How I bricked my Omnia trying to flashing the ROM using a Macbook with Parallels and Tiny WinXP

[Guest victor-mo]

Thanks for checking this thread - I am a total newbie, even though I purchased my Omnia back in 2008.

Since then, I never installed any update or any customization. Would be very happy to have some help or even hire you to help me (I can do a paypal payment for professional service if you work remotely).

My version is:

PDA: i900DXHG3/DXHG3

Phone: i900DXHG3

My inaptitude with the Omnia is so big that I have not even been able to use the Wi-Fi and the GPS!!!!

In my previous apartment, I did manage to click the wi-fi settings, put the password and make it work. But I find it extremely difficult to configure all the settings when I am in a cybercafe... or in my new apartment. So the wi-fi is something I do not use at all.

Once I was also able to use 3G, but then after trying to change configurations I can no longer do it. The reason I changed the configuration was because it once ate 50 Euros worth of credit, being connected without me using it. So if there is some type of app to better manage these connections, it would be greatly appreciated.

For GPS, I have never installed any software, and I could not make the preinstalled ones work.

So basically I need someone to guide me on the step-by-step to maybe do a backup before a hard reset (and get rid of the bad configs I added), install a new ROM and put the minimum features to make me love this telephone at least.

I adore the hardware and think that even today it is one of the best ones in the market. However, I just hate the Windows Mobile complicated and obscure language for a newbie like me, who would just want to turn it on and use, without hacking the system.

I know that here in MoDaCo we have the best enthusiasts around so you are my last hope before I quit and surrender to an iPhone (which would lock me into Apple's rules but at least it is simple to use)...

Particularly, I found what this Greek guy did looked awesome:

I know that what I am asking for is too much. So any tiny advice you can give is appreciated. And again, if you would like to be a consultant, I can phone you by Skype, doing the step by step process with you and then reciprocate your assistance with a paypal transfer. I would really like to be able to enjoy this phone! :rolleyes:

Thanks!

Edited May 24, 2010 by victor-mo

[Guest Kev23]

WOW... where to start :D

First thing I would say is play with the phone man!!! ... install lots of apps/programs and see what they do... you can always reset/unistall if it doesn't work - trust me... you won't break it. I hate to think of the hours I've wasted playing with this phone :rolleyes:

(Just do regular backup's , stay away from registry editing and phone part flashing.... if your not comfortable)

Flashing a new 6.5 rom will def help with usability (IMO)... and it will help to remove fear of 'messing' with your phone

internet (3G) - windows mobile doesn't drop it's connection automatically, so that may be why you got a big bill. Install the below cab file - that will tell the system to disconnect after 1 minute of not being used.

You can also use a browser like opera mini that will cut down on data usage.

wifi - provided you have the correct security settings it shouldn't be that hard to connect (is only a couple of things to enter)... and in the case of cafe's where they have no security, the phone should pick up the settings it needs and connect automatically.

If you need any help with flashing then feel free to PM me...... howwver there's a guide in the ROM's section (in the pinned bit)

Essentially though:

Backup phone (I use this... http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-downlo...ckup-v2-8.html)

Download ROM, and extract

turn phone off, and then connect via usb cable

double click on the .exe

turn your phone on (it's still connected at this point)

wait for the message on the computer screen to say 'PDA ready'

click start

When process has finished (Omnia wll boot up) wait for it to finish then hard reset.

Good luck

Lastly, that youtube video looks to be some version of SBP shell (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/pocketpc-software/mobileshell/). But's it a paid app.

GPRS_1_Minute_Auto_Disconnect.CAB

Edited May 24, 2010 by Kev23

[Guest victor-mo]

Flashing a new 6.5 rom will def help with usability (IMO)... and it will help to remove fear of 'messing' with your phone

Many thanks for your encouraging words!

Problem is, it is very difficult to start: one additional complication is that i use a macbook as my only computer.

However, I have Parallels, a software that allows me to emulate a Windows XP.

