Database Develop

Flash Stop at 1% trying to go back to Stock ROM

I have a problem and I've search the forums and search google and I find people with somewhat of the same situation im in... but the methods to fix them don't work.
My problem is,
I have a T-Mobile WING (Herald)
I am flashed on soft SPL with SPL 4.70.Yang
I am ROM flashed to Touch-It WM6.1
I want to flash back to the stock T-Mobile Rom
I run the Stock RUU and it enters the bootloader and at 1% the wing resets
I then get a connection error 260 and the flash will not proceed.
I have tryed restarting my device/computer. unplugging my usb putting in another slot... and still nothing. Any help would be appreciated I'm really unhappy with Touch-It and want to go back to stock and do some customization that way.

you need to extract the .nbh file from the stock rom using 7-zip or winrar on the ruu executable. Make sure you don't extract the spl.nbh file. I think the file you want is something like RUU_signed.nbh
then put it into your HardSPL folder and flash away

Yep. Besides, 4.70.Yang is a HardSPL, not a softspl. If you want the SPL to also return back to stock for warranty issues, then just use USPL along with the tmobile NBH. If not, do what fzzyrn said for the best results.

Got to this thread:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=421304
Go to post #2 and download the Herald-USPL-beta3
extract the nbh file from your rom and place it in the ruu folder that is located in the flash center folder.
run the utility.

spacemonkey333 said:
Got to this thread:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=421304
Go to post #2 and download the Herald-USPL-beta3
extract the nbh file from your rom and place it in the ruu folder that is located in the flash center folder.
run the utility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that links to this.

My T-mobile Dash 620
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM . I WAS UPDATIND THE ROM OF MY 620 WITH HTC_S620_WWE_BT_3.66.424.1_4.1.13.44_02.94.90_Ship AND THE PHONE RESTART ADN WHEN THE PROCCESS GOT 25% POP UP A MESSAGE ERROR 260 AND IT WAS RECOMMENDING ME UNPLUG THE USB CABLE AND REMOVE THE BATTERY AND CONNECT IT AGAING SO. I TRIED HARD RESET AND IT DOESNT CONNECT THRU ACTIVESYNC AND ITS STUCK AT THE BOOTLOADER SCREEN (HTC). I TRIED REFLASHING RADIO AND NOTHING WORKS. PLEASE HELP ME. I BROKE MY PHONE.

ROMEROPOLACO said:
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM . I WAS UPDATIND THE ROM OF MY 620 WITH HTC_S620_WWE_BT_3.66.424.1_4.1.13.44_02.94.90_Ship AND THE PHONE RESTART ADN WHEN THE PROCCESS GOT 25% POP UP A MESSAGE ERROR 260 AND IT WAS RECOMMENDING ME UNPLUG THE USB CABLE AND REMOVE THE BATTERY AND CONNECT IT AGAING SO. I TRIED HARD RESET AND IT DOESNT CONNECT THRU ACTIVESYNC AND ITS STUCK AT THE BOOTLOADER SCREEN (HTC). I TRIED REFLASHING RADIO AND NOTHING WORKS. PLEASE HELP ME. I BROKE MY PHONE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S620 is not a herald and every phone is different, so I'm not sure if we could help you out. Does your phone have a HardSPL? Have you used HardSPL before? Even if the activesync icon doesn't start trying to sync it doesn't mean that it's not connected, it just means that it has nothing to sync (since it's in bootloader mode.)

I FIXED
I Did These Steps:
I Turned My Phone Off
I Pressed The Camera Icon Button
I Turned The Phone On (no Loose The Camera Button)
It Got Into Boot Mode
I Plugged To The Usb Cable
I Oppenned The Ruu For My Phone Version
And Wowla Fixed
Thank You Guys For Your Help

