[Tutorial] How to flash a Lumia device
Various preparations
Various preparations
REQUIREMENT
For accomplish this tutorial, it is indispensable that you get different prerequisites. Thus, all that you will need is mentioned below:
- Download the LumiaFlashTools.zip archive. You can access at the informations (such as its size or its MD5 hash) of this file via this Internet link.
- The ROMs are identified by an information called product code. You must determine the ROM that you want to flash. To do so, it is imperative to read the annex post dedicated.
You must decompress the LumiaFlashTools.zip archive that was previously downloaded. Once this decompression performed, you will have access at the LumiaFlashTools folder containing:
- the Driver subfolder;
- the NaviFirm+ subfolder;
- the Readme.txt file text;
- the WPID subfolder.
For that your PC detects your Lumia device, it is necessary to install what is called a driver. This is indispensable for that your PC and your Lumia device can communicate and interact together (interoperability).
- The driver that we will install, required so that your PC detects your Lumia
device, being non-digitally signed, you must performed an manipulation
that aims to temporarily disable driver signature enforcement. To do so:
- if your PC is equipped of Windows 7, follow this tutorial;
- otherwise, if your PC is equipped of Windows 8 and higher, follow this tutorial.
- Once that the disable driver signature enforcement is performed, you must access to the ..\LumiaFlashTools\Driver directory and execute the Install.bat batch file (1).
- The window Device Driver Installation Wizard appears. Click on the Next button (2). The Installation of the driver begins. If a window Windows Security appears showing the Windows can't verify the publisher of this driver software message, click so on the Install this driver software anyway button (3).
- The installation of the driver ends. Thus, an message tells you that it is ready to use (4). Click then on the Finish button (5).
- This part of this tutorial being finished, you can henceforth follow the third part written below.
Download of the ROM
[Tutorial] How to flash an Lumia device
Download of the ROM
Download of the ROM
Utilization of the NaviFirm+ software
The ROMs are available on the servers belonging at Microsoft, under form of FFU file, you can download them in different ways. The NaviFirm+ software is particularly used to access these servers. In its free version, this software allows download only the latest version of the ROM on servers, this in according to an input information called product code.
- Access to the ..\Lumia Flash_Tool\NaviFirm+ directory and execute the NaviFirmPlus.exe program (1).
- The NaviFirm Plus window appears and also an superimposed window Account Setup. As for this tutorial a free account is more than enough, simply click on the Cancel button if you don't have a paid account (2).
- Enter the product code that you have chose in the intended zone for this effect, then press the Enter key on your keyboard (3). Click on the Unmark All button (4), and select only the FFU file identifiable by his *.ffu extension (5).
- Click on the Download button (6).
- Thus, the FFU file that you have select is progressively downloaded.
- Wait the complete end of the download, thus the FFU
file should be totally in green color. If it was not correctly
downloaded, it will red color, then repeat the download.
- This part of this tutorial being finished, you can henceforth follow the fourth part written below.
Installation of the ROM
How to flash an Lumia device
Installation of the ROM
Installation of the ROM
Booting your Lumia device
To continue this tutorial, it is necessary to boot your Lumia device in the Microsoft FFU Download Mode. To do so, follow the five steps mentioned below:
- Turn off your Lumia device.
- Press and hold the power button to start your Lumia device.
- When your Lumia device starts, it displays the Microsoft or Nokia logo. At this instant, release the power button, then press and hold the volume up (+) button. This step should be done quickly.
- After a few seconds, an image composed of a white lightning and a white gear wheel appear on the screen of your Lumia device. At this instant, release the volume up (+) button.
- Connect your Lumia device at your PC, this one should simply detect it.
The most important part of this tutorial will begin, but it is also the most critical. You go use the Windows Phone Image Designer software for flash your Lumia device.
