Desktop OS like Windows XP and Vista have built-in auto-update utility that helps in keeping your OS up to date, free from errors, improving security issues and also giving you some new features (rarely). Won't you like to have you Pocket PC updated too? Unlike your Desktops, updating Windows Mobile isn't easy or automated. Certainly, there are a lot of risks involved. Read more to go through all of them and steps to take for a painless upgrade.

In PocketPC, the ROM is a storage area where the core OS files (Windows Mobile) is loaded. Pocket PC ROM is usually of 3 parts.

Core ROM
The main OS files, office mobile, active sync and all other applications are here. It's the Windows section.

Extended ROM
Read this guide (a must)

Radio ROM
This area is exclusive for the Radio part of your Pocket PC. Not the FM radio. But the GSM or CDMA section. The entire communication section or the phone part of your Pocket PC.

Upgrading the ROM
Just like Windows went through 98, 2000, XP, Vista and so on.., Windows Mobile also goes like Windows Mobile 2002, 2003, 2003se, 5, 6, 6.1 and now everyone's eager for the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 which might beat the competition with iPhone.

Your Desktop has a CD/DVD drive and so you upgrade your Desktop OS with the installation CD/DVD for Windows XP or Vista. But in the case of Pocket PC devices, there is no CD drive and the memory options are not very high for including all drivers into one package. So Microsoft will release the OS files only to the manufacturers like HTC who will inject their own drivers, customize a bit and finally deliver them as official ROM upgrade packages.

Note: Like its "upgrade" in Desktop, its "Flashing" in Pocket PC devices.

These official ROMs should always have all three sections of the ROM. Core OS with newer builds of Windows Mobile applications, Extended ROM with newer or better custom applications and Radio ROM to improve signal strength and quality of conversations.

Official ROMs are strictly locked down to different models of Pocket PC devices and other locks by Country ID, Vendor ID and so on.. In plain words, if your Pocket PC is an AT&T Tilt, only the ROM upgrade distributed by AT&T specific for Tilt Pocket PC devices will only flash in your device.

The reason they lock is numerous. For safety: to prevent it flashing on in-appropriate devices thereby causing mal functionin of them, to prevent piracy as Windows Mobile is a commercial OS, and for many other commercial reasons.

This locks reside in the SPL/Bootloader section which is like the Bios in Desktop PC. It is the area that first gets power and loads the Windows Mobile OS. Hard SPL is a hacked SPL which will force the bootloader to skip these locks and so enables flashing of different ROMs. This is a must when you have the nerve to try out custom cooked ROMs. Many custom ROMs can be found at xda-developers.com

It is also adviced that you do a SIM unlock which will enable you to use your device with different carriers if its locked to one. It is actually illegal to do so but may not be very serious. Removing these locks will void your warranty!

Steps to take before upgrading ROM:
1. As mentioned above, the SIM/CID locks have to be removed by applying Hard-SPL if you're flashing a ROM that was not distributed officially by your vendor.
2. Official ROMs will have appropriate Radio sections. Else, you may need to verify if your Radio version is incompatible with the one you're going to flash.
3. The ROM will not flash when your device battery is less than 50%. (see workaround below)
4. Make sure you have taken necessary backups. ROM flashing will erase all your Contacts, Tasks, Settings and all files in Main Memory.
PIM Bacup is a freeware utility that will help in backing up all your PIM data such as contacts and other outlook stuff but not the SMS.
5. Connect your Pocket PC to Desktop and make sure Active Sync completes it's Sync fully and then execute the ROM Upgrade Utility. Follow onscreen instructions. Done!

Note: Never disconnect the USB cable while flashing. It's like jumping off the vehicle while on the move. You'll never know what you'll end up with. Probably a brick!

Flashing with Battery less than 50%
This is because if the device battery gets empty while flashing, partial loading of files may corrupt the device and in the worst case might even brick your Pocket PC. It is not very critical but having a battery level of over 20% is sufficient. Start flashing your ROM from bootloader mode and this will skip the check for device battery level.

Worst cases and Trouble shooting
In a very unlikely and unlucky condition, ROM upgrade may fail resulting in a device that never boots and un-usable. You can still use your Pocket PC as an expensive paper weight, Lol..

Failure of ROM upgrades are very less when you're flashing an official ROM. In this case, you probably did not try removing the locks and if your Pocket PC is still under warranty, then most likely the vendor will replace your device.

If it has failed with a custom/cooked ROM, you might try running the ROM upgrade utility to see if it goes through the next time. If that fails again and again, try flashing an official ROM which can usually be obtained from the vendor's website (If they have one and maintain it well). Many times you can bring back life to your device by doing so.

Stuck in Bootloader!
The Tri-color screen that you see in the beginning of ROM upgrade is called the bootloader screen. If the device is stuck in bootloader screen even after soft-resets, try hard-reseting. If it still stays the same then try the following:
1. Download Mtty tool
2. Type "set 16 0" (without quotes). This tells the bootloader to boot the OS after reset. (for some devices it can also be "set 14 0")
3. Then type "task 8" after which your device may successfully boot.

G3/G4 devices
Some devices, especially the HTC Wizard Pocket PC, has two variants, G3 and G4 with some hardware differences. When you have these devices, make sure you're flashing the right ROM meant for your device. G3 and G4 should have different compilation of the ROMs. In Wizard, you can find if your device is a G3 or G4 by reading the numbers that appear during boot.If it reads IPL/SPL 1.xx or 2.xx you've got a G3 device. If the IPL/SPL shows 2.xx.xxx1 you've got a G4.

Flashing from Storage card
Sometimes you may need this when your connection to Active Sync is not established for various reasons. The bootloader searches your Storage card for the ROM images on every boot (after soft-reset) and if found, it prompts you for upgrade options. Each device requires the file name of the ROM image to be specific. File names for most devices is below, if your device is not listed, ask us.
Artemis: ARTEIMG.nbh
Hermes: HERMIMG.nbh
Elf/HTC Touch: ELF0IMG.nbh

For more, please ask.. If you know more, please report.

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