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Hi guys, i'm new to doing this for Google Android as i've never owned an Android phone before. A friend of mine wanted me to do it for him because i've done iphone jailbreaking, PSP / DS hacking, installing custom roms on many mobile platforms. The only one i haven't done is Android but he feels that it's safer that i do it for him.
I owned a HTC Touch Pro and know how the process works, but it seems for Android devices, you have to "root" it first by bypass some sort of CID or SPL check??
Anyway my question is, can someone give me a rough and quick explanations on how this work for Android phones, or more specifically the HTC Desire?? My friend simply wants custom roms installed on his phone, just like how it is for the windows mobile devices like the Touch Pro or Touch Pro 2 etc.
So do i simply root it first, and then install the custom rom and that's it?? Are there any extra steps i must take as well such as updating the kernel or something??
I know for rooting, you have to create a gold card. I have found guides for those, but if anyone can give me guides on how to install custom roms or any other helpful infos that i need to them, please do. It seems it's not as easy and straightforward as it is for Windows Mobile phones........
and apparently, rooting the phone means that some apps won't be usable?? It seems there are some downsides to this as well. If anyone can give me as much info related to rooting or installing custom roms for Android devices, that would be awesome.
chaoscreater said:
Hi guys, i'm new to doing this for Google Android as i've never owned an Android phone before. A friend of mine wanted me to do it for him because i've done iphone jailbreaking, PSP / DS hacking, installing custom roms on many mobile platforms. The only one i haven't done is Android but he feels that it's safer that i do it for him.
I owned a HTC Touch Pro and know how the process works, but it seems for Android devices, you have to "root" it first by bypass some sort of CID or SPL check??
Anyway my question is, can someone give me a rough and quick explanations on how this work for Android phones, or more specifically the HTC Desire?? My friend simply wants custom roms installed on his phone, just like how it is for the windows mobile devices like the Touch Pro or Touch Pro 2 etc.
So do i simply root it first, and then install the custom rom and that's it?? Are there any extra steps i must take as well such as updating the kernel or something??
I know for rooting, you have to create a gold card. I have found guides for those, but if anyone can give me guides on how to install custom roms or any other helpful infos that i need to them, please do. It seems it's not as easy and straightforward as it is for Windows Mobile phones........
and apparently, rooting the phone means that some apps won't be usable?? It seems there are some downsides to this as well. If anyone can give me as much info related to rooting or installing custom roms for Android devices, that would be awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
basically what it is, when google made android, they locked us out of accessing system files, kinda like the windows directory on winmo fones if you get me, by rooting your fone you regain access to them system files in order to flash a rom there are 3 steps,
1) rooting (Lets us mod the system)
2) install custom recovery (Recovery is where you can flash roms and other update files)
3) get the rom you want, (copy the .zip to the root of your sd card, then just flash it via recovery)
thats it all done
thanks for your reply mate.
But i've read from a few topics that rooting is only required for branded devices, and i don't think my friend's HTC Desire is branded at all, will i still need to root his phone though?
Also, how do i install the custom recovery?? This is the first time i've learned about this, all the other guides i found were similar to how you install custom roms for Windows Mobile, just using the RUU_Flasher (something like that), it's like an automated installer that flashes your phone so you don't have to do anything else at all so it's very simple. Could you link me to the custom recovery thing you talked about??
So basically, the recovery thing is kinda like an app that you launch from Android itself, and then it'll install the rom found on the root of your memory card??
Oh and lastly, i've read something about the SPL and kernel as well, do those matter??
One question about rooting...
Is this something you do one time and it keeps forever? For example, I'm actually in android 2.1, but android 2.2 is going to be released soon. If I root my device now but I update it later to android 2.2 will be still rooted or should I root it again?
I'm asking this question because the root process needs an specific boot/ROM and updating the phone might update one or both of them, making the rooting process unavailable for the time being.
chaoscreater said:
But i've read from a few topics that rooting is only required for branded devices, and i don't think my friend's HTC Desire is branded at all, will i still need to root his phone though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is incorrect.
If the phone is unbranded, you don't need a goldcard, but you still need to "root" it to install custom ROMs.
In reality, what we call "rooting" here is a two stage process.
The first stage is to get a custom recovery on your device, which allows you to flash custom ROMs.
The second stage is to flash a ROM which allows you to gain root access to the device when in operation.
There are plenty of threads and guides on these forums that can take you through the process. IMHO, UnRevoked3 is the best solution.
Regards,
Dave
AzureusPT said:
Is this something you do one time and it keeps forever? For example, I'm actually in android 2.1, but android 2.2 is going to be released soon. If I root my device now but I update it later to android 2.2 will be still rooted or should I root it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install a ROM via an HTC RUU, or an OTA update, you will almost certainly lose root. So, once rooted, always flash ROMs that are pre-rooted via a custom recovery image. If you allow an HTC update to replace your bootloader, you may end up with a device that is no longer rootable by current methods.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
This is incorrect.