- Execute the "Start.bat" batch file located:
- in the "..\Lumia_Flash_Tools\WPID\x86" directory if your PC is equipped of an Windows with an x86/32-bit architecture (1);
- in the "..\Lumia_Flash_Tools\WPID\x64" directory if your PC is equipped of an Windows with an x64/64-bit architecture (1);
- in the "..\Lumia_Flash_Tools\WPID\x86" directory if your PC is equipped of an Windows with an x86/32-bit architecture (1);
- The "Windows Phone Image Designer" window appears and also two batch windows (don't close it, otherwise it will result in also close the software). Select the "Flash a Windows Phone image onto your phone" option (2), and click on the "Next" button (3).
- As you have connected your Lumia device in Microsoft FFU Download Mode at your PC, the software should detect it as "x.MSMx.x.x.x" where the different "x" are variable in according on the connected Lumia device (4). If your Lumia device hasn't been automatically detected by the software, you can click on the refresh button (5). Then click on the "Change" button (6).
- The superimposed windows "Open" appears. Since this window, access to the "..\Lumia_Flash_Tools\NaviFirm+\Fw\059xxxx" directory (where the different "x" are variable in according on the downloaded ROM). Select then the FFU file that you previously downloaded (7), and click on the "Open" button (8).
- Click on the "Flash" button (9). The software then proceeds at flash, in your Lumia device, of the ROM that you previously selected.
- A few minutes later, the installation process
terminates. The software indicates then that the ROM you selected has
been installed in your Lumia device.
- Your Lumia device should restart automatically, integrating then the ROM that you just flash him. You can then disconnect him from your PC.
Explanations Lumia devices product type, product code, ROM, updates, etc
[Tutorial] How to flash an Lumia device
[This post will be updated soon]
Explanations Lumia devices product type, product code, ROM, updates, etc
[This post will be updated soon]
Explanations Lumia devices product type, product code, ROM, updates, etc
Introducing
The Product Type and Product Code are used to identify the origin of the Nokia devices ROM (in our case, the Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8). They are also used for downloading the Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 ROM in using [Tutorial] Unbrand (flash) Lumia devices. At the end of this thread, you'll know why there is a differences between each ROM when deploying updates (OTA and FOTA) of Microsoft and of OEMs (manufacturers). Also, You'll know what is a Product Type and Product Code of Nokia, how to differentiate/recognize, what they are and how to flash. And a list of Product Type and Product Code is available a bit lower.
The product type
He composed, himself, under the form RM-xxx (where xxx is only three digits, eg RM-821 is one of the Product Type of the Nokia Lumia 920). Each Product Type corresponds to different physical features (hardware) such as networks frequency, which are different for different regions of the world (divided into several large parts). The Product Type can be "virtually" changed / flashed, but only in specific cases (same device, unlocked bootloader (maybe?), etc). This would imply, necessarily, of change/flash also Product Code because it is defined by the Product Type. However, this was not very useful because some capabilities are lost due to hardware and/or software. A list of Product Type and Product Code is available here a little further down.
The product code
He composed, himself, under the form 059xxxx (where xxxx is usually an alphanumeric combination, eg 059Q8C2 is a Product Code of Nokia Lumia 920 RM-821). Each Product Code indicates origin and corresponds to a particular and specific region of the world: a country, a mobile operator, etc. The Product Code can be "virtually" changed/flashed with far fewer restrictions than Product Type (see below).
The "description"
Undoubtedly the part of this thread, the most longest to explain. A "description" is increment at the Product Code and at the Product Type. This gives: Product Code + Product Type + Description. Note that there is not a "+" normally, it is just for example. It is the combination of these three products that shape completely and truly a Product Code. The description is very important because without, it we would not know corresponds what this such or such Product Code, which would be a pity, of course.
But, what this description is composed? Well, it is actually composed of some variable information (series of words, most of which are initials) we indicating the source of the ROM (because yes, at Nokia, Product Code = ROM). Some information is easy to guess/find, others a little less, it's like that (myself, I do not know them all).
- Example
of a Complete Product Code (059V276 RM-937 VAR EURO FR CV BLACK) under
infographic form (click on the images to enlarge):
So, we can see that this Product Code is principally a variant for the RM-937 (Nokia Lumia 1520) black color, unbranded/naked, located in Europe and specifically in France.
