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CONTENTS

1. BASIC STUFF YOU OUGHT TO KNOW .......................................................................................... 2

2. ROOTING THE HTC ACE ............................................................................................................... 3

3. UNLOCKING THE BOOTLOADER (HTCDEV) .................................................................................. 3

4. UNROOTING ................................................................................................................................ 4

5. FLASHING CUSTOM ROMS .......................................................................................................... 4

5.1. Checking S-OFF and custom recovery: ............................................................................... 4

6. Doing / restoring a nandroid backup .......................................................................................... 5

6.1. Doing a nand backup: .......................................................................................................... 6

6.2. Restoring a nand backup: .................................................................................................... 6

7. RADIOS/RIL .................................................................................................................................. 6

8. KERNELS....................................................................................................................................... 7

9. TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................... 8

9.1. Stuck in the splash screen ................................................................................................... 8

10. CUSTOMIZATION / MODDING................................................................................................. 9

11. BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES ......................................................................................................... 10

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1.  BASIC STUFF YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

1.1. ACE/STALLION: Is the code name of the device models (HTC Desire HD / Inspire 4G) 

1.2. HBOOT: Is the mode used to flash system files / images such as radios, Splash Screens,

recovery among other stuff. You enter Hboot if the phone is off by pressing volume down

+ power or long press power button> reboot> bootloader if on. (see image)

1.3. ADB: Stands for Android Debug Bridge, which is the program used to connect the phone

with the PC.

1.4. Cmd or Terminal: cmd is the system command prompt in windows where the adb

commands are executed. In linux or Mac, the equal is the terminal. In order to execute

rooting or flashing commands, both (cmd and terminal) have to be started as

Administrator or Root, respectively. In windows, go to start>run>cmd. In Linux, go to

applications>terminal. 

1.5. Recovery: Is the partition of the system from where you can flash (install) roms, RILs and

do other things like wiping data/factory reset, wiping cache and battery stats and more. 

1.6. Md5sum: md5sum is a program that checks the integrity of a file. Every file has a unique

md5sum sequence to ensure its integrity. 

1.7. Brick: When your device gets messed by doing something you should have not. It is

literally a 300 dollar brick / paperweight. 

1.8. Splash screen: Is the white screen with green HTC you see when you boot your phone.

The partition name of that screen is splash1 and can be replaced for a custom one. 1.9. Bootanimation/downanimation: Is the animation that is reproduced when your phone is

turned on / off. Similar to the splash screen, the boot/down animations can be

customized.

1.10. Kernel: Is the bridge between the applications and the device hardware. Is responsable

for the communication between hardware and software components. Every rom has its

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own kernel and not all kernels are switchable with each other. AOSP kernels are not

compatible with sense kernels. While flashing the wrong kernel will not brick your device

it will get you jammed In a big way. 

1.11. AOSP / Sense roms: There are two different types of roms for the HTC devices. The ones

that include the Sense User Interface (UI) and those which are pure android OS build

from the source released by Google. AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project.

2.  ROOTING THE HTC ACE

The Ace/Stallion device is not a new device and has been shipped with Android 2.2 (froyo) and 2.3

(Gingerbread). The best and only working method  to root and gain S-OFF (security of the boot

partition disabled) is the attn1’s Advanced Ace Hack Kit (http://tau.shadowchild.nl) 

S-OFF is not the same as ENG S-OFF, which is the Engineering HBOOT that allows flashing images

from fastboot (CMD) commands.

YOU SHOULD NOT FLASH ENG S-OFF IN GINGERBREAD (GB) SHIPPED DEVICES. That will severely

affect the bootloader and put in super slow motion!! The Hack Kit has a modified ENG HBOOT,

developed by HYUH which allows fastboot commands in all Ace devices

3.  UNLOCKING THE BOOTLOADER (HTCDEV)

Unlocking the bootloader with HTCDEV tool will allow you to flash CWM recovery and install

custom roms for ACE models and not ported roms, meaning that roms ported from other devices

such as Sensation or Sensation XL will not be successfully be flashed.