If the phone is unbranded, you don't need a goldcard, but you still need to "root" it to install custom ROMs.
In reality, what we call "rooting" here is a two stage process.
The first stage is to get a custom recovery on your device, which allows you to flash custom ROMs.
The second stage is to flash a ROM which allows you to gain root access to the device when in operation.
There are plenty of threads and guides on these forums that can take you through the process. IMHO, UnRevoked3 is the best solution.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so i basically use the UnRevoked3 app to install all that stuff on the Desire, and then put the custom rom image file on the root of my memory card, and where do i go from there?? I know i obviously have to install it but how? Will there be any apps installed on the phone by the UnRevoked3 program, and that i use the app to install the custom rom?
And btw i haven't gotten the phone yet so couldn't try this out so just wanna know exactly how this works.
Thanks for your reply btw, i appreciate it.
If you've got a custom recovery on your phone (via UnRevoked3 say), in order to install a custom ROM you need to:
a) Power down your phone
b) Power up your phone whilst holding volume down
c) Using the volume up/down keys navigate to "Recovery" and the power button to select. This will take you into your recovery image.
d) From here, you can then make Nandroid backups, flash new ROMs, wipe the device etc, etc
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
If you've got a custom recovery on your phone (via UnRevoked3 say), in order to install a custom ROM you need to:
a) Power down your phone
b) Power up your phone whilst holding volume down
c) Using the volume up/down keys navigate to "Recovery" and the power button to select. This will take you into your recovery image.
d) From here, you can then make Nandroid backups, flash new ROMs, wipe the device etc, etc
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AHH ic ic, this is similar to hacking a PSP and install a custom firmware
ok i think i got the gist of it overall. Just one last question, what is Nandroid?? I read the FAQ on the homepage for UnRevoked3 and it mentioned something like this, or was it Nand?? I forgot, but it's one of those things that couldn't be flashed or changed permanently. I know nand is quite a common term for PSP and iPhones, so just wondering what this is for or what it means on Android...
here's an old video which shows how fake flash recovery works:
once you root your phone, you can use this procedure to flash roms:
vol down + power to enter hboot
choose Recovery option using vol buttons and power to confirm
once red triangle shows up, vol up + power, then choose apply update.zip to enter fake flash recovery
from there, you can backup your rom, wipe everything, flash new roms/radios, partition sd card...
thanks for your help, yup i got it.
But i just want to know what is Nandroid?? I read the FAQ on the homepage for UnRevoked3 and it mentioned something like this, or was it Nand?? I forgot, but it's one of those things that couldn't be flashed or changed permanently. I know nand is quite a common term for PSP and iPhones, so just wondering what this is for or what it means on Android...
btw i just watched the video and what's the difference between:
apply sdcard:update.zip
and
install zip from sd card
it's around the 0:39 on the video.
apply update.zip is to enter recovery
install zip from sd card is used to choose rom or radio from sd card to flash
nandroid backup is system image that you create prior to flashing. In case something goes wrong, you can restore your backup, and have everything as it was, without any consequences (that's how it should be in theory, to tell the truth I haven't used it yet )
djoni1980 said:
apply update.zip is to enter recovery
install zip from sd card is used to choose rom or radio from sd card to flash
nandroid backup is system image that you create prior to flashing. In case something goes wrong, you can restore your backup, and have everything as it was, without any consequences (that's how it should be in theory, to tell the truth I haven't used it yet )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok but for the "apply update.zip", how is it that it enters recovery?? I thought you ARE in the recovery, and thus you get those options as shown in that video??
Hey Guys,
I've been contemplating rooting my DHD for a while and have been looking up information on it for a while.
However, just a few questions before I undergo the journey of rooting my phone
Firstly, I'd just like to confirm the procedure of rooting my phone.
The general procedure for this would be;
a) Downgrading firmware from 1.72 -> 1.32
b) installing Visionary to attain permanent root.
c) Turning S-Off
d) Flash/Install a new rom.
Is that correct?
The main reason I want to attain root is to improve battery life. What is the best rom that achieves this? Also I love minimalistic skins and have a launcher pro skin that I have installed (which Imo looks absolutely beautiful [and made my work colleague jealous because his iPhone can't do that without it jailbreaked].
Question is - taking into account of battery life/eye candy, what would be the best rom to install? (HTC sense optional)
Also - i've been reading the lingo of "radio" s-off. What does this actually entail?
Finally a few more questions;
- How would I be able to backup my apps, settings, contacts, files etc on an unrooted phone?
