Android NEWB - Recovery roms? - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've been using custom ROMS on WinMo for a couple of years now, and have finally taken the plunge to move to Android since I don't fancy WinMo7.
My Desire should be here in the next few days... and I've been reading about Rooting it. Apparently it voids my warranty - but HTC repaired my HD2 which had custom ROMS then reflashed... so I'm not too worried.
In WinMo I simply flash my ROM, then use it. If I have a problem I do a Hard Reset which returns the ROM to how it was when I flashed it.
Can someone please explain to me what the Recovery ROMS are for? I'm assuming this is something that comes as standard on the phone? If so - what benefit do I get from flashing a custom Recovery?

Recovery is a piece of software to replace the standard htc recovery mode, from a custom recovery, you can flash new roms, and also mods and themes, search for unrevoked, this is a utility that will root the stock htc software, it will also install.a custom recovery all in one go
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply. I've already got unrevoked on my desktop in preperation for the phone arriving!

Before you do anything, check the ROM version running on your phone when you get it. To do this, go to:
Settings>About phone>Software information>Software version
Once you have the version go to http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Bravo and see if your software version is available. If so, download it so should you need to go back to stock you can

Related

HTC Desire Debrand

Hey Guys,
im getting a Desire through Telstra tonight, and the first thing i want to do is debrand the thing.
I have read up on some things but still a little confused, can someone point me in the right direction, of 1 how to unlock the phone, root it and the best ROM to install on it.
Much Appreciated
Ok i think i know what im doing now.
One thing though, i just want a normal rom to put on it, just debranded, can anyone recommend me something?
I dont really want custom roms etc
Look in the sticky in rom section, shows the stock roms available. Then you can upgrade to stock 2.2
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Ok so if i use this rom
RUU_Bravo_HTC_WWE_1.21.405.2_Radio_32.36.00.28U_4. 06.00.02_2_release_126984_signed.exe
Which are not rooted do i still need to root the device etc or can i just use this rom and it will update and remove the telstra stuff?
And is this the latest normal 2.2 Rom?
You need to root to debrand, then put the stock Rom on
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Ok no worries ill do that, but is the rom i posted the correct Stock 2.2 Rom i would use in AUS? for the Desire?
Just remember having a goldcard always inserted, while debranding and OTA updating.
I was gunna do this method, no goldcard needed.
http://myhtcdesire.com/modding/how-to-root-your-desire-easily-method-2
But do i only have to have the goldcard inserted while updating and rooting, then i can remove it?
Widge86 said:
I was gunna do this method, no goldcard needed.
http://myhtcdesire.com/modding/how-to-root-your-desire-easily-method-2
But do i only have to have the goldcard inserted while updating and rooting, then i can remove it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI there,
I used the unrevoked method and this provides "root" and ClockworkMod Recovery. I then initially downloaded [ROM-FroYo] Official Froyo HTC Sense ROM (16/07 v1.0c | OpenDesire Team) link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726300
The above rom is very much like the standard HTC sense ROM but without the Tel$tra bloatware. Have a good search on xda though as there have been a number of roms (sense like) been released since this one.
I have since moved on to [ROM-FROYO AOSP] OpenDesire v3.6.1 (720P | 2.6.34.5 SVS KERNEL | 1305mhz) (26/08). http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=712615
This rom is a "vanilla" (plain) version of the android OS and is half the size of the sense ROM, and is clean and fast, but you lose the "sense" interface and the HTC FM radio.
Everything else camera, wi-fi, GPS, phone, etc works perfectly from me.
BTW, all this is on a Tel$ta Desire (A8183) that is 3 months old. I have had no probs at all.
Hope this helps
Thats awesome info great so ill use the guide i posted to Root the device then i can install any ROM i wont, i think ill use the original 2.2 Rom that i posted earlier in the thread
to confirm even if i want to use a stock HTC RUU rom from the Stock Rom page i still have to Root my device?
Widge86 said:
to confirm even if i want to use a stock HTC RUU rom from the Stock Rom page i still have to Root my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be pointless rooting before applying an RUU, as it's not necessary and the flash process will remove root anyway.
That RUU you pointed to will break a Desire with an SLCD screen, so be warned.
Ok so i should just use a hacked rom thats based on the normal one, how do i find out if the phone i have is SLCD?
You can still use an official ROM. Read this for lots of info:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=749551
WOW now im even more confused i used to be able to hack my old HTC Touch Pro easily lol.
Ok so i have to hope my Telstra delivered phone is still AMOLED, then i wont have any dramas, to be honest im not much into running a custom rom, id rather just get rid of the telstra crap thats going to be on the phone, but i also do not want to brick it or break the screen in the process.
So if i just use one of the RUU updates in your post you linked me too it doesnt matter if its AMOLED or SLCD i can update to it without rooting?
Ill get the phone first work out if i have SLCD or not, then go from there.
I wont Froyo on my phone and no telstra stuff so i can make a goldcard and update, or if i have a AMOLED phone use the Rooting tool and update to any rooted ROM correct?
You can debrand on any type of screen using the correct RUU. You can root both types too.
If you root you cannot run an official ROM, but you can run something almost exactly the same.
Which Froyo Rom (rooted) would be the closest to stock?
To Confirm if i have an AMOLED phone i can just update a Stock Non Branded ROM without rooting? By placing the update.zip on the phone and updating using recovery mode?
Widge86 said:
Which Froyo Rom (rooted) would be the closest to stock?
To Confirm if i have an AMOLED phone i can just update a Stock Non Branded ROM without rooting? By placing the update.zip on the phone and updating using recovery mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi widge
just go with the flow, unbrand it, root it and play with all the roms, your gonna love it. try em all and see what u like best. I am on nextsense rom 7 at the mo and waiting for the kitchen to open again so i can do some cooking. Tried opendesire a while back and it was pretty mint, may take a lokk at it again myself.
You can't switch to an unbranded rom by using update.zip files, you use an RUU to flash the phone, which requires a goldcard.
To install custom roms you root and install them as zip files in recovery.
You can do both on an SLCD or AMOLED screen, but with an SLCD screen you have to be more careful which RUU you use.