The Answer is in a Careful Search
This post is being made to you about... a month too late. But that's because I just got the Wing yesterday and started trying out roms today. Anyway, ran into the same problem earlier today and found the answer in the forums. I've written the following for those who might need all the steps. In your case, read from step 3. Anyway, in case you still have this problem, here's what you do:
1. Hold camera button when pressing the soft reset to get into the bootloader; it should be in red blue green and white. something like that.
2. Connect the usb to the computer and run the stock RUU Utility (this can be found on the official t-mobile website. look under something like support/downloads for the Tmobile Wing)
3. When it hits the 1%, the phone will automatically restart. When it does this, it breaks the connection between the computer and the phone. At that instant, hold the camera button and the soft reset button. Then, when you let go of the reset button, it should go back to boot loader.
4. At this point, the Rom Utility should give you the error. Do not take out the battery as instructed. Just disconnect the usb, reconnect the usb, wait for the computer to recognize it (it should appear in my computer) and then just continue the utility.
Good luck. =)

i had the same problem flashing my P4350 yesterday. tried a lot of different things, the solution for me was:
1. start flashing from the bootloader
2. just to hold the camera button when the phone restarted after 1% (nothing else, no soft reset or anything).
this resulted in the phone restarting in bootloader again, and after that it just resumed upgrading the rom.

koekiemonster said:
i had the same problem flashing my P4350 yesterday. tried a lot of different things, the solution for me was:
1. start flashing from the bootloader
2. just to hold the camera button when the phone restarted after 1% (nothing else, no soft reset or anything).
this resulted in the phone restarting in bootloader again, and after that it just resumed upgrading the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one works for me. Thx!

New Rom

Hi everybody,
I've tried to install the new Rom6.5 from christian, but first, I have to do an Hard SPL.
I've followed these steps:
step by step:
- this is ONLY for warranty reasons. i.e. the device needs repair and you have to send it to htc to get it serviced. if you plan to restore hardspl then don't even bother flashing this stock package, unless you are some kind of hacker/dev
- IMPORTANT: be sure to first restore stock OS, and stock radio. stock SPL is always to be done last!!
- now the steps
1. download the stock spl package from this post.
2. download X1_HardSPL_v1 too, from this post.
3. run the hardspl package, but do not press Next button i.e do not go ahead with flash yet.
4. at this point, take the extracted stock SPL, a RUU_Signed.NBH file, and overwrite the other RUU_Signed.NBH in hardspl package.
5. go on with the RUU (or if needed, run SSPL-Manual.exe manually, then run RUU when it goes to tricolour screen with 0.52.OliNex version), it goes to 100%, reboots, done.
+1. to verify, enter bootloader (see description above in this post), and check version number on tricolour screen. it should say 0.72.0000.
I've replced the .nbh file, but my phone still stands on 0%
on my computer is says ERROR[262]
When i choose the readme it says:
This error occurs during the CE ROM code upgrade process.
Solution: If this happens, you can just soft-reset the device and run RUU again. The update process will then continue.
Note: At this stage, the Wince is destroyed; instead, it is in upgrade mode.
What does it actually mean, and what do I have to do now?
I have the original windows 6.1 on my Xperia, but I have the 'aligment problem'.
I need to align for more than an hour, and if I'm lucky....it goes on...but if not...maybe I have to align the *** thing another hour.
I've tried do to an hard, and soft reset. (hold down the little button on the back and push both silver keys on the front. and I've tried to hold the volume down while pressing the on/off button.
Who can help me?
If you can react in dutch, thats even better...
If not...Well...my english is not thát bad so....
Thank for advanced....

smokingred82 said:
Hi everybody,
I've tried to install the new Rom6.5 from christian, but first, I have to do an Hard SPL.
I've followed these steps:
step by step:
- this is ONLY for warranty reasons. i.e. the device needs repair and you have to send it to htc to get it serviced. if you plan to restore hardspl then don't even bother flashing this stock package, unless you are some kind of hacker/dev
- IMPORTANT: be sure to first restore stock OS, and stock radio. stock SPL is always to be done last!!
- now the steps
1. download the stock spl package from this post.
2. download X1_HardSPL_v1 too, from this post.
3. run the hardspl package, but do not press Next button i.e do not go ahead with flash yet.
4. at this point, take the extracted stock SPL, a RUU_Signed.NBH file, and overwrite the other RUU_Signed.NBH in hardspl package.
5. go on with the RUU (or if needed, run SSPL-Manual.exe manually, then run RUU when it goes to tricolour screen with 0.52.OliNex version), it goes to 100%, reboots, done.
+1. to verify, enter bootloader (see description above in this post), and check version number on tricolour screen. it should say 0.72.0000.
I've replced the .nbh file, but my phone still stands on 0%
on my computer is says ERROR[262]
When i choose the readme it says:
This error occurs during the CE ROM code upgrade process.
Solution: If this happens, you can just soft-reset the device and run RUU again. The update process will then continue.
Note: At this stage, the Wince is destroyed; instead, it is in upgrade mode.
What does it actually mean, and what do I have to do now?
I have the original windows 6.1 on my Xperia, but I have the 'aligment problem'.
I need to align for more than an hour, and if I'm lucky....it goes on...but if not...maybe I have to align the *** thing another hour.
I've tried do to an hard, and soft reset. (hold down the little button on the back and push both silver keys on the front. and I've tried to hold the volume down while pressing the on/off button.
Who can help me?
If you can react in dutch, thats even better...
If not...Well...my english is not thát bad so....
Thank for advanced....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would advice on reading this thread, but start at the beginning
restoring stock rom/stock spl is when you want to get back from customization for warranty reasons so I guess you started at the wrong end