- How long would this process approximately take? I've been reading that people have bricked their phones... How often does this occur?
(note - for reference, I have installed CFW on my PSP via hard-modding my battery - So I have limited experience in this; but nothing involving this much lingo. -_-)
Cheers,
Thanks in advanced guys!
I found rooting my DHD somewhat confusing. visionary did not work for me so I used the instruction on cyanogenmod wiki and those worked just fine.
I had the asian model and my version was 1.72.405.6 but had no problem with rooting and the fixes were not applied to my image.
backing up from unroot image? the rooting procedure will leave the original image just gives you root. so you can either use titanium backup or the CWD for backing up. no need to worry about that.
as for the process I was confused so it took me 2-3 days of error and trail to get it done. I had one case of reboot loop but got fixed with a proper wipe.
for the rom I am using MODACO. if you pay the support fee you can use their kitchen to customize your image and make it faster if you need. battery life issue had something to do with one of the original images if you use any other rom you should be fine.
Hey guys, just thought I should give you an update on how things went.
I have successfully rooted my phone and installed the Core Droid Rom on it (I'm a sucker for eye candy)
The way I listed was pretty much spot on. I followed the guides from both here at xda and also the cyanogenmod wiki.
General process was;
Down grading from 1.72 -> 1.32 (using psneuter).
Installing Visionary for Temporary into Permanent Root
Flashing the Radio S-Off and t hen Eng S-Off using the 1 click tools provided by the helpful members here.
After that it was just easily enough to install new custom roms via Rom Manager
It wasn't as hard as I thought. hahaha
Also - I backed up all my things using My Backup Pro (which does cost money)
Hi
I've got a Bell Desire Z. I bought it brand new and "unlocked" from a guy on Craigslist, who told me it came direct from HTC as a sample for a photoshoot and was already unlocked. Sure enough, it worked with my non-Bell SIM card just fine. I now use MIUI, love it.
I've been having a few funny issues with the radio (12.28b.60.140eU_26.03.02.26_M) such as sometimes I make a call and the other person can't hear me, or I answer a call, same problem, or the call comes through all garbled. I want to see if upgrading the radio will fix this.
1. How do I know what type of unlock my phone has? I didn't put the engineering HBOOT on there, but if it is already on there, how can I tell? I've got it rooted, can I tell if the radio is already S-OFF? I've read tons of stuff and I can't figure this one out.
2. How do I flash the PC10MSgwhatever.zip file onto the phone?
3. Will flashing this break my unlock?
Thanks for taking the time to help me. You guys are the best
Answers
Hi,
to answer your questions:
1. one way of getting some information out of your phone is to use the AMT-Tool to query the device info and the security status. You can find the tool in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1097977&page=1
The latest version 1.8.5 is somewhat wacky though and sometimes claims, that it can not query or manipulate your phone, although you are already rooted and have the right software version installed. So do not rely on this tool for further flashing your phone. But the queries usually work fine and produce results.
If you run into trouble with the 1.8.5 you might want to download and try the older 1.8.1 which seems to be more stable and can be found here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26590769/AMT181.zip
You don't have to install the files, just unzipping them to a new directory is sufficient, so you can unpack and use both versions parallel without any troubles.
Another way to find out the version of your HBOOT is by shutting off your phone and then holding the ON-Button and the TrackPad-Button (that square thing at the bottom of your display) at the same time until the phone boots into the bootloader screen. There is the version of your HBOOT displayed.
2. I am not sure, what exactly you want to flash, but if it is something like a PC10IMG.zip, usually all you have to do is put it into the root-area of your SD-Card (so do NOT put it into any subfolder) and then again boot into the bootloader by the method above. Then select the first option called "Bootloader" (which usually is already pre-selected) and press the ON-Button once to confirm the choice. The phone automatically searches for any PC10IMG-Files on your SD-Card and then asks you, if you want to flash that Image.
Don't forget to delete the file from your SD-Card afterwards, otherwise your phone will try to flash the Image again the next time you boot into the Bootloader!
3. Depends. As far as I have learned, flashing only the Radio should not tamper with your root or unlock. But I am quite new to the Android-World myself and would not want to guarantee the correctness of that statement. All I can tell is, that the 2nd phone I have rooted was the Vodafone Branded and SIM-locked phone of my wife. After de-branding, rooting and unlocking it, I flashed it with the Virtuous Sense 2.0.0 ROM and in a 2nd step also flashed the latest Radio onto it. Both did NOT break the UNLOCK. But since I don't know by which method your phone was rooted and unlocked, all I can do is speculate.
But even if you should break your UNLOCK somehow, it shouldn't be too hard to re-ROOT and re-UNLOCK it by following any of the many HOW-TOs published in this forum.
