Develop Bugs

[Q] Why should I root my desire?

I have my first android phone, an HTC Desire and I am very happy with it.
But the only thing that is annoying is the low memory notification when I installed a few apps. So I search the internet found that I can "root" my phone and install a custom rom and have the possibility to use apps2sd.
Now I am a bit scared to root my phone because its just new and I dont want to brick it and I dont know if I void warranty when its rooted.
My desire came with the 2.2 froyo update it has HBOOT 0.93 on it so I don't know if this possible? I think I have the SLCD version because there's nothing of AMOLED write on the box of my phone.
So then I found a patch that can do apps2sd without root but only for 2.2 froyo so I did that and I think it worked well, only if I connect with the pc and use to set the sd card to put files on it,
put it out the pc and some widgets don't work anymore that are installed or moved to the sd card? Is this also with a rooted rom or something like that? What can I do more if I root?
Do I need to install a custom rom or root and stay on the standard 2.2 froyo rom (with I am very happy with) and then install apps2sd or something like that?
Do I notice improved performance with a custom rom? Do I lost all my settings and data when I root or install a custom rom?
Oh and if I install a custom rom will it work in my country (Belgium) because I heard about a radio version or something?
Sorry if I ask to much or all the questions are noob but I am totally new to all this and I want to know more about it.
Thanks in advance

There are two A2SD version.
The one, which is integrated in Froyo and which you currently uses, allows you to manually move parts of apps to the SD card, thus freeing up some precious internal memory. However, you shouldn't move widgets or apps which run as a service in the background, else they don't work properly any longer, just as you noticed yourself. Still, with this method you should be able to significantly extent the possible amount of installable apps.
It's also possible that you have an odd app installed which just collects a lot of trash and stroes this on the internal memory as 'data'. With the app 'DiskUsage' you can see how much each app needs and, if necessary and possible clear the data of a specific app.
The other A2SD version is only available if you root your phone and install a custom ROM with A2SD+. This method also requires an EXT3 partition on your SD-Card, next to your normal FAT32 partition. After that all the apps (including widgets), the complete apps, get automatically installed on the EXT3 partition on your SD-Card, only the 'data' which gets produced by the apps over the time, gets stored on the internal phone memory. You don't have to move some apps around, they just get installed on the EXT3 partition, which is 512MB big or larger.
There are two groups of custom ROMs:
#1: It is based on the HTC modified Android source code of, often called Sense ROMs, which you use at the moment. Developers took it, added some features like A2SD+, root, removed some bloatware, tweaked the kernel, ... So it's identical to your currently installed ROM just a bit faster, lighter and has some more features and customizable possibilities.
#2: It's is based on the original Android source code, often called AOSP ROM. (CyanogenMod is one of the most famous ones, DeFroST is based on CM) Those lack all the Sense features (Sense widgets, HTC Sync, comfortable copy paste, ...) but are much lighter, often have much more additional features and the latest tweaks.
Rooting and installing such a custom ROM means you'll have to start from the beginning on. So you'll lose everything. That's why you should backup your contacts, ... to restore them later, if possible.
Best is to install all apps manually again, and do the configuration from scratch. Later, you can easily flash updates of the specific custom roms on top of that.
You can flash two parts. The ROM and the radio. If you flash a custom ROM the radio stays untouched. However, some radios give you better battery life, signal strength, ..., also in Belgium, just take a look at the specific threads about the radios to find the best for you. But it's not necessary to flash the radio. The ROMs will work with your default radio, too.

