Develop Bugs

Sensless or Stock Android

Hey guys I have been doing quite a bit of searching through the forums and still have a couple questions about custom roms and rooting. Forgive the noobness but the droid incredible is my first android device and I only recently got it.
1. My first question is what is the simplest way (rom + root I assume) to get a stock version of android on my incredible? Also what rom would you recommend (I have seen a pretty big list but know nothing about them)?
2. What is the difference, if any, between a kernel and a rom? Ive seen both words used a lot and have seen kernels that are stock and roms that are as well. Which would I use between the two?
I know these questions may be dumb but I have been searching for a couple days and have gone through hundreds of threads trying to find the definitive answer (there were some benefits though, I use launcher pro and the droid x's keyboard now) any help would be appreciated.

1. You are right in assuming that the quickest (and only) way to get a stock version of Android on your phone is to root your phone and install a custom recovery that will allow you to flash a rom. It is not really possible for me to recommend a rom because rom's are all about personal preference and my preference may be different from yours. That being said, if you are interested in stock Android, check out Cyanogenmod. The biggest thing right now is that for the Incredible, Cyanogenmod is the only true stock Android that is compiled from AOSP (Android Open Source Project) however it is still in its early stages for our device, so it's still buggy. The other roms are modified versions of our stock sense rom, so some of the roms are modified to have the bulkier parts of of the Sense UI removed, but it is still a Sense rom.
2. I'm not going to profess to be extremely in the know about kernels, but a kernel is the go-between for the hardware and the os/applications. If you want to learn more about kernels, you can read the wikipedia page about kernels found here. Basically what you need to know is that the rom is the operating system, so if you wanted to change the OS such as from Sense to Vanilla Android, you would flash a rom. If you wanted to change the way the system runs, such as if you want your processor to be overclocked or undervolted, you would flash a kernel.
Hope this helps.

That answered everything! Thanks for the reply and I will keep checking the forums for stock roms that seem stable!

Nexus One ROM?

Is it possible to run the Nexus One ROM on the Desire? I like to use the stock Android experience, and OpenDesire used to provide this but all of the tweaks from Cyanogen mod is changing that.

The simple answer is no. It has to be ported to use on the desire.

I like to think that the cm-mod changes are for the better, but you could eventually use an older version of opendesire, if you used to like it I prefer sense roms myself, but there is several different versions of the aosp compiled roms, have you tried all of them?

Thanks for the replies guys. Good to know.
I've only tried one or two AOSP ROM's - I'll keep trying Any suggestions?

Not really the only other option will probably be to start compiling your own rom for the desire trying to get the completely stock experience, but that requires some skills neither you nor i have i believe

[Q] Kernel help, Sense def. needed

Heres some pretty basic questions for yall:
1)
I need a AOSP kernel. No "Trickling battery" please, I don't want my battery exploding next to my head while I sleep. Needs to be stable. Needs to have HAVS. Needs to be able to run Cyangenmod7. Lastly, it needs to be CMF, or non-brain ****ing whatever.
2)
I need to know what custom ROM i should download. I'm undecided with the whole sense vs. non-sense thing. Partially because I don't know what sense is. (im assuming its some sort of UI?). Something with a different look than stock 2.2 at least. Needs to be stable. Should be Froyo-derived. Needs to be activly upgraded, but not nightly or in beta (with the exception of Cyangenmod7)
In essence, which is the best coustom rom in your opinion?
3)What is Sense? Is it what allows you to drag-n-drop icons?
4) I need a non-AOSP kernel incase the most popular ROM doesn't have support for AOSP.
Thanks.
And I did do a bit of searching in the developers section, but all I found were beta or alpha releases with trickling charges enabled.
I decided on Savaged-Zen Kernel 2.6.37-ck1 kernel and a CM7 nightly build. full-18.. I hope this works >.< All my other attemps have been faulty.

What is the kernal for? and do I need to update it?

About to flash CM7. Seen some mention of 'kernal' in various threads. What does it do? and do I need to update it?
Cheers.

same question

The Kernel controls things like battery drain and CPU levels for overclocking etc... its not a must do but recommended for best performance. there is probably not a "best" one but more like the best that suits you. If you are running CM7 i would recomend Vork Kernel's or ManU kernels

Richardtrip's kernels are also very good: overcklocking, manual voltage level, Two-way call recording.

plohoi said:
Richardtrip's kernels are also very good: overcklocking, manual voltage level, Two-way call recording.
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Have you used the call recording? If so how do you "activate" it or listen to the calls afterwards?

CdTDroiD said:
Have you used the call recording?
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Yes call recording is working fine.
CdTDroiD said:
If so how do you "activate" it or listen to the calls afterwards?
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There are several apps in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=993793 thread, I used app by skvalex.