Flashing a custom Rom with HTCDEV 

Flashing a custom rom with an unlocked bootloader requires the user to flash the .zip file in

custom recovery plus flashing the boot image included in that .zip file in fastboot. Otherwise, your

phone will get stuck in the splash screen. So, the steps to do it successfully:

1.  Download the custom rom you like.

2.  Check the md5sum.

3.  Extract the boot.img file from the zip folder and place it in the PC somewhere you can find

it.

4.  Place the custom rom zip folder in the sdcard.

5.  Boot in recovery (CWM or 4ext)

6.  Do a full wipe (format data/factory reset – wipe cache + Dalvik – Format system)

7.  Go to recovery advanced options and reboot recovery.

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8.  Choose fastboot and plug the phone to the PC (you should see fastboot usb in red in the

phone)

9.  Open a cmd as administrator or terminal as root and navigate to where the boot.img file is

located (you should see something like c:\users\youruser\Desktop)

10. type: fastboot flash boot boot.img.

11. Reboot and ENJOY!!

This flashing method is more complicated than with an S-OFF bootloader (which only requires to

flash the custom rom zip folder in recovery) and besides leaves traces of the unlocked

bootloader.

In conclusion, we do not recommend using the HTCDEV tool as you void your warranty and leave

evidence of it. The Hack Kit while it voids the warranty it allows you to go back to S-ON and unroot

your device without leaving proof of it.

An unlocked bootloader might be overwritten by flashing an older bootloader, however that is a

very risky operation and can leave your phone totally inoperable. 

4.  UNROOTING

To unroot, you can use the Hack Kit tool. However, the are no RUU’s (Remote Update Utility) for all

carriers. That means, that you will probably end with an unbranded (no carrier related) firmware.

The best advice is to have a backup of your original rom always at arms length.

NOTE: If you are experiencing hardware issues, such as a broken volume rocker or failure in the

emmc chip, DO NOT ROOT YOUR PHONE  , that will leave you with the warranty voided and 

 probably get stuck in the middle of the process. The best is to take your device to a Service Center.

5.  FLASHING CUSTOM ROMS

The first thing you gotta do in order to flash a custom rom is check that you are S-OFF and have a

custom recovery (CWM or 4ext).

5.1. Checking S-OFF and custom recovery:

5.1.1.  Boot in hboot and check that you read in the first line of the bootloader ACE PVT S-

OFF or ACE PVT ENG S-OFF.

5.1.2.  Choose recovery in the bootloader menu (navigate using volume rocker and power

to select). You should see a menu like this one:

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If you are S-OFF but still have the stock recovery, you can find them here: CWM or 4ext. 

5.1.3.  Once you are sure that you have all the system requirements, choose a rom you

like (there’s no such thing as “the best rom”. The one you like most is the best) from

here:  http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=765 . Put the file in the

sdcard, check the md5sum and then boot in recovery.

5.1.4.  In recovery, do a full wipe: wipe data/factory reset  – wipe dalvik cache  – mounts

and storage >format system. In 4ext recovery, wipe data/factory reset – wipe dalvik

cache – format all partitions (except SD card). 

5.1.5.  Choose install zip from sdcard. Find the zip file, wait until the process is done and

reboot. FIRST BOOT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE. BE PATIENT. On average the first boot can

take up to 5 minutes, but shouldn't be more than 10. If you get stuck in a bootloop,

 just go back to step 5.1.3 and start over.

NOTE: Is it possible to flash a custom rom from fastboot / adb commands? NO. Just RUUs are

feasible to be flashed from fastboot. If you get stuck, then revert to stock and with a working

phone, start over again.

6.  Doing / restoring a nandroid backup

One of the most important advantages of having a root device is the possibility of doing a backup

of your current rom. Different to applications such as titanium backup (that also require root

access) the backup made with a custom recovery allows you to copy the rom with all the

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information at the current state. That means that if a flashing goes wrong or you don’t like the

brand new rom flashed, you can go back and won’t have to restore anything at all. 

