T-Mobile G2 Users: Migrating to the DesireZ HBOOT

The first question people are going to ask is: why would we want to use the DesireZ HBOOT on our G2s?  The partitioning of your phone is controlled by HBOOT.  The G2 HBOOT has only 400MB allocated to /system and 1.3GB allocated to /data, whereas the DesireZ HBOOT allows for 535MB of /system and 1GB of data.

This is a problem for the newer, larger ROMs such as Virtuous Unity, which has the system apps directory placed on the data partition as a workaround.  As a side effect, Unity needs to be re-flashed every single time data is wiped.  Ultimately we want to eliminate this hack and the first step is to get G2 users over to the DZ HBOOT, since the other supported devices all have sufficiently sized system partitions.

Before You Start

DesireZ users, none of this applies to you unless you flashed the G2 HBOOT at some point, such as when you rooted.  While the process has been tested on my own device and several testers, there remains a small amount of risk of bricking your phone. I think it is unlikely but I will not be responsible if it happens; consider yourself warned.

If you are confused by the process, then just I advise against following through with any of this.  Using the DesireZ HBOOT will not impact your ability to use any ROMs such as Cyanogen, MIUI or otherwise.  Everything will work the same way, only you will have less space in /data and more in /system.

Migration Process

Carefully read and follow the steps below.  It looks a lot more complicated than it is because I am going to be excruciatingly specific.

  1. Flashing a new HBOOT will wipe the radio, recovery, system, cache, data partitions, etc.  This is expected and we will be creating a backup to deal with it.
  2. Make sure you have adb setup and working.  If you are not sure how to do this, then you should stop now.
  3. Download this PC10IMG.zip file, which contains the DesireZ Engineering HBOOT, Clockwork Recovery, the latest T-Mobile radio.
  4. Execute: adb push PC10IMG.zip /sdcard/
  5. Execute: adb shell md5sum /sdcard/PC10IMG.zip, which should return d5ebb7c9aa8e3cab714634a1a7d6f762.
  6. Execute: adb reboot recovery and create a Nandroid backup. Make sure the process completes successfully.
  7. Execute: adb reboot bootloader and select “bootloader” from the menu.
  8. You will see a progress bar on the right side of your screen as the image is validated, then you will be prompted to confirm via the volume up button. Go ahead and confirm.
  9. Flashing will begin. You will notice a reboot in the middle of the process, then another once it is complete.  Leave the phone alone for a few minutes.
  10. After the second reboot, the device will be sitting on the “HTC” screen doing nothing.  This is normal, do not panic.  It is because you have no ROM installed anymore.
  11. Execute: adb reboot recovery. You may have to run this command more than once.  If you cannot get into recovery, hop over to the #virtuousrom channel on Freenode.
  12. You should now be in Clockwork Recovery.  A few errors about failing to mount /cache will scroll by, this is normal.  Select “factory reset” to clear data/cache, as you would during a full wipe.
  13. Restore the Nandroid backup you created in step #6.

That is all, you are done.

69 Comments:

mr2t said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cjward23 said...

I had the G2 HBOOT installed on my DZ, followed the guide and now have the correct one up and running.
Cheers RMK

Michel said...

I had also the G2 HBOOT installed on my DZ but when i flash the zip i can restart en nothing changed?

Michel said...

sorry checked it again and it worked!!!!

Anonymous said...

It was fast, smooth, and easy.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Muneeb said...

I have factory unlocked Desire Z.
my internal storage size(data) = 1.13Gb
System storage is = 549mb
cache is:291mb

how come my partition space size is a bit more than both of the system partition and internal storage size on the Hboot-eng that you posted for G2 users

i used quick system info pro to check these sizes

Francisco said...

This is very easy just follow the steps. I do not even know english very well...

T-Mobile G2
System Rom: 575 MB
Internal: 1.12 GB

Ricky Cadden said...

I believe it worked ok - couldn't get an md5sum, but aside from that, looks like it setup just fine.

Raimondz said...

Just finished installing DZ HBOOT and updated to Unity 1.24. Everything works perfectly. I like the new black loading screen.

Marco said...

Worked great on my g2 - thanks!

Wotan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wotan said...

After installing DZ HBOOT I have the radio 26.02.01.15_M2.

Is this the advised radio, or is better upgrade to the latest such as the 26.08.04.30?

Good job.

stupid user said...

I really love this rom , but i have a question:
when will the DHD'S user get full data partition
to use ?

GuiPoM said...

A stupid question: how can I check which HBOOT I am currently running ? Thanks !

Unknown said...

Hold power and vol down button at the same time.

Unknown said...

