How to do a ROM update
From HowardForums Wiki
Doing a ROM update or flashing a ROM as it is commonly called is actually very easy to do if you are using an official ROM from your OEM or cellular operator. There are a couple of things to do in preparation. First, when flashing a ROM the memory is wiped clean, so be sure that any data that is on your device that you want saved is in your My Documents folder. Once you have done that sync with your desktop. This will save your My Documents folder, and all your Outlook data such as contacts, calendar, and so on, to your desktop, if you have your device setup to normally sync with Outlook.
There has always been a discussion about doing a backup, then restoring that backup after flashing the ROM. It is not a hard fast rule not to do it, BUT, it is VERY advisable not to do it. Sprite have a procedure to restore after a ROM flash if you would like to look into it, check their site. However doing a normal restore after, is not a great idea. To help you understand why, let me explain a couple of things that may clear the mud a bit. When you do a backup, it saves all your settings, registry, 3rd party software and other data. When you flash a ROM there can be changes made to the registry and other settings, so when you restore from a previous ROM you are replacing those setting. It may be that no settings were changed so there will be no problems, but you have no way of knowing. Let me give you an example: Say your device has a button to turn WiFi on and off. Perhaps there were changes made in the registry that effect how that operation takes place. If you push that button to turn your WiFi on, it is still programmed to do the same thing but because you changed the registry back to the old one it no longer transmits the proper commands to complete the operation properly. It still has the same functionality, but the commands have changed so it does not work.
Another consideration to make is the fact that by wiping the memory clean you have cleaned out all the crap that has built up on your device. Many times we hear people comment that after doing a ROM flash their device is much faster. It's not the new ROM that is faster, it's the fact that their device is clean as it will ever be, making it run much faster and smoother. Isn't that what were are after? Or do we just want to see that higher ROM number on our device? It doesn't take all that long to reinstall all your third party app, perhaps it's worth the effort.
If you do decide to do a restore, and it doesn't work out, all you need to do is a hard reset and your problem is solved. It's your decision.
Ok, now for the easy part, flashing your ROM.
Once you have the update downloaded to your desktop, put your device in its cradle or plug it in. Be sure that your USB cable is plugged directly into your computer, and not a hub. It's not a bad idea to kill an screensavers, or hibernation modes on your desktop. Now simply click on the update .exe that you downloaded and it will guide you through a few simple tasks. Do not remove your device from its cradle or unplug it till you are told to do so. Don't get to worried if things seem to be taking awhile. ROM flashes can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes to complete and will sometimes sit for minutes with nothing visible happening.
Once you are finished, if you open Activesync,on your desktop, go to: File/delete partnership, you can delete your present partnership here. BE SURE TO SAVE THE SYNC FOLDER WHEN ASKED. You can now rename your device to the name you were using before and create a new partnership with that name. It will then place all the data that was in your My Documets folder back on your device, along with all your Outlook data. You can then reinstall any third party software, and you are good to go.