[Q] Regarding flashing and what not.

Alright, so let me start off by saying that i'm a complete noob in the world of smartphones! I think i'm ready to throw a custom rom on my phone, but before i do that i'd like to have a couple of things clarified before i start screwing my phone up
So, in order to flash a custom rom onto my phone, firstly i need to downgrade my HBOOT from 0.92 to 0.80. No questions here really, seems pretty clear.
Then i need to gain root access to my phone, basically a 'protection' built in by most operating systems so that regular users wont screw things up by deleting/changing settings.
After that, i need to flash a custom recovery rom. This is basically a replacement for the original recovery screen which allows us to flash backup-images that we made (as the original recovery screen does not allow this). Correct?
Then i can flash a custom rom, which is nothing but a customized operating system by having certain things optimized and/or removed.
Now lets say everything worked out well and i have a custom rom on my phone, this means i have; Custom ROM + Custom Recovery + HBOOT 0.80.
If, for whatever reason, i need to send my phone back for repair. I would have to;
- Flash the backup-image that i made before starting this whole process.
- Flash the original recovery rom (is this possible?).
- Upgrade the HBOOT back to 0.92.
Correct?
I think thats all, thanks in advance!
Lunatic2 said:
Now lets say everything worked out well and i have a custom rom on my phone, this means i have; Custom ROM + Custom Recovery + HBOOT 0.80.
If, for whatever reason, i need to send my phone back for repair. I would have to;
- Flash the backup-image that i made before starting this whole process.
- Flash the original recovery rom (is this possible?).
- Upgrade the HBOOT back to 0.92.
Correct?
I think thats all, thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You cannot make a backup image before starting the whole process. Nandroid to backup the whole system is only available after root.
2. You can flash the original rom, IF it is available.
3. The hboot would be upgraded automatically if you flashed an official HTC rom.
So basically if you are concerned about warranty issues and reverting back to stock, I'd have a look in the dev forum for official untouched roms, and see if yours is there. If it is then you just download it and flash it when needed. There is a thread listing official untouched roms for this very purpose!
Here's where you can get the stock HTC ROMs - if your current ROM is listed there then get it in case you ever have to unroot...
http://shipped-roms.com/shipped/Bravo/
You can only downgrade the HBOOT from 0.92 to 0.80 if you have an AMOLED Desire - if you have an SLCD Desire you'll need a bit more work (at present, should change once unrEVOked gets updated)
Alright, thanks for the heads up! Just one more question, where can I see which rom I currently have installed? I have an unbranded HTC Desire with the 2.2 OTA update.
edit\
One more question, when downgrading my HBOOT from 0.92 to 0.80, do i need to make a GoldCard, or is this only needed for branded devices?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
A goldcard is normally only needed for a branded handset so you should be fine without one.
Your software version is found by Pressing menu, then tap about phone > Software information.
rolfd said:
A goldcard is normally only needed for a branded handset so you should be fine without one.
Your software version is found by Pressing menu, then tap about phone > Software information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew where to find my software version, just wasnt sure which i had to download. I think i found it.
I have version 2.09.405.8, that should be this one:
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.09.405.8_Radio_32.43.00.32U_5.09.00.20_release_140022_signed.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch! Going to play with it today
Alright, so i installed a custom rom, didnt like it and decided to go back to stock 2.2 FroYo. My nandroid had a backup of a rooted 2.1 image, but using the system update from there didnt work as it whined about signatures.
So i ran the RUU update from my pc, everything is back to stock. 2.2 Froyo with a 5.x radio and 0.92 HBOOT.
Now i wanted to see if Clockworkmod Recovery had been removed aswell (read: see if the original recovery image was on there), but when i boot in to recovery mode, i get the red exclamation mark. After pressing Volume Up + Power i get the following message:
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/command
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this normal for phones that 'haven't been messed with' (if you know what i mean )
I just don't want to get warranty issues incase something happens
Thanks in advance again!
Lunatic2 said:
Alright, so i installed a custom rom, didnt like it and decided to go back to stock 2.2 FroYo. My nandroid had a backup of a rooted 2.1 image, but using the system update from there didnt work as it whined about signatures.
So i ran the RUU update from my pc, everything is back to stock. 2.2 Froyo with a 5.x radio and 0.92 HBOOT.
Now i wanted to see if Clockworkmod Recovery had been removed aswell (read: see if the original recovery image was on there), but when i boot in to recovery mode, i get the red exclamation mark. After pressing Volume Up + Power i get the following message:
Is this normal for phones that 'haven't been messed with' (if you know what i mean )
I just don't want to get warranty issues incase something happens
Thanks in advance again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's totally normal. If you ran the ruu then you are back to an out of the factory handset.
Alright awesome, now i can go arround messing with ROM's again without having to worry that much. I guess i just had to go a bit of a trial and error to find out how it works, i've learned alot.
Just need to find a rom that looks close to a 2.2 stock one. I tried OpenDesire but didnt like all the custom stuff
Thanks!!

OTA update

Hi, yesterday i got a massage that i can download new ota update 2.29... i've decided not to dwnl. it cause phone is rooted but it is on custom rom and i have data to sd as it says in my signature. Quest. is, what hapend in that case when upgradeing?
htc desire data2sd
Never apply OTA on rooted phones!
You most likely will mess up your phone.
If you want the changes from the update either use the matching RUU or find a custom rom based on that version.
Oh and your signature is empty.
Thx, for reply. It is the main problem i can't decide what is the compatibile rom. I know it is verry newbe quest but it so hard for me to get it on cause there is so much of everything that can brick the phone. As much as i read that less i understand. Can't find the rom that is up to date and that it is compatibile. Don't know how to decide which is ok. About signature, english isn't my native lang. and it is hard to find the right expression .
htc desire data2sd
There isn't that much that can brick your phone, people use the word brick to much for every little problem they have. As far as I know there are only three ways to brick a phone:
Hardware damage
Faulty radio install
Messing up the hboot
There might be more but can't think of any other right now. Non of these are relevant to you right now.
For all the desire compatible rom's check this thread. StarBurst is probably your best bet if you want to keep the normal Sense. Make sure to read the thread for requirements and instructions.
Thank you for your patiente, one more newbie q. I can`t find on the google how to see which recovery mode do i have? There i see some notes to whatch out with which recovery to oprate but i can`t find how to see which version is mine.
Just boot in recovery, there should be a line telling what recovery it is. Most likely you have CWM 2.5.0.7.
You are right once again . So from now on i should find the newest rom. Is gingerbred for desire yet out and should it be something much better then those roms you've sugest me in the privious post? As i saw on the forum those custom roms are eaven more up to date and provide more options than those "original" roms, and another confusing thing is that in star burst is option to update ota, is this correct or i do not understand it correctly?
htc desire data2sd
Same concern here:
I've rooted the phone, I've installed Rom Manager, wasn't convinced to install any ROM. How this will affect the OTA update ?
To be honest I'm waiting for the official 2.3 from HTC and I've rooted the phone mainly to get access to some Market software unavailable outside the US (maps, voice actions, etc).
I've also unlocked the phone using seempi's method.
If you're rooted you can't apply the OTA, simple as that.
If you want OTAs then you'll need to go back to stock
Whats the full version number of ota update?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

