question on JUST flashing new radio

[zero neck]

the radio controls data, voice, wifi, and gps. some roms work with some radios, so you have to make sure you have the right radio with the right rom (not having the right one will cause problems with data/call connection or might cause bootloops).

changing your radio might improve your connection to the signals and so get you better battery life or other benefits. but it could also do the opposite.

md5 is a checksum - you use this to make sure the file that you have downloaded is the same thing you thought it was and that it's complete/not corrupted. you can download a checksum calculator or i just check them on my mac in terminal (the command is very simple).

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm) is type cryptographic hash function that can be used to check data integrity.

If you run a file through the the MD5 algorithm, a 32-digit hexadecimal "Hash" will be produced. If the file is changed in any way, the hash will change. Basically, when the files are posted for download, they are hashed, and that hash number is posted with the download. After you download the file, you can then generate an MD5 of the file after it has been downloaded, and if they match, you know the file you have is exactly the same as one that was originally posted (and not corrupted during download). It's not a fool-proof algorithm, as it is not collision resistant, so it's not very useful for security encryption purposes, but it works just fine for file verification such as this.

For example, if you go over the Radio thread here:
[RADIO] The Obligatory Thunderbolt Radio Thread - xda-developers
you'll see the radios listed with the MD5 hash for each. The first radio listed has a hash of: 8E166E93A9A72CB7955440720BA8869A
If you download the file and your MD5 doesn't match, you would know NOT to flash the radio. If it matches, the file is OK (or at least the same as the one that was originally uploaded).

You can google MD5, there are a bunch of apps for windows, linux, mac, etc to generate hashes. As I also mentioned, if you have ASTRO file manager for your Android, you can bring up the properties of a file which will show you the MD5 hash.

To answer the second part of your question, yes, the radio is basically the software component that communicates with the cell towers (wifi and gps too). ROMs do not include radio files, they must be flashed separately. Some ROMs run better and are more compatible with some radios, and different version of Android also require different radio versions.

The latest OTA update that was pushed out for the stock OS, for example, also had a new radio component with it. This radio, along with the original one, represent the 2 different radio sets currently available for the TBolt running Android 2.2. There are a lot of reasons why someone may *want* to change or update their radio...to improve performance, fix known issues, ROM compatibility, etc.

Basically, if you're not sure what it is and your TBolt is running fine, I wouldn't worry too much about it until you've had a chance to learn more about it.

 

[nate44]

This is what I use to check md5: WinMD5 Free - Windows MD5 Utility Freeware Only 249kb in size, but it gets the job done.

 

[NotJustAPhone]

Hash Droid works for checking the md5 checksum of files on your phone. Available from the Market.

Of course, there's always: adb shell md5sum /sdcard/
pg05img.zip (replace pg05img.zip.with your filename of choice)

for those who prefer adb.

 

[nate44]

Hash Droid works for checking the md5 checksum of files on your phone. Available from the Market.

Of course, there's always: adb shell md5sum /sdcard/
pg05img.zip (replace pg05img.zip.with your filename of choice)

for those who prefer adb.

I'm not that much of a geek

I used it for my initial root, but have avoided it like the plague ever since.

 

[zero neck]

Hash Droid works for checking the md5 checksum of files on your phone. Available from the Market.

Of course, there's always: adb shell md5sum /sdcard/
pg05img.zip (replace pg05img.zip.with your filename of choice)

for those who prefer adb.

openssl md5 filename on a mac

I'm not that much of a geek

I used it for my initial root, but have avoided it like the plague ever since.

i just like to use the three things i know how to do in terminal for kicks

 

[milwaukee613]

I have been reading this thread, since I created it, and I am glad this information can be discussed (obviously with the help of you guys, because I am a total n00b when it comes to radios).

paintdrinkingpete: I think you might have mentioned that many of the updates/OTA/ROMs dont come with radios. My question for you then is, if I were to Flash CM7 or Gingerbread (when they comes out, please GOD I am hoping for that soon) will they not include a new improved radio?
Because I would be very surprised that they wouldn't include an improved/upgraded radio that works well with their system.

Let me know what you think, you seem to be quite the authority on these matters an I would greatly appreciate your input.

For the sake of narrowing my question (so you can better help me and hopefully others), right now I am running the original radio, stock ROM, obviously I have rooted my phone, but I am a little concernicus that flashing a different radio would brick or seriously screw my phone up.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I have been reading this thread, since I created it, and I am glad this information can be discussed (obviously with the help of you guys, because I am a total n00b when it comes to radios).

paintdrinkingpete: I think you might have mentioned that many of the updates/OTA/ROMs dont come with radios. My question for you then is, if I were to Flash CM7 or Gingerbread (when they comes out, please GOD I am hoping for that soon) will they not include a new improved radio?
Because I would be very surprised that they wouldn't include an improved/upgraded radio that works well with their system.

Let me know what you think, you seem to be quite the authority on these matters an I would greatly appreciate your input.

For the sake of narrowing my question (so you can better help me and hopefully others), right now I am running the original radio, stock ROM, obviously I have rooted my phone, but I am a little concernicus that flashing a different radio would brick or seriously screw my phone up.

Usually the ROM info page will tell you. Radios are not included with ROMs. The current CM7 ROM that is available has a note on the page saying to use the Froyo radio, so no change is necessary. In order to run the latest DasBAMF 2.0.5 GB ROM, however, you do have to flash a new radio, and is indicated on the info page.

