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Rooting and flashing ROM on a HTC Desire

It’s gona be an year since I got my HTC Desire and I realized, I still haven’t really got the most out of it, so I finally decided to root my phone, and get a custom ROM for my Android.

What is rooting?

'root' is actually the user account that has full access to all commands and files on a Linux operating system. Since, Android is based on Linux kernel, gaining root gives you full control over your Android and this process is called rooting. iPhone users call this jailbreaking ;)

So why root?

  1. Install custom ROMs
    There are many ROMs which are customized for many improvements such as speed and performance. For example, the popular CyanogenMod, created by one of Android's most notable hackers, optimizes performance for both the G1 and MyTouch 3G handsets. (readwriteweb.com)
  2. Overclocking
    Overclocking sets the clock rate for the processor for speed or to save battery, but do with caution, it could damage your phone. SetCPU allows overclocking your Android, and it also has different power schemes.
  3. Increase your internal memory
    A2SD+ allows to install applications on a Linux partition (ext2, ext3, ext4) on your SD card, which behaves as your internal memory. It can be done by creating a partition using Linux or using ROM Manager. Most custom ROMs comes with A2SD+ support.
  4. Move applications to SD card
    This feature is already included in Froyo (Android 2.2), which allows some applications to be moved to SD card.
  5. Titanium Backup
    Titanium Backup allows to backup, restore, and freeze your applications with its data, including protected applications.
  6. Nandroid backup
    Nandroid allows to take full system backup and also restore them using recovery mode such as ClockworkMod Recovery.
  7. MarketAccess
    MarketAccess gives access to applications including paid ones, which are not available in your country or operator, by emulating the SIM card of a chosen operator.
  8. Wifi tethering
    Allows to tethering your 3G/2G internet via Wifi or bluetooth from your Android. Wifi tethering feature is also now included in Froyo (Android 2.2) as Wi-Fi Hotspot.
  9. Take screen shots!
    I know, stupid isn't it? You can't even take a screen shot without root access. See market for screen shot applications.
  10. Install custom themes, addons, and more!
  11. Because you can! :D
    Seriously, wouldn't you want to see your phone's full capability? Now that I've 11 reasons to root, I should totally root my phone! Of cause it'll void my warranty, but its only a small chance to screw up my phone, and I'm willing to take that chance.

Getting ready to root

Making backup

Before you root, don’t forget to backup your data, unless you’re going to completely wipe everything and skip this step ;)
If you’re using your Google account for your contacts, calendar and mail, you don’t need to worry about them because it’ll come back after you sync again. Other than that, you might want to backup your messages, call log and other application data. There are a couple of good applications in the market for that, such as SMS Backup & Restore, Backup Everything, and Astro File Manager. You might want to backup your SD card too just in case ;)

Warning: by rooting, you’re voiding your warranty, and I won’t be responsible for any damage that you may cause to your phone, so use this at your own risk :)

Rooting has now become pretty much easier as just a few clicks – thanks to Unrevoked! Although there’s a small possibility to get your phone bricked, it’s still ALMOST impossible so let’s not worry about that now eh? ;) This method usually works for most of the HTC phones (see Unrevoked), and for other Android phones check out XDA-Developers :) Before begin to root, make sure your phone is fully charged. Alright, let’s get on with it!

Installing HTC drivers

  1. Download HTC Sync (mirror: HTC Sync for all HTC Android phones v3.0.5511) software for your phone from HTC website.
  2. Run the installation, and install the required items.
  3. We just only need the HTC drivers (adb drivers) for now, so cancel the installation of HTC Sync after installing the required items. If you’ve already installed HTC Sync, make sure you uninstall it before proceeding to prevent interference with the rooting process.

Installing HBOOT driver

Click here for video walk through on how to install HBOOT drivers.

  1. Download the modified HBOOT USB drivers (mirror), and extract it somewhere.
  2. Turn off your phone, connect your phone to your computer with your USB cable, boot into HBOOT by holding volume down button and power button, and wait for the HBOOT USB PLUG message on the screen.
  3. Open Device Manager on your computer by right clicking on Computer, click Properties, then Device Manager.
  4. Right click on the Android 1.0 and select Update Driver Software.
  5. Select Browse my computer for the driver software, browse to the extracted HBOOT driver folder, then click Next. If you get any warnings during the install, just click OK. Once the driver is installed, click Close. You can turn your phone back on, by removing the battery and power on the phone.

...and finally...rooting!

Click here for a video walk through of on how to flash.
  1. Go to Unrevoked website, choose your phone and download the reflash package (mirror: v3.32).
  2. Plug your phone to your computer with your USB cable and make sure the connection is in Charge Only mode.
  3. Turn on USB Debugging mode by going to Settings > Applications > Development > and check the USB Debugging.
  4. Run the reflash application and sit back. Your phone will restart a couple of times. Do not turn off your phone or interfere the process.
  5. That’s it! You’re now rooted!

