Related
I've had my Desire for a few weeks now. My only issue is the lack of space for apps.
I really want APP2SD and I understand that google will implement it officially soon.
Is there any disadvantages of rooting now instead of waiting till later?
If I root now and a new method that allows me to access recovery (like my previous hero and magic) comes out later, will I be able to take advantage of it?
regards,
Ice
It's very easy to do that. If anything new comes out that allows easier recovery mode access then all you need to do is "unroot" the phone by flashing a stock rom and you're back to square one again.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=675202
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=675541
can't you keep it in the same thread? =='
If you don't wanna use the search function, that's up to you, but a least look at thread in the first page. thanks.
I do apologise, I guess I thought my main issue was slightly different.
that is, that if I use paul's method, My concern is the inability to reflash a recovery akin to that of magic or hero's recovery in the future.
Is there any particular function you want that you don't already have? You don't want to be rooting just because you can.
As of right now the nexus one still can't "relock" the bootloader, so i don't know when you can do it with the Desire. If the only function you want is app2sd then i suggest you wait.
i personally would rather wait
coming from a HD2, constantly flashing a new ROM was proven to cause issues as there were file fragments left behind from previous builds which were causing problems
the only solution to this was a full format of the entire phone and then flash a new ROM (this took a long time to develop)
i am currently unaware of a method of formatting the Desire to this degree and believe that constantly flashing different ROMs will make bugs in the system.
*speaking from HD2 experience here..
Mokurex said:
Is there any particular function you want that you don't already have? You don't want to be rooting just because you can.
As of right now the nexus one still can't "relock" the bootloader, so i don't know when you can do it with the Desire. If the only function you want is app2sd then i suggest you wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because the Nexus One can be officially unlocked using that method. Google released the phone with that ability almost straight out of the box at the cost of your warranty.
The Desire however can be easily unrooted. All you need to do is flash back to a stock HTC rom and it will be back to normal.
abc27 said:
The Desire however can be easily unrooted. All you need to do is flash back to a stock HTC rom and it will be back to normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh I see. Then i guess it wouldn't hurt to root it becuase you can always "unroot"?
Mokurex said:
Ahhh I see. Then i guess it wouldn't hurt to root it becuase you can always "unroot"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes exactly. When the Desire and the Nexus One were being compared people were saying that they prefer the Nexus because it was rooted. Now look who's laughing
Oke, quick question guys.
I have an unbranded HTC Desire UNROOTED, haven't rooted it yet...
It came with 2.2 and fully working etc..
My following question, is it worth it to root my phone and get a ROM?
What are the benefits of using a ROM on HTC Desire...
Because I've been reading comments on different ROMs for ages now and I just can't figure out which is best and has everything working.
I want a clean ROM which I then can flash a theme on, so it probably should not be odexed. Sorry for so many questions I just want to be sure.
So basically my question is root or not root, and if root, which ROM.
Share your experiences please, thanks !
Same here, what are the disadvantages to ROMs and rooting over a stock ROM??? Just problems with changing SD cards? Stability? Bugs??
a2sd+ and ****load of space for apps is no. 1 for me.
Every rom is stable enough for heavy everyday usage, unless they are marked as experimental, beta or something along those lines.
Youll be able to install as many apps you want with a2sd+ which is better than stock FroYo a2sd as all of the apps actually go onto the sd card.
Speed is massively improved on vanilla and sense roms, which is always lovely.
Endless mods too. Youll be able to pick themes for your roms, and even make your own if youre up to it.
Hopefully that will convert you
Sent from my HTC Desire
GANJDROID said:
Every rom is stable enough for heavy everyday usage, unless they are marked as experimental, beta or something along those lines.
Youll be able to install as many apps you want with a2sd+ which is better than stock FroYo a2sd as all of the apps actually go onto the sd card.
Speed is massively improved on vanilla and sense roms, which is always lovely.
Endless mods too. Youll be able to pick themes for your roms, and even make your own if youre up to it.