So, when I go to my "Windows XP", I went to the Samsung website and downloaded a file that supposedly would be the updater: http://www.samsungmobile.com/support/omnia/index.jsp

Here is where I had to select that I was from Indonesia (I am not, but apparently that's the origin of the ROM of my Omnia) and that I was on a Win XP. This made me download the file i900DXIA5_updater_xp.exe

I was also instructed by Samsung to have the latest ActiveSync installed, which is 4.5.0

So, running the "SGH i900 OS Updater" I got at Samsung, it asks me to tick in the button confirming that I have connected via ActiveSync and enought battery power. I confirm both.

Then, the next logical button to click is "Verify Device" and here is the problem: after verifying, my Omnia gets restarted. I retype my lock code on the Omnia, and then... nothing happens!!!

--

So, frustrated by this, I searched around in the Forum and realized that there are clear instructions on how to flash: http://www.modaco.com/content/i900-general...00-omnia-phone/

And I follow the instructions, step by step... running the "Updater" I got at Samsung.

Still, nothing happens after the Updater resets my Omnia.

--

In one of the many pages of the "how to flash" link above, I see another newbie frustrated with the term "updater" without clear explanation of what means. Someone replies that the updater can be either the official Samsung (the one I guess I am using) or one of these: http://www.modaco.com/content/i900-general...esearch-thread/

So in these many options I get VERY confused on which one is better. I am right now downloading this one:

QUOTE

23504 (Titanium Lite) - Released on 5/11/2009

Version Hades with Original/Neo Titanium - 8mb pagepool size, LZX Compression

Neo - Rapidshare: http://rapidshare.com/files/302541597/DXID...itanium.7z.html

Original - Uploadmirrors: http://uploadmirrors.com/download/1Q58HGPA...inalTitanium.7z

Mirrors:

UNQUOTE

But honestly I have no idea if this is the right one (I don't even know if it is 6.5)

My point is that I'm doing my best and being an old timer forum user I follow the "RTFF" principle, but I cannot afford to spend hours learning how to do these things... I hate to say this, but I guess that Apple cut a lot of liberties of users to be able to offer something that does not need all this hassle...

... I do not need anything fancy or hyper customized. Just want the wi-fi to work.

My suspicion is that being an early version of the OS, my wi-fi is extremely compromised and need this update (I found other forum threads with users complaining that they did hard resets like me and followed the step-by-step to configuration and it did not work).

Thanks again for helping and sorry for hearing my drama... any advice you can give me on how to easily upgrade to 6.5 with a reliable ROM would be much appreciated!

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

Kev covered the entire proccess, I think. You wouldn't face a problem, I hope. Good luck.

EDIT:

Ouaou... That I calling it "large post", victor! Lol!

Edited May 24, 2010 by andrew.mazlim

[Guest victor-mo]

Kev covered the entire proccess, I think. You wouldn't face a problem, I hope. Good luck.

EDIT:

Ouaou... That I calling it "large post", victor! Lol!

Tks Andrew... but I got stuck in the "update" process ("flashing" is the same thing, right?)

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

Tks Andrew... but I got stuck in the "update" process ("flashing" is the same thing, right?)

Indeed, "flashing" is rom updating.

Why you stucked?

If you download the proper drivers and use XPs (to me, why to risk a failure in W7, when you don't facing a problem in XPs?), activesyc your device and double-click your rom's icon, the proccess takes about 2-4' max and you're done!

[Guest victor-mo]

Indeed, "flashing" is rom updating.

Why you stucked?

If you download the proper drivers and use XPs (to me, why to risk a failure in W7, when you don't facing a problem in XPs?), activesyc your device and double-click your rom's icon, the proccess takes about 2-4' max and you're done!

Thanks! But I simply do not find any easy and reliable link to get the update - can you help me by copying and pasting the link to the update rom??

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

Thanks! But I simply do not find any easy and reliable link to get the update - can you help me by copying and pasting the link to the update rom??

What exactly rom you want to flash? I hope not an official, because there isn't any new official update for i900ers, only for the lucky i910 b*st*rds (lol! Just joking.)

[Guest victor-mo]

What exactly rom you want to flash? I hope not an official, because there isn't any new official update for i900ers, only for the lucky i910 b*st*rds (lol! Just joking.)

Well, I have a new problem now. I decided to use the following ROM:

MANILA CLASSIC

Updated: 12th May 2010

Free Storage: 125 MB

Free memory: 56 MB

Download: Direct Link by Sinaaa | Mirror (85 MB)

I ran the updater on WinXP. It asked me to turn off the Omnia and then turn it on.