You can find the Link to all the HTC Desire Z Radios in my signature. There are a lot versions available that are newer than yours. As far as I have read in other threads, you can safely flash and try out several radios on your phone, but again no guarantees on that statement.
But keep in mind, that you might also need to align the Radio Library with the Radio depending on your ROM. This thread will tell you more about that process.
Hope that helped...
Tronar
Okay, silly question here:
(First of all, YES, I did a brief search through the forums for this exact question. Couldn't find an answer.)
Background: I am a ROM junkie (but a newbie, I admit). I have flashed and re-flashed EVERY ROM on this site (and others) on to my HTC Wildfire S (rooted, but S-ON). Soon, I will release a "report" with all of my findings, comparing each ROM against each other, etc.
With that, I am *quite comfortable* flashing ROMs and tweaking them afterwards. What I do not know is whether it's possible (after flashing a ROM) to subsequently go back an upgrade ONLY the Android version (from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5, for example).
I'm aware of the OTA updates that a "normal" user would be entitled to. But, with a customized ROM, it seems like I am exempt from those upgrades.
N.B.
If anyone replies: "Just find a modified ROM that runs the version of OS you need, and then flash that onto your phone!"... that is not an option (...unless it's the ONLY option!)
If you don't know, don't guess. (Sorry, but I've seen some of the "quality" answers that come back from certain users who are just trying to up their post count, I assume.)
Thanks in advance, to all those who answer.
- Anthony
It is not possible, because the system image (the OS) IS the rom. In fact, if you change anything in your system partition, you change the ROM.
there are no different memory locations for ROM and OS.
You could download an official rom that contains 2.3.5 here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074445
The rom is the os mate.
Thanks theq86,
So, to be clear, if I am running a custom ROM that happens to be GB 2.3.3, there is no way for me to apply a GB 2.3.5 "upgrade" (if such an animal exists)? The goal here is to leave the rest of the ROM (apk's, settings, internal data, etc.) intact.
Well... that's a tad disappointing, but thanks so much for your answer.
- Anthony
intel007 said:
You could download an official rom that contains 2.3.5 here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074445
The rom is the os mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah? And do what with it?
(Go back and read my "N.B." from my original post.)
p.s. The ROM is not the OS. You're not the first person who's said this, though.
- Anthony
Tigger31337 said:
Thanks theq86,
So, to be clear, if I am running a custom ROM that happens to be GB 2.3.3, there is no way for me to apply a GB 2.3.5 "upgrade" (if such an animal exists)? The goal here is to leave the rest of the ROM (apk's, settings, internal data, etc.) intact.
Well... that's a tad disappointing, but thanks so much for your answer.
- Anthony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can keep the apks and data(but not settings) if you don't wipe.But that can cause ptoblems on some roms.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA premium
Thanks nerot, that's kinda the path I was heading down myself (install, without wipe).
The only thing is that I don't wish to install a ROM over another ROM. I was hoping to somehow sneak just a GB upgrade (into an update.zip, let's say) and then flash that through the recovery menu. That way (in theory) the only thing that gets refreshed in my current ROM are the actual Android OS files.
[Hint: Think of the way you would perform an OS upgrade in the Windows world... one does not have to flash an entire Windows image over the existing one. One could simply upgrade the OS, while keeping applications and settings intact. ]
I see no reason, in principal, why this isn't possible with Android and, quite frankly, I'm surprised some clever XDA hacker hasn't done it already.
- Anthony
Tigger31337 said:
Thanks nerot, that's kinda the path I was heading down myself (install, without wipe).
The only thing is that I don't wish to install a ROM over another ROM. I was hoping to somehow sneak just a GB upgrade (into an update.zip, let's say) and then flash that through the recovery menu. That way (in theory) the only thing that gets refreshed in my current ROM are the actual Android OS files.
[Hint: Think of the way you would perform an OS upgrade in the Windows world... one does not have to flash an entire Windows image over the existing one. One could simply upgrade the OS, while keeping applications and settings intact. ]
I see no reason, in principal, why this isn't possible with Android and, quite frankly, I'm surprised some clever XDA hacker hasn't done it already. An one more thing if ypu don't wipe its like you flashed an upsate.zip but as i sai not wiping when switching between roms can cause problems.
- Anthony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think it is possible to use a update.zip on custom roms because they are modified and even if it was possible i think it would be easier for the developer to just compile the whole rom again.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA premium
Tigger31337 said:
Thanks nerot, that's kinda the path I was heading down myself (install, without wipe).
The only thing is that I don't wish to install a ROM over another ROM. I was hoping to somehow sneak just a GB upgrade (into an update.zip, let's say) and then flash that through the recovery menu. That way (in theory) the only thing that gets refreshed in my current ROM are the actual Android OS files.