UpSpin said:
There are two A2SD version.
The one, which is integrated in Froyo and which you currently uses, allows you to manually move parts of apps to the SD card, thus freeing up some precious internal memory. However, you shouldn't move widgets or apps which run as a service in the background, else they don't work properly any longer, just as you noticed yourself. Still, with this method you should be able to significantly extent the possible amount of installable apps.
It's also possible that you have an odd app installed which just collects a lot of trash and stroes this on the internal memory as 'data'. With the app 'DiskUsage' you can see how much each app needs and, if necessary and possible clear the data of a specific app.
The other A2SD version is only available if you root your phone and install a custom ROM with A2SD+. This method also requires an EXT3 partition on your SD-Card, next to your normal FAT32 partition. After that all the apps (including widgets), the complete apps, get automatically installed on the EXT3 partition on your SD-Card, only the 'data' which gets produced by the apps over the time, gets stored on the internal phone memory. You don't have to move some apps around, they just get installed on the EXT3 partition, which is 512MB big or larger.
There are two groups of custom ROMs:
#1: It is based on the HTC modified Android source code of, often called Sense ROMs, which you use at the moment. Developers took it, added some features like A2SD+, root, removed some bloatware, tweaked the kernel, ... So it's identical to your currently installed ROM just a bit faster, lighter and has some more features and customizable possibilities.
#2: It's is based on the original Android source code, often called AOSP ROM. (CyanogenMod is one of the most famous ones, DeFroST is based on CM) Those lack all the Sense features (Sense widgets, HTC Sync, comfortable copy paste, ...) but are much lighter, often have much more additional features and the latest tweaks.
Rooting and installing such a custom ROM means you'll have to start from the beginning on. So you'll lose everything. That's why you should backup your contacts, ... to restore them later, if possible.
Best is to install all apps manually again, and do the configuration from scratch. Later, you can easily flash updates of the specific custom roms on top of that.
You can flash two parts. The ROM and the radio. If you flash a custom ROM the radio stays untouched. However, some radios give you better battery life, signal strength, ..., also in Belgium, just take a look at the specific threads about the radios to find the best for you. But it's not necessary to flash the radio. The ROMs will work with your default radio, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer and time to explain this! So if I got it right I need to install a custom rom to enable the apps2sd feature. I heard about unrevoked that can root my desire (also if i bought it with 2.2 froyo already on it, no need to downgrade)? but the unrevoked install also an other recovery? Do I void warranty if I install another recovery? It sounds a bit dangerous?
Are there roms that improved performance while recording in 720p? no framedrops etc? or its just the camera from the device is not that good for recoding in HD? Is it worth it to root and install a custom rom?
Thanks in advance

If you root your device you will void your warranty but there are ways of unrooting.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

an Android device has different sections you can flash, like the rom, radio, recovery, ...
If you use unrevoked it will automatically flash a new recovery, necessary to perform backups, partition the SD card, ...
Yes, you'll void the warranty, but you can flash a HTC original image to unroot, install the default radio and rom, in short, set it back to the defaults.
How well the camera works depends on the rom you use. Take a look at the specific rom, like LeeDroid, and check how well the camera works.
Is it worth? For some yes, for others no.
Because you get limited by the internal memory, it is worth for you to use a custom ROM with a2sd+.

Thanks for all advice! Now its up to me if I should root or not. I am thinking about it. Thanks to all who spend time to reply all my questions!

[Ask Your Questions Here] Questions & Answers for Epic 4G Users

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE WIKI
I have decided to open a Questions and Answers thread on this section of the forum. This is a good way to keep the number of new threads with questions down to a minimum, which will make new threads essentially for people that are contributing to the Samsung Epic 4G. This includes, but is not limited to, people that are providing the following:
- Roms & Kitchens
- Programs & Apps
- Fixes & Tweaks
- Skins & Themes
- Tips & Tricks
I would like to request the help from other members to keep the thread in order and in check. This will have the added side effect of creating an ever self updating knowledge base that will far extend the content of the Wiki. This will in turn save us from having to answer the same question a billion times...
Please refer to the Wiki first before asking any questions though! It can be located here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Samsung_Galaxy_S/SPH-D700
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE WIKI

Any idea when the OTA push for2.2 will start?

jg187211 said:
Any idea when the OTA push for2.2 will start?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, we don't have anyone in the community who has inside access to that information. Some of our members are affiliated with Sprint, and so have slightly more reliable rumors, but even their sources have thus far been wrong if they quoted a specific date...
So I hope you understand that I'm not being a jerk when I say, we won't know until it actually happens (and this will probably always be the case)
That being said, this most recent leak (DK28) seems stable so far IMO, so it could potentially become our official update

ok im a total noob to all this stuff. i followed the guide to update my epic to 2.2. the problem is, that the camera, gallery, and a couple other apps dont work. Can someone help me? Should i go back to 2.1, if so, how do i do that?