By turning it on, the only thing I could see was the Samsung Omnia logo (and nothing else, even waiting a lot). So I followed the instructions on the PC screen and clicked "start".

The blue bar went 100%... then my omnia went OFF and does not turn on anymore"!

Currently this is the screenshot I have

Any idea of what should I do now?

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

First, my advice:

Choose K.Radd/Jo-the-ripper's ("JN Foundation")... OCK's... Ryrzy's... Anzio's, for WM6.5.x.

For WM6.1s, you can find many fine roms from lot of "cookers" (t2008, Khuanchai, Ryrzy, Shokka9, K.Radd... and so on).

You may have problem in flashing, because the file itself. You did what you should. When the popup saying "turn off & then turn on", the device restarts but you can see (as you did) only the OMNIA logo and... the "START" button is enable! You pressing the "Start" button, the proccess starts (you waiting about a couple of minutes) and then, you reading the "Jobe Done" word and the device restarts again. NOW, you can see the animated power-on gif (different as you had before; it's what the "cooker" choosed) and perhaps the device will restart/reboot a couple of times (autoinstall applications' proccess) and... you're finally ready to "play".

Edited May 24, 2010 by andrew.mazlim

[Guest victor-mo]

First, my advice:

Choose K.Radd/Jo-the-ripper's ("JN Foundation")... OCK's... Ryrzy's... Anzio's, for WM6.5.x.

For WM6.1s, you can find many fine roms from lot of "cookers" (t2008, Khuanchai, Ryrzy, Shokka9, K.Radd... and so on).

You may have problem in flashing, because the file itself. You did what you should. When the popup saying "turn off & then turn on", the device restarts but you can see (as you did) only the OMNIA logo and... the "START" button is enable! You pressing the "Start" button, the proccess starts (you waiting about a couple of minutes) and then, you reading the "Jobe Done" word and the device restarts again. NOW, you can see the animated power-on gif (different as you had before; it's what the "cooker" choosed) and perhaps the device will restart/reboot a couple of times (autoinstall applications' proccess) and... you're finally ready to "play".

Thanks a lot for your patience, mate. Much appreciated!

The problem now is that the Omnia won't start. I have removed it from the USB, removed and reinserted the battery... even held the reset button with a toothpick for a hard reset... NADA, Nothing.

What should I do now??

[Guest victor-mo]

Thanks a lot for your patience, mate. Much appreciated!

The problem now is that the Omnia won't start. I have removed it from the USB, removed and reinserted the battery... even held the reset button with a toothpick for a hard reset... NADA, Nothing.

What should I do now??

I also tried holding the 3 buttons (call/end/power) for the hard reset... and nothing!

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

I also tried holding the 3 buttons (call/end/power) for the hard reset... and nothing!

Can you "see" it (your device) in your Windows XP Explorer? I mean, is it synchronized? So, can you RE-RUN the update (rom) file? TRY NOT THE SAME FILE! CHOOSE another one rom!!! Download and run MINE (see my signature)!

I'm changing OS (from W7 to XP), to flash a new release for myself too. Don't panic (yet!) and have patience, I need 10' to change OS.

Edited May 24, 2010 by andrew.mazlim

[Guest victor-mo]

Well, I am not sure. On the one side, Windows Explorer indicates the existence of the mobile. On the other hand, it is not synchronized (see screenshot below).

Thanks a lot for this. Your signature is not being displayed, and I also visualized your profile to find one, but to no success...

[Guest victor-mo]

looks like I "bricked" my phone. nothing seems to wake it up

I do NOT see the samsung omnia logo or anything... it is totally black

Edited May 24, 2010 by victor-mo

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

looks like I "bricked" my phone. nothing seems to wake it up

I do NOT see the samsung omnia logo or anything... it is totally black

My signature is a couple of posts ABOVE.

Did you flash that rom in W7s? Many saying "no problem, try GrandPrix in W7 and flash", but I don't support that opinion. I'm always using XPs for flashing. Why to risk for?

Well... it "sounds" like you bricked your device, but don't punic yet (still). Try to find similar topics here (bricking omnia), because in that case I can't help. I'm not so expert to solving serious issues.

