Direct Boot Gingerbread on the HD2

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HTC HD2 running Android Gingerbread

Since the release of a direct-boot utility for the HD2 there has been a flurry of activity on the XDA forums to get Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) working on the HTC HD2 smartphone. I recently switched from dual-booting Android and WinMo to a Gingerbread direct boot method and am pleased with the improvement in boot speed and battery life. But as with the dual-boot method, there are still a few hiccups here and there. Read on to learn how to replace WinMo with a Nandroid version of Android Gingerbread on the HTC HD2.

Forget Gingerbread! Learn how to run Ice Cream Sandwich on the HD2.

Install Hard SPL (HSPL). HSPL3 is a custom bootloader available for download on XDA. HSPL is required to update the radio and flash custom ROMs to the phone. It is safe to install and can be uninstalled by rerunning the program setup file.

Next update to a new radio. Radios and installation instructions can be found on the forums at XDA. Be sure to use a compatible version. See my current set-up for what I’m using.

After the radio is updated install MAGLDR bootloader. MAGLDR serves as a second bootloader, which runs after HSPL, and can be used to Flash Nandroid ROMs to the HD2 or even play a game of Tetris. Download MAGLDR from the forums at XDA or start Googling.

To install Gingerbread on the HD2 first download any of the recent Gingerbread Nandroid ROMs from the HD2 Android NAND Development forum to a PC and extract it. Then perform a soft reset while holding down the power off button until the MAGLDR boot menu appears. Select the “USB Flasher” option and connect the HD2 to a PC using a USB cable. Once the USB connection is established run the Android installer EXE file that came with the NAND ROM to complete the installation. Alternatively, you can install a ROM straight from a zip file using CWM Recovery.

Since upgrading to Gingerbread and Nandroid the biggest advantages I’ve noticed over dual-booting form the SD card have been:

  • Faster boot time;
  • Improved battery life; and
  • Easier setup and maintenance.

If things seem buggy, try out a different NAND ROM from the XDA forums. Different builds will have different features working so plan to spend some time trying out different ROMs to find the best one. To get set-up more quickly on a new Android installation check out my advice on Managing Passwords on Android. Not sure which to install? Try copying my current set-up to get started.

Current set-up (last updated 09-Nov-11):

Device: TMOUS HTC HD2
HSPL: CotullaHSPL3 (SPL-2.08-HSPL)
Radio: 2.15.50.14
Boot Loader: MAGLDR v1.13
Android ROM: NexusHD2-Gingerbread_V3.2a_NAND_(Android-2.3.7)

It’s highly unlikely that another cell phone will be released that has the same amount of modification possibilities as the HD2. It may be worth picking up one of the best cell phone covers available to protect the device for as long as possible.

  • Messy

    Hello really great explanation. This enabled me to get going but now I’m having a problem. I had to download an earlier version of ROM to get the HSPL 3 onto my phone. I can’t get MAGLDR v 1.11. I just tried 1.10 which before wouldn’t load and now has, but now it gets stuck in the HTC screen, hence I do need 1.11.

    The earlier ROM version had an earlier radio version of the other problem I was having was it wouldn’t let me Flash the later radio version is, like your own, which I downloaded onto my PC

    so really need MAGLAR before I can continue. Then also need to find a way to get and later radio version on my phone

  • Messy2day

    Ok update

    Found MAGLDR 1.12 downloaded it and the same problem of freezing on HTC screen leaving me to flash the older HTC rom. I can put HSPL 3 on my phone but it wont let me update the radio!?

    So Can’t see how to go forward

  • Messy2day

    ps

    when I try and flash the radio it attempts and then states

    “The Updated Utility can not open the requested file. Please check the Update utility”

    This is for teh same version of radio as yours

  • Messy2day

    ok

    read intrusction properly extrated to separate file and remaned file. So have new radio version!

  • Messy2day

    So the probelm now is I have both MAGLDR .10.& .12, neither load and freeze the phone, so I can’t then load the NAND, argh!