Hopefully that will convert you
Sent from my HTC Desire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...but, if you're happy with the performance and features of the stock ROM then there's probably no need. Most of us here do it just cos we can....
Oh, and just a warning, if you do root your device and start flashing different ROMS you may not be able to stop. Has been known to cause many problems, typically with wives and girlfriends.
I have hboot version greater than 0.75 (0.93 I think) and stock UK 2.2 ROM with latest update, can I still root and flash?
i also want to root, but im waiting for unrevoked v3.2.1, however im not sure if it works with hboot 0.93 (which im also on) can someone clarify that it works or doesn't??
Thanks
cr1960 said:
...but, if you're happy with the performance and features of the stock ROM then there's probably no need. Most of us here do it just cos we can....
Oh, and just a warning, if you do root your device and start flashing different ROMS you may not be able to stop. Has been known to cause many problems, typically with wives and girlfriends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats very true, but rooting basically unlocks everything, except system access, but thats nearly done
Haha, yeah, they do get quite peeved when you pay more attention on your phone than them
As for the hboot people, I think all hboots have been rooted, you just need to search the development forum.
Sent from my HTC Desire
I have rooted my phone and I'm happy I did it.
Just like the feeling of it that it can do more now and not be limited.
the new unrEVOked can root HBOOT 0.93 as I did it before going back to stock
I downgraded first, shouldn't make a different on how the ROM runs.
So downgrade hboot and then root and flash.
Right, but rooting messes up the OTA updates...
Rooting only affects otas if your not on an official rom.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
cr1960 said:
...but, if you're happy with the performance and features of the stock ROM then there's probably no need. Most of us here do it just cos we can....
Oh, and just a warning, if you do root your device and start flashing different ROMS you may not be able to stop. Has been known to cause many problems, typically with wives and girlfriends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true.. thats why I havent rooted.... yet...
chichoko said:
So true.. thats why I havent rooted.... yet...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOLOL...
That´s so true, my girlfriend hates my phone...
Had it rooted for a few weeks installed 2 or 3 rom´s, a few theme mod´s....
get it back to unroot status, why?
first of all the new radio gives u less battery drains, u still have froyo with stock rom, fast and stable and most important issue of all, WARRANTY...
i already bricked on Magic 32A
MrUsta said:
Right, but rooting messes up the OTA updates...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can use OTA updates with root, but you need to use fake flash to enter custom recovery, if u flash the custom recovery, removing the original one, u get an error when trying to update via OTA
And why finally decided to root my phone?
1. Because I love modifying gadgets.
2. More options, more space by extension.
3. You can always go back to unroot.
4. Theme Sense or Non-Sense.
5. Backup whole ROM.
Etc..
Those are the advantages I was looking for.
And I'm happy with it and had no trouble!
The updates will be on a ROM too anyways.
Don't ROOT
If i knew it was so hard to UNROOT i wouldn't have ROOTED in the first place...!
Why do you need to unroot so badly and what is preventing you?
So any other advantages of rooting apart from increasing internal memory? For stability and productivity, what ROMs are recommend? Is class two Sandisk ok for app2sd+? Can the ext3 partition be backed up or copied to another card?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
I got my HTC desire today :yay:
Now I'm thinking on rooting it. I also need some information:
I want a very stable and fast rom. don't care much about Sense UI or not.
App2sd is a must have. (do i need S-off to enable App2sd?)
MIUI looks nice, does any of the MIUI roms have swedish dictionary?
Is it worth to overclock the desire?
I know the some of the general when comming to root and so since i switched between openfire and Wildpuzzle ALOT on my wildfire.
Also would like som recomendations on apps and games that i wasn't able to use on my wildfire.
Did you do as advised and get the stock ROM for your device so you can unroot if needed? If not, get that first.
Then, just use the phone...no point diving into rooting if you don't need to. If you find the phone as it is doesn't work THEN look into rooting
EddyOS said:
Did you do as advised and get the stock ROM for your device so you can unroot if needed? If not, get that first.