I just finished flashing hboot on my G2, I did that without adb recovery with the help of a friend on xda, but believe me, my heart was in mouth, 1st time, probably that's why, now I have 575MB of system memory and 1.12GB of data. Thanks very much for your great work for G2 users and providing perfect eng hboot and latest radio etc.

Carlos web blog said...

Finished the guide now, worked like a charm.

The only thing I found different to the guide is on step 9, The first reboot went as you told, but the second reboot never happened, instead the phone asked me to press the power button to do the reboot, I rebooted it and followed with step 10.

JayVee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
GuiPoM said...

@Kiyo I dit the check, but I think I put G2 hboot on my DZ. Info are HBOOT-0.85.0005 MICROP-0425
Should I need to change my hboot ?

DrizztSA said...

Maybe a silly question but How do I know if I have the G2 HBOOT on my ROM?

CaSaNoVa said...

i get a error when trying to push the file saying cannot stat 'PC10IMG.zip' :no such file or directory ...can someone help please ?

angrynaybers said...

i have a weird problem. i upgraded to the new hboot with no problems. but i noticed once i got the rom up an running i have no incall volume unless i turn on the speaker or use a headset. i tried another rom and even tried a different radio(4.30). any idea as to what gives????

dave87 said...

how can i go back to G2 Hboot?

Crey23 said...

Hey RMK, thanks for your hard work!

A few questions:

1. Is there any side effects of running the DZ HBOOT on a G@ aside from memory increase? In other words the keyboard or any other factor of the G2 compromised by this?

2. Is there any increase in performance duet to additional memory?

3. How could I go back to G2 HBOOT if needed to?

Thanks again!

★の別 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
★の別 said...

The radio included in provided PC10IMG.zip has problem of losing 3G connection and WiFi. After replacing the radio from stock gingerbread M3 version, this problem was solved.

d-fens said...

i'm stuck on step 11. i can't boot to recovery. phone is stuck on htc screen, no usb connection using the provided data cable. this is the only phone i have, i need help asap and there's no one in the chat. what do i do?

Anonymous said...

for those who are stuck like d-fens was, try this: 1. remove battery 2. replace battery 3. hook up usb 4. open command prompt and type "adb reboot recovery" (don't hit enter yet) 5. hit power button on phone 6. as soon as you see the HTC screen hit enter in the adb command prompt 7. if you don't immediately get into recovery hit the up arrow and enter again (repeat until you get into recovery) if you repeat more than 20 times and still don't get into recovery, start over at #1 (this guide, not the hboot guide)

A.D. said...

is this the Desire Z ENG HBOOT?

Majesty said...

What's the difference between this ROM and CoreDroid? Since I'm already running coreDroid, would I still be required to flash thge new HBOOT?

b'ji said...

After migrating and installing ROM successfully. i only have 70 mb of free space and used 281mb and total memory 368mb and 845mb data. I should have more than 500MB memory for system. Earlier, I had 368 MB system memory and 1.1GB memory for data. Now ony 845MB, while the system memory remains the same. What happened to the remaining memory? Can anyone help?

Unknown said...

@benjammini i was frustrated so i kept hitting up and enter even before it loaded then i got recovery

Cointurndown said...
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Slavix66 said...

Hi there, I'm having a bit of trouble with this procedure and I was looking for some insight.

I'm following these steps as listed, and I complete step 7. But when it comes to step 8, I'm not on the same page as this write-up.

Where my phone should be flashing the new images, and displaying a progress bar; my bootloader flashes very quickly stating that errors for each image. The images are either incorrect or not there. I've always seen the same messages since I rooted my phone back in march 2011.

I appreciate any help in advance, thank you.

Slavix66 said...

My bad, I'm using a g2 trying to flash the Dz Hboot

Anonymous said...

"The G2 HBOOT has only 400MB allocated to /system and 1.3GB allocated to /data, whereas the DesireZ HBOOT allows for 535MB of /system and 1GB of data."

To me it sounds like you get an extra 135mb for the /system bud you lose 0.3gb (300mb) from the /data partition. From 400/1300 to 535/1000 doesn't seem like an even trade off of space.

In any event, I've done this, but how do I go back to the G2's hboot (visionary) in case I need to?

Speedy The Artist said...

I can't do this on adb push becasue I can't find the fastboot file online. It looks like HTC took it down. :(

Nick said...

Whenever I get to step 8 the image doesnt get validated , it says no image or wrong image then goes to bootloader menu

Anonymous said...

Speedy the Artist. Why do you need fastboot? This article doesn't mention anything about downloading anything from HTC's site. It mentions downloading a PC10IMG.zip which you simply install/flash using the Bootloader after making a full back using Recovery (Clockwork Mod). It's a fairly easy and straightforward process.