*Keep in mind that any of the GB ROMs available are probably still a bit "buggy" and in more a beta testing phase than some of the more stable Froyo releases.

 

[milwaukee613]

I have a few questions

I tried to download and fash the new CDMA radio with the old LTE like you mentioned.

I downloaded that specific radio file.
Named it PG05img.zip and checked the MD5
When I go into HBOOT it asks" "do you want to start update"

It seems that the update through verizon was pushed to my phone, but obviously I havent installed it since id rather just stay with my current Das Bamf 1.6 remix. Therefore I said no to the update. Did the new radio get flashed? when I checked in settings/about phone/software information it says baseband version 1.16.00.0223r... isnt that the old radio?

Im not sure how to proceed. I would really like to flash the ned CDMA radio with the old LTE.

How do I do this?

 

[zero neck]

I have a few questions

I tried to download and fash the new CDMA radio with the old LTE like you mentioned.

I downloaded that specific radio file.
Named it PG05img.zip and checked the MD5
When I go into HBOOT it asks me if I want to go ahead with the "update"

It seems that the update through verizon was pushed to my phone, but obviously I havent installed it since id rather just stay with my current Das Bamf 1.6 remix. Therefore I said no to the update. Did the new radio get flashed? when I checked in settings/about phone/software information it says baseband version 1.16.00.0223r... isnt that the old radio?

Im not sure how to proceed. I would really like to flash the ned CDMA radio with the old LTE.

How do I do this?

No that is how you flash a file in hboot - you name it pg05img.zip and place on root of sd card, and it will be detected, and you will be prompted to install. You just need to press volume up to accept, wait while it installs the file, reboot, then delete or rename the pg05img.zip file so it doesnt come up every time you go to bootloader screen.

also If you are running a custom rom you won't get ota updates from verizon.

 

[milwaukee613]

So by accepting the "update" will it be accepting the new radio stuff that was sent to my phone? or will it just flash the new radio I put on there?

 

[zero neck]

So by accepting the "update" will it be accepting the new radio stuff that was sent to my phone? or will it just flash the new radio I put on there?

I dont think anything was sent to your phone.
(What it's asking you to install is the radio file you named PG05IMG.zip)

 

[milwaukee613]

You were right. My bad.
By hitting the up button I successfully got the radio to work.
Sorry for the confusion.
Now it reads: 1.16.000402w_1

Thanks for the help man. I am already getting better reception. Ill make sure to clear my battery stats.

 

[zero neck]

It's all good, glad its working out

 

[milwaukee613]

hey so this question probably should be asked in a different thread, but you guys on this thread seem to really know whats going on and have been so helpful so I mind as well ask it here.

But, I have das bamf 1.6.3 remix installed, and with the help of zero neck i installed the new cdma radio with the old lte.
But i just noticed that since i have updated the radio (I dont think the radio is the probem) some of my widgets have not been responsive and dont work. for example, my weather channel (large) widget is unavailable. what the deal with that?

Normally I have my apps saved to my sdcard, but when they are saved to my phone memory I dont get this problem. Has anyone dealt with this problem?
Does saving an app to my sdcard mess it up in some way? and having the app saved to my phone memory make it run better?

 

[zero neck]

hey so this question probably should be asked in a different thread, but you guys on this thread seem to really know whats going on and have been so helpful so I mind as well ask it here.

But, I have das bamf 1.6.3 remix installed, and with the help of zero neck i installed the new cdma radio with the old lte.
But i just noticed that since i have updated the radio (I dont think the radio is the probem) some of my widgets have not been responsive and dont work. for example, my weather channel (large) widget is unavailable. what the deal with that?

Normally I have my apps saved to my sdcard, but when they are saved to my phone memory I dont get this problem. Has anyone dealt with this problem?
Does saving an app to my sdcard mess it up in some way? and having the app saved to my phone memory make it run better?

Moving apps to sd might make them less snappy, but shoulsnt cause what you've mentioned. I would try uninstalling the app and reinstalling, and if that doesnt work clear app cache in settings applications then fix permissions in rom manager.

 

[milwaukee613]

ok.. ill try that... hopefully that will work

 

[NotJustAPhone]

hey so this question probably should be asked in a different thread, but you guys on this thread seem to really know whats going on and have been so helpful so I mind as well ask it here.

But, I have das bamf 1.6.3 remix installed, and with the help of zero neck i installed the new cdma radio with the old lte.
But i just noticed that since i have updated the radio (I dont think the radio is the probem) some of my widgets have not been responsive and dont work. for example, my weather channel (large) widget is unavailable. what the deal with that?

Normally I have my apps saved to my sdcard, but when they are saved to my phone memory I dont get this problem. Has anyone dealt with this problem?
Does saving an app to my sdcard mess it up in some way? and having the app saved to my phone memory make it run better?

I've encountered this problem with certain apps too. My guess is that it has something to do with the SD card not being immediately available when you start the phone (you may have noticed an icon in the notification bar about the system mounting the SD card), and by the time the card mounts, your phone had already tried to load the apps and failed since the apps were not yet available.

I had problems with my WeatherBug widget and a third-party keyboard when I moved them to my SD card, but they both worked fine after I moved them back to the phone.


Sent using Tapatalk

 

[milwaukee613]

I think your right. Once I have moved them to my phone they aren't getting goofy when I reboot.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I'm pretty sure its a known issue and its always recommended to not store apps on the SD card if you're gonna use home screen Widgets with them.