Then, just use the phone...no point diving into rooting if you don't need to. If you find the phone as it is doesn't work THEN look into rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i found the right ruu and have it downloaded and re-uploaded to my dropbox.
Also i wan't to root it since i need more space on the phone by app2sd/dalvik2sd.
And i though that if I'm going to root i could aswell try out some roms
Is it possible to use app2sd/dalvik2sd/cache2sd without a custom rom?
No because it uses a modified boot image to enable scripts to be loaded from init.d
Eph.
Hi, I have the desire, and well I'm board with it, I want to mess around with different roms like miui, gingerbread extra. But I don't understand, please could someone help me with some of my questions? Thank :
1) What are the chances of breaking it through rooting, and what could happen, and would should you do it it does happen?
2) what does bricked mean, and is there away of unbricking?
1) what do you do if a bad rom breaks?
1.5) what are the chances of things going wrong?
2) Can you have more than one rom installed at a time, and switch between them, a bit like you can with launchers, and uses the same apps and data on those roms?
2.5) Is unrevoked the best way to root?
3) I you can have more than one rom, can you have a gingerbread rom, side loaded with a froyo from?
4) How do you switch between the roms?
5)Does rooting affect battery life?
6) Using unrevoked, is there anyway to unroot?
7) where do you find roms, and does the rom manager in the market allow you to install them without flashing?
8)Is there a good htc sense hd or gingerbread rom that works well?
9) With different roms increase the speed of the device, like the n1 is faster than the desire, yet they have the same hardware?
I know that a lot of questions but i am really nervousness about this and I can't seem to find todate answerers to these questions. If someone could help me with these questions I would be very great full, as I want to get more our of my device. Thanks ( I know there are a lot of rooting threads, but I really need to find out as much as i can before I undergo this, I love my desire too much to allow it to break when there was something that i could have done)
There is a remote chance (0.00000001%) of anything going wrong as long as you follow the steps to the rooting process and S-Off. If you become bricked then there is a topic on how to unbrick.
Easiest and best way to root is to using unrevoked 3.32. Make sure you download the HBoot drivers from their website. After rooting, it is also good to make your device S-Off'd. Your able to flash HBoot templates to change partition sizes and also change the splash and remove system apps and so on.
You can only have 1 rom installed at a time. You have to flash roms as well, that's how you install them and other zip files through the recovery. If a rom breaks, you can just flash it again. Installing a rom takes 5 mins, if that really.
You find roms in the Android Dev section. You can use Rom Manager but you have to pay or something.
You can have a fast rom or a "slower" rom. It depends on how it's been built and stuff but also the kernel can help to speed things up. (Speed isn't always the answer). There is no best or crappiest rom either. It's best to test many out for yourself.
Battery life again depends on the rom and the kernel.
Things To Download
To root a device
To S-Off your device
Roms and alsort of other nice things
Hope this helps you out.
Thanks very much , but do you need to install "S-Off" as I don't quite understand what it does, and which one to download and how to install it. Thanks
You don't need to install S-Off after a root. S-Off just allows you to do more things like uninstall system apps, change the splash screen, change the HBoot (not quite sure what else). If your not going to be doing them sort of things then stay away from it.
When you root, the unrevoked utility roots it and changes the recovery to ClockworkMod 2.5.1.8. That recovery allows you to boot into it and install roms through it. It has a menu and you use your optical tracker to navigate through them. That is how you install different roms.
With the roms, you need to see which one you like. I've been through almost all of them and I have one I stick to now. I can't say which is the best, that's for you to decide. The Gingerbread roms are Android 2.3 and I THINK, emphasis on the THINK, that the rest of the roms are Android 2.2.
I think at first your like, oh what if I mess things up and stuff but you won't if you follow instructions. When I first did it, I completely messed up and couldn't even boot into a rom at all and was wondering how to sort it out. I got there in the end but still. I also forgot to mention, if you want the stock rom back, you can install one of the RUU's. It will wipe everything and you will have to root again, but you will have stock.