HELP!! bootloader stuck at [loading...]

I was flashing the original stock spl to my phone, i allready have flashed original os. but i flashed stock spl with micro sd method.
now my phone is stuck on loading...
what to do now? its my only phone

when i pull out my battery, it says continuing to update rom. and than goes to loading.. again

fixed one problem...
i now have put back teh hard spl and stock rom.
now only need the stock spl.
for the ones who want to know how i fixed it:
i pulled out my micro sd and put on it the stock rom
than just turned on the xperia, then it reboots like 10 times lol
and than it starts flashing
i'll use my xp computer next time for flashing lol

this method works perfect .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=431218
extra how to: how to restore Stock SPL for warranty reasons.
step by step:
- this is ONLY for warranty reasons. i.e. the device needs repair and you have to send it to htc to get it serviced. if you plan to restore hardspl then don't even bother flashing this stock package, unless you are some kind of hacker/dev
- IMPORTANT: be sure to first restore stock OS, and stock radio. stock SPL is always to be done last!!
- now the steps
1. download the stock spl package from this post.
2. download X1_HardSPL_v1 too, from this post.
3. run the hardspl package, but do not press Next button i.e do not go ahead with flash yet.
4. at this point, take the extracted stock SPL, a RUU_Signed.NBH file, and overwrite the other RUU_Signed.NBH in hardspl package.
5. go on with the RUU (or if needed, run SSPL-Manual.exe manually, then run RUU when it goes to tricolour screen with 0.52.OliNex version), it goes to 100%, reboots, done.
+1. to verify, enter bootloader (see description above in this post), and check version number on tricolour screen. it should say 0.72.0000.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

thanks i'll try that

it says error 260 connection.. i get that all the time :S

benpontiac said:
it says error 260 connection.. i get that all the time :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Turn on your phone normally (i.e. not into bootloader mode)
2. Connect phone to pc using USB cable and select activesync mode.
3. Follows instruction as above in post #4.
Hopes it helps

i did it exact that same way. but nvm i fixed it now.

phone is frozen on HTC screen please help

hi guys, i have a problem, ive tried to instal new rom with hard SPL and i had some error during instal, so i canceled it... then my HTC rebooted and is stucked on HTC screen (after circa 15 sec appear in down left corner R, G, D with some nubers and thats it, help me please

bissqit said:
hi guys, i have a problem, ive tried to instal new rom with hard SPL and i had some error during instal, so i canceled it... then my HTC rebooted and is stucked on HTC screen (after circa 15 sec appear in down left corner R, G, D with some nubers and thats it, help me please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please provide better details.
What does your Bootloader screen show for SPL? (Soft reset phone and hold Volume Down before boot starts until you get to tri-colored screen)
1.33.00 or 1.83.Olinex, or?

here is the photo
ttp://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/Bissqit/IMG_8156.jpg (remove the space, i cant post links)
and in few mins i give video, how phone behave when i turn it on

bissqit said:
here is the photo
ttp://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/Bissqit/IMG_8156.jpg (remove the space, i cant post links)
and in few mins i give video, how phone behave when i turn it on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am at work so I cannot access photobucket.
Can you please just tell me what it says?