[Hint: Think of the way you would perform an OS upgrade in the Windows world... one does not have to flash an entire Windows image over the existing one. One could simply upgrade the OS, while keeping applications and settings intact. ]
I see no reason, in principal, why this isn't possible with Android and, quite frankly, I'm surprised some clever XDA hacker hasn't done it already.
- Anthony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nobody wants to bother, so find the updated version of the rom you wish to install, make titanium backup of your apps, and move on ..
b02 said:
nobody wants to bother, so find the updated version of the rom you wish to install, make titanium backup of your apps, and move on ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, what a very clever answer.
Keep in mind I'm not asking what YOU would do; I'm merely asking if something is technically possible.
While it would be nice to find "the updated version of my ROM", it does not exist (because it's a heavily customized version of an already heavily customized version.)
It's perfectly tweaked the way I like it (and yes, I've been backing up the ROM along the way)... so now, my question is (as before): is it POSSIBLE to overwrite ONLY the Android files, thus giving me a newer version of the OS?
Don't worry about whether or not it's something YOU would do... that's missing the point. And don't worry about whether or not certain apps would break after I perform the upgrade... that's my problem. (I suspect that going from 2.3.3 --> 2.3.5, or 2.3.5 --> 2.3.7 would not cause my phone to explode.)
Simply: is it POSSIBLE to perform an OS upgrade on an EXISTING ROM?!
I've heard one answer so far (of "No") but it seems like that was a "most people don't do this" or "it's not practical"-type of answer.
I'm looking for someone knowledgeable enough (because I'm not) to say whether or not it's technically possible. For me, I don't see why it wouldn't be. If someone can confirm it, then I'll get to work and try creating a flash package to get the job done.
Danke,
- Anthony
Tigger31337 said:
Simply: is it POSSIBLE to perform an OS upgrade on an EXISTING ROM?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A custom ROM (Read Only Memory) as it is so often referred to, is the OS (Operating System) packaged to be flashed into the ROM, which can include the kernel, system, boot image and or other file like data, radio etc.. This is why it is loosely called a custom built ROM.
Yes, it is possible to JUST flash the upgraded files into the OS in the ROM.
The issues most have is when updating some main system files like the systemiu.apk or framework.jar is the /data/data setting files. If those file are not compatible with the newer files you flashed you will get a boot loop issue. I know this since I am modifying my own OS this way from time to time.
Now I am not a expert or a have advance knowledge but I know I what I have done, and the manufactures also do the same with their OTA(Over The Air) updates.
-Mark
The answer IS no.
The files of the rom are the same files of the os.
you can upgade the only the os, but ...
you will not able to start the upgraded os unless you wipe caches and data partition
So you need to:
- backup your apps
- backup your pim data
- upgrade the os (or ROM, whatever term you like more)
- recover pim data
- recover apps
- do the phone settings
having os upgraded and data not wiped is an inconsistent system state.
the only way to upgrade as you like is done by a FOTA update. From 2.33 to 2.35 all the settings and data were kept.
...and so we have a DIRECT contradiction:
One user says it CAN be done; one says it CAN'T.
theq86, although your answer is detailed, here is why I'm having a problem accepting it:
- First, you keep equating OS to ROM. A customized flashable ROM is more than the OS. For example, a ROM can be deodexed, overclocked, embedded with system apps, themed, tweaked, yadda yadda yadda. The OS is merely one component of a ROM package. Please stop equating the two.
- Second (as you already identified) it actually IS possible to do an OS-only upgrade because we are able to receive those types of upgrades today (in the form of OTA updates).
That's my difficulty. Surely, if my phone can handle a package that's designed to upgrade ONLY the OS (say, from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5) then it's just a matter of finding out how that upgrade is packaged and delivered (zip flash, update.zip, whatever) and then re-creating that process offline so that I can apply the upgrade manually.
Here's another description, so you get the picture: Imagine you absolutely LOVE a custom ROM called TiggerROM. It's the best thing you've ever seen in your entire life (you don't get out much) and it happens to be based on GB 2.3.3. Now imagine the author of your custom ROM gets hit by a bus and dies a horrible, twitching death. (There will be no more updates to TiggerROM, sadly). A week after his funeral service, GB 2.3.5 has been released. Your other friends (who have NOT modded their phone) are freely getting the 2.3.5 upgrade OTA, and it does not affect the rest of their phone (i.e. they do not have to re-install all their apps, they did not lose their wallpaper of their pet dog, they did not have to reconfigure their WiFi and Google accounts, etc.) Now, you are saying to yourself, "I want that too! I want to keep my current ROM+settings+tweaks and all I wish to do is upgrade Android from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5" (because you're just the kind of guy who likes to have the latest OS).