[Guest victor-mo]

Tks, Andrew! I did use Win XP... more specifically, TinyXP under Parallels (a Windows emulator for Mac).

Yes, I already searched all threads and tried the 3 button and also poking the reset button... nothing worked. Put it on charging and nothing.

This morning I was the owner of a telephone that made calls, notes and played media but no wi-fi or GPS. Now I just have a useless brick :rolleyes:

Time to move on for an iPhone. I do not regret much the price of the Omnia itself, but rather the ridiculous amount of time that it is to be thinking about the equipment.

In my opinion, users should not:

1) Have to waste time figuring out whether the network adaptor is Jaguar, NE2000 or any of the 9 different modems at the Omnia

2) Have to know what is PSK, PSK2, WPA, TKIP.... cmon that's ridiculous! I just want to choose the name of the network and add the password

3) Have to be figuring out which version of the OS they have, whether it was manufactured in Indonesia, Denmark, UK or whatever to be able to download the new ROM

4) Have to risk their devices to upload something that should be invisible, automatic and smooth

I just want to keep my post here in case others find this by google searches based on the keywords of my sad story :D

If you are a computer-person who enjoys and have fun hacking around because of your profession or as a hobby, keep on Samsung Omnia, Windows Mobile, Android etc...

But if you are like me and just want something that works and not worry about the technical details and have no time to be figuring it out, buy an iPhone. I will do it tomorrow morning! (shops are already closed now)

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

Well... seems to me, you did WRONG, my friend. You RUNNING the XPs UNDER the MacOS, right???

So, you DON'T own PC, but Mac... That's the FIRST mistake!

I'm using Mac in my work and PC for personal use. Mac are just to "plug-and-play", meaning... you opening it and you're working! NOTHING ELSE! If you try to "tweak it", you messing up it! I know it, I have many "experiances" by bricking Mac! Mac are for users. THAT'S WHY, most of the art departments, graphic offices etc. are using Mac, because the 99% of the graphic designers are totaly unaware of technology and they're just want a decent tool to working their designs.

On the other hand, PCs are for more "experianced" users, because since Windows are not "perfect" OS (believe me, MacOS sucks too, if you "press it" too much), you're trying to tweak them - the Windows, I mean.

You should use a PC with XP, not a Mac with XP "emulator"!!! ALWAYS that "tricks" are risky.

Moving to iPhone? I had THREE (my firm bought & gave them to me). Totaly useless! A FINE "toy" to getting exciting... girls! You're buying something with a prize almost DOUBLE the prize of an Omnia and you can customize/tweak the 50% of your phone, instead of a WinMo phone that you can COMPLETELY "change" it as you wish!!!

Take for example iPad. Very impressive... and very much "incompleted" (no USB ports etc.)...

If you want to buy a new phone (I LOVE Omnia! If I find some cash, I may change it in a couple of years), try HTC!!! If I had money now, I would buy HTC!!! The best firm to me, along with Samsung.

(And btw... ALL the former Omnia "cookers" here in modaco, they bought HTC!!!)

Don't take my opinion seriously, do whatever you like. But IF YOU want my opinion, stay away from iPhones - IF YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZING 100% your device!

iPhones "are not allow to doing that".

Edited May 24, 2010 by andrew.mazlim

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

I've seen you changed the topic's tittle... Like I wrote you, NEVER use a Mac to TWEAK... Windows! Not a clever idea!

[Guest chopperthedog]

I've seen you changed the topic's tittle... Like I wrote you, NEVER use a Mac to TWEAK... Windows! Not a clever idea!

He said he was going to use a mac in the third post. And you let him.

good day.

[Guest andrew.mazlim]

He said he was going to use a mac in the third post. And you let him.

good day.

I think... wasn't me, was I? Kev wrote instructions.

Generally, if you following my posts, I'm always - and I MEAN IT, always! - suggesting to flashing ONLY in XPs (naturally, we're talking about WINDOWS mobiles, so we're talking about WINDOWS XPs)...

Edited May 24, 2010 by andrew.mazlim

[Guest Saxin]

Macs are terrible, they are so messy, and you do one thing, and it dies.

You can barely do anything with them.

Edited May 25, 2010 by Saxin