Radio confusion

[nomadthunderbolt]

I'm sorry if this is repetetive, but I can't seem to decipher an answer from searching the forums.

I have rooted my phone, I have also downloaded and flashed an updated radio. I am not sure which one and not sure how to find out which it is on the phone. I have not yet upgraded to MR2.5. My question is this, if I go to MR2.5, can I still use Froyo ROMs or do I have to stick with ginger builds?

I also know there are certain radios that go with certain ROMs. I am running lightning 3.3 with the radion I flashed from bolt of photons without a problem.

I read that you can't go backwards on radio's or I will brick my phone. I also read where someone said to try MR2.0 and MR2.5 for a few days and see which is better. If I load MR2.5, can I load a MR2.0?

It's all kind of confusing so I am going slow, but at the same time it's fun. I had flashed a ROM with the blue liquid that had a ring you pull up on to unlock and the screens came spinning at me. I really liked it, but the radio didn't work. That's when I flashed a different radio and had problems........

Thanks folks, everyone here has been great.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

The radios ARE very confusing!

First there are the 2 radios compatible with the first two FROYO releases (the original build and "MR1", a.k.a. the first OTA update)
Those can be found here: [RADIO] The Obligatory Thunderbolt Radio Thread - xda-developers
These radios only work with FROYO Roms, pre-MR2

Then, there are the radios that were leaked with Gingerbread or Froyo MR2 "candidates", however neither ever actually saw the light of day. These radios work with any FROYO Roms based off the MR2 build, and most GINGERBREAD Roms as well (unless otherwise specified). These were commonly refered to as "MR2" and MR2.5" radios.
They can be found here: [RADIOS]MR2 and MR2.5 radios - xda-developers
Again, these radios were never "official"

Finally, there's the new MR2 radio...the REAL MR2 radio, that was realeased with MR2, (a.k.a. the most recent OTA update). Works with the same ROMs as the radios above do, but is newer (and may or may not be improved).
It can be found here: [RADIO] Official OTA MR2 Radio 1.39.00.0627r [7/8/2011] - xda-developers

As it is the most common Thunderbolt ROM, for frame of reference, the BAMF roms run on:

1.4 - 1.8 (FROYO) Original Froyo radios
1.8.6 (FROYO) MR2 Radios
2.x (GB) MR2 Radios
3.x (GB w/ Sense 3.0) MR2 Radios

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Also, most ROMs will, on the information page, state whether or not they require the "MR2 Radio" or not.

As a rule of thumb, most recently built ROMs run off of the MR2, and most older ROMs run the older, original froyo radios. If you use the wrong radio, you will find you get no data signal.

 

[nomadthunderbolt]

Also, most ROMs will, on the information page, state whether or not they require the "MR2 Radio" or not.

As a rule of thumb, most recently built ROMs run off of the MR2, and most older ROMs run the older, original froyo radios. If you use the wrong radio, you will find you get no data signal.

Thanks for the reply. What about going backward? Can you flash from a MR2.5 to a MR2 or MR1?

 

[PJnc284]

Beginning with the leaked MR2, the roms use a different RIL so an updated radio is required. The MR2.x radios use this new ril and the radios are compatible with any MR2.x rom and any rom based on the Gingerbread leak. There are also special version of CM7 that works with the MR2.x radios. Pre-MR2 roms aren't compatible with any MR2.x radios and MR2.x roms aren't compatible with pre-MR2 radios. When switching from a post-MR2 to pre-MR2 rom or vice versa, you'll need to also flash a compatible radio or you won't have a network connection. yeah that was a mouthful

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Thanks for the reply. What about going backward? Can you flash from a MR2.5 to a MR2 or MR1?

Short answer: yes.