Thanks very much , when change roms will you lose all of your apps, and data?
Yes. When your changing roms, you have to erase all data. It is a must and everything will go, apps, user data including texts and contacts, EVERYTHING!!!.
Thanks so much for all your help, i'm going to do it now, and use cyanogen mod 7 or 6.x. Thanks again
No worries. If you get stuck, just message me or something.
Completely IGNORE S-OFF if you're a n00b, it shouldn't be recommended to anyone who:
1. Doesn't know what it is
2. Doesn't actually need it
Concentrate on rooting and running a custom ROM first
Not actually true. When I S-Off'd my Desire, I didn't have a bloody clue, other than it disables all security, what it was. You eventually learn things like I did and read a little more. S-Off is a great tool to have on your phone because it gives you all the more freedom to do what ever you want with your device. I will say for all the "n00bs" out there that if you are S-Off'ing then please read it all carefully, unlike me because I could have messed it all up.
You were lucky - better to learn first, do second
I saw recently a wiped imei which made me cautious
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Thanks for all you help, I have rooted and now have a custom rom (cm 6.1). Thanks
EddyOS said:
Completely IGNORE S-OFF if you're a n00b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would add that if you're a n00b, don't even try to get your device rooted!
Lothaen said:
I saw recently a wiped imei which made me cautious
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would ask if that's even possbile. Apparently it is.
Delete the efs storage without a backup... doh
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
I had a stock Desire and wouldn't move from it. Then the niggles in the current build just annoyed me enough to actually go down the root route (see what I did there? )
So I rooted and after a few mishaps along the way (make backups of everything, phone and SD card, especially if you partition it!) I am very happy with my Ginger Villain ROM. A few things still niggle (Me avatar in texts blank, phone reboots randomly to name a few), but its not as bad as it used to be. I can live without Sense as well surprisingly enough.
I also did the same for a friend, and stuck them on LeeDroid 2.3d and as they are technically challenged, it works for them sweet as.
stringent said:
I had a stock Desire and wouldn't move from it. Then the niggles in the current build just annoyed me enough to actually go down the root route (see what I did there? )
So I rooted and after a few mishaps along the way (make backups of everything, phone and SD card, especially if you partition it!) I am very happy with my Ginger Villain ROM. A few things still niggle (Me avatar in texts blank, phone reboots randomly to name a few), but its not as bad as it used to be. I can live without Sense as well surprisingly enough.
I also did the same for a friend, and stuck them on LeeDroid 2.3d and as they are technically challenged, it works for them sweet as.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha that made me laugh. As for your contact icon of yourself, you need to add yourself. Your own number and name and then you can add a picture. Yes it is annoying a little because Android natively doesn't have like a "contact card" for yourself.
Rooting and S-Off is the best thing I did by far
GoogleJelly said:
Haha that made me laugh. As for your contact icon of yourself, you need to add yourself. Your own number and name and then you can add a picture. Yes it is annoying a little because Android natively doesn't have like a "contact card" for yourself.
Rooting and S-Off is the best thing I did by far
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bump creates a contact card for yourself...
right at the top of the phonebook called 'My Contact Card'
Lothaen said:
bump creates a contact card for yourself...
right at the top of the phonebook called 'My Contact Card'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, I don't have that, I had it in the Sense UI, not on the stock Ginger Villain ROM, unless I am missing something ...
Hi everyone,
I have an unbranded DHD in the UK, and I'm running 2.2. Just did a check for updates and nothing. Any idea when gingerbread will be arriving? And will I lose root and/or radio s-off? I love my root apps a lot Also not really a fan of custom roms atm as I don't have enough time to play with it if it doesn't work as expected straight away.
Also, what will I lose and keep in the update? Contacts? accounts? apps? App data?
Thanks
Tamen said:
Hi everyone,
I have an unbranded DHD in the UK, and I'm running 2.2. Just did a check for updates and nothing. Any idea when gingerbread will be arriving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already have 3 too many threads about that and don't wish to start another.