Since I'm new to Desire and HTC- what is the difference between Sense and AOSP kernels?
(before you ask- I know what AOSP is)
Do Sense firmwares require some extra drivers/modules/settings in kernel?

gen_scheisskopf said:
Since I'm new to Desire and HTC- what is the difference between Sense and AOSP kernels?
(before you ask- I know what AOSP is)
Do Sense firmwares require some extra drivers/modules/settings in kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there!
Sense is HTC proprietary software built over the top of Android. This code is not open source and is what HTC use to set themselves apart from other manufacturers like Samsung etc. Sense is what they sell as their user experience.
AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project. Since Android is an open source operating system, Google publish all the code and necessary tools to develop Android. Companies like HTC get the code and then write Sense over the top. Devs in this community like Cyanogen take the AOSP code and build their ROMS from scratch.
When you see ROMS that are for Sense 2.1 on Gingerbread for example this means that someone has been able to port software running on other phone models like the Desire HD or Incredible etc to your phone model (Desire)
As for the kernels you will need to make sure that the kernel you run is supported on the device and that's about it. The Kernel has to have some key components or the phone won't work so the ROM you use just uses them.
Having said that, ROM developers usually optimise around one or two particular Kernels. They are usually included in the ROM or the Dev will tell you which one they recommend for certain purposes.
You do have to have apps in the system that can access settings if customising the performance beyond what the dev has already done is what you want to do.

Thanks for the answer but it's not exactly what I'd like to know
Thing is- what makes Sense kernel incompatible with AOSP firmware (and vice versa)

Sorry for not answering what you were looking for. I'll try again.
The Kernels for Sense would have specific code that enables features in the phone that HTC build. LED control, light sensor etc. I assume Sense is quite strict about what it will work on and what it won't.
The AOSP Kernels are built without knowing the exact hardware maps of the internal components and as such won't work with Sense because they simply don't know how due to HTC keeping a lid on all source work for Sense and the handset itself.
The best developers can figure most of it out (certainly I am not a dev, just a geek ) and teams like CyanogenMod have it mostly discovered and configurable.
Is that more helpful?

Isn't Sense a HTC's android framework "mod"? I mean does it "just" provide more/different functionality than AOSP?
AFAIK all kernels must be built knowing exact hardware map, otherwise some devices will not work or kernel will not boot. The only autodetect I'm aware of is display panel type and filesystems (I did mess with kernels @samdroid.net)

i have a question about kernels an such from what i understand is you don't need to update the kernel but its a good idea too do so. couple questions i have.
1. how do you know what kernel you have installed currently.
2. How do you flash or get a new one installed if you need or want it.
3. scene i am using core droid 6.3 gb2.3.3 what kernel would be the most compatible or effective?
I have had my inspire phone for 3 months an finally rooted it 3weeks ago sence then i have used the rom manager too play with different roms an make backups of the 2 i have found i like the most. After reading i have seen it stated too get the most out of these roms though you should install a different kernel.

To know your currently version, you have to go in parametres and then logiciel version and look at build. Sorry for my bad English.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App

I don't want open a new thread, so I will ask here.
Now I have
kernel
2.6.32.15-gf5a401c
baseband
32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27
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on stock pre rooted 2.2 Froyo.
I want put this ROM. Can I put this ROM with my kernel and radio or I musst put latest kernel and radio?

GTRSkyR34 said:
I don't want open a new thread, so I will ask here.
Now I have
on stock pre rooted 2.2 Froyo.
I want put this ROM. Can I put this ROM with my kernel and radio or I musst put latest kernel and radio?
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Click to collapse
You will find that many roms contain a kernel in the zip file, so it will often change when you flash a rom. If not, the developer may recommend one.
Radio is independent of rom flash, and unless you start getting connectivity problems there is normally no need to change it. Again, some developers will recommend a radio (and maybe a RIL if they know a particular combination works well with their rom.

[Q] Question about ROMS , Kernels, and stuff like that...

So I've been doing this stuff for a while now and have become very fluent in the droid rooting lingo but I am getting mixed messages on a few things.
ROMS and Kernels...
I understand that Kernel changes how different pieces of the hardware are utilized and the ROM is more or less how to interact with the hard ware but can a ROM ( such as CM# ) have it's own kernel. Meaning if I installed such and such a kernel, then did a clean install with CM7, would the such and such be wiped out and replaced with CM7's own kernel?

Correct, when you flash Rom B, the kernel you had with Rom A is gone, but does exist in the backup, if you made one. Hence, when you restore Rom A, you get the kernel that was backed up with it.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

Alrighty. Second little question...can't seem to find a clear answer for this... Is CyanogenMod a "Sense" rom or AOSP?

AOSP
CM is an AOSP ROM. It is based on the android open source project rather than the HTC Sense coding. If you are using CM7 or any other AOSP ROM you will not have any of the HTC widgets or lockscreen or any of the touches that are sense. However there are lots of apps in the market that will mimick Sense pretty well. To include people widgets that are scrollable.
The allure of alot of the AOSP ROM's is that they run faster or smoother. This would be due to them having a smaller file size.
You can always give it a try and if you don't like it jump back to a backup... I always recommend a back up.
Hope this helps

Reizvoller said:
So I've been doing this stuff for a while now and have become very fluent in the droid rooting lingo but I am getting mixed messages on a few things.
ROMS and Kernels...
I understand that Kernel changes how different pieces of the hardware are utilized and the ROM is more or less how to interact with the hard ware but can a ROM ( such as CM# ) have it's own kernel. Meaning if I installed such and such a kernel, then did a clean install with CM7, would the such and such be wiped out and replaced with CM7's own kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My knowledge of CM7 is pretty limited, but in my experience, most (if not all) ROMS come with their own kernal that the developer likes best for his ROM.