EDIT: Angry rant removed, thanks to the mods for a quick response (and to the member who's post was removed: no hard feelings, I hope you understand)
Just remember to read before posting, to make sure your post will be relevant and not redundant
jayzn210 said:
ok im a total noob to all this stuff. i followed the guide to update my epic to 2.2. the problem is, that the camera, gallery, and a couple other apps dont work. Can someone help me? Should i go back to 2.1, if so, how do i do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whenever flashing a ROM using either recovery, it's always a good idea to wipe the phone (as in factory reset - I'm not referring to wiping the cache or the dalvik cache, although both steps are also usually recommended)
If you used the odin method described in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861213
then you might have flashed the wrong tar - DK05 and DK17 both had the camera problem, make sure you have the DK28 file.
If you have the right tar, then you could have an incomplete download... I doubt that though, when that happened to me, my phone wouldn't boot at all. But you might want to redownload the tar just to be sure (double check the filesize after it finishes and before you flash, if it seems too small then it messed up again)
That's the best general advice I can offer, but if you'd like to provide more details about the method you used (especially a link to the guide you used, if it isn't the one I provided), someone here might be able to identify where you're going wrong

i followed the instructions from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861213. i didnt use odin, i just used the .zip method. it took me a lot of tries cause i kept getting errors. the second mirror link worked for me, but like i said, my camera, gps, gallery and some other apps dont work.
oh and everytime i try to flash again, i get the error.

It sounds like you're either starting from the wrong rom or not wiping the phone before flashing the zip. All of the zip updates I have seen require you to start from DI18 stock (root an clockwork seem to be okay in my experience, all other mods must be removed) - if you have installed any custom roms, your best bet is to follow the odin method using the stock DI18 tar - so you may as well just skip the zip methodand odin to the stock DK28 tar
And you absolutely must wipe the phone (again, factory reset - I suspect many people are just wiping the cache and/or the dalvik cache).
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Odin flashing
I've got a quick question. I'm looking to move to a build using the DK28 information release and it requires that I update the pit and modem files on my phone using Odin. Do I need to flash a 2.2 rom right away or am I safe to boot into my current rom first?

KaiXXV said:
I've got a quick question. I'm looking to move to a build using the DK28 information release and it requires that I update the pit and modem files on my phone using Odin. Do I need to flash a 2.2 rom right away or am I safe to boot into my current rom first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you doing the strictly odin method (full froyo in a tar file)? Or an update.zip?
The odin method *should* include the modem and everything (and you use the updated pit in the same process) - you'll have to read the particular thread that you got the download link from, but I haven't noticed any odin tar files that required the modem separately
For the update.zip method, I don't know if it matters whether you flash the modem before or after applying the zip through recovery - I don't think either one overwrites the other, but that's a part of the process I can only guess about. But regardless of when you odin flash the modem, that's when you'll use the new pit file (the same as the odin-only method above).
As far as I know, the primary difference is that the update.zip doesn't inherently overwrite user data (but you'll probably have broken programs that FC all the time, which means a wipe is necessary, making this somewhat null). I prefer the odin method because it is a fresh flash of the entire system (I usually let it repartition as well - no one else has posted about that feature so I have no idea if it's a fluke that it hasn't given me problems)
Hope that helps

which is the best
so i have updated to dk28 froyo 2.2 i like battery life and performance can anyone offer info on which is the best rom for me or just some insight on which rom is the best overall

How do I stop running applications from starting every time I restart my phone?? I have the start up auditor but for some reason everytime I restart my phone the apps I have disabled keep restarting themselves and I have to go into the running programs and disable them manually. WTH?? Doesnt programs constantly running in the background kill the battery life?? How do I disable apps from starting?

youngpro83 said:
How do I stop running applications from starting every time I restart my phone?? I have the start up auditor but for some reason everytime I restart my phone the apps I have disabled keep restarting themselves and I have to go into the running programs and disable them manually. WTH?? Doesnt programs constantly running in the background kill the battery life?? How do I disable apps from starting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How I understand it, especially with Froyo, you shouldn't have to kill programs in the background, if said 'background' process or service is working normal or efficiently. I still kill the DRM process when I reboot my phone, and not sure if it's still causing drain issues.
Also (someone else confirm this), I believe that constantly 'killing' certain background processes actually uses MORE battery, since it has to constantly restart itself. I've had a much more stable device *not* using auto killers, and just sniping one here and there that I know to cause drain.
Some reading material on GC, tho, in regards to memory management

Ignore me!

