Just did the ROM upgrade recently, thought I would post my success story with Sprite Backup's Device Upgrade Mode. Yes, it did work, and I had my whole system configured and reinstalled on top of the new stuff in minutes after sucessfully flashing the new rom! Files, contacts, and all programs are there.

NOTE: I had problems with transferring email accounts over from Outlook from the old rom. I recommend excluding email from your backup process. If not, you will end up with the old email accounts appearing on your today screen, but they will be inaccessible and undeletable! Further, you will not be able to create a new account and use the original name--it is taken by the old account! However, if you make a mistake and backup the email with everything else, you can always perform another backup after the upgrade/restore, excluding the email this time, hard reset, and do a straight restore from that backup (no Device Upgrade Mode as described below). Now on with the upgrade.

First, get the latest version of Sprite Backup, as you will need it for WM5.0. I am using Sprite Backup Personal Edition, v5.1.0, Build 1417. It is a program worth having.

Next, go here --> https://spritesoftware.crmdesk.com/a...k=search.aspx?
This is where you can get the elusive "GetUpgradeData2005.exe" tool that should have shipped with Sprite, (it's even referenced in the manual) but they would rather have you search their support site for it. Important thing is, there are various versions of this floating around, some of which date back to PPC2002. The one on this page is the one that will work with Windows Mobile 5. This is absolutely crucial.

Copy the GetUpgradeData2005.exe file to your storage card if available, you will need to run it locally on your device after a hard reset.

The following is from the manual, with some important corrections:

Run Sprite Backup from your PPC and create a backup on the device prior to the ROM upgrade. Copy this backup file to an external location, preferably a storage card. You will not need to back up the storage card itself, which will save some time and space.

Hard reset your device before doing the ROM upgrade. Run the GetUpgradeData.exe on the PPC (if it's on the storage card, you can run it right from there.)

You will get a message that UpgradeData.sbu has been created (it should be in My Device the root directory of your PPC, if not do a search to find it). Copy this UpgradeData file to your Storage Card or to your PC.

Run the ROM Upgrade. (if you get a brick, just remember to try a different USB port or PC, and NEVER use a hub or port replicator. Seach the forum for info on starting in "bootloader" mode.)

After a successful upgrade, install the latest version of Sprite Backup from your PC. If you are asked, do a Repair installation, reinstalling all files. You may have to wait for ActiveSync to connect and finish it's business before installing.

Start Sprite Backup on your PPC, go to Options and switch to Advanced Mode. In Advanced mode tap Options -> Restore Options.

At the Restore options screen, tap on the Device Upgrade Mode check box (it should now be checked). Tap on the OK button.

Use [...] to locate and select the Backup file created in step 1.

Go to the Restore tab, then tap Restore to initiate the Restore process and a dialog box will request the Data Upgrade file.
Tap [...] and source the UpgradeData.sbu file from step 3 and tap OK. (You will need to copy this file to your PPC somewhere if it's not there already.)

When the Upgrade File is selected tap OK to continue with the restore operation.

When the restore is done, the PPC should automatically soft reset. When the Today screen comes back up, it will likely request authorization to run many of the newly restored programs and their support programs. This will also happen when you first use any of the other restored programs.

You now have restored all your previous programs and settings (registry settings may still need to be manually updated--not sure but seems like the phone ring lag is back on mine after the upgrade.)

Also, I allowed the Verizon customizations after the first hard reset, and after the ROM upgrade. Not saying you need to do the same, but that's what I did, and my upgrade worked. Whether you choose to allow the customizations or not, you should probably do the same thing both times.

That's it! Worked for me first time. If it doesn't work for you, don't blame me--you can always do another hard reset...