- Another example of a complete Product Code
(059S559 RM-915 VAR APAC AU TELSTRA SL) under infographic form (click on
the images to enlarge):
So, we can see that this Product Code is principally a variant for the RM-915 (Nokia Lumia 520), SIM Locked and branded on the Telstra mobile operator, located in Asia-Pacific and specifically in Australia.
Branded, unbranded, you have said a difference?
And a big difference! Mobile operators love to create firmware to integrate in the ROM. Generally, they are useless and poorly built for at final weigh down the whole system, hoping that you will use their sometimes questionable application. Moreover, most users seek to remove this embarrassing firmware.
At best, under Windows Phone, they will make an accent color in more (typically the color of their logo) but they do not all do. In parallel, they incorporate a lot of little unnecessary parameters. No need to mention the fact that some mobile operators (I would not give names, but they are very recognizable) remove some features. Also, the updates are strictly deployed by the mobile operator itself: hence their deployment takes forever. Branded, is the term given to this very common practice for most mobile operators.
But good news: we can unbranded our terminals, that is to say, make the device "naked". It turns out that this term is the exact opposite branded practice. No firmware operator, in the case of Windows Phone, it is 100% clean of Microsoft and of OEM. Moreover, the VVM (Visual VoiceMail) are integrated if available for the country/operator. For updates, it is directly OEMs who give the green light to Microsoft. You'll probably including: totally prefer unbranded/naked Product Code!
Availability of FOTA/OTA updates
If you do not know, the availability of updates OTA (Over The Air) and FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) is directly influenced by the ROM integrated at your device Windows Phone 8. The cause? A registry key whose value differs from the ROM to another, depending on the country (unbranded/naked) and/or mobile operator (branded).
Indeed, if you are, for example for Nokia Lumia, in a Hong Kong Product Code while you wait for the deployment of updates to France, you may, I fear, long wait. Another example: if you are under a branded Product Code Orange France, deployment updates shalt be slower and you may, again, wait long, in conversely that if you were under the French unbranded/naked Product Code.
This is valid for all Windows Phone as well as WP7.x and WP8.x (that this whether HTC, Huawei, Nokia, Samsung, etc ...).
But then, what product code/ROM is better for me?
Good question. Well it depends on a couple of things... I urge you to flash a Product Code that corresponds above all to your device, your country and is unbranded/naked. Even if I repeat, never take a branded Product Code, it is a golden rule and everyone will tell you (if unbranded/naked is available for you)! Third thing that enters into account, although this is irrelevant if you are mistaken: the color of your Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8.
To help choose the correct Product Code, I created a listing of most of the Product Code Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8, available here a little further down.
The hardware product code
As you know, we can change/flasher of Product Code (to the extent possible and of the device type). However, this does not mean that the Hardware Product Code (Product Original Code, generally inscribed physically on/in the drawer of the SIM card or on/in one MicroSD card) will be changed. Clearly, the Hardware Product Code will not change, whatever you do! That said, it has no impact on the flashed Product Code: in fact, in it is just there to remember "who he is, what is her name" and be able to easily re-flash if necessary. I would not speak of Hardware Product Type, but know that the principle remains the same.
What are ways to flash a product code/ROM?
There are a lot of ways, diverse and varied, to change/flash a Product Code, som less official than others. That is why I would treat two means provided by Nokia itself:
- Nokia Care Suite, the with lots of features, can do a lot of manipulation. You can, download any Product Code (by entering the correct settings), read the IMEI, re-flash the Hardware Product Code, flashed (change/unbranded) any Product Code (to the extent possible and types), debriked/repaired, perform hardware tests, generate error reports, and much more.
- Nokia Software Recovery Tool, allows download, flash and debricked/repaired the only Hardware Product Code. But, its UI (User Interface) is very simplistic.
List of Lumia devices product type and product code
Can I sim-unlock my Lumia device with this tutorial?
What can I do with this tutorial?
My Lumia device is detected by my PC as "QHSUSB_DLOAD"
An error message is indicated by the software, what to do?
My Lumia device is not detected by the software, how can I fix this?
Can I downgrade with this tutorial?
Can I unbrick my Lumia device with this tutorial?
Why flash?
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