devo52 said:
so i have updated to dk28 froyo 2.2 i like battery life and performance can anyone offer info on which is the best rom for me or just some insight on which rom is the best overall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of it is personal preference - this early in the game, the primary differences between the roms are going to be mostly cosmetic. So for now, the best advice I can offer is to try each of them and decide which theme you like. Regardless of how you upgraded, you had to use odin, so you have succeeded at the most difficult step of the process - and odin can bring your phone back to life if something goes wrong, so it's an invaluable skill to have.
In the meantime, keep watching the threads (quietly, unless you have a question that hasn't been asked already - we're working on cleaning up the forum to make it easier for everyone to find answers... but I digress...)
It's too early to be sure of any of the fixes out there - we have at least three separate fixes for the GPS issues; some people find success with one, others with another, and a lucky few don't need the fixes at all... so in summary, we can't say which is better or worse just yet, stay tuned and decide whether you want to experiment on the bleeding edge, or wait for these things to be stable and thoroughly tested.
And if you have any doubts, just stick with the stock DK28 for now

tl;dr, questions in BOLD.
Okay, after spending the entire night scouring the internet/this forum and starting from absolutely zero-knowledge about the Android OS, I managed to update my Epic to 2.2, and root the phone. Now, I'm kinda stuck as far as customization goes. I see all these cool skins and battery life mods and stuff, but they don't exactly offer any steps as to how to install them. Since I don't exactly know what file-types do what, I'm kinda shooting blindly at trying to update/install something "custom" onto the phone. So, my question(s) is/are:
What does the ROM do?
What does the ROOT do?
I know the root basically "unlocks" your phone, but that's all I know. The process of customizing the phone still remains a mystery. (that's the problem with following step-by-step instructions, rather than actually knowing what you're doing.)
I also don't understand the purpose of flashing a phone. Flashing, in my experience is to update something, like say a BIOS. But that sets the system back to square 1 as far as all settings go, in this particular example.
If I flash, with say Odin, after having updated to DK28 and "rooting," won't this make all the "customization" that I've done prior basically 'null' because I've just flashed the phone into a blank-state?
Sorry if these are questions easily answered by searching, but I just spent my entire sleep-cycle trying to find the answers to these questions, and managed to only get so far. I look forward to the answers On another note, I am now EXTREEEEMELY pleased with my phone. Before this evening, I was just the regular, old run-of-the-mill enduser. I liked the cool built-in customizations and all the apps and what not, but never dreamed of being able to customize my phone to THIS EXTENT. So, now it's something I'm very interested in doing..it makes my phone truly mine.

zdavidi said:
What does the ROM do?
What does the ROOT do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you see the link to the Wiki in the original post of this thread? That's where I started when I first got here, it helped me understand the basics.
zdavidi said:
If I flash, with say Odin, after having updated to DK28 and "rooting," won't this make all the "customization" that I've done prior basically 'null' because I've just flashed the phone into a blank-state?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on what you flashed with Odin. If you only flash a modem file, then your customizations and apps are untouched. If you flash an entire ROM in "tarball" form then not only does it re-write the modem but it also overwrites all user data. Think of the latter as resetting the phone to stock and works even if you cannot boot up.

When can we expect a custom Kernel with netfilters for wifi tethering?

n00b question.
If an SDK version is released (say, like, Gingerbread today), does that mean chefs could take it and cook up a ROM for ANY phone (say, like, the Epic)? Or do they need something else to do that?

Remove Touchwiz Launcher (consequences?)
Hey-- I'm using Quantum 2.0.0 ROM, and I never use the touchwiz launcher. Does anyone know if it's safe to just remove the apk? (TouchWiz30Launcher.apk) or is there other functionality tied to it?
I use LauncherPro, fyi.

Please forgive my ignorance... I've searched the forums, looked at the wiki...
I use titanium backup and am now running the DK27 froyo build by noobnl. My question... How do I restore my e-mail accounts to the phone everytime without having to re-type them in? I've been flashing a rom every other day on average since I got the phone and it's getting REALLY old.

[Q] 5660M users, need help ripping apps (new update)

so i have the bell pay as you go edition of the gio
and when i got it, i just uninstalled as much crap as i could
one of those happen to be 'Talk', which i now discovered is google talk (thought the app was called gtalk)
uninstalling it makes it disappear forever and you cannot find it in the market
in addition to that, i uninstalled whatever app/service needed to run live wallpapers
so if someone could rip/backup those apps and upload it here, many thanks
(i tried installing the talk apk on it's own, and the talk service apks, it does not like me install for some reason)
last question is,
any 5660m users got adobe flash running, i tried the stand alone armv6 apk, installed it, and does nothing
the other flash apk with loading the lib files into the root dir, i have not tried, if i can get the standalone apk working, i'd rather do that
any other tips for the 5660m would be great
thanks
edit - see post #9 (need help with stock browser)

Promise you'll back things up the next time?
Look at my stock rooted ROM for the files you shouldn't have deleted. You should be able to read (not write, at least not in a way the phone can handle) the RFS partitions with MagicISO among others. (Basically any program capable of handling FAT partition images.)
ADB push back the files into place, make sure their permissions are correct.
Can't help you for Flash, I've never tried it myself and my Gio is out of order for the time being.