Nick, sounds like a corrupted download of the PC10IMG.zip file. Try redownloading it. If it still doesn't work, try downloading it from here:
http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/HTCG2/hboot/PC10IMG.zip
or even here:
http://204.12.214.110/HTCG2_hboot_PC10IMG.zip

Slavix66 said...

My issue stemmed from the fact that the .img file wasn't spelled correct, and Linux is case sensitive.

Anonymous said...

Uh when i tried to do that it said that there was either no image or wrong image anyway of fixing that

Anonymous said...

Also it says that when ever i do the second step the push part that there is no such file or directory

Louie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nick said...

Thank you, I redownloaded and it worked perfectly.

nordine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tony said...

Hi, My DZ has G2Hboot installed, so I want to change it back to DZHboot.
Can I use this TMobile radio in this zip file for DZ?

nordine said...

I do not quiet understand. I seem to have 368 mb system. and 700 mb internal storage. it just seems like I have lost memory and no gain.

can anyone suggest why this has not worked?

nordine said...

where can you see the system partition?? .... I am viewing task manager which states 368 mb. which is not a lot to run off, which is i think the cause of it lagging.

tjones123 said...

i did all of this love the rom but it seems that it likes to get stuck on a 3 g connection. has anyone flashed a new radio with the rom and if so could you send me the information on how. for whatever reason i cannot find a radio that will flash properly with this rom and i am super frustrated .

jhoang said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jnation89 said...

somebody please help me im still stuck on the htc screen

Felix Russell said...

Hey, Sorry I'm sorry I'm late to the party. My only question:
The superCID carrier unlock provided through Gfree. Does this get anulled through the process? I travel to europe on a regular basis, and use my Vodafone Sim there, should this be a problem after reflashing HBOOT with your PC10IMG?
Thanks!

Chuong said...

i have an idea for who stuck with htc screen and cant do anything
plugin ur sdcard into computer ( find someway )
and delete the PC10IMG.zip
then try to remove battery ( wait for screen is off )
then replace it in agian.
!!! then use vol down + power to enter the recover !
that's it ! GL

chaw said...

Chuong !
brilliant idea !!

i did it and it worked .. i love u ! (in a very brotherly way :P)

chaw said...

oh and by the way ... you rock virtuous people !! :D

eagerly waiting for you sense 3.5 rom !! :)

Felix Russell said...

Hey, I'm really sorry if this is in the wrong thread.
I just ran across something. I tried flashing the PC10IMG, but someone told me it should reboot twice and I should have the stock splash screen. Didn't go that way... Looks like only the Bootloader changed, and I can now flash the Virtuous Unity ROMS so yea. First of all does anyone know what's wrong?
Also I'm just guessing that the flashing process was interrupted before it could get to the splash and radio partitions or something, and I need to reflash HBOOT, Could flashing the same Hboot brick your device?
Thanks in advance!

maly_ntt said...

I have a big problem. Everything went OK, but I can't restore backup - I got "Error while formatting /system!". I can't even change ROMS. Nothing. I can get to FASTBOOT, HBOOT, RECOVERY , but there is nothing I can do! PLEASE HELP. I have ClockWorkMOD 3.0.2.4, maybe it's the problem.

More said...

i have a real bad issue wile preforming the migration i select the bootloader and when i did select the bootloader and afeter the progress finished the phone turns off and it never turn back on i try to turn it on just giving me is a red led and sometimes green led and start vibrating i try to connect it on my pc but the adb dont reconize it but the pc dose help please

Swami.SP said...

Hey the link for pc10img.zip seems to be broken. can someone please share a working link? thanks a lot.

SmiLe said...

bad link

Laguillo said...

Bad Link :( Please repair

Fahad said...

please update the link

Duff Man said...

http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/HTCG2/hboot/PC10IMG.zip
or even here:
http://204.12.214.110/HTCG2_hboot_PC10IMG.zip

Duff Man said...

This is the link i found:
http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/HTCG2/hboot/PC10IMG.zip

Swami.SP said...

Using the file from the link (http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/HTCG2/hboot/PC10IMG.zip), at bootloader step it reported that no image file found.

Opening the zip file i found that there was no hboot-eng.img file, is this how it is suppose to be? Has any one had success with this file?

Kiper said...

So i get the same thing no image file found how is this supposed to work if the bootloader cant find it?

Unknown said...

i did it successfully but i have this same problem as B'ji
After migrating and installing ROM successfully. i only have 70 mb of free space and used 281mb and total memory 368mb and 845mb data. I should have more than 500MB memory for system. Earlier, I had 368 MB system memory and 1.1GB memory for data. Now ony 845MB, while the system memory remains the same. What happened to the remaining memory? Can anyone help?

what shud i do now pls answer

Unknown said...

I'm getting "Lack of heap!". What to do with this??

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