Install Windows Mobile 6.5 In Your Mobile: Complete Guide

Windows mobile 6.5 was all set for a release is what a tweet from the Windows mobile team read. Well, those awaiting the latest Windows Mobile OS may have to wait for a while. For worse, they might have to buy a new phone to get the OS. On the better half, those with HTC phone’s can have it installed with our simple how to tutorial, thanks to the XDA developers. So far Windows Mobile 6.5 has received a mixed reaction, not all praises. Before installing Windows Mobile 6.5 you might ask, why should you go for the latest Windows Mobile OS?

If you have been following the overviews and reviews of Windows Mobile 6.5 to take a plunge into the new OS, you would find that the OS is far from complete and nobody seems appreciate its new interface.

The OS is being criticized when compared with the modern software like iPhone OS and Android, but the bottomline is that Windows 6.5 is far better as compared to the 6.1 version. Especially, considering the touchscreen phones you have the new graphical start menu and the fantastic Titanium home screen. They are great, but there’s lot more to appreciate. Take a look at some of its features

• A Snap of Features
• The IE has been updated
• Menus are more user friendly
• The whole system has inertial scrolling
• The entire system has undergone a cosmetic refresh

What’s extra, imitating the Apple’s App Store, Microsoft will be staging the Windows Mobile Marketplace.

How to install the Windows Mobile 6.5 in your HTC mobile

This howto was conducted on GSM HTC Touch Diamond. For all other HTC sets running the Windows 6.5 the consequences will be the same.

Requirement

HTC Touch Diamond or Touch Pro (GSM only)

Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM (Choices: Diamond , Pro )

Account at XDA Developers(free)

Windows PC set up to sync with your handset

Device flashing utility

bootloader(Diamond , Pro )

Device Radio (Diamond , Pro ). Ensure that you download the Original list.

Now, if you are done with the requirements its time to back up with your contacts and personal info. For this you might take the help of Microsoft’s free online service called My Phone. Remember, the installation would remove the software installed in your device, so don’t forget to keep a back up.

Install the bootloader

What you need to know is that you are installing an unofficial softwar, something that your mobile phone is not used to do. To begin with install a new bootloader hardSPL on the device. This will allow your handset to accept third party services like the Windows Mobile ROM. Go ahead with the steps

Step 1: Connect your mobile phone to your Windows PC. Establish the ActiveSync (on XP) or Sync Center (on Vista, or Windows 7) connection to your device. Make sure the connection is active. To check this see if there is a bidirectional arrow in your Phones taskbar.

Step 2: Extract the bootloader you’ve downloaded and note the location

Step 3: Now find the extracted files and run the executable file ( it is usually called ROMUpdateUtility.exe)

Step 4: Follow the instructions. The software will perform a number of checks. You must make sure you have the following

i)  The handset has 50 % battery life in your phone

ii) The correct bootloader

iii) host computer that doesn’t go down

Step 5: Can you see the paired progress bars on your phone and computer screen.  This part of the process doesn’t take long as it is a small piece of software.

Step 6: Now Restart your phone. The small text will appear in the corner of your Windows Mobile splash screen. This might be unfamiliar.
If the utility runs completely, the device will be restarted on its own.

Install a new device radio

Installing a fresh Radio onto the device usually won’t make much of a change in how your phone works. Some radios can improve reception on certain networks. Let’s get on with the technique

Step 1: Connect your phone to the PC

Step 2: Extract the download radio files and note their location

In case, the radio comes with a bootloader, jump to step 5

Step 3: Extract the downloaded bootloader, using the location

Step 4: Copy the extracted radio file, with an .NBH extension to the directory where you have placed the bootloader

Step 5: Run the bootloader

Step 6: Perform the instruction in step 4 and 5 provided in the bootloader installation procedure

Step 7: Allow the phone to restart. This won’t bring in major changes, but you might have to make some minor changes in the network setup.

Install Windows Mobile 6.5

This is where you get down to installing the new OS.

Step 1: Connect the Phone with PC

Step 2: Extract the downloaded bootloader again, but to a different location

Step 3: Extract the Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM to the same directory where you have the bootloader.  It would be an .NBH file of about 80-100 MB.

Step 4: Now Run the bootloader and follow the instructions.

Step 5: Wait, the process will take 15 to 20 minutes

Step 6: After your phone is reset, the Windows Mobile 6.5 splash screen will appear. It appears somewhat hacked. But, your job is done.

Step 7: WinMo would automatically anticipate your connection settings and apply the appropriate connection settings. In case, it doesn’t, you can do it from the device’s Settings page, found in the top level of the new start menu.

Now if you are done with the installation share your experience with us.

[Source: gizmodo.com]

[Disclaimer: It is for informational purposes only. Any practical implementation that goes wrong will not be encouraged.]