Flashing ROM/radio

First of all, I wanted to try the new Gingerbread (Android 2.3), so I flashed the CyanogenMod 7, which is still in development (nighty). CyanogenMod releases doesn't have the HTC Sense UI, and I like the Sense UI better so I decided to go back to a Froyo (Android 2.2) ROM with Sense UI. I did a couple of research in XDA-Developers forum and found out most users prefer LeeDroid.
Since now its rooted, it's possible to flash custom ROMs and radio. Flashing ROM and radio is pretty easy to do after you've rooted using Unrevoked, since it installs ClockworkMod Recovery also with it.

Backup (Nandroid)

Before flashing a ROM its safe to take a backup, just in case if something wrong. ClockworkMod Recovery allows you to take a full Nandroid backup of your phone.
  1. Turn off your phone, press volume down and power button, and it'll take you to HBOOT menu.
  2. Go to Recovery by pressing volume down, and press power button to select. Once you're in ClockworkMod Recovery menu, use your trackpad to scroll and select.
  3. Go to backup and restore, select backup, and it'll backup the whole phone which can be later recovered using the recover option.

Anyways, lets flash a ROM now!

  1. Download LeeDroid ROM or any ROM you prefer. You can find many ROMs in XDA-Developers forum ;)
  2. Download the latest radio (mirror: 32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27).
  3. Copy the ROM and radio file into your SD card.
  4. Turn off your phone, press volume down and power button, and it'll take you to HBOOT menu.
  5. Go to Recovery by pressing volume down, and press power button to select. Once you're in ClockworkMod Recovery menu, use your trackpad to scroll and select.
  6. Select Wipe data/factory reset, and Wipe cache partition too.
  7. Select Install zip from SD card, Choose zip from SD card, and then select your ROM file.
  8. The ROM installation will take place.
  9. After ROM installation is over, go to Choose zip from SD card again, and run the radio installation.
  10. Go back and select Reboot your phone.

...and that's it! Happy rooting! :D

Check out the Everything Desire index for more hacks, ROMs, radio, themes, and updates at XDA-Developers.

Thanks to:
Google and HTC for the awesome phone
Unrevoked for the painless root
LeoDroid for the awesome ROM
RMD for the rooting guide
djR3Z for the walk through video

How to backup your Windows Live Messenger application data

I recently installed a 2TB hdd and I did a fresh Windows installation. Believe me or not, it didn’t change anything at all! My desktop, documents, application settings, and even Windows Live Messenger (WLM) were just the same! Of cause, I took a nice backup! ^^...and I know how you’ll feel if you lost all your emoticons! ;) This is a simple guide to backup your WLM for those who doesn’t want to lose their emoticons and display pictures :P

All your WLM data’s are stored in C:\Users\xyz\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Messenger, where xyz is your windows username. You’ll see all the email(s) that have been signed in from your messenger as folders.

Copy your email’s folder and put it in a safe place. After you’ve installed windows and WLM again, paste the folder back right exactly where you found it. Sign in and voila! :D

Note: I haven't checked with WLM 2011 yet, but it works perfectly on WLM 2009 :)

Prince of Persia The Fogotten Sands



"Marking the next-gen console debut of Ubisoft's critically acclaimed series, Prince of Persia - The Forgotten Sands is the next chapter in the Sands of Time universe. Visiting his brother's kingdom following his adventure in Azad, the Prince finds the royal palace under siege from a mighty army bent on its destruction. His brother Malik decides to use the ancient power of the Sand in a desperate gamble to save the kingdom from total annihilation. To save the kingdom, the Prince must embark on an epic adventure in which he will learn to bear the mantle of true leadership, and that great power often comes with a great cost." (prince-of-persia.us.ubi.com)

Check out the gameplay trailer ;)



Prince of Persia also supports 3D and it's been rated as 'Excellent' by Nvidia. I've tested this with Nvidia 3D Vision Discover, and it works perfectly without any lags! Check out the 3D screen shots below and of cause, these wont work without a 3D glasses ;)


Check system requirements for 3D Vision Discover / 3D Vision now!


