A couple of questions

[Guest tdohappens]

hi guys,

i want to buy a htc hero from orange romania and of course it's branded. before i buy it, i want to know a couple of things. (i never had an android phone before)

1. How can i debrand it? just by installing a custom rom?

2. What is the best custom rom? modaco? i heard cyanogen works best for g1 and magic

3. Can i upgrade to android 2.0 and still install modaco rom?

4. What is the best recovery image? Amon-Ra ?

5. What are "Radios"?

6. Will i void the warranty by flashing the phone?

this makes for a good FAQ, as a start.

awesome work paul, teknologist, amon-ra and all the other people i don't know yet. before i visited this forum i just took the android just as it was. it's like finding atlantis or the island from lost.

thank you

[Guest stevenz]

hi guys,

i want to buy a htc hero from orange romania and of course it's branded. before i buy it, i want to know a couple of things. (i never had an android phone before)

1. How can i debrand it? just by installing a custom rom?

Yes

2. What is the best custom rom? modaco? i heard cyanogen works best for g1 and magic

Cyanogen doesn't work on Hero. MoDaCo is the best 1.5-based ROM.

3. Can i upgrade to android 2.0 and still install modaco rom?

MCR is 1.5 based, so 2.0 will need a 2.0 based rom, so No.

4. What is the best recovery image? Amon-Ra ?

Yes

5. What are "Radios"?

The drivers for the wireless device(s) in the phone. Won't work as an actual phone without a Radio.

6. Will i void the warranty by flashing the phone?

You will if you hand it in for repair with a custom ROM installed.

this makes for a good FAQ, as a start.

You could also look at other posts below this one for the same and additional info.

[Guest clarkEEE1]

Q5. Radios receive your signal for 3g, calls etc.

Q6. Make sure you flash back to an RUU for your network provider this will go back to original radio and rom if you need to send it back.. Modaco roms don't come with the radio you flash them seperatly. RUU come with rom and radio but I would never flash an ruu unless you have to.

[Guest tdohappens]

thanks stevenz and clarkEEE1

i now have some new questions if you don't mind answering

1. To unlock the phone and use it with vodafone i need a new rom and to buy an unlock code right? isn't there any method to bypass the unlock code?

2. Android v2.0 vs. Modaco custom rom. which is best? pros and cons

I heard 2.0 works quite well so why use an older firmware and install a custom rom?

3. will modaco be available on android 2.0 or 2.1 in the future? (i'm pretty sure it will be). Are there any custom roms for android 2.0 available now?

4. Do i need special radios for my provider? or are they standard?

Thanks again, i really appreciate it.

[Guest kendon]

1. don't know anything about unlocking.

2. there is no 2.0 or 2.1 official rom out there, all that are available are somewhat based on leaked roms. they have drawbacks in functionality and stability, just try for yourself if it works.

3. i am sure that paul will hack together something nice for us as soon as there is an official rom available. he has an eye on the stability and reliability of the rom, which makes it perfect for everyday use.

4. also test for yourself. radios are generic, though problems with specific radios under specific conditions have been reported. generally speaking go for the newest, usually improves with every new version.

[Guest tdohappens]

thanks kendon

but i would really like to know if there is a method to bypass the unlock code

i'd prefer donating to this site than paying others for the unlock code

thank you

[Guest Remington Steale]

thanks kendon

but i would really like to know if there is a method to bypass the unlock code

i'd prefer donating to this site than paying others for the unlock code

thank you

There are basically 3 methods of unlocking, 1) Buy a code, 2) contact your phone provider for an unlock code (most will charge you about the same as one of the unlock sites anyway) 3) follow the thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=559806 which involves making your own cable and doing a lot of complicated stuff that I wouldnt recommend if you are new to this