For flash you need root and push LIB files to /data/data/com.adobeflash***/lib ant set permissions
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk

Darkshado said:
Promise you'll back things up the next time?
Look at my stock rooted ROM for the files you shouldn't have deleted. You should be able to read (not write, at least not in a way the phone can handle) the RFS partitions with MagicISO among others. (Basically any program capable of handling FAT partition images.)
ADB push back the files into place, make sure their permissions are correct.
Can't help you for Flash, I've never tried it myself and my Gio is out of order for the time being.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so this is something i cant just grab someone's titaniumbackup files and install?

That too, if you have another rooted Gio at your disposal. I answered based the info I got.

ya, sorry, that's sorta what i meant in the first post,
i was actually asking for someone's to backup the gtalk/talk service/app and the live wallpaper service/app with titanium backup and upload it
if someone could do that for me, much appreciated

Try this and let me know if it works.
View attachment TitaniumBackup.rar

thanks, that did the trick
additionally i want to ask:
is the reason 5660m incompatible with most of the custom roms is the slight difference in hardware?
if i were to change microsd card, is a drag and drop to the new card sufficient or are there hidden/protected files that cannot be copied
lastly,
if i were to update the rom/install custom rom, is there any way to back up settings and apps or would i have to do stuff all over again?

gonna bump this again,
I need the stock browser this time, if someone would kindly back up from titanium backup
i'm just testing some compatibilities on certain websites

anonxlg said:
gonna bump this again,
I need the stock browser this time, if someone would kindly back up from titanium backup
i'm just testing some compatibilities on certain websites
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enjoy.

FusiveR said:
Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
finally got around, i tried installing it, doesnt work
it starts installing, then resets and browser does not appear in app list
tried both app and app+data

anonxlg said:
thanks, that did the trick
additionally i want to ask:
is the reason 5660m incompatible with most of the custom roms is the slight difference in hardware?
if i were to change microsd card, is a drag and drop to the new card sufficient or are there hidden/protected files that cannot be copied
lastly,
if i were to update the rom/install custom rom, is there any way to back up settings and apps or would i have to do stuff all over again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the roms flashed from Odin usually aren't compatible with our phone anything else such as CM7.1, CM7.2, CM9, and all the other roms able to be flashed from
Recovery mode are mostly compatible with our version of gio hope I helped
Sent from my GT-S5660M using xda premium

What isn't compatible are the baseband and the bootloaders.
As long as an Odin-flashable ROM contains only system and boot.img you're in the clear. This is mostly a problem with early Europe/Asia 5660 ROMs.
Drag and dropping your files to the new SD card should do the trick. Hidden files and folders for Android (and Linux) have a dot at the beginning of their name, e.g.: /.android_secure/ and by default there shouldn't be any files with the FAT32 "hidden" attribute set on the SD card. The settings of your Windows Explorer will influence whether or not the latter copy over or not.
Backing up your applications and their settings can be done by applications like Titanium Backup. Most should transfer well from one ROM "family" to another. (As in: from stock to CM7, or CM7 to CM9, or CM9 to stock...) Your mileage will vary if you try to transfer system apps, or system settings.

so why do you (have to?) use odin, i thought there is CWM for gio, isnt that better than odin?
and still looking for a titanium backup of stock browser
maybe i should just install the ics rc

anonxlg said:
thanks, that did the trick
additionally i want to ask:
is the reason 5660m incompatible with most of the custom roms is the slight difference in hardware?
if i were to change microsd card, is a drag and drop to the new card sufficient or are there hidden/protected files that cannot be copied
lastly,
if i were to update the rom/install custom rom, is there any way to back up settings and apps or would i have to do stuff all over again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno what you are talking about, My canadian Gt-S5660M runs all custom firmwares, kernels, scripts etc just fine.

Odin and CWM are different and each serves their purpose.
Odin works with the lower level Download Mode, and can recover from situations CWM can't. It is also the usual way to install CWM in the first place. (You could also do it with a clever dd command on a rooted phone.) It is however cloakware, undocumented, difficult to install, buggy at times and just quirky overall.
CWM is more stable, doesn't require a computer to run, and is generally much safer to use.
AlwaysDroid: If you look at very early posts about the 5660M, many users encountered major issues after flashing European 5660 ROMs. Screen brightness all over the place and no network connection.
The problem was that those ROMs were Odin flashable "One Package" files that contained bootloaders and radio images as well. Those files were required for users upgrading from Froyo to Gingerbread, as stock Gio 5660s were also sold with 2.2 unlike the 5660M.