(WANTED) Official 2.3 latest firmware nanodroid backup file

Hey guys i just got an HTC desire online for my dad..
Its running MIUI..
its rooted has recovery etc..
Im not familar with HTC phones so i dont want to go through the trouble of searching for a rom downloading flasher etc..
So if anyone has the Latest GSM Official 2.3 update can you please link it to me?
Cheers
First item on this link. Be reminded that this will unroot and flash a locked bootloader. You need to use Revolutionary to s-off and be able to flash superuser.
http://htcdev.com/devcenter/downloads
surley ur better off installing a pre rooted stock rom>?
HTC Gingerbread is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1200261
Fresh download links are here in the thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22550909&postcount=429
Use Android Flasher to flash the Radio:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=794638
On a similar note to this chap, I've also bought my dad a Desire off eBay which is running CM7.1 stable. Problem is, Bluetooth won't release audio back to device speakers (without rebooting the device at least) so I want to reflash stock. My dad's a bit of a brick when it comes to technology, so I don't need the device rooted.
Would you guys recommend just running the official HTC 2.3 RUU?
I'm running the above ROM after trying a few customs which were bloated, buggy and unreliable. It's just the stock 2.3 ROM with root and performance is great!
Sense is a bit of a mess for beginners (e.g. MIUI is a lot cleaner) but it's a very reliable ROM.
Looking through the Desire forums, a lot - possibly most - cases of bricking the phone arise from people trying to s-on their phone, and/or running an RUU.
Yes, you only hear about the problem cases but even so, personally, I wouldn't try to s-on unless you really need to.
a_person said:
Looking through the Desire forums, a lot - possibly most - cases of bricking the phone arise from people trying to s-on their phone, and/or running an RUU.
Yes, you only hear about the problem cases but even so, personally, I wouldn't try to s-on unless you really need to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, go with a pre-rooted stock rom.
Plus with stock 2.3 you'll run out of memory for apps pretty quickly, so a rom that uses sd-ext would be best
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA

help unrooting please!

I've got a droid incredible that I am trying to get back to stock but I am having a tough time since this phone is so old and the guides I can find are outdated. I have s-off but I do not have a custom recovery installed and without one I can't seem to flash anything. I have tried this, but this assumes you have root and custom recovery already installed. Any idea on where to start would be greatly appreciated. The phone is currently at Android version 2.2.
Let's see if I can help you out
GoodSeed said:
I've got a droid incredible that I am trying to get back to stock but I am having a tough time since this phone is so old and the guides I can find are outdated. I have s-off but I do not have a custom recovery installed and without one I can't seem to flash anything. I have tried this, but this assumes you have root and custom recovery already installed. Any idea on where to start would be greatly appreciated. The phone is currently at Android version 2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better late than never, right?
First off, do you have a custom ROM installed? If so, which ROM? And also, does this ROM boot? I.E. can you still use the device? Also, may I ask why you want to take away root? This can be very handy for uninstalling bloatware/system apps and modifying the system to your liking. (Which I would say is even more important now that the phone is so outdated.)
Also, since you're rooted, you may have luck installing ROM Manager by ClockworkMod - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.rommanager and then using the "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" at the top of the app.
Let me know if this helps

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