6.1. Doing a nand backup:

6.1.1.  First of all, make sure that your sdcard has enough space to store the backup. 

6.1.2.  Reboot in recovery. 

6.1.3.  Backup and Restore. 

6.1.4.  Choose to backup and wait until the process is done. 

6.1.5.  The copy of the backup will be located in the clockworkmod/backup folder (the

usual format of the folder is date-hour-nameofrom). 

6.2. Restoring a nand backup:

6.2.1.  Make sure that the copy of the rom is in the sdcard.

6.2.2.  Boot in recovery.

6.2.3.  Backup and Restore.

6.2.4.  Restore and choose the folder containing the copy you want to restore (the usual

name thou it changes with different recoveries is date-hour-nameofrom)

6.2.5.  Once it is done, reboot and you will find everything as it was when you did the

backup.

Note: Make sure that before flashing anything you have done a nand backup. Is the best way

to avoid getting stuck or losing information.

7.  RADIOS/RIL

Radio is what gives signal to the phone. Changing radios might improve signal strength and

therefore battery. However, IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS PROCESS THAT MIGHT LEAVE YOU WITH A

BRICKED DEVICE. 

There’s no need to have ENG S-OFF to flash a radio. You can always flash it in the PD98IMG.zip way.

(PD9800 is the bootloader model id) For further information read these two threads:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1106324 

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1002226&highlight=shad0wf0x 

If you want to check what radio / ril you are currently running you can do that from command

prompt (cmd), just typing:

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adb shell getprop “gsm.version.ril-impl” 

adb shell getprop “gsm.version.baseband-impl” 

NOTE: There’s no need at all to change radios. That is an optional operation, so take time to read

carefully what is involved and the consequences of it.

The ultimate result of flashing a radio is to improve the signal strength and data connectivity.

Unfortunately is no guide or map to point you in the right direction. So, the best option is to try out

(flash) different combinations of radio/rils and find the best for you. Like roms, the best

combination for you might not be someone else’s so just take other advice as such and not as last

word.

8.  KERNELS

Similar to radio / ril combos, kernels are included in the roms. It is not necessary to flash a different

kernel, but can be done to assess different combinations of roms / kernels and that a combination

might work great for others but not for you.

One important fact to take into consideration is that AOSP kernels (CyanogenMod, Absolution,

JellyTime; Etc.) are not compatible with Sense roms and vice versa. So, always check that the

kernel you are about to flash is right for your rom.

Kernels are flashed in recovery and come in zip flashable files. The procedure is easy:

8.1. Download the kernel zip folder to your sdcard.

8.2. Check md5sum (you can use a file explorer to do that by pressing properties)

8.3. Boot in recovery.

8.4. Flash zip file from sdcard.

8.5. Reboot and check in about phone that the kernel has changed.

Note: Remember that whereas you can not brick your phone for flashing a not compatible kernel,

you will get stuck and will have to restore a nandroid backup or re flash your rom in order to have a

working phone again.

The most popular kernels are the RCmix ones, so you can find them here: RCmix 3D Kernels 

Take into consideration that most of the custom roms have tweaks nowadays and that you can

straight flash a kernel from there (such as CoreDroid V9.4)

You might also find interesting this application that will allow you to update your kernel through it:

Kernel Manager 

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9.  TROUBLESHOOTING

9.1.  Stuck in the splash screen

The first question you have to be prepared to ask when this happens is: How on earth you got 

to that state? What have you flashed?  