...so, what would YOU do?
- Anthony
Tigger31337 said:
...and so we have a DIRECT contradiction:
One user says it CAN be done; one says it CAN'T.
theq86, although your answer is detailed, here is why I'm having a problem accepting it:
- First, you keep equating OS to ROM. A customized flashable ROM is more than the OS. For example, a ROM can be deodexed, overclocked, embedded with system apps, themed, tweaked, yadda yadda yadda. The OS is merely one component of a ROM package. Please stop equating the two.
- Second (as you already identified) it actually IS possible to do an OS-only upgrade because we are able to receive those types of upgrades today (in the form of OTA updates).
That's my difficulty. Surely, if my phone can handle a package that's designed to upgrade ONLY the OS (say, from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5) then it's just a matter of finding out how that upgrade is packaged and delivered (zip flash, update.zip, whatever) and then re-creating that process offline so that I can apply the upgrade manually.
Here's another description, so you get the picture: Imagine you absolutely LOVE a custom ROM called TiggerROM. It's the best thing you've ever seen in your entire life (you don't get out much) and it happens to be based on GB 2.3.3. Now imagine the author of your custom ROM gets hit by a bus and dies a horrible, twitching death. (There will be no more updates to TiggerROM, sadly). A week after his funeral service, GB 2.3.5 has been released. Your other friends (who have NOT modded their phone) are freely getting the 2.3.5 upgrade OTA, and it does not affect the rest of their phone (i.e. they do not have to re-install all their apps, they did not lose their wallpaper of their pet dog, they did not have to reconfigure their WiFi and Google accounts, etc.) Now, you are saying to yourself, "I want that too! I want to keep my current ROM+settings+tweaks and all I wish to do is upgrade Android from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5" (because you're just the kind of guy who likes to have the latest OS).
...so, what would YOU do?
- Anthony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you put it that way it is impossible to do that because you don't know what was edited in the custom rom and os compared to the stock ones it would cause instability an probably boot loop or the system not starting at all.Its almost like you want to upgrade from custom froyo to stock gingerbread using a ota.So the finnal answer is no.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA premium
And as for keeping all the other stuff i think that during the update it's all temporarily backuped somewhere(probably the sd card) and then restored.But i think it depends on the update itself for example there is no need to delete apps and google accounts for a Wi-Fi fix but it is necessary to do that when upgrading from froyo to gingerbread(unless my backup theory is correct)
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA premium
you can not separate os and rom the way you do.
see, android is an OS that has a lot of dependencies. among these dependencies there are apks, themes and all the other stuff of the ROM.
it is sure possible to only upgrade the minimal dependencies that allow you to update your os and keep the rest (possible like: it's possible to fly)
the problem is: everything providers release are ROMs and no OS diffs. So what you want to do is very impractible.
no one does and want to struggle with those OS diffs. If you want to do, feel free. But you are the 1st one here.
so, yes it is possible, as it is possible to catch a fish with your hands. but the amount of work is much more than it it practicable.
Anyway, I got what you want. And the best thing you can do now:
- take a stock rom
- import it into a rom kitchen
- add your holy stuff
- cook your new rom and be careful not to be caught by a bus, because then the next one will arrive here crying that is favourite rom developer has died.
Try to only update the needed files would take you months of work just to find out what you can update.
nerot said:
If you put it that way it is impossible to do that because you don't know what was edited in the custom rom and os compared to the stock ones it would cause instability an probably boot loop or the system not starting at all.Its almost like you want to upgrade from custom froyo to stock gingerbread using a ota.So the finnal answer is no.
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No, no, no.
In the examples I've been giving, I've always said that the change is minimally incremental (going from 2.3.3 --> 2.3.5, or 2.3.5 --> 2.3.7, for example). In theory, I'm sure you could go from Froyo to GB, but that's never an example I gave (nor something I'd want to do in real life). The bigger the version jump == the bigger the risk!
I am saying, (to repeat, yet again) that I would be working off a ROM that was GB 2.3.3 and then (somehow) apply a patch that would upgrade the bare minimum to get that Android up to 2.3.5. No other parts of the ROM would be touched. Whether or not **** breaks after the OS upgrade - well, that would have to be dealt with after the fact. I suspect not much would break, but that's not my question/concern right now. I'm saying can it be done TECHNICALLY. Is there a delivery method to apply an OS upgrade patch to a ROM. Don't worry about boot loops or broken apps... that's my problem, not yours.
And, if such an OS upgrade zip doesn't exist, then why not? Are they hard to make? Has anyone tried? Wouldn't such an update be HUGELY beneficial to the custom ROM community?
