how to install the custom rom


DISCLAIMER: NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PROBLEMS. however, i'm willing to help if i can.



1. flash this only if you already have bootloader version 4.10!!!! you can check your version information in the NEC firmware info applet in control panel on your 900c.

2. if you have bootloader 4.5.1-6., the links to upgrade are on my main 900 support page. please go there and check them out.

3. if you already updated to 4.10 using the update kit, but no longer have the files, use C+F keys method described below.

4. if you still have the kit, then you can use the updater. read instructions below.

5. if you need to update to 4.10, then you can use the update kit posted on my support page AND either use the original XIP.BIN in it, or change that file to the custom rom's XIP.BIN. if you do use the original one first, then after first update please refer to the instructions below.

6. troubleshooting: if the flashing process of the OS image stops for whatever reason, go and use the C+F keys method (detailed below) to reflash.

7. to confirm you did get the custom rom installed: check the firmware version, it should say CMONEX v1.0. :)




***instructions step by step***


updater method: 


if you already updated the 900c using this kit, now you need to reformat your card again. 
copy only update.exe, UPDBL.NB0 and XIP.BIN (the one for custom rom!) to its root. and do the update. as a reminder, below are the instructions again.


step by step instructions:

1. format a CF card (size at least 64mb) to FAT16 (xp calls it FAT),
2. use normal format (not quick), then unzip the needed files to its root. 
3. you must do this even if the card was already fat16. 
4. if you currently do not have bootloader version 4.10, make sure you also copy the SABOOT.NB0 from the package, to update the bootloader to 4.10.
5. to check your bootloader version, go to control panel on your 900 or 900c, and read NEC firmware info applet.
6. if you do not have bootloader version 4.10, copy the SABOOT.NB0 from the package to the card, this is mandatory.
7. if you already have bootloader 4.10, do not copy SABOOT.NB0 to the card.
8. if every file is copied OK, hardreset the 900/900c by removing all batteries and AC. 
9. do not insert CF card yet.
10. reinsert batteries, put the 900/900c on AC (mandatory), boot to the (old) OS,
11. then insert the CF card and run update.exe on the CF card. that's it. it will take about 6 minutes in total.



C+F keys method: 

DO NOT USE THIS WITH ANY BOOTLOADER OTHER THAN 4.10. you've been warned! 


1. format (fully) a CF card that is at least 64 MB. use FAT16 (xp just calls that FAT)! 
2. you must format the card even if it was already FAT16! 
3. NOW CONFIRM YOU HAVE BOOTLOADER VERSION 4.10. the next steps will help you.
4. go to control panel on your 900c, NEC firmware info applet and read the bootloader version there.
5. if it is not version 4.10, you stop here and do not go further. you need the external updater bootloader to flash anything.
6. if you have 4.10, you can now copy XIP.BIN to card. this is the OS image.
7. insert the card in the 900c.
8. hard reset 900c by removing all power (main battery, backup battery, ac adapter) 
9. before reinserting main battery (do not touch backup battery yet!) or ac adapter (easier), press and hold C and F keys on the 900c. 
10. make sure the battery lock is locked.
11. give power to the 900c while still holding the keys until the 900c switchs on - on its own! no need to press the power key. 
12. if it doesn't switch on within 5 secs, release the keys and it will turn on then (again on its own). 
13. it should tell you that it is searching for bootloader update. of course it won't find this file so it will continue searching for OS update, which should be found on the card. it will flash it in automatically. 
14. when the process is completed, it should boot the OS automatically. eject card, don't forget to reformat it again! 
that's all!