-Camera-patch-060613.CAB.
+ MT_Account-MMS.CAB.
+ MT_PC_Hermes_TMO_REG_060612.CAB.
+ P_rilgsm_patch.CAB.
+ Patch_RTPlugInEx2.CAB.
+ PP_pIESetting_TMUK_050906.CAB.
+ ST_Her_BT_Fir_Param612.CAB.

So therefore some of the cabs that resolve these issues maybe in the 1st procedure rather than the extended_ROM.

Regards,
Chris

Hi,

Well I've ordered the following items from dsl developments:

+ Item 848690 T-Mobile Vario IIA passive holder (closed).
+ Item 213005 Mini move clips.
+ Item 652667 Ford Focus 2000 ProClip.

Very much looking forward to receiving these items in due course. I just hope that they are all in stock!

Must admit I didn't see the reference to morpeth mobiles until it was to late. However, even though they are cheaper I know that the service from dsl developments (based on information in this thread) will be excellent so I would rather pay a little more for that than pay a little less and not know what I'm letting myself into.

Chris.

Hello,

AFAIK its not that your doing anything wrong. The T-Mobile customization appears to be in 2 procedures, the second being the extended_ROM. The first procedure is run immediately after screen alignment has been completed and then this procedure calls the extended_ROM.

The first procedure is run via the PreConfig.txt file in the Windows folder and consists of (as per my MDA Vario II, serial starting 642):
+ Windwos\cusTSK.exe.
+ Windows\T-Mobile.tsk.
+ Windows\SetHSDPA.exe.
+ Windows\MMS_APCSP_20060425.CAB.
+ Windows\MP_CVSDcpl_20060523-02.cab.
+ Windows\MP_DRMfilesave_WWE_TMO_060505.CAB.
+ Windows\MP_EmailWizDB_PPC_TMOUK_060216.CAB.
+ Windows\MP_MMS3.2_TMUK_Hermes_060609.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_CommMgrCustomize.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_Fix_Customization_issue.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_Remove_UMTS_Only_(Network_Band).CAB.
+ Windows\P_TMO_WIFI_SSID_UNI.CAB.
+ Windows\Signed_DiscoButton8.sa.CAB.
+ Windows\PP_BeepMode_longtones.xml.
+Windows\PP_Connection.xml.
+ Windows\PP_EnableDTMFSupport-1.xml.
+ Windows\PP_GPRS_CSD_TYPE.xml.
+ Windows\PP_ONS-SPN.xml.
+ Windows\PP_Other_Conn.xml.
+ Windows\PP_Regional.xml.
+ Windows\PP_RingTone.xml.
+ Windows\PP_ShowPIN2Page.xml.
+ Windows\PP_ClockAlwaysOnTop.xml.
+ Windows\PP_WMODEM_Registry_key.xml.

The Extended_ROM is then run:
+ MP-Hermes-Camera-patch-060613.CAB.
+ MT_Account-MMS.CAB.
+ MT_PC_Hermes_TMO_REG_060612.CAB.
+ P_rilgsm_patch.CAB.
+ Patch_RTPlugInEx2.CAB.
+ PP_pIESetting_TMUK_050906.CAB.
+ ST_Her_BT_Fir_Param612.CAB.

I not technically proficient enough to understand or know what all of the above customisations do but I could probable hazard a guess at some of them.

I'm guessing that if you amend the PreConfig.txt file located in Windows to remove all the stuff you don't want, build the Extended_ROM to your liking and then do a hard reset it will only run the stuff that you've left in it.

Alternatively you could just soft rest just after screen alignment has been completed and use a registry editor to access your doctored Extended_ROM and install then manually plus any of the stuff used in the first procedure.

Obviously I'd backup the PreConfig.txt file first, just in case.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Chris

Hello,

I had this same problem with one of my MDA Vario II's that I have now had exchanged.

I found out that the mms cab within the extended_Rom only installs the mms client, it does not install the data settings (access points/usernames/passwords etc etc). However on performing a hard reset and allowing all the T-Mobile 'stuff' to be installed, i noticed that there is in fact 2 customisation procedures, the second being the extended_rom and the first one is I don't know what because I don't know how to find it or access it to get hold of the cab's within it. AFAIK it is in this first customisation procedure that all the T-Mobile data settings are configured (amongst other stuff).

Therefore I'm not surprised that you haven't been able to get hold of the data settings by just running the mms client cab in the extended_rom.

I am not particularly technical by any means but I imagine that someone somewhere has the skills to be able to get hold of the cabs within the first customisation procedure. Incidentally it is installed immediately after the screen configuration and once complete the extended_rom is then run.

Think i might do a hard reset on the second Vario II that I have to get a list of these cabs.

I have no clue as to where to get a cab to install the data settings is located but I do have a list of the settings that could be entered manually if you want me to post them?

Regards,
Chris