  • Messy2day

    Found magldr that has installed??!!!

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Flashing to an earlier WinMo ROM sounds like a problem I ran into when I first started tweaking the phone too. Which ROM did you end up having to downgrade to in order to flash HSPL3?

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Flashing to an earlier WinMo ROM sounds like a problem I ran into when I first started tweaking the phone too. Which ROM did you end up having to downgrade to in order to flash HSPL3?

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    You may need to flash an older stock rom to be able to install HSPL. If you’re having problems finding one contact your mobile carrier. Once HSPL is installed you shouldn’t have any problems completing these instructions. Good luck!

  • Maxamas64

    I was following this guide and got stuck at the MAGDLR step. it is on my device, and boots in MAGDLR, I have also installed the ROM, but can find no installer or anyway to get it on my phone. any advice?

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    If you’re saying you have MAGLDR installed and the rom downloaded, you’ll need to follow the instructions provided by the rom chef, probably found somewhere on the HD2 NAND forum on XDA. The MDJ rom I’m using right now includes a DFT installer that flashes the phone from the MAGLDR USB Flasher. Some of the nightlies may not include installers. YMMV.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YVA4WHARPD773S25J2KGCKVPOQ Iman

    Hi is it still possible to dual boot Android 2.3 and windows? OR booting Windows from within Andriod 2.3?

    As I still use Windows due to iGO Primo and its far superior Voice Command whilst Driving. Thanks.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    I have instructions to dual boot WinMo and Android, though there are some newer methods available that include booting into WM7. Check out the XDA forums for more info.

  • Kdaffef

    Hello,
    I have purshased one T-mobile HD 2 from China buyer with android 2.2.1.

    Could I install another cooked rom or android 2.3 ? and how if yes ?

    Thank you.

  • Samsoramo

    Hi, i really appreciate this page so much but i can not do it and download HD2 android NAND Development. how to download and if possible please upload movie how to setup it to this page or send to me by email: samsoramo@gmail.com

  • Samsoramo

    Hi, i really appreciate this page so much but i can not do it and download HD2 android NAND Development. how to download and if possible please upload movie how to setup it to this page or send to me by email: samsoramo@gmail.com

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Check out YouTube for videos. There is a learning curve so it might take a
    little time to get the hang of it. Good luck!

  • Gabface

    My boyfriend helped me do all this, but now my internet does not connect unless I’m in a wifi area. How is the easiest way to set it back up without calling T-Mobile?

  • John

    you can’t use MAGLDR for htc T8585, which has 448mb ram only the htc hd2 with 576mb or 1024mb RAM.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    You probably need to update the APN settings, as discussed in the comments on my HD2 dual-boot method.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Could you provide the approximate purchase date and location of your HD2? The T-Mobile version in the US has no problems running Gingerbread.

  • Anonymous

    Josh….I just picked up an HD2 w/Android 2.3 off Craigs List. Did not
    know that until I plugged it in.The battery is draining so badly, that
    it needs recharge after only 7-8 calls! I also fried the battery and
    had to replace it. I just want to get it to run normally so I can trade
    it up to an iPhone as I only know Mac. I’m a novice smart phone user
    too. What can I do? Please Help!! It’s driving me crazy!

    BARRY

    barryadler@verizon.net

  • Anonymous

    Josh….I just picked up an HD2 w/Android 2.3 off Craigs List. Did not
    know that until I plugged it in.The battery is draining so badly, that
    it needs recharge after only 7-8 calls! I also fried the battery and
    had to replace it. I just want to get it to run normally so I can trade
    it up to an iPhone as I only know Mac. I’m a novice smart phone user
    too. What can I do? Please Help!! It’s driving me crazy!