so
TOPA200 32M
SPL-1.33.0000
MicroP-Topaz (LED) v10
TURBO HW/TURBO SW (these are in red)
TP MFG DATA
500,542 175,869
188,210 816,201
813,880 Calibrated (in green)
Serial (in white)

bissqit said:
so
TOPA200 32M
SPL-1.33.0000
MicroP-Topaz (LED) v10
TURBO HW/TURBO SW (these are in red)
TP MFG DATA
500,542 175,869
188,210 816,201
813,880 Calibrated (in green)
Serial (in white)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where it says SPL - 1.33.0000, if you successfully HSPL, it will say 1.83.Olinex.
I suspect you didn't verify your SPL flashed correctly before you attempted to flash the ROM? If so, this is not good.
Hard reset (Reboot phone and hold both Volume Keys before device starts to boot, and continue holding them untill you get to the white screen, then follow the prompts.)
If you can get back to stock with a hard reset, I suggest you go here and do some reading.
If it gets stuck at the same screen, you will need to find your stock ROM. You can hopefully find it from HTC's site with your Serial Number.
Once you get your stock ROM, connect your phone to your PC and go to Bootloader. Once it displays 'USB' instead of Serial, run the .exe for your stock ROM.

i tried to dl stock ROM from HTC.com, but it says:
Sorry, this software download is not suitable for your device.
im not sure if im on the right side, but there are only 4 options...
i downloaded original update, but from other side and while phone was connected to PC with Red green blue screen i opened the RUU everything went good until status bar (on PC and phone appeared status bar with % as it started installing, but then error) :/

So hard reset was unsuccessful?
Try flashing from SD card.
Right click on the Stock ROM and Extract to a folder.
Place the ruu_signed.nbh file renamed to TOPAIMG.nbh on the root of your SD card and then enter bootloader.
This will initiate the flash and hopefully it won't get stuck at 0%
You can also do this with the .nbh file from hspl.
Perhaps you should try to do HSPL .nbh first, because your OS is locked, it will ONLY accept the exact replacement ROM.
Also, I would suggest taking some time to read and learn about this stuff before diving in head first.
The link I provided previously is very thorough.
Take a look at the MTTY thread after you read about flashing and HSPL.

in bootloader it flash for 0,1 sec and says "Unable to load imagefile" or sth like that

bissqit said:
in bootloader it flash for 0,1 sec and says "Unable to load imagefile" or sth like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure it is 'TOPAIMG.nbh' exactly without quotes.
What was the error you received when you attempted from your PC?

its exactly like that,
it can be any ROM? becouse i have rom with nbh + exe files and with nbh only

bissqit said:
its exactly like that,
it can be any ROM? becouse i have rom with nbh + exe files and with nbh only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, unless you get HSPL to flash first.
If you successfully installed a ROM, it would not boot up because your OS is still locked.
Use this .nbh which is for HSPL 1.83. If you can get this to flash, do the same with HSPL 2.51, then you can flash to any ROM.

i think im lost.
can you please explain me, what should i copy to my SD card and what to do (in oredr)
thanks

bissqit said:
i think im lost.
can you please explain me, what should i copy to my SD card and what to do (in oredr)
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the SPL 1.83.zip and extract the .nbh file.
Rename it to TOPAIMG.nbh and place on SD card
Enter bootloader mode and pray.
With luck, it will complete to 100%
Then you go back to bootloader and VERIFY your SPL says 1.83.Olinex. (This is the step you skipped before you attempted to flash a ROM, and you have bricked your device as a result)
Without luck, it gets stuck at 0%
Then you need to read up on MTTY to recover your device.
If you think you have your EXACT stock ROM, you can do the same with the .nbh file you extract from that, as previously instructed and get back to stock first before worrying about HSPL.
Basically HSPL unlocks your OS to be able to accept updates. Without it, you can only update from the stock image.
So your choices are, to try to HSPL, or try to get back to stock. Both can be done the same way, in bootloader using respective .nbh file.
I think you are looking to shortcut this stuff and it will only lead you to headaches, unless you take some time to read and learn.
Now, you never did answer;
Did you attempt a hard reset?
What was the error you received when you ran the RUU from your PC?

so i renamed that file, put it on card, card to phone, pushed VolDown and turned on. It flashed with loading and then again "No image file" and back to boot screen
i did few hard resets
error when i tried that "official ROM" was that: Error 294: Invalid render ID
This update cannot be aplied on this device
i try older ROM

