Considering this to see if I can get to the bottom of the random crashes and hangups that my phone exhibits. What's involved, and where do I download the necessary bits and bobs?

If I back my phone up with HTC Sync beforehand, I assume this allows me to keep my contacts etc?

Considering this to see if I can get to the bottom of the random crashes and hangups that my phone exhibits. What's involved, and where do I download the necessary bits and bobs?

If I back my phone up with HTC Sync beforehand, I assume this allows me to keep my contacts etc?

The random crashes etc are most probably down to low memory issues which can be resolved by installing a custom ROM such as this one which allows some programs to run from the SD instead of the phone memory.

Obviously you need to root the phone prior to this so have a look here for info on that. Another thing to consider doing is running S-Off - details here.

I've never used HTC Sync so can't comment on that but have you considered using Google to store all your contacts etc as that does a 2 way sync for all manner of things and will effortlessly move your contacts onto freshly installed phones with total ease?