Tamen said:
And will I lose root and/or radio s-off? I love my root apps a lot Also not really a fan of custom roms atm as I don't have enough time to play with it if it doesn't work as expected straight away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll lose root. If you phone is still in a state that it can receive updates.
if you've rooted why not just flash a GB ROM? There are customised ones and even one that is just rooted.
Tamen said:
Also, what will I lose and keep in the update? Contacts? accounts? apps? App data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems people are saying that nothing was lost but back it all up anyway (yes, lots of apps to back up info, all already mentioned).
Thanks for the swift reply - how do I know if my phone can receive updates? I've rooted with visionary and put radio s-off if that helps
The main reason I don't want to flash custom roms is that it starts become a lot more risky - things do go wrong and you see people bricking their phones. If I bricked my phone I wouldn't have a clue how to fix it and I can't afford the £75 excess on insurance to replace it if it couldn't be fixed, as HTC wouldn't replace it if I broke it trying to do root things to it. I've also read that the latest CWM is having problems?
Tamen said:
Thanks for the swift reply - how do I know if my phone can receive updates? I've rooted with visionary and put radio s-off if that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be ok. The actual state you can put a phone to and still receive the update is something I haven't been able to pinpoint yet. Certainly need a stock ROM.
Previous phones needed the stock recovery but I don't think that's the case here.
Tamen said:
The main reason I don't want to flash custom roms is that it starts become a lot more risky - things do go wrong and you see people bricking their phones. If I bricked my phone I wouldn't have a clue how to fix it and I can't afford the £75 excess on insurance to replace it if it couldn't be fixed, as HTC wouldn't replace it if I broke it trying to do root things to it. I've also read that the latest CWM is having problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The time when you are most at risk of bricking your phone is rooting and flashing a radio.
Flashing a ROM is 99% risk free. You've done the risky bit.
Cheers - though I haven't flashed a radio I don't think (unless radio s-off is flashing a radio). It says in the how to install a rom guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=964996)
- Select "Install Zip from sdcard"
- Select "Choose zip from sdcard"
- Select full-wipe-1-3.zip (It's right under those folders)
- Confirm by selecting the Yes option in between those "NO"s
- Wait for it to finish
- DO NOT REBOOT!!! In case you were not aware, you now have no rom installed
If I somehow messed up or knocked the power button and rebooted, what happens? How do I then fix it? Is that a permanent brick?
Not a fan of that wipe.zip. You could do the less risky method first and use wipe from the recovery menu.
If you rebooted you MAY (unlikely) have a brick but more likely you'll just end up back at bootloader.
If something happens while the phone is installing the ROM then you might have a problem.
If the phone is bricked assume you will have to send it to HTC for repair (along with your best innocent "it was like that in the morning, honest" look.
You'll be fine. I'm sure. But know the risks.
Bottom line, don't knock it. It's quite hard to accidentally press the power button.
Haha claim innocence If they do look and say it's your fault, out of warrenty, how much do they charge? They don't have to replace anything, just presumably connect it to a htc computer and run some resets.
Does the phone stay connected throughout this process? What happens if it's not connected when run or becomes disconnected?
Sorry for all the questions, but I just really want to understand everything that happens. If able I'd much rather update to gingerbread then root with an updated visionary or equivalent, though how long that'll take to happen is anyone's guess :/
Unless the instructions say not to I'd leave it connected.
If the instructions say to remove something that means disconnecting the phone (such as swapping SD cards for example) and doesn't say re-insert the phone then don't (this is why you should always be 100% charged before you try these things).
If it is bricked, they will use there tool to get into the eMMC partition and re-install everything. It's unliekly (not happened yet) they will magically restore the phone and go "hold on, you did this".
Don't worry. Ask away (feel free to hit the thanks button IF I say anything useful).
Just to back track, it looks like your wanting to flash a ROM now. Is this a stock ROm or one of the beautiful customised ROM's like LeeDroid?
In a sec I'll thank every post on this thread, you've been really helpful (and patient!)