First thing to do is read this guide by Marsdta: http://forum.xda-

developers.com/showthread.php?t=1396229 

If the above does not suit you, choose the best one:

a)  Rooting with the Hack kit: Read the effen manual (trouble shooting part of it) and if 

you are still stuck then hit the Hack Kit Support IRC Channel (that is of course in the

effen manual).

b)  Flashing a custom rom: Check that the md5sum of the rom checks. If checks, then

verify that the rom is entitled to your device (it's not unusual to get confused and flash

a rom for the Desire and not the Desire HD or not all of the Desire HD roms boot

normally in the Inspire 4G devices). If you still are stuck, then restore a nandroid

backup or flash a different rom.

c)  Flash ENG S-OFF: If you did this, then your phone is not stuck in the splash screen, you

have severely messed your bootloader put it in to work in super slow motion…YOUWERE TOLD NOT TO DO THAT!!..find the fix somewhere else, we do not have that.

d)  Can not recall: This is the most common of the answers. First you need to check

whether you are S-ON or S-OFF.

S-ON: Means that the security of the boot partition is activated and therefore you will

only be able to flash an official signed RUU for your phone. You can find those here:

http://driphter.com/3872/stock-ruus-for-ace-edited-07122011/ 

http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Ace 

S-OFF with custom recovery: Get a custom rom in your sdcard and flash it.

S-OFF no custom recovery: You need to re flash a custom recovery to be able to flash a

custom rom again. Follow these steps:

1)  Boot in hboot and choose fastboot.

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2)  Plug the phone to the pc (you have to see fastboot usb in red in the phone)

3)  Open a cmd as admin or terminal as root in the PC.

4)  Type (case sensitive):

5)  wget http://db.tt/YV7fTEx7 --no-check-certificate (wait until the download is

ready)

6)  Fastboot oem rebootRUU (that will put your phone in RUU mode, with a black

screen with silver HTC)

7)  Fastboot flash zip cwm-5.0.2.7-ace.zip (it will send the file first and then flash

it)

8)  When you see OKAY. Finished (near the bottom in the cmd session even if the

green bar in the phone is at half way)

9)  Fastboot reboot-bootloader.

10) VOILÁ…check and you should have CWM again.

NOTE: If after successfully flashing a RUU you still get a bootloop your emmc chip is

corrupted and your motherboard (MOBO) needs replacement. 

10. CUSTOMIZATION / MODDING 

This refers to modifying some of the features of the stock device such as the bootanimation or

splash screen. Modding applications is harder and involves modifying some system files.

Splash screen 

Follow his guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059520 

Take into consideration that customizing a boot/down animations just takes replacing the

bootanimation.zip file in the system/customize/resource folder (or where it's located) with the

help of a file explorer such as ES file explorer or file manager.

The splash screen is a system partition (splash1) and has to be flashed in the PD98IMG.zip way or

in fastboot (if you have ENG S-OFF)

Custom boot/down animations 

These are the guides you should read in order to know how to do your own animation:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987225 

http://forums.acsyndicate.net/showthread.php?3369-TUTORIAL-Bootanimation-creation-

amp-tools! 

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1133703 

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Icons or system applications 

Modding or modifying icons in a rom is not hard but takes some time to do it and requires the

decompilation, replacement and compilation of apk files in the res-framework.apk file of the rom

zip folder.

The best choice if you don´t want to do it yourself is to use the OUT Kitchen:

http://uot.dakra.lt/ 

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=990829 

But if you are interested in starting theming, then you will need an apk tool (for

decompile/compile) such as:

Apktool: http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/ 

Apk multitool: http://apkmultitool.com/ 

And follow this guides to lead you through the process:

For apktool: http://www.miui-au.com/add-ons/apktool/ 

For apk multitool: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1664292 

11. BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES

Whenever you flash a new rom it is normal to experience abnormal battery drainage until the new

OS settles down. That can oscillate between 3 days and a week and also applies to flashing Radios

and kernels. Just then, you will be able to assess the battery drain. There are some tools that will

help you with that task:

Current Widget 

Battery Calibration1 

Thou, there is a lot of discussion about the usefulness calibrating the battery, some might seem to

experience better battery life after performing it. Battery calibration is also one of the features

included in the Custom recoveries, usually under the advanced menu.

To get more information about battery issues, just read this great thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1226016 

1About the calibration discussion you can read this:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/105051985738280261832/posts/FV3LVtdVxPT#105051985738280261832/posts/FV3LVtdVxPT