Alight, your 294 error indicates its the wrong ROM for your device.
No Image File indicates that bootloader isn't recognizing the file.
Make sure your SD card is formatted to Fat32, you may want to try a 2-4gb card just to be sure. Sometimes larger cards get errors.
Since you can't find your stock ROM, you need to get the HSPL.nbh to load first.
If you can get the 1.83.Olinex to flash, continue the same process for HSPL 2.51 .nbh file.

so i did everything dled you file, formated card, put your file on card renamed turned on phone and now its stucked on loading (if i made something wrong tell me) couse im not sure

i connected phone with pc and try to instal Topaz-HardSPL_V5_00R5_183HSPL but its stucked on 0%

bissqit said:
so i did everything dled you file, formated card, put your file on card renamed turned on phone and now its stucked on loading (if i made something wrong tell me) couse im not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, we got it to recognize the image which is good.
Sounds like you did everything correctly, it just doesn't always work.
I think you have 3 options here;
1. Try to find your stock ROM and flash either from PC in bootloader or from SD card.
2. Read about MTTY and how to use it to flash to your phone and recover, but I still think you need your stock ROM to do this.
3. Warranty return- just tell em it froze, don't mention what you have done to it.
I have one other thing we can attempt here.
Download the enclosed file and unzip it to your PC.
Connect phone to PC and go into bootloader, then run Task29.exe.
With any luck this will force it to load HSPL.
Let me know what happens.

i tried ROMUpdateUtility, task29everything seems to work, but alwways stucks on 0%...
úroblem is, that my phone isnt originaly mine, i bought it from one guy, (couldnt be problem that it is MDA Compact V?)

Who can help, pls? Can't reinstall windows :(

hi there,
i have a BIG problem, so please, can someone help me?
when i enter the boot load screen (hold down volume buton and press power) it shows something like:
KOVS110
SPL-0.78.0000
MicroP1-787
MicroP2-707
Upgrade ROM code error
Please try again
and whatever i do, the same error ocured. I tried to install hard spl, but it gives an communication error, and it doesn't load, it remains at 0%.
i tried to put a ROM on my micro sd card, put it in the phone, reboot it but it sais "LOADING.....NO IMAGE FILE" and gives me the same screen as sown above.
The ROM version is this k|WWE|Dec 1|.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.Energy.¸¸.·´¯ 6.5|21916 / 6.5.X|23149 * Sense 2019 - xda-developers.
I should mention that i followed some tutorials from this forum about how to reinstall windows step by step. if it metters how i get it broken, i tried to update the software using sony ericsson update service, it loaded the update bar, then all of the sudden, it shut down, and after that it keeps sowing the screen as shown above.
please, can u help me with this problem? thanks a lot, and sorry for my english, is not perfect.

hi there mate, Im no expert but I had the same problem.im no expert and you may have to wait for expert advice,....but......
I reformatted the memory card with MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition 5.2 it reformatted the card slowly, you can search the forums for" format card"and download a proper formatting programme.
I also had problems with the actual download once, i kept having the no image error come up over and over, so i re downloaded the file and it worked ,....also when they say take the battery out and wait,...do it for 10 secs.
ionut. said:
hi there,
i have a BIG problem, so please, can someone help me?
when i enter the boot load screen (hold down volume buton and press power) it shows something like:
KOVS110
SPL-0.78.0000
MicroP1-787
MicroP2-707
Upgrade ROM code error
Please try again
and whatever i do, the same error ocured. I tried to install hard spl, but it gives an communication error, and it doesn't load, it remains at 0%.
i tried to put a ROM on my micro sd card, put it in the phone, reboot it but it sais "LOADING.....NO IMAGE FILE" and gives me the same screen as sown above.
The ROM version is this k|WWE|Dec 1|.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.Energy.¸¸.·´¯ 6.5|21916 / 6.5.X|23149 * Sense 2019 - xda-developers.
I should mention that i followed some tutorials from this forum about how to reinstall windows step by step. if it metters how i get it broken, i tried to update the software using sony ericsson update service, it loaded the update bar, then all of the sudden, it shut down, and after that it keeps sowing the screen as shown above.
please, can u help me with this problem? thanks a lot, and sorry for my english, is not perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