- Anthony
theq86 said:
you can not separate os and rom the way you do.
so, yes it is possible, as it is possible to catch a fish with your hands. but the amount of work is much more than it it practicable.
.
.
.
Try to only update the needed files would take you months of work just to find out what you can update.
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Okay thanks. I think I'm getting the sense that it's just too much trouble than it's worth.
Thanks so much, everyone who replied.
I guess we are stuck in the hands of the ROM chefs (unless we take the time to learn to cook ROMs ourselves
Thanks again, take care!
- Anthony
Yes, it's technically possible. BUT you'll need to get whoever made the ROM you like to provide another ROM with the Android upgrade already in it. This may not be an insignificant task.
Nicknoxx said:
Yes, it's technically possible. BUT you'll need to get whoever made the ROM you like to provide another ROM with the Android upgrade already in it. This may not be an insignificant task.
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Yes, but that's just another way of saying "you'll need to flash a new ROM" which is what we're trying to avoid here (because, by flashing new ROM, you'll lose everything - embedded apps, tweaks, themes, Link2SD data, etc.)
We're trying to keep our existing ROM and just change ONLY the Android version (from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5 for example, not a major version change).
Hi guys! After purchasing a Droid X that I thought was a Droid X2, I've now purchased a Droid Incredible from Ebay. For context, it's for my 12 yr old daughter who is on PagePlus. I've got her on one of the talk and text plans wiht no data.
I've read the wiki and a number of threads but couldn't find a clear answer to my question: What should I do with this before I give it to her?
Things I'd like to do:
1. Get rid of/freeze bloatware
2. Address the short battery life issue (if possible)
3. Give her the ability to change the theme, preferably without installing a program
4. Limit data to wifi since I don't want her using PP minutes for data inadvertantly
So, what would you do with a new phone?
TIA,
CheapDad
CheapDad said:
Hi guys! After purchasing a Droid X that I thought was a Droid X2, I've now purchased a Droid Incredible from Ebay. For context, it's for my 12 yr old daughter who is on PagePlus. I've got her on one of the talk and text plans wiht no data.
I've read the wiki and a number of threads but couldn't find a clear answer to my question: What should I do with this before I give it to her?
Things I'd like to do:
1. Get rid of/freeze bloatware
2. Address the short battery life issue (if possible)
3. Give her the ability to change the theme, preferably without installing a program
4. Limit data to wifi since I don't want her using PP minutes for data inadvertantly
So, what would you do with a new phone?
TIA,
CheapDad
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Click to collapse
Hi from another Page Plus user!
#4 is easy: just turn Mobile Data off in the phone's settings.
For only #1: Root the phone and install Titanium Backup. Follow the first part of this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1600904
You do not need to follow the full guide and get s-off unless you want to, for what you want to do just having root will be enough. Follow steps 1, 2, and 3. Once Superuser and Titanuim Backup are installed, you will be able to remove any apps you want. Plus, you'll have a custom recovery installed, which will allow you to continue:
For #2 and #3: Follow the guide as stated above, and flash a ROM with Theme Engine support, such as Cyanogenmod:
http://download.cyanogenmod.com/get/jenkins/21410/cm-7-20130301-NIGHTLY-inc.zip
...that is a link for the last official Cyanogenmod nightly, which is Gingerbread. It will have much better battery life than stock, and there are still lots of free themes around for CM7.
(There are some pretty good Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean unofficial builds, but the video camera is broken on most anything newer than Gingerbread. You can even put KitKat on your Droid Incredible if you want to, but that breaks picture messaging as well as the video camera.)
Thanks very much, musical-chairs! Your post summarized everything very nicely. Unfortunately, my phone didn't come with an SD card, so I've got one on order from Newegg. Once it gets here I'll get started.
One question - if I use Titanium Backup, can I back up the AOSP ROM so that I can restore the phone to stock? Or is there a better way of doing that?
Second question - does CM already address the 149 MB storage issue, or do I still need to apply a fix to that?
CheapDad
CheapDad said:
One question - if I use Titanium Backup, can I back up the AOSP ROM so that I can restore the phone to stock? Or is there a better way of doing that?
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Click to collapse
When you say "back up the AOSP ROM," I think back up the entire ROM. Titanium doesn't do that, that's a nandroid, done in recovery.
What Titanium does, is back up individual apps (and their app data). That's ok, as long as you're backing up user apps (apps that live in /data/apps). It's not ok, and known to cause problems, to back up system apps (apps that live in /system/apps).
PonsAsinorem said:
When you say "back up the AOSP ROM," I think back up the entire ROM. Titanium doesn't do that, that's a nandroid, done in recovery.