I heard about gingerbread updating and wondered if root would be lost with the update or if the update would even work at all. You suggested I get a gingerbread rom already rooted, and I said "aarrgh, I'm scared" The rest of the posts are you explaining things to me, though if possible I'd like to stick with official roms for the moment and then root it - will visionary work on 2.3?
No. You will need to use Gingerbreak which will involve downgrading the ROM first.
But to answer the question between the lines, if you update and lose root, all is not lost, it can be reclaimed.
[noob]But the Rom comes from OTA, so how can it be downgraded?[/noob]
But thanks, if root can be re-attained after the update, I'll wait till after the update before doing anything too fast
What you will have to do is take an old RUU, say version 1.32 and install that.
That then allows you to gain access to the required areas of the phone to give you root and anything else you wish (Engineering HBOOT (ENG S-OFF), Radio S-OFF etc.).
When you get to that stage and decide to root etc. you will kick yourself so hard for not doing it earlier
Oh so gingerbread will remove root but not Eng or radio s-off? I'm at 1.32 at the moment so I should get engineering s off while I still can cause getting root in the future will be easier?
Tamen said:
Oh so gingerbread will remove root but not Eng or radio s-off? I'm at 1.32 at the moment so I should get engineering s off while I still can cause getting root in the future will be easier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It (The OTA GB ROM) will remove root if you already have it yes. I believe Radio S-OFF is safe. AS for ENG S-OFF (HBOOT) I'm afraid my memory is failing me but with root and Radio S-OFF it would be easy enough to redo ENG S-OFF.
Rooting etc. will only get harder with each update. Version 1.32 is the easiest of all to root and in fact most root / Radio S-OFF etc. threads start by saying "downgrade to 1.32"
[EDIT] Just re-read your post...
Yes, if you make plans now before the OTA update (still not convinced you will get it though) it will be easier in the future but the main one to worry about is Radio S-OFF. This is the easier of the two and IIRC the only one required should you get the OTA update and gain root (via GingerBreak) without having to downgrade first.
I had root + radio s-off, just got ENG s-off too in-case it can't be done after the update. Hopefully this means after gingerbread re-rooting will be easy-ish
Tamen said:
I had root + radio s-off, just got ENG s-off too in-case it can't be done after the update. Hopefully this means after gingerbread re-rooting will be easy-ish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Puts a huge grin on my face when someone just goes and does this....
But I really really really feel you can't stop now.
Ignoring that I don't think you will get the OTA update you have to now install a GB ROM. After what you have done, flashing a ROM is (relatively speaking) as safe as houses.
Go on!! Android Revolution HD (ARHD) is basically pure stock GB visually with a few goodies thrown in.
Top the day off and flash that ROM.
Do it!!!
Getting ENG s-off was just as simple as getting radio s-off (which I did about a week ago) - I've just heard it's less 'reversable' for if ever you need to go back to stock so had avoided it
The thing with me is that I my brain doesn't really consider things risky or safe based on other people being safe or risky, it's how many places there are to go wrong. One click apps like visionary are relatively safe I just feel a bit daunted by all the steps to flashing a rom. I'll give OTA a chance, but if everyone else on UK unbranded goes "woohoo" and I just sit there like a lemon, I'll maybe start thinking about it
I've got exams coming up (I'm only 15) but if after this week there's no update I'll dedicate a couple of hours to putting a gingersense rom on my phone
What's your preference? And why are there so many no-sense roms? Sense is amazing and is what in my opinion really sets HTC apart - lovely phones with a boosted UI. Why would you ever want to get rid of it?!
EDIT: When flashing a ROM, do you need to factory wipe? Does mybackup root work across roms? I'd like some way of restoring all my contacts, accounts and apps
EDIT2: Something I forgot about earlier; I can't open the compartment to take out my battery, so when there's a solution that says "take out battery, try again", it wouldn't work as I physically cannot take the compartment off to get to the battery. When my phone arrived and I needed to take it off to remove the wrapper on the battery, but I couldn't do it and neither could anyone in my family. So feeling stupid I took it to the orange shop but no luck, so t-mobile, phones4u, O2, carphonewarehouse... loads, none could do it.