    BARRY

    barryadler@verizon.net

  • Anonymous

     hey josh im very new to mods and i just bought a hd2 with cm7 typhoon running android 2.3.3 and i wanted to know how i can solve this rebooting issue it goes from the home page to where the blue android guy is with the circle thing going around him and it seems to do this when the battery got low or when i turned the wifi on can you help me and second is there anything im suppose to be doing daily to it like updating stuff or just use it like my cliq not having to download ive seen people talking about flashing stuff sorry if i seem like a idiot but im new to this seeing ive always had just straightup android phones with no mods please get back to me my email is jmartin1215@yahoo.com

  • ed g

     Hey i’m having a problem i’ve downloaded the [DAF] BOYPPC-SHIFTPDA_GINGER 2.3.4-Sense.S V21 (14.May) and i try to install it using magldr usb flasher but i get an error when i try to launch the daf.exe

    An error has occurredRead below for more informationError Description: Config load failed.Info: .RSPLRSPL.cpp (725)Error Description: CONFIG: file not existInfo: .RSPLRSPL.cpp (359)

    any ideas ??

    kind regards, ed

  • ed g

     Hey i’m having a problem i’ve downloaded the [DAF] BOYPPC-SHIFTPDA_GINGER 2.3.4-Sense.S V21 (14.May) and i try to install it using magldr usb flasher but i get an error when i try to launch the daf.exe

    An error has occurredRead below for more informationError Description: Config load failed.Info: .RSPLRSPL.cpp (725)Error Description: CONFIG: file not existInfo: .RSPLRSPL.cpp (359)

    any ideas ??

    kind regards, ed

  • Anonymous

    it is important to know the rom you flash your phone with. there are different versions out there. if you flash american version phone with europe rom, you will brick your phone. I just bricked mine

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    I believe you are referring to radio ROMs. The install docs on XDA indicate
    compatibility. Try flashing your bootloader to see if you can wiggle your
    way back to something compatible. Good luck!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520856002 Sixx Songstress

    Hi. In following the instructions above, as well as the ones on the forums you linked to, I seem to have somehow omitted a step. I’m supposing that, at some point, I was supposed to download NexusHD2-Gingerbread_V2.7_NAND_(Android-2.3.4)_update.zip ONTO the SD card itself. Instead, it’s on my PC. (Oops?) The problem is that I’m stuck at the black screen, the bootloader and I have no way to get it onto the SD card b/c I don’t have an OS.

    I’m on #3 of the Installation Guide for MAGLDR 1.13, which is where I would “flash” Android from my SD card (if I understand right) to the phone. I can access MAGLDR and Clockwork, but I don’t have ActiveSync etc. b/c my OS is now gone and NAND/Android isn’t on the SD card. I also can no longer put it there w/o an OS installed.

    What do I do now, please? My phone isn’t usable. :( Thank you.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520856002 Sixx Songstress

    Never you mind … I did it; I did it! Feeling a bit frantic, I found the way to reinstall the stock rom (WinMo 6.5) by using the ROM upgrade utility from the T-Mobile site. Once I did that, I connected to PC using ActiveSync and copied NexusHD2-Gingerbread_V2.7_NAND_(Android-2.3.4)_update.zip ONTO the SD card this time. ;) I then re-followed all of your and the forum’s instructions … and was able to complete the last step: Flashing Android to my HD2!

    Thanks so very much for the summary tutorial and links – very helpful. I’m setting up the phone now. :~)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520856002 Sixx Songstress

    Never you mind … I did it; I did it! Feeling a bit frantic, I found the way to reinstall the stock rom (WinMo 6.5) by using the ROM upgrade utility from the T-Mobile site. Once I did that, I connected to PC using ActiveSync and copied NexusHD2-Gingerbread_V2.7_NAND_(Android-2.3.4)_update.zip ONTO the SD card this time. ;) I then re-followed all of your and the forum’s instructions … and was able to complete the last step: Flashing Android to my HD2!