A few questions before rooting...

I am going to root my phone and have a few questions before I do. I am coming from a sensation and with the htc I only had 1 way to root so are any of the methods better or worse than others? I was planning on using to root injected stock rom method.
Secondly, I've read and still don't understand, could somebody explain the loss of imei to me? Htc doesn't have anything like that so I am confused about the backup of it?
Finally, could somebody suggest a good starting point for a rom and kernel combo? Unlike my htc I'm pretty happy with the stock rom sped and battery. I mainly want to tweak the looks of things a little, maybe a new battery icon and moving the clock position.

Best way to root is the video in my signature (use my files, too). It's easier and faster than the way you describe. I wish people would forget that stupid flash counter exists. It's not like we can't reset it.
Loss of IMEI very rarely happens when you flash. But, once you flash CM10, just run the terminal emulator that comes with it: su > reboot nvbackup. Now your IMEI is backed up, and you are protected against possible, but unlikely, loss. I've flashed every day for two months and never lost mine.
Rom: Why use ICS when you can use JB? IMO, the sole reason to use an ICS build is wifi calling. Use CM10. Use the stock CM kernel. CM doesn't have center clock (AOKP does), but IMO, CM is the better of the two. A lot of people like to flash custom kernels. They usually provide marginally better battery life, overclocking/undervolting, etc. I feel that none of these are necessary. There is an additional problem that the 3rd party kernels always lag behind CM's kernel merges, also. This typically results bootloops. So make sure the kernel you flash (if you do), is compatible with the newest CM build.

No the method does not matter, root is root. Read about them and use the one you are comfortable with.
Yes, HTC does have IMEI. All GSM phones do. It is basically the serial number your phone uses to connect to the network. All you have to do is follow the instructions in one of the threads to back it up.
For stock based ROMs on ICS, I like Wanamlite.

Aerowinder said:
Best way to root is the video in my signature (use my files, too). It's easier and faster than the way you describe. I wish people would forget that stupid flash counter exists. It's not like we can't reset it.
Loss of IMEI very rarely happens when you flash. But, once you flash CM10, just run the terminal emulator that comes with it: su > reboot nvbackup. Now your IMEI is backed up, and you are protected against possible, but unlikely, loss. I've flashed every day for two months and never lost mine.
Rom: Why use ICS when you can use JB? IMO, the sole reason to use an ICS build is wifi calling. Use CM10. Use the stock CM kernel. CM doesn't have center clock (AOKP does), but IMO, CM is the better of the two. A lot of people like to flash custom kernels. They usually provide marginally better battery life, overclocking/undervolting, etc. I feel that none of these are necessary. There is an additional problem that the 3rd party kernels always lag behind CM's kernel merges, also. This typically results bootloops. So make sure the kernel you flash (if you do), is compatible with the newest CM build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, CM10 wasn't officially supported with the htc so it never really worked great, but it looks like the M version is pretty smooth and ironed out so I'll definitely try that. I guess a lot of the threads I've read were early ones from before the flash counter could be reset, I thought it was a bigger deal than it seems like it is. I'll try your sig's root method. Oh yeah, wifi calling doesn't work for me right now with the stock rom so losing it isn't a big deal at all.
joshnichols189 said:
No the method does not matter, root is root. Read about them and use the one you are comfortable with.
Yes, HTC does have IMEI. All GSM phones do. It is basically the serial number your phone uses to connect to the network. All you have to do is follow the instructions in one of the threads to back it up.
For stock based ROMs on ICS, I like Wanamlite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't saying HTC doesn't have imei, I was saying in a year of having it and before with the G2 I never once read any threads about people "losing" it, so I wanted to know what makes the s3 different.

That was SOOOO much easier than the sensation was. The senny took me over an hour, I had to learn adb and had to check and recheck a ton of commands before entering each to make sure I didn't brick anything. This was fast and easy, but now I can't seem to get into twrp recovery? Every time I try vol up/home/power it boots into what I'm assuming is the standard stock recovery?

My signature has an explanation for that.

Thanks again, I don't understand why but I installed cwm touch and it worked and then used goo manager to install twrp again and now it works fine. I know there's a whole thread about twrp but what do you like and why?