One guy told me to take it to a different orange shop and "ask for dean" - so I took it to him and he took it out the back of the shop and somehow did it. He said it just needed force (but clearly an amount nobody before or after him has been able to replicate), and that it was nothing like any other DHD he'd seen as they are usually stiff but do open, this was basically glued. So I better not get into a boot loop that holding down the power button won't fix, as if it's hard to play innocent when it's visibly stuck in a boot loop from custom roms
Tamen said:
Getting ENG s-off was just as simple as getting radio s-off (which I did about a week ago) - I've just heard it's less 'reversable' for if ever you need to go back to stock so had avoided it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, just as reversible.
Tamen said:
The thing with me is that I my brain doesn't really consider things risky or safe based on other people being safe or risky, it's how many places there are to go wrong. One click apps like visionary are relatively safe I just feel a bit daunted by all the steps to flashing a rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put ROM on sdcard.
Boot to recovery.
wipe data and cache
install ROM
reboot
Get a brew and marvel and the wonderfulness of it all.
With ROM Manager it can be simpler still.
Tamen said:
I'll give OTA a chance, but if everyone else on UK unbranded goes "woohoo" and I just sit there like a lemon, I'll maybe start thinking about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you start thinking about it install ROM Manager just to get ready.
Tamen said:
I've got exams coming up (I'm only 15) but if after this week there's no update I'll dedicate a couple of hours to putting a gingersense rom on my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Schedule those hours in now. You WILL be flashing ROMs
Tamen said:
What's your preference? And why are there so many no-sense roms? Sense is amazing and is what in my opinion really sets HTC apart - lovely phones with a boosted UI. Why would you ever want to get rid of it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hee hee. I like Cyanogen (a non-sense ROM) - Will come back to that.
My favourite sense ROMs are LeeDroid by a long way, the guy is a star and the ROM is perfection; after that, Android Revolution HD which will probably be your choice as it's closer to stock than Lee's. Based on what you've said I go with ARHD but if you really want to play, have fun (overclocking etc.) and want your phone to make R2D2 noises when it boots then LeeDroid every time.
And you're right, the Sense UI (which only gets better) does set HTC apart but even without it, I'd only buy a HTC phone now (when I'm buying an Android phone).
Why not [email protected]
Two part answer. The first part is I'm a huge open source and Linux fan. Use Ubuntu on PC and Kubuntu on laptop and my first Android phone was THE first Android phone, the Google (T-Mobile) G1. As such I love Android so I want my phone to be just about Android with a few little extras and NO ONE does that better than Cyanogen. NO ONE.
I still have my G1 and I still love it. That's a vanilla Android phone.
Second part is about bloat. Yes, I do really really like Sense UI. As far as manufacturers bloat-ware goes NOTHING beats Sense UI. It's visually stunning and things like htcsense.com, the clock / weather widget that actually shows weather and that cool windscreen wiper thing and the whole seamless integration twix phone and social is beyond words.
But at the end of the day what is it? It's pretty. I don't use facebook. For twitter I prefer Twidroyd and Tweetdeck. I don't need a massive clock on my screen. I don't want apps and widget I'm not going to use. Before I could root my Hero and DHD I installed ADW.Launcher.
I'll tell you what it's about: Choice. I don't want three buttons along the bottom I want five. And because I have a Google Apps account, HTC Picasa add-on doesn't work (they looking into it) and that pisses me off.
I'm prattling on now.
I have LeeDroid and ARHD on my sdcard as NAND backups and every now and then I restore one (I think of it as almost "dual boot") and for the next 24 hours I'm back coo-ing over it all but then 24 hours later it just doesn't feel right so back to CM I go.
It's personal choice but I will say one thing (more), try CM7. If you don't like it fine but just try it. You'll miss the widgets at first but see how you feel about it.
I'll shut up now.