    Thanks so very much for the summary tutorial and links – very helpful. I’m setting up the phone now. :~)

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Install using DFT installer from PC (supported by some builds not others) or
    find another way to move the ZIP to the card.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Try again or post you’re question on the boards at XDA.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CRNJT6VJA3AHGMXSFJTCOE2QFU Anthony

    I am trying to install [03.Aug.2011][MAG/cLK] NexusHD2-Gingerbread V2.9 (GRJ90 / Android 2.3.5) [tytung_r10] but there is no install.exe file to install rom. Please Help

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Check the installation instructions on the related post on XDA. If you’re not able to follow them then try searching/posting your question on HD2 Android Q&A and General.

  • Bey Gonzalez

    i get to the point that it says is installing linux but every time it comes up with windows. can any one tell how to get the phone to come up with droid?

  • Bey Gonzalez

    i get to the point that it says is installing linux but every time it comes up with windows. can any one tell how to get the phone to come up with droid?

  • Bey Gonzalez

    i start the ginger bread process in the phone, and it looks like is loading linux but in comes on as windows, any ideas?

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Direct booting requires that you flash MAGLDR to your phone, replacing Windows entirely (a reversible change). If you end up at Windows but you’re expecting Android check your MAGLDR installation.

  • Anonymous

    I was able to follow your instruction. But the wifi doesn’t work (it says: wifi error). Can you show me how to fix it? Also, since I thought the wifi work after Android gingerbread installation on my HTC HD2, I surf the web and later on that day, I got a message from T-mobile (my carrrier) that I got a charge of $10 for data plan for my usage. I had to go to setting, uncheck “Data Enabled” in “Mobile network settings” (it was checked by default). Just a story I wanna share with everyone here.

  • Anonymous

    I was able to follow your instruction. But the wifi doesn’t work (it says: wifi error). Can you show me how to fix it? Also, since I thought the wifi work after Android gingerbread installation on my HTC HD2, I surf the web and later on that day, I got a message from T-mobile (my carrrier) that I got a charge of $10 for data plan for my usage. I had to go to setting, uncheck “Data Enabled” in “Mobile network settings” (it was checked by default). Just a story I wanna share with everyone here.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    If your having problems with Wi-Fi try looking for help on XDA. As for your data charge, you may want to consider purchasing a data plan with your carrier, usually a requirement for most smartphone users these days.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks, Josh.

  • Anonymous

    heey good explanation but i am having some problems the rom first did perfect, but now he freezes (i think) at the startup screen(the first screen after magdlr says 123456 gogogo). I see the first start of the rom and there it gets stuck. now i`ve tried an other rom but thereby the same problem but now immediatly. 

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Please reinstall the NAND ROM. If installing from zip file on SD card consider first backing up and reformatting the card, which may cause bad ROM installations.

  • Anonymous

    hi Josh!
    I just reinstalled the NAND ROM. At first he started up and android started up as normal but once i rebooted the phone he gets stuck again just after 123456 gogogo! showing  HTC in big green letters. It stays on that screen and won`t move on.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Which rom are you trying to install?

  • Anonymous

    i first hada cyonogenmod but on christmass eve he stopped working with the same problems i have now. Then i tried a energie rom based on the sensation xl, didn`t worked either, had the same problem, stuck at the first start screen. Now i tried yours, the nexus hd2 gingerbread and he did it but wen i rebooted the device he stopped again at the first htc screen, even after reinstalling/reflashing.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    I’ve had a similar experience and it seems to be related to how “clean” the install was. If you haven’t done the reformatting the SD card thing, you could give that a try. Also, rebooting the phone right after any ROM is first installed can help. You should also check the partition size being used and verify it suits the ROM (a concern as you move to Ice Cream Sandwich). I’m still using the ROM listed with great success, so don’t give up! Let us hear how it goes.

  • Anonymous

    hii Josh,
    I finally got the rom listed successfully installed, but I`m a bit scared of rebooting the phone cause after the first tries he stopped working after rebooting. For now he works great no issues at all, but i haven`t rebooted the phone for like 4 days already so I`m about to give that a try too, so I`ll let you hear how it went.
    Thank you for the support and advices