What Titanium does, is back up individual apps (and their app data). That's ok, as long as you're backing up user apps (apps that live in /data/apps). It's not ok, and known to cause problems, to back up system apps (apps that live in /system/apps).
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Pons:
Forgive the inaccurate language. What I 'm thinking is that I'd like the option of restoring the phone to its original state, ideally with the most up to date firmware issued by the HTC or Verizon (it's a Verizon phone). I assume I should do that before I change anything. How do I do that?
CheapDad
CheapDad said:
Pons:
Forgive the inaccurate language. What I 'm thinking is that I'd like the option of restoring the phone to its original state, ideally with the most up to date firmware issued by the HTC or Verizon (it's a Verizon phone). I assume I should do that before I change anything. How do I do that?
CheapDad
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As Pons said, you can back up your stock rom before flashing a new one, in recovery (aka make a nandroid backup) and restore it at any time. Also, you can wipe the phone and install a stock image, you can find those here: http://dinc.does-it.net/Stock_Images/
I mentioned Titanium not so much for making backups as for uninstalling bloatware. Of course, if you decide to flash a custom ROM like CyanogenMod, that is a non-issue.
The 150Mb data issue requires a separate fix, flash that after flashing a ROM. The thread for that is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1623038 You're looking for the 'no data limit' variant of the mod.
musical_chairs said:
As Pons said, you can back up your stock rom before flashing a new one, in recovery (aka make a nandroid backup) and restore it at any time. Also, you can wipe the phone and install a stock image, you can find those here: http://dinc.does-it.net/Stock_Images/
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Click to collapse
I received a 32GB SD card yesterday in the mail from Newegg and I plan to follow all of the steps you suggest tomorrow. I went to the link for the stock images to save one locally and I can't figure which one to use. My phone has the following:
Build Number
4.08.605.19 CL539174 release keys
Software number
4.08.605.19 710RD
This doesn't seem to make any of the file names at the stock image site. Can you help me identify the correct one?
CheapDad
CheapDad said:
I went to the link for the stock images to save one locally and I can't figure which one to use. My phone has the following:
Build Number
4.08.605.19 CL539174 release keys
Software number
4.08.605.19 710RD
This doesn't seem to make any of the file names at the stock image site. Can you help me identify the correct one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The newest full stock image there is 4.08.605.15: http://dinc.does-it.net/Stock_Images/4.08.605.15/
Then there is the 4.08.605.19 OTA update patch: http://dinc.does-it.net/Stock_Image...WE_4.08.605.19-4.08.605.15_release_305224.zip
...the stock images are flashed through HBOOT rather than recovery, so they wipe everything, including your custom recovery and the bootloader unlock. I think you would rename the OTA update to PB31IMG.zip (just like the full stock image) and flash it through HBOOT as well, so that after flashing them both you would have a completely stock, locked, unrooted phone. These can be useful if you want to sell the phone or if something gets crashed or messes up in a really bad way. 4.08.605.15 has that annoying bug where it likes to keep rebooting at 2:00 am, but it would be fine for recovering your device.
Alternately, there are odexed and deodexed stock images in the main directory of http://dinc.does-it.net/ that you would flash through recovery. They would return the ROM to stock but would leave the recovery in place and the bootloader unlocked. Also, the guide recommends that you make a nandroid backup of your stock ROM as soon as you're in clockworkmod recovery, so you could always restore your backup and get the ROM back to stock (but leave the bootloader unlocked.)
On the bright side, if your phones are on 4.08.605.19, you will already have the latest HBOOT, so unlocking via htcdev will be nice and simple - no need to download and run the RUU update as the guide says in part 1 section 2, just run the fastboot commands and click along in htcdev.
Sorry, this post got kind of messy...
To close the loop, I spent the better part of yesterday going through the process described by musical_chairs. First, I unlocked and rooted using HTCDev. I installed CWM and made a stock rom backup. I flashed/installed CM7.2. Once I did that, I realized that I didn't have Google Apps, so I followed the same process and installed that. (adb push) Lastly, I fixed the 150 mb storage limit.
As few thoughts on the process from the perspective of a noob with some computer/technical knowledge, but zero linux/android knowledge:
1. The instructions were great. The more detailed the better and pictures are even better yet. A few times I had to google when I got an unexpected outcome to find a youtube video or something to show me a picture so I could determine what I had done wrong.
2. I used the "downgrade to froyo" instructions but just changed the file name to match CM7.2. While I got this done, a set of instructions that are generalized (to flash a new rom, enter this command "adb push (name of file) /location/) would have been better because I would not have had to extrapolate. I appreciate that his comment reduces the simplicity to the absurd, but for someone doing this for the first time, absurdly simple is important.
3. The support here is phenomenal. I couldn't have done this without the guidance provided. Thank you!
CheapDad