That's great info, cheers I understand why now, but I do like my massive flip-over clock, regardless of how much battery it eats Also, htcsense.com has been a life saver once or twice when I've put it at home under a pile of papers or something and can't find it
ARHD said there were problems with Rom Manager and wiping within it - is that still a problem? Why do some roms need a different radio flashed? What actually is a different radio and why do you get problems with different roms and radios?
How long does it take between putting the rom on the sd card and actually having the rom installed with ROM Manager?
Also, I edited the above post but was doing so after you'd posted this, so I'll put it here too:
EDIT2: Something I forgot about earlier; I can't open the compartment to take out my battery, so when there's a solution that says "take out battery, try again", it wouldn't work as I physically cannot take the compartment off to get to the battery. When my phone arrived and I needed to take it off to remove the wrapper on the battery, but I couldn't do it and neither could anyone in my family. So feeling stupid I took it to the orange shop but no luck, so t-mobile, phones4u, O2, carphonewarehouse... loads, none could do it.
One guy told me to take it to a different orange shop and "ask for dean" - so I took it to him and he took it out the back of the shop and somehow did it. He said it just needed force (but clearly an amount nobody before or after him has been able to replicate), and that it was nothing like any other DHD he'd seen as they are usually stiff but do open, this was basically glued. So I better not get into a boot loop that holding down the power button won't fix, as if it's hard to play innocent when it's visibly stuck in a boot loop from custom roms
Tamen said:
That's great info, cheers I understand why now, but I do like my massive flip-over clock, regardless of how much battery it eats Also, htcsense.com has been a life saver once or twice when I've put it at home under a pile of papers or something and can't find it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made great use of that too, so simple, plress a button on the website and instant ring. An app called Where's my droid can do that but you need another phone to be able to send it a text.
Tamen said:
ARHD said there were problems with Rom Manager and wiping within it - is that still a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There used to be but I've never had a problem. But I like doing everything from recovery and that's works fine (from 3.0.2.6).
Tamen said:
Why do some roms need a different radio flashed? What actually is a different radio and why do you get problems with different roms and radios?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's that some ROM's have been tested using certain Radios and some devs are only willing to recommend Radios that have been tested.
A radio is the software that is responsible for wifi, network signal including data, bluetooth and GPS. It's just another something that is constantly being improved. Most radios will work with most roms but one radio might work great for person a and be rubbish for person b. This is because some networks and phone hardware (they do differ) don't respond as well as others to a certain radio. The radio is something you will will push (via fastboot commands) a lot (which is why you have Radio S-OFF) as you need to experiment.
Tamen said:
How long does it take between putting the rom on the sd card and actually having the rom installed with ROM Manager?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on ROM but on average about 5 minutes. It's not really any quicker than using recovery directly (ROM Manager is just a GUI for recovery) once you have done it a few times, it's just simpler.
Tamen said:
EDIT: When flashing a ROM, do you need to factory wipe?
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Click to collapse
ALWAYS. And every time.
The only exception is if you're upgrading the same ROM but even then, depending on the upgrade you may still have to wipe. Most issues after flashing a ROM are due to not wiping at least the cache.
Tamen said:
Does mybackup root work across roms? I'd like some way of restoring all my contacts, accounts and apps
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Click to collapse
Yes. Contacts are sync'd to Gmail so no worries there. Mybackup will backup SMS and MMS too.
Apps are a different matter. There is an option to Backup apps and app data to google servers which works 95% of the time. Titanium can do this too but in my experience is even more flakey. I still keep a list of all my apps just in case.
Tamen said:
EDIT2: Something I forgot about earlier; I can't open the compartment to take out my battery, so when there's a solution that says "take out battery, try again", it wouldn't work as I physically cannot take the compartment off to get to the battery. When my phone arrived and I needed to take it off to remove the wrapper on the battery, but I couldn't do it and neither could anyone in my family [snip]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That battry door is ****, no two ways about it. It does require a lot of force and you have to be brave with it. But as you say, hopefully you won't need to worry about it.