Language: MULTi9 (ENG/SPA/ITA/FRE/DUT/GER)
ISO size: 5.60GB
ISO MD5: 039c8700d1a0606093fd1f93dd3e0996

1. Extract the .rar files
2. Mount pop_tfs.iso or burn it. I prefer mounting using Daemon Tools
3. Install
4. Copy all the files from the Crack folder and paste it in the Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands installation folder
  • * 32 bit version:
    C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands
  • * 64 bit version:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands
5. Launch and play the game. Enjoy!
Download:
sorry guys...all my links are dead :( MAYBE later? :P
Crack (SKIDROW 2) ONLY:
http://rapidshare.com/files/404884984/pop_tfs_skidrowcrackv2_sykez.rar.html

Cracked by SKIDROW

Uploaded by ME, using the lazy upload method ^^

Assassin's Creed II

Finally...Assassin's Creed II! Yes, i know its been a while now...it was released in March and i had to wait for a crack. The crack was released in April when i was in Male' with a crappy laptop, so now i'm back in KL with my PC, and i'm addicted! ^^

Assassin's Creed II is the second game of the Assassin's Creed series from Ubisoft. Assassin's Creed II was given the Best Action Adventure Game of the Year by IGN, Game of the Year by New York Times, GamePro, Eurogamer, and was also nominated to several other awards too. The game starts right from the point where the Assassin's Creed (I) ended. Desmond finally escapes from Abstergo with Lucy, an employee in Abstergo and also an Assassin, bringing him into her secret hideout where he meets other two Assassins. Desmond agrees to help them by discovering Ezio Auditore da Firenze's memories to find the Pieces of Eden and to gain Ezio's skills through the bleeding effect using their own version of Animus, the Animus 2.0.

Check out the gameplay trailer


Just like Assassin's Creed (I), Assassin's Creed II also supports 3D. According to Nvidia 3D games, Assassin's Creed (I)'s rating is in 'Excellent' category, while Assassin's Creed II is under 'Good', but it works perfectly! 3D Vision is pretty expensive, while 3D Vision Discover is cheaper, as you only need is a 3D supported graphics card and a 3D Vision Discover glasses or a stereoscopic glasses. For a starter, i recommend to try 3D Vision Discover. I recently bought a 3D Vision Discover glasses on eBay. Check out the 3D screen shots below and of cause, these wont work without a 3D glasses ;)


























So get 3D! Check system requirements for 3D Vision Discover / 3D Vision.

Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/391486758/ac2_sykez.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391488566/ac2_sykez.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391528983/ac2_sykez.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391527900/ac2_sykez.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391688439/ac2_sykez.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391680815/ac2_sykez.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391710227/ac2_sykez.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391717329/ac2_sykez.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391846082/ac2_sykez.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391846403/ac2_sykez.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391887611/ac2_sykez.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391887508/ac2_sykez.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391917201/ac2_sykez.part13.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/391916927/ac2_sykez.part14.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392035427/ac2_sykez.part15.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392033149/ac2_sykez.part16.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392058533/ac2_sykez.part17.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392066670/ac2_sykez.part18.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392120446/ac2_sykez.part19.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392116293/ac2_sykez.part20.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392166942/ac2_sykez.part21.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392167189/ac2_sykez.part22.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392247224/ac2_sykez.part23.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392247249/ac2_sykez.part24.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392295709/ac2_sykez.part25.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392296021/ac2_sykez.part26.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392370471/ac2_sykez.part27.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392369236/ac2_sykez.part28.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392405340/ac2_sykez.part29.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392405408/ac2_sykez.part30.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392450850/ac2_sykez.part31.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/392450626/ac2_sykez.part32.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/393147438/ac2_sykez.part33.rar
1. Extract the .rar files
2. Mount AC2_Sp4mm3r.iso or burn it. I prefer mounting using Daemon Tools
3. Install
4. Install the update, assassins_creed_2_1.01_us.exe from the Update folder
5. Copy the two files, SKIDROW.exe and ubiorbitapi_r2.dll from the Crack folder and paste it in the Ubisoft Game Launcher folder
  • 32 bit version:
    C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\
  • 64 bit version:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\
6. Play! ...having trouble with saving the settings? Copy and paste the ubiorbitapi_r2.dll from the fix folder to Ubisoft Game Launcher folder. Enjoy!

Crack only download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/398466823/ac2_skidrow_crack_sykez.rar.html


ISO by Sp4mm3r
Cracked by SKIDROW
Uploaded by me, using the lazy uploading method :P

Too lazy to upload...why dont you do that for me? ^^

Uploading to RapidShare could be sometimes a pain in the ass. I used to use the RapidUploader and the RapidShare Manager to upload files. It takes like almost a day to upload a whole movie with some connection errors and so on... >.> So i figured another way by uploading to another server by FTP, and using remote upload to download those files into my RS account. I think its a pretty effective way to upload files to RS, just in case if those files were deleted or reported and you had to reupload it. Using the same idea, i thought why not remote upload those files directly from my PC! =D So, i used XAMPP as my web server, moved all the files into the web server and added the links into the remote upload list. It worked! ^^ ...of cause it'd work! :P RapidShare downloads 5 jobs simultaneously, and my upload speed is 0.5mb/s. After sometime i got this message saying the downloads have been aborted as it has exceeded 3 hours >.> I used 200mb files, so i changed them to 100mb files and then it worked perfectly! ^^
...on my way uploading Assassin's Creed II =D
 
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