Reverting Back From A12 to A06 ROM

[Skier7667]

I'm going to upgrade to the new A12 ROM. I know one should back up files. However, if for some reason I wanted to revert back to the A06 ROM:

1) Is it posible?

2) What would need to be done in order to accomplish this?

Thanks,

Roger

[sbddude]

Why would you want to do this? I believe it's possible with the SD card method, but having upgraded myself, I don't know why you would want to.

[chewbacca]

In case you really really need to, here's the link. http://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R114959.EXE (this is for the x51v)

[Skier7667]

Yes in reading the threads it appears the new A12 is quite stable out of the box. However just in case I was wondering if it was possible to go back to what was functional. :)

chewbacca , the utility exe file that you listed which downloads - R129272 - upgrades from a previous version to A06 as I understand. However it allows you to go backwards or will A12 prevent you from doing so?

What is the SD Card method that sbddude is referring to?

[rlarson_mn]

In case you really really need to, here's the link. http://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R114959.EXE (this is for the x51v)

In case this link does not stay or the file download option is removed I have a copy of the A06 ROM upgrade file I will send to any one that contacts me. As to will A12 give you the option of going back I would guess it would. I seem to recall some one on this site reporting they went fromA06 back to A04 but I could be wrong.

[dx51v]

I tried, it does not allow you downgrade ROM version.

[sbddude]

What is the SD Card method that sbddude is referring to?

It's in the very first Sticky.

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=112012

[Skier7667]

Well all I can say is WOW! I see that thread caused many posts and the procedure is simple to accomplish, but the prep might not be as easy, but do able. I hope that it won't be necessary once I flash mine to A12 to have any reason to revert. From the looks of those that have migrated to A12 most have had no problems as long as they followed directions to the letter.

Hopefully this thread will let others know of the process if they end up with a "brick" or for some unknown reason need to revert back to A06. Since A06 and A12 are both in the WM5 family, I imagine it is not as challenging as those that had to flash from WM5 back to WM2003 because the Boot loader is different.

I was hoping it would be as easy as reloading the - R129272 - program that Dell has on their site and flashing again, but it appears that going back in that manner won't happen.

They still have that program in their FTP site, however one doesn't know for how long since it might cause problems for some that might try to use it and then fail. Just in case I have downloaded that file.

I imagine that it has the necessary boot loader file already, Windows Mobile 5 OS Image and the corresponding CRC File to be copied to the SD card as is. However, some tinkering has to be done prior to flashing and that is the "tricky part".

There is so much talent and knowledge among the individuals here at Aximsite - really makes you feel quite comfy. :)

[Gigi]

Everytime you do a ROM upgrade, the upgrade process should include the option to backup your current ROM. Just make sure you actually do this step to ensure you will have the option to downgrade if necessary.

[Skier7667]

Hi Gigi,

That is great to hear. I didn't see anyone discussing that part of the updating from A06 to A12 on the threads. So having to do an SD flash is not necessary to revert back. :)

I know that the PIM and data files should be backed up as a matter of normal procedure prior to doing anything like this, but I didn't know that the old version of the ROM (in this case A06), whatever it might be was part of the procedure.:approve:

[Gigi]

Before you start the upgrade, you might want to post in one of the upgrade threads just to make sure (I don't have an X51v), but that is normal procedure.

[Skier7667]

Well I read yesterday all 28 pages on the thread discussing upgrading to A12, but I didn't see anything about that mentioned. I do happen to have an X51v with A06. It appears that a few that had a problem, ended up contacting Dell and a new one was going to be sent to them because their's was non-operational after trying to update. I would have thought they would have been able to go back to their existing ROM. I don't know from what version they were updating from. I believe some are updating from WM2003, maybe that was the problem - different versions of WM.

[NevSA]

Everytime you do a ROM upgrade, the upgrade process should include the option to backup your current ROM. Just make sure you actually do this step to ensure you will have the option to downgrade if necessary.

When I upgraded to A12 I can't recall any stage where it gave the option to back up the current ROM... but since it can be downloaded again, I guess it's not really that necessary .. ?

[Skier7667]

When I upgraded to A12 I can't recall any stage where it gave the option to back up the current ROM... but since it can be downloaded again, I guess it's not really that necessary .. ?

Yes, it can be downloaded, but it appears from other posts in this thread that re-installing or running the A06 ROM will not revert it back to A06. Once you go to A12, you cannot easily go back unless you follow the SD Flash procedure, which is not exactly a 1-2-3 thing.

I didn't think there was an option to backup files so you can revert. I know it probably gives you the option to backup all your data files which is normal procedure. There was also a post from someone in the other very active thread that Dell was in the process of releasing another ROM update next week and the individual was advised to not install the A12 yet. According to him this evolved from a conversation he was having with the Dell rep assisting him in updating from A06 to A12.