ionut. said:
hi there,
i have a BIG problem, so please, can someone help me?
when i enter the boot load screen (hold down volume buton and press power) it shows something like:
KOVS110
SPL-0.78.0000
MicroP1-787
MicroP2-707
Upgrade ROM code error
Please try again
and whatever i do, the same error ocured. I tried to install hard spl, but it gives an communication error, and it doesn't load, it remains at 0%.
i tried to put a ROM on my micro sd card, put it in the phone, reboot it but it sais "LOADING.....NO IMAGE FILE" and gives me the same screen as sown above.
The ROM version is this k|WWE|Dec 1|.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.Energy.¸¸.·´¯ 6.5|21916 / 6.5.X|23149 * Sense 2019 - xda-developers.
I should mention that i followed some tutorials from this forum about how to reinstall windows step by step. if it metters how i get it broken, i tried to update the software using sony ericsson update service, it loaded the update bar, then all of the sudden, it shut down, and after that it keeps sowing the screen as shown above.
please, can u help me with this problem? thanks a lot, and sorry for my english, is not perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hm, not sure if I'm 100% with you, but lets try:
the output you describe (SPL-0.78.0000) clearly shows that you are still on the latest stock spl, which you either got by factory default or through one of your later updates through SEUS (depending on how old your phone is)
this (stock spl) automatically prevents flashing of customizes roms (like the mentioned Energy rom), all you can flash with that are stock roms
there is the hard-spl thread concerning this by olinex which you most probably read and tried
so as I understand it you failed at flashing the hard-spl, then tried to run SEUS which failed as well and now you cannot even start your phone?
after failing at SEUS did you retry to run the SE update utility? it sometimes fails before successfully completing
did you try putting a stock rom on your sd card and flashing this (that would delete personal items and settings not backed up)?
how did you try flashing hard-spl? synching your phone with your pc and launching from there?
Best, DK

hi,
thanks for your post, and for trying to help. i should mention that i have never sync the phone with pc, i never need this. and i tried to hard spl the phone, but also gives error, it shut down. from then i tried several tims to do the update with the sony-ericsson application, it check's the phone and said that i have the latest software, but if there is any problem, try reinstaling the software. i push the reinstall button, it starts reinstalling, but the bar goes between 10 to 25, other time even 60 %, and then gives the communication error, and sais to try again.
i am no expert, this is the first time i try to do this on a phone, so if there is anyone who is so kind to explain step by stpe what i have to do, i shoul thanks him verry much.

So you want to install custom ROM to your phone? you need hardSPL first
If you have it hardSPL it will show 0.7.2.ollinex
then you just flash it. Try google how to hardSPL and FLash
simple mechanism,
X1 (Stock ROM and Stock SPL) -> hard SPL -> X1 (Stock ROM + hardSPL) -> Flash custom ROM (Energy ROM) -> X1 (hard SPL + Custom ROM)
WHY should Hard SPL?
because as DK explained above, SPL is the bios of your X1 and won't accept any ROM beside Stock ROM. so to have your X1, you need to change by doing Hard SPL, it will make your X1 accept any kind of ROM, stock or customed.

is it better to upgrade Stock ROM and Stock SPL to install applications? sorry, i'm just new in SE phone specially x1, so many things to learn here..

outlaw021705 said:
is it better to upgrade Stock ROM and Stock SPL to install applications? sorry, i'm just knew in SE phone specially x1, so many things to learn here..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're both the same. Applications will install fine on a stock rom as well as a custom rom, there's NO difference. Think of it as jailbreaking an iPod Touch or iPhone, they can still install apps from the app store with no problems, NOTHING is changed.
In fact, think of it as a car. An normal car uses petrol. A car with a modified engine ALSO uses petrol. So there's no difference.
The difference between a stock and custom rom however, is huge. A custom rom is basically a stock rom, but modified. Custom roms gives you more customizability, just like jailbreaking an iDevice. Most of the custom roms run more efficiently, and a lot faster than a stock rom.
It's NOT hard to install a custom rom, you just have to read the guides properly and follow the simple steps. It's worth every bit of your time. Just follow the 8 steps here to install hardSPL:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=431218
and here if you want video tutorials:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=497511
And btw, the SPL thing is just the same as a jailbreak. It's a hack basically. Installing hardSPL will jailbreak your device so that you can install custom roms on it, it's basically "unlocking" the device so you can do whatever you want with it.