I stopped using TWRP because the keyboard (at least at the time) didn't work properly. It would close for no reason, making me retype the file names. Took me 5-6 times once, for this file name: CM10-XXXX. 9 characters. Would just keep closing and resetting the characters I had already typed. I've heard the new version, 2.3, has some pretty bad bugs, but I haven't used it, so can't confirm. Developer is currently fixing said problems. I also find the slide-to-continue gimmick to be ridiculous. I will say, however, that flash-queuing is a good idea.
I won't even discuss CWM because we have CWM Touch. The layout is nonsensical. Everything seems to be in random order, no dividers to make things easier to read, no prompt on fix permissions. Other than that, it's great. It allows you to delete stock recovery, and it keeps root for you when you flash OTA files with it.
CWM Touch is what I use, and will continue to use until something better shows up.

One more question, is there a way to double check once I've done the su/nvbackup using terminal emulator, or should I just assume that if the phone rebooted after running that command that it was successful?

When you reboot with that command, you will see blue text at the top left corner of the screen, like when you are going into recovery. It says it's copying modemst1 and modemst2 to fsb and backup. Yes, the names are incorrect, but you get the idea.

Most recent and stable ROM for the Gio GT-S5660

What is the most recent and stable ROM for the Gio GT-S5660M ?
Importantly it would be to have a ROM that is new enough to work with modern apps, which often require at least android 4 or 5. Also, I would prefer to avoid GApps and go with F-Droid and Aurora Store, and the latter seems to require android 5+.
I have a couple of these lying around and thought they might make good WiFi IP phones with a SIP client. With a modern ROM and a new replacement battery (remember those?!) they could have new life.
Is this workable? This phone is so cute and compact that I really don't want to get rid of it if it can be used for something.

It has an armv6 cpu wich is no longer supported on android the last supported version was kitkat 4.4.4, this is the latest rom available for the device: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-cyanogenmod-11-final-05-08-2015.3066771/
It can still be used to listen to fm radio etc, although it no longer has browser support, so it won't work on all sites. I have one too and think it is a very nice tiny phone but I am affraid you are going to have to buy a newer phone for daily usage.

@J.V.B. Thank you for your reply!
Does that rom work well? There is some conflicting feedback in the thread. Which is the correct rom (msm vs msm7x27)?
How can the rom be flashed from the stock non-rooted state? There aren't instructions in that thread, though there is a post saying to use this CWM recovery (requires root?): https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-11-wip-alpha-1.2582642/page-27#post-54754255
Good point, the browsers all seem to require android 5+.
Currently on stock (android 2.3.4) I am using CSipSimple and that's working reasonably well. A newer rom might give a bit more flexibility in settings (eg. I can't figure out how to enable wifi on boot and autostart CSipSimple on 2.3.4), and maybe just maybe a few apps through F-Droid.

Both versions work they are just different kernels, I forgot what the advantages over each other were, I think the 7x27 version was more buggy but I am not sure, I recommend checking out both.
That cwm is indeed the only correct version, newer or older ones can't install this rom. I think to install the cwm you just have to boot to recovery (home button + power button and keep the home button pressed in.) and apply update from sd card and select that cwm(wrong: see edit). After this you boot to recovery again and now you factory reset and flash the rom. You also need to flash the camera patch after you flash the rom, otherwise you won't be able to record using the camera. I am not responsible for anything that happens, custom roms are always a risk. Hope it works for you
edit: You need to be rooted and on android version 2.3.3 or higher to install cwm: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mwares-mods-tips-tricks.1397120/post-20397988

I also recommend using link2sd:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/bulent-akpinar/link2sd/ .
For instructions, follow this guide but scroll all the way down to the for cwm only users method: https://awanstuff.wordpress.com/201...ink2sd-in-any-android-phone-with-screenshots/
Link2sd will fully transfer apps to sd card instead of only the package. I changed the settings to make sure auto link is on and install location is set to sd. You can also transfer already installed apps to the sd and a lot more.
After this maybe post about how well the gio is running for documentation.
Some extra tips: the built in root is handy and if you enable developer options in the rom you will also get a performance menu in settings where you can make it run faster.

Thanks, I plan to try installing CWM and the CM11 rom soon. From searching it looks like "MSM7x27" refers to the Snapdragon S1 processor version:
List of Qualcomm Snapdragon systems on chips - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
The Gio has a MSM7227 https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_gio_s5660-3741.php so maybe the MXM7x27 version is the correct one? I don't know if the plain "MSM" version rom is referring to a specific or generic designation.
Thanks for the tip about link2sd. It's nice to have that option since the very limited storage on this phone is maybe the biggest weakness. I'll see if I need it, since I don't plan to install many apps at all, rather I want to maximize battery life.
I got 1500 mAh batteries from Polarcell and in airplane mode with wifi and just CSipSimple running on the stock rom it lasts over 7 days in "standby". Let's see a modern phone do that!

