HTC Hero tips/tricks/tweaks

Below is the link to a guide on how to root the phone.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=559613

Download Flashrec, you will need to google for it and DL the apk. transfer to your phones SD.

Here is the link to the recovery image I used, instead of the one that guide recommends. I have found it has the most options and functions.

http://rapidshare.com/files/320335178/recovery-RA-hero-v1.5.2.img

Once its installed do yourself a favour and use the recovery mode (Home + Power) to create three partitions on your SD card. You will need a 32mb Linux swap file, a 500MB ext2/3/4 partition and the rest is for your FAT32 partition.

I am using the MoDaCo 3.1 ROM based on Android 1.5 (its very fast)

http://www.romraid.com/paul/hero/3.1-update-hero-modacocustomrom-core-signed.zip

You WILL need to wipe the data partition on your phone.

If you open the recovery mode you can use the SD: update command to load the custom ROM and the updates. This is much easier than the adb route. You will need to save the radio and teknologist files as well as the ROM onto the root of the SD. The teknologist file is an update to the kernel. The mod ROM uses v1.8 of that kernel.

download the latest radio ROM here (this is an update ROM, use the recovery mode to install it. Home + Power = recovery mode.

drop me a PM and I will email this guide plus all the files to you. You will however still need to download the ROM of your choice. 100MB files don't work nicely with mail servers.w

Short version
Download Flashrec - http://flashrec.googlecode.com/files/flashrec-1.1.2-20090909.apk
Download recovery ROM - http://rapidshare.com/files/320335178/recovery-RA-hero-v1.5.2.img
Download ROM - personal preference but I suggest MoDaCo 3.1
Download Radio ROM - http://www.romraid.com/paul/hero/update-hero-radio-63.18.55.06JU_6.35.09.26-signed.zip

Here are the links to my sources
Recovery ROM developer
MoDaCo ROM thread
XDA-developers forum for Hero Android development
feel free to ask for my help.


As a recommendation you should download Astro File Manager and get it to backup your applications before you flash. Modaco ROMs employ apps2SD but this doesn't always work so make sure to keep a backup of your applications on your SD card
 
Last edited:
MiniMacMe said:
Hi there all,

I have to thank everyone, as I've found this immensely useful since unwrapping my phone yesterday.

I have a few questions though, and would appreciate any feedback:

1) Is there a way to switch off an App / Program, without going back/ back / back until you are at the home screen again?

2) I understand there is a ROM update. I'm on version 2.73.421.5 - is there a later version, without having to root your phone. I phoned Leaf - but they were very vague on this ...

I'm sure there will be plenty more questions :-)

Thank you!!
MC
Click to expand...

Hi there MC.
To come back to your Q's: 1) You can just push home instead of back several times. It will be the same, remember Android is a Linux based OS not WinMo. So the system will sort out all the processes itself without using battery power in the backround apps.
2) The version you have is the latest(1.5 cupcake), 2.73.421.5 is only the build number so if we talk about MoDaCo 3.1 it's still based on build number 2.73.xxx.x

Waiting for HTC to release 2.1 for is. The SDK is out today!! :D
 
MiniMacMe said:
Hi there all,

I have to thank everyone, as I've found this immensely useful since unwrapping my phone yesterday.

I have a few questions though, and would appreciate any feedback:

1) Is there a way to switch off an App / Program, without going back/ back / back until you are at the home screen again?

2) I understand there is a ROM update. I'm on version 2.73.421.5 - is there a later version, without having to root your phone. I phoned Leaf - but they were very vague on this ...

I'm sure there will be plenty more questions :-)

Thank you!!
MC
Click to expand...

1) its linux based so you dont close programs like how its done on windows. also, dont go back back back. just press the home button.

2) no htc rom update as yet. check ur original sd card. it has an htc updater on it... use that once in a while just to get updates from official HTC. next update coming is the SENSE UI + ECLAIR 2.1. i think they trying to integrate the two so hopefully a release Q1 2010.

awesome phone, but im salivating so much for a bravo... good thing i got a wife to pass the HERO onto.
 
htc data

Thanks crazy_cat for the "8) 3G WatchDog - Data Monitor app" tip.
I wish I'd had this app installed last month. I might not have recieved a Vodacom bill for more then R2.5K ! :mad:
 
Thank you!

You guys a re rockstars!!

I'm technically challenged, so won't attempt the rooting jsut yet - thanks for all the details though.

I saw on Giz the 2.1 SDK is out - so now just hurry up and wait :-)

My only issue was the screen-rotate. It takes quite a while. I remember reading somewher there was an update - but to fix this and improve battery life, seems like it was only US / Eaurope.

Can someone please explain to me how I access the HTC update on the SD card. I should add I'm on Windows 7, so HTC sync does not work for me.

Thansk again to all for the help!

MC
 
nice thing about android... it really is good enough not to rom.
its super fast, customizable, NEVER crashes. what more do you want
 
silomi said:
Thanks crazy_cat for the "8) 3G WatchDog - Data Monitor app" tip.
I wish I'd had this app installed last month. I might not have recieved a Vodacom bill for more then R2.5K ! :mad:
Click to expand...
:eek:
should i even guess what drove that bill up...is this based on out of bundle rates??
 
Anyone have an HTC TV-out cable to test on the Hero (it is mini-USB to composite + stereo)? I'm wondering if it might work... I read a few comments online that mean that it might work. I know that TV-out isn't listen in the specs, but AFAIK it has the same 11-pin mini-USB as some other HTC phones with TV-out. Also, I read that at the HTC Hero launch, the phones were being demo'd on a bigger screen, live, possibly via tv-out.
 
I contacted leaf a few weeks ago regarding updates and they responded with the following: "The latest available firmware version for the HTC Hero is version 1.5. There has been no confirmation for any later firmware versions for the African region in the near future."
 
Ok, the only REALLY annoying thing is no navigation software for the Hero. Any suggestions?
 
greg_SA said:
GPS Navigation? Try NDrive - its great!

If you buy the Southern Africa maps, they cost 70 euros.
Click to expand...

Damn. That is close to R800 :( Not cool considering I just had to pay in on my contract to get the hero. Oh well....
 
Hi Guys

I am going to be getting a Hero this afternoon

How long was your first charge of the Hero?

I'm sure I will be itching to test it out so just checking what the best first charge time will be

Looking forward to owning this great phone :D
 
i dont believe in the first charge thing anymore. modern batteries dont have the issues of the older ones.

i probably charged it for 20 mins :)
 
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