I think this is the msm7x27: https://github.com/androidarmv6/android_kernel_samsung_msm
and this is the msm: https://github.com/HerroYou/android_kernel_samsung_msm/commits/cm-11.0
The msm just adds overclocking but might be more unstable and it also breaks the backlights. I don't know which is the best one. I recommend if the msm7x27 doesn't work well enough to try the msm and see if that gives you better results.
Also just so you know I have not found any gapps that work yet.

Also when you before you reset your device and flash the rom. Right after the cwm install I recommend fully backing up your device to an sd card so you can just go back any time you want.

I tested csipsimple and it works. If you want better battery life, the power menu that gets enabled after you unlock dev mode might allow you to downclock the cpu to get even more battery.

HerroYou has a mxm7x27 repo too: https://github.com/HerroYou/android_kernel_samsung_msm7x27
It would have been so helpful for them to leave a couple of notes about the difference. It seems like these terms might be common enough in the dev circles that they didn't think it needed explanation.
About gapps, I wasn't interested anyway, so I'll take its lack as a "feature". Not sure if microg is feasible. In any case, side-loading and F-Droid are ok for me on this device.
And yes, a backup after installing CWM but before the rom installation is essential. No intention to skip that.

oh I see the msm2x27 kernel is based on linux kernel 2.6.37 and the msm kernel is based on linux kernel 3.0

I have been reading up on things and see that most threads say you must be rooted and above version 2.3.3 to flash the cwm recovery: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mwares-mods-tips-tricks.1397120/post-20397988
I am sorry I forgot about it. It really has been a long time since I installed it

Nice catch. In that case it is tempting to try msm with the more recent kernel 3.0.
Is there no way to flash CWM without root?
If not, is this post on rooting still valid? https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...wares-mods-tips-tricks.1397120/#post-20397899

It is to root the stock rom so it should still work since the stock rom hasn't been updated in forever. I would also recommend reading the rest of the beginning of that thread to make sure you didn't miss anything because while mostly outdated, the things like rooting the stock rom and installing cwm is still the same.

I would also just to be sure use the cwm version in the thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mwares-mods-tips-tricks.1397120/post-20397988 and then update it to the new version.

I started downloading the resources needed for this project, but the link (actually the whole hosting site) is dead for the root gb updated.zip hmm...
There are a few other files for rooting uploaded by random forum members:
Big thread For New Users (Rooting , Flashing,Firmwares,Mods,Tips, Tricks)
This thread is collection of all available data/tutorials about samsung galaxy gio,so it may save time for you guys. -------------------------------------------- For Simpilfication each post will contain single tutorial, Main post will only used...
forum.xda-developers.com
Big thread For New Users (Rooting , Flashing,Firmwares,Mods,Tips, Tricks)
This thread is collection of all available data/tutorials about samsung galaxy gio,so it may save time for you guys. -------------------------------------------- For Simpilfication each post will contain single tutorial, Main post will only used...
forum.xda-developers.com
A bit scary, but not sure there's another choice. It would be ideal if the recovery and rom could be flashed without root.

I found a rooting tutorial with a download on this post: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...kernels-recoveries-scripts-tutorials.1623393/
It is under the tutorials section.
Again I am not sure if you have to root to be able to install cwm but I wouldn't take any risks.
Also before you install anything is there anything you want me to confirm whether it's working or not on this rom?

I got youtube to work through newpipe and mx player although you have to download the videos because at low resolutions newpipe loses audio when sending to external video player.

Thanks, that's a nice resource thread. In the second page of the rooting thread someone has a modified version of the file for Bell S5660M variant, which is what I have, so I suppose I'll use that. I would prefer to go with CWM and CM11 without rooting, since I don't need or want root, but as you say it could be risky...
Oh, it would be great if you could verify on CM11 if 1) wifi can start automatically on (re)boot (eg. if it was on when powering off or rebooting, 2) if programs like CSipSimple can be autostarted on boot. That's all I really need right now to make it useful as an wifi IP phone.

I don't know how I would go about autostarting apps on boot. Is there a setting or a test